Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenEMR VS GNU Health

Compare OpenEMR VS GNU Health and see what are their differences

OpenEMR logo OpenEMR

OpenEMR is an open source electronic health records and medical practice management solution.

GNU Health logo GNU Health

GNU Health is a Free/Libre project for health practitioners, health institutions and governments.
  • OpenEMR Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-15
  • GNU Health Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-01

OpenEMR features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenEMR is an open-source platform, meaning it is free to use and offers users the ability to modify the source code to fit their specific needs.
  • Compliance
    It is ONC Complete Ambulatory EHR certified and supports HIPAA compliance, ensuring it meets important legal and regulatory standards for electronic health records.
  • Multilingual Support
    OpenEMR offers multilingual support, which makes it accessible to users in various regions and enhances usability in diverse linguistic environments.
  • Comprehensive Features
    It includes a wide range of features like electronic medical records, practice management, billing, and scheduling, providing an all-in-one solution for healthcare providers.
  • Community Support
    Backed by a large and active community, users can access a wealth of resources, forums, and community knowledge to troubleshoot issues and gain insights into effectively using the system.

Possible disadvantages of OpenEMR

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its comprehensive nature and wide array of features, users may face a steep learning curve when first adopting OpenEMR, especially without formal training.
  • Customization Complexity
    While customization is possible, it can be technically complex and may require a knowledgeable IT team to modify and maintain the system, potentially increasing overhead costs.
  • Limited Out-of-the-Box Support
    As an open-source solution, professional support may not be readily available out-of-the-box compared to commercial EHR systems, requiring reliance on community assistance or third-party vendors.
  • Interface Usability
    Some users find the interface outdated or not as user-friendly as other modern EHR systems, which might affect the efficiency of daily operations.
  • Integration Challenges
    While it offers a range of features, integrating OpenEMR with external systems or newer technologies might require additional effort and technical expertise.

GNU Health features and specs

  • Open Source
    GNU Health is open source, meaning it is freely available to use, modify, and distribute. This allows healthcare organizations to reduce costs associated with licensing fees and offers flexibility in customization.
  • Comprehensive EHR
    GNU Health provides a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system that caters to various medical and administrative needs, including patient management, billing, and health reporting.
  • Community Support
    Being part of the GNU project, GNU Health benefits from a global community of developers and users who contribute to its development and provide support, fostering continual improvement and innovation.
  • Interoperability
    GNU Health supports standards such as HL7, facilitating interoperability with other healthcare systems and ensuring information can be shared seamlessly between platforms.
  • Multi-language Support
    It supports multiple languages, making it accessible to a diverse range of users globally and adaptable to various regional requirements.

Possible disadvantages of GNU Health

  • Technical Expertise Required
    Implementing and maintaining GNU Health may require a certain level of technical expertise in open-source software, which can be a barrier for organizations without adequate IT staff.
  • Limited Integration
    While GNU Health aims for interoperability, it may still face challenges integrating seamlessly with certain proprietary healthcare systems, which could limit its adoption in some settings.
  • Custom Development Needed
    Organizations might need custom development to tailor GNU Health to specific needs, which could require time and resources beyond what is available out of the box.
  • Learning Curve
    There can be a steep learning curve for new users, which might necessitate additional training and time for staff to effectively use the system.
  • Resource Intensive
    Although it is cost-effective due to its open-source nature, the deployment and maintenance of the system can be resource-intensive, demanding substantial initial setup efforts.

OpenEMR videos

Is OpenEMR the Right Choice for You?

More videos:

  • Review - openEMR Introduction
  • Review - Choosing a User Interface OpenEMR

GNU Health videos

openSUSE Conference 2018 - The GNU Health : Free Software technology improving Public Healthcare aro

More videos:

  • Review - GUADEC 2019 - Luis Falcón, M.D. - GNU HEALTH: The Fight for our Rights in the Public Health System
  • Review - GNU Health MacOS Client

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenEMR and GNU Health)
Medical Practice Management
Electronic Health Records
Practice Management
54 54%
46% 46
Medical Billing
56 56%
44% 44

User comments

Share your experience with using OpenEMR and GNU Health. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GNU Health seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OpenEMR mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of OpenEMR yet. Tracking of OpenEMR recommendations started around Mar 2021.

GNU Health mentions (1)

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenEMR and GNU Health, you can also consider the following products

Solismed - A free clinic management system designed for use by independent practices and free clinics. It's designed to automate your business operations and help you get things done more quickly.

OpenMRS - OpenMRS is a community-developed, open source, enterprise electronic medical record system platform.

drchrono - An EHR built for your specialty:

Kareo - Kareo - Go Practice | Medical Office Software for Small Practices

ChARM EHR - ChARM EHR is an cloud-based, HIPAA Compliant, MU2 certified, ambulatory Electronic Health Records...

CureMD - CureMD is the leading provider of innovative technology and medical billing services that transform the administrative and clinical operations of healthcare organizations.