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Veterinary · head to head

IDEXX Neo vs Shepherd

IDEXX Neo logo

IDEXX Neo

Veterinary

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

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Shepherd logo

Shepherd

Veterinary

Cloud veterinary practice management built by a practising vet

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 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.; Shepherd quote-only pricing with no published rates
  • They diverge on capability: IDEXX Neo covers IDEXX analyser integration, Shepherd covers Consultation-first records.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where IDEXX Neo and Shepherd differ
AttributeIDEXX NeoShepherd
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Cloud

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 IDEXX Neo

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

Only in Shepherd

  • Consultation-first records
  • Charges from treatment
  • Inventory
  • Cloud-based

What people use each for

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

IDEXX Neo

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

Shepherd

  • Practices losing revenue to treatment delivered but never billednot IDEXX Neo
  • Clinics replacing on-premise legacy systemsnot IDEXX Neo
  • Independent practices wanting something designed around clinical work rather than administrationnot IDEXX Neo

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Shepherd

  • Quote-only pricing with no published rates
  • A smaller vendor than the established systems, with a correspondingly shorter track record
  • Cloud-only, so consultations depend on clinic connectivity

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Shepherd

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Shepherd review.

Which should you pick?

Choose IDEXX Neo if

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

Choose Shepherd if

  • You need consultation-first records.
  • You work on Web, Cloud.
  • You also want charges from treatment.
Shepherd review

Questions people ask

Is IDEXX Neo or Shepherd better?
Neither clearly leads. IDEXX Neo starts at On request and Shepherd at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, IDEXX Neo or Shepherd?
IDEXX Neo starts at On request and Shepherd at On request.
Does IDEXX Neo or Shepherd run on more platforms?
IDEXX Neo runs on Web, iOS, Android. Shepherd runs on Web, Cloud.
What is IDEXX Neo best used for?
IDEXX Neo is most often used for a one to three doctor small animal clinic that already runs idexx in-house analysers, a practice moving off a server-based system that wants hosting and backup to stop being its problem, a new clinic opening with idexx diagnostics that wants the laboratory workflow set up on day one, a practice whose staff turnover is high and which needs software simple enough to train someone on in a day. Of those, a one to three doctor small animal clinic that already runs idexx in-house analysers and a practice moving off a server-based system that wants hosting and backup to stop being its problem are not what Shepherd is typically brought in for.
What can IDEXX Neo do that Shepherd cannot?
IDEXX Neo covers IDEXX analyser integration, Reference laboratory integration, Cloud hosting, Templated medical records. Shepherd covers Consultation-first records, Charges from treatment, Inventory, Cloud-based.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

Shepherd: What does Shepherd cost?

Pricing is quoted per practice and not published.

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.

Shepherd: What makes it different from other veterinary systems?

It was designed by a practising vet around the consultation workflow, so charges accrue from recorded treatment rather than being entered as a separate billing step.

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.

Shepherd: Is it cloud-only?

Yes, which removes server maintenance and makes connectivity a dependency.

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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