Running a small telehealth practice? Your EMR needs to  work with you — not slow you down.

Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) were supposed to make life easier for small practices. But too often, they turn into a game of “how many clicks until you lose your mind?"

If you're a healthcare provider running a small clinic, you don't have the luxury of an IT department or an unlimited budget.

You need a cloud-based platform that:

• Integrates seamlessly with your workflow
• Enhances patient care
• Doesn't require a PhD in software engineering to set up

Most importantly, you need one that supports clinical documentation without making charting a second full-time job.

Good news: They exist.

Below, we’ve rounded up the 10 best EMR tools for small telehealth practices—with everything you need to know to pick the right one.

What to Look for in an EMR as a Small Telehealth Practice

Before we jump into the list, let’s talk about what actually matters when choosing an EMR. You don’t need an overbuilt system with 200 features you’ll never touch.

• Ease of use – You don’t have time for a month-long training session.
• Affordability – Budgets are tight. Your EMR should save time and money.
• Compliance – HIPAA and ONC-ATCB certification are non-negotiable.
• Cloud-based vs. on-prem – Cloud-based systems save you the trouble of maintaining servers.
• Reliable support – When something breaks (because it will), you need fast help.

With those in mind, let’s break down the best EMRs for small practices.

10 Best EMRs for Independent Practices: A Quick Look

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Deep Dive: The Best EMRs for Small Practices

1. SimplePractice

Best for

Mental health professionals and solo practitioners who want an intuitive, all-in-one system.

Pricing

Starts at $29/month

Overview

SimplePractice is widely used by therapists, counselors, and solo practitioners. It’s known for its user-friendly interface, streamlined workflows, and robust telehealth features.

Key Features:

1. Cloud-based
2. Supports telehealth
3. Appointment scheduling
4. Insurance billing
5. Patient portal

Why You’ll Love It

One of the simplest EMRs to get started with — and support that actually supports you.

Drawbacks

If you need advanced customizations, you may feel a bit limited.

2. Kareo

Best for

Small clinics that deal with insurance-heavy patients and need strong billing features.

Pricing

Custom pricing

Overview

Kareo, a Tebra company, is a comprehensive EMR and EHR service designed for small to mid-sized practices. It focuses on insurance billing and patient engagement tools to help practices get paid faster.

Key Features

• Cloud-based
• Claims management
• Insurance billing
• Patient engagement tools

Why You’ll Love It

Strong financial tools that help you get paid faster.

Drawbacks

Learning curve for beginners.

3. Practice Fusion

Best for

Independent practices looking for a free, cloud-based EMR software with basic functionalities.

Pricing

Starts at $199/month

Overview

One of the rare free EMRs, Practice Fusion is an entry-level tool with e-prescribing and scheduling functionalities. 

Key Features

• Cloud-based
• E-prescribing
• Charting
• Patient scheduling

Why You’ll Love It

Easy to implement.

Drawbacks

A bit expensive with a pricing of $199/month per provider with a required annual commitment.

4. CharmHealth

Best for

Budget-conscious practices needing flexibility in patient care and workflow.

Pricing

Custom pricing

Overview

CharmHealth offers robust compliance and customization at an affordable price. It includes a patient portal and customizable templates.

Key Features

• Cloud-based
• Customizable templates
• Patient portal

Why You’ll Love It

Affordable, strong compliance.

Drawbacks

Some advanced features cost extra.

5. DrChrono

Best for

Practices looking for a highly customizable EMR with strong mobile support.

Pricing

Custom pricing

Overview

DrChrono is one of the most flexible EMR softwares, offering custom templates, billing tools, and a strong iPad interface.

Key Features:

• Cloud-based
• Customizable charting
• E-prescriptions
• Billing

Why You’ll Love It

Great for iPad users.

Drawbacks

Higher cost.

6. AdvancedMD

Best for

Growing small practices that need robust revenue management features.

Pricing

Custom pricing

Overview

AdvancedMD is a feature-rich EMR and EHR service designed for small to mid-sized practices that need strong revenue cycle management. It integrates medical billing, charting, and patient engagement tools into one platform.

Key Features

• Cloud-based
• Revenue cycle management
• Appointment scheduling
• Patient care features
• Customizable templates
• Telehealth

Why You’ll Love It

Scalable for growing practices with high patient volumes.

Drawbacks

Expensive compared to other options.

7. Athenahealth

Best for

Small practices looking for a highly interoperable system with automation features.

Pricing

Custom pricing

Overview

Athenahealth offers an intelligent, AI-driven EMR software that automates repetitive tasks and integrates with numerous other healthcare systems.

Key Features

• Cloud-based
• AI-powered automation
• Claims management
• Interoperability with other EMRs
• Strong reporting tools.

Why You’ll Love It

Saves time with automation and streamlined workflows.

Drawbacks

The learning curve can be steep for non-tech-savvy users.

8. MDToolbox

Best for

Small practices needing a straightforward e-prescribing solution.

Pricing

Starts at $28/month

Overview

MDToolbox is primarily an e-prescribing solution that integrates with many EMR softwares, making it a great add-on for clinics that need an easy way to handle prescriptions.

Key Features

• Cloud-based
• E-prescribing
• Controlled substance tracking
• Medication history

Why You’ll Love It

Simple and effective for prescription management.

Drawbacks

Lacks full EMR functionalities beyond prescriptions.

9. Elation Health

Best for

Primary care providers needing intuitive charting and collaborative care tools.

Pricing

Custom pricing

Overview

Elation Health is known for its intuitive user interface and strong focus on primary care, with features designed to streamline documentation and patient care coordination.

Key Features

• Cloud-based
• Intuitive charting
• Patient communication
• Care collaboration
• E-prescribing.

Why You’ll Love It

Designed with primary care workflows in mind, making clinical documentation smoother.

Drawbacks

Custom pricing means you’ll need to request a quote.

10. CareCloud

Best for

Small practices needing an all-in-one platform with revenue management.

Pricing

Custom pricing

Overview

CareCloud provides an all-in-one EMR, EHR service and practice management solution, with strong revenue cycle management features and customizable workflows.

Key Features

• Cloud-based
• Revenue cycle management
• Patient portal
• Customizable workflows
• Telehealth.

Why You’ll Love It

Great for integrating clinical workflow and patient information.

Drawbacks

Pricing is opaque and requires a consultation.

Charting, but smarter: Meet Freed, your AI scribe

If documentation feels like the worst part of your job (spoiler: it probably does), an AI scribe like Freed can help. Freed listens in real-time, generates structured notes, and even integrates with major EHRs — so you spend less time clicking and more time with patients.

Key Features:

• AI-powered documentation that captures notes from real-time conversations.
• Directly integrates with top EMRs (or simply copy/paste).
• Less late-night charting. More real life.

Final Thoughts: Pick the EMR That Works for You

Your EMR should work for you, not wear you out.

Whether you want something free, ultra-intuitive, or packed with features, there’s a system that fits your needs.

If charting is still a pain? Let Freed handle the notes.

Happy charting (or at least, less frustrating charting).

Bottom line: If you want to stay efficient and compliant, an EMR isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s essential.