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Veterinary · head to head

AVImark vs PetDesk

AVImark logo

AVImark

Veterinary

Long-running Windows practice management software for veterinary clinics, now part of Covetrus

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PetDesk logo

PetDesk

Veterinary

Client reminders, two-way texting and a pet owner app that syncs with on-premise practice systems

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AVImark the owner markets a different cloud platform as its strategic product, so AVImark development is maintenance paced and buyers should expect a migration conversation rather than a long roadmap.; PetDesk the on-premise connector depends on a computer at the practice staying powered, online and patched, and when it stops syncing the reminders stop silently rather than raising an alarm.
  • They diverge on capability: AVImark covers Medical records, PetDesk covers Two-way texting.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AVImark and PetDesk actually diverge.

Attributes where AVImark and PetDesk differ
AttributeAVImarkPetDesk
PlatformsWindowsWeb, iOS, Android

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (quote), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Veterinary).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AVImark

  • Medical records
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Invoicing and estimates
  • Inventory and controlled drugs
  • Reminders
  • Add-on modules

Only in PetDesk

  • Two-way texting
  • Automated reminders
  • Branded pet owner app
  • Online booking requests
  • On-premise connector
  • Review generation

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AVImark

  • A single site clinic that wants the lowest ongoing software cost and already has a server and an IT providernot PetDesk
  • A practice whose staff are fast in AVImark and where retraining cost outweighs the benefits of movingnot PetDesk
  • A rural clinic with poor connectivity that cannot depend on a browser based systemnot PetDesk
  • A practice buying Covetrus pharmacy and supplies that wants prescription workflow in the same systemnot PetDesk

PetDesk

  • A practice losing revenue to no-shows that wants automated confirmations without more front desk callsnot AVImark
  • A clinic on an older on-premise system that cloud-only communication tools cannot integrate withnot AVImark
  • A group wanting one branded client app across several locationsnot AVImark
  • A practice trying to shift routine client questions off the phone and into textnot AVImark

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AVImark

  • The owner markets a different cloud platform as its strategic product, so AVImark development is maintenance paced and buyers should expect a migration conversation rather than a long roadmap.
  • Meaningful capabilities including imaging, client communication and wellness plans are separately priced modules, so the quoted base licence understates what a working configuration costs.
  • It is Windows and server based, which pushes hardware, backup and IT support costs onto the practice and rules out browser or tablet use in the examination room.
  • The interface is keyboard driven and dated, which suits long-serving staff but slows new hires and makes onboarding relief staff harder.
  • Data lives in a local database with limited export tooling, so extracting a clean history when moving to another system is a paid conversion project rather than a download.

PetDesk

  • The on-premise connector depends on a computer at the practice staying powered, online and patched, and when it stops syncing the reminders stop silently rather than raising an alarm.
  • Synchronisation is one-way with several practice systems, so online booking requests still have to be typed into the schedule by a staff member and the labour saving is smaller than the demonstration suggests.
  • Pricing is per location, so a group of small branch clinics pays repeatedly for a product whose value scales with client volume rather than with the number of front doors.
  • The product line was assembled through acquisitions, leaving overlapping apps and consoles, and which one you get depends on when and through whom you bought.
  • Text message compliance, including consent and opt-out handling, sits with the practice as the sender, and automated recall campaigns make it easy to message clients who never agreed to receive them.

Pricing, plan by plan

AVImark

On request
  • AVImark$undefined/year
    • Licence plus annual maintenance and support agreement
    • Add-on modules priced individually
    • Server, backup and workstation costs borne by the practice

PetDesk

On request
  • PetDesk$undefined/year
    • Priced per practice location
    • Message volume tiers
    • Branded app included on higher tiers

Which should you pick?

Choose AVImark if

  • You need medical records.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want appointment scheduling.
AVImark review

Choose PetDesk if

  • You need two-way texting.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want automated reminders.
PetDesk review

Questions people ask

Is AVImark or PetDesk better?
Neither clearly leads. AVImark starts at On request and PetDesk at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AVImark or PetDesk?
AVImark starts at On request and PetDesk at On request.
Does AVImark or PetDesk run on more platforms?
AVImark runs on Windows. PetDesk runs on Web, iOS, Android.
What is AVImark best used for?
AVImark is most often used for a single site clinic that wants the lowest ongoing software cost and already has a server and an it provider, a practice whose staff are fast in avimark and where retraining cost outweighs the benefits of moving, a rural clinic with poor connectivity that cannot depend on a browser based system, a practice buying covetrus pharmacy and supplies that wants prescription workflow in the same system. Of those, a single site clinic that wants the lowest ongoing software cost and already has a server and an it provider and a practice whose staff are fast in avimark and where retraining cost outweighs the benefits of moving are not what PetDesk is typically brought in for.
What can AVImark do that PetDesk cannot?
AVImark covers Medical records, Appointment scheduling, Invoicing and estimates, Inventory and controlled drugs. PetDesk covers Two-way texting, Automated reminders, Branded pet owner app, Online booking requests.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AVImark: Who owns AVImark now?

Covetrus, following its spin-out from Henry Schein in 2019 and its move to private ownership in 2022. It was originally a McAllister Software Systems product.

PetDesk: Will it work with my on-premise practice management system?

Usually yes, through a connector installed on your network that reads the local database. Confirm whether your specific system supports two-way sync or only reading.

AVImark: Is AVImark being discontinued?

No announcement of that, but Covetrus positions Pulse as its cloud platform. Ask for written roadmap commitments before signing a multi-year agreement.

PetDesk: Does online booking write directly into my diary?

That depends on the practice system. With several of them a request arrives for staff to confirm and enter manually, so ask for your exact system before assuming automatic booking.

AVImark: Can AVImark be run in the cloud?

Only by hosting it on a remote Windows server. It is not a browser application.

PetDesk: Who is responsible for text messaging consent?

The practice is. PetDesk sends on your behalf, but the lawful basis, the consent record and the opt-out handling are your obligations as the sender.

AVImark: Is it cheaper than cloud practice management systems?

On licence cost yes, but add server, backup, IT support and paid modules before making the comparison.

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