Best AI Medical Scribes 2026: Independent Practices Guide

Introduction

The AI medical scribe market has matured dramatically in 2024-2025. What started with Nuance’s acquisition of DAX in 2019 has evolved into a competitive marketplace with solutions ranging from enterprise-grade systems to simple mobile-first apps, each serving different practice types and priorities.

The technology now works. Today’s AI scribes genuinely reduce documentation time, improve note quality, and help you see more patients without burning out. Practices consistently report saving 1-2 hours per provider per day, which translates to seeing 2-4 more patients daily or reclaiming time for work-life balance.

But there is no single “best” AI scribe. The right choice depends entirely on your practice context: size, EHR environment, internet reliability, audit risk, budget constraints, and specialty needs.

How to use this guide: This comparison aims to help you find the right fit, not declare a universal winner. We’ll be honest about where each platform excels and where it falls short. Use this guide to:

• Understand what differentiates these solutions beyond marketing claims
• Identify which features actually matter for your specific use case
• Compare pricing and implementation requirements
• Make a confident decision based on your practice’s unique needs

We’ll compare six major platforms: Nuance DAX Copilot, Abridge, Suki, Freed, DeepScribe, and OrbDoc. By the end, you’ll understand which solution matches your practice type and priorities.

Comparison Framework: What Actually Matters

Before diving into specific solutions, let’s establish the evaluation criteria that separate marketing hype from real-world performance. Not all features are created equal, and what matters most depends on your practice type and priorities.

1. Evidence-Linking and Audit Defense

What it is: The ability to link every statement in your clinical note back to the exact moment in the patient conversation where that information was discussed. Think of it as “show your work” for AI-generated documentation.

Why it matters: In an audit or malpractice case, “the AI said so” is not a defense. You need to prove that documented information was actually discussed with the patient. Only systems that maintain audio recordings with timestamp links can provide this proof. Most AI scribes generate text from transcripts, then delete the audio—leaving you with no evidence trail if questioned.

Who needs it: High-risk specialties (urgent care, ER, surgical), practices with history of audits, any provider concerned about liability. Less critical for low-risk primary care with established patient relationships.

2. Audio Storage Duration and Accessibility

What it is: How long the system retains original audio recordings and whether you can access them after initial note generation.

Why it matters: Medical-legal cases can emerge years after an encounter. Audio records provide the most complete documentation of what was actually said. Transcript-only systems lose nuance, tone, and cannot definitively prove what was discussed if the transcript accuracy is questioned.

Storage standards: Most solutions store audio for 0-90 days if at all. HIPAA requires 6 years minimum for medical records; some states mandate 7+ years. If your AI scribe deletes audio after 30 days, you have a documentation gap.

3. Discharge Documentation Capability

What it is: The ability to generate patient-facing discharge instructions, after-visit summaries, and care plans—not just provider notes for the EHR.

Why it matters: Discharge instructions impact patient outcomes, readmission rates, and satisfaction scores. Most AI scribes focus exclusively on provider documentation. Creating patient-facing materials requires different AI models trained on patient communication, not medical jargon.

Real-world impact: Practices that provide comprehensive, personalized discharge instructions see 15-20% reductions in follow-up calls and improved compliance with care plans.

4. Offline Functionality

What it is: Whether the scribe works without internet connectivity, processing audio locally on your device.

Why it matters: Critical for rural clinics with unreliable internet, home visits, and urgent care centers with spotty connectivity. Also relevant for providers concerned about data security—local processing means patient audio never leaves your device until you choose to sync.

Trade-offs: Offline capability requires more sophisticated mobile apps and powerful devices. Most cloud-only solutions offer better AI accuracy but require constant connectivity.

5. Mobile-First vs Desktop Design

What it is: Whether the solution is designed primarily for smartphone use during encounters or requires you to use a desktop/tablet.

Why it matters: Mobile-first solutions fit naturally into modern workflows—your phone is already in your pocket. Desktop solutions require dedicated hardware in every exam room and don’t work for home visits or mobile care. However, desktop solutions often integrate more deeply with EHR workflows.

Provider preference: Younger providers overwhelmingly prefer mobile. Providers over 50 may prefer desktop, especially if they’re used to EHR desktop workflows.

6. EHR Integration Depth

What it is: How the AI scribe connects to your electronic health record—from simple copy-paste to deep bidirectional integration.

Integration levels:

• Level 1 (Copy-paste): Generate note in scribe app, manually paste into EHR
• Level 2 (Single-click): One-click transfer of note to EHR, but manual field mapping
• Level 3 (Automated): Automatic field mapping to correct EHR note sections
• Level 4 (Bidirectional): Reads EHR data to inform note generation, writes back automatically

Why it matters: Deeper integration saves time but requires IT resources for setup and creates vendor lock-in. Level 1 works fine for small practices. Level 3-4 is essential for large groups and health systems where minimizing clicks matters at scale.

7. Pricing Transparency and Model

What it is: How the vendor charges (per-provider, per-note, or tiered) and whether pricing is publicly available.

Why it matters: Hidden pricing often means higher costs and aggressive sales tactics. Per-note pricing can balloon with high-volume providers. Per-provider pricing provides predictability but may be wasteful for part-time providers.

Red flags: “Contact sales for pricing,” automatic price increases in year two, charging separately for features that should be standard (like audio storage or EHR integration).

Complete Feature Comparison

Here’s an honest, comprehensive comparison of the major AI medical scribe solutions available in 2025:

Solution Profiles: Deep Dive

Nuance DAX Copilot: The Enterprise Standard

Best for: Large health systems, Epic-heavy environments, providers who want zero-click workflows

Core differentiation: Nuance pioneered ambient AI scribes and offers the deepest EHR integration available. DAX Copilot is embedded directly into Epic workflows—notes appear automatically in the correct fields without any provider action. The brand name carries weight with hospital IT departments and procurement.

Key features:

• Level 4 bidirectional Epic integration (also supports Cerner, Athena)
• Learns individual provider documentation styles over time
• Multi-language support (100+ languages)
• Enterprise-grade security and compliance
• 24/7 support with dedicated account management

Trade-offs: Most expensive option ($600-800/month per provider, typically 1-3 year contracts). No audio storage—transcripts only. No patient-facing documentation focus. Requires enterprise IT for setup and management. Not practical for small practices.

Real-world fit: If you’re a 100+ provider health system on Epic and documentation efficiency is your only concern, DAX Copilot is likely your best choice. The deep integration saves 10-15 minutes per encounter compared to copy-paste workflows. But you pay premium prices for that convenience.

Abridge: Patient Engagement Focus

Best for: Practices prioritizing patient experience, primary care, concierge medicine

Core differentiation: Abridge is the only major platform that gives patients direct access to their visit recordings and AI-generated summaries through a consumer app. This creates transparency and improves patient engagement, but raises workflow and privacy considerations.

Key features:

• Patient-facing mobile app for visit playback and summary review
• 90-day audio storage (better than most competitors)
• Strong EHR integration (Epic, Cerner, Athena)
• Focus on patient understanding and recall of visit details
• Mobile and desktop options

Trade-offs: Patient access to recordings changes the visit dynamic—some providers love this transparency, others find it constraining. Audio storage still falls short of medical-legal requirements (90 days vs 6-7 years needed). Mid-range pricing but often requires annual contracts.

Real-world fit: If you practice patient-centered care and want to differentiate on experience, Abridge’s patient access features are compelling. Less ideal if you work in high-throughput environments where patient review of recordings could create workflow friction or if you need long-term audio retention for liability.

Suki: Voice Command Power User Platform

Best for: Providers who want to control everything by voice, high admin burden practices

Core differentiation: Suki goes beyond documentation to offer extensive voice-command control over administrative tasks: ordering labs, sending prescriptions, scheduling follow-ups. Think of it as a voice-first EHR interface that happens to include AI scribe functionality.

Key features:

• Extensive voice command library for clinical and admin tasks
• Strong learning system that adapts to individual speech patterns
• Good EHR integration with multiple vendors
• Mobile and desktop options
• Some practice management features

Trade-offs: More complex learning curve—you need to learn voice commands. Documentation quality is solid but not the primary focus. No audio storage. Mid-range pricing but typically requires annual commitments. Best for tech-savvy providers comfortable with voice interfaces.

Real-world fit: If you’re frustrated by clicking through EHR screens and want hands-free control over your entire workflow, Suki delivers. Less ideal if you just want simple ambient documentation without learning a new command system.

Notable: Full Practice Management Platform

Best for: Practices needing complete digital transformation, groups wanting unified platform

Core differentiation: Notable is not just an AI scribe—it’s a complete practice management platform that includes ambient documentation as one module alongside scheduling, billing, patient intake, and analytics. The AI scribe quality is solid, but you’re really buying into an entire ecosystem.

