Top 10 EHR Software Alternatives for Outpatient Clinics

Selecting the right Electronic Health Record (EHR) software is a critical decision for any outpatient clinic. A well-chosen EHR can streamline workflows, improve patient care, and even boost the clinic’s financial performance. In fact, nearly 9 in 10 office-based physicians now use an EHR system, and about 78% use a certified EHR, underscoring how essential these tools have become.

The ambulatory (outpatient) EHR market continues to grow steadily – valued at around $5.3 billion in 2021 and projected to reach ~$7.1 billion within a few years – as more clinics digitize their operations. With outpatient visit volumes rising and care increasingly shifting out of hospitals, clinics need EHR solutions tailored to high-paced ambulatory settings. Moreover, modern needs like virtual care are now mainstream; roughly 85% of outpatient practices require integrated telehealth capabilities in their EHR.

Given the plethora of EHR options available, it can be challenging to identify which system best meets an outpatient clinic’s needs. Below, we first outline key features to look for in an ambulatory EHR, and then we compare the top 10 EHR software alternatives for outpatient clinics – highlighting their strengths, drawbacks, and what differentiates them. Our goal is to help clinic administrators and healthcare IT decision-makers make an informed choice.

Key Features to Consider in an Outpatient EHR

When evaluating EHR platforms for an outpatient clinic, keep an eye out for the following features and capabilities:

• Efficient Clinical Documentation: Look for specialty-specific templates and tools (or AI-driven charting) that speed up note-taking during brief clinic visits. Rapid documentation features reduce physician burnout by cutting down on after-hours charting.
• Integrated Practice Management: An ambulatory EHR should seamlessly integrate with practice management functions like scheduling, patient registration, billing, and claims. This ensures that appointments, documentation, and billing workflows all occur in one unified system.
• E-Prescribing and Labs Integration: Electronic prescribing (eRx) with drug interaction and allergy checks is a must for safety. Integration with labs and imaging centers for ordering and results viewing is also crucial for smooth outpatient workflows.
• Patient Portal & Engagement: A secure patient portal enables patients to schedule visits, view results, message providers, and pay bills online. Strong engagement tools like automated reminders and educational resources can improve patient satisfaction and compliance.
• Interoperability: Outpatient clinics don’t operate in a vacuum – ensure the EHR can exchange data with hospitals, other clinics, HIEs, and public health systems. Good interoperability (using standards like FHIR) allows for easy referrals and sharing of records when needed.
• Telehealth Capabilities: As noted, virtual visit functionality is now highly demanded. Built-in telehealth modules (video consultations, remote patient monitoring) allow clinics to expand access and are required by a large majority of practices today.

With these criteria in mind, let’s explore the top 10 EHR software alternatives that outpatient clinics should consider – and see how they stack up against each other. Each option below is a leading solution, but as we’ll note, they differ in cost, complexity, and suitability for smaller clinics.

Top 10 EHR Software for Outpatient Clinics

1. Vozo EHR

Vozo is a cloud-based ambulatory EHR platform built for clinics of all sizes. It combines core EHR functions with integrated practice management, billing/revenue cycle management (RCM), and even telehealth tools in one user-friendly interface. 

Vozo stands out for its modern, intuitive design and use of AI to streamline workflows – for example, AI-driven clinical charting helps reduce documentation time, allowing providers to focus more on patients. 

Notably, Vozo is extremely affordable compared to most competitors: 

• Plans start at just $25 per month (basic tier) 
• Even the premium tier (with full features) is around $60/month, with no hidden fees (no per-visit or per-claim charges). 

This flat pricing includes unlimited users (staff, clinicians, and patients) on the system at no extra cost – a stark contrast to many EHRs that charge per provider license. 

It’s truly a one-stop solution for small outpatient practices, and its flexible, low-cost model is ideal for clinics transitioning off paper or replacing outdated systems. Vozo also offers robust support and easy data migration, ensuring a smooth implementation.

Related: What Makes Vozo EHR Stand Out Among Other EHRs?

Pros

Very low pricing and transparent costs; easy to use with a modern UI (minimal training needed for staff); comprehensive feature set included out-of-the-box; AI charting and automation tools that save time on documentation; excellent support with 24/7 availability; scalable for growing practices.

Cons

Vozo is a newer entrant relative to some legacy vendors, so extremely large health systems might miss the ultra–advanced customization of a system like Epic. Fewer high-end integrations by default with certain hospital-based systems. Overall, Vozo’s drawbacks are minimal for its target market – it’s designed to address the pain points that smaller clinics often experience with big-box EHRs.

Why Vozo? Vozo’s combination of affordability, ease of use, and comprehensive functionality makes it arguably the best EHR choice for outpatient clinics – delivering enterprise-grade features without the usual complexity or cost. We invite clinics to try Vozo EHR free for 14 days to experience these benefits firsthand.

2. Epic Systems

Epic is one of the most well-known EHR systems in the United States, commanding the largest share of the overall EHR market (nearly 20% of the ambulatory EHR market and even higher in hospitals). 

Epic offers an all-inclusive, highly customizable platform that includes modules for virtually every medical specialty and setting. Outpatient clinics using Epic benefit from its powerful interoperability – Epic’s Care Everywhere network allows patient records to be shared across different organizations on Epic, and its patient portal (MyChart) is widely used for engaging patients. 

• Data analytics and population health tools in Epic are also very advanced, supporting large-scale care initiatives. 
• However, Epic is primarily designed (and priced) for large healthcare systems. 
• Cost is a major barrier – Epic has a high total cost of ownership and typically isn’t offered as a low-cost SaaS model. 
• The software is also complex to implement and use, often requiring significant IT support and training. 
• Many smaller clinics find Epic to be overkill for their needs: as one source notes, Epic is costly, complicated, and really most effective in large organizations. 
• In fact, Epic often isn’t even available to independent outpatient practices unless they join a larger hospital’s network.

Pros

Comprehensive feature set across inpatient and outpatient care; extremely robust and scalable (used by large multi-specialty groups and academic medical centers); industry-leading interoperability for data sharing (facilitates referrals and care coordination well); highly customizable workflows and templates for different specialties; a proven track record of reliability and regular updates; strong patient engagement via MyChart portal and mobile apps.

Cons

Very expensive to license and maintain (often out of reach for small clinics); implementation is lengthy and complex, requiring experts to configure and support; the user interface, while powerful, can be not very intuitive for new or non-IT-savvy users; not ideal for small practices – many features may go unused, while the clinic bears the burden of a heavy system. 

Epic also typically demands clinics conform to certain workflows, which can be cumbersome for a small practice. In summary, Epic is a gold-standard EHR for enterprise healthcare networks, but its cost and complexity make it a poor fit for independent outpatient clinics in most cases.

3. athenahealth (athenaOne)

athenaOne by athenahealth is a popular cloud-based EHR and practice management solution, especially known for its integrated revenue cycle management services. 

Athena’s platform includes EHR, scheduling, patient portal, e-prescribing, population health, and billing – with a unique “success-based” pricing model where the vendor’s fees are a percentage of the clinic’s collections. The idea is that athenahealth actively helps improve your billing outcomes and takes, for example, 4–7% of collections plus a base subscription as its payment. 

• For some clinics, this outsourced billing support is very attractive – athenahealth essentially aligns its incentives with the clinic’s financial success. 
• AthenaOne is also praised for usability in many respects, and it’s delivered as a web-based service with continuous updates. 
• The system offers solid interoperability and has features like automated insurance eligibility checks and up-to-date payer rule libraries that reduce claim errors. 
• However, cost can become a concern with athena’s model – for a high-volume clinic, that percentage of collections can add up to a lot more than a flat fee. 
• Over the long run, some practices find this “success tax” model more expensive than expected.

Pros

Cloud-based, fully integrated solution (EHR + PM + billing) – reduces IT headaches; strong focus on improving billing and collections; automatic updates of coding and payer rules keep the system current; decent customization for workflows and templates; good interoperability and interfaces with labs/pharmacies; offers a mobile app for providers and patients; highly scalable to large multi-site groups.

Cons

Pricing model can be expensive as practice revenue grows – one analysis cites 4–7% of collections as fees, which is substantial; too pricey for small practices in many cases, especially if they don’t need all the RCM bells and whistles; implementation and training can be somewhat challenging for smaller clinics without dedicated IT; a certain loss of control over billing process – if your clinic prefers in-house billing, athena’s model might not fit well; support and customer success quality vary.

4. eClinicalWorks

eClinicalWorks (eCW) is one of the largest ambulatory EHR vendors in the U.S., serving an estimated 12% of outpatient clinics. Founded in 1999, eClinicalWorks was a pioneer in cloud-based EHR for practices and today offers a very comprehensive feature set. 

It includes modules for practice management, an integrated patient portal, telehealth (through their Healow platform), population health and analytics, and even an AI-powered virtual assistant named “Eva” for help with charting and information retrieval. 

eCW is known for strong interoperability – it participates in nationwide data exchange networks and supports FHIR APIs, which is a plus for connecting with other providers. Many clinics appreciate that eClinicalWorks can be a one-stop solution that covers nearly all clinical and administrative needs, often eliminating the need for separate systems. 

Customizability is decent, and the system can support a wide range of specialties. 

• Importantly, however, eClinicalWorks is not the cheapest option: its cloud EHR typically starts around $449 per provider per month, which is on the high end for small practices. 
• Some critiques of eCW include that its user interface feels dated and overly complex – as a mature system with many features added over decades, the screens can be crowded and not as intuitive as newer EHRs. 
• Training and support needs are also higher; there is a learning curve to fully mastering eCW. 
• In the past, users have reported inconsistent customer support quality, though the company has invested in improvements.

Pros

Comprehensive functionality – handles everything from scheduling to billing to telehealth within one system; has built-in patient engagement tools and even a telemedicine app for patients; robust reporting and analytics for practice management; supports multiple specialties and care settings; offers an AI scribe assistant that can aid in documentation; proven scalability for large clinics and health centers; strong data exchange capabilities.

Cons

Higher cost than many other ambulatory EHRs; steep learning curve – new users often need considerable training to use the software efficiently; the interface/UI is sometimes criticized as clunky or outdated in look and feel; some features can be too complex or “over-engineered” for a small clinic; historical feedback about customer support inconsistencies – although eCW has a large user base, support responsiveness has had mixed reviews; finally, major upgrades can be disruptive if not managed well.

5. NextGen Healthcare

NextGen is an EHR and practice management solution tailored primarily for midsize ambulatory practices and specialty clinics. It has carved a niche in supporting practices with multi-specialty needs or higher complexity than a small primary care office. 

NextGen offers 39+ specialty-specific templates and clinical content sets out of the box, making it attractive for practices like cardiology, orthopedics, dermatology, etc., that require unique documentation elements. 

• A key strength of NextGen is its analytics and reporting capabilities – it provides robust tools for tracking clinical quality measures, outcomes, and operational metrics. 
• NextGen also integrates a full practice management system: scheduling, billing, claims – these link seamlessly with the clinical side. 
• It has a secure patient portal and even offers options for telehealth integration. 
• Deployment can be cloud-based or on-premises, giving some flexibility to larger organizations that might prefer to host their system. 

Pros

NextGen is often praised for its flexibility – it can be configured for both small group practices or larger multi-site groups, and it allows a choice of cloud vs. local hosting. Its specialty templates and workflows are quite deep, meaning physicians in niche fields often find their documentation is more aligned to their needs compared to generic EHRs. The system also ensures compliance with regulatory programs through built-in reporting. 

Cons

NextGen is known to be complex to implement and customize; many features and options require specific IT expertise or consultant help to set up optimally. For a smaller clinic without an IT staff, this can be daunting. Users have commented that certain tasks in NextGen can take many clicks and the interface isn’t as modern as some competitors. Initial training for staff is definitely required. 

Additionally, NextGen’s costs are in the mid-to-high range: one source indicates cloud subscription pricing around $299 per provider per month, which is significant for small practices.

6. Practice Fusion

Practice Fusion is a cloud-based EHR that has been popular among small and independent outpatient practices, especially primary care, since the mid-2000s. 

• It originally gained fame as a free EHR supported by ads, becoming one of the most widely adopted low-cost EHRs in the U.S. for small clinics. 
• Practice Fusion is known for its simplicity and user-friendliness. 
• The interface is clean, easy to navigate, and requires minimal training – a solo provider or small office can often get up and running quickly. 
• The system covers the basics well: charting, e-prescribing, appointment scheduling, basic billing, and integrations with labs and imaging centers for electronic orders/results. 
• It also has a patient portal for meaningful use, though it’s more limited in features than some others. 
• Because of its focus on small practices, Practice Fusion doesn’t try to do everything – it lacks some advanced features that larger EHRs have.

Pros

Very affordable; extremely easy to use and navigate – often cited as “intuitive” for clinicians who are new to EHRs; fast implementation – cloud-based with no install, and templates that work out-of-the-box for general practice; good lab integration; compatible with many specialties at a basic level and allows some template customization.

Cons

Limited advanced functionality – for example, fewer built-in specialty-specific tools; reporting and analytics are relatively basic; the system has had occasional downtime incidents which can be disruptive; since being acquired, cost has increased over time – though still moderate, it’s something to watch. Another con is interoperability constraints – Practice Fusion can exchange CCD documents and use integration partners, but it may not connect as deeply into networks like Epic or Cerner systems. 

Also, because it’s now under Veradigm, there could be future changes to the platform that small practices have to adapt to. Overall, Practice Fusion is a great “starter” EHR for small outpatient clinics that want something cheap and cheerful to meet electronic records requirements, but larger clinics or those needing heavy customization might outgrow it.

7. Tebra (Kareo Clinical)

Kareo – now part of the Tebra platform after a 2021 merger – is an all-in-one solution that targets small to mid-sized medical practices. Kareo Clinical is paired with Kareo’s practice management and billing modules, and Tebra as a combined entity also offers patient engagement and marketing tools. Features: Kareo’s EHR includes charting with templates, e-prescribing, integrated billing, scheduling, a patient portal, and some built-in connections for labs and referrals. 

One hallmark of Kareo is its focus on being an easy-to-use, out-of-the-box system for independent practices – much of its workflow is optimized for offices that might not have dedicated IT support. It’s particularly popular among specialties like mental health, chiropractic, family medicine, and other outpatient clinics. 

Related: How to Switch From Kareo to Vozo Without Losing Data

Pros

Kareo/Tebra is often praised as an all-in-one platform – you can handle clinical notes, submit claims, manage payments, and even build your online presence under one umbrella. 

The user interface is relatively friendly, and the workflow for billing is well-regarded. Another pro is affordability for what you get: pricing is generally in the mid-range (~$150-$300/month per provider depending on modules) and includes unlimited electronic claims, etc. Kareo is also known for providing a dedicated success coach during onboarding for new customers, which can help a small clinic get started. 

Cons

Kareo is designed for small practices and may not scale well to very large or multi-location groups – for instance, it lacks some enterprise features needed to coordinate across dozens of providers (one source notes it’s “not as well-suited to large, multi-location practices”). 

Also, while it’s integrated, some users have reported that integrating Kareo with third-party systems (outside the Kareo/Tebra ecosystem) can be difficult. For example, if you needed to interface it with a hospital EHR or a custom platform, it might require workarounds. Another con is that certain advanced capabilities (like detailed custom reports or complex scheduling templates) are limited – it’s aimed at simplicity over deep customization.

8. AdvancedMD

AdvancedMD is a long-standing cloud-based EHR and practice management system known for its modular, highly customizable approach. It’s aimed at small to medium practices and billing companies, offering an array of modules that clients can pick and choose: from core EHR and scheduling to telemedicine, mental health tools, and more. Features: 

• AdvancedMD’s EHR includes robust clinical charting with customizable templates, 
• E-prescribing, 
• Patient portal, 
• Telehealth (if added), and 
• Extensive reporting capabilities for both clinical quality and practice finances. 

The platform also has a fully-fledged practice management side and optional RCM services if a practice wants to outsource billing. One of AdvancedMD’s selling points is the ability to tailor the system: clinics can configure their workflow, create custom forms, and even opt for specific bundles of features. 

Pros

High flexibility – you can essentially build the system you need by selecting modules, which prevents paying for features you won’t use. 

It’s great for specialty practices that might want just certain pieces. AdvancedMD is also praised for its reporting and analytics; it provides a lot of data insight which can help optimize operations. Their customer support includes training and implementation help, which many clients find valuable. 

Cons

The flip side of modular flexibility is complex pricing and potential for higher cost: AdvancedMD’s base EHR starts around $429/provider/month, and features like telemedicine or e-prescribing might cost extra if not in your package. If a clinic isn’t careful, the costs can add up. 

Another con is that with so many features, the UI can feel a bit overwhelming – it may take time to learn how to use all the customization options effectively. Small practices that just want a simple solution might find AdvancedMD more than they need.

9. Veradigm EHR (Allscripts)

Veradigm EHR refers to the ambulatory EHR solutions formerly known as Allscripts. Allscripts was rebranded to Veradigm in recent years, but it continues to offer EHR products like Professional EHR (for small to mid-size practices) and TouchWorks EHR. Allscripts has a long history in the EHR industry and at one point was among the top market holders in ambulatory EHR. Features: Veradigm’s solutions cover all standard EHR and practice management functionalities – 

• Clinical documentation, 
• Prescribing, 
• Scheduling, 
• Billing interfaces, 
• Patient portal, etc. 

They also have strong tools for data analytics and population health (Allscripts was known for its analytics platforms and was involved in initiatives like the CDC’s COVID data reporting). 

Pros

As a well-established vendor, Veradigm/Allscripts brings a lot of experience and stability. Their systems are robust and used by many practices nationwide, so they are feature-rich and meet all regulatory requirements. Analytics and reporting are strong points – Allscripts offers analytics modules that can help with quality programs and operational insights. 

They also emphasize interoperability (participating in data exchange networks and offering APIs). The Professional EHR product is fairly flexible and can be suitable for various specialties. Additionally, because of their history, there are many third-party integrations available for Allscripts (for example, connections to specific lab systems, devices, etc.). 

Cons

One common criticism is that the user interface feels dated and not very unified. Over the years, Allscripts acquired and merged different systems, leading to a somewhat fragmented user experience – some screens and workflows can differ within the product, giving a less consistent feel. 

• In fact, Allscripts earned the nickname “All-clicks” by some users, because it often takes a lot of clicks to accomplish tasks in the software. 
• This indicates some inefficiency in the design and navigation. 
• Customization is possible but often requires technical expertise or contracting with Allscripts services. 
• Another con is that support and development focus have waned a bit in recent years; Allscripts (Veradigm) has shifted strategy toward data and insights, and some smaller practice users feel the EHR hasn’t seen major UX improvements. 

Also, migrating data in/out of Allscripts can be complicated due to the legacy nature of some of its components. Cost-wise, Veradigm’s pricing is in the mid-range – not the cheapest, not the most expensive, but one should be mindful of potential extra costs for integrations or add-on services.

10. Praxis EMR

Praxis EMR is a unique entrant on this list – it’s an EHR system that uses no templates at all. Instead, Praxis is built on a concept called Concept Processing, an AI-driven technology that learns from the physician’s own documentation style and patterns. The idea is that, over time, Praxis adapts to how you practice, rather than forcing you into predefined templates. 

How it works: When starting with Praxis, you document visits in your own words. The system’s AI analyzes your input and starts recognizing phrases and clinical concepts. It then helps you reuse and modify your past notes easily – essentially, it learns to auto-generate drafts that match your style and common cases. This can lead to faster charting with fewer clicks once the system has learned sufficiently. Praxis has been highly rated by physician user groups, especially because doctors feel it produces very personalized, narrative-rich notes instead of cookie-cutter templates. 

Pros

Extremely personalized documentation – the more you use it, the more it tailors to you, potentially saving significant time and producing notes that truly reflect your clinical thinking. It’s often praised for improving physician satisfaction and reducing the number of clicks and keystrokes needed in the long run. Praxis also claims that it can speed up charting dramatically after the learning period, and that it helps with clinical quality by remembering patient details automatically. 

Cons

The major trade-off is the initial learning curve and time investment. Because Praxis doesn’t give you pre-built templates, the first few months of use can be slower as the system learns and you adjust to its workflow. Some providers may find that challenging or may miss structured templates at first. Additionally, for certain highly standardized data entry, Praxis’s free-text approach might require a bit more effort to extract those metrics. Praxis is also a smaller company compared to Epic or Cerner, so integration with other systems or devices might not be as extensive.

Vozo EHR for your Healthcare Practices

From managing and organizing patient health records digitally to reducing medical errors, it significantly empowers providers to improve healthcare quality.

If you are searching for the best EHR system for your healthcare practice, Vozo EHR can be your go-to choice. Our comprehensive EHR solution lets you focus more on patient care while carrying all the burdens and simplifying it.

• Vozo Cloud EHR’s cost-effective cloud subscription benefits all levels of practice.
• Our feature-rich EHR helps you rectify mistakes efficiently and speed up the process.
• Vozo Specialty EHR resonates with specialty practice needs and requirements.
• Our expert technical team has got you covered 24/7 if any needs arise.
• Our EHR System continues to scale as your healthcare practice grows to improve the user experience.

The Vozo Customized EHR solution benefits your healthcare practice by:

• Streamlining the administrative process
• Improving workflow efficiency
• Reducing proneness to errors
• Managing all the patients’ records in one place
• Offers greater efficiency and cost savings across the board.

Our specialty-specific tools, such as scheduling, patient portals, lab integration, cloud hosting, and more, meet the specific needs and requirements of your healthcare practice.

“Embrace Vozo EHR to reduce your burdens and enhance patient care”.