Selection

Small practice EHRs that aren’t Epic

Updated: 4th July 2025

Small practices shopping for EHR products will find an expansive and competitive market. Unlike larger healthcare systems where a few big-name players like Epic and Oracle Cerner dominate, small practices enjoy a wealth of tailored options that cater to their unique needs. Here, we explore some top choices in small practice EHR solutions that offer both affordability and essential features without the cost and complexity associated with larger systems.

Given the diversity of small practice EHR products, healthcare teams evaluating their options can find many capable alternatives to Epic and Cerner. Below, we outline several notable EHR products that are well-suited for independent practices and smaller healthcare settings.

Kareo (now Tebra)

Kareo/Tebra stands out in the small practice EHR market as a cloud-based platform combining clinical and practice management features. Recognized as a “Best in KLAS” small practice ambulatory EMR/PM in 2021, Tebra’s EHR is specifically designed for scalability, allowing small practices to expand as needed. The system’s intuitive, dashboard-based interface enables clinicians to handle tasks such as charting, billing, and scheduling all within a single window, enhancing workflow efficiency.

In 2023, Tebra introduced new features that enhance usability for small telehealth practices. These include a pre-call test feature, which allows both patients and providers to check their audio and video setup prior to a virtual appointment, and an improved self-pay billing workflow.

This feature simplifies billing for practices focused on patient self-pay, aligning Tebra with the financial realities of many independent practices. Additionally, Tebra has rolled out customizable reporting options, enabling practices to create tailored reports for analyzing appointment and billing data.

Key features of Tebra for small practices:

Patient engagement tools: Tebra includes a mobile-optimized patient portal, which facilitates patient communication and engagement, while also providing tools for appointment scheduling and secure messaging.
Telemedicine integration: The platform includes a built-in video-conferencing feature, ideal for small telehealth practices aiming to offer remote consultations with ease.

drchrono

drchrono provides a fully integrated web and mobile-based EHR and practice management platform with a robust billing component. Named the top mobile EHR by Black Book ten years running, its design centers on flexibility and ease of use, making it a popular choice for clinicians who prioritize an intuitive interface.

In recent updates, drchrono has enhanced its variable-duration scheduling feature, giving small practices more flexibility in tailoring appointment lengths to match different patient needs.

The platform has also launched reputation management tools to help practices gather patient feedback and improve engagement - ideal for independent practices that benefit from patient reviews. As part of its commitment to virtual health, drchrono continues to expand its telehealth capabilities.

drchrono’s advantages for small practices:

Single-window charting: Clinical notes appear in a single window, minimizing the need for excessive clicking, which speeds up the documentation process.
Affordable options: Drchrono offers a range of pricing plans to accommodate different budgets, making it one of the more accessible options for small practice EHR systems.
Virtual health expansion: With a recent $12 million investment, drchrono has enhanced its telehealth services, allowing small practices to provide remote care seamlessly.

Greenway Health

Greenway Health’s Intergy platform is an EHR and practice management solution that caters to small practices by emphasizing customization. This system allows practices to optimize their workflows according to their specific needs, enabling them to handle clinical, administrative, and billing tasks efficiently.

Much like drchrono, Greenway Health has strengthened its telehealth capabilities through further integration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), adding high-quality video and audio enhancements for virtual visits. This platform also offers refined scheduling tools for managing in-person and virtual appointments, making it an excellent option for small telehealth practices focused on balancing patient convenience with high-quality care delivery.

Notable features of Greenway Health for independent practices:

Workflow customization: Intergy’s flexibility allows practices to tailor the software to their preferred workflows, making it easier to integrate with existing systems and processes.
Enhanced telehealth with AWS: Greenway’s telehealth solution, developed with Amazon Web Services, features high-quality video and audio for virtual visits, making it an ideal choice for small telehealth practices.

Elation Health

Elation Health's unified EHR and billing platform is purpose-built for independent and small-to-medium primary care practices.

Elation's EHR minimizes clicks and scrolling, allowing clinicians to spend more time on patient care and less on admin. Paired natively with Elation Billing, the platform delivers intuitive workflows for everything from charting to revenue cycle management, eliminating the need for separate practice management software.

Named Best in KLAS for Small Practice Ambulatory EHR/PM with 1-10 physicians in 2025, Elation consistently achieves high marks for customer satisfaction.

Standout features and recent enhancements

AI-powered medical scribe: Real-time transcription and continuous note-taking reduce after-hours documentation by up to two hours a day, helping providers stay fully present during visits.
Expanded interoperability: Direct integrations with national and regional labs, imaging centers, and pharmacies improve ordering and result retrieval processes.
Streamlined referral management: Built-in network tools make tracking and coordinating care with external specialists effortless.
Advanced population health insights: Dashboards and customizable reports help small practices identify care gaps, track quality metrics, and optimize panel management.

Considerations for choosing an EHR for a small practice

With the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic and ongoing economic uncertainty, organizations must be cautious in choosing an EHR that balances cost with essential features.

Small practice EHRs are generally designed to be cost-effective, but the pricing structure can vary based on features and functionality.

Curious about EHR implementation costs for your practice? Read our cost and budget guide to develop a realistic and effective budget for your software selection project.

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