Quick Overview
- 1#1: Epic - Comprehensive EHR platform with advanced templating, structured data entry, and customizable note-taking tools for clinicians.
- 2#2: Oracle Cerner - Integrated health IT system offering intelligent documentation, voice-enabled notes, and workflow-optimized clinical charting.
- 3#3: athenahealth - Cloud-based EHR with intuitive note capture, auto-population, and seamless integration for efficient medical documentation.
- 4#4: Nuance Dragon Medical One - AI-driven speech recognition software designed for rapid, accurate dictation and transcription of medical notes.
- 5#5: Suki - Voice AI assistant that automates clinical documentation by generating structured notes from natural conversations.
- 6#6: Abridge - Ambient AI scribe that listens to patient encounters and produces real-time, comprehensive clinical notes.
- 7#7: Augmedix - AI-powered ambient documentation platform that converts clinician-patient dialogues into finished SOAP notes.
- 8#8: Nabla - AI copilot for clinicians that drafts medical notes, summarizes visits, and integrates with EHR systems.
- 9#9: DeepScribe - Voice AI platform providing real-time scribing and note generation during patient interactions.
- 10#10: Freed - AI medical scribe that automates note-taking from conversations with high accuracy and EHR integration.
Tools were selected based on clinical functionality (e.g., structuring, integration), user experience, data accuracy, and value, balancing advanced features with practical usability for clinicians and healthcare organizations.
Comparison Table
This comparison table explores top medical notes software, including Epic, Oracle Cerner, athenahealth, Nuance Dragon Medical One, and Suki, to highlight key features and capabilities. It equips readers with insights into functionality, usability, and integration, helping them evaluate which tool aligns with their clinical needs and workflow.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Epic Comprehensive EHR platform with advanced templating, structured data entry, and customizable note-taking tools for clinicians. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 2 | Oracle Cerner Integrated health IT system offering intelligent documentation, voice-enabled notes, and workflow-optimized clinical charting. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | athenahealth Cloud-based EHR with intuitive note capture, auto-population, and seamless integration for efficient medical documentation. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Nuance Dragon Medical One AI-driven speech recognition software designed for rapid, accurate dictation and transcription of medical notes. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.3/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Suki Voice AI assistant that automates clinical documentation by generating structured notes from natural conversations. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 6 | Abridge Ambient AI scribe that listens to patient encounters and produces real-time, comprehensive clinical notes. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 7 | Augmedix AI-powered ambient documentation platform that converts clinician-patient dialogues into finished SOAP notes. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Nabla AI copilot for clinicians that drafts medical notes, summarizes visits, and integrates with EHR systems. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | DeepScribe Voice AI platform providing real-time scribing and note generation during patient interactions. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Freed AI medical scribe that automates note-taking from conversations with high accuracy and EHR integration. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 7.7/10 |
Comprehensive EHR platform with advanced templating, structured data entry, and customizable note-taking tools for clinicians.
Integrated health IT system offering intelligent documentation, voice-enabled notes, and workflow-optimized clinical charting.
Cloud-based EHR with intuitive note capture, auto-population, and seamless integration for efficient medical documentation.
AI-driven speech recognition software designed for rapid, accurate dictation and transcription of medical notes.
Voice AI assistant that automates clinical documentation by generating structured notes from natural conversations.
Ambient AI scribe that listens to patient encounters and produces real-time, comprehensive clinical notes.
AI-powered ambient documentation platform that converts clinician-patient dialogues into finished SOAP notes.
AI copilot for clinicians that drafts medical notes, summarizes visits, and integrates with EHR systems.
Voice AI platform providing real-time scribing and note generation during patient interactions.
AI medical scribe that automates note-taking from conversations with high accuracy and EHR integration.
Epic
enterpriseComprehensive EHR platform with advanced templating, structured data entry, and customizable note-taking tools for clinicians.
