Epic EHR vs Oracle Health (formerly Cerner) 2025 comparison

When evaluating enterprise EHR systems, Epic and Cerner (now Oracle Health) consistently top the shortlist for hospitals and large healthcare organizations. They aren’t the only options, but they are among the most widely adopted, collectively supporting tens of thousands of clinicians and managing medical records for the majority of U.S. patients.

As of 2025, Epic leads the U.S. hospital market in the U.S. by a wide margin, while Oracle Health (formerly Cerner) still serves a large share of health systems despite operational headwinds following Oracle’s acquisition.

Both platforms offer comprehensive tools for managing clinical workflows, patient communication, and revenue cycle operations. But with growing complexity, budget pressures, and evolving patient expectations, choosing between Epic vs Cerner requires a nuanced look at features, scalability, pricing, and fit.

This guide explores how Epic and Cerner compare across all the major categories, so you can decide which one makes the most sense for your organization.

Epic vs Oracle Health (Cerner) feature comparison

Clinical modules and specialty support

Both Epic and Cerner offer comprehensive modules tailored to specific medical specialties.

• Epic supports over 24 specialty modules, each developed with input from practicing clinicians. This includes tools for cardiology, dermatology, rehabilitation, fertility, and more.
• Cerner (Oracle Health) offers more than 50 specialty-specific modules, with strong support for everything from large-scale hospital systems to outpatient labs and behavioral health.

Interoperability and customization

Both systems support open, standards-based interoperability:

• Epic offers Care Everywhere, enabling seamless record exchange across participating networks.
• Oracle Health Cerner emphasizes its Oracle Health Data Intelligence platform  (formerly Cerner HealtheIntent) for population health and integration with third-party systems.

Customization is possible with both platforms, though some healthcare organizations report a steeper learning curve with Epic, while Oracle Health may offer more flexibility for certain types of implementations.

Patient engagement and Telehealth capabilities

Telehealth tools

In response to rising demand, Epic and Oracle Health have each developed integrated telehealth services:

• Epic includes video visits, remote monitoring, eConsults, and virtual rounding, tightly integrated through MyChart.
• Cerner launched Virtual Health Care, originally aimed at rural patient access. Oracle Health continues to support virtual consults, patient outreach, and follow-ups via secure video.

Patient portals

Epic’s MyChart lets patients schedule appointments, send messages, access records, and attend virtual visits. The Oracle Health Patient Portal offers similar capabilities and is designed to support patient self-management and engagement.

Mobile access: Epic and Oracle Health on the go

Both vendors offer mobile platforms designed for clinical use:

• Epic provides several device-specific apps: Haiku (for smartphones), Canto (for tablets), and Limerick (for smartwatches).
• Oracle Health’s PowerChart Touch is available across mobile devices and supports clinical documentation, imaging review, messaging, and note capture on the go.

Revenue cycle management and financial tools

Epic revenue cycle

Epic integrates revenue and coding automation directly into its clinical workflows:

• Real-time coding suggestions
• Patient self-pay tools
• Automated prior authorizations and claims submission

These features support cost efficiency and help improve financial performance for large health systems.

Oracle Health revenue cycle

The former Cerner RevWorks offers similar functionality as part of the broader Oracle Health Revenue Cycle and Consumer Management Platform:

• Improved claims processing and reimbursements
• Workflow optimization for billing teams
• Financial analytics and decision support tools

While reviews indicate mixed satisfaction around RevWorks implementation, many users note improvements in revenue capture over time with proper optimization.

Epic vs  Oracle Health (Cerner): Practice size and ideal customers

Is Oracle Health better than Epic for mid-sized organizations?

Cerner historically supported a wider range of hospital sizes, and Oracle has reinforced this with ongoing investments in cloud infrastructure.

Epic is typically used in large, integrated health systems. Oracle Health (Cerner) is more broadly distributed across hospitals of varying sizes, government contracts (including the VA), and ambulatory care networks.

Compare Epic EHR and Oracle Health EHR (Cerner) based on features, pricing, specialties, and more using our free comparison tool.

AI functionality in Epic and Oracle Health

Oracle Health Clinical AI agent

Oracle Health now offers its Clinical AI Agent, a voice-and-screen–driven assistant embedded directly within its EHR

• Active in 30+ specialties including cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology, behavioral health, and more.
• Helps reduce physician documentation time by about 30%, freeing clinicians for patient interaction.
• Combines generative AI with voice recognition to draft notes, suggest clinical follow-ups, and streamline coding, all within the clinician workflow
• Runs on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and supports multimodal interactions (voice + screen) across numerous specialties.

Oracle Health has also announced a next-gen cloud-native EHR, due to launch in 2025, which will integrate the AI agent, voice navigation, and analytics deeply into the user interface. While positive feedback has accumulated around AI efficiency gains, some client concerns remain over broader EHR implementation delays.

Epic's agentic AI initiatives

Epic is continuing to embed generative AI across its EHR and beyond. Showcased at HIMSS25, Epic is building agentic AI (procedural assistants) that automate prep work before, during, and after patient visits. Slicer Dicer Sidekick, launched in November 2024, lets users query datasets conversationally, pulling insights without navigating complex menus.

With adoption times remaining a talking point among non-adopters, Epic has introduced Launchpad, a structured program to help health systems deploy generative AI workflows quickly and with proper governance.

Epic’s AI development is currently available to early adopter sites and continues rolling out in phases throughout 2025, with broader accessibility expected later in the year.

Epic vs Cerner pricing

How much do Oracle Health Cerner and Epic cost?  There is a more complicated answer to that question than providing a simple price tag.  It is also important to consider the cost of EHR implementation, which includes licensure, training, customization, maintenance, and support.  It is well known that there is a multitude of these hidden fees related to the implementation of Epic vs Cerner. 

That said, Epic’s software solution starts at $1200.00, while Oracle Health EHR starts at $25.00 per user per month.

While Oracle Health is generally more affordable upfront, several reviews suggest variability in post-go-live satisfaction and support consistency.