View all EHR Alternatives
Best Free Alternatives to Athenahealth
Stop paying 4%–7% of Collections. Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: EHRVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
SimplePractice
FREEBest for Private Practitioners
Why we like it
Incredibly user-friendly; free 30-day trial; best-in-class mobile app for clinicians on the go; includes telehealth and a paperless client portal for a low flat monthly fee.
Keep in mind
The 'Free' tier is only a trial; limited customization for complex multi-specialty medical groups compared to Athenahealth.
EHR Your Way
FREEBest for Custom Workflows
Why we like it
Highly customizable templates that mimic your existing paper forms; provides a 'True' cloud experience with strong integrated billing that doesn't take a percentage of your revenue.
Keep in mind
The interface is functional but lacks the high-end 'AI-native' feel of the newest 2025 EHRs.
OpenEMR
Best Overall FOSS Alternative
Why we like it
100% free with no licensing fees; ONC Certified for US regulatory compliance; includes full practice management, billing, and patient portal capabilities.
Keep in mind
Requires technical expertise to self-host and maintain HIPAA-compliant servers (AWS/Azure).
CharmHealth
FREEBest for Startups
Why we like it
Permanent free plan for up to 50 patient encounters per month; modern, icon-based interface; excellent for part-time or low-volume specialized clinics.
Keep in mind
Costs can scale quickly if your encounter volume increases; some advanced integrations carry a per-use fee.
Practice Fusion
FREEBest for Independent Doctors
Why we like it
Famous for its intuitive charting; cloud-native with zero installation; very fast implementation cycle (days, not months).
Keep in mind
No longer offers a 'Permanent Free' tier; monthly per-provider pricing can be higher than budget alternatives.
DrChrono (Free Tier)
FREEBest for iPad-First Clinics
Why we like it
Native iPad and iPhone apps designed for mobile point-of-care; offers a freemium model for very small setups; highly rated for its 'App Store' of integrations.
Keep in mind
The 'Free' version is very limited; enterprise features and RCM services move into high-cost custom quotes.
Bahmni
Best for Integrated Care
Why we like it
Combines OpenMRS (Clinical), OpenELIS (Lab), and Odoo (ERP/Billing) into one unified stack; exceptional for managing full hospital or large clinic networks for $0.
Keep in mind
Extremely complex to implement; requires a dedicated IT team to manage the various interconnected open-source systems.
Amazing Charts
FREEBest for Documenting Speed
Why we like it
Consistently rated #1 for 'Ease of Use' by physicians; designed by a doctor to minimize clicks; great for primary care.
Keep in mind
Historically a desktop-based system (client-server), though cloud versions are now available.
Curefy
FREEBest for AI-Native Practice
Why we like it
Newer 2025 entry focused on AI automation; includes AI calling and messaging for scheduling; very aggressive pricing to compete with Athenahealth.
Keep in mind
Smaller track record; integration library is still growing compared to established giants.
DoliMed
Best for Business Management
Why we like it
An EMR module built on the Dolibarr ERP; excellent for clinics that want to manage their retail pharmacy or medical stock alongside patient records.
Keep in mind
Clinical charting is more basic than specialized medical tools; mostly popular in Europe.
CloudMedico
FREEBest for Simple Telehealth
Why we like it
Offers a permanent free tier for up to 100 patients; includes e-prescribing and video consultations in a clean web interface.
Keep in mind
Not suitable for high-volume practices; lacks the deep billing automation of Athenahealth.
GNU Health
Best for Population Health
Why we like it
Focuses on social medicine and large-scale demographics; 100% free; includes modules for genetics and laboratory management.
Keep in mind
Interface is utilitarian; documentation is technical; geared more toward public health systems than private US billing.