15 Best EHR Software to Reduce Charting Time

15 Best EHR Software Solutions Doctors Compare (A Practical Guide)

Choosing an EHR isn’t about chasing the “biggest name.” It’s about picking the system that reduces clicks, captures cleaner notes, and supports better decisions—without creating new admin headaches. Below are 15 EHR software solutions many physicians evaluate, with a quick “why it fits” summary for each.

The 15 EHRs Covered in This Guide

  1. PracticeSuite

  2. MicroMD

  3. DrChrono

  4. NextGen Healthcare

  5. athenahealth

  6. CureMD

  7. CareCloud

  8. Practice Fusion

  9. eClinicalWorks

  10. Oracle Health

  11. MEDITECH

  12. Veradigm

  13. ModMed

  14. PrognoCIS

  15. Praxis EMR

1) PracticeSuite — best for “one system that does it all.”

If you want a single platform that combines EHR with broader practice operations, PracticeSuite is often shortlisted. Practices like it for flexible charting, multi-specialty support, and add-on capabilities beyond documentation. It’s a good fit if you want fewer vendors and one place to manage clinical + operational workflows.

Why it stands out: Customizable charting, integrated lab workflows, e-prescribing features, and clinical dashboards.

2) MicroMD — best for customizable documentation + clinical images

MicroMD appeals to practices that want a straightforward EHR that still supports multiple documentation styles. If your specialty relies on images, diagrams, or annotated visuals, MicroMD’s tools can feel practical. It’s also a solid option if you prefer structured templates without losing flexibility.

Why it stands out: Multiple documentation methods (templates/SOAP/wizards), image annotation, specialty-specific EMR options.

3) DrChrono — best for mobile-first, iPad-friendly workflows

DrChrono is often chosen by clinicians who want charting that moves with them. If your day involves walking room-to-room and you prefer documenting on a tablet, DrChrono’s approach can reduce “back-to-desk” time. It’s a strong candidate for fast-paced outpatient workflows.

Why it stands out: iPad-native experience, customizable templates, photo/diagram annotation, and custom vitals.

4) NextGen Healthcare — best for structured support + ambient documentation

NextGen is commonly considered by specialty groups and multi-provider practices that want guided implementation and workflow depth. Many practices evaluate it for tools designed to reduce documentation time, including ambient-style note creation (where available). It’s a good fit if you want a vendor that feels “enterprise-ready.”

Why it stands out: Ambient-assisted note support, workflow optimization, strong onboarding/support roles.

5) athenahealth — best for small practices wanting operational efficiency

athenahealth (athenaOne) is often attractive to smaller practices that want smoother documentation, more complete records, and solid operational flow. It tends to perform well when you care about day-to-day clinic efficiency—especially around coordination, follow-ups, and keeping the schedule moving.

Why it stands out: Real-time insights, care coordination support, specialty workflows, mobile documentation.

6) CureMD — best for automation + connectivity across the care network

CureMD is frequently shortlisted by practices that want a cloud EHR with broader automation. If you care about reducing repetitive admin work—scheduling, reporting, and workflow handoffs—CureMD’s positioning can match that goal. It’s also appealing if you need strong connectivity across payers, labs, and hospitals.

Why it stands out: Workflow automation, interoperability, and integrated access to patient histories and documents.

7) CareCloud — best for flexible charting + performance reporting

CareCloud is a strong consideration when charting flexibility and analytics matter. If you want templates that adapt to your style, plus reporting that supports quality initiatives and population health tracking, it’s worth a demo. It’s especially useful for practices that manage compliance-heavy reporting.

Why it stands out: Flexible charting, real-time intelligence, advanced reporting, and quality tracking.

8) Practice Fusion — best for budget-conscious independent practices

Practice Fusion is a popular option for independent practices that want a cloud EHR that’s quick to adopt. It’s commonly evaluated because it’s approachable and focuses on speed: templates, charting, portal access, and device flexibility. If cost clarity matters, it’s often easier to compare early.

Why it stands out: Charting on any device, patient portal, customizable templates, typically advertised as starting at a lower monthly price (verify current terms).

9) eClinicalWorks — best for AI-driven workflows and modern documentation

eClinicalWorks is known for leaning into AI-assisted workflows and broad feature coverage. Practices considering it often want stronger automation across documentation, scheduling, and task management. If your team is overwhelmed by manual “busy work,” the automation story can be compelling—if the demo proves it.

Why it stands out: AI documentation support, workflow assistants, automation tools; pricing is often published per provider (confirm current pricing).

10) Oracle Health — best for large organizations and complex interoperability

Oracle Health (formerly Cerner) is frequently used in larger environments where interoperability across settings matters. If your organization spans multiple venues of care and needs performance monitoring at scale, Oracle Health is built for that complexity. It’s typically evaluated by hospitals and enterprise networks.

Why it stands out: Interoperability across venues, population health tools, performance and workflow monitoring.

11) MEDITECH — best for continuum-of-care organizations

MEDITECH is widely associated with organizations that need continuity from inpatient to outpatient settings. If you want data to flow across care environments and support proactive decision-making, MEDITECH is designed around that idea. It’s a strong candidate when integrated care delivery is the priority.

Why it stands out: Interoperable exchange, predictive analytics-style tools, broader patient journey support.

12) Veradigm — best for insights, risk visibility, and outcomes-driven care

Veradigm is often evaluated when practices want analytics and risk visibility embedded into everyday clinical workflows. If you manage value-based care goals or risk adjustment processes, it can help surface the information clinicians need without hunting through reports. It’s a “data + care improvement” approach.

Why it stands out: One-click templating, risk/RAF visibility, care plans, and goal tracking.

13) ModMed — best for specialty clinics that want smarter notes + coding support

ModMed is specialty-specific and often chosen by clinics that want documentation tailored to their field. If coding complexity is a pain point, ModMed’s auto-suggestion approach can reduce downstream friction—especially when providers want help closing notes cleanly while improving billing accuracy.

Why it stands out: Suggested notes and coding, MIPS dashboards, specialty-focused workflows, AI-supported visit documentation.

14) PrognoCIS — best for customizable templates + integrated billing

PrognoCIS tends to appeal to practices that want customizable documentation plus integrated billing capability. If your workflow needs smart phrases, specialty notes, and smoother revenue operations without stitching multiple tools together, PrognoCIS can be a practical option.

Why it stands out: Custom templates, e-prescribing, integrated billing, and claims workflow support.

15) Praxis EMR — best for physicians who hate templates

Praxis is the outlier—and that’s the point. It’s built for clinicians who don’t want rigid templates and prefer a more flexible charting experience. If your team feels boxed in by standard note styles, Praxis can be refreshing—especially for providers who want documentation that matches how they think.

Why it stands out: Template-free approach, patient portal, document manager (scanning/imaging), pricing often presented in longer-term monthly options (confirm current offers).

A Simple Way to Shortlist (Fast)

If you want to narrow from 15 to 3 quickly, use this quick filter:

  • Solo / small clinic + budget clarity: Practice Fusion, athenahealth

  • Mobile-first providers: DrChrono

  • Specialty-focused clinics: ModMed, MicroMD, PracticeSuite

  • Automation + AI-driven workflows: eClinicalWorks, NextGen, ModMed

  • Hospitals / large systems / interoperability-heavy: Oracle Health, MEDITECH