Running a small independent practice today means more than just seeing patients—it’s also managing scheduling, payments and insurance billing, documentation, patient follow-up and engagement, and compliance. The right EMR (Electronic Medical Record) system can help you streamline operations, reduce administrative burdens, and improve patient outcomes without overwhelming your budget or staff.
Whether you’re a solo provider or part of a small team, choosing an EMR built for small practices is essential to saving time and scaling sustainably.
What is an EMR for Small Practices?
An EMR is a digital platform for managing patient records, clinical documentation, and practice operations. For small practices, an ideal EMR should be affordable, easy to use, and tailored to specialty-specific workflows. Unlike enterprise systems, which prioritize operational scale and standardization, EMRs for small practices emphasize flexibility, customization, and user-friendly features that support individualized care.
Why Use an EMR in a Small Practice?
EMRs help small practices improve clinical accuracy, reduce paperwork, and stay compliant with regulatory requirements like HIPAA and e-prescribing mandates. Many EMRs for small practices also integrate scheduling, telehealth, patient communications and payments—allowing teams to operate more efficiently and deliver better patient experiences.
Top 9 EMRs for Small Practices in 2025
1. OptiMantra
Overview: OptiMantra is a top choice for primary care, mental health, wellness, and aesthetics-focused small practices. With robust customization and a well-rounded mix of clinical and business features, it’s ideal for providers offering a range of services in a small practice setting. It also has a host of patient engagement features, so it scales as your business grows.
Key Features:
- Thousands of custom charting templates and intake forms including for primary care, functional medicine, aesthetics, HRT, weightloss, and moreBuilt-in scheduling, telehealth, and payments (with terminals)
- Integrated eRx, labs, and insurance billing
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Annotatable before/after images
- Robust patient portal and mobile app
- Highly rated support and workflow automation
User Reviews:
- OptiMantra on Capterra: Rated 4.8/5 Stars
- OptiMantra on G2: Rated 5/5 Stars
2. Tebra (formerly Kareo)
Overview: Tebra combines clinical functionality with a patient engagement platform, making it a solid option for general outpatient and specialty care. This platform is best for small clinics with insurance-heavy patients and a need for strong billing features.
Key Features:
- Easy-to-use charting and prescribing
- Automated claims and billing workflows
- Built-in patient reminders and engagement
- Telehealth integration
User Reviews:
- Tebra on Capterra: Rated 3.9/5 Stars
- Tebra on G2: Rated 4.1/5 Stars
3. SimplePractice
Overview: Designed with solo mental health professionals in mind, SimplePractice is an intuitive, user-friendly, and lightweight platform with streamlined workflows.
Key Features:
- HIPAA-compliant telehealth
- Customizable SOAP notes and treatment plans
- Automated appointment reminders
- Client portal and mobile app
User Reviews:
- SimplePractice on Capterra: Rated 4.6/5 Stars
- SimplePractice on G2: Rated 4.1/5 Stars
4. Elation Health
Overview: A clinical-first EHR ideal for independent primary care and direct primary care (DPC) models, Elation Health prioritizes fast, intuitive documentation and collaborative care tools.
Key Features:
- Streamlined clinical workflows
- Integrated labs and orders
- Patient communication tools
- DPC-specific features
User Reviews:
- Elation on Capterra: Rated 4/5 Stars
- Elation on G2: Rated 4.1/5 Stars
5. DrChrono
Overview: DrChrono offers a fully integrated web- and mobile-based EHR and practice management platform suitable for providers seeking mobile-first workflows.
Key Features:
- Custom charting and template builder
- Variable-duration scheduling
- Built-in billing and RCM tools
- Telehealth and mobile eRx
User Reviews:
- DrChrono on Capterra: Rated 4/5 Stars
- DrChrono on G2: Rated 3.4/5 Stars
6. AdvancedMD
Overview: An all-in-one system for well-funded practices, especially those with in-house billing teams that need robust revenue management features.
Key Features:
- Revenue cycle management
- Integrated scheduling, charting, and claims
- Business intelligence dashboards
- Telemedicine and patient messaging
User Reviews:
- AdvancedMD on Capterra: Rated 3.6/5 Stars
- AdvancedMD on G2: Rated 3.6/5 Stars
7. CharmHealth
Overview: CharmHealth is a budget-friendly with a free-mium model, cloud-based EHR with a broad suite of customizable features for small general or integrative practices.
Key Features:
- SOAP notes and specialty templates
- Practice management and RCM tools
- Patient portal and appointment booking
- Inventory tracking and telehealth
User Reviews:
- CharmHealth on Capterra: Rated 4.2/5 Stars
8. Practice Fusion
Overview: Practice Fusion is an entry-level EHR system designed for small primary care practices that need basic functionality with low overhead.
Key Features:
- Web-based charting and eRx
- Labs and imaging integrations
- Basic reporting and scheduling
- Easy to set up and use
- https://www.g2.com/products/practice-fusion/
User Reviews:
- Practice Fusion on Capterra: Rated 3.7/5 Stars
- Practice Fusion on G2: Rated 3.8/5 Stars
9. Jane App
Overview: Jane is a good fit for allied health professionals and small wellness clinics, offering strong online booking scheduling tools for providers.
Key Features:
- Online booking and payment
- Custom charting templates
- Built-in telehealth
- Client communication and reminders
User Reviews:
- Jane on Capterra: Rated 4.8/5 Stars
- Jane on G2: Rated 4/5 Stars
Final Thoughts: Which EMR is Right for Your Small Practice?
From telehealth to scheduling and patient messaging, these EMRs bring together the tools small practices need to stay efficient and connected.
However, if you're looking for the best EMR for small practices—one that combines clinical depth, flexible templates, and built-in tools for scheduling, billing, and patient engagement—OptiMantra stands out. It’s trusted by medical and wellness clinics that need more than a one-size-fits-all solution, offering the features and flexibility to grow with your practice.
Explore OptiMantra – Try it for free here!
