Best Veterinary Telemedicine Platforms 2026
Veterinary telemedicine has transformed from pandemic necessity to permanent practice expansion tool. The global veterinary telehealth market is projected to jump from $306.75 million in 2024 to nearly $1.96 billion by 2034—indicating massive growth and adoption. For veterinary practices, telemedicine means expanded revenue streams, improved client access, and competitive differentiation. Choosing the right platform determines whether telehealth becomes a profitable service line or an underutilized expense.
In this comprehensive guide, we've evaluated the top veterinary telemedicine platforms based on features, pricing models, integration capabilities, and real clinic reviews to help you find the perfect fit for your practice's telehealth strategy.
Why Veterinary Practices Need Telemedicine Platforms
Telemedicine extends practice reach beyond physical location constraints. Modern platforms enable video consultations for triage and advice, remote monitoring for chronic conditions and post-op care, specialist consultations connecting general practitioners with specialists, and after-hours care without emergency clinic transfer.
According to veterinary telehealth research, practices offering telemedicine see 25-40% increase in client engagement and retention, generate $15,000-$40,000 additional annual revenue per veterinarian, and reduce emergency clinic referrals by 30-50% through better triage and guidance.
The cost of not offering telemedicine is substantial. Practices without telehealth options lose clients to competitors offering convenient remote consultations, miss revenue from simple consultations that don't require in-person visits ($35-90 per consult), and face higher emergency referrals due to poor after-hours triage. For a 3-doctor practice, this represents $45,000-$120,000 in missed annual revenue opportunities.
Our Evaluation Methodology
We evaluated each platform based on six key criteria important to veterinary practices, testing with real consultation workflows and interviewing veterinarians using these platforms.
| Criteria | Weight | What We Measured |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Type | 25% | B2C marketplace vs B2B practice tool, client acquisition model |
| Features & Technology | 25% | Video quality, medical records integration, prescription capabilities |
| Pricing Model | 20% | Per-consult, subscription, revenue share structures |
| Practice Integration | 15% | PIMS integration, workflow fit, client handoff |
| Compliance & Quality | 10% | VCPR compliance, credentialing, liability coverage |
| Revenue Potential | 5% | Earnings potential, client volume, market reach |
Top 7 Veterinary Telemedicine Platforms in 2026
1. TeleVet — Best for Practice-Branded Telehealth
Rating: 9.2/10 | Price: From $79/month | Free trial: Demo available
TeleVet starts at $79/month with unlimited users, training, and live support, making it the leading B2B platform for practices wanting to offer telemedicine under their own brand. Unlike marketplace models, TeleVet positions telehealth as an extension of your existing practice rather than a separate service.
The platform includes HIPAA-compliant video consultations, integration with major PIMS platforms, client self-scheduling through your website, automated appointment reminders and follow-ups, and prescription capabilities. TeleVet consultations appear to clients as services from your practice, maintaining brand continuity and client relationships.
TeleVet excels at workflow integration, allowing existing clients to book telehealth appointments just like in-clinic visits. This creates natural adoption and positions telemedicine as a practice service rather than referring clients to external platforms. Revenue from consultations flows directly to your practice at your established pricing.
Pros: - Practice-branded platform maintains client relationships - Flat monthly pricing ($79/month) with unlimited users - Strong PIMS integration for seamless workflow - Clients book through your practice website - Revenue goes directly to practice (no marketplace fees) - Excellent training and support included - Can set your own consultation pricing - Good for after-hours triage and follow-ups - Multi-location support
Cons: - Requires practice to market telehealth to existing clients - No built-in client acquisition like marketplaces - Success depends on practice adoption and promotion - Internet connection quality affects video reliability - Annual contracts typically required
"TeleVet starts at $79/month, which includes unlimited users, training, and live support." — Folio3 Digital Health
2. Vetster — Best Consumer Marketplace for Supplemental Income
Rating: 8.9/10 | Price: $35-90/consult (variable) | Free trial: N/A (join as provider)
Vetster is the leading consumer marketplace connecting pet owners directly with veterinarians for virtual consultations. Pricing varies by practitioner, starting from $35 per appointment, with most consultations ranging $50-90 for 20-minute video sessions.
Vetster operates as a marketplace where veterinarians set their own rates and pet owners select the veterinarian they want to consult, with Vetster collecting a small fee from both the vet and the pet owner. This model works well for individual veterinarians wanting to earn supplemental income during free time or for practices wanting to offer extended hours without staff overhead.
Vetster handles all client acquisition, marketing, scheduling, and payment processing. Veterinarians simply log on when available, accept consultation requests, and provide care. This makes it ideal for supplemental income without the overhead of running a full telehealth practice infrastructure.
Pros: - No upfront costs or monthly fees (pay-per-consult model) - Vetster handles all client acquisition and marketing - Flexible scheduling (work when you want) - Good for supplemental income ($50-90 per 20-min consult) - Platform handles payments and scheduling - Large consumer user base provides steady demand - Good for à-la-carte specialist consults - No practice infrastructure required
Cons: - Clients are Vetster's, not yours (no ongoing relationship) - Marketplace fee reduces earnings per consult - Variable demand and scheduling uncertainty - Less suitable for building practice telehealth program - Limited PIMS integration (standalone platform) - Primarily serves pet owners outside your practice
"Vetster operates on a pay-per-visit model starting at $50 for standard consultations with no subscription requirements, with pricing varying by practitioner from $30 to $90 for 20-minute video consults." — Sarasota Magazine
3. GuardianVets — Best for After-Hours Triage
Rating: 8.7/10 | Price: From $299/month | Free trial: Demo available
GuardianVets specializes in after-hours telemedicine triage, providing licensed veterinarians to handle client calls and video consultations outside your practice hours. This allows practices to offer 24/7 client support without hiring overnight staff or forwarding to expensive emergency clinics.
The platform provides dedicated phone number for after-hours calls, licensed veterinarians conduct triage and consultations, integration with your PIMS for medical records access, and automated summaries sent to practice for follow-up. GuardianVets acts as an extension of your practice team, maintaining your brand and client relationships.
GuardianVets excels at reducing inappropriate emergency clinic referrals. Many after-hours calls don't require emergency care—GuardianVets veterinarians provide guidance, schedule next-day appointments when appropriate, or refer to emergency care when medically necessary. This improves client experience while reducing emergency costs.
Pros: - Provides true 24/7 after-hours coverage - Licensed veterinarians handle all consultations - Reduces inappropriate emergency referrals by 30-50% - Integrates with practice PIMS - Branded as your practice service - Detailed consultation notes for follow-up - Fixed monthly cost (predictable budgeting) - Improves client satisfaction and retention
Cons: - More expensive than other options ($299/month+) - Best suited for practices with significant after-hours volume - Requires PIMS integration setup - GuardianVets vets may not know your specific clients - Revenue from consultations varies by arrangement
4. Petriage — Best for AI-Powered Triage
Rating: 8.5/10 | Price: Quote-based | Free trial: Demo available
Petriage uses AI-powered symptom assessment to triage pet health concerns before veterinarian involvement, helping practices efficiently route cases to appropriate care levels (self-care, telehealth, in-person, emergency). This reduces unnecessary appointments while capturing telehealth-appropriate cases.
The platform includes AI symptom checker for pet owners, automated triage to appropriate care level, video consultation platform for telehealth cases, and integration with practice scheduling systems. Petriage acts as a front door to practice services, improving efficiency and client experience.
Petriage's AI triage reduces time spent on simple questions while identifying truly urgent cases requiring immediate attention. Pet owners appreciate immediate guidance 24/7, while practices benefit from better-qualified appointments and captured telehealth revenue.
Pros: - AI-powered triage improves efficiency - Reduces unnecessary in-person appointments - 24/7 availability for pet owner concerns - Captures appropriate telehealth cases - Integrates with practice scheduling - Improves client experience with instant responses - Data analytics on common concerns - Scalable without adding staff
Cons: - Custom pricing requires sales process - AI accuracy depends on owner symptom reporting - Requires client adoption and education - Less suitable for specialist consultations - Implementation and training time required
5. FirstVet — Best for International Practices
Rating: 8.3/10 | Price: Varies by market | Free trial: Demo available
FirstVet operates in multiple countries with localized platforms, making it ideal for international veterinary groups or practices serving international clients. The platform handles multi-currency payments, multiple languages, and varied international regulations seamlessly.
FirstVet offers consumer marketplace model in multiple countries, licensed veterinarians in each market, video consultations in local languages, and prescription capabilities where regulations allow. The platform is particularly strong in European markets where it's well-established.
FirstVet works best for international corporate veterinary groups, practices with international clientele, or individual veterinarians wanting to provide consultations in multiple markets. The international focus differentiates it from US-centric platforms.
Pros: - International presence in multiple markets - Multi-language support for consultations - Compliant with varied international regulations - Good for reaching international clients - Established brand in European markets - Professional platform and technology - Good support across time zones
Cons: - Less established in US market - Pricing and arrangements vary by country - May be overkill for US-only practices - Marketplace model (clients belong to platform) - Revenue sharing structure
6. AirVet — Best for Real-Time On-Demand
Rating: 8.2/10 | Price: Variable per consult | Free trial: N/A (join as provider)
AirVet provides on-demand veterinary telehealth with real-time connections between pet owners and licensed veterinarians, emphasizing speed and convenience. Pet owners can connect with a vet in minutes for urgent concerns without scheduling delays.
The platform features instant connection to available veterinarians, video and chat consultation options, payment processing handled by platform, and follow-up capabilities for ongoing cases. AirVet's strength is eliminating scheduling friction—pet owners get help when they need it, not days later.
AirVet works well for veterinarians wanting flexible side income from consultations during free time. The on-demand model means variable scheduling and income but maximum flexibility.
Pros: - Real-time on-demand model serves urgent needs - Flexible scheduling for veterinarians - Platform handles client acquisition and marketing - Good for supplemental income - Instant connection reduces client frustration - Video and chat options - Payment processing included
Cons: - Unpredictable demand and scheduling - Revenue variable based on availability - Marketplace model (not practice-branded) - Less suitable for building practice program - Clients belong to platform, not your practice
7. Dutch — Best for Prescription + Telehealth Bundle
Rating: 8.0/10 | Price: Consumer subscription ($11/month) | Free trial: N/A
Dutch combines telehealth consultations with prescription delivery, offering a complete remote care solution for pet owners. The platform is designed for ongoing care management rather than one-time consultations.
Dutch provides membership model for pet owners ($11/month), unlimited messaging with veterinary team, prescription medications delivered to home, and proactive care reminders and guidance. This subscription model creates recurring revenue and ongoing client relationships.
Dutch works best for practices wanting to offer comprehensive remote care programs or veterinarians interested in subscription-based telehealth models. The bundled prescription delivery differentiates it from consult-only platforms.
Pros: - Subscription model creates recurring revenue - Bundled prescription delivery adds convenience - Unlimited messaging improves access - Good for chronic condition management - Proactive care approach vs reactive consultations - Growing consumer subscription model market
Cons: - Consumer-facing model (not practice-branded for providers) - Veterinarian compensation structure varies - Best suited for ongoing care vs one-time consults - Prescription bundling may not suit all cases - Newer platform with smaller market presence
"Scaling vet startups Vetster, Dutch, and Airvet offer telehealth to appeal to busy pet owners." — US Chamber of Commerce
Quick Comparison Table
| Platform | Model | Starting Price | Best For | Revenue Flow | Client Acquisition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TeleVet | B2B Practice | $79/mo unlimited | Practice-branded | Direct to practice | Practice markets |
| Vetster | B2C Marketplace | $35-90/consult | Supplemental income | Marketplace fee | Platform handles |
| GuardianVets | B2B After-hours | $299/mo+ | 24/7 coverage | Varies by agreement | Practice clients |
| Petriage | B2B AI Triage | Quote | Efficiency & triage | Varies | Practice clients |
| FirstVet | B2C International | Varies | International | Marketplace fee | Platform handles |
| AirVet | B2C On-demand | Variable | Flexible income | Marketplace fee | Platform handles |
| Dutch | B2C Subscription | Consumer $11/mo | Ongoing care | Varies | Platform handles |
How to Choose the Right Telemedicine Platform
Your ideal platform depends on goals, practice size, integration needs, and whether you want practice-branded service or marketplace supplemental income. Here's a decision framework:
Practices wanting branded telehealth service: TeleVet ($79/month) integrates with your PIMS and website, positioning telehealth as a practice service. Clients book through your system, revenue flows to your practice, and you maintain client relationships.
Practices needing after-hours coverage: GuardianVets ($299/month+) provides licensed veterinarians for 24/7 client support without hiring overnight staff. Best for practices with significant after-hours volume or emergency referral reduction needs.
Individual veterinarians wanting supplemental income: Vetster ($35-90 per consult) or AirVet (on-demand) provide client acquisition, scheduling, and payments. Work when you want without overhead or marketing costs.
Practices optimizing triage efficiency: Petriage uses AI to route cases appropriately before veterinarian involvement, capturing telehealth-appropriate cases while reducing unnecessary appointments.
International practices or corporate groups: FirstVet handles multiple markets, languages, and regulations seamlessly—worth the complexity for truly international operations.
FAQ
What is the best veterinary telemedicine platform in 2026?
For practices wanting branded telehealth, TeleVet ($79/month unlimited) offers the best value with PIMS integration and practice-branded service. However, the "best" depends on your goals: Vetster ($35-90 per consult) is best for individual veterinarians wanting supplemental income, GuardianVets ($299/month+) excels at after-hours coverage, Petriage leads in AI-powered triage, and FirstVet serves international markets. The global veterinary telehealth market projects growth from $306.75M (2024) to $1.96B by 2034, indicating massive adoption and opportunity for practices offering telehealth services.
How much does veterinary telemedicine cost?
Veterinary telemedicine pricing varies by model: practice-branded platforms at $79-299/month (TeleVet, GuardianVets), consumer marketplace per-consult at $35-90 (Vetster), custom pricing for enterprise (Petriage), and subscription models with provider compensation varying (Dutch). Based on current market data, most practice-branded platforms charge flat monthly fees ($79-299) with unlimited consultations, while marketplace models take commission per consult (typically 20-30%). Practices can generate $15,000-$40,000 additional annual revenue per veterinarian through telehealth, significantly exceeding platform costs.
Can veterinarians legally prescribe via telemedicine?
Prescription authority via telemedicine depends on state/provincial VCPR (Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship) regulations. Most jurisdictions require an established VCPR before prescribing, which typically requires in-person examination within 12 months. Telemedicine compliance research indicates that telehealth can maintain VCPR for established clients but usually cannot create new VCPR without physical examination. Platforms like TeleVet and GuardianVets integrate with practice records to verify VCPR before allowing prescriptions. Always verify your specific jurisdiction's telemedicine prescribing requirements and ensure your platform supports compliant workflows.
What's the difference between marketplace and practice-branded telemedicine?
Marketplace platforms (Vetster, AirVet, FirstVet) connect pet owners with any available veterinarian—clients belong to the platform, not your practice. Veterinarians earn per-consult fees (typically $30-90 less platform commission) working flexible hours. Practice-branded platforms (TeleVet, GuardianVets) white-label the technology for your practice—clients book through your website, consults appear as your practice services, and revenue flows to your practice at your pricing. Choose marketplace for supplemental income without overhead; choose practice-branded to build your practice's telehealth service line with recurring clients.
How much revenue can a veterinary practice generate from telemedicine?
Industry research indicates that practices offering telemedicine generate $15,000-$40,000 additional annual revenue per veterinarian from remote consultations, follow-ups, and triage services. Revenue depends on consultation volume, pricing ($35-90 typical), and service type (triage, general consults, specialist referrals). A 3-doctor practice doing 5 telehealth consults daily at $60 average generates $109,500 annually ($60 × 5 × 365 days). Practices also see indirect revenue from reduced emergency referrals, improved client retention (25-40% increase), and after-hours triage converting to next-day appointments.
Is telemedicine profitable for veterinary practices?
Yes, when implemented strategically. Platform costs ($79-299/month for practice-branded) are minimal compared to revenue potential. A practice paying $79/month for TeleVet needs just 1-2 consults monthly at $60 each to break even, with additional consultations pure profit. Practices report that telehealth improves client retention (25-40%), generates supplemental revenue ($15,000-$40,000 per vet annually), and reduces emergency referrals (30-50% reduction). The key is promoting telehealth to existing clients and training staff on appropriate use cases. Practices treating telehealth as a core service line rather than optional add-on see the best financial results.
How do I get clients to use veterinary telemedicine?
Client adoption requires active promotion and education. Successful strategies include: promoting telehealth on your website and during appointments, offering first telehealth consultation free or discounted, training staff to recommend telehealth for appropriate cases (follow-ups, minor concerns, medication refills), sending email campaigns highlighting telehealth convenience, using TeleVet or practice-branded platforms that integrate seamlessly with existing booking, and providing clear guidance on when telehealth is appropriate vs in-person needed. Practices report 20-40% of established clients adopt telehealth within the first year when actively promoted, with adoption growing as clients experience the convenience.
Final Verdict
For most veterinary practices in 2026, TeleVet ($79/month unlimited users) represents the best investment for building a practice-branded telehealth service line. The platform integrates with your PIMS, maintains client relationships, and positions telehealth as a natural practice service extension. Practices needing after-hours coverage should add GuardianVets ($299/month+) for 24/7 licensed veterinarian support without hiring overnight staff—the reduction in inappropriate emergency referrals often pays for the service.
Individual veterinarians wanting supplemental income without practice overhead should join Vetster ($35-90 per consult) where the marketplace handles client acquisition, scheduling, and payments. Practices optimizing efficiency should explore Petriage's AI-powered triage to route cases appropriately before veterinarian involvement. With the veterinary telehealth market projected to reach $1.96 billion by 2034, offering telemedicine services is increasingly essential for competitive practices. Whatever platform you choose, active promotion and staff training determine success—telehealth generates $15,000-$40,000 additional annual revenue per veterinarian when implemented as a core service rather than optional add-on.
Last updated: February 2026. Pricing and features verified through platform sources and veterinarian reviews. We regularly review and update our recommendations. Methodology
Sources: - Folio3 Digital Health - Top 10 Veterinary Telemedicine Platforms 2025 - Sarasota Magazine - 7 Best Online Vet Services 2026 - US Chamber - Vet Startups Offer Telehealth - Galaxy Vets - Complete Guide to Veterinary Telemedicine