Healthcare providers are investing more than ever in digital infrastructure—recent projections show that the North American EHR market will surpass $17 billion by 2030, driven largely by rising demand for integrated, cloud-based solutions.
As the pressure to modernize grows, platforms like DrChrono and Epic have become widely adopted options for practices of all sizes. This guide breaks down the differences between DrChrono vs Epic—from core features and pricing to pros, cons, and what real users are saying.
Head-On Comparison
DrChrono and Epic cater to distinctly different segments of the healthcare market, and their strengths reflect those differences. DrChrono EHR has built a reputation for agility and innovation in the small-to-mid-size practice space. It has earned recognition as the #1 Mobile EHR by Black Book from 2013 to 2020 and was ranked #2 EHR by KLAS for 2–10 Provider Practices—a testament to its usability and mobility-focused design. These accolades underline DrChrono’s strength in providing accessible, intuitive tools tailored for providers who prioritize on-the-go functionality and flexible workflows.
Epic EMR, meanwhile, is a dominant force in enterprise-level healthcare. As of February 2025, its EHR system is used in 3,620 hospitals, representing nearly 38% of the U.S. inpatient EHR market. This scale speaks to its deep functionality and capacity to support complex operations across large networks. Epic’s system offers an extensive feature set designed to unify patient data in a single comprehensive medical record. For organizations seeking a high level of data integration and infrastructure support, Epic’s optional cloud hosting adds further appeal.
DrChrono Vs Epic: At A Glance
Features
DrChrono
Epic
Telehealth
✓
✓
Revenue Cycle Management
✓
✓
Patient Portal
✓
✓
AI Functionality
✗
✓
Mobile Workflow
✓
✓
Population Health Management
✓
✓
Integrations And Interoperability
✓
✓
Specialty Care
✓
✓
Comparing Strengths And Weaknesses
PROS
PROS
Seamless compatibility with Apple products
Users appreciate the patient check-in feature
Efficient e-prescribing module
Consistent updates for continuous improvements
Excellent file management
Saves time via smart phrase shortcuts
CONS
CONS
Billing can be improved
Appointment reminders may have limitations
Tracking historical data for denial trends can be complex
Multiple screens may be tricky to navigate
Side-By-Side Feature Comparison
Patient Portal
DrChrono’s ‘OnPatient Portal’ is a secure, user-friendly platform that enables patients to manage their healthcare experience with ease. It allows for online appointment booking, digital check-ins, secure messaging, and access to visit summaries, lab results, and medications. Patients can also sign consent forms, review educational materials linked to their conditions, and make payments directly through the patient portal. Its integration with DrChrono’s EHR ensures a smooth exchange of information between patient and provider, making it ideal for convenience and personalized care.
Epic’s 'MyChart' is a comprehensive patient portal designed to connect individuals with their healthcare across multiple organizations. It offers access to health records, test results, billing information, and appointment scheduling in one interface. Patients can conduct video visits, manage medications, and coordinate care for family members, all while sharing records securely between providers. 'MyChart’s' ability to consolidate medical data from various Epic-using systems makes it especially powerful for patients navigating large health networks.
Winner: Epic’s ‘MyChart’ takes the lead with cross-organization access and richer patient tools.
Billing And Revenue Cycle Management
DrChrono offers a fully integrated billing and revenue cycle management (RCM) solution tailored for small to mid-sized practices. Its services include claim submission, denial resolution within 48 hours, payment posting, and real-time performance reporting. The platform boasts a 96% clean claim rate and provides dedicated account managers to oversee billing operations. With medical billing, scheduling, and clinical tools all housed in one cloud-based system, DrChrono minimizes manual errors and streamlines the revenue cycle from end to end.
Epic’s access and revenue cycle suite is built for enterprise-level healthcare systems that require complex, scalable financial tools. It automates key tasks like registration, charge capture, and collections while enabling patients to schedule appointments, review cost estimates, and make payments through ‘MyChart’. The system also supports insurance verification, saving providers' time and expediting the revenue cycle. Additionally, the software provides patients with price estimates, promoting transparency around cost.
Winner: It’s a tie as both DrChrono and Epic offer strong RCM and billing capabilities suited to different organizational needs.
Telehealth
DrChrono offers a fully integrated telemedicine solution within its EHR, allowing providers to schedule and conduct HIPAA-compliant video visits without requiring additional software or downloads. Patients can join visits using a secure link and can access the ‘OnPatient’ portal via desktop, iPhone, or iPad to exchange HIPAA-compliant messages, sign consent forms, and receive educational materials. The platform also enables providers to prescribe both regular and controlled substances (EPCS) and place orders. Automated appointment reminders further support patient engagement and streamline the overall virtual care process.
Epic provides comprehensive telehealth capabilities through its 'Patient Experience' suite, including features like virtual visits, remote patient monitoring, and ‘MyChart’ integration. Patients can schedule and conduct video visits, access health records, and communicate with care teams via the 'MyChart' portal. The platform supports on-demand or scheduled video visits, facilitating flexible and accessible virtual care options.
Winner: DrChrono takes the lead with a fully embedded, no-setup telehealth experience built directly into its EHR.
Mobile Workflow
DrChrono delivers a truly mobile-first EHR experience, offering full-featured native apps for iPad, iPhone, and Apple Watch. Physicians can document entire patient encounters, lock notes, e-prescribe—including EPCS—and submit billing directly from their devices. The iPad app supports touch, Apple Pencil, keyboard, and trackpad, providing flexible documentation options during rounds or in the clinic. With features like customizable forms, self-check-in kiosk mode, and real-time access to lab results and messages, DrChrono enables end-to-end clinical and administrative workflows from anywhere.
Epic delivers mobile access through ‘Haiku’ (app for smartphones) and ‘Canto’ (EpicCare for iPads), enabling providers to review medical records, assess patient status, and stay connected on the go. ‘Canto’ supports care delivery in home-based settings and outpatient workflows, helping clinicians manage preventive care, telehealth, and chronic conditions. ‘Haiku’ is used in high-pressure scenarios like emergency transport, giving responders rapid access to patient histories, medications, and allergies. While not fully standalone, these tools significantly enhance point-of-care decision-making and expand Epic’s reach beyond traditional clinical settings.
Winner: DrChrono stands out with its mobile-first platform offering full clinical, administrative, and billing functionality on iOS.
Integrations And Interoperability
DrChrono supports seamless interoperability through direct connections with labs, pharmacies, and imaging centers, along with a fully accessible API for third-party integrations. The platform integrates with billing services, payment processors, and health data systems like Quest Diagnostics. Its HL7 support allows for secure data exchange with other platforms, making it easier for small practices to connect with larger health networks without complex infrastructure. This flexibility benefits providers looking to tailor their tech stack without vendor lock-in.
Epic offers a broad interoperability framework designed to unify patient data across organizations, systems, and care settings. The software enables providers to exchange clinical information across EHRs to maintain an up-to-date patient record regardless of where care is delivered. 'Epic Community Connect' extends access to independent providers, while FHIR-based APIs let patients share their data with third-party apps. Tools like 'Share Everywhere', 'Community Link', and direct connections with agencies such as the Social Security Administration (SSA), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Department of Defense (DoD) enhance nationwide data exchange. Epic’s publicly available API library supports integration with over 1,000 applications, reinforcing its leadership in connected care.
Winner: Epic emerges as a frontrunner with its nationwide data exchange tools, government integrations, and expansive API ecosystem built for large-scale interoperability.
Pricing Plans For DrChrono And Epic
DrChrono’s pricing follows a tiered structure, with approximate costs based on available estimates. The Prometheus plan starts at $249 per provider per month, Hippocrates at $349, and Apollo at $599. The top-tier Apollo Plus uses a percentage-based pricing model tied to monthly collections, with a minimum monthly charge of $1,200.
Epic’s pricing varies significantly depending on the size and scope of the implementation. For smaller clinics, costs may start around $1,200, while large-scale deployments for hospitals can exceed $500,000. These figures reflect estimated pricing and can fluctuate based on system configuration, customization, and support requirements.
Disclaimer: The pricing estimates are sourced from third-party websites and are subject to change.
What Users Have To Say
DrChrono is well-regarded by users for its user-friendly design and strong performance on mobile devices. Many find it convenient for managing patient workflows on the go, particularly in outpatient or solo practice settings. While it occasionally experiences brief slowdowns during peak hours, most users feel its modern interface and flexibility make it a solid choice for smaller practices looking for a tech-forward solution.
Epic, on the other hand, is favored for its comprehensive functionality and ability to handle high-volume environments. Users appreciate how it connects various departments and streamlines communication across large health systems. Despite a learning curve for some advanced features, many ultimately find its depth and reliability invaluable in delivering coordinated, high-quality care.
DrChrono Vs Epic: Wrapping It Up
DrChrono and Epic don’t compete on the same playing field—and that’s the point. DrChrono is built for agility, mobility, and ease of use in leaner practice settings. It’s especially appealing for providers who want full mobile functionality, quick setup, and tools that work out of the box. Epic, by contrast, is a powerhouse designed for scale. It thrives in enterprise environments where interoperability, complex workflows, and multi-site coordination are essential.
Each platform shines in different contexts—the right choice depends on your practice’s structure, priorities, and long-term goals.
