OpenVPM vs Shepherd
Shepherd is an established cloud system with guided onboarding. OpenVPM adds public source and self-hosting, but remains in controlled clinic pilots.
Reviewed August 17, 2026 by Evan Gauer, OpenVPM founder. Vendor interest disclosed; primary sources linked below.
Workspace access is immediate. Live clinic use starts as a guided pilot alongside the current PIMS. See current fit and rollout limits.
Shepherd is a cloud system positioned around easy-to-learn clinical workflows, onboarding, and support. Its current public materials do not provide a numeric rate card. OpenVPM makes its source and schema public, but does not claim Shepherd's onboarding maturity and is currently limited to controlled clinic pilots.
Quote-based vendors can change commercial terms at any time. Confirm pricing, implementation, integration, support, and exit terms in writing before buying.
Sources reviewed
We prefer vendor-owned product, pricing, developer, support, and contract material. These links support the changeable facts above, not OpenVPM's editorial judgment.
What about your data?
Shepherd offers migration and onboarding support, which is a real plus. It is still a proprietary platform, so confirm export formats, timing, and costs in the agreement. OpenVPM keeps a public schema and full export, so the data is yours regardless of where you host.
Read: who owns your practice dataWhen Shepherd is the better fit
If you want a friendly, established cloud system with guided onboarding and you do not need open source, Shepherd is a solid pick.
When OpenVPM is the better fit
Consider OpenVPM if public code and self-hosting matter and your connected single-location companion-animal or house-call workflow passes a controlled-pilot review. Shepherd has the more established onboarding track record today.
Use OpenVPM your way.
Self-host the full open-source PIMS for free, or let us run it for you. Same software, your choice.
Run OpenVPM on your own infrastructure. You operate security, backups, email, messaging, payments, model providers, and production validation.
- Full source under the AGPLv3 license
- All source modules and the documented API
- Docker or Vercel deployment paths
- Bring your own database, email, SMS, and AI keys
Common questions
How does OpenVPM pricing compare to Shepherd?
Shepherd does not publish a current rate card. OpenVPM has no self-hosted software license fee, although infrastructure and operations still cost money; managed Cloud is priced per location with unlimited staff.
I was on Hippo Manager and got moved to Shepherd. Is OpenVPM an option?
It may be an evaluation option for a connected, single-location companion-animal or house-call pilot. Migration scope must be reviewed by record type, and OpenVPM should not be treated as a universal cutover path.
Is Shepherd open source?
No. Shepherd markets an open API but the product itself is closed-source SaaS. OpenVPM is fully open source under the AGPLv3 license.
Keep reading
Best Veterinary Practice Management Software for 2026: 11 PIMS Compared
Compare 11 veterinary PIMS platforms, then use a downloadable demo scorecard to check records, handoffs, invoices, payments, migration, and practice fit.
Read moreHippo Manager Alternatives: The Honest Guide for Practices Finding a New Home
Hippo Manager was acquired by Shepherd in March 2025. Here's an honest comparison of where displaced practices are landing and what to look for in a new system.
Read moreWho Owns Your Veterinary Practice's Data? (And What Happens When You Try to Leave)
A plain-language guide to veterinary data stewardship, software contracts, export fees, portability, and what open source changes.
Read moreSee OpenVPM for yourself.
The demo is live and loaded with real-looking data. No sales call. Click around, then self-host it free or let us run it for you.