Quick Overview
- 1#1: Epic - Enterprise-grade EHR platform that manages comprehensive patient records, clinical documentation, and interoperability across large healthcare organizations.
- 2#2: Oracle Health - Integrated health IT suite formerly Cerner, offering patient data management, analytics, and workflow automation for hospitals and clinics.
- 3#3: athenahealth - Cloud-based EHR and revenue cycle management system designed for ambulatory practices to handle patient information and billing efficiently.
- 4#4: eClinicalWorks - Comprehensive EHR solution with patient portal, telehealth, and population health management for medical practices of all sizes.
- 5#5: NextGen Healthcare - Specialty-focused EHR and practice management software that streamlines patient data, scheduling, and compliance reporting.
- 6#6: Veradigm - Healthcare technology platform providing EHR, patient engagement, and data analytics for improved information management.
- 7#7: Practice Fusion - Free cloud-based EHR that enables small practices to securely store, access, and share patient health information.
- 8#8: Kareo - Practice management and EHR platform focused on billing, scheduling, and patient records for independent providers.
- 9#9: DrChrono - Mobile-optimized EHR with patient management, charting, and telehealth features for modern medical practices.
- 10#10: AdvancedMD - All-in-one practice management software including EHR, billing, and patient portal for streamlined information handling.
Tools were selected based on their ability to deliver robust features (including EHR, interoperability, and patient engagement), ensure ease of use, maintain data security, and offer strong value for different healthcare settings.
Comparison Table
Patient information management software is vital for modern healthcare, centralizing data to improve care coordination and efficiency. This comparison table explores top tools such as Epic, Oracle Health, athenahealth, eClinicalWorks, NextGen Healthcare, and others, detailing key features, usability, and integration strengths to guide informed decisions.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Epic Enterprise-grade EHR platform that manages comprehensive patient records, clinical documentation, and interoperability across large healthcare organizations. | enterprise | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.6/10 |
| 2 | Oracle Health Integrated health IT suite formerly Cerner, offering patient data management, analytics, and workflow automation for hospitals and clinics. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 3 | athenahealth Cloud-based EHR and revenue cycle management system designed for ambulatory practices to handle patient information and billing efficiently. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 4 | eClinicalWorks Comprehensive EHR solution with patient portal, telehealth, and population health management for medical practices of all sizes. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 5 | NextGen Healthcare Specialty-focused EHR and practice management software that streamlines patient data, scheduling, and compliance reporting. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | Veradigm Healthcare technology platform providing EHR, patient engagement, and data analytics for improved information management. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.9/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Practice Fusion Free cloud-based EHR that enables small practices to securely store, access, and share patient health information. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 8 | Kareo Practice management and EHR platform focused on billing, scheduling, and patient records for independent providers. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 9 | DrChrono Mobile-optimized EHR with patient management, charting, and telehealth features for modern medical practices. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | AdvancedMD All-in-one practice management software including EHR, billing, and patient portal for streamlined information handling. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 |
Enterprise-grade EHR platform that manages comprehensive patient records, clinical documentation, and interoperability across large healthcare organizations.
Integrated health IT suite formerly Cerner, offering patient data management, analytics, and workflow automation for hospitals and clinics.
Cloud-based EHR and revenue cycle management system designed for ambulatory practices to handle patient information and billing efficiently.
Comprehensive EHR solution with patient portal, telehealth, and population health management for medical practices of all sizes.
Specialty-focused EHR and practice management software that streamlines patient data, scheduling, and compliance reporting.
Healthcare technology platform providing EHR, patient engagement, and data analytics for improved information management.
Free cloud-based EHR that enables small practices to securely store, access, and share patient health information.
Practice management and EHR platform focused on billing, scheduling, and patient records for independent providers.
Mobile-optimized EHR with patient management, charting, and telehealth features for modern medical practices.
All-in-one practice management software including EHR, billing, and patient portal for streamlined information handling.
Epic
enterpriseEnterprise-grade EHR platform that manages comprehensive patient records, clinical documentation, and interoperability across large healthcare organizations.
Care Everywhere, enabling secure nationwide sharing of patient records across millions of lives in the Epic network.
Epic is a leading enterprise-grade Electronic Health Record (EHR) system designed for comprehensive patient information management across hospitals, clinics, and health systems. It centralizes patient data including medical history, lab results, medications, and care plans while enabling seamless interoperability with other systems. The platform supports clinical workflows, population health analytics, revenue cycle management, and patient engagement through tools like MyChart.
Pros
- Unmatched scalability and customization for large enterprises
- Robust interoperability via Care Everywhere network
- Advanced analytics and AI-driven insights for population health
Cons
- Steep learning curve and lengthy implementation (often 2-3 years)
- High upfront and ongoing costs
- Limited flexibility for small practices due to complexity
Best For
Large hospitals, academic medical centers, and integrated health systems requiring enterprise-wide patient data management and interoperability.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing with implementation costs typically ranging from $500K to tens of millions; subscription model based on users/beds.
Oracle Health
enterpriseIntegrated health IT suite formerly Cerner, offering patient data management, analytics, and workflow automation for hospitals and clinics.
Patient 360° view delivering a unified, real-time clinical and operational patient record across siloed systems
Oracle Health is a comprehensive, cloud-native healthcare platform that serves as an electronic health record (EHR) system with advanced patient information management capabilities, including registration, scheduling, demographics, and clinical data handling. It integrates AI-driven insights, interoperability standards like FHIR, and analytics to support the full patient care continuum from intake to outcomes tracking. Designed for enterprise-scale deployment, it unifies data across disparate systems to enable personalized care and operational efficiency.
Pros
- Enterprise-grade scalability for large health systems
- Advanced AI and analytics for patient insights
- Strong interoperability and compliance (HIPAA, FHIR)
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup
- High implementation and customization costs
- Overkill for small practices or solo providers
Best For
Large hospitals, health systems, and IDNs requiring robust, scalable patient information management integrated with full EHR workflows.
Pricing
Custom enterprise licensing; subscription-based, often $500K+ annually for mid-sized deployments, scaling with users and modules.
athenahealth
enterpriseCloud-based EHR and revenue cycle management system designed for ambulatory practices to handle patient information and billing efficiently.
AI-powered predictive analytics for patient risk stratification and care gap identification
athenahealth is a comprehensive cloud-based EHR platform that excels in patient information management, handling demographics, medical histories, allergies, medications, and care plans securely. It features a patient portal for self-service access to records, appointment scheduling, and secure messaging, while integrating with practice management and billing tools. The system supports interoperability with other healthcare systems via FHIR standards, enabling efficient data exchange and population health analytics.
Pros
- Robust interoperability and data exchange capabilities
- Strong HIPAA-compliant security and patient portal
- Advanced analytics for population health insights
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface
- High pricing with custom quotes
- Reported customer support delays
Best For
Medium to large medical practices seeking an integrated EHR with strong patient data management and analytics.
Pricing
Custom subscription pricing, typically $400-$700 per provider per month plus setup fees, based on practice size and modules.
eClinicalWorks
enterpriseComprehensive EHR solution with patient portal, telehealth, and population health management for medical practices of all sizes.
Healow patient engagement suite, which empowers patients to view, update, and manage their information via mobile app or web portal.
eClinicalWorks is a comprehensive EHR and practice management platform that serves as a robust solution for patient information management, securely storing demographics, medical histories, allergies, medications, immunizations, and visit documentation. It supports seamless data entry, retrieval, and sharing with features like customizable templates and interoperability via standards such as HL7 and FHIR. The system integrates patient engagement tools, enabling self-service updates and communication through the Healow portal.
Pros
- Comprehensive patient record management with advanced search and reporting
- Strong interoperability for data exchange with labs, hospitals, and other systems
- Patient portal (Healow) for secure access and updates
Cons
- Steep learning curve and cluttered interface for new users
- Implementation can be lengthy and resource-intensive
- Customer support response times vary
Best For
Mid-sized to large medical practices needing scalable patient data management integrated with full EHR and billing workflows.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing, typically $400-$700 per provider/month, varying by practice size, modules, and deployment (cloud or on-premise).
NextGen Healthcare
enterpriseSpecialty-focused EHR and practice management software that streamlines patient data, scheduling, and compliance reporting.
Open Platform architecture allowing extensive customization and third-party app integrations for tailored patient information workflows
NextGen Healthcare provides a robust Electronic Health Records (EHR) and practice management platform tailored for ambulatory and specialty practices, centralizing patient demographics, clinical histories, medications, allergies, and care plans. It facilitates seamless data exchange through interoperability standards like HL7 and FHIR, enabling efficient patient information management across providers. The system also includes tools for scheduling, billing, and population health analytics to support comprehensive patient care workflows.
Pros
- Strong interoperability with major health information exchanges and standards like FHIR
- Highly customizable workflows and templates for specialty practices
- Advanced population health and analytics tools for proactive care management
Cons
- Steep learning curve requiring extensive training
- High upfront implementation and customization costs
- Reported occasional system slowdowns during peak usage
Best For
Mid-sized specialty practices and ambulatory clinics seeking scalable, customizable patient data management with strong analytics.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription starting at $300-$600 per provider/month, plus one-time implementation fees of $10,000+ and add-ons for advanced modules.
Veradigm
enterpriseHealthcare technology platform providing EHR, patient engagement, and data analytics for improved information management.
Veradigm Network for real-time, secure data exchange across payers, providers, and patients
Veradigm is a comprehensive healthcare IT platform offering electronic health records (EHR) and practice management solutions that centralize patient information for clinics and hospitals. It enables secure management of patient demographics, medical histories, appointments, billing, and clinical documentation while supporting interoperability with other systems. The software also includes analytics tools for population health management and revenue cycle optimization to improve care delivery and financial performance.
Pros
- Strong interoperability with major health information exchanges and EHRs
- Robust analytics and reporting for population health insights
- Scalable for mid-sized to enterprise-level practices
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex interface for new users
- High implementation and customization costs
- Reported issues with customer support response times
Best For
Mid-to-large healthcare practices seeking integrated EHR with advanced data analytics and revenue cycle management.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; typically $400-$800 per provider per month depending on modules and practice size, with additional setup fees.
Practice Fusion
specializedFree cloud-based EHR that enables small practices to securely store, access, and share patient health information.
Completely free, unlimited e-prescribing with major networks like Surescripts
Practice Fusion is a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) platform tailored for independent medical practices, enabling efficient management of patient information including charting, demographics, medical history, and allergies. It supports key workflows like scheduling, e-prescribing, and lab integrations while offering a patient portal for engagement. As an ad-supported solution, it provides core functionality at no cost, making it accessible for smaller practices.
Pros
- Free core EHR functionality with no subscription fees
- Integrated e-prescribing and scheduling tools
- Cloud-based access with mobile support
Cons
- Intrusive ads from pharmaceutical sponsors in the interface
- Limited advanced customization and reporting
- Occasional performance issues with large patient volumes
Best For
Small to medium-sized independent practices seeking a cost-free, straightforward EHR for basic patient information management.
Pricing
Free for core features (ad-supported); optional paid add-ons for advanced billing or integrations starting at $149/month.
Kareo
specializedPractice management and EHR platform focused on billing, scheduling, and patient records for independent providers.
Kareo Intelligence analytics dashboard, which provides actionable insights from patient data to optimize practice performance and revenue.
Kareo is a cloud-based platform primarily designed for independent medical practices, offering integrated electronic health records (EHR), practice management, and revenue cycle management tools. It excels in patient information management by centralizing patient demographics, medical history, scheduling, and secure messaging through a patient portal. The software automates workflows to improve efficiency and ensure HIPAA compliance while supporting telehealth and patient engagement features.
Pros
- Comprehensive integration of patient records, scheduling, and billing in one platform
- User-friendly patient portal for self-service access and communication
- Strong revenue cycle management tools that optimize patient data for billing accuracy
Cons
- Higher pricing can be a barrier for very small practices
- Occasional learning curve for advanced customization features
- Customer support response times can vary
Best For
Ideal for small to mid-sized independent medical practices seeking an all-in-one solution for managing patient information alongside billing and practice operations.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at around $140 per provider/month for core features, with tiered plans and custom enterprise pricing available.
DrChrono
specializedMobile-optimized EHR with patient management, charting, and telehealth features for modern medical practices.
Native iOS app for full patient record access and charting directly from iPad or iPhone
DrChrono is a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) and practice management platform that excels in patient information management, including secure storage of demographics, medical history, allergies, medications, and visit notes. It integrates scheduling, billing, e-prescribing, and telehealth to provide a unified view of patient data for healthcare providers. The platform supports customizable templates and mobile access, making it suitable for streamlining workflows in medical practices.
Pros
- Comprehensive patient data management with customizable charting and robust search capabilities
- Excellent mobile app for iOS devices allowing on-the-go access to patient records
- Seamless integrations with labs, pharmacies, and billing systems
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive customization options
- Customer support can be slow during peak times
- Pricing scales quickly with additional users and features
Best For
Small to mid-sized medical practices seeking an all-in-one EHR with strong mobile patient management tools.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at around $199 per provider per month, with add-ons for telehealth and advanced features; free trial available.
AdvancedMD
enterpriseAll-in-one practice management software including EHR, billing, and patient portal for streamlined information handling.
Integrated Revenue Cycle Management that leverages patient information for automated claims scrubbing and denial prevention
AdvancedMD is a cloud-based electronic health record (EHR) and practice management platform that excels in patient information management by securely storing demographics, medical histories, allergies, medications, and treatment plans. It integrates patient data with scheduling, billing, and telehealth features for streamlined workflows in medical practices. The software supports interoperability via standards like HL7 and FHIR, enabling data exchange with labs, pharmacies, and other systems, while offering a patient portal for self-scheduling and record access.
Pros
- Comprehensive patient data centralization with robust search and reporting tools
- Seamless integration with billing and revenue cycle management for accurate patient info-driven claims
- Strong security compliance (HIPAA, MACRA) and mobile access for providers
Cons
- Steep learning curve for customization and advanced features
- Higher pricing that may not suit small practices
- Occasional reports of slow customer support response times
Best For
Mid-sized medical practices seeking an integrated EHR solution with strong patient data management and revenue optimization.
Pricing
Quote-based pricing starts at around $400 per provider/month for core modules, scaling with users, practice size, and add-ons like advanced analytics.
Conclusion
This roundup underscores the top patient information management tools, with Epic leading as the top choice, boasting enterprise-grade EHR capabilities and cross-organizational interoperability. Oracle Health and athenahealth stand as strong alternatives, offering integrated solutions for hospitals, clinics, and ambulatory practices respectively, each with unique strengths to meet varied needs. Together, these tools set the bar for efficient patient data management in modern healthcare.
To elevate patient information handling, starting with Epic—its robust records management and interoperability—can provide a solid foundation for seamless operations, whether in large organizations or smaller practices.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