Key features:

• Complete practice management suite
• Deep Epic integration (Level 4)
• Strong analytics and reporting
• Patient intake automation
• Desktop-focused workflow
• Enterprise security

Trade-offs: Highest total cost of ownership when you factor in the full platform. Overkill if you just need documentation help. No audio storage. Desktop-centric design doesn’t work well for mobile providers. Requires significant IT involvement for implementation.

Real-world fit: If you’re a growing practice (10-50+ providers) looking to modernize everything at once and can invest 3-6 months in implementation, Notable’s unified platform eliminates multiple vendors. But if you just need an AI scribe, this is overengineered and overpriced for that use case.

DeepScribe: Straightforward Ambient Documentation

Best for: Practices wanting solid ambient documentation without extra features

Core differentiation: DeepScribe does one thing well: ambient conversation capture and SOAP note generation. No patient apps, no voice commands, no practice management. Just clean, accurate notes from natural conversations.

Key features:

• Simple ambient listening and note generation
• Reasonable EHR integration (Epic, Cerner, Athena)
• Mobile and desktop apps
• Focus on documentation quality
• Straightforward workflow

Trade-offs: No distinctive features—it’s “just” an AI scribe (which may be exactly what you want). No audio storage. No patient-facing features. Mid-range pricing similar to Suki and Abridge. Less differentiation means you’re choosing on execution quality and vendor relationship.

Real-world fit: If you want proven ambient documentation without bells and whistles, DeepScribe is a solid middle choice. It won’t impress or disappoint, it’s competent, reliable, and unremarkable. Good option if you’ve evaluated feature-heavy solutions and decided you don’t need the extras.

Freed: Ultra-Simple Affordable Documentation

Best for: Budget-conscious practices with simple documentation needs and reliable internet

Core differentiation: Freed focuses on simplicity and affordability. At approximately $99-149/provider/month, it’s one of the most cost-effective ambient documentation solutions available. Fast setup, minimal friction, straightforward workflow.

Key features:

• Simple ambient conversation capture
• Fast documentation generation
• Mobile apps for iOS and Android
• Affordable pricing with transparent costs
• Quick self-service setup
• Focus on ease of use

Trade-offs: Cloud-dependent (requires internet connectivity). No long-term audio retention. General templates adapted across specialties rather than specialty-specific workflows. No evidence-linking for audit defense. Basic EHR integration (copy-paste workflow).

Real-world fit: If you have reliable internet, simple documentation needs, and budget is a primary constraint, Freed delivers solid ambient documentation at an accessible price point. Less ideal for rural practices needing offline capability, procedural specialties requiring specialty-specific templates, or practices facing audit scrutiny where long-term audio retention matters.

OrbDoc: Offline-First Documentation with Audit Defense

Best for: Rural practices, mobile clinicians, small practices (2-20 providers), audit defense priority, specialty practices needing custom workflows

Core differentiation: OrbDoc is built specifically for practices that need capabilities other AI scribes don’t provide: offline-first architecture, evidence-linking for audit defense, and 7-year audio retention. Every statement in every note links to the exact conversation moment where information was discussed.

Key features:

• Offline-first mobile architecture (works without internet)
• Evidence-linking with 7-year audio retention for audit defense
• Custom template development at no additional charge (competitors charge $500-2,000)
• Specialty-specific workflows (GI procedures, psychiatric evaluations, surgical documentation)
• Medicare optimization templates (AWV, TCM, CCM, RPM, BHI)
• Transparent pricing: $199/month per provider
• Month-to-month contracts available

Trade-offs: EHR integration is Level 2 (copy-paste workflow), not as deep as enterprise solutions. Limited voice commands and administrative task automation. Less Epic integration than competitors. Best for practices that value offline capability, custom workflows, and audit defense over deep EHR integration.

Real-world fit: If you practice in rural areas with unreliable internet, have been audited or worry about malpractice risk, need custom documentation templates for your specialty, or are a mobile clinician, OrbDoc’s unique features justify the workflow trade-offs. Also ideal for small practices (2-20 providers) wanting practice independence without Epic dependency or enterprise lock-in.

Decision Tree: Which Solution Fits You?

