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Healthcare · head to head

Cliniko vs IDEXX Neo

Cliniko logo

Cliniko

Healthcare

Clinic management software for health practitioners

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IDEXX Neo logo

IDEXX Neo

Veterinary

Cloud practice management from IDEXX, designed around IDEXX analysers and reference laboratories

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Cliniko has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Cliniko priced in practitioner bands rather than per seat, so a clinic adding a sixth practitioner jumps from $95 to $145 a month; IDEXX Neo the value depends on running IDEXX diagnostics, so a practice that later changes analyser or reference laboratory supplier loses the main reason it chose the software and faces two migrations instead of one.
  • They diverge on capability: Cliniko covers Appointment Scheduling, IDEXX Neo covers IDEXX analyser integration.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Cliniko and IDEXX Neo actually diverge.

Attributes where Cliniko and IDEXX Neo differ
AttributeClinikoIDEXX Neo
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, MobileWeb, iOS, Android
CategoryHealthcareVeterinary
Founded2012Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Cliniko

  • Appointment Scheduling
  • Online Booking
  • Client Management
  • Invoicing
  • Patient Portal
  • Telehealth
  • Payment processors
  • Online forms

Only in IDEXX Neo

  • IDEXX analyser integration
  • Reference laboratory integration
  • Cloud hosting
  • Templated medical records
  • Scheduling and reminders
  • Invoicing and inventory

What people use each for

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

Cliniko

  • Practice management for allied health clinicsnot IDEXX Neo
  • Appointment scheduling and online bookingsnot IDEXX Neo
  • Clinical notes and patient recordsnot IDEXX Neo
  • Telehealth consultationsnot IDEXX Neo
  • Invoicing and payment tracking for a multi-practitioner clinicnot IDEXX Neo

IDEXX Neo

  • A one to three doctor small animal clinic that already runs IDEXX in-house analysersnot Cliniko
  • A practice moving off a server-based system that wants hosting and backup to stop being its problemnot Cliniko
  • A new clinic opening with IDEXX diagnostics that wants the laboratory workflow set up on day onenot Cliniko
  • A practice whose staff turnover is high and which needs software simple enough to train someone on in a daynot Cliniko

Where each one falls short

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

Cliniko

  • Priced in practitioner bands rather than per seat, so a clinic adding a sixth practitioner jumps from $95 to $145 a month
  • The top published band stops at 200 practitioners
  • SMS is charged separately at 10 cents a message
  • Telehealth requires entering card details before it unlocks, even during the trial
  • There is no free tier, only a 30 day trial

IDEXX Neo

  • The value depends on running IDEXX diagnostics, so a practice that later changes analyser or reference laboratory supplier loses the main reason it chose the software and faces two migrations instead of one.
  • Software pricing is often folded into a diagnostics purchase agreement, which makes it hard to see what the practice management system actually costs and harder still to compare it against a neutral vendor.
  • It is designed for small single-site practices, so multi-location groups quickly hit limits in reporting, consolidated inventory and cross-site records and are steered towards Cornerstone instead.
  • Reporting and inventory management are basic by design, so a practice that wants detailed production analysis by veterinary surgeon or tight stock control will need to export and work outside the system.
  • The third-party integration surface is narrower than open cloud systems, so specialist tools for communication, imaging or wellness plans may not connect without manual work.

Pricing, plan by plan

Cliniko

Free
  • 1 Practitioner$45/month
  • 2-5 Practitioners$95/month
  • 6-8 Practitioners$145/month
  • 9-12 Practitioners$195/month

IDEXX Neo

On request
  • IDEXX Neo$undefined/year
    • Quoted per practice, frequently as part of a diagnostics agreement
    • Cloud hosting, backup and updates included
    • Data conversion charged separately

Which should you pick?

Choose Cliniko if

  • You need appointment scheduling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want online booking.
Cliniko review

Choose IDEXX Neo if

  • You need idexx analyser integration.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want reference laboratory integration.
IDEXX Neo review

Questions people ask

Is Cliniko or IDEXX Neo better?
Neither clearly leads. Cliniko starts at Free and IDEXX Neo at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Cliniko or IDEXX Neo?
Cliniko has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Cliniko and On request for IDEXX Neo.
Does Cliniko or IDEXX Neo run on more platforms?
Cliniko runs on Web, Mobile. IDEXX Neo runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Cliniko for free?
Yes. Cliniko has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. IDEXX Neo starts at On request.
What is Cliniko best used for?
Cliniko is most often used for practice management for allied health clinics, appointment scheduling and online bookings, clinical notes and patient records, telehealth consultations. Of those, practice management for allied health clinics and appointment scheduling and online bookings are not what IDEXX Neo is typically brought in for.
What can Cliniko do that IDEXX Neo cannot?
Cliniko covers Appointment Scheduling, Online Booking, Client Management, Invoicing. IDEXX Neo covers IDEXX analyser integration, Reference laboratory integration, Cloud hosting, Templated medical records.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Cliniko: How much does Cliniko cost for a practice?

Cliniko uses per-practitioner pricing: 1 practitioner $45/month, 2-5 practitioners $95/month, 6-8 practitioners $145/month, 9-12 practitioners $195/month, 13-25 practitioners $295/month, 26-200 practitioners $395/month.

Source
IDEXX Neo: Do I have to use IDEXX diagnostics?

No, but almost all the advantage of choosing Neo over a neutral cloud system comes from the IDEXX analyser and reference laboratory integration.

Cliniko: Does Cliniko offer a free trial?

Cliniko is free to try for the first 30 days with no credit card required initially. A credit card is required to unlock features like Telehealth after the trial begins.

Source
IDEXX Neo: How is Neo different from Cornerstone?

Cornerstone is the older on-premise product for larger and multi-site hospitals, with much deeper inventory and reporting. Neo is cloud, simpler and aimed at small practices.

Cliniko: What is included in all Cliniko plans?

Every Cliniko subscription includes complete feature access, unlimited admin and reception users, unlimited locations, unlimited file storage, unlimited patients, 24/7 monitoring, automatic backups, regular updates, and 24/7 customer support.

Source
IDEXX Neo: Is pricing published?

No. It is quoted per practice and is frequently negotiated alongside diagnostics commitments, so ask for the software price as a standalone figure.

Cliniko: Does Cliniko charge extra for SMS and what discounts apply?

SMS messaging costs 10 cents per message (pre-paid credits required). Annual billing includes one month free every year. Charities and educational institutions qualify for free access. Cliniko commits to no feature-specific fees beyond SMS and offers no annual commitment discounts.

Source
IDEXX Neo: Can I export my records if I leave?

Data extracts are available on request, but plan the extract and test it before you commit, because migration off a diagnostics-linked system is usually a bigger project than expected.

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