Epic EMR and PracticeSuite are exemplary systems that go beyond basic record-keeping for practitioners. In 2024, Epic held approximately 42.3% of the U.S. acute-care hospital EHR market share and accounted for 54.9% of hospital beds among these systems. In contrast, PracticeSuite has a user base exceeding 92,000 medical professionals, confirming that it's a popular choice for independent clinics and billing services.
This Epic EMR vs PracticeSuite side-by-side breakdown explores their strengths, limitations, and pricing structures to help you decide which platform fits your workflow and goals.
Epic EMR Vs PracticeSuite: Head-On Comparison
Epic EMR is built around a patient-centric approach and offers tailored, specialty-specific workflows, each optimized by peer-driven best practices. The platform facilitates seamless data exchange across providers and patients. Additionally, it offers comprehensive revenue cycle tools. This allows for appointment scheduling, digital front-door patient management, payer verification, and online price estimates via ‘MyChart’.
PracticeSuite is a cloud-based, integrated practice management platform designed to streamline clinical, administrative, and financial workflows. Suitable for practices of all sizes, PracticeSuite’s unified ecosystem includes modules for scheduling, customizable templates, e‑prescribing, billing, and much more. The software emphasizes interoperability, SOC 2 and ONC certification, and advanced AI-driven automation across the front desk, documentation, and billing workflows.
Epic EMR Vs PracticeSuite: At A Glance
Features
Epic EMR
PracticeSuite
AI Capabilities
✓
✓
Interoperability
✓
✓
Appointment Scheduling
✓
✓
Patient Engagement Tools
✓
✓
Billing And RCM
✓
✓
Invoicing
✗
✗
HIPAA Compliance
✓
✓
Customizable Templates
✗
✓
Voice Recognition
✓
✓
SOAP Notes
✗
✓
Pros And Cons
PROS
PROS
Customizable DAR and login screen
Yearly upgrades improve chart navigation
Eases patient info access
Supports paper EOB uploads
Customizable SOAP templates
Supports UB and HCFA forms
CONS
CONS
Scanned media can't be deleted
Requires repeated data entry
Billing process can be complex
Deductible entries can't be edited
Epic EMR Vs PracticeSuite: Side-By-Side Feature Comparison
AI Integrations
Epic’s artificial intelligence (AI) integration spans the entire care process: before, during, and after a patient’s visit. Pre-visit, AI summarizes notes and data to help clinicians quickly review patient history. During the encounter, tools like ambient voice capture and smart flowsheets turn conversations into draft documentation. Clinicians can use AI to refine note formatting or generate discharge summaries.
PracticeSuite’s AI integration takes a holistic approach across the entire patient-to-payment workflow. From the moment a patient contacts the practice to final payment collection, AI is embedded to drive efficiency and accuracy. It supports front desk operations, clinical care, and billing through intelligent automation. In the front office, AI enables virtual check-in and self-registration through mobile apps or patient portals, streamlining the intake process.
Winner:Epic takes the lead for its AI-driven features that extend across clinical documentation, operations, analytics, and patient engagement.
Interoperability
Through Epic’s ‘Care Everywhere’, organizations exchange over 20 million patient records daily, including with non-Epic EHRs. ‘Community Connect’ extends Epic’s EHR to affiliated providers for a unified patient record. Patients can also share their data with third-party apps via FHIR APIs. Epic links directly with government agencies like the SSA, DoD, and VA for faster data access and reduced administrative burden.
PracticeSuite was built with interoperability at its core, allowing seamless data exchange across systems to support continuous and coordinated care. Its open-architecture design enables healthcare providers to connect easily with labs, pharmacies, and external systems, reducing documentation errors and administrative costs.
Winner:Epic is the clear winner due to its expansive interoperability network, which enables both provider- and patient-driven data exchange at scale.
Appointment Scheduling
Scheduling through Epic allows staff and patients to easily manage visits, procedures, and diagnostics. Built-in decision support helps match patients with the right provider based on clinical needs and preferences. Patients can self-schedule appointments online, including sequential visits like imaging and follow-ups. Centralized staff can manage appointments across locations with specialty-specific prompts.
PracticeSuite offers a flexible scheduling system suited for both solo practices and large multi-location groups. Staff can manage appointments using drag-and-drop tools, color-coded time slots, and customizable calendar views. The system supports scheduling for patients, providers, rooms, and equipment, all from a single screen. Real-time access to patient profiles, insurance eligibility, and balances helps inform scheduling decisions.
Winner:Tie – Both platforms offer flexible, multi-location scheduling with patient self-booking, staff tools, and features that reduce no-shows and streamline workflows.
Billing And RCM
Epic supports the entire revenue cycle by combining automation with patient-facing tools that simplify access and payments. Patients can schedule appointments, check estimates, and pay bills online without needing an account. ‘MyChart’ allows self-service management of visits, while referral and authorization tools help staff reduce turnaround time and paperwork. Insurance verification is handled electronically, speeding up eligibility checks and claims processing. Price estimates for both hospital and professional services promote transparency and build trust.
PracticeSuite simplifies the revenue cycle by combining advanced billing software with dedicated RCM experts who manage everything from patient payments to final reimbursements. The service accelerates cash flow with improved claim acceptance, automated remittance posting, and real-time tracking through detailed dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs). Staff can verify insurance before appointments, reducing billing errors and improving transparency for patients.
Winner:PracticeSuite takes the lead in offering end-to-end RCM services with tools that improve accuracy and accelerate reimbursements.
Patient Engagement Tools
Patients using Epic can access scheduling, registration, estimates, and bill pay through a digital front door, with or without logging into ‘MyChart’. Epic supports continuous care with tools like remote patient monitoring and ‘MyChart Care Companion’, which guide patients at home and sync with monitoring devices. In hospitals, ‘MyChart Bedside’ keeps patients informed with real-time access to care plans and team details. ‘Share Everywhere’ enables one-time record sharing with any provider online.
Patients using PracticeSuite benefit from a fully connected experience with online scheduling, digital intake, telehealth, and two-way messaging, all built into one platform. Automated reminders can be customized by location, provider, or appointment type, while no-show reengagement and recall tools help maintain continuity of care. Furthermore, eStatements, ePayments, and secure SMS chat reduce delays and manual tasks, improving both collections and patient convenience.
Winner:Epic wins this round for its advanced tools, remote monitoring, and one-time record sharing.
Pricing Comparison
Epic targets large organizations such as health systems and hospitals. Its price starts at $1,200. Epic does not offer a free trial, but it does provide a free demo through its sales representatives.
PracticeSuite charges a flat rate of $299/month, making it a more straightforward and affordable option, especially for smaller practices.
Disclaimer: The pricing has been taken from a third-party source and is subject to change.
What Users Have To Say
Epic EMR is praised for its patient portal and e-prescribing features, which help practices comply with ‘Meaningful Use Stage 2’ requirements. However, some users have expressed concerns about how challenging it can be to locate features or tools that aren’t already pinned to the toolbar. Regardless, the platform is renowned for how easy it is to schedule patients and quickly navigate to their charts directly from the daily appointment register (DAR).
PracticeSuite is acclaimed for the fact that it offers broad integration with third-party programs and healthcare systems. However, some users reported login difficulties accessing patient accounts when multiple personal providers also used the platform. Regardless, the platform is praised for its ability to include UB and HCFA forms, accommodating varied billing needs across different healthcare settings.
Weighing Your Options: Epic EMR Vs PracticeSuite
Epic EMR and PracticeSuite each bring compelling strengths to the table, but they cater to distinctly different needs.
Epic is ideal for large health systems seeking advanced AI, deep interoperability, and a comprehensive patient engagement suite, albeit with significantly higher cost and implementation complexity. PracticeSuite, on the other hand, offers a more budget-friendly, all-in-one solution designed to streamline operations for small to mid-sized practices.
The right choice ultimately depends on your organization’s size, budget, and clinical priorities.
