Quick Overview
- 1#1: Epic - Comprehensive EHR platform for large hospitals and health systems with advanced clinical decision support and interoperability.
- 2#2: Oracle Health - Integrated EHR solution formerly Cerner, offering AI-powered tools for population health and operational efficiency.
- 3#3: athenahealth - Cloud-based EHR and practice management system that automates revenue cycle and enhances patient engagement.
- 4#4: Veradigm - EHR software with strong analytics and interoperability for ambulatory and post-acute care settings.
- 5#5: MEDITECH - Patient-centric EHR designed for acute and ambulatory care with robust mobile access and Expanse platform.
- 6#6: eClinicalWorks - Affordable EHR for small to mid-sized practices featuring telehealth, AI sunoh.ai integration, and patient portals.
- 7#7: NextGen Healthcare - Specialty-focused EHR with population health management and advanced reporting capabilities.
- 8#8: Greenway Health - Interoperable EHR platform for primary care and behavioral health with Prime Suite suite.
- 9#9: DrChrono - Mobile-optimized EHR for iOS with GPS check-ins, e-prescribing, and customizable charting.
- 10#10: Practice Fusion - Free web-based EHR for small practices with integrated e-prescribing and charting tools.
These tools were chosen based on their robust clinical features, interoperability, user experience, and overall value, ensuring they align with the varied requirements of healthcare settings, from acute care to ambulatory practices.
Comparison Table
Navigating healthcare EMR software requires clarity; this comparison table contrasts key features, usability, and integration tools of platforms like Epic, Oracle Health, athenahealth, Veradigm, and MEDITECH, aiding readers in understanding each solution's unique strengths. By examining their suitability for diverse care settings and operational needs, users can make informed choices to optimize clinical workflows and patient care.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Epic Comprehensive EHR platform for large hospitals and health systems with advanced clinical decision support and interoperability. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.8/10 | 6.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 2 | Oracle Health Integrated EHR solution formerly Cerner, offering AI-powered tools for population health and operational efficiency. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | athenahealth Cloud-based EHR and practice management system that automates revenue cycle and enhances patient engagement. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Veradigm EHR software with strong analytics and interoperability for ambulatory and post-acute care settings. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 5 | MEDITECH Patient-centric EHR designed for acute and ambulatory care with robust mobile access and Expanse platform. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | eClinicalWorks Affordable EHR for small to mid-sized practices featuring telehealth, AI sunoh.ai integration, and patient portals. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | NextGen Healthcare Specialty-focused EHR with population health management and advanced reporting capabilities. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | Greenway Health Interoperable EHR platform for primary care and behavioral health with Prime Suite suite. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | DrChrono Mobile-optimized EHR for iOS with GPS check-ins, e-prescribing, and customizable charting. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Practice Fusion Free web-based EHR for small practices with integrated e-prescribing and charting tools. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.4/10 |
Comprehensive EHR platform for large hospitals and health systems with advanced clinical decision support and interoperability.
Integrated EHR solution formerly Cerner, offering AI-powered tools for population health and operational efficiency.
Cloud-based EHR and practice management system that automates revenue cycle and enhances patient engagement.
EHR software with strong analytics and interoperability for ambulatory and post-acute care settings.
Patient-centric EHR designed for acute and ambulatory care with robust mobile access and Expanse platform.
Affordable EHR for small to mid-sized practices featuring telehealth, AI sunoh.ai integration, and patient portals.
Specialty-focused EHR with population health management and advanced reporting capabilities.
Interoperable EHR platform for primary care and behavioral health with Prime Suite suite.
Mobile-optimized EHR for iOS with GPS check-ins, e-prescribing, and customizable charting.
Free web-based EHR for small practices with integrated e-prescribing and charting tools.
Epic
enterpriseComprehensive EHR platform for large hospitals and health systems with advanced clinical decision support and interoperability.
MyChart patient portal, enabling seamless patient-provider engagement with over 180 million users accessing records, appointments, and telehealth.
Epic is a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system tailored for large hospitals, health systems, and academic medical centers, offering end-to-end patient care management from clinical documentation to billing and analytics. It integrates tools like MyChart for patient engagement, advanced interoperability via FHIR standards, and AI-driven decision support through features like Predictive Analytics. With its proprietary Chronicles database, Epic handles massive data volumes securely and scalably, powering over 250 million patient records worldwide.
Pros
- Unmatched depth of clinical features and modules for specialties
- Strong interoperability and data analytics (e.g., Cogito, Caboodle)
- Proven scalability and reliability in enterprise environments
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface (Hyperspace)
- Prolonged, expensive implementations (often 2-5 years)
- High ongoing costs and vendor lock-in
Best For
Large-scale hospitals and integrated delivery networks needing a robust, customizable EMR for complex workflows.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing; implementation often exceeds $100M for large systems, with per-user fees and module-based add-ons.
Oracle Health
enterpriseIntegrated EHR solution formerly Cerner, offering AI-powered tools for population health and operational efficiency.
AI-powered Oracle Clinical Digital Assistant for real-time, contextual clinical guidance and automation
Oracle Health, formerly Cerner, is a comprehensive electronic medical record (EMR) and electronic health record (EHR) platform designed for large healthcare organizations, integrating clinical workflows, patient data management, and operational tools. It leverages Oracle's cloud infrastructure, AI-driven analytics, and interoperability standards like FHIR to enable real-time decision-making, population health management, and revenue cycle optimization. The solution supports acute care, ambulatory settings, and post-acute facilities with scalable, secure data handling across enterprises.
Pros
- Enterprise-grade scalability and reliability for large health systems
- Advanced AI and predictive analytics for clinical insights
- Seamless interoperability with FHIR and other standards
Cons
- High implementation costs and long deployment timelines
- Steep learning curve for end-users due to complexity
- Custom pricing lacks transparency for smaller organizations
Best For
Ideal for large hospitals, health systems, and IDNs seeking robust, AI-enhanced EMR with deep integration capabilities.
Pricing
Custom enterprise contracts; typically multimillion-dollar annual subscriptions based on beds/providers, with no public per-user pricing.
athenahealth
enterpriseCloud-based EHR and practice management system that automates revenue cycle and enhances patient engagement.
AI-powered Revenue Cycle Management that automates claims processing and denial management to boost collections by up to 20%
athenahealth is a comprehensive cloud-based EMR and practice management platform tailored for healthcare providers, offering integrated electronic health records, revenue cycle management, patient engagement, and care coordination tools. It streamlines clinical workflows, automates billing and claims processing, and supports interoperability with labs, pharmacies, and other systems. The athenaOne suite emphasizes data-driven insights and scalability for ambulatory practices.
Pros
- Seamless integration of EHR, practice management, and revenue cycle tools in a single cloud platform
- Strong interoperability and patient portal for enhanced care coordination
- Advanced analytics and AI-driven insights for population health and revenue optimization
Cons
- High implementation costs and subscription fees
- Steep initial learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Limited customization options compared to some competitors
Best For
Small to mid-sized ambulatory practices and specialty groups needing an all-in-one cloud EMR with robust revenue cycle management.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing typically starts at $140-$450 per provider per month, plus one-time implementation fees of $5,000-$50,000 depending on practice size.
Veradigm
enterpriseEHR software with strong analytics and interoperability for ambulatory and post-acute care settings.
Veradigm Network, providing access to de-identified data from over 400 million patient encounters for real-world evidence and predictive analytics
Veradigm provides a comprehensive EHR platform tailored for healthcare providers, including electronic health records, practice management, revenue cycle management, and interoperability solutions. It leverages the Veradigm Network, one of the largest health data networks, to deliver actionable insights, population health management, and real-world evidence. The software supports ambulatory, acute, and post-acute care settings with robust integration capabilities.
Pros
- Extensive interoperability with major health systems and devices
- Powerful analytics via the Veradigm Network for population health
- Scalable for mid-to-large practices and enterprises
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- High implementation and customization costs
- Reported occasional performance issues during peak usage
Best For
Mid-sized to large healthcare practices and health systems needing advanced data analytics and network interoperability.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically subscription-based starting at $300-$600 per provider/month, with additional fees for implementation and advanced modules.
MEDITECH
enterprisePatient-centric EHR designed for acute and ambulatory care with robust mobile access and Expanse platform.
Expanse Web platform enabling fully browser-based access from any device without plugins or downloads
MEDITECH is a leading provider of electronic health record (EHR) solutions, primarily serving hospitals, health systems, and post-acute care facilities with its Expanse platform. The software offers comprehensive clinical, financial, and operational tools, including patient documentation, order entry, revenue cycle management, and interoperability via FHIR standards. It emphasizes scalability for community hospitals and includes advanced analytics for population health and predictive insights.
Pros
- Robust interoperability and FHIR support for seamless data exchange
- Scalable for mid-sized hospitals with proven reliability over decades
- Advanced analytics and population health management tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and dated interface in legacy systems
- Lengthy and costly implementation process
- Opaque pricing with high ongoing maintenance fees
Best For
Mid-sized community hospitals and health systems needing a reliable, customizable EMR with strong analytics for patient care coordination.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing, typically $500K+ annually for mid-sized implementations including modules and support; perpetual licenses also available.
eClinicalWorks
specializedAffordable EHR for small to mid-sized practices featuring telehealth, AI sunoh.ai integration, and patient portals.
Healow patient engagement ecosystem with seamless telehealth, app-based communication, and automated reminders
eClinicalWorks is a comprehensive EHR and practice management platform serving ambulatory care, behavioral health, and specialty practices. It streamlines clinical workflows with electronic prescribing, charting, scheduling, billing, and revenue cycle management. The system emphasizes interoperability, patient engagement via the Healow portal, and telehealth integration to enhance care delivery and operational efficiency.
Pros
- Robust interoperability with labs and HIEs
- Integrated telehealth and patient portal (Healow)
- Scalable for multi-location practices
Cons
- Steep learning curve and outdated interface
- Mixed customer support experiences
- Complex implementation process
Best For
Mid-sized to large physician practices seeking a feature-rich EMR with strong telehealth and population health tools.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription starting at ~$449 per provider/month, plus one-time implementation fees ($5K-$20K) and add-ons for telehealth or AI features.
NextGen Healthcare
enterpriseSpecialty-focused EHR with population health management and advanced reporting capabilities.
Open Platform architecture for superior interoperability and third-party app integrations
NextGen Healthcare provides a robust electronic health record (EHR) and practice management platform tailored for ambulatory care, specialty practices, and behavioral health providers. It offers features like electronic prescribing, clinical workflows, patient engagement portals, and revenue cycle management to streamline operations and improve care delivery. The system emphasizes interoperability with standards like FHIR and HL7, enabling seamless data exchange across healthcare ecosystems.
Pros
- Extensive customization for specialty practices
- Strong interoperability and population health analytics
- Integrated revenue cycle management tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface
- Implementation can be lengthy and costly
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Mid-sized ambulatory and specialty practices needing advanced EHR interoperability and analytics.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically $400-$800 per provider per month plus implementation fees starting at $50,000+.
Greenway Health
specializedInteroperable EHR platform for primary care and behavioral health with Prime Suite suite.
Health Data Hub for seamless interoperability and data exchange across healthcare ecosystems
Greenway Health provides Intergy, a comprehensive EHR/EMR and practice management platform tailored for ambulatory care practices, including primary care, pediatrics, and specialties. It streamlines clinical workflows with electronic prescribing, charting, patient portals, and interoperability via standards like HL7 and FHIR. Additionally, it offers robust revenue cycle management tools to optimize billing, claims processing, and financial performance.
Pros
- Strong interoperability with labs, hospitals, and HIEs
- Comprehensive revenue cycle management with analytics
- Customizable templates for specialty practices
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Implementation process can be lengthy and complex
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Mid-sized ambulatory practices needing integrated EHR, practice management, and revenue cycle tools.
Pricing
Custom quote-based pricing; typically $300-$600 per provider/month depending on modules and practice size.
DrChrono
specializedMobile-optimized EHR for iOS with GPS check-ins, e-prescribing, and customizable charting.
Native iPad and iPhone apps for fully functional charting and patient management on mobile devices
DrChrono is a cloud-based electronic medical records (EMR) and practice management platform tailored for healthcare providers, offering tools for charting, scheduling, billing, e-prescribing, and telemedicine. It emphasizes a mobile-first design, with native apps for iOS devices allowing clinicians to manage patient records on the go. The software supports customization for various specialties and includes patient engagement features like portals and secure messaging.
Pros
- Strong mobile integration, especially for iOS devices
- Comprehensive practice management including billing and scheduling
- Robust customization options for templates and workflows
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for small practices
- Customer support response times vary
- Advanced reporting features are somewhat limited
Best For
Small to mid-sized medical practices seeking a mobile-friendly EMR with integrated practice management.
Pricing
Starts at $199 per provider per month (billed annually), with higher tiers for advanced features and custom enterprise pricing.
Practice Fusion
specializedFree web-based EHR for small practices with integrated e-prescribing and charting tools.
Fully free EHR platform with no licensing costs, certified for HIPAA and meaningful use.
Practice Fusion is a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) system tailored for healthcare providers, offering tools for patient charting, e-prescribing, appointment scheduling, and billing. It supports clinical workflows with features like lab integrations, patient portals, and meaningful use reporting. As one of the first fully free EHRs, it enables small practices to adopt digital records without upfront costs.
Pros
- Completely free core EHR functionality
- Intuitive web-based interface with mobile access
- Seamless e-prescribing and lab integrations
Cons
- Limited customization and advanced analytics
- Customer support response times can vary
- Fewer enterprise-level features compared to paid competitors
Best For
Solo practitioners and small to medium-sized medical offices seeking a no-cost, straightforward EHR solution.
Pricing
100% free for core features; monetizes through pharmacy and lab partnerships without subscription fees.
Conclusion
The top-ranked tools in this review illustrate the diverse strengths of healthcare EHR software, with Epic emerging as the standout choice for large institutions, offering robust clinical support and seamless interoperability. Oracle Health and athenahealth follow closely, each excelling in unique areas—Oracle for its AI-driven population health and operational efficiency, and athenahealth for its cloud-based agility and revenue cycle automation—providing strong options for different practice needs. This summary underscores the importance of aligning software with specific goals to enhance performance and user experience.
Take the first step toward improving care delivery and operational success by trying Epic, the top-rated EHR software, and discover how it can transform your practice.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison