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OpenEMR

Free and open-source electronic health records

Overview

OpenEMR is the outlier in this lineup: fully open-source, ONC certified, used in over a hundred countries, and free in the truest sense. The software costs nothing; you pay only for hosting, support, or customization if you want them. That means complete control of your data and zero vendor lock-in, which no commercial product here can honestly offer. It also means you are the vendor. Someone in your practice, or someone you hire, needs to handle updates, backups, and configuration, and the interface shows its community-built roots. For a practice with technical resources, or strong feelings about owning its own stack, OpenEMR is a legitimate and even liberating choice. For everyone else, the free price tag comes with real labor attached.

Key Features

  • Fully open-source and free
  • ONC certified EHR
  • Clinical documentation and charting
  • Medical billing integration
  • Patient portal
  • E-prescribing
  • Lab integration
  • Multilingual support
  • Self-hosted or cloud options
  • Active developer community

Pricing

Software is free. Hosting and professional support services range from $50-300/month depending on provider.

Best For

Tech-savvy practicesBudget-conscious organizationsInternational clinicsPractices wanting full data control

Founded: 2001

Headquarters: Open-source community project

Website: https://open-emr.org

Where It Shines

  • Truly free software with no vendor lock-in
  • Total control over your data and hosting
  • Endlessly customizable if you have the skills

Worth Weighing

  • You are responsible for upkeep and support
  • Dated interface compared with commercial rivals
  • Weak mobile experience