NaVetor is a cloud-based veterinary practice management software that’s packed with features and capabilities for veterinarians of all sizes.
Whether you’re considering the software for your vet practice or you’re a current NaVetor user seeking a bit more information, this review is for you. We’ll cover the pros, cons, pricing, key features, and a closer look at NaVetor’s payment processing capabilities (which is where our insider insights truly shine).
Our Quick Take on NaVetor
Overall, NaVetor is solid. We have tons of clients in the veterinary space, so we hear everything about the different tools being used, and while no software is perfect, NaVetor is among those with the fewest complaints.
I love that it’s cloud-based, which not only helps cut down costs but also simplifies the way it’s deployed and managed. The software itself has plenty of features, and any gap where it’s “lacking” can typically be filled with an integration.
Pros
- Transparent pricing.
- Cloud-based deployment with automatic software updates.
- 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat.
Cons
- Mixed reviews on its ease of use, with many users saying there’s a steep learning curve.
- While customer support is friendly, many issues can’t be resolved via live chat or over the phone and require ticket submissions.
- Only two options for integrated payment processing.
NaVetor Veterinary Software Overview
NaVetor launched back in 2018 as part of a joint venture between Patterson Veterinary and Cure Partners, forming Technology Partner Innovations as the parent company of NaVetor.
The two partners have deep roots in the vet tech space, dating back to 1996. Neither were necessarily pioneers in veterinary practice management, but they recognized a need to bring clinical data management features (like those in traditional healthcare software) to the veterinary industry.
Today, NaVetor offers exactly that. It’s everything you’d expect from practice management software in the human medical industry—but made for veterinarians.
The name “NaVetor” is a cross between navigation and veterinarian, and it’s why they use a sea turtle as the logo (supposedly sea turtles are one of nature’s best navigators).
Key Features
NaVetor is designed to support every area of veterinary practice. From daily workflows to recordkeeping, billing, labs, inventory management, and beyond, the all-in-one software is built to help the entire staff move seamlessly between tasks.
Top features and capabilities of NaVetor include:
- NaVetor mobile app for vets and their staff.
- Tail HQ app for pet owners to book appointments and access records.
- Custom appointment calendars with announcements and notifications.
- Real-time updates for your website or waiting room so clients can see the status of their pets.
- Medical records and treatment management plans.
- Two-way integration for labs with Antech, Zoetis, and IDEXX.
- Integrated payment processing via Global Payments and Gravity Payments.
- Streamlined billing with estimates, electronic signatures, and deposit tracking.
- Electronic inventory management.
- Two-way messaging between your practice and clients.
You can also integrate NaVetor with third-party tools for things like microchipping, x-rays, pharmacy, and even speech-to-text note-taking.
Pricing
NaVetor is one of the few vet practice management solutions that actually publishes pricing online, which is great. Pricing is tiered based on user count, starting at:
- $200 per month for 1-3 users
- $300 per month for 4-10 users
- $350 per month for 11-20 users
- $400 per month for 21-30 users
- $550 per month for 31+ users
The cost per user is cheaper at every tier, but obviously, your total monthly costs increase.
NaVetor also offers different add-ons, such as $100 per month for unlimited email and text messages. And you can request a free trial to test it out before committing to a paid subscription.
NaVetor Payment Processing Options
NaVetor doesn’t directly provide payment processing services. Instead, the software supports integrations for third-party processors. There are only two processors that can integrate with NaVetor: Global Payments and Gravity Payments.
While the end result will be the same (accepting and managing payments from within NaVetor), each of these providers is very different for a variety of reasons.
Global Payments
Global Payments is one of the largest processors in the world. They offer interchange-plus pricing, which is exactly what you want if you’re a veterinarian setting up integrated processing via NaVetor.
With interchange-plus, you pay the wholesale rates set by the card networks plus a markup directly to Global.
The problem is that Global is notorious for its unethical billing practices. They charge bogus fees and increase your rates on a regular basis. And that’s what they do even if you don’t need an integration. So when you bring the NaVetor integration into the mix, Global’s definitely going to try to inflate your rates even more.
So if you’re using Global to accept credit cards through NaVetor, you need to keep a close eye on your statements. Question every fee and don’t accept what they tell you at face value.
We have hundreds of clients using Global Payments, and they are one of the most challenging processors to work with. That said, you can negotiate good terms if you know what you’re talking about and understand how to leverage your position.
Check out our Global Payments review and statement audit to learn more.
Gravity Payments
Gravity Payments is different in the sense that they’re an ISO (independent sales organization) instead of a direct acquirer (like Global). While Global handles processing in-house, Gravity Payments relies on Fiserv to process its payments on the backend.
This is an important distinction to understand because there are extra players in the mix, and everyone wants their share of the pie.
Gravity will typically inflate their rates a bit more than a direct acquirer because they still need to profit enough on top of Fiserv’s services that are being resold. And if Gravity also needs to pay a commission to NaVetor (which I have no way to confirm, but definitely happens sometimes with integrated processing), then the rates need to be inflated even more.
If you’re just getting started, Gravity will likely pitch you flat-rate pricing that starts at 2.5% + $0.10 per transaction. It’s lower than other flat-rate providers and sounds simple, but don’t take it. You’re much better off going with an interchange-plus plan.
You can get closer to a 2% effective rate going the interchange-plus route.
We also have a Gravity Payments review and statement audit that you can reference to learn more.
Other Fees to Look Out For
Beyond NaVetor’s base pricing and add-on features, it’s the payment processing fees that you really need to watch out for. Whether you’re using Gravity or Global, they’re going to try and charge you more than just your per-transaction rates.
Some red-flag fees on Global Payments statements that you need to watch out for include:
- Risk assessment fees
- Settlement funding fees
- Analytics reputation fees
- Bank deposit service fees
- Auto enroll fees
- Network compliance fees
These are all charges that Global made up as a way to increase profits. Some are flat monthly fees, and others are assessed on your total volume. If you ignore these charges, it could be costing you thousands of extra dollars every single month.
Gravity isn’t as bad. Their random fees align with what Fiserv does, which is mostly an annual fee that varies from account to account every year.
You’ll likely see some batch fees, compliance fees, gateway fees, and datawire fees on your Gravity statement. These can typically be negotiated.
How to Lower Your Payment Processing Rates With NaVetor
The most important thing you need to understand is that NaVetor is not your payment processor. So contacting them and asking for a rate reduction isn’t going to accomplish anything.
You need to go directly to the processor, either Gravity or Global.
The second most important piece of this is that switching from one to the other is NOT going to save you money. That’s where most vets get this wrong. They assume that if they just change providers they can get lower rates, but long-term it will likely be more expensive.
Here’s why.
Yes, if you’re using Global and switch to Gravity, your Gravity sales rep will obviously undercut Global (and vice versa). But remember, this is integrated processing. Switching isn’t easy and there are costs associated with changing. Many Gravity/Fiserv accounts have liquidated damages clauses that could result in tens of thousands of dollars in penalties for switching.
Even if you can break your contract penalty-free, getting set up with a new integrated payment provider is still very complicated. And guess what? Your new “cheaper” provider will end up raising your rates again in the next year or two.
The best approach here is to negotiate directly with your current processor and demand better terms. Identify the bogus fees that they’re charging you, make sure you’re on an interchange-plus plan, and negotiate a rate reduction.
If you’d like, our team at MCC can handle this on your behalf. We find savings on 96% of statements we audit, and won’t ask you to switch providers.
Final Verdict on NaVetor’s Vet Software
NaVetor is a good option for small, mid-sized, and large veterinary practices. The cloud-based software is easy to use, and the technology powering the platform is really good.
There’s no shortage of features, and you can always integrate with third-party tools for things that NaVetor doesn’t offer.
In terms of payment processing, it would be nice if you had more than just two options to choose from. If you have a brand new vet practice and you’re getting set up with NaVetor and payment processing for the first time, go with Gravity Payments.
And while I never recommend Global (there are just too many red flags we’ve encountered over the years), I still wouldn’t cancel my agreement with them if I were already set up. You can still get more competitive rates by negotiating with them and keeping a close eye on your statements.