SmartTools (including SmartPhrases and dynamic templates) for rapid, personalized note generation with real-time data insertion from the patient's unified record
Epic is a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system renowned for its advanced medical notes capabilities, offering customizable templates, SmartPhrases, and structured documentation tools that streamline clinical workflows. It integrates seamlessly with patient data across specialties, enabling efficient note creation, review, and sharing within large healthcare enterprises. With features like auto-population from flowsheets and AI-assisted drafting, Epic ensures compliant, detailed records while supporting interoperability via FHIR standards.
Pros
- Unmatched integration with full EHR ecosystem for contextual note-building
- Highly customizable templates, macros, and auto-population tools
- Robust compliance with HIPAA, Meaningful Use, and advanced analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring extensive training
- Prohibitively expensive for small practices with long implementation timelines
- Interface can feel cluttered despite customization options
Best For
Large hospitals, health systems, and academic medical centers needing enterprise-scale medical documentation integrated with comprehensive patient care.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing; implementation often exceeds $1M+ with per-user annual fees of $500-$2,000 depending on modules and scale.
Oracle Cerner
enterpriseIntegrated health IT system offering intelligent documentation, voice-enabled notes, and workflow-optimized clinical charting.
Dynamic Documentation with AI-powered auto-population and voice-enabled charting that intelligently pulls in patient data to reduce manual entry.
Oracle Cerner is a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) platform that excels in medical notes software through its PowerChart module, enabling clinicians to create structured, detailed patient documentation integrated with lab results, orders, and imaging. It supports customizable templates, voice-to-text transcription, and AI-driven auto-population to streamline note-taking and ensure compliance with regulations like HIPAA. The system facilitates real-time collaboration across care teams and provides analytics for quality improvement in documentation practices.
Pros
- Robust integration with full EHR ecosystem for seamless data flow into notes
- Advanced AI and voice recognition for efficient documentation
- Highly scalable and customizable for enterprise-level healthcare organizations
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- Extremely high implementation and customization costs
- Lengthy deployment timelines often exceeding 12-18 months
Best For
Large hospitals, health systems, and academic medical centers requiring enterprise-grade EHR with sophisticated medical notes capabilities.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing with implementation costs often in the millions, plus annual subscription fees based on users and modules (typically $500-$1,500 per user/year).
athenahealth
enterpriseCloud-based EHR with intuitive note capture, auto-population, and seamless integration for efficient medical documentation.
AI-powered intelligent documentation that auto-summarizes encounters and suggests charting based on patient data
athenahealth is a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) platform that provides robust medical notes functionality through its athenaClinicals module, featuring customizable templates, macros, and integration with voice recognition tools like Dragon Medical. It enables efficient documentation with structured notes, flowsheets, and auto-population from patient data, supporting specialties across various practice sizes. The system also ties clinical notes seamlessly into billing, scheduling, and patient engagement features for a unified workflow.
Pros
- Comprehensive EHR integration linking notes to billing and scheduling
- Customizable templates and voice dictation for efficient documentation
- Cloud-based with mobile access for on-the-go charting
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex customizations
- High cost with custom enterprise pricing
- Occasional reports of slower customer support response
Best For
Mid-sized to large medical practices needing an integrated EHR with advanced clinical documentation tools.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing typically starts at $400-$700 per provider per month, plus implementation and training fees.
Nuance Dragon Medical One
specializedAI-driven speech recognition software designed for rapid, accurate dictation and transcription of medical notes.
Cloud-native AI speech recognition with specialized medical lexicon and 99% accuracy out-of-the-box for healthcare dictation
Nuance Dragon Medical One is a cloud-based speech recognition platform designed specifically for healthcare professionals to dictate clinical documentation, notes, and commands into electronic health records (EHRs). It uses advanced AI and deep learning to achieve high accuracy with medical terminology, adapting to individual voices and accents while supporting hands-free operation. The software integrates seamlessly with major EHR systems like Epic and Cerner, enabling faster charting and reduced administrative burden in busy clinical environments.
Pros
- Industry-leading speech recognition accuracy (up to 99%) for complex medical vocabulary
- Seamless integration with popular EHR systems and cloud accessibility from any device
- PowerMic Mobile app for dictation on-the-go and customizable voice commands
Cons
- High subscription costs that may strain smaller practices
- Requires reliable internet and quality microphone for optimal performance
- Initial voice training and adaptation period needed for peak accuracy
Best For
Clinicians in mid-to-large healthcare organizations relying on EHR integration for high-volume patient documentation.
Pricing
Subscription-based at approximately $99-$150 per user per month, with enterprise pricing available upon quote; includes cloud hosting and updates.
Suki
specializedVoice AI assistant that automates clinical documentation by generating structured notes from natural conversations.
Ambient AI listening that auto-generates full encounter notes without manual dictation prompts
Suki.ai is an AI-powered voice assistant designed specifically for clinicians, enabling hands-free dictation and ambient listening to generate accurate medical notes and documentation. It integrates with major EHR systems like Epic and Cerner, using medical-grade NLP to produce structured notes, orders, and summaries from patient encounters. By automating routine documentation tasks, Suki helps reduce clinician burnout and improve efficiency in high-volume practices.
Pros
- Exceptional accuracy in medical transcription with context-aware AI
- Seamless EHR integrations reduce workflow disruptions
- Ambient mode passively captures conversations for note generation
Cons
- High subscription costs may deter small practices
- Requires good audio quality and some initial voice training
- Limited customization for niche specialties outside primary care
Best For
Busy physicians and NPs in mid-to-large practices seeking to minimize after-hours charting.
Pricing
Enterprise pricing starts at ~$300/user/month, with custom plans for volume discounts; free trial available.
Abridge
specializedAmbient AI scribe that listens to patient encounters and produces real-time, comprehensive clinical notes.
Ambient AI listening that generates point-of-care notes directly from live conversations without clinician narration or prompts
Abridge is an AI-powered ambient clinical documentation platform that listens to patient-clinician conversations in real-time and automatically generates structured clinical notes, such as SOAP notes and summaries. It leverages advanced speech recognition and natural language processing tailored for medical terminology to reduce documentation time from hours to minutes. The tool integrates seamlessly with major EHR systems like Epic and Cerner, ensuring HIPAA compliance and workflow efficiency.
Pros
- Exceptional accuracy in transcribing medical conversations with context-aware AI
- Seamless EHR integrations and customizable note outputs
- Significant time savings, allowing clinicians to focus more on patient care
Cons
- Dependent on high-quality audio environments, which can affect accuracy
- Enterprise pricing may be prohibitive for small practices
- Occasional need for manual edits in complex cases or accents
Best For
Busy hospitalists and specialists in large healthcare systems seeking automated, real-time note generation.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $300-$600 per provider per month depending on volume and features; contact sales for quotes.
Augmedix
specializedAI-powered ambient documentation platform that converts clinician-patient dialogues into finished SOAP notes.
Real-time ambient AI scribing through wearable devices for completely hands-free note generation
Augmedix is an AI-powered ambient documentation platform that captures physician-patient conversations via wearable devices like Google Glass, automatically generating structured clinical notes in real-time. It processes audio with AI and optional human review to produce SOAP notes, discharge summaries, and other documentation that integrates seamlessly with major EHR systems like Epic and Cerner. Designed to reduce clinician burnout, it allows doctors to focus on patient care without manual charting.
Pros
- Hands-free ambient capture eliminates typing during visits
- High note accuracy with AI and human-in-the-loop review
- Strong EHR integrations and HIPAA compliance
Cons
- Requires proprietary wearable hardware
- Subscription costs can be steep for small practices
- Best suited for ambulatory settings, less flexible for inpatient
Best For
Busy outpatient physicians and specialists looking to drastically cut documentation time and integrate notes directly into EHRs.
Pricing
Subscription-based at approximately $300-$500 per provider per month, with volume discounts and custom enterprise pricing.
Nabla
specializedAI copilot for clinicians that drafts medical notes, summarizes visits, and integrates with EHR systems.
Real-time ambient AI scribe that passively generates notes from conversations without clinician input
Nabla is an AI-powered ambient clinical documentation platform that listens to patient-clinician conversations in real-time and automatically generates structured medical notes, such as SOAP notes and summaries. It integrates with major EHR systems like Epic and Cerner, reducing documentation time by up to 2 hours per day for providers. Designed for scalability across specialties, Nabla emphasizes HIPAA compliance and customizable outputs to fit clinical workflows.
Pros
- Ambient AI listening eliminates manual note-taking during visits
- Seamless EHR integrations and high note accuracy with specialty-specific templates
- Strong HIPAA compliance and secure data handling
Cons
- Performance relies heavily on audio quality and quiet environments
- Customization requires initial setup and may need IT support
- Enterprise pricing lacks transparency and can be high for small practices
Best For
High-volume primary care or specialty clinics seeking to drastically cut documentation time with AI automation.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $150-$300 per provider per month with volume discounts.
DeepScribe
specializedVoice AI platform providing real-time scribing and note generation during patient interactions.
Fully ambient listening via computer microphone with no wearables required, enabling completely passive note generation during visits
DeepScribe is an AI-powered ambient medical scribe that listens to patient-provider conversations in real-time via computer audio and automatically generates structured clinical notes, such as SOAP notes and visit summaries. It leverages generative AI to transcribe, summarize key details, and format documentation compliant with medical standards. The platform integrates with major EHR systems like Epic and Cerner, helping clinicians reduce charting time significantly.
Pros
- Highly accurate AI transcription and note generation with specialty-specific templates
- Seamless EHR integrations and HIPAA compliance for secure workflows
- Significant time savings, allowing providers to focus more on patients
Cons
- Performance can vary with audio quality, accents, or noisy environments
- Initial setup and customization require some technical familiarity
- Pricing can be steep for solo practitioners or low-volume users
Best For
High-volume primary care or specialty practices seeking hands-free, automated documentation to minimize after-hours charting.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing starting at ~$300-$600 per provider/month, with volume-based discounts and pay-per-visit options available.
Freed
specializedAI medical scribe that automates note-taking from conversations with high accuracy and EHR integration.
Fully ambient AI scribing that works via computer microphone without any wearable devices
Freed.ai is an AI-powered ambient scribing tool designed for healthcare providers to automate clinical documentation by listening to patient conversations and generating structured notes like SOAP formats. It integrates with major EHR systems such as Epic and Cerner, capturing key clinical details with high accuracy while ensuring HIPAA compliance. The platform significantly reduces documentation time, allowing clinicians to focus more on patient care rather than administrative tasks.
Pros
- Hands-free ambient listening eliminates need for headsets or pedals
- Seamless EHR integrations for quick note import
- High accuracy in note generation, handling 90%+ of routine charting
Cons
- Occasional errors in complex medical terminology or accents
- Higher pricing may not suit solo practices
- Limited advanced customization for specialized workflows
Best For
Busy primary care physicians and specialists in high-volume practices looking to cut documentation time without hardware.
Pricing
Starts at $299 per provider per month, with volume discounts and enterprise plans available.
Conclusion
The top medical notes software offers a range of powerful tools, with Epic leading as the preeminent choice due to its comprehensive EHR platform and customizable features. Oracle Cerner and athenahealth follow closely, each excelling in distinct areas like integrated workflows and cloud-based efficiency, making them strong alternatives for different clinical needs.
Explore Epic to experience its robust capabilities firsthand—streamline your documentation, enhance accuracy, and elevate your practice.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison