Choosing the right EMR isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. A 500-bed hospital and a two-physician clinic need very different platforms, even though both could be searching for the “best EMR software.”
This guide provides a list of EMR systems in healthcare, covering the top hospital EMR systems, the best EMR software for smaller practices, and how to determine which category fits your organization.
In short: The top EMR systems for hospitals are Epic, Cerner (now Oracle Health), and MEDITECH. For independent and small practices, Elation Health, DrChrono, and Kareo/Tebra lead the ambulatory market. Hospital EMR platforms are often enterprise- or quote-based.
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EMR vs. EHR: Understanding the Difference
EMR (Electronic Medical Record) is a digital patient charting system. Often used by individual healthcare providers or clinics, the platform stores information such as diagnoses, medications, test results, and treatment history.
EHR (Electronic Health Record) includes everything in an EMR but supports the exchange of patient records between different healthcare organizations. This gives providers a more complete view of a patient’s medical history.
These terms are often used interchangeably, and many vendors describe their platforms as both EMR and EHR systems.
Different EMR Systems in Healthcare: Main Categories
Not all EMR platforms are built the same way. Before comparing specific vendors, it helps to know the categories they fall into:
- Hospital/enterprise EMRs — built for multi-department, high-volume inpatient environments with complex workflows across surgery, radiology, pharmacy, and billing.
- Ambulatory EMR software — designed for outpatient clinics and independent practices, typically lighter and faster to implement.
- Cloud-based vs. on-premise — cloud platforms dominate new deployments due to lower upfront cost and easier updates; on-premise systems still exist in larger legacy health systems.
- All-in-one suites vs. point solutions — some platforms bundle EMR, practice management, and billing together; others specialize in just clinical documentation.
What to Look for in EMR Platforms
Whether you’re evaluating hospital EMR systems or software for a small practice, the same core criteria apply:
- Certification — ONC/CEHRT certification is table stakes for most reimbursement programs
- HIPAA compliance and a signed BAA — the vendor must be ready to sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), confirming they’ll handle PHI in line with HIPAA requirements; this is non-negotiable regardless of practice size
- Interoperability — the ability to exchange data via HIEs and interoperability networks like Carequality
- Scalability — can it handle both small practices and large healthcare systems with multiple locations?
- Specialty fit — generalist EMR platforms vs. specialty-specific
- Setup time and support — large healthcare systems may take months to set up and run, while smaller practices can often go live in just a few weeks.
- Total cost of ownership — licensing, training, hardware, and ongoing support, not just the sticker price.
List of EMR Systems in Healthcare
The most common EMR systems used in hospitals include Epic, Cerner (Oracle Health), MEDITECH, and Athenahealth for large hospitals and health systems. For ambulatory care and smaller practices, widely used EMR platforms include Elation Health, DrChrono, Kareo/Tebra, and NextGen Healthcare.
The table below summarizes each.
EMR for Healthcare | Best For | Deployment | Starting Price |
Epic | Large hospitals & health systems | Cloud/on-premise | Enterprise (custom quote) |
Cerner (Oracle Health) | Hospitals & health systems | Cloud/on-premise | Enterprise (custom quote) |
MEDITECH | Mid-size to large hospitals | Cloud/on-premise | Enterprise (custom quote) |
Athenahealth | Hospitals & multi-specialty groups | Cloud (SaaS) | Enterprise (custom quote) |
Elation Health | Independent primary care practices | Cloud (SaaS) | ~$349 per provider per month |
DrChrono | Small practices & solo providers | Cloud (SaaS) | Custom quote |
Kareo/Tebra | Independent & small group practices | Cloud (SaaS) | Custom quote |
NextGen Healthcare | Ambulatory & specialty practices | Cloud (SaaS) | Custom quote |
Hospital and Enterprise EMR Systems
Epic EMR
One of the best EMR systems for hospitals, offering comprehensive electronic medical record software that healthcare providers use to manage patient data. Healthcare providers can document, manage, and track patient information from admission to discharge and beyond. Epic also enables healthcare providers to connect with other care providers, collaborate on patient care, and access essential patient data when needed, which is a major reason it remains dominant in large hospitals and academic medical centers.
Epic helps doctors get information faster and see patients more efficiently. It also includes a Practice Management tool to help with finances, supporting paperless billing, patient statements, and online bill payments, and offering automated coding to cut costs, shorten A/R days, and boost revenue.
Cerner (Oracle Health)
Now operating under Oracle Health, following Oracle’s acquisition of the company, is one of the most established hospital EMR systems on the market. Originally launched in 1979, Cerner EMR software provides physicians with point-of-care access to patient records and can be configured with modules tailored to a hospital’s specific workflow needs. That alone is a major reason it remains a top pick for acute and outpatient settings alike.
MEDITECH
MEDITECH is an EMR software company that provides healthcare organizations with software to manage patient data. Used by more than 2,700 healthcare organizations worldwide, including hospitals, health systems, and clinics, its EMR platform allows providers to track patient demographics, allergies, medications, and lab results while securely sharing data with other providers.
It’s a comprehensive solution that covers appointment tracking, prescription management, and lab test ordering, designed to deliver efficient, actionable data to improve the quality and coordination of patient care.
Athenahealth
Athenahealth rounds out the enterprise tier with its athenaOne platform, which combines EHR, revenue cycle management, and patient engagement tools into one cloud-native system.
It serves a large network of providers and is particularly strong for hospitals and health systems that need enterprise-scale revenue cycle management. Its AthenaIDX solution is built specifically for high-volume billing, denial management, and A/R follow-up across multiple locations and specialties. That network effect also feeds real-time benchmarking data back into the platform, helping practices compare performance against peers.
EMR Software for Smaller Practices
Elation Health
A clinician-built EMR for independent primary care and small specialty practices. Elation EMR pricing starts around $349 per provider per month, and it was ranked the top Small Practice Ambulatory EMR/PM solution in the 2026 Best in KLAS report for the second consecutive year.
DrChrono
Appeals to mobile-first practices with an emphasis on point-of-care charting from tablets and phones.
Kareo (now Tebra) and NextGen Healthcare
Both combine EMR with practice management and billing, making them popular with small groups that want fewer separate systems to manage.
Best EMR for Hospitals
If you’re a hospital or health system, the shortlist is narrower than the full market: Epic, Cerner (Oracle Health), and MEDITECH consistently top the list of best EMR systems for hospitals. All three are built to handle multi-department workflows, high patient volumes, and the compliance demands of inpatient care, something ambulatory-focused platforms generally aren’t designed for.
Pricing for all three is enterprise-level and quote-based, reflecting the scale of implementation involved.
Best EMR for Smaller Practices
For independent practices, Elation Health is the standout, particularly for primary care groups that want clinician-first design without hospital-scale complexity or cost. Unlike enterprise hospital EMR systems, Elation publishes transparent starting pricing (~$349 per provider per month), making budgeting easier than the custom-quote model most hospital platforms use.
DrChrono and Kareo/Tebra are worth shortlisting as well, particularly for practices wanting bundled billing and scheduling tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between EHR and EMR?
EMRs are digital patient charts used within a single practice. EHRs are designed to be shared among providers and include broader patient data, such as insurance information and demographics. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably.
What EMR do most hospitals use?
Epic, Cerner (Oracle Health), and MEDITECH are among the most widely adopted EMR and EHR systems used by hospitals and health systems across the United States.
Is Cerner still called Cerner?
Yes and no. Oracle acquired Cerner and now operates as Oracle Health, though many in the industry still refer to the platform as “Cerner.”
Where iFax Fits In
Even with a modern EMR in place, hospitals and practices in medical and healthcare settings often still rely on fax for referrals, records requests, and communication with partners who aren’t on the same EHR network.
iFax’s EHR fax integration connects directly to existing EMR or EHR workflows, allowing your team to send and receive HIPAA-compliant faxes without switching systems.
Try iFax free for 7 days or get a demo to see how it fits into your current setup.
