AlisVet vs Merlin: Veterinary Software Compared

A side-by-side look at AlisVet and Merlin. See how these veterinary practice management systems compare on features, deployment, and PupPilot sync support.

26 Features Compared Both Sync with PupPilot Updated 2026

AlisVet On-Premise

Parent CompanyAlisVet (independent; Canadian)
Founded~2010; created by a Canadian veterinarian
DeploymentOn-Premise
PricingLicense + Support
User Base
Best ForPractices looking for a on-premise practice management system
PupPilot Sync Full Sync
VS

Merlin Hybrid

Parent CompanyMWI Animal Health
Founded~2010s; enterprise focus
DeploymentCloud-Based / On-Premise
PricingSubscription
User Base
Best ForPractices of any size looking for a cloud practice management system
PupPilot Sync Full Sync

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

How AlisVet and Merlin stack up across 26 core capabilities

FeatureAlisVetMerlin
EMR / Medical Records Core Clinical✓✓
SOAP Notes Core Clinical✗✗
AI SOAP / Transcription Core Clinical✗✗
Treatment Sheets / Whiteboard Core Clinical✗✗
Prescription Management Core Clinical✗✗
Digital Imaging / DICOM Core Clinical✗✗
Controlled Substance Logging Core Clinical✗✗
Appointment Scheduling Scheduling✓✓
Online Booking (Client Self-Service) Scheduling✗✗
Boarding / Hospitalization Scheduling✗✗
Inventory Management Financial✓✓
Invoicing & Billing Financial✓✗
Payment Processing Financial✗✗
Wellness Plans Financial✗✗
Client Communication (Reminders) Client Engagement✓✗
2-Way Messaging / Texting Client Engagement✗✗
Client Portal / App Client Engagement✗✗
Telemedicine / Video Client Engagement✗✗
Reporting & Analytics Operations✓✓
Multi-Location Support Operations✗✗
Mobile App / Access Operations✗✗
Digital Forms (Intake/Consent) Operations✗✗
IDEXX Lab Connection Lab Connections✗✗
Antech Lab Connection Lab Connections✗✗
Heska Lab Connection Lab Connections✗✗
IDEXX Web PACS Imaging Lab Connections✗✗

Strengths & Weaknesses

AlisVet

Details coming soon.

Merlin

Details coming soon.

PupPilot Syncs with Both

Whether your clinic runs AlisVet or Merlin, PupPilot's AI phone answering service syncs directly with your practice management system to answer calls with real patient context. Learn more about how PupPilot works with AlisVet and Merlin.

PupPilot + AlisVet Full Sync

Reads: Patient records, appointment schedule, medical history, medications, client info

Writes: Appointment booking, call notes, follow-up tasks

Connection: Direct database connection (on-premise server)

Setup: Days

PupPilot + Merlin Full Sync

Reads: Patient records, appointment schedule, medical history, medications, client info

Writes: Appointment booking, call notes, follow-up tasks

Connection: Cloud API or direct database connection

Setup: Days

Frequently Asked Questions

AlisVet is AlisVet: on-premise. Merlin is Merlin: cloud-based. The best choice depends on your clinic's size, specialty, and workflow preferences.

It depends on your priorities. AlisVet is best for Practices looking for a on-premise practice management system. Merlin is best for Practices of any size looking for a cloud practice management system. Consider factors like your budget, whether you prefer cloud or on-premise, and which lab systems you use.

Yes. PupPilot syncs with both AlisVet and Merlin, providing AI-powered phone answering that reads patient records and appointment data directly from either system.

Yes, data migration between AlisVet and Merlin is possible, though it typically requires careful planning and may involve a third-party migration service. Your PupPilot service would continue working seamlessly through the switch.