Abridge vs DeepScribe: Which Enterprise AI Scribe is Better? (2026)
Side-by-side comparison of two enterprise AI scribes. Both require sales calls and enterprise contracts. Plus: an affordable alternative for individual clinicians.
Quick Verdict
Abridge vs DeepScribe Feature Comparison
| Feature | Abridge | DeepScribe |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | ~$150-300/mo (enterprise) | ~$99-149/mo (enterprise) |
| Type | Ambient AI Scribe | Ambient AI Scribe |
| Free Trial | No self-serve trial | Demo only (no self-serve) |
| EHR Integration | Deep Epic integration (Epic Pal) | Epic, athenahealth, others |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Large health systems with Epic | Mid-size to large practices |
| Recording Required | Yes - ambient audio | Yes - ambient audio |
| Setup Complexity | Weeks-months (IT deployment) | Days-weeks (EHR integration) |
| Individual Signup | No - enterprise only | No - sales process required |
| Funding | $800M+ ($5.3B valuation) | $24M Series B |
| Health Systems | 200+ (Mayo, Johns Hopkins) | 1,500+ organizations |
| Unique Feature | Linked Evidence (verify AI output) | E&M Coding Suggestions |
Pricing: Abridge vs DeepScribe
Both Abridge and DeepScribe hide pricing behind "contact sales" forms. The estimates below are based on industry reports and user feedback, not official pricing.
Based on industry reports, DeepScribe appears more affordable at an estimated $99-149/month compared to Abridge's estimated $150-300/month. However, both require enterprise contracts and pricing varies significantly based on organization size, volume, and negotiation.
Neither company offers self-serve signup or transparent pricing. Both require going through a sales process, demo, and contract negotiation. For large health systems, this is standard enterprise software procurement. For individual clinicians, it's a significant barrier.
The Real Cost: Time and Access
Beyond the monthly fees, consider the hidden costs:
- Sales process: Weeks of demos, calls, and negotiations
- IT resources: Both require IT involvement for EHR integration
- Contract commitments: Typically annual contracts with limited flexibility
- Implementation timeline: Days to months before you're actually using it
Abridge Overview
Abridge is the largest and best-funded player in the enterprise AI scribe market. Founded in 2018 by cardiologist Dr. Shiv Rao in Pittsburgh, Abridge emerged from the Pittsburgh Health Data Alliance (UPMC, Carnegie Mellon, University of Pittsburgh).
With $800+ million in funding and a $5.3 billion valuation (as of June 2025), Abridge has the resources to compete with healthcare giants. They're deployed at 200+ health systems including Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Yale New Haven Health, and Memorial Sloan Kettering.
Abridge's key differentiator is being Epic's first "Pal" - a deep integration that embeds AI-generated notes directly into Epic workflows. For Epic-based health systems, this integration is seamless and powerful.
Abridge Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry-leading Epic integration (Epic Pal)
- Massive funding ($800M+, $5.3B valuation)
- Deployed at prestigious institutions (Mayo, Hopkins)
- "Linked Evidence" lets you verify AI output against audio
Cons
- No public pricing (~$150-300/mo estimated)
- Enterprise-only - individual clinicians cannot sign up
- Best features require Epic EHR
DeepScribe Overview
DeepScribe is an established AI scribe founded in 2017 in San Francisco. With $24 million in Series B funding and deployment across 1,500+ healthcare organizations, DeepScribe has proven market fit.
DeepScribe's AI is trained on approximately 2 million patient encounters, giving it substantial training data for accurate documentation. They offer deep integrations with major EHRs including Epic and athenahealth, with particular strength in Oncology and Cardiology specialties.
A unique feature is DeepScribe's E&M coding suggestions, which automatically recommend appropriate billing codes based on documentation. This can help practices optimize revenue capture.
DeepScribe Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lower estimated pricing (~$99-149/mo)
- Broader EHR compatibility (Epic, athena, others)
- E&M coding suggestions for billing optimization
- Trained on 2M+ patient encounters
Cons
- No transparent pricing - sales process required
- Annual contracts typical
- Not designed for individual clinicians
Key Differences Between Abridge and DeepScribe
1. Scale and Funding
Abridge is the bigger company by far. With $800M+ in funding and a $5.3B valuation, Abridge has 30x more capital than DeepScribe's $24M. This translates to faster product development, more partnerships, and bigger enterprise deals. However, for mid-size practices, DeepScribe's smaller scale may mean more personalized service.