Choosing the right AI scribe depends on your practice context. Work through these decision points:

By Practice Type

Solo Practitioner or Small Practice (1-5 providers):

• Need audit protection or rural/mobile practice? → OrbDoc
• Want deepest Epic integration and can afford premium? → Nuance DAX
• Want patient transparency and engagement? → Abridge
• Budget is primary concern with simple needs? → Freed
• Just need solid documentation at fair price? → DeepScribe or OrbDoc

Medium Group Practice (5-25 providers):

• Using Epic with good IT support? → Nuance DAX or Notable (if modernizing everything)
• Mixed EHR environment or limited IT? → Abridge or Suki
• Cost-conscious with high-risk patients? → OrbDoc
• Need practice management overhaul? → Notable

Large Group or Health System (25+ providers):

• Epic-dominated enterprise? → Nuance DAX (probably already in procurement)
• Multi-EHR environment? → Abridge or Notable
• Cost optimization focus? → Negotiate volume pricing with Suki or DeepScribe

Specialty-Specific:

• Urgent Care: OrbDoc (evidence-linking for legal protection, offline capability)
• Primary Care: Abridge (patient engagement) or Nuance DAX (efficiency)
• Emergency Medicine: OrbDoc (audit defense) or Nuance DAX (Epic integration)
• Surgical Specialties: OrbDoc (evidence-linking) or Nuance DAX (procedural templates)
• Behavioral Health: Consider patient sensitivity to recording—Abridge for transparency
• Concierge Medicine: Abridge (patient experience differentiation)

By Priority

Audit Defense and Liability Protection:

1. OrbDoc (only evidence-linked solution with 7-year audio)
2. Abridge (90-day audio retention)
3. Others don’t store audio—transcript-only

Maximum Time Savings:

1. Nuance DAX (deepest integration = fewest clicks)
2. Notable (unified platform eliminates context switching)
3. Suki (voice commands for admin tasks)

Patient Experience:

1. Abridge (patient app access to recordings)
2. OrbDoc (patient-focused discharge documentation)
3. Others focus on provider documentation only

Cost Optimization:

1. Freed ($99-149/mo, simplicity focus)
2. OrbDoc ($199/mo, transparent pricing, month-to-month)
3. DeepScribe, Suki, Abridge (mid-range, negotiate for groups)
4. Nuance DAX and Notable (premium pricing)

Ease of Implementation:

1. Freed (fastest self-service setup)
2. OrbDoc, DeepScribe (simple mobile apps, minimal IT)
3. Abridge, Suki (moderate IT involvement)
4. Nuance DAX, Notable (significant IT and implementation resources)

By Practice Size and Resources

Limited IT Resources:

• Choose: Freed, OrbDoc, DeepScribe, or Abridge
• Avoid: Nuance DAX, Notable (require IT support)

Strong IT Department:

• Choose: Nuance DAX or Notable (maximize integration value)
• Also consider: Any solution (you can support complex implementations)

Budget Under $200/Provider/Month:

• Choose: Freed ($99-149) for simplicity, OrbDoc ($199) for offline/audit features
• Negotiate: DeepScribe, Suki, Abridge for volume pricing
• Avoid: Nuance DAX, Notable

Budget Not Primary Concern:

• Choose: Nuance DAX (maximum integration)
• Consider: Notable (unified platform) or Abridge (patient experience)

Pricing Guide

AI scribe pricing is frustratingly opaque. Most vendors hide pricing behind “contact sales,” which enables aggressive negotiation tactics and price discrimination. Here’s what we’ve learned from market research and customer reports:

Price Ranges (Per Provider, Per Month)

Freed: ~$99-149/month

• Transparent public pricing
• Standard subscription terms
• Includes unlimited notes, basic features
• Simple self-service setup
• Focus on affordability and simplicity

OrbDoc: $199/month

• Transparent public pricing
• Month-to-month, cancel anytime
• Includes 7-year audio storage, unlimited notes, all features
• No hidden fees or setup costs
• Volume discounts available for 10+ providers

DeepScribe: ~$300-500/month

• Pricing varies by contract length and volume
• Typically 1-year minimum commitment
• Setup fees common ($500-2000 per practice)
• Volume discounts at 10+ and 50+ providers

Suki: ~$300-400/month

• Annual contracts standard
• Additional fees for advanced features
• Volume pricing available
• Implementation support included

Abridge: ~$300-500/month

• Pricing depends on EHR integration depth
• Typically 1-2 year contracts
• Patient app access included
• Volume discounts negotiable

Notable: ~$500-700/month (for AI scribe module alone)

• Full platform pricing significantly higher ($1000-2000+/mo)
• 1-3 year enterprise contracts
• Significant implementation fees
• Requires minimum provider count (typically 10+)

Nuance DAX Copilot: ~$600-800/month

• Premium pricing reflects enterprise positioning
• 1-3 year contracts standard
• Volume pricing available for health systems
• Implementation and integration fees separate
• 24/7 support included

What’s Included vs Add-Ons

Included at base price (most vendors):

• Unlimited note generation
• Basic EHR integration (copy-paste)
• Mobile and/or desktop app
• Standard note templates
• Email support

Common add-ons that increase cost:

• Deep EHR integration (Epic, Cerner): +$100-300/month
• Multi-language support: +$50-150/month
• Extended audio storage: +$50-100/month (if offered)
• Priority support: +$100-200/month
• Custom templates: One-time fee $500-2000

OrbDoc includes at base price what others charge extra for:

• 7-year audio storage (others charge $50-100/mo if offered)
• Custom template development (others charge $500-2,000 one-time)
• Discharge documentation (others don’t offer or charge extra)
• Offline capability (unique to OrbDoc)
• Evidence-linking (unique to OrbDoc)

ROI Calculation Framework

Calculate your return on investment:

Time Savings:

• Average time saved per encounter: 5-15 minutes
• Encounters per day: [your number]
• Days per month: [your number]
• Hours saved per month: encounters × days × minutes saved ÷ 60

Value of Time:

• Your hourly rate: [total compensation ÷ work hours]
• Monthly value of time saved: hours saved × hourly rate

Patient Volume Increase:

• If using time savings to see more patients: additional encounters × revenue per encounter

Reduced Burnout Value:

• Hard to quantify but real: reduced after-hours documentation, improved work-life balance, career longevity

Example ROI Calculation:

• Provider seeing 20 patients/day, 20 days/month = 400 encounters
• AI scribe saves 10 minutes per encounter = 4,000 minutes = 67 hours
• Provider hourly rate $150 = $10,000/month value
• AI scribe cost $400/month = $9,600/month net ROI (2,400% return)

Break-even analysis: If AI scribe saves more than 4 minutes per encounter, it pays for itself even at premium pricing. If it saves 10+ minutes, the ROI is exceptional at any price point.

Implementation Considerations

Choosing a solution is only half the battle. Successful implementation requires planning:

Integration Requirements

Simple Integration (OrbDoc, DeepScribe):

• Mobile app install on provider phones
• Basic EHR account setup for copy-paste
• 1-2 hours training per provider
• No IT involvement required
• Go-live in 1-2 weeks

Moderate Integration (Abridge, Suki):

• EHR integration configuration
• IT review of data flows
• Provider and staff training
• Workflow design sessions
• Go-live in 4-8 weeks

Complex Integration (Nuance DAX, Notable):

• Enterprise IT project management
• EHR interface configuration
• Security and compliance review
• Extensive testing phase
• Provider training program
• Phased rollout by department
• Go-live in 3-6 months

Training Time

Provider training required:

• Mobile-first solutions: 30-60 minutes
• Desktop solutions: 1-2 hours
• Voice-command systems (Suki): 2-4 hours initial + practice time
• Enterprise platforms (Notable): Half-day training + follow-up sessions

Staff training:

• Simple solutions: 15-30 minutes (workflow awareness)
• Integrated solutions: 1-2 hours (handling AI-generated notes in EHR)
• Full platforms (Notable): Half-day + role-specific training

Provider Adoption Factors

What drives successful adoption:

1. Actual time savings: If it doesn’t save time, providers won’t use it
2. Note quality: If notes need heavy editing, providers lose trust
3. Ease of use: Complex workflows create resistance
4. Reliability: Frequent failures kill adoption
5. Champions: Having 2-3 enthusiastic early adopters influences others

Common adoption barriers:

• Change resistance (especially among established providers)
• Learning curve for new workflows
• Initial quality issues during system learning period
• Patient reaction to recording device in room
• Integration friction with existing EHR habits

Adoption best practices:

• Start with voluntary pilot group (2-5 providers)
• Run pilot for 4-6 weeks to identify issues
• Gather quantitative data (time saved, note quality)
• Share success stories from pilot group
• Address concerns before full rollout
• Provide ongoing support during first 90 days

Success Metrics

Measure these to evaluate implementation success:

Quantitative:

• Time saved per encounter (track before/after)
• After-hours documentation time (should decrease 50-80%)
• Note completion time (should be same-day vs end-of-day)
• Patient encounters per day (may increase 10-20%)
• Note quality scores (if you measure quality)
• Provider adoption rate (target 80%+ within 90 days)

Qualitative:

• Provider satisfaction scores
• Reduced burnout indicators
• Patient feedback on visit experience
• Staff feedback on note quality

Financial:

• ROI calculation (value of time saved vs cost)
• Revenue increase from additional encounters
• Reduction in scribe costs (if replacing human scribes)

Bottom Line Recommendations

After evaluating all major AI scribe solutions, here’s honest guidance for finding the right fit. Remember: there is no universally “best” solution, only the best fit for your specific practice context.

For Enterprise Epic-Integrated Health Systems: Nuance DAX Copilot

If you’re a large practice or health system on Epic with strong IT resources and budget flexibility, Nuance DAX Copilot delivers the deepest EHR integration available. The native Epic workflows, enterprise support, and Microsoft backing justify the premium pricing for organizations where documentation efficiency is the primary concern.

When this makes sense: 100+ provider health systems on Epic, strong IT department, budget flexibility, documentation efficiency is top priority.

For Budget-Conscious Practices with Simple Needs: Freed

If you have reliable internet, straightforward documentation needs, and budget is a primary constraint, Freed delivers solid ambient documentation at the lowest price point ($99-149/month). Simple setup, minimal friction, fast deployment.

When this makes sense: Urban practices with stable internet, simple documentation needs, lowest cost priority, self-service setup preference.

For Rural, Mobile, and Audit-Focused Practices: OrbDoc

For practices that need offline capability, evidence-linking for audit defense, or Medicare billing optimization, OrbDoc delivers unique features not available elsewhere. At $199/month with 7-year audio retention, offline-first architecture, and month-to-month contracts, it serves needs other solutions can’t address.

When this makes sense: Rural practices with unreliable internet, mobile clinicians, audit defense priority, Medicare optimization focus, small practices (2-20 providers) wanting practice independence.

For Patient Experience Differentiation: Abridge

If your practice differentiates on patient experience and wants to offer transparency through shared visit recordings, Abridge’s patient-facing app creates engagement other solutions don’t provide. The 90-day audio retention supports this patient access model.

When this makes sense: Concierge medicine, patient-centered care focus, practices comfortable with patient access to recordings, patient engagement priority.

For Voice Workflow Automation: Suki

If you want hands-free control over not just documentation but labs, prescriptions, scheduling, and administrative tasks, Suki’s extensive voice command system delivers comprehensive workflow automation. More complex than pure ambient solutions, but powerful for those who master it.

When this makes sense: Tech-savvy providers comfortable learning voice commands, practices wanting comprehensive voice automation beyond documentation, IT resources for implementation.

For Enterprise Digital Transformation: Notable

If you’re undertaking complete practice modernization and need documentation, scheduling, billing, and analytics in one unified platform, Notable eliminates vendor sprawl. Significant investment in time and money, but comprehensive for organizations ready for full transformation.

When this makes sense: Growing practices (10-50+ providers) modernizing everything at once, 3-6 month implementation timeline acceptable, budget supports full platform investment.

For Straightforward Ambient Documentation: DeepScribe

If you want proven ambient documentation without distinctive features, bells and whistles, or premium pricing, DeepScribe delivers solid execution of core functionality. Reliable, competent, unremarkable in the best sense.

When this makes sense: Practices wanting proven ambient documentation without complexity, mid-range budget, evaluated feature-heavy solutions and decided extras aren’t needed.

By Specific Use Case

If you’ve ever been audited or worry about liability: → OrbDoc (only evidence-linked solution with 7-year audio)

If you’re a 100+ provider health system on Epic: → Nuance DAX Copilot (deepest enterprise integration)

If you practice concierge or patient-centered care: → Abridge (patient engagement features)

If budget is your primary constraint: → Freed ($99-149) for simplicity, OrbDoc ($199) for offline/audit features

If you practice in rural areas or do home visits: → OrbDoc (only offline-capable solution)

If you want voice workflow automation: → Suki (comprehensive voice commands beyond documentation)

If you have strong IT and want unified platform: → Notable (full practice management) or Nuance DAX (deep Epic)

Final Thoughts

The AI medical scribe market has matured to the point where every major solution works reasonably well for basic ambient documentation. Your choice should be driven by your specific priorities and practice context:

Choose on priority:

• Audit defense → OrbDoc
• Maximum integration → Nuance DAX
• Patient experience → Abridge
• Voice workflow → Suki
• Platform consolidation → Notable
• Simplicity → DeepScribe or Freed
• Lowest cost → Freed

Choose on resources:

• Limited budget → Freed or OrbDoc
• Strong IT team → Nuance DAX or Notable
• Minimal IT → Freed, OrbDoc, or DeepScribe
• Quick deployment → Freed or OrbDoc

Choose on practice type:

• Urgent care / ER → OrbDoc (liability protection)
• Large health system → Nuance DAX (enterprise integration)
• Rural / mobile → OrbDoc (offline capability)
• Primary care → Freed, Abridge, or Nuance DAX
• Budget-conscious → Freed or OrbDoc

The worst decision is analysis paralysis. Every solution on this list will improve your documentation workflow compared to manual charting. The best solution is the one that matches your specific context and that you’ll use consistently.

Most vendors offer demos or pilots. Take advantage of these to test real-world fit before committing to multi-year contracts. And remember: the goal isn’t perfect documentation, it’s spending more time on patient care and less time on administrative burden.

Start somewhere. Start soon. Your work-life balance will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which AI scribe works without internet?

Only OrbDoc offers offline functionality. All other major platforms (Nuance DAX, Abridge, Suki, Freed, DeepScribe) require constant internet connectivity. OrbDoc processes audio locally on your device, making it essential for rural practices, home visits, and mobile clinicians where internet reliability is a constraint.

Which AI scribe provides audit defense?

OrbDoc is the only AI scribe with evidence-linking and 7-year audio retention for audit defense. Every statement in your notes links to the exact conversation moment where that information was discussed. This provides defensible documentation for payer audits and legal cases.

Abridge stores audio for 90 days but without evidence-linking capabilities. Other platforms (Nuance DAX, Suki, Freed, DeepScribe) don’t retain audio—leaving you with transcript-only documentation that can’t be verified years later when medical-legal cases emerge.

Which AI scribe offers custom templates?

OrbDoc provides custom template development at no additional charge, making it ideal for clinicians who need maximum flexibility for specialty-specific workflows.

Most competitors charge $500-2,000 one-time fees for custom templates, or don’t offer customization at all. This makes OrbDoc particularly valuable for procedural specialties (GI, surgery, dermatology), niche practices (occupational medicine, addiction psychiatry), and clinicians with unique documentation requirements.

How much does an AI medical scribe cost?

AI scribe pricing ranges from $99/month (Freed) to $800+/month (Nuance DAX). Only two vendors offer transparent public pricing: Freed ($99-149/mo) and OrbDoc ($199/mo).

Mid-range options include Suki ($300-400/mo), Abridge ($300-500/mo), and DeepScribe ($300-500/mo), but pricing varies based on contract length and features. Enterprise solutions (Nuance DAX, Notable) typically cost $600-900+/month and require annual contracts.

Which AI scribe is best for small practices?

For small practices (1-20 providers), OrbDoc ($199/mo) and Freed ($99-149/mo) offer transparent pricing and flexible contracts without enterprise minimums.

OrbDoc excels for practices needing offline capability, audit defense, custom templates, or specialty-specific workflows, with month-to-month contracts and no setup fees. Freed is ideal for budget-conscious urban practices with simple documentation needs and reliable internet.

Enterprise solutions (Nuance DAX, Notable) require minimum provider counts (typically 10-50+) and multi-year commitments, making them impractical for small practices.

Do AI scribes really work?

Yes. Modern AI scribes consistently save providers 1-2 hours per day on documentation. All major platforms (Nuance DAX, Abridge, Suki, Freed, DeepScribe, OrbDoc) deliver 90%+ accurate clinical notes from natural conversations.

The technology has matured significantly since 2019. The question is no longer “does it work?” but “which solution fits your specific practice context?”—practice size, EHR environment, specialty needs, budget constraints, and audit risk tolerance.

This comparison guide is maintained by OrbDoc but strives for objectivity. We believe informed buyers make better decisions. If you find inaccuracies or have updates, contact us at admin@orbdoc.com. Last updated: November 2025.