Choosing the right electronic medical records (EMR) software is one of the most important decisions a healthcare practice can make. According to a 2025 KLAS report, customer satisfaction with EMR implementations has declined more than twice as much as any other metric since 2022. This highlights the need for providers to choose a system that’s designed specifically for their practice setting and provides strong post-go-live support to ensure ongoing success.
Among the top options in the market, athenaOne and Cerner stand out for their comprehensive solutions and extensive adoption across various healthcare settings. But how do you decide which one is right for your practice?
In this athenaOne vs Cerner comparison, we will break down the key features, pricing models, and user reviews of both platforms to help you make an informed decision on which system best fits your needs.
Head-On Comparison
athenaOne is an all-in-one healthcare solution designed to help ambulatory care facilities optimize both clinical and operational efficiency. The software is known for its highly interoperable platform, specialty-specific workflows, and dedicated customer support. athenaOne also earned the Best in KLAS 2024 award for Small Practice Ambulatory EHR/PM (less than 11 physicians).
In contrast, Cerner EMR (now Oracle Health) is a cloud-enabled EHR solution built to enhance clinical workflows and care coordination across various healthcare settings. The platform is recognized for its modern administrative solutions, actionable data insights, and strong interoperability. The vendor has also introduced its next-generation EHR, which embeds AI across the entire clinical workflow to automate processes and improve patient outcomes.
athenaOne And Cerner: At A Glance
Feature
athenaOne
Cerner
Practice Management
✓
✓
Revenue Cycle Management
✓
✓
Clinical AI Agent
✗
✓
Telehealth
✓
✓
Interoperability
✓
✓
Billing Reminders
✓
✗
Patient Self-Scheduling
✓
✓
Patient Accounting
✗
✓
Pros And Cons
PROS
Organized patient record layout
Quick symptom selection tools
Tracks provider activity easily
Implements client feedback
Responsive customer support
Easy note-writing tools
Quick access to imaging
Strong security features
Supports multiple specialties
Well-organized lab results
CONS
Tedious check-in process
Complex initial setup
Inefficient payment processing
Complex billing module
Multiple workflows per task
Requires frequent maintenance
Side By Side Comparison
athenaOne and Cerner are both leading EHR platforms designed to improve clinical workflows and enhance patient care across different healthcare settings. Here we will compare their core functionalities to help you determine which platform is more suitable for your facility:
Patient Engagement
athenaOne offers a robust patient engagement solution with tools that enhance communication and streamline the entire care journey. It includes features such as patient self-scheduling, automated reminders, secure communication channels, payment tools, and an online portal. The athena mobile app further empowers patients by allowing them to view upcoming appointments, pay bills, and interact with their care team.
Cerner’s patient engagement platform, powered by Oracle Health, focuses on improving patient access and communication through a comprehensive digital front door. The software integrates appointment scheduling, self-service registration, secure messaging, payment tools, and a configurable patient portal within a unified dashboard. It also supports mobile devices and aggregates patient encounters and visit-related information across different points of care.
Winner: Cerner edges out athenaOne due to its comprehensive digital front door and seamless integration across multiple points of care.
Revenue Cycle Management
athenaOne offers a fully integrated revenue cycle management (RCM) solution that automates key billing processes within its practice management system. It provides a centralized dashboard for real-time tracking of billing tasks, a billing rules engine that helps detect errors before submission, and enhanced visibility into the revenue cycle. These features help practices reduce administrative burden and optimize financial performance.
Cerner provides a clinically driven RCM solution that captures data during patient encounters to drive financial outcomes. The system enables seamless claims management, eligibility verification, and integrates with payer networks for better data exchange and visibility. Additionally, it simplifies administrative tasks and ensures compliance with regulatory standards by facilitating smooth data flow between providers and payers.
Winner: athenaOne takes the lead due to its fully integrated and automated approach, which reduces administrative burdens and enhances visibility throughout the revenue cycle.
AI Capabilities
athenaOne offers an AI-powered ‘Ambient Notes’ feature that uses ambient listening and generative AI technology to automate clinical documentation. Integrated within ‘athenaOne Mobile’, this solution records patient visits, transcribes conversations into structured notes, and seamlessly integrates them into the patient encounter.
Cerner's next-generation EHR is AI-driven and integrates seamlessly across workflows to automate tasks and deliver real-time insights. It offers voice-driven navigation, AI-supported chart reviews, and personalized care plans based on patient data. Additionally, the Oracle Health Clinical AI Agent reduces time spent on documentation, ordering, and coding, which enables providers to spend more time on patient care.
Winner: Cerner for a broader suite of AI-powered tools, including its multimodal voice-first mobile assistant that consolidates multiple actions into a unified experience.
Interoperability
athenaOne enables seamless data exchange by integrating clinical data from external healthcare IT entities and its provider network. It curates data from trusted sources and injects it directly into workflows, giving clinicians real-time access to actionable patient information. Its interoperability features include extensive API access, HL7 and C-CDA interfaces, and partnerships with national patient data exchange networks like CommonWell Health Alliance and Carequality.
Cerner facilitates interoperability across providers, vendors, and networks to ensure the seamless flow of patient data between different systems. It aggregates external health records, removes redundant information, and integrates relevant data directly into clinician workflows. With open APIs and connections to the CommonWell Network, Cerner enables broad data exchange and standardization across healthcare organizations.
Winner: This category ends in a draw as both solutions offer comprehensive interoperability. athenaOne specializes in network-driven integration, while Cerner excels in broader system-wide connectivity.
Telehealth
athenaOne offers a HIPAA-compliant telehealth solution that lets patients book and join virtual visits easily. It includes video calls, billing support, and patient outreach, all in one place. The platform also integrates with existing workflows and simplifies telehealth for both patients and providers.
Cerner embeds telehealth/telemedicine directly into the EHR system, allowing clinicians to conduct scheduled and on-demand video visits. Patients can join through the Oracle Health patient portal or via a secure link sent by email or text, while clinicians can document and place orders within the EHR during video visits.
Winner: athenaOne for its all-in-one solution that integrates the entire telehealth workflow within a single dashboard.
Pricing Comparison
athenaOne's pricing model is tied to a practice’s collections. This allows healthcare organizations to manage costs more flexibly, especially during fluctuations in patient volume. There are no long-term contracts, and the vendor emphasizes transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Cerner, on the other hand, requires a significant upfront investment, which includes software licensing, implementation, and maintenance costs. Its pricing model typically involves longer contracts, which may limit flexibility for healthcare organizations.
Overall, athenaOne offers a more adaptable pricing structure, while Cerner requires a larger initial investment and longer commitments. The choice depends on whether your practice prefers a pay-as-you-go model or is prepared for a substantial upfront cost.
Looking for a complete breakdown of EMR costs? Explore our comprehensive guide on the cost of EMRs in 2025 to learn more.
What Users Have To Say?
athenaOne is praised for its ease of use, seamless communication, and efficient patient management. Many users appreciate how easily they can navigate the system, access health records, and manage patient care. A healthcare director even highlighted how athenaOne’s streamlined charting helped them close 300 charts in just three days.
However, some users have noted that the setup process can be time-consuming, and there are occasional delays in email notifications and challenges when updating patient insurance information.
Cerner is valued for its intuitive interface and ability to streamline clinical workflows, especially in inpatient settings. Jeff Sandene, executive VP and CFO of Vandalia Health, mentioned, “Oracle has been a critical partner in supporting our growth and aligning our systems.”
On the downside, some reviewers report challenges transitioning between flowsheets and issues with patient search, which can lead to duplicate records. Additionally, a few users feel customer support could be more responsive.
Choosing The Best Fit For Your Practice
Both athenaOne and Cerner are powerful EMR systems designed to meet the needs of healthcare organizations, but they cater to different requirements.
athenaOne stands out for its ease of use, seamless communication, and integration with a wide network of providers. It is a great option for practices looking to improve efficiency and enhance care coordination. Cerner, on the other hand, is better suited for larger healthcare systems with its powerful data management tools and extensive clinical capabilities, which support complex workflows.
When selecting an EHR system, it is important to consider your practice's size, budget, and specific needs to find the solution that best supports your goals. For more guidance, visit Software Finder to explore expert insights and feature comparisons.