2. Epic Integration Depth
Abridge is Epic's first "Pal" - a designation that means native integration embedded directly into Epic workflows. If your health system runs on Epic, Abridge's integration is likely smoother. DeepScribe integrates with Epic too, but doesn't have the same "Pal" status. For non-Epic systems, DeepScribe may have broader compatibility.
3. Estimated Pricing
Based on industry reports, DeepScribe appears more affordable at $99-149/month versus Abridge's $150-300/month. However, both require enterprise contracts with negotiated pricing, so actual costs vary widely. Smaller organizations may get better value from DeepScribe; massive health systems may get volume discounts from Abridge.
4. Unique Features
Abridge's Linked Evidence lets clinicians click on any part of the AI-generated note and hear the corresponding audio segment. This is excellent for verification and trust-building with AI documentation.
DeepScribe's E&M Coding automatically suggests billing codes based on the documentation. This can help practices capture appropriate revenue without manual code research.
Both Abridge and DeepScribe are excellent enterprise AI scribes. Abridge is the clear choice for large Epic-based health systems. DeepScribe may be more accessible for mid-size practices with broader EHR needs. Neither is accessible to individual clinicians without enterprise involvement.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Abridge If...
- Your health system uses Epic EHR and wants native integration
- You're part of a large health system (academic medical center, major hospital network)
- You value "Linked Evidence" for verifying AI-generated documentation
- Your organization has IT resources for enterprise deployment
- You want the best-funded, most established vendor in the market
Choose DeepScribe If...
- You're a mid-size practice (not a massive health system)
- You need broader EHR compatibility beyond Epic
- You want E&M coding suggestions to optimize billing
- You're in Oncology or Cardiology (their specialty strengths)
- Budget is a concern - estimated lower pricing than Abridge
Choose Neither If...
- You're an individual clinician - neither offers self-serve signup
- You work in a small practice without enterprise IT support
- You need to start using AI documentation today - both have sales cycles
- You prefer transparent pricing without negotiation
- You want month-to-month flexibility without annual contracts
- You're a therapist (PT, OT, SLP), nurse, or home health provider
A Third Option: SOAP Note Buddy for Individuals
If you've read this far, you might be frustrated. Both Abridge and DeepScribe are enterprise products that individual clinicians simply cannot access. There's no way to sign up, try them out, or use them unless your organization makes an enterprise purchase.
That's exactly why SOAP Note Buddy exists. Built specifically for individual clinicians - therapists (PT, OT, SLP), nurses, home health providers, and others - who need AI documentation help without enterprise sales processes.
| Feature | Abridge | DeepScribe | SOAP Note Buddy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | ~$150-300/mo | ~$99-149/mo | $49/month |
| Annual Cost | $1,800-3,600/year | $1,188-1,788/year | $588/year |
| Individual Signup | No - enterprise only | No - sales process | Yes - instant self-serve |
| Free Trial | No | Demo only | 3-day free trial |
| Contracts | Annual enterprise | Annual enterprise | Cancel anytime |
| Recording Required | Yes - ambient audio | Yes - ambient audio | No (voice option available) |
| EHR Compatibility | Best with Epic | Epic, athena, others | Any browser-based EHR |
| Auto-fills Fields | Via Epic integration | Via EHR integration | Yes - automatic field detection |
| Setup Time | Weeks-months | Days-weeks | 30 seconds |
| IT Required | Yes | Yes | No |
| Best For | Large Epic health systems | Mid-large practices | Individual clinicians |
Unlike enterprise AI scribes, SOAP Note Buddy is built for individuals. Install the Chrome extension in 30 seconds and start saving hours on documentation today. No sales calls, no IT involvement, no annual contracts. Just $49/month with a 3-day free trial. Works with Kinnser, Tebra, WebPT, HCHB, PointