Launching a Veterinary Clinic? How to Choose the Best PIMS for Startup Clinics

Launching a veterinary clinic is both exciting and overwhelming. From choosing the right location to finalizing your business model, the to-do list can feel endless. One of the most important early decisions you’ll make is selecting a practice information management software (PIMS). The right veterinary software impacts nearly every aspect of your clinic—from scheduling and patient records to billing and client communication—and can determine how smoothly your team operates.

With so many options on the market, each offering different features and price points, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Independent start-up clinics in particular have needs that differ from larger chains like VCA or Banfield. Beyond the basics of appointment booking, medical records, and invoicing, you’ll want a cloud veterinary software solution that is intuitive, easy for your team to learn, and integrates seamlessly with tools like your phone system and inventory management.

The right PIMS will streamline your processes, simplify appointment management, and ultimately save your clinic time and money. On the other hand, picking a system that doesn’t fit your needs can create constant headaches—forcing you into clunky, DIY workarounds just to complete basic tasks. As a busy new business owner, the last thing you need is extra frustration slowing you down.

This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when choosing the best PIMS for startup vet clinics.

What Is Veterinary PIMS (Practice Management Software for Vets)?

Veterinary Practice Information Management Software (PIMS) is a type of practice management software for vets that helps clinics run smoothly day to day. At its most basic, a PIMS handles scheduling, SOAP notes, billing, and client communication—all the essential functions needed to keep a clinic organized.

Traditionally, PIMS were server-based systems used primarily for booking appointments and storing patient records. Today, the best veterinary software solutions are cloud-based, offering greater flexibility, easier access from anywhere, and less time spent on repetitive tasks.

Core features of a modern veterinary PIMS include:

  • Appointment scheduling and calendar management
  • Medical records & SOAP notes
  • Billing and invoicing
  • Automated reminders and client communication tools

But the best systems now go far beyond the basics. Advanced features include:

  • Client portals for online booking and payments
  • SOAP note automation in veterinary PIMS using AI-powered voice dictation
  • Integrations with diagnostics, imaging, phones, and inventory systems

In short, the modern veterinary PIMS isn’t just for scheduling and uploading patient records—it’s a central hub that improves efficiency, client satisfaction, and the overall growth of your clinic.

Why Choosing the Best Veterinary Software Matters for Startup Clinics

The veterinary PIMS you choose has a direct impact on your clinic’s efficiency, profitability, and scalability. For startup clinics, this decision is especially critical. New practices often operate with high overhead, limited staff, and multiple competing priorities.

Choosing the wrong practice management system can mean wasted time, missed charges, and steep training curves for your team. But the right veterinary software can help you:

  • Reduce missed charges with built-in payment tools

  • Improve client communication with automated reminders and portals

  • Speed up staff training with intuitive, modern workflows

  • Scale as your clinic grows without needing a new system

Simply put, selecting the right software for your clinic allows you to focus on patient care and growth, instead of troubleshooting clunky systems.

Cloud Veterinary Software vs. On-Premise Systems: What’s Right for You?

In 2025, the pros of cloud veterinary software far outweigh the downsides of on-premise systems. Cloud-based practice management software gives your clinic scalability, lower upfront costs, secure remote access, and smoother integrations—all essential for growing practices.

On the other hand, on-premise servers come with high installation costs, maintenance headaches, and limited access outside your clinic. It’s no surprise that the majority of leading veterinary PIMS companies now focus on cloud-first platforms.

For startup clinics, the decision here is simple: go with cloud veterinary software.

Comparison table of cloud versus on-premise veterinary software showing differences in upfront cost, maintenance, accessibility, scalability, security, and integrations. Cloud software is subscription-based, remotely accessible, easily scalable, secure with backups, and API-friendly. On-premise software has high upfront cost, requires in-house IT, is only accessible in-clinic, limited in scalability, security depends on local server, and integrations are often manual.
Cloud vs. On-Premise Veterinary Software: See how upfront cost, maintenance, accessibility, and more stack up to help your clinic choose the right solution.

Must-Have Features in Veterinary Software for Startups

Choosing veterinary practice management software can be overwhelming, especially for startup clinics. While some platforms offer long feature lists, NectarVet focuses on the tools that matter most—features that streamline workflows, save time, and reduce costs—making it a smart choice for growing clinics.

Appointment Scheduling & Client Communication

NectarVet’s scheduling and communication tools let pet owners book appointments after hours, automatically pay deposits, and receive SMS reminders to reduce no-shows. Built-in digital intake forms save staff hours of manual data entry, while unlimited SMS/MMS ensures your team can communicate efficiently without worrying about per-text fees.

Integrated Payments to Reduce Missed Charges

Integrated payment processing is essential for avoiding billing errors. Unlike third-party processors such as PayJunction or ScratchPay, NectarVet’s NectarPay syncs payments directly with medical records. Teams can send remote payment links, build estimates, and set up automated reminders—helping clinics reduce missed charges and improve cash flow.

SOAP Note Automation with NectarNotes

Writing SOAP notes can be repetitive and time-consuming. NectarNotes offers editable templates and AI-powered voice dictation, allowing vets to speak observations directly into the chart. This saves time while maintaining accuracy and completeness in medical records.

AI Tools to Streamline Clinic Operations

NectarVet’s AI features help small teams work smarter, not harder. From automating SOAP notes and generating patient report cards to summarizing client calls and quickly pulling up patient information, these tools reduce administrative burden and allow your team to focus on delivering high-quality care.

Chart showing must-have features for startup veterinary clinics. Highlights include appointment scheduling with client portal to capture revenue after hours, automated SMS and email reminders to reduce no-shows, integrated payments for easy collections, SOAP note automation to speed documentation, AI tools for efficiency, and key integrations with labs, imaging, and phones to centralize workflows.
Essential features for startup veterinary clinics include appointment scheduling, automated reminders, integrated payments, AI documentation tools, and key lab and imaging integrations.

Key Integrations to Look For in Veterinary PIMS

The right integrations are just as important as the core features, connecting your PIMS to the tools you rely on every day. Strong integrations save time, reduce errors, and keep workflows seamless. Startup clinics should look for integrations that cover:

  • IDEXX – Industry leader in veterinary diagnostics. Direct integration ensures lab orders and results flow instantly into patient records, cutting manual entry.

  • Zoetis – A global animal health provider offering diagnostics and therapeutics. Integration supports faster ordering and more accurate medical record-keeping.

  • Antech – Widely used U.S. diagnostics provider. Automatic result tracking keeps patient files complete and organized.

  • Antech Imaging – Imaging solutions like radiographs and scans feed directly into your PIMS, creating a unified medical history.

  • Twilio – Powers SMS, MMS, and phone features. Enables reminders, two-way messaging, and call logging within your PIMS.

  • Vetcove – Streamlines ordering from multiple vendors. Integration automatically updates inventory levels and reduces errors.

  • Mango Phones – Veterinary phone system that links call logs, voicemails, and links directly to client records for better communication.

Together, these integrations cover diagnostics, imaging, communications, and inventory management. For startup clinics, they aren’t just nice-to-have—they’re critical for efficiency, cost savings, and client satisfaction. NectarVet integrates with all of these tools, connecting them with your scheduling, billing, and AI features to streamline every aspect of clinic operations.

Checklist: How to Choose the Best PIMS for Startup Vet Clinics

When comparing different veterinary PIMS, keep this checklist handy to make sure you’re choosing the best veterinary software for your startup clinic:

  • Cloud-based (not server-based) for flexibility, scalability, and lower costs
  • Easy to use with minimal staff training required
  • Appointment scheduling + client portal for online booking and deposits
  • Automated reminders (SMS/email) to reduce no-shows
  • Unlimited SMS/MMS messaging so you can easily share updates and photos with clients
  • Integrated payment processing with remote links and auto-charges
  • Built-in estimates and invoicing for transparent client communication
  • Digital SOAP notes with templates and AI voice dictation
  • AI veterinary software features like smart note-taking, assistants, and report card
  • Core integrations with IDEXX, Zoetis, Antech, imaging, phones, and inventory systems
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden server or licensing fees
  • Scalability so the PIMS grows with your practice

If a system doesn’t check most of these boxes, it’s probably not the right choice for a startup veterinary clinic.

Why NectarVet Is the Best Choice for Startup Clinics

Launching a veterinary clinic is challenging, and choosing the right software can make all the difference. NectarVet was built specifically for new and independent practices, combining intuitive workflows, AI-powered tools, and seamless integrations to save time, capture more revenue, and let your team focus on patient care.

Key Features for Startup Clinics

  • Easy to Use – Intuitive workflows mean staff can learn quickly without long training sessions.
  • AI Veterinary Software Built In – Tools like NectarNotes (AI SOAP notes), Ask Coco (AI assistant), and automated report cards reduce admin work.
  • Integrated Payments with NectarPay – Send remote links, automate charges, and reduce missed payments.
  • Seamless Integrations – IDEXX, Zoetis, Antech, imaging, inventory, and phones all connect directly.

The NectarVet Startup Program

To support new clinics, NectarVet offers a New Clinic Program designed to help you launch with confidence:

  • 50% Lower Rates – Keep overhead low while you build your client base.
  • No Setup or Training Fees – Get up and running in under 15 minutes with white-glove onboarding and 24/7 support.
  • Worry-Free Technology – Fully cloud-based, secure, and backed up automatically, so your data is always protected and accessible.
  • Community & Expert Access – Join a cohort of startup clinics and learn from veterinary business experts.

With these tools and support, NectarVet helps startup clinics reduce stress, streamline operations, and grow efficiently from day one.

Conclusion

Startup clinics need software that grows with them, not against them. NectarVet provides intuitive workflows, AI-powered tools, seamless integrations, and dedicated startup support—all designed to help your clinic run efficiently from day one. With the New Clinic Program, you can launch faster, save on costs, and access expert guidance whenever you need it.

Take control of your clinic’s success today—book a demo and see why NectarVet is the PIMS built for veterinary startups in 2025.

Close
We'd love to learn about you and your practice to connect you with the right person.
* Mandatory
Schedule a Call

On this call, our team will

  • Give you a guided tour of our platform, tailored to your practice's critical needs
  • Answer all your questions about our features, the onboarding process, and anything else on your mind
  • Suggest workflow optimizations that we know from experience will boost your business

Just pick a time that works for you and confirm your details on the next page.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Close
Get started with the #1 Emerging Veterinary Software
* Mandatory
Schedule a Call

On this call, our team will

  • Give you a guided tour of our platform, tailored to your practice's critical needs
  • Answer all your questions about our features, the onboarding process, and anything else on your mind
  • Suggest workflow optimizations that we know from experience will boost your business

Just pick a time that works for you and confirm your details on the next page.

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Schedule a Demo