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IDEXX Neo vs Shepherd

Graded on the same 20 criteria from each one's own website: where they differ, what they share, and which clinics each one suits.

IDEXX Neo

IDEXX · Westbrook, Maine, US

Since
2016
Runs
Cloud, in the browser
Pricing
Monthly, per user and location
Price
From CAD 355 a month (Canada)

10 built in · 4 through a partner · 4 not published · 2 no

IDEXX Neo in full

Shepherd

Shepherd Veterinary Software · Prescott, Arizona, US

Since
2016
Runs
Cloud, in the browser
Pricing
By quote
Price
Not published

10 built in · 2 through a partner · 6 not published · 2 no

Shepherd in full

Key differences

Where they differ.

  • TelemedicineIDEXX Neo offers telemedicine, in part (through Otto); Shepherd's website does not say.
  • Stock with batches and expiry datesShepherd tracks stock by batch and expiry date; IDEXX Neo's website does not say.
  • Open APIShepherd has an open API; IDEXX Neo only in part (partner integrations only).
  • Prices published on its websiteIDEXX Neo publishes its prices; Shepherd's website does not say.
  • Free trialIDEXX Neo offers a free trial; Shepherd's website does not say.

Both have built in

  • Appointment calendar and online booking
  • Automatic reminders to owners
  • Client app or portal
  • Lab and imaging integrations
  • AI note-taking
  • Card payments processed in the software
  • Purchase orders and suppliers
  • Several branches

Feature by feature

Every criterion, side by side.

  • Built in
  • In part, or through a partner
  • No
  • Not published
Criterion IDEXX Neo Shepherd
Clients and care
Appointment calendar and online booking A scheduler; booking through the patient portal A calendar, and direct booking in the pet portal
Automatic reminders to owners SMS and automatic e-mails Automatic texts and e-mails
WhatsApp messages to owners
Client app or portal The Neo patient portal An online pet portal
Lab and imaging integrations IDEXX, Antech, Zoetis and Vetek IDEXX, Antech, Heska and others
AI note-taking AI-assisted notes, released in 2025 TranscribeAI writes SOAP notes
Telemedicine Through Otto
Front desk and stock
Point of sale with shifts Checkout with Clover devices; no retail till Quick invoices for counter sales; no retail till
Card payments processed in the software IDEXX Payments, built in Shepherd Pay
Stock with batches and expiry dates Inventory yes; batches and expiry not confirmed Lots, bottles and expiry dates
Purchase orders and suppliers Purchase orders Purchase orders, received into lots
Loyalty points or promotions Greenline coupons, through a partner Through mClub, AllyDVM and Greenline
Money and management
Double-entry accounting built in No ledger, and no accounting link listed A QuickBooks journal-entry report
Several branches Priced per location An admin portal for groups
Open API Partner integrations only An open API, a paid option
Region and buying
Arabic interface
Sold and supported in Egypt or the Middle East None found None found
Government e-invoicing (Egypt's ETA, Saudi ZATCA)
Prices published on its website Published for Canada No prices on its current site
Free trial A 15-day free trial Its current site offers demos

Which to choose

Who each one suits.

Choose IDEXX Neo if…

  • Small and mobile small-animal practices in North America.
  • Clinics that want IDEXX labs connected out of the box.
  • Teams that want a low entry price and a free trial.

Strengths

  • A low entry price, published for Canada, and a 15-day free trial.
  • IDEXX, Antech and Zoetis labs connected, and IDEXX Web PACS.
  • IDEXX Payments built in, with Clover devices.
  • AI-assisted notes, and a patient portal for owners.

Pricing

IDEXX Canada lists Neo from CAD 355 a month including three users, plus about CAD 26 per extra user and CAD 185 per extra location; its plans page also lists one-time setup and data conversion fees.

Choose Shepherd if…

  • Independent small-animal clinics in the US, from one vet to four or more.
  • Clinics that want charges captured from the medical record.
  • Clinics that want card payments built into the software.

Strengths

  • Charge capture built around the SOAP record.
  • Inventory lots, bottles and expiry dates, with an expiry report, and purchase orders.
  • Shepherd Pay for terminals, stored cards and payments in the pet portal.
  • TranscribeAI ambient notes, lab integrations and an open API.

Pricing

Shepherd's current site shows no prices and offers demos.

Also worth a look

Petfolio, made in Cairo

Built in, where neither IDEXX Neo nor Shepherd is: whatsApp messages to owners, point of sale with shifts, loyalty points or promotions, double-entry accounting built in and sold and supported in Egypt or the Middle East. To be fair about it: Petfolio books visits ahead but has no calendar view or online booking, no client app or lab connections, and its screens are in English.

IDEXX Neo vs Petfolio Shepherd vs Petfolio

Questions

IDEXX Neo or Shepherd?

What is the difference between IDEXX Neo and Shepherd?

IDEXX Neo is a cloud practice management system that IDEXX launched in 2016 for small and mobile practices. Shepherd is a cloud practice management system from Prescott, Arizona, built by vets around the medical record. IDEXX Neo offers telemedicine, in part (through Otto); Shepherd's website does not say. Shepherd tracks stock by batch and expiry date; IDEXX Neo's website does not say. Shepherd has an open API; IDEXX Neo only in part (partner integrations only).

Which is cheaper, IDEXX Neo or Shepherd?

IDEXX Neo: IDEXX Canada lists Neo from CAD 355 a month including three users, plus about CAD 26 per extra user and CAD 185 per extra location; its plans page also lists one-time setup and data conversion fees. Shepherd: Shepherd's current site shows no prices and offers demos.

Does IDEXX Neo or Shepherd have an Arabic interface?

IDEXX Neo's website does not say whether it has an Arabic interface. Shepherd's website does not say whether it has an Arabic interface.

Which has accounting built in, IDEXX Neo or Shepherd?

IDEXX Neo relies on separate accounting software (no ledger, and no accounting link listed). Shepherd relies on separate accounting software (a QuickBooks journal-entry report).

Can IDEXX Neo or Shepherd run several branches?

IDEXX Neo runs several branches (priced per location). Shepherd runs several branches (an admin portal for groups).

Is IDEXX Neo or Shepherd available in Egypt and the Middle East?

IDEXX Neo has no team or partner in the region we could find (none found). Shepherd has no team or partner in the region we could find (none found).

IDEXX Neo: sources

Read on 18 October 2026. IDEXX Neo is a trademark of its owner; we are not affiliated with them.

Shepherd: sources

Read on 18 October 2026. Shepherd is a trademark of its owner; we are not affiliated with them.

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