Quick Overview
- 1#1: athenahealth - Cloud-based EHR and practice management platform with integrated billing, scheduling, and patient engagement for family practices.
- 2#2: Elation Health - Primary care-focused EHR designed for family physicians with intuitive charting, telehealth, and care coordination features.
- 3#3: NextGen Healthcare - Comprehensive EHR and practice management software offering population health, analytics, and interoperability for ambulatory practices.
- 4#4: eClinicalWorks - Integrated EHR, practice management, telehealth, and patient portal solution supporting family practice workflows and MIPS reporting.
- 5#5: AdvancedMD - Cloud-based practice management and EHR system with robust scheduling, billing, and revenue cycle tools for small to mid-sized practices.
- 6#6: Kareo - Billing-focused practice management and EHR platform that streamlines claims, payments, and operations for independent family practices.
- 7#7: DrChrono - Mobile-first EHR and practice management software with customizable forms, e-prescribing, and inventory management for primary care.
- 8#8: Practice Fusion - Free web-based EHR with charting, scheduling, and e-prescribing capabilities ideal for cost-conscious family practices.
- 9#9: CharmHealth - All-in-one EHR, practice management, and telehealth platform with patient portal and secure messaging for family medicine.
- 10#10: Amazing Charts - User-friendly EHR optimized for primary care with paper-like charting, decision support, and practice management integration.
We evaluated tools based on feature relevance to family practice workflows, user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they align with the unique demands of primary care providers.
Comparison Table
For family practices seeking the right management software, tools like athenahealth, Elation Health, NextGen Healthcare, eClinicalWorks, AdvancedMD, and more are key considerations. This comparison table outlines critical features, usability, and integration capabilities to help practices identify the best fit.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | athenahealth Cloud-based EHR and practice management platform with integrated billing, scheduling, and patient engagement for family practices. | enterprise | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Elation Health Primary care-focused EHR designed for family physicians with intuitive charting, telehealth, and care coordination features. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.7/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | NextGen Healthcare Comprehensive EHR and practice management software offering population health, analytics, and interoperability for ambulatory practices. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | eClinicalWorks Integrated EHR, practice management, telehealth, and patient portal solution supporting family practice workflows and MIPS reporting. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.2/10 | 7.1/10 |
| 5 | AdvancedMD Cloud-based practice management and EHR system with robust scheduling, billing, and revenue cycle tools for small to mid-sized practices. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Kareo Billing-focused practice management and EHR platform that streamlines claims, payments, and operations for independent family practices. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.6/10 |
| 7 | DrChrono Mobile-first EHR and practice management software with customizable forms, e-prescribing, and inventory management for primary care. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Practice Fusion Free web-based EHR with charting, scheduling, and e-prescribing capabilities ideal for cost-conscious family practices. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 9 | CharmHealth All-in-one EHR, practice management, and telehealth platform with patient portal and secure messaging for family medicine. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 10 | Amazing Charts User-friendly EHR optimized for primary care with paper-like charting, decision support, and practice management integration. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
Cloud-based EHR and practice management platform with integrated billing, scheduling, and patient engagement for family practices.
Primary care-focused EHR designed for family physicians with intuitive charting, telehealth, and care coordination features.
Comprehensive EHR and practice management software offering population health, analytics, and interoperability for ambulatory practices.
Integrated EHR, practice management, telehealth, and patient portal solution supporting family practice workflows and MIPS reporting.
Cloud-based practice management and EHR system with robust scheduling, billing, and revenue cycle tools for small to mid-sized practices.
Billing-focused practice management and EHR platform that streamlines claims, payments, and operations for independent family practices.
Mobile-first EHR and practice management software with customizable forms, e-prescribing, and inventory management for primary care.
Free web-based EHR with charting, scheduling, and e-prescribing capabilities ideal for cost-conscious family practices.
All-in-one EHR, practice management, and telehealth platform with patient portal and secure messaging for family medicine.
User-friendly EHR optimized for primary care with paper-like charting, decision support, and practice management integration.
athenahealth
enterpriseCloud-based EHR and practice management platform with integrated billing, scheduling, and patient engagement for family practices.
AI-powered Revenue Cycle Management with industry-leading first-pass resolution rates exceeding 98%
athenahealth is a leading cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) and practice management software tailored for ambulatory care, including family practices. It integrates scheduling, billing, clinical documentation, patient engagement, and population health analytics into a single platform. The system excels in revenue cycle management with high first-pass claim acceptance rates and supports interoperability via FHIR standards for seamless data exchange.
Pros
- Superior revenue cycle management with 98%+ clean claims rate
- Robust interoperability and analytics for population health
- Cloud-based with mobile access and automatic updates
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- High implementation and subscription costs
- Limited customization options compared to competitors
Best For
Established family practices prioritizing billing efficiency, scalability, and regulatory compliance over ease of initial setup.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing typically starts at $400-$500 per provider per month, plus one-time implementation fees of $10,000+.
Elation Health
specializedPrimary care-focused EHR designed for family physicians with intuitive charting, telehealth, and care coordination features.
Smart Inbox and AI-powered ambient charting that listens to visits and auto-generates structured, compliant notes
Elation Health is a cloud-based EHR and practice management platform designed specifically for independent primary care physicians and family practices. It offers intuitive charting, automated documentation, scheduling, billing, e-prescribing, and patient engagement tools to streamline workflows and foster relationship-centered care. Built by clinicians, it emphasizes reducing administrative burden and burnout while ensuring compliance with HIPAA and meaningful use standards.
Pros
- Highly intuitive, clinician-designed interface with minimal clicks and no clutter
- AI-assisted charting and ambient documentation for faster note completion
- Strong focus on primary care workflows including patient summaries (Kardex) and secure messaging
Cons
- Premium pricing may strain very small or solo practices
- Billing and revenue cycle management less robust than dedicated RCM tools
- Limited customization options for advanced reporting or enterprise-scale needs
Best For
Independent family physicians and small primary care practices prioritizing efficiency, patient relationships, and clinician well-being over extensive customization.
Pricing
Starts at $349 per provider/month for core EHR/PM features; includes unlimited users, scales with add-ons like telehealth ($99+/month) and advanced analytics.
NextGen Healthcare
enterpriseComprehensive EHR and practice management software offering population health, analytics, and interoperability for ambulatory practices.
Ambient AI-powered clinical documentation that automates note generation from patient conversations
NextGen Healthcare offers a comprehensive, enterprise-grade EHR and practice management platform designed for ambulatory practices, including family medicine. It integrates scheduling, billing, clinical documentation, patient engagement, and revenue cycle management to streamline operations. The solution emphasizes interoperability, population health analytics, and AI-assisted features to enhance efficiency and care quality in family practices.
Pros
- Robust interoperability with labs, hospitals, and health information exchanges
- Advanced analytics and population health management tools
- Integrated revenue cycle management for optimized billing
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- Lengthy and costly implementation process
- Higher pricing not ideal for small practices
Best For
Mid-sized to large family practices seeking scalable, feature-rich enterprise software with strong analytics and interoperability.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically $400-$700 per provider per month plus implementation fees starting at $50,000+.
eClinicalWorks
enterpriseIntegrated EHR, practice management, telehealth, and patient portal solution supporting family practice workflows and MIPS reporting.
Prism population health management for proactive patient care and performance analytics
eClinicalWorks is a comprehensive EHR and practice management platform tailored for family practices, offering tools for scheduling, billing, clinical documentation, and patient engagement. It integrates telehealth, population health analytics, and revenue cycle management to streamline operations. The software supports interoperability standards like FHIR, enabling seamless data exchange with other systems.
Pros
- Robust all-in-one features including EHR, practice management, telehealth, and analytics
- Strong interoperability and scalability for growing family practices
- Advanced patient engagement tools like the Healow patient portal and mobile app
Cons
- Outdated and clunky user interface with a steep learning curve
- Inconsistent customer support and lengthy implementation times
- High costs for customization and ongoing fees
Best For
Mid-sized family practices seeking a scalable, feature-rich solution with strong telehealth and analytics capabilities.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at $449 per provider/month, plus implementation fees and add-ons for telehealth or AI features.
AdvancedMD
enterpriseCloud-based practice management and EHR system with robust scheduling, billing, and revenue cycle tools for small to mid-sized practices.
Advanced revenue cycle management with automated denial scrubbing and ERA auto-posting
AdvancedMD is a cloud-based electronic health records (EHR) and practice management software designed for medical practices, including family medicine, offering integrated tools for scheduling, billing, patient engagement, and telehealth. It streamlines administrative workflows with features like automated claims processing, eligibility verification, and comprehensive reporting to support efficient family practice operations. The platform ensures HIPAA compliance and scalability for growing practices handling diverse patient populations.
Pros
- Comprehensive EHR and revenue cycle management integration
- Cloud-based accessibility with mobile apps for providers
- Robust analytics and customizable reporting tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for full customization
- Higher cost structure with add-on fees
- Mixed customer support experiences
Best For
Mid-sized family practices needing scalable billing and revenue optimization alongside EHR functionality.
Pricing
Subscription-based pricing starts at around $400-$600 per provider per month for core PM/EHR, plus implementation fees and add-ons for advanced features.
Kareo
specializedBilling-focused practice management and EHR platform that streamlines claims, payments, and operations for independent family practices.
Kareo Billing Cloud with AI-powered claim scrubbing and performance-based revenue guarantees
Kareo is a cloud-based platform offering integrated electronic health records (EHR), practice management, and revenue cycle management (RCM) solutions designed for independent medical practices, including family medicine. It handles scheduling, billing, patient engagement, and compliance with features like automated claims processing and analytics. Kareo stands out for its focus on maximizing reimbursements through advanced billing tools, making it suitable for practices aiming to streamline operations and improve financial performance.
Pros
- Robust revenue cycle management with high claim approval rates
- Cloud-based accessibility and mobile app support
- Strong integrations with labs, pharmacies, and telehealth
Cons
- Pricing can escalate with add-ons and usage fees
- Steep learning curve for advanced billing features
- Limited customization options for workflows
Best For
Small to mid-sized family practices focused on efficient billing and revenue optimization.
Pricing
Starts at $150/provider/month for practice management, plus per-claim billing fees (typically 4-7% of collections); EHR add-on ~$100/user/month.
DrChrono
specializedMobile-first EHR and practice management software with customizable forms, e-prescribing, and inventory management for primary care.
Award-winning native iPad app for real-time charting directly in the exam room
DrChrono is a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) and practice management software tailored for medical practices, including family medicine, offering tools for scheduling, billing, e-prescribing, charting, and telehealth. It emphasizes mobile accessibility with native iOS apps for iPad and iPhone, enabling providers to manage patient records on the go. The platform supports customizable workflows, patient portals, and revenue cycle management to streamline family practice operations.
Pros
- Native iOS apps for seamless mobile charting and access
- Strong integrations with labs, pharmacies, and payment systems
- Customizable templates and efficient billing tools
Cons
- Provider-based pricing can become expensive for larger teams
- Occasional reports of system glitches or slow support response
- Steep initial learning curve for full customization
Best For
Small to mid-sized family practices seeking a mobile-first EHR with integrated practice management and telehealth.
Pricing
Custom quotes starting at ~$199/provider/month; additional fees for premium features like advanced analytics or revenue cycle services.
Practice Fusion
specializedFree web-based EHR with charting, scheduling, and e-prescribing capabilities ideal for cost-conscious family practices.
Completely free, cloud-based EHR with seamless e-prescribing, making it uniquely accessible for budget-limited family practices.
Practice Fusion is a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) system tailored for small to medium-sized medical practices, including family medicine, offering charting, scheduling, e-prescribing, and patient portal features. It supports family practice workflows with customizable templates for preventive care, chronic disease management, and pediatric/adult encounters. The platform is fully web-based, requiring no software installation, and emphasizes simplicity for busy primary care providers.
Pros
- Free core EHR functionality with no upfront licensing fees
- Intuitive web interface accessible from any device
- Robust e-prescribing integrated with Surescripts for quick prescriptions
Cons
- On-screen advertising to support free model can be distracting
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting for complex family practice needs
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
Best For
Small family practices seeking a cost-effective, easy-to-adopt EHR for basic patient management without installation hassles.
Pricing
Free for core features (ad-supported); optional paid add-ons for advanced billing, support, and integrations starting at $149/month.
CharmHealth
specializedAll-in-one EHR, practice management, and telehealth platform with patient portal and secure messaging for family medicine.
Seamless integration of telehealth directly into the EHR for one-click virtual visits and real-time charting
CharmHealth is a cloud-based, ONC-certified EHR and practice management software designed for independent medical practices, including family medicine. It provides integrated tools for patient scheduling, electronic prescribing, billing, telehealth, and a patient portal to streamline workflows. The platform emphasizes ease of use with customizable templates and mobile access, supporting efficient management of family practice needs like chronic care tracking and preventive services.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick charting and mobile app support
- Affordable all-in-one solution including EHR, PM, and telehealth
- Strong patient engagement tools like secure messaging and portal
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting customization
- Occasional customer support delays for complex issues
- Less scalable for very large multi-location practices
Best For
Small to mid-sized family practices looking for a user-friendly, cost-effective platform to manage diverse patient care without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Starts at $335 per provider per month (billed annually) for core EHR/PM features; higher tiers up to $600+ add advanced tools like RCM.
Amazing Charts
specializedUser-friendly EHR optimized for primary care with paper-like charting, decision support, and practice management integration.
Single-screen patient chart dashboard that displays all key information at a glance for efficient review and updates
Amazing Charts is an EHR and practice management software designed specifically for primary care and family practices, featuring an intuitive interface that emulates paper charts for rapid documentation and workflow efficiency. It provides essential tools including scheduling, billing, e-prescribing, patient portals, and meaningful use compliance features. The system emphasizes speed and simplicity, making it suitable for busy solo or small group practices in family medicine.
Pros
- Intuitive charting interface mimicking paper records for quick entry
- Strong focus on primary care workflows with fast documentation
- Reliable e-prescribing and basic practice management tools
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting compared to enterprise solutions
- Customer support response times can be inconsistent
- Less robust customization options for unique practice needs
Best For
Solo family physicians or small primary care practices prioritizing ease of use and speed over extensive customization.
Pricing
Subscription starts at approximately $395 per provider per month, with additional setup fees and per-user costs for advanced modules.
Conclusion
Navigating the landscape of family practice management software reveals a strong set of tools, with athenahealth rising as the top choice—its cloud-based integration and all-in-one billing, scheduling, and engagement features making it a standout for diverse family practice needs. Close contenders like Elation Health excel in intuitive care coordination and telehealth, while NextGen Healthcare shines through advanced population health and interoperability tools, catering to practices with specific operational or analytical priorities. Each option offers unique strengths, ensuring there’s a fit for nearly every workflow and scale.
Ready to elevate your practice? Start with athenahealth to experience a seamless blend of clinical and operational efficiency that sets it apart as the leading solution for family care professionals.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison