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Owl Practice vs Opus vs NextGen Healthcare EHR vs Athenahealth EHR Comparison

Last updated:

Owl Practice

Starting at $13 /month

  • Large Enterprises
  • Small Business

Owl Practice is an all-in-one EHR and practice management platform purpose-built for mental health professionals, including solo practitioners, group practices, and higher education counseling centers. Designed to simpli…

Opus

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Opus is an all-in-one behavioral health software platform designed to support addiction treatment centers, SUD programs, and behavioral health clinics with a unified solution for managing clinical, operational, and finan…

NextGen Healthcare EHR

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

NextGen Healthcare EHR is a robust, cloud-based electronic health record platform designed to streamline clinical, operational, and revenue workflows in ambulatory care settings. Tailored for practices of all sizes, it o…

Athenahealth EHR

3.3(26 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Athenahealth EHR is designed to make it easy for medical professionals to stay ahead of industry changes and maintain exceptional care. This software provides accurate documentation enabling users to excel in providing q…

Owl Practice vs Opus vs NextGen Healthcare EHR vs Athenahealth EHR — at a glance

FeatureOwl PracticeOpusNextGen Healthcare EHRAthenahealth EHR
Rating3.3 / 5
Reviews26
Starting price$13 /monthContact for pricingContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial No No No No
Free version No No No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryEHR SoftwareEHR SoftwareEHR SoftwareEHR Software
Integrations1+ apps3+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud
API
Support modesOnlineOnline, Business HoursOnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAAHIPAASOC 2, HIPAASOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR
Data residencyUSUSGlobalUS

Key differences between Owl Practice and Opus

  • Pricing: Owl Practice starts at $13 /month. Opus pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Deployment: Owl Practice supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Opus supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Compare Owl Practice vs Opus vs NextGen Healthcare EHR vs Athenahealth EHR — and walk away knowing which one fits.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most EHR Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Owl Practice - Logo
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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Owl Practice

Best for

Large Enterprises, Small Business

Opus

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

NextGen Healthcare EHR

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Athenahealth EHR

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Owl Practice typically suits Large Enterprises and Small Business. Opus tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Owl Practice is an all-in-one EHR and practice management platform purpose-built for mental health professionals, including solo practitioners, group practices, and higher education ... Read More about Owl Practice

Opus is an all-in-one behavioral health software platform designed to support addiction treatment centers, SUD programs, and behavioral health clinics with a unified solution for managing ... Read More about Opus

NextGen Healthcare EHR is a robust, cloud-based electronic health record platform designed to streamline clinical, operational, and revenue workflows in ambulatory care settings. Tailored ... Read More about NextGen Healthcare EHR

Athenahealth EHR is designed to make it easy for medical professionals to stay ahead of industry changes and maintain exceptional care. This software provides accurate documentation ... Read More about Athenahealth EHR

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $13 , monthly
  • Not Available
  • Not Available
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial
  • No free trial
  • No free trial

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

3.3

(26)

Best Company Size

1–50 Employees
11–200 Employees
50 – 1,000+ Employees
5–50 Employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

Owl Practice

  • Simplifies mental health practice operations with tools built specifically for therapists.
  • Enables better client communication and care through secure telehealth and messaging.
  • Supports practice growth with integrated marketing tools and benefit verification systems.

Opus

  • Centralized platform for managing EHR, CRM, and RCM, reducing the need for multiple software tools.
  • Designed specifically for behavioral health and addiction treatment, providing specialty-specific workflows and compliance features.
  • Includes AI automation and telehealth capabilities that improve efficiency and enhance client engagement.

NextGen Healthcare EHR

  • Comprehensive feature-rich platform: Includes patient portal, specialty-specific workflows, practice management, e‑prescribing, and revenue cycle management—all under one cloud-based system.
  • Customizable and scalable: Highly adaptable templates, smart phrases, and specialty modules make it a solid fit for diverse healthcare settings from outpatient to hospitals.
  • Integrated patient engagement & mobility: Secure messaging, appointment management, mobile access, and population health tools improve patient experience and provider efficiency.

Athenahealth EHR

  • Integrated billing and scheduling: Athenahealth provides seamless integration between billing, scheduling, and clinical documentation, streamlining administrative tasks and reducing errors.
  • Cloud-based accessibility: Being a cloud-based platform, Athenahealth allows healthcare providers to access patient records and manage workflows remotely, enhancing flexibility and continuity of care.
  • Regulatory compliance support: The system is designed to help practices comply with healthcare regulations, including HIPAA, by incorporating necessary features such as secure messaging and audit trails.
Best fit

Best fit

Owl Practice

  • 1–50 Employees
  • Mental Health Clinics, Private Practices, Higher Education Counseling Centers, Nonprofit Therapy Groups
  • Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Counselors, Clinical Directors

Opus

  • 11–200 Employees
  • Behavioral Health Clinics, Substance Use Disorder Treatment Centers, Mental Health Organizations, Telehealth Providers
  • Clinical Directors, Behavioral Health Clinicians, Medical Billers, Practice Managers, Intake Coordinators, Licensed Therapists, Administrative Staff

NextGen Healthcare EHR

  • 50 – 1,000+ Employees
  • Healthcare, Ambulatory Care, Specialty Clinics, Community Hospitals, Group Practices
  • Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Practice Managers, Medical Billers, Health IT Staff, Care Coordinators

Athenahealth EHR

  • 5–50 Employees
  • General Medical Practices, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Multispecialty Clinics
  • Physicians, Medical Assistants, Practice Managers, Billing Specialists, IT Support Staff
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Owl Practice

  • Some users may opt for platforms with broader medical use cases when managing mixed-specialty clinics beyond mental health services.
  • Others might prioritize platforms that offer mobile apps for greater flexibility and on-the-go access.
  • Competitors with built-in billing analytics and advanced revenue tracking may be preferred by financially driven practices.

Opus

  • Some clinics may prefer EHR systems with broader medical specializations to accommodate multi-specialty practices.
  • Users may seek platforms with more extensive third-party app integrations, especially with scheduling, email, and calendar tools.
  • Organizations with limited IT support may opt for simpler platforms with fewer features to reduce onboarding time and training costs.

NextGen Healthcare EHR

  • The interface requires significant time to master, especially for users transitioning from more intuitive platforms.
  • Tasks like rescheduling appointments often involve multiple steps, increasing administrative burden.
  • Users report delays and system sluggishness—sometimes exacerbated by server load or internet bandwidth issues.

Athenahealth EHR

  • While Athenahealth offers some degree of customization, many users find it insufficient for tailoring workflows and templates to specific practice needs. This limitation can hinder efficiency and adaptability.
  • Users have reported instances of system lag and slow loading times, which can disrupt clinical workflows and reduce productivity.
  • The platform's complexity necessitates comprehensive training for staff, which can be time-consuming and may temporarily disrupt practice operations.

Software Demo

Demo

No software demo available

Owl Practice has not given any software demo yet

If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us

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How do Owl Practice, Opus, NextGen Healthcare EHR and Athenahealth EHR Compare on Features?

Total Features

10 Features

10 Features

9 Features

7 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare Owl Practice, Opus, NextGen Healthcare EHR and Athenahealth EHR on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

          Starting From

          • $13 , monthly
          • Not Available
          • Not Available
          • Not Available

          Pricing Plans

          • Owl Starter

            $13

            /month

            • Calendar & Scheduling

            • Client Records & Notes

            • Free SMS & Email Reminders

            Show more +

          • Owl Core

            $20

            /month

            • Start For Free

            • EVERYTHING IN STARTER +

            • Unlimited Sessions

            Show more +

          • Owl Pro

            $25

            /month

            • EVERYTHING IN CORE +

            • Secure Messaging

            • Measurement-Based Care

            Show more +

          • Not Available
          • Not Available
          • Not Available

          Pricing Page

          Owl Practice pricing
          Opus pricing
          NextGen Healthcare EHR pricing

          Pricing information not available

          Other Details

          Organization Types supported

          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Large Enterprises
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Large Enterprises
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Large Enterprises
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers
          • Medium Business
          • Small Business
          • Large Enterprises
          • Individuals
          • Freelancers

          Platforms Supported

          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Mobile - Android
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Mobile - Android
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Mobile - Android
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Browser Based (Cloud)
          • Mobile - iOS
          • Mobile - Android
          • Installed - Windows
          • Installed - Mac
          • Browser Based (Cloud)

          Modes of support

          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online
          • 24/7 (Live rep)
          • Business Hours
          • Online

          API Support

          • Not Available
          • Not Available
          • Not Available
          • Not Available
          Get help choosing
          Get help choosing

          Security & Compliance

          Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

          SOC 2

          ✓ Yes

          HIPAA

          ✓ Yes
          ✓ Yes

          GDPR

          Single Sign-On (SSO)

          ✓ Yes

          Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

          ✓ Yes

          Data Encryption

          ✓ Yes

          Audit Logs

          ✓ Yes

          Data Residency

          🇺🇸 US
          🇺🇸 US

          Owl Practice vs Opus vs NextGen Healthcare EHR User Reviews & Rating Comparison

          User Ratings

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          Rating Distribution

          No reviews available for this product

          No reviews available for this product

          64

          62

          22

          9

          9

          5

          11

          6

          0

          8

          Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

          What buyers like

          • Owl Practice is specifically tailored for the needs of mental health practitioners, offering tools that align with therapeutic workflows, such as intelligent note-taking, measurement-based care, and client record management.
          • The platform offers integrated video sessions with features like screen sharing and virtual backgrounds, along with secure client messaging, all designed to meet HIPAA standards and enhance privacy during client communications.
          • Owl Practice simplifies appointment management through a user-friendly scheduling system and automated SMS or email reminders, helping reduce no-shows and administrative load.

          Common complaints

          • While it excels for therapists, Owl Practice may not suit multi-specialty or general medical practices due to its mental health-specific design and features.
          • Users have noted the absence of a dedicated mobile application, which can limit flexibility for therapists who prefer managing their practice on the go.
          • Despite its friendly interface, new users without prior EHR experience may initially face challenges navigating the full suite of features and setup options.

          What buyers like

          • Opus offers a seamlessly integrated environment where clinical documentation, customer relationship management, and billing processes are housed in a single platform. This reduces fragmentation across systems and helps behavioral health organizations maintain a consistent, efficient workflow from intake to discharge.
          • Unlike generalized EHR platforms, Opus is specifically designed for behavioral health and substance use disorder (SUD) providers. This specialization ensures that the platform includes clinically relevant tools, such as treatment planning templates and outcomes assessments tailored for mental and behavioral health settings.
          • Security and compliance are prioritized within Opus, with built-in HIPAA-compliant features that safeguard sensitive patient data. The system supports secure communications and documentation, meeting the regulatory needs of mental health organizations.

          Common complaints

          • While the platform is functionally rich, the lack of clearly advertised integrations with major platforms like Google Calendar, Zoom, or e-prescription networks may limit interoperability for users who rely on external tools for daily operations.
          • Due to its extensive range of features across clinical and business operations, new users—especially small clinics or solo practitioners—may require dedicated onboarding time to fully grasp and use the system effectively.
          • Because Opus is optimized specifically for behavioral health and SUD environments, general medical practices or mixed-specialty clinics might find it lacks features tailored to broader clinical requirements, such as pediatrics or internal medicine.

          What buyers like

          • Easy to navigate and customize templates for individual needs, with support from the user community.
          • The system is user-friendly, quick to navigate, and has good training resources available.
          • Combines EHR and Practice Management into one system, providing a seamless experience.

          Common complaints

          • The interface design may feel outdated and lacks modern features, affecting user experience.
          • Some functions require multiple clicks to access, slowing down workflow efficiency.
          • Reports and customization options can be complex and challenging to set up, especially for large-scale systems.

          Buyer sentiment

          Buyer sentiment is mixed across 30 reviews, so it is worth reviewing the tradeoffs closely.

          What buyers like

          • Convenient and easy to share and update electronic records.
          • Intuitive scheduling system, helpful for both office staff and patients.
          • User-friendly interface, especially for daily patient record tracking.

          Common complaints

          • Disappointing implementation experience with setup complexities and lack of pre-formatted tools.
          • Limited training and support resources, making navigation difficult for new users.
          • Some users find the system non-intuitive in workflows.

          Pros and Cons

          • Owl Practice is specifically tailored for the needs of mental health practitioners, offering tools that align with therapeutic workflows, such as intelligent note-taking, measurement-based care, and client record management.

          • The platform offers integrated video sessions with features like screen sharing and virtual backgrounds, along with secure client messaging, all designed to meet HIPAA standards and enhance privacy during client communications.

          • Owl Practice simplifies appointment management through a user-friendly scheduling system and automated SMS or email reminders, helping reduce no-shows and administrative load.

          • While it excels for therapists, Owl Practice may not suit multi-specialty or general medical practices due to its mental health-specific design and features.

          • Users have noted the absence of a dedicated mobile application, which can limit flexibility for therapists who prefer managing their practice on the go.

          • Opus offers a seamlessly integrated environment where clinical documentation, customer relationship management, and billing processes are housed in a single platform. This reduces fragmentation across systems and helps behavioral health organizations maintain a consistent, efficient workflow from intake to discharge.

          • Unlike generalized EHR platforms, Opus is specifically designed for behavioral health and substance use disorder (SUD) providers. This specialization ensures that the platform includes clinically relevant tools, such as treatment planning templates and outcomes assessments tailored for mental and behavioral health settings.

          • Security and compliance are prioritized within Opus, with built-in HIPAA-compliant features that safeguard sensitive patient data. The system supports secure communications and documentation, meeting the regulatory needs of mental health organizations.

          • While the platform is functionally rich, the lack of clearly advertised integrations with major platforms like Google Calendar, Zoom, or e-prescription networks may limit interoperability for users who rely on external tools for daily operations.

          • Due to its extensive range of features across clinical and business operations, new users—especially small clinics or solo practitioners—may require dedicated onboarding time to fully grasp and use the system effectively.

          • Easy to navigate and customize templates for individual needs, with support from the user community.

          • The system is user-friendly, quick to navigate, and has good training resources available.

          • Combines EHR and Practice Management into one system, providing a seamless experience.

          • The interface design may feel outdated and lacks modern features, affecting user experience.

          • Some functions require multiple clicks to access, slowing down workflow efficiency.

          • Convenient and easy to share and update electronic records.

          • Intuitive scheduling system, helpful for both office staff and patients.

          • User-friendly interface, especially for daily patient record tracking.

          • Disappointing implementation experience with setup complexities and lack of pre-formatted tools.

          • Limited training and support resources, making navigation difficult for new users.

          Positive Reviews

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          Negative Reviews

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          No reviews available for the product

          Integrations

          Integration with other apps

          No Integration information available.

          No Integration information available.

          List of Customers

          Customers

          No Customers information available.

          No Customers information available.

          Vision Care

          Vision Care

          KATZEN EYE GROUP

          KATZEN EYE GROUP

          Otis R. Bowen Center for Human Services

          Otis R. Bowen Center for Human Services

          No Customers information available.

          Media and Screenshots

          Screenshots

          Owl Practice

          5 Screenshots

          No screenshots available.

          Videos

          No videos available.

          video-0

          1 Videos

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          Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

          Frequently asked questions

          Which is better, Owl Practice or Opus?
          Owl Practice and Opus are closely matched with equal user ratings of -1.0. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific EHR Software needs.
          Do Owl Practice and Opus offer a free trial?
          Neither Owl Practice nor Opus currently lists a free trial.
          What is the starting price of Owl Practice vs Opus?
          Owl Practice starts at $13 /month. Opus starts at Contact for pricing.
          What are the top alternatives to Owl Practice?
          Top alternatives to Owl Practice include NextGen Healthcare EHR, Athenahealth EHR, Opus, Remedly, Intergy.
          What are the top alternatives to Opus?
          Top alternatives to Opus include NextGen Healthcare EHR, Athenahealth EHR, HARMONY Medical, Nextech EMR, Fovea EHR Archive.

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