Software · head to head
Epic Systems vs Zocdoc

Epic Systems
Software
Leading electronic health records system for healthcare organizations
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Zocdoc has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Epic Systems no free version or trial; enterprise pricing only with custom negotiation required; Zocdoc doctors can cancel appointments with little notice
- They diverge on capability: Epic Systems covers Electronic Health Records, Zocdoc covers Doctor Search.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Epic Systems and Zocdoc actually diverge.
| Attribute | Epic Systems | Zocdoc |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | quote | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Mobile | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 1979 | 2007 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Epic Systems
- Electronic Health Records
- Revenue Cycle Management
- Patient Portal
- Clinical Decision Support
- Population Health
- Lab Systems
- Imaging Systems
- Pharmacy Systems
Only in Zocdoc
- Doctor Search
- Online Booking
- Reviews
- Insurance Verification
- Reminders
- Telehealth
- Practice Management Systems
- EHRs
Both cover
- HIPAA
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Mobile support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Epic Systems
- Patient Care
- Medical Records
- Practice Management
- Telehealth
Zocdoc
- Patient Care
- Medical Records
- Practice Management
- Telehealth
Both are used for patient care, medical records, practice management, telehealth, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Epic Systems
- No free version or trial; enterprise pricing only with custom negotiation required
- Lengthy implementation timeline: 12-24 months for single hospitals, 3-5 years for multi-system rollouts
- Customization and workflow adaptation requires extensive consulting services
- Very high licensing costs ranging from 100,000 to 30 million USD depending on organization size
Zocdoc
- Doctors can cancel appointments with little notice
- No direct messaging between patients and providers outside of appointment booking
- Providers incur booking fees even if patients no-show or cancel after 24 hours
Pricing, plan by plan
Epic Systems
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Epic Systems review.
Zocdoc
Free- PatientFree
- Find doctors
- Book appointments
- Read reviews
Which should you pick?
Choose Epic Systems if
- You need electronic health records.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile.
- You also want revenue cycle management.
Choose Zocdoc if
- You need doctor search.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want online booking.
Questions people ask
- Is Epic Systems or Zocdoc better?
- Neither clearly leads. Epic Systems starts at On request and Zocdoc at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Epic Systems or Zocdoc?
- Zocdoc has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Epic Systems and Free for Zocdoc.
- Does Epic Systems or Zocdoc run on more platforms?
- Epic Systems runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile. Zocdoc runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Zocdoc for free?
- Yes. Zocdoc has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Epic Systems starts at On request.
- What is Epic Systems best used for?
- Epic Systems is most often used for patient care, medical records, practice management, telehealth.
- What can Epic Systems do that Zocdoc cannot?
- Epic Systems covers Electronic Health Records, Revenue Cycle Management, Patient Portal, Clinical Decision Support. Zocdoc covers Doctor Search, Online Booking, Reviews, Insurance Verification. Both handle HIPAA, Cloud deployment, Web support, Mobile support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Epic Systems: What is Epic's market position?
Epic holds 36 percent of the U.S. EHR market and manages over 280 million patient records across 1,200+ healthcare organizations. Among hospitals with over 300 beds, Epic has 52 percent market share, and 71 percent market share in major academic medical centers as of 2026.
SourceZocdoc: Is Zocdoc free for patients?
Yes, searching for and booking appointments on Zocdoc is completely free for patients. There are no search fees, booking fees, or cancellation fees. Patients only pay their insurance copay or self-pay rate for the actual care.
SourceEpic Systems: Is there a free trial or demo available?
Epic does not offer a free version or trial. The software is enterprise-only with custom pricing negotiated directly with organizations. Typical implementation timelines for single hospitals range from 12 to 24 months, and multi-hospital systems can take 3 to 5 years for phased rollouts.
SourceZocdoc: Does Zocdoc verify that doctors accept my insurance?
Zocdoc supports over 1,000 insurance plans and filters results to show only providers who accept your specific plan. However, Zocdoc cannot guarantee in-network status, as plans with similar names can differ by employer group or region. Final verification is always confirmed by your insurer and the provider's office.
SourceEpic Systems: How does Epic integrate with third-party systems?
Epic provides multiple integration pathways: FHIR R4 APIs, HL7 v2 messaging, CCDA document exchange, and proprietary APIs through Epic Showroom (formerly App Orchard). Over 1,000 certified apps are available in the marketplace, enabling real-time data synchronization and interoperability.
SourceZocdoc: What specialties and types of providers does Zocdoc cover?
Zocdoc features a network of over 250,000 providers across 200+ specialties, including primary care physicians, dentists, OB-GYNs, dermatologists, psychiatrists, eye doctors, orthopedic surgeons, and therapists.
SourceEpic Systems: What is included in Epic's unified platform?
Epic provides a truly unified system spanning inpatient, outpatient, emergency department, surgical, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, billing, and population health on a single database. It includes appointment scheduling, medical billing, clinical decision support, patient portal (MyChart), telehealth capabilities, and analytics.
SourceZocdoc: How much do providers pay to use Zocdoc?
Zocdoc charges healthcare providers a one-time booking fee per new patient, with pricing varying by specialty and local market. The exact fee is quoted individually to practices.
SourceRelated pages
More on Epic Systems
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