What matters most to your practice?
Both ezyVet and Shepherd are practice management solutions that can effectively handle the daily requirements of running a modern veterinary practice. The key differences emerge when you look at depth, scalability, and how well the system supports your practice as it evolves.
ezyVet might be right for you if...
Shepherd might be right for you if…
ezyVet or Shepherd: Feature comparison
ezyVet and Shepherd are built around the same core needs: appointment scheduling, patient records, invoicing, payments, and client communication. Because both systems are cloud-native, your team can work from any device without managing on-premise servers or chasing software updates. The real differences show up in day-to-day use - in workflow depth, diagnostic integration, automation, and how each platform grows with your practice.
| Feature | ezyVet | Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud-based platform | ||
| IDEXX diagnostics & imaging integration | ||
| Automated client reminders | ||
| Client booking & pet owner app | ||
| End-to-end inventory management | ||
| Multi-location management | ||
| Advanced reporting & analytics | ||
| 24/7 live support (phone & email) |
How ezyVet compares to Shepherd
Shepherd is well suited to smaller practices and start-ups, particularly those looking for a clean interface and an easy-to-use, all-in-one system. ezyVet is designed for practices that expect to grow in complexity and require deeper clinical, operational, and financial control.
Workflows built for busy clinical environments
Shepherd is easy to learn and works well for straightforward environments. In higher-volume practices, ezyVet's multi-user workflows let teams manage consultations, diagnostics, and treatments in parallel without losing visibility across the patient journey.
Diagnostic and imaging integration
Both platforms integrate with IDEXX diagnostics and imaging. In ezyVet, the integration runs deeper - test ordering, results, and charge capture flow directly through the patient record, reducing manual reconciliation.
Automation across the practice
Shepherd automates charge capture and client communication. ezyVet extends this across the full practice - clinical notes, diagnostics, invoicing, inventory, and medication labels - reducing data entry and keeping workflows consistent.
Integrations and flexibility
Shepherd covers the core integrations most smaller practices need. ezyVet adds a broader ecosystem and an open API, giving growing practices the flexibility to connect additional systems and customize workflows.
Every practice is different. The right software depends not just on practice size and workflows today, but on where you want the practice to be in a few years.
Reporting that supports better decisions
Shepherd provides reporting tools that cover core practice needs, though some users find advanced reporting or deeper data analysis requires additional effort. ezyVet provides more advanced and customizable reporting across clinical, financial, and operational data, helping practice leaders better understand performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
Support and reliability
IDEXX backs ezyVet with around-the-clock access to knowledgeable support and a single team covering your IDEXX products. Shepherd also offers support and maintains a modern cloud infrastructure, though user feedback across the industry varies in terms of response times and consistency depending on region and support channel.
Costs and long-term value
Shepherd is typically positioned at a lower entry price point and includes bundled features, which can be attractive for smaller practices. ezyVet represents a higher investment but is designed to deliver value through automation, diagnostic integration, inventory control, reporting depth, and improved charge capture. For many practices, the long-term value often comes from efficiency gains, not just subscription cost.
Already using Shepherd and considering a move to ezyVet?
Many practices move from Shepherd to ezyVet as their operational needs increase. Each migration is managed through a structured onboarding process that includes data review, workflow planning, training, and go-live support.
The goal is to ensure your practice transitions in a controlled way, with minimal disruption to day-to-day operations.
What the switch looks like
Plan
A dedicated onboarding specialist works with the practice to map timelines, priorities, and operational needs. Plans are tailored for single‑location clinics as well as larger groups.
Migrate
Client, patient, product, and medical history data are securely transferred and validated. Practices review what’s coming over and know exactly where everything will land in ezyVet before go‑live.
Train
Teams train by role through hands‑on sessions and a sandbox environment. Learning progresses at a comfortable pace, supported by ezyVet Academy resources and live guidance.
Go live
On launch day, support is available remotely or onsite. Assistance continues as appointments, billing, diagnostics, and communication begin, with follow‑up support after launch.
“I loved the ease of the training and how fast we all learned the system. This is our third software change in 20 years and I am happy to say that the transfer to ezyVet was by far the smoothest and easiest!"
ezyVet or Shepherd: FAQs
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