Covetrus Pulse vs Hippo Manager: Complete Comparison 2026
An in-depth comparison of features, pricing, and user experience to help you make the right choice.

Covetrus Pulse
Cloud veterinary platform from Covetrus with integrated pharmacy, supply ordering, and practice management from $300/month.

Hippo Manager
Affordable cloud veterinary software with intuitive interface, built-in reminders, and QuickBooks integration from $120/month.
Quick Comparison
| Aspect | Covetrus Pulse | Hippo Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Practices using Covetrus for supplies that want seamless integration between software and supply chain ordering | Solo veterinarians and tiny practices where the software budget needs to be under $150/month |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $300/mo | $120/mo |
| Deployment | cloud | cloud |
| Platforms | WEB, IOS, ANDROID | WEB |
| Rating | 7.3/10 | 7.5/10 |
Pros & Cons
Covetrus Pulse
Pros
- Integrated pharmacy and supply chain eliminates switching between software for prescriptions and supply ordering
- Cloud-based successor to Avimark brings modern architecture to practices familiar with Covetrus products
- Prescription fulfillment options include in-clinic dispensing and direct-to-client shipping through Covetrus pharmacy
- Lab integration with IDEXX and Antech delivers results to records for both reference and in-clinic labs
- Backed by Covetrus's global distribution network with dedicated support for software and supply chain
Cons
- Deepest value requires using Covetrus as your primary supply distributor — switching costs increase over time
- The software-supply bundling can feel like vendor lock-in for practices that want best-of-breed flexibility
- Not as cutting-edge in UX as Shepherd or Digitail — the interface is modern but not the newest generation
- Pricing at $300-500/month is mid-to-premium without the AI features that newer competitors offer
- Transition from Avimark to Pulse has been bumpy for some long-time Avimark users who report feature gaps
Hippo Manager
Pros
- Most affordable cloud vet PIMS at $120/month — significantly cheaper than every competitor
- Surprisingly intuitive interface that new staff learn in 1-2 days without extensive training
- Native QuickBooks integration eliminates double-entry accounting for practices already using QuickBooks
- All essential features (records, scheduling, billing, inventory, reminders) included at the base price
- Cloud-based with no server costs — total cost of ownership is dramatically lower than any server-based system
Cons
- Lab integration is basic — limited in-clinic analyzer support compared to Cornerstone or eVetPractice
- Reporting depth is minimal — data-driven practice owners will need to export data for serious analysis
- No telemedicine capability and no client-facing mobile app
- Growing practices with 3+ vets will likely outgrow the feature set and need to upgrade platforms
- Mobile experience is functional but clearly not the primary design focus
Pricing Comparison
| Product | Pricing Model | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Covetrus Pulse | subscription | $300/mo |
| Hippo Manager | subscription | $120/mo |
Our Verdict
Choose Covetrus Pulse if...
Practices using Covetrus for supplies that want seamless integration between software and supply chain ordering
Choose Hippo Manager if...
Solo veterinarians and tiny practices where the software budget needs to be under $150/month
Still Not Sure?
Explore more alternatives or read in-depth reviews to make your decision.