The 5 Different Types of EHR Systems & Which One To Choose in 2026

Key Takeaways

Cloud-based EHR systems: Lower upfront costs and minimal IT overhead, ideal for small to mid-sized clinics.

Specialty-specific EHR systems: Built-in templates and workflows for focused fields like dermatology or oncology.

All-in-one EHR and practice management systems: Clinical records, scheduling, billing, and patient engagement in one platform.

There are five main types of EHR systems, each suited to a different kind of practice. 

This guide compares them side by side so you can see which one fits yours.

What is an EHR System?

Electronic Health Record (EHR) software stores and manages patient data digitally. 

Healthcare providers use it to track medical history, medications, laboratory and test results, and treatment plans.

Core components include:

• Patient records and demographics
• Clinical documents and SOAP notes
• Billing and claims
• Reporting and analytics
• Compliance and data security tools

You’ll often hear the term Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) used interchangeably. 

The difference is scope. EMRs usually stay within one practice, while EHRs are designed to share information across teams, locations, and other healthcare organizations.

5 different types of EHR systems in 2026

Every EHR deployment model solves a different operational problem.

Some reduce IT overhead. Others prioritize control. A few are designed for one specialty and streamline documentation from day one.

Your decision usually comes down to three variables: practice size, workflow complexity, and how much technical responsibility you want to own internally.

Cloud-based EHR systems

Cloud systems host patient data on secure remote servers. Staff log in through a browser from any location. 

Most are delivered as cloud-based services using a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. Clinics don’t have to manage servers or infrastructure themselves.

Key features

• Remote access from any device
• Automatic updates
• Vendor-managed security
• Monthly subscription pricing
• Easy to scale

Benefits

Cloud systems reduce setup time, technical overhead, and upfront spend. Clinics launch faster and avoid ongoing hardware and maintenance work.

In practice, this means:

• Lower initial costs
• No server purchases or upkeep
• Automatic backups and patches
• Faster onboarding for new staff and sites
  

A cost comparison from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry found that on-premise EHR ownership costs roughly $2 million more over two years than comparable cloud deployments.

What to consider

Performance depends on internet stability, and customization is limited to vendor-supported options. Subscription fees become an ongoing operating cost.

The trade-off is lighter IT overhead. 

As Marcie Sannon, Director of Informatics, says, “Cloud-based services let us focus on treating patients, not worrying about cybersecurity scares.”

Best for

• Small to medium practices without dedicated IT staff
• Multi-location clinics needing remote access
• Growing teams adding providers quickly

Popular options

• Pabau: Cloud-based EHR and practice management software built for medi-aesthetic clinics.
• athenahealth (athenaOne): Cloud-based EHR software with revenue cycle management and billing. Common in primary care.
• Oracle Health EHR (formerly Cerner): Enterprise cloud EHR software used by large hospitals and multi-site healthcare organizations.

On-premise EHR systems

On-premise EHR software run on servers located within your facility. Your team manages installation, security, backups, and maintenance.

Key features

• Local data storage
• Full control over infrastructure and security
• Offline access during internet outages
• One-time licensing fees
• Deep configuration options

Benefits

This model provides maximum control over how data is stored and protected. Security policies, permissions, and system behavior can be tailored precisely to internal standards.

The advantages include:

• Internal control of backups and upgrades
• Easier alignment with strict compliance requirements
• Stable access without internet dependency

What to consider

Upfront costs are higher with on-premises systems.

Hardware, installation, and dedicated IT support add up fast. On top of that, your team is responsible for updates, backups, and security.

Best for

• Large hospitals and health systems
• Organizations with established healthcare IT teams
• Practices with strict medical data residency or compliance requirements

Popular options

• Epic Systems: Server-based hospital EHR software for large systems with complex workflows.
• Meditech: Modular on-premise EHR for mid-sized hospitals.
• Allscripts Sunrise: Inpatient hospital EHR with clinical decision support.

Specialty-specific EHR systems

Specialty-specific EHR systems are designed around the workflows of one clinical field. Templates, charting, and integrations match how those teams document care.

Key features

• Pre-built specialty templates
• Specialty documentation tools
• Automated medical coding support
• Integration with specialty equipment
• Designed with clinician input

Benefits

Because the system reflects how providers already work, documentation is faster and more consistent. The benefits include:

• Faster patient charting with fewer custom fields
• Less setup and configuration compared to general EHR software
• Shorter staff training and onboarding
• Cleaner electronic medical records and more accurate coding

Dermatology platforms often include visual mapping and photo storage. Oncology tools track protocols and medication schedules without heavy customization.

What to consider

These tools work best when your services are focused. 

Once you add multiple specialties, you may end up juggling separate systems or paying for custom workarounds. 

Pricing is often higher because you’re paying for niche functionality that may not transfer well if your services expand.

Best for

• Dermatology and cosmetic clinics
• Oncology and infusion centers
• Behavioral health and therapy practices
• Other single-specialty medical practices with repeatable workflows

Popular options:

• ModMed: Specialty EHR software with dermatology and ophthalmology templates and imaging tools
• Nextech: EHR for plastic surgery and medical aesthetics with consult, photo, and procedure documentation.
• Praxis EMR: AI-driven EHR software that adapts to each healthcare provider’s charting style across multiple specialties.

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Open-source EHR systems

Open-source platforms provide publicly available code that you host and modify yourself. 

There are no licensing fees, but all technical responsibility stays in-house.

Key features

• Free source code
• Full customization
• Community-driven support
• No vendor lock-in
• Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)-compatible frameworks

Benefits

Teams with development resources can tailor workflows and integrations precisely to their needs. Costs shift away from licensing and toward engineering and hosting.

With the right technical team in place, the benefits are:

• Complete control over system design
• Flexible integrations
• No recurring vendor contracts

What to consider

Security, uptime, compliance, and maintenance are your responsibility. 

Support typically comes from community forums rather than dedicated teams. Without internal expertise, risk and workload increase quickly. 

For most private clinics, this model is operationally heavy.

Best for

• Organizations with in-house developers
• Research or public health teams
• Highly customized healthcare IT environments

Popular options

• OpenEMR Inc OpenEMR: Open-source EHR with scheduling, billing, and clinical documentation.
• Medplum: API-first platform for building custom healthcare applications and workflows.
• OpenMRS: Open-source medical record system used in public health and global programs.

All-in-one EHR and practice management systems

All-in-one platforms combine clinical records with scheduling, billing, engagement, and reporting in a single system.

Key features

• Clinical documentation and EMR
• Appointment scheduling
• Billing and revenue cycle tools
• Patient portal and messaging
• Marketing automation
• Analytics and reporting

Benefits

Centralizing operations reduces duplicate data entry and removes the need for multiple disconnected tools. 

Staff work from one system, which simplifies training and improves visibility across the business.

The benefits are:

• Fewer integrations to manage
• Faster workflows
• Lower overall software costs
• Real-time operational and financial reporting

What to consider

You’re committing to one vendor across clinical and operational functions. 

Switching later is more complex. Evaluate feature depth carefully and make sure the system supports both care delivery and long-term growth.

Best for

• Growing practices
• Multi-location clinics
• Aesthetics and wellness teams consolidating systems

Popular options

• Pabau: All-in-one EHR and practice management for clinical and electronic medical records, payments, marketing, and reporting.
• Tebra (Veradigm/Allscripts): EHR with scheduling, billing, and patient communication for independent practices.
• Practice Fusion: Free cloud EHR with basic charting and practice management for small or solo clinics.

Core features of modern electronic health record systems

Strong EHR platforms typically include:

• Patient data management: Complete patient history, medication lists, allergies, and laboratory data.
• Clinical decision support: Alerts for interactions, risks, and care gaps.
• Interoperability: FHIR-based data exchange with other healthcare providers.
• E-prescribing: Direct pharmacy integration to reduce medication errors.
• Reporting and analytics: Patient outcomes, performance, and revenue insights.

Many platforms now include AI automation for documentation and voice commands for faster charting. A built-in patient portal handles secure messaging and patient engagement.

How to Choose the Right EHR System for Your Practice

Not all types of EHR systems suit every practice. 

Match the software to your team size, workflows, and day-to-day demands. Here’s what to look for.

Practice size and workflow fit

Your system should match how many providers, rooms, and services you run today and still work when you expand.

• Centralized schedules and shared records for multi-location teams
• Specialty templates for faster charting
• Reporting that covers the whole business

Pabau keeps scheduling, records, and reporting together, so teams manage everything from one dashboard.

Explore all the features Pabau has to offer.

Deployment and IT capacity

Be realistic about support. Server-heavy systems only make sense if you have dedicated IT.

• Cloud platforms handle updates, backups, and security
• Faster setup and fewer maintenance headaches
• No hardware to manage onsite

Pabau is fully cloud-based, so clinics skip the infrastructure work entirely.

Integrations and daily tools

Disconnected tools create double entry and missed information. Your core workflows should live in one place.

• Payments and billing
• Patient portal and messaging
• Forms, notes, and communications

Pabau includes these natively instead of relying on third-party add-ons.

Scalability and automation

Growth adds admin fast. The right system should absorb that workload automatically.

• Automated reminders and follow-ups
• Digital intake and consents
• Real-time reporting across locations

Pabau automates these tasks so teams spend less time on manual work and more time delivering patient care.

Manage Patient Records, Scheduling, and Reporting in One Place with Pabau

The right EHR reduces admin and supports better care. Cloud, specialty, and all-in-one systems each solve different needs.

For medical aesthetics and wellness practices, platforms like Pabau combine clinical records with the operational tools clinics use every day. Scheduling, documentation, payments, and reporting live in one system.

Want to see an all-in-one EHR in action? Book a demo and we’ll walk you through it.