Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

REDCap VS Cerner

Compare REDCap VS Cerner and see what are their differences

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REDCap logo REDCap

REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a secure web application for building and managing...

Cerner logo Cerner

Cerner's health information and EHR technologies connect people, information and systems around the world. Serving the technology, clinical, financial and operational needs of health care organizations of every size.
  • REDCap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-21
  • Cerner Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-06

REDCap features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    REDCap is designed with an intuitive user interface, making it easy for researchers and clinicians to set up surveys and databases without extensive technical knowledge.
  • Data Security
    REDCap offers robust security measures, including user authentication, data encryption, and audit logs, ensuring the protection of sensitive data.
  • Customizability
    The platform provides extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor data collection instruments and workflows to their specific research needs.
  • Compliance
    REDCap complies with various regulatory standards such as HIPAA, ensuring that it meets the necessary legal requirements for handling protected health information.
  • Collaboration
    The system supports multi-site access, enabling collaboration between different institutions and researchers on a single project.
  • Integration
    REDCap offers integration capabilities with other systems and software, such as electronic health records (EHR) and statistical software like SAS and SPSS.
  • Community Support
    REDCap has a large, active community that provides support, shares best practices, and contributes to the ongoing development of the platform.
  • Cost-Effective
    Many institutions offer REDCap for free or at a low cost to their members, making it an affordable option for academic and non-profit research.

Possible disadvantages of REDCap

  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While basic functionalities are user-friendly, mastering advanced features and complex workflows may require a steep learning curve.
  • Limited Built-In Analytics
    REDCap has limited built-in statistical analysis tools, requiring users to export data to other software for comprehensive analysis.
  • Dependency on Institutional Support
    The availability and level of user support can vary widely depending on the institution managing the instance of REDCap, potentially affecting user experience.
  • Version Updates
    Frequent updates and new versions can introduce compatibility issues and require users to adapt to new interfaces or functionalities quickly.
  • Customization Complexity
    While highly customizable, achieving specific functionality may require sophisticated knowledge of branching logic, calculated fields, or custom code, which can be time-consuming.
  • Limited Mobile Optimization
    Although REDCap has made strides in mobile optimization, some functionalities might not perform seamlessly on mobile devices.
  • No Built-in Randomization
    The platform does not include built-in randomization methods for clinical trials, necessitating the need for external tools or custom solutions.

Cerner features and specs

  • Comprehensive Solutions
    Cerner offers a wide range of healthcare solutions, encompassing electronic health records (EHR), population health management, and revenue cycle management, among others. This allows providers to manage most aspects of healthcare using a single platform.
  • Interoperability
    Cerner's systems are designed to integrate with various other healthcare technologies, facilitating better data sharing and coordination among different healthcare providers and systems.
  • Scalability
    Cerner’s solutions can be scaled to fit the needs of various healthcare settings, from small clinics to large hospital networks. This makes it a versatile choice for a range of healthcare providers.
  • Strong Analytics
    The platform offers robust analytics and reporting capabilities, helping healthcare providers make data-driven decisions for better patient outcomes and operational efficiency.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Cerner is known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, which can reduce the learning curve for healthcare professionals and improve overall user satisfaction.
  • Support and Training
    Cerner provides extensive training and support resources, including online tutorials, webinars, and user communities, to help ensure that users can make the most of the software.

Possible disadvantages of Cerner

  • Cost
    Cerner's solutions can be expensive, making it potentially unaffordable for smaller healthcare providers. The total cost often includes implementation, subscription, and ongoing support fees.
  • Complex Implementation
    Setting up and customizing Cerner systems can be complex and time-consuming, requiring significant investment in time and resources. This is often a significant barrier for smaller healthcare organizations.
  • Customization Limitations
    While Cerner offers a broad range of functionalities, users may find that certain customization options are limited, which can be a constraint for providers with unique needs.
  • System Downtime
    Some users have reported occasional system downtimes, which can be disruptive to healthcare operations and affect patient care.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the comprehensive nature of Cerner's solutions can result in a steep learning curve, demanding considerable time and effort for training.
  • Customer Service Issues
    There have been reports of slow response times and less-than-satisfactory support experiences, which can be frustrating for users needing immediate assistance.

Analysis of REDCap

Overall verdict

  • Yes, REDCap is widely regarded as a good tool for data management and research purposes.

Why this product is good

  • REDCap is highly customizable and can accommodate a wide variety of data collection projects.
  • It is secure and compliant with standards such as HIPAA, making it suitable for healthcare research.
  • The platform supports complex data entry workflows and sophisticated data export features.
  • REDCap has a strong global user community, offering plenty of resources and support.
  • It offers features for survey distribution, project tracking, and advanced user management.

Recommended for

  • Academic researchers conducting complex data collection and analysis.
  • Healthcare institutions managing patient data under strict compliance requirements.
  • Non-profits needing a reliable system for survey data collection.
  • Government agencies conducting large-scale data surveys and research.

Analysis of Cerner

Overall verdict

  • Cerner is generally considered a good choice for healthcare IT solutions.

Why this product is good

  • Cerner offers a comprehensive suite of products and services that cater to various facets of healthcare, including electronic health records (EHR), revenue cycle management, and population health management. Their systems are known for being robust, integrating well with other platforms, and improving healthcare delivery efficiency. Cerner's consistent focus on innovation and adapting to industry needs further enhances its reputation.

Recommended for

  • Hospitals and healthcare systems seeking a robust EHR solution
  • Healthcare organizations looking to streamline operations through integrated IT systems
  • Clinics aiming to improve patient care and coordination

REDCap videos

EGGLIA: LEGEND OF THE REDCAP | AppSpy Review

More videos:

Cerner videos

Cerner View Only Results Review

More videos:

  • Review - Cerner General Overview and Structure
  • Review - CERNER HEALTH SERVICES, INC Employee Reviews - Q3 2018

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to REDCap and Cerner)
Clinical Trial Management System
Medical Practice Management
SMS Surveys
100 100%
0% 0
Sport & Health
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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

Based on our record, REDCap should be more popular than Cerner. It has been mentiond 3 times 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.

REDCap mentions (3)

  • Software to manage human research participant database?
    REDCap seems similar to what you are searching for. It is secure (including compliance with 21 CFR Part 11, FISMA, HIPAA, and GDPR). It is widely disseminated, and you can check if your institution has access to it. It is "free" as long as your institution agrees to the terms and conditions of the REDCap org. Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Would I be violating any laws, policies, etc if I used AutoHotKey with EPIC?
    I'm working on a research project that involves abstracting and importing patient data from EPIC into REDCap for later analysis. Currently, we are doing this manually (i.e. Copying and pasting things like name, date of birth, etc), and as you can imagine, it is quite tedious (and doing a single patient takes an hour and a half). Source: about 4 years ago
  • Database Software Recommendation?
    Not sure if your facility would qualify, but this is pretty amazing. Uses a MySQL backend. https://projectredcap.org/. Source: about 5 years ago

Cerner mentions (1)

  • What is the Oracle version of this subreddit?
    No you don't...you just need a work email. cerner.com works. Source: about 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing REDCap and Cerner, you can also consider the following products

Castor EDC - Castor offers you a user-friendly and fully featured application for electronic data collection.

Epic.live - Kia ora and welcome to EPIC.

OpenClinica - OpenClinica is an open source clinical trials software.

eClinicalWorks - eClinicalWorks - the largest Cloud EHR in the nation. Make the switch to eClinicalWorks

Medidata Rave - Medidata Rave® is a cloud–based clinical data management system used to electronically capture, manage, and report clinical research data.

WebPT - WebPT is a completely legit and reliable physical therapy automation software platform that allows rehabilitation centers to streamline their business operations.