Starting Monthly Price: Custom PricingStarting Monthly Price: $449/month
Best for: Behavioral Health, CardiologyBest for: Behavioral Health, Urgent Care
Mobile App: iOSMobile App: iOS, Android

 

According to a KLAS report, physicians and advanced practice providers who are very satisfied with their electronic health record (EHR) systems are nearly five times more likely to plan on staying with their organization compared to their dissatisfied peers. This highlights the importance of selecting the right technology to enhance clinician experience and retention.

NextGen and eClinicalWorks are two of the most widely used EHRs in the ambulatory sector, offering comprehensive solutions to improve both patient and provider experiences.

In this comparison, we will explore both platforms based on key factors such as functionality, customization, pricing, and user satisfaction ratings to help you determine which EHR system aligns best with the unique needs of your practice.

NextGen EHR Software is an all-in-one solution designed for ambulatory practices of all sizes across multiple specialties. This practice management (PM) platform offers integrated solutions for both patients and providers to facilitate information exchange, improve financial outcomes, and optimize overall operational efficiency.

It was ranked the #1 EHR and PM by Black Book Research in 2024 for the seventh consecutive year. Moreover, NextGen won the Best in KLAS 2024 award for its behavioral health suite.

eClinicalWorks is another comprehensive EHR software designed for healthcare facilities of all sizes and across various specialties. The system empowers practitioners to streamline day-to-day workflows, enhance patient engagement, and deliver high-quality care through its centralized suite of solutions.

It was recognized as the most improved physician practice product in the 2024 KLAS report. Independent practices with 2–10 physicians reported a remarkable 29% year-on-year increase in satisfaction with eClinicalWorks' EHR and practice management solutions.

NextGen And eClinicalWorks: At A Glance

Feature 

NextGen 

eClinicalWorks 

AI Capabilities Basic AI-supported healthcare IT solutions, such as NextGen Ambient Assist Basic AI-supported healthcare IT solutions, such as NextGen Ambient Assist 
Patient Engagement Tools Closed-loop patient experience solutions for self-scheduling, appointment reminders, intake, virtual visits, remote patient monitoring, and care coordination Comprehensive suite of tools, including healow Apps, patient portal, eClinicalMessenger, televisits, and self-scheduling options
Medical Billing RCM services and PM-integrated billing solutions for payment collection, denial management, rules engine integration, and claims editing Flexible RCM options (self-service/full-service), with tools for eligibility verification, claim scrubbing, and denial management 
Practice Management Advanced tools for appointment scheduling, billing, coding, and analytics AI-powered practice management features for automating day-to-day administrative tasks 
Interoperability Mirth Connect Integration Engine, APIs, FHIR, and an API Marketplace for seamless data exchange Robust ecosystem with PRISMA, eEHX for health information exchange, and an Open Interoperability (EOI) platform 
Customization Highly customizable workflows and digital documentation forms for multiple specialties Customizable questionnaires, forms, and workflows for multiple specialties 
Mobile Access iOS mobile app with ambient listening technology to streamline documentation workflows Android and iOS mobile apps with ambient listening technology to streamline administrative workflows 
Support Phone, email, contact form, and Success Community Support options Phone, email, live chat, online resources, and support portal options 
Pricing  Flexible pricing models based on practice size, specialty, and requirements Fixed pricing for EHR, EHR with PM, and percentage-based RCM services 
Security and Compliance Technological, physical, and administrative controls. HITRUST-certified and HIPAA-compliant HIPAA-compliant with appropriate safeguards to secure protected health information (PHI) 

Pros And Cons

PROSPROS
  • Auto-generates claims efficiently
  • Reliable and frequent product updates
  • Comprehensive training resources available
  • Interfaces with labs and vaccine registries
  • Reliable and ongoing customer support
  • Enables easy management of prescriptions
  • Intuitive organization of chart documents
  • Progressive in developing new features
  • Easy patient scheduling with visual options
CONSCONS
  • Limited customization in reporting features
  • Initial setup can be time-consuming
  • Charting requires multiple clicks
  • Mobile app occasionally stops working
  • Slow response times for customer support
  • Invoicing processes can be cumbersome

Side By Side Comparison

NextGen and eClinicalWorks are both powerful EHR solutions trusted by thousands of providers to improve patient care and streamline practice operations. Here we will compare their key features and functionalities to help you decide which platform is more suitable for your healthcare setting:

Reporting And Analytics

NextGen features a whole suite of financial and operational analytics to help providers track their practice's performance effectively. Physicians can use a variety of dashboards, filters, and visualizations to derive actionable insights from data and gain full transparency into their operations. eClinicalWorks offers a business optimizer (eBO) feature that provides a comprehensive suite of canned reports and customizable dashboards to help practices monitor their performance. Users can analyze financial, clinical, and administrative data to gain valuable insights into their operations, with color-coded tiles used to organize and present reports effectively.

Winner: eClinicalWorks is the clear winner here because it allows practices to analyze a broader range of practice data along with visual options to effectively track performance metrics.

Patient Engagement

NextGen offers a comprehensive, closed-loop patient experience solution that enhances engagement throughout the care journey, from access and intake to ongoing health management. Its features include self-scheduling, secure text messaging, digital document uploads, patient surveys, referrals, electronic bill pay options, and a user-friendly patient portal.

eClinicalWorks also comes equipped with powerful patient engagement features designed to give patients easy access to health information, such as visit summaries and lab results. Its healow apps, eClinicalMessenger, and AI-powered tools support self-scheduling, check-ins, and lifestyle management to enhance the patient experience.

Winner: NextGen takes the lead here because it provides a more integrated approach to patient engagement, facilitating smooth communication and coordination across all stages of patient care.

Interoperability

NextGen supports robust interoperability capabilities through its mirth connect integration engine, which leverages a suite of data transformation tools, including advanced mapping and protocol conversions, to address the complexities of healthcare data exchange. Additionally, its API marketplace offers a third-party vendor marketplace featuring applications that utilize NextGen Healthcare APIs for enhanced integration.

eClinicalWorks offers PRISMA, which is a health information search engine designed to connect information from nationwide interoperability networks. It also features the Electronic Health eXchange (eEHX) for seamless data sharing between clinical systems and an Open Interoperability (EOI) platform that allows third-party developers to create custom applications.

Winner: This category ends in a draw, as both platforms provide effective interoperability solutions that facilitate data sharing and improve care coordination across healthcare settings.

Telehealth

NextGen includes a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform that integrates with its EHR, allowing patients to participate in virtual visits on any device through secure links sent via email or text. The solution also offers comprehensive administrative functions, support groups and guest visits, and includes in-visit features such as screen sharing.

eClinicalWorks also provides a HIPAA-compliant telehealth solution that enables secure virtual consultations. The platform facilitates patient-provider communication with features for appointment scheduling, on-demand calls, and the ability to document progress notes and collect vital signs using mobile devices.

Winner: NextGen, due to its comprehensive administrative features that creates a more streamlined and efficient telehealth experience for both healthcare providers and patients.

AI Capabilities

NextGen offers Ambient Assist, which is an AI-powered solution designed to convert patient-provider conversations on mobile devices into structured SOAP notes with 90% accuracy. This feature can save providers up to two hours each day and allows them to focus more on patient care and other essential tasks.

eClinicalWorks features a wide range of AI-powered solutions that integrate seamlessly with its EHR platform. The software offers technologies like Sunoh.ai, which transforms conversations into clinical documentation, and an AI Assistant that serves as a language-based user interface for streamlining workflows. Moreover, it includes an Image AI solution that simplifies fax management.

Winner: eClinicalWorks wins for its broader suite of AI-powered solutions that enhance workflow automation and improve the overall user experience.

Medical Billing

NextGen offers a fully automated medical billing solution that integrates seamlessly within its practice management system. With features like patient eligibility verification, automated claim submission, recall letter generation, and detailed reporting, it helps practices streamline their billing processes and enhance revenue cycle management (RCM).

eClinicalWorks provides a comprehensive self-service practice management model that enhances billing efficiency through advanced automation and analytics. It includes tools such as automated patient eligibility verification, alerts dashboard, denial management, and performance evaluation, enabling practices to optimize revenue and minimize claim denials.

Winner: NextGen takes the lead due to its completely automated billing processes, which help providers and practice staff reduce administrative burdens and enhance efficiency.

Pricing Plans Comparison

NextGen does not publicly disclose its pricing details. The cost of the software can vary based on factors like the size, type, and specific requirements of a practice. Some sources indicate that the pricing for the vendor's basic EHR solution starts at $300.

On the other hand, eClinicalWorks offers a transparent pricing structure that caters to different practice needs. The vendor offers the following standard pricing options, all with no startup costs:

  • EHR Only – $449 per month per provider
  • EHR with Practice Management – $599 per month per provider
  • RCM as a Service – 2.9% of practice collections

When comparing these pricing structures, consider factors such as functionality, customization, ongoing support requirements, and the overall total cost of ownership to determine the best fit for your practice. You can also refer to our cost of EMR guide to gain a better understanding of how EMR pricing works.

What Users Have To Say?

Users appreciate NextGen Office for its ability to manage patient information effectively. The platform's customizable templates streamline processes for staff and enhance work-life balance for doctors. Many users praise its excellent billing features. However, some report limitations with the mobile app and an initial learning curve. Overall, it remains a strong choice for healthcare practices.

In contrast, eClinicalWorks' users appreciate its smooth navigation and efficient management of daily scheduling tasks. Providers find it quick and easy to input notes, and the software continues to improve to meet practice needs. Notably, the integration of Sunoh.ai, an AI medical scribe, has helped clinics like Rocky Mountain Women's Clinic save over two hours daily in documentation.

However, some users mention that accessing basic information requires multiple clicks, and they occasionally face delays with customer support responses.

Making The Right Choice For Your Practice

NextGen and eClinicalWorks are both solid options for EMR software. NextGen provides flexible tools with many customization options, making it useful for practices that want to adapt workflows and improve efficiency. In contrast, eClinicalWorks focuses on ease of use and AI-driven features, which help practices streamline daily operations and enhance provider-patient interactions.

Selecting the right EMR is an important decision that impacts not only productivity but also overall physician satisfaction. As Christine Sinsky, MD, vice president of professional satisfaction at the American Medical Association (AMA), points out in a Medscape Medical News article:

"Physicians spend an unsustainable amount of time on EHR-based work, and that amount has increased steadily from 2019 to 2023."

This shows why choosing an EMR system that aligns with your practice's needs can make all the difference in managing workloads efficiently and providing quality care. For more guidance, visit Software Finder to explore expert insights and feature comparisons.