Avimark vs Merlin: Veterinary Software Compared
A side-by-side look at Avimark and Merlin. See how these veterinary practice management systems compare on features, deployment, and PupPilot sync support.
Avimark Hybrid
Merlin Hybrid
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
How Avimark and Merlin stack up across 26 core capabilities
| Feature | Avimark | Merlin |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Avimark
Merlin
PupPilot Syncs with Both
Whether your clinic runs Avimark 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 Avimark and Merlin.
PupPilot + Avimark 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
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
Avimark is Massive installed base with 50+ vendor connections; proven workhorse for general practice. Merlin is Merlin: cloud-based. The best choice depends on your clinic's size, specialty, and workflow preferences.
It depends on your priorities. Avimark is best for Established small animal practices that want a proven, widely-supported on-premise system with deep third-party connections. 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 Avimark and Merlin, providing AI-powered phone answering that reads patient records and appointment data directly from either system.
Yes, data migration between Avimark 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.