OpenVPM
Veterinary software
What OpenVPM is
OpenVPM is open-source veterinary practice management software for clinics handling scheduling, patient records, billing, and inventory. Its connected workflows include SOAP notes, prescriptions, vaccination records, estimates, invoices, patient profiles, inventory, a shared whiteboard, and reports. The software is available on the web, through an API, or as a self-hosted deployment. Its versioned REST API supports selected client, patient, appointment, SOAP-note, and agent workflows, with scoped keys, rate limiting, and signed webhooks. A built-in AI agent can read supported records and make supported changes after explicit approval; it needs a model key and staff review. OpenVPM Cloud describes tenant-scoped practice data protected by application controls and database row-level security, along with TLS, isolation, patching, and scheduled daily backups. Its controlled-substance ledger and selected audit records are operational tools, not compliance certification, and clinics must check them against applicable requirements. OpenVPM is offered as a controlled pilot for connected, single-location companion-animal general practices, following a fit and readiness review before live use. Self-hosting is free under AGPLv3; Cloud costs $79 a month per location and includes managed services and an AI allowance.
Good at
- Includes scheduling, SOAP notes, prescriptions, invoices, and inventory.
- Offers web, API, and self-hosted deployment options.
- Cloud includes managed database, storage, backups, and updates.
- Practices can export data in open formats and move to self-hosting.
- Cloud includes unlimited staff.
Watch for
- Offline operation is unsupported.
- Automatic appointment confirmation is unsupported.
- Specialty, emergency, and multi-location operations are not production-ready.
- Self-host users operate infrastructure and related services themselves.
OpenVPM plans and prices
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Self-host | Free | AGPLv3 software license; you operate infrastructure, database, backups, email, messaging, and model providers; Docker or Vercel deployment From openvpm.com, 8 Oct 2026 |
| OpenVPM Cloud per location; founding rate locked for life | $79 a month | Unlimited staff; managed database, storage, backups, and updates; AI allowance included; SMS after carrier and consent review From openvpm.com, 8 Oct 2026 |
Free plan · paid from $79/mo · 14-day trial
Self-hosting is free software, but the practice operates its infrastructure, database, backups, email, messaging, and model providers. Cloud is $79 a month per location; a 14-day trial is listed.
Getting started
- Review the live demo and the clinic fit and readiness process.
- Choose free self-hosting with Docker or Vercel, or OpenVPM Cloud.
- For self-hosting, arrange infrastructure, database, backups, email, messaging, and model providers.
- For Cloud, begin with the listed 14-day trial.
- Import supported clients, patients, vaccination history, and visit notes from CSV, or scope other migration needs with assistance.
Facts from OpenVPM's own pages
- Core features
- Its connected workflows include scheduling, SOAP notes, prescriptions, vaccination records, estimates, invoices, patient profiles, inventory, a shared whiteboard, and reports.source, 8 Oct 2026
- API
- The versioned REST API supports selected client, patient, appointment, SOAP-note, and agent workflows, with scoped keys, rate limiting, and signed webhooks.source, 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- OpenVPM Cloud says practice data is tenant scoped and protected by application controls and database row-level security, with TLS, patching, isolation, and scheduled daily backups.source, 8 Oct 2026
- Compliance limits
- The controlled-substance ledger and selected audit records are operational controls, not compliance certification, and clinics must validate them against applicable requirements.source, 8 Oct 2026
- AI agent
- The built-in agent can read supported records and perform supported writes only after explicit approval; it requires a model key and staff review.source, 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The maker describes a targeted REST API and signed webhooks; ongoing synchronization with an existing PIMS is not generally available.source, 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Self-host users have community and documentation support, while Cloud users receive priority email from the team.source, 8 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The maker offers a live demo, self-hosting with Docker, and deployment to Vercel.source, 8 Oct 2026
- Clinic fit
- OpenVPM is available as a controlled pilot for connected, single-location companion-animal general practices, with a fit and readiness review before live use.source, 8 Oct 2026
- Notable limits
- Offline operation and automatic appointment confirmation are unsupported, and specialty, emergency, and multi-location operations are not production-ready.source, 8 Oct 2026
- Data portability
- The maker says practices can export their data in open formats and move from Cloud to self-hosting.source, 8 Oct 2026
- Migration
- The reviewed self-service CSV import covers clients, patients, vaccination history, and visit notes; appointments, invoices, attachments, and vendor-specific history require assisted scoping.source, 8 Oct 2026
Questions
Is OpenVPM open source?
Yes. The self-host plan uses the AGPLv3 software license.
What does self-hosting cost?
The self-host plan is free. The practice operates infrastructure and related services.
How much is OpenVPM Cloud?
Cloud costs $79 a month per location. It includes unlimited staff, managed database, storage, backups, updates, and an AI allowance.
Can a clinic try Cloud?
A 14-day trial is listed.
What can be imported from CSV through self-service?
The reviewed self-service import covers clients, patients, vaccination history, and visit notes. Other records, including appointments, invoices, attachments, and vendor-specific history, require assisted scoping.
Does it work offline?
No. Offline operation is unsupported.
Who it suits
OpenVPM is aimed at connected, single-location companion-animal general practices considering a controlled pilot. It may suit clinics that want connected records and billing workflows and can choose between operating a self-hosted setup or using Cloud.
Verdict
Consider OpenVPM if your connected, single-location companion-animal practice wants an open-source system with patient, scheduling, billing, and inventory workflows. Cloud reduces infrastructure work, while self-hosting requires your practice to run the supporting services; clinics needing offline work or production-ready specialty, emergency, or multi-location operations should look elsewhere.