PetGrid is a good Shepherd alternative for an independent clinic that wants a published price, a self-serve start with free imports, and records built to the Ontario standard. If mass texting, live chat support and an AI scribe that listens to the consult matter more, Shepherd is the stronger choice today.
Shepherd is the competitor we respect most: independent, cloud-based, SOAP-centred and rated 4.7 stars from 89 reviews on Capterra. PetGrid is younger and has no reviews yet. This is the short read; for all 36 rows in eight tables, see PetGrid vs Shepherd, every feature side by side.
Why clinics look for a Shepherd alternative
Clinics usually look for a Shepherd alternative for one of three reasons, none of them about the quality of the product.
- The price is not published. Shepherd says pricing is discussed during a demo. Capterra lists a starting price of US$299 a month, a third-party figure that may be out of date.
- Onboarding takes weeks. Shepherd describes onboarding of 4 to 6 weeks, or 8 to 10 weeks when historical records are migrated. That is thorough, and a long runway for a small clinic.
- Canadian record rules. Shepherd does not describe how corrections are handled on the pages we checked. If you are inspected in Ontario, that is worth asking any vendor.
Former Hippo Manager clinics are a fourth group: Shepherd acquired Hippo Manager, and some of its clinics are weighing their options before they move. Our guide to veterinary practice management software in Canada sets Shepherd beside the other options.
Where Shepherd is the better choice
Shepherd is the better choice if you want a product other clinics already vouch for, AI that listens to the consult, or texting and live support at full strength today.
- Track record. Shepherd has 89 reviews on Capterra at 4.7 stars. PetGrid has none yet.
- Messaging. Shepherd has two-way SMS and MMS, mass texting and automatic text reminders. PetGrid's two-way texting is new, part of the paid AI Front Desk add-on, with no MMS or mass texting.
- AI scribing. Shepherd's TranscribeAI writes SOAP notes in real time during the appointment, as an add-on. PetGrid's AI drafts from the vet's own shorthand or dictation.
- Charge capture and inventory. In Shepherd, what is in the record is on the invoice, and inventory updates when a product is given. PetGrid's invoice lines are added by hand and its inventory is basic.
- Support. Shepherd offers in-software live chat with clinically trained staff. PetGrid offers email support on weekdays, with no phone line.
Is PetGrid a good Shepherd alternative?
Yes, if a public price, a quick self-serve start, never-edited records or staff calendar sync matter most to your clinic.
- A price you can read today. $259 CAD a month per practice plus $90 CAD per veterinarian, on the pricing page, before you book anything.
- Start on your own, this week. 14 days free with no card. Import clients, pets, visit history and vaccines yourself from CSV or Excel and check every row; with no clean export, AI reads a PDF list or photos of paper records.
- Built to the CVO record standard. Every entry is attributed and dated, corrections are addenda that keep the original, and the complete record is released in one click. See patient records and what this means for Ontario clinics.
- Calendars your staff already keep. Appointments go to Google Calendar, or to Outlook and Apple Calendar by a read-only feed.
- AI included, a person in charge. AI Assist drafts SOAP notes, summarises history and drafts replies, and owners get vet-approved visit summaries. A person approves everything AI writes.
Shepherd is the proven product. PetGrid is the one with a public price and a start you can make on your own, this week.
Shepherd and PetGrid at a glance
| What matters | PetGrid | Shepherd |
|---|---|---|
| Price on the vendor's site | Yes | No, discussed in a demo |
| Getting started | Self-serve, free imports | 4 to 10 weeks with their team |
| Two-way texting | New, with the paid AI Front Desk add-on | Yes, with MMS and mass texting |
| AI note drafts | From shorthand or dictation, included | TranscribeAI add-on, listens live |
| Owner app | Native app in the clinic's name | Web portal |
| Rabies certificate | Yes, dedicated | Vaccine certificates |
| Support | Email, weekdays | Live chat in the software |
See every feature side by side: 36 rows in eight grouped tables, AI, security and data export included, each with a one-line verdict.
What does Shepherd cost compared with PetGrid?
Shepherd does not publish a price; pricing is discussed in a demo. Capterra lists a starting price of US$299 a month with unlimited users, a third-party figure that may be out of date, and Shepherd's AI tools are add-ons with no stated price.
PetGrid is $259 CAD a month per practice plus $90 CAD per veterinarian: $349 CAD for one vet, $529 CAD for three. There is no setup fee, vet techs and front desk staff are free, and it is monthly with no long-term contract. The pricing FAQ answers the common questions.
The verdict: Shepherd or PetGrid?
Pick Shepherd if texting, a listening scribe and live chat support matter most and a demo-quoted price suits you. Pick PetGrid if you want the price in writing first, a start you make on your own and records that are never edited.
Questions people ask
Is PetGrid a good Shepherd alternative?
It is, for a clinic that wants a published price, a self-serve start and records built to the CVO standard. If mass texting, live chat support and an AI scribe matter more, Shepherd is the stronger choice today.
How much does Shepherd cost?
Shepherd does not publish a price. Capterra lists a starting price of US$299 a month, which may be out of date. PetGrid is $259 CAD a month per practice plus $90 CAD per veterinarian.
Was Hippo Manager bought by Shepherd?
Yes. Shepherd says Hippo Manager has been acquired and Hippo practices have moved to Shepherd. If you are a former Hippo clinic weighing your options, PetGrid imports clients, pets and visit history for free.
Does PetGrid have two-way texting like Shepherd?
Yes, though it is new. Texts go through the clinic's own number and land in the same chat thread as the owner app. It is part of the paid AI Front Desk add-on, which comes with the clinic's number, and there is no MMS or mass texting.
Does Shepherd have an AI scribe?
Yes. TranscribeAI writes SOAP notes in real time during the appointment, as an optional add-on with no published price. PetGrid's AI Assist, included for every vet, drafts notes from the vet's own shorthand or dictation, and a vet approves each one.
How do I move from Shepherd to PetGrid?
Ask Shepherd for a full export of clients, pets, visit history and vaccines, start a trial and import them yourself, keeping the old system running until you are sure. Our guide to switching veterinary software without losing data covers each step.
The short version
Shepherd is a good product with happy users, built-in texting, live chat support and an AI scribe that listens. PetGrid is newer and narrower; it fits a clinic that wants the price in writing before a demo, a start it can make on its own this week and records that are never edited.
If that sounds like your clinic, try it with your own records and keep your current system running until you are sure.
Switching to PetGrid
Questions about switching? Ask Theo
Theo, PetGrid's AI assistant, helps any clinic with switching, from moving your records to what comes across. When Theo cannot answer, someone from the PetGrid team calls you back.
Or call Theo now: (365) 217-9922
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Theo only calls during calling hours where you are: 9:00 to 21:30 on weekdays, 10:00 to 18:00 at weekends. Outside them, Theo calls the next weekday morning.
See PetGrid in your own clinic: the console, the AI drafts and the app your clients get, with your own data.
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Sources
Every fact about another product or organisation comes from these pages, read on the date shown.