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As a healthcare professional, you're likely looking for a patient portal software that can automate many of the tedious tasks involved in managing a medical practice. These software solutions, typically web-based and complemented by a mobile app, offer a myriad of features. They can streamline everything from patient scheduling to charting and ONC-certified medical software, making them an invaluable tool in any clinical setting.

In a nutshell, patient portal software equips medical practitioners with the right tools to automate their practice management solution, saving them time while enhancing patient experience. They can access and manage all relevant data from their smartphones, further increasing convenience and efficiency.

What Is A Patient Portal Software?

Patient portal software refers to a secure online application that allows patients to interact with their healthcare provider's systems. Users include patients, doctors, nurses, and administrative staff, providing a channel for communication, information exchange, and various healthcare management tasks.

Patients utilize the portal to access personal health information, schedule appointments, request prescription refills, view lab results, and even pay medical bills. Healthcare professionals use it to deliver test results, manage appointments, and communicate with patients directly, enhancing the efficiency and quality of patient care.

Best Patient Portal Software Summary

Tools Price
CRM Creatio From $25/user/month
Athenahealth Pricing upon request
Caspio From $100/user/month, (billed annually)
Bridge From $9000/year for 500 users plus a one-time implementation fee of $5000+ and a yearly support fee of $1700+
CareCloud Pricing upon request
PrognoCIS From $280/month
Elation Health From $200/user/month.
PowerDiary From $27/user/month (billed annually)
Cortico Pricing upon request
Plexia Pricing upon request
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Compare Software Specs Side by Side

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Best Patient Portal Software Reviews

Best for self-service options

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $25/user/month
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Rating: 4.7/5

CRM Creatio is a flexible CRM platform built to enhance relationship management and workflow automation. It’s designed for healthcare providers and organizations looking to create a smooth, connected experience across all their patient-facing processes. 

Why I Picked CRM Creatio: The platform’s customizable patient portal lets you offer a user-friendly experience with access to critical information, such as appointments, care instructions, and personal health records. With easy-to-navigate tools for scheduling and patient communication, you can create a responsive and accessible system that keeps patients engaged and informed.

The portal’s self-service features also give patients autonomy in managing their appointments, filling out forms, and even providing feedback on their care. Additionally, Creatio’s workflow automation helps your team reduce administrative tasks, freeing up more time for hands-on patient care.

Standout Features & Integrations:

The platform also includes analytics tools that help track and analyze patient interactions, so your team can adjust care approaches based on trends and insights. CRM Creatio’s security features ensure compliance with health data regulations, protecting patient information at every step. And with multi-channel communication options, your organization can connect with patients via their preferred methods. Integrations include Accelo, Act!, ActiveCampaign, Acumatica, Adobe Analytics, Asana, Microsoft Exchange, Excel, Mailchimp, HubSpot Marketing Hub, Google Calendar, and Tableau.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • No-code platform
  • Scalable for any organization size
  • Highly customizable platform

Cons:

  • May not be ideal for organizations that want a quick-start solution
  • Customization can be time-consuming

Best for healthcare networks seeking improved patient engagement

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request
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Rating: 5/5

Athena Health is a comprehensive healthcare IT solution designed to improve operational efficiency and patient engagement. It offers a range of services that address several areas of healthcare operations but particularly shines in its focus on enhancing patient interactions. That's why it is a top choice for healthcare networks looking to upgrade their patient engagement.

Why I Picked Athena Health: I picked Athena Health primarily for its holistic approach toward healthcare IT solutions, with a special emphasis on patient engagement. Comparing it with other tools, Athena Health stands out for its advanced patient portal, which allows patients to communicate with healthcare providers, view their health records, and even schedule appointments.

This focus on patient engagement makes it a prime selection for healthcare networks that prioritize strong patient-provider relationships.

Standout Features & Integrations:

One standout feature of Athena Health is its robust patient portal. This portal allows patients to access their personal health records, book appointments, and securely communicate with their healthcare providers. Additionally, Athena Health integrates well with other healthcare technology systems, which allows for a seamless transfer of data and contributes to the tool's overall operational efficiency.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Robust patient portal
  • Comprehensive healthcare IT solution
  • Emphasis on improved patient engagement

Cons:

  • May require significant time investment for complete implementation
  • Might have features that some smaller practices do not require
  • Pricing is not transparent

Best for building custom patient portals with no coding

  • Free plan available
  • From $100/user/month, (billed annually)
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Rating: 4.3/5

Caspio is a versatile cloud platform designed to help healthcare organizations create custom patient portals without any coding knowledge. It empowers users with tools for crafting tailored solutions that meet specific healthcare management needs.

This aspect is why Caspio is excellent for building custom patient portals with no coding, allowing users to personalize their portal experience and functionality without investing in extensive programming resources.

Why I Picked Caspio: I selected Caspio because it provides a unique solution for creating patient portal software. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, it lets users build a customized portal, catering to their specific needs. In my comparison of various tools, Caspio stood out for this distinctive feature.

I believe it's best for building custom patient portals with no coding, as it democratizes portal creation, placing it within reach of even those with no technical background.

Standout Features & Integrations:

Caspio houses a range of features that help in creating a highly functional patient portal. Its drag-and-drop application builder, data visualization tools, and interactive dashboards are particularly useful. The software also integrates with a variety of third-party applications, including popular Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, payment gateways, and even common office software, such as Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Extensive third-party integrations
  • Highly customizable
  • No coding knowledge required for portal creation

Cons:

  • No free plan available
  • Basic plan may not include all features
  • May have a learning curve for non-technical users

Best for offering multilingual patient portal solutions

  • From $9000/year for 500 users plus a one-time implementation fee of $5000+ and a yearly support fee of $1700+
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Rating: 4.2/5

Bridge is a patient portal software that aims to break down language barriers in healthcare. It provides comprehensive features in a multilingual setting, making healthcare management accessible to a diverse patient population. Given its multilingual capabilities, Bridge is a top choice for offering multilingual patient portal solutions.

Why I Picked Bridge: In evaluating different patient portal software, I found that Bridge's commitment to multilingual support set it apart. By addressing the language needs of diverse patient populations, significantly enhances patient engagement and care.

I chose Bridge because it offers multilingual solutions, which is crucial in our globalized world where language barriers often impede access to healthcare.

Standout Features & Integrations:

Bridge offers an array of useful features such as appointment scheduling, bill payments, health information access, and secure messaging with healthcare providers, all accessible in multiple languages. It also integrates smoothly with several Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, practice management systems, and revenue cycle management platforms, enhancing its functionality and ease of use.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Robust third-party integrations
  • Wide range of features
  • Multilingual support

Cons:

  • Advanced features require higher-priced plans
  • No free plan available
  • High starting price

Best for cloud-based community care coordination

  • Pricing upon request
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Rating: 3.7/5

CareCloud is an innovative patient portal software designed to streamline the process of community care coordination through a cloud-based system. It offers a user-friendly platform where patients, healthcare providers, and administrative staff can engage, exchange health information, and manage healthcare tasks. CareCloud stands out for its ability to foster effective and efficient community care coordination, linking multiple healthcare providers in various locations for seamless patient care.

Why I Picked CareCloud: In choosing CareCloud, I was drawn to its unique approach to community care coordination. By leveraging a cloud-based platform, it enables real-time information exchange, fostering a collaborative healthcare environment. What sets CareCloud apart is its dedication to integrating healthcare providers in various locations to coordinate patient care more effectively.

I find CareCloud best suited for cloud-based community care coordination due to its robust networking capabilities that ensure patient access gets consistent, coordinated care, irrespective of the care provider's location.

Standout Features & Integrations:

CareCloud offers an intuitive patient portal, appointment scheduling, e-prescribing, and a fully integrated electronic health records system. Additionally, its billing feature simplifies the financial aspects of healthcare management.

The software integrates seamlessly with various Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, enhancing interoperability and promoting a unified view of patient data across different care providers.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Efficient community care coordination
  • Comprehensive cloud-based patient portal

Cons:

  • No free plan available
  • One-time setup fee required
  • Higher starting price compared to other software

Best for facilitating telemedicine consultations

  • Free demo available
  • From $280/month
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Rating: 3.5/5

PrognoCIS is a robust patient portal that integrates with an extensive Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. It provides a broad range of services, including appointment scheduling, messaging, medication refills, and access to medical records. PrognoCIS is particularly beneficial for comprehensive EHR handling.

Why I Picked PrognoCIS: I chose PrognoCIS for this list due to its extensive functionality in handling Electronic Health Records. It stood out for its ability to provide patients with full access to their records via medical software, a feature that is not common in all patient portal platforms. I judged it to be an optimal choice for practices seeking comprehensive EHR capabilities.

Standout Features & Integrations:

Key features of PrognoCIS include appointment scheduling, secure messaging with healthcare providers, prescription refill requests, and complete access to medical records. These features enhance both the patient experience and the efficiency of the practice. In terms of integrations, PrognoCIS can work alongside various EHR systems and is compatible with billing and scheduling systems, enhancing its flexibility and ease of use in a clinical setting.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Supports secure messaging, enhancing communication between patients and providers
  • Fully integrable with various EHR, billing, and scheduling systems
  • Provides a comprehensive suite of features, improving patient autonomy

Cons:

  • Limited information about user interface and ease of use
  • The extensive functionality may be complex for smaller practices
  • Pricing information is not disclosed on the website

Best for a patient-centric experience with passport feature

  • From $200/user/month.

Elation Health is a comprehensive patient portal software that puts the patient at the center of care. It empowers patients with the ability to manage their health information effectively, enhancing their healthcare journey. A crucial component of Elation Health is the passport feature, which creates a robust, patient-centric experience.

Why I Picked Elation Health: When I selected Elation Health for this list, it was the passport feature that clinched my decision. This feature allows patients to access, manage, and share their health data effortlessly, which fosters an unmatched patient-centric experience.

Elation Health stands apart from the rest with this innovative feature. I determined that Elation Health is best for a patient-centric experience because it offers a unique tool that empowers patients to take an active role in their healthcare management.

Standout Features & Integrations:

Elation Health offers a suite of features that includes appointment scheduling, prescription management, and direct messaging with healthcare providers. Its passport feature, however, is the highlight, providing patient management with real-time access to their health data.

The software can integrate seamlessly with a variety of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems and billing software, fostering efficient healthcare service delivery and management.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Efficient third-party integrations
  • Wide range of features
  • Innovative passport feature for patient-centric care

Cons:

  • Might require a learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
  • No free plan available
  • High starting price

Best for mental health professionals needing robust diary management

  • From $27/user/month (billed annually)

PowerDiary is a practice management software designed specifically for mental health professionals. It offers a variety of features designed to streamline practice management, including appointment scheduling, client management, and online booking. Its diary management feature, in particular, has been developed with the needs of mental health practitioners in mind.

Why I Picked PowerDiary: I chose PowerDiary for its focus on mental health practitioners. In comparison to other tools, it's clear that it was designed with this specific user group in mind, ensuring that all the tools and features are relevant and useful.

It stands out with its robust diary management, making it the best choice for mental health professionals who need to manage appointments, notes, and client details in a single place.

Standout Features & Integrations:

PowerDiary's standout feature is definitely its robust diary management. This allows professionals to manage their appointments, add notes, and see at a glance what their day or week looks like. It also integrates with popular software tools like Xero and Stripe, allowing users to manage their billing and payments within the same system.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Integrates with popular tools like Xero and Stripe
  • Focus on mental health professionals
  • Robust diary management feature

Cons:

  • Interface might be overwhelming for new users
  • Some features may not be as robust as specialized solutions
  • Pricing is based on annual billing

Best for Canadian clinics seeking an EMR with telehealth functionality

  • Pricing upon request

Cortico is an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system designed specifically for Canadian healthcare providers. It integrates various features including appointment scheduling, billing, and a patient portal. However, its standout feature is its integrated telehealth functionality, making it ideal for Canadian clinics that aim to offer flexible healthcare delivery methods.

Why I Picked Cortico: I picked Cortico because of its strong emphasis on telehealth services, a feature not commonly integrated into all EMRs. Additionally, its design specifically for Canadian healthcare providers sets it apart in a market that is often US-centric. In my judgment, these characteristics make Cortico the best choice for Canadian clinics seeking a comprehensive EMR system with added telehealth functionality.

Standout Features & Integrations:

One of the key features of Cortico is its integrated telehealth functionality, which allows healthcare providers to consult with their patients remotely. It also includes a comprehensive patient portal for easy communication and appointment scheduling. While specific integrations are not prominently listed, Cortico's feature set indicates that it would integrate well with the broader healthcare workflow in Canadian clinics.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive patient portal
  • Integrated telehealth functionality
  • Designed specifically for Canadian healthcare providers

Cons:

  • Might not suit clinics outside of Canada
  • Lack of listed integrations could be a limitation
  • Pricing information is not readily available

Best for clinics needing advanced document management

  • Pricing upon request

Plexia is a comprehensive Electronic Medical Records (EMR) platform designed to streamline workflows for clinics. It offers a suite of features including appointment scheduling, billing, and a patient portal. What sets Plexia apart, however, is its advanced document management system, making it ideal for clinics with heavy documentation needs.

Why I Picked Plexia: I selected Plexia for this list because of its emphasis on effective document management. In my evaluation, I determined that its advanced document management capabilities, combined with the standard features of an EMR system, make Plexia stand out. It's because of this blend of functionality that I consider Plexia best for clinics needing sophisticated document management systems.

Standout Features & Integrations:

Plexia's standout feature is certainly its advanced document management system, designed to help clinics efficiently manage their heavy documentation workload. It also offers features like appointment scheduling and a patient portal, standard in many EMR platforms. Information regarding specific software integrations is not prominently listed on the Plexia website, but the platform's feature set suggests it would integrate well with broader healthcare workflows.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Designed to streamline clinic workflows
  • Comprehensive set of EMR features
  • Advanced document management capabilities

Cons:

  • Website could be more informative about the product's details
  • Absence of listed integrations could be limiting
  • Pricing information is not readily available

Other Patient Portal Software

  1. NextGEN

    Best for scalable patient communication

  2. Moxo

    Best for seamless healthcare operations

  3. SimplePractice

    Best for private practices seeking streamlined client management

  4. AdvancedMD

    Best for complete patient engagement features

  5. Carepatron

    Best for real-time communication with caregivers

  6. OpenDental

    Best for integrated dental practice management

  7. MedicsPortal

    Best for secure patient-provider messaging

  8. AIMDek

    Best for custom healthcare IT solutions

  9. NueMD

    Best for easy access to health records and appointment management

Other Healthcare Software Reviews

Selection Criteria For Patient Portal Software

When it comes to choosing a patient portal software, there are a few critical elements to consider. In my extensive evaluation, I've tested and researched a multitude of these tools, and there were certain criteria that consistently made the difference in functionality and usability.

Core Functionality

A top-quality patient portal software should allow you to:

  • Provide secure access for patients to view their medical records, test results, and other health information.
  • Enable patients to easily schedule, modify, or cancel appointments.
  • Support communication between patients and healthcare providers.
  • Facilitate prescription refills requests and tracking.
  • Implement payment processing for medical bills.

Key Features

When selecting a patient portal software, keep an eye out for these essential features:

  • Customizable interface: The portal should be easily tailored to match the look and feel of your healthcare organization's brand.
  • E-Prescription: It should support electronic prescription making it easier for patients to get their medication.
  • Multilingual Support: Cater to a diverse patient population with multiple language options.
  • Health Education Resources: An option for patients to access health educational materials related to their conditions or treatments.
  • Mobile Access: In today's digital age, a mobile-friendly interface or a dedicated app is a must.

Usability

In terms of usability, product design and customer support can make or break the user experience. Here's what to look for:

  • Intuitive Design: The patient portal software should have a user-friendly and intuitive design, making it easy even for non-tech-savvy patients to navigate and use.
  • Quick Onboarding: It should provide easy setup and onboarding process, enabling healthcare providers to get started quickly.
  • Reliable Support: Strong customer support is crucial for addressing any technical issues that may arise.
  • Comprehensive Training Materials: The software should provide a learning library or training program to help users understand its full capabilities.
  • Security: Above all, the software should have robust security measures in place to protect sensitive patient data.

People Also Ask

What are the benefits of using patient portal software?

Patient portal software offers numerous benefits.

  1. It empowers patients with direct access to their health records and appointments, increasing their involvement in their own healthcare.
  2. It enhances the efficiency of healthcare practices by reducing the burden of administrative tasks like scheduling and prescription refills.
  3. It fosters better communication between patients and healthcare providers.
  4. It can reduce no-show rates by sending appointment reminders to patients. Lastly, it can also streamline the payment process by offering online bill pay options.

How much do these patient portal software tools cost?

The cost of patient portal software varies greatly depending on the features, functionalities, and the number of users. Some platforms offer pricing per provider, while others may charge based on the number of patients.

What are the pricing models of patient portal software?

Patient portal software usually follows a subscription-based pricing model, typically charged on a monthly or annual basis. There are also vendors that charge a one-time license fee, but they are less common.

What is the typical range of pricing for patient portal software?

The pricing for patient portal software generally ranges from $30/user/month to several hundred dollars per month for more comprehensive solutions. It’s important to note that many of these platforms also charge an initial setup or implementation fee.

Which are the cheapest and most expensive software options?

Based on our review, the most affordable option is AIMDek, with a starting price of $30/user/month. On the higher end, AdvancedMD, with its comprehensive suite of features, starts at $279/user/month.

Are there any free patient portal software options?

While there are no completely free patient portal software options on our list, several providers do offer free trials or demo versions of their software. These trials can be a great way to evaluate if a certain tool fits your needs before committing to a purchase.

Summary

To wrap things up, choosing the right patient portal software can significantly streamline your healthcare practice's operations while enhancing patient satisfaction and engagement. When selecting a platform, it's crucial to consider factors such as core functionality, key features, and usability.

Key Takeaways

  1. Core functionality is crucial: Make sure that the software provides essential functions like access to medical records, appointment scheduling, prescription refills, secure messaging, and online bill payment.
  2. Prioritize important features: Look for features that are unique to your healthcare practice's needs. This could include integrations with other healthcare software, customizable interfaces, or the ability to handle multiple locations.
  3. Usability matters: A user-friendly interface and good customer support can make the transition to new software smoother. Moreover, easy onboarding, intuitive design, and responsive customer service are aspects that can enhance your experience with patient portal software.

Remember, the best software for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and technical capacity. With these key takeaways, you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision.

What Do You Think?

Absolutely, we would love to hear from you. If there are any patient portal software solutions that you've found particularly helpful or believe should be included on this list, please feel free to share. Your experiences and suggestions could greatly assist others looking for the best patient portal software. So, don't hesitate to get in touch and let us know your thoughts!

John Payne
By John Payne

John Payne is the co-founder and company director of Symphony Health. With over 20 years of management experience John is working alongside his wife, Dr. Kate Payne to build a multi-site Medical Practice where staff work collaboratively for the good of their patients. John is passionate about improving access to quality Healthcare in North Vancouver and sharing best practice with other people managing medical practices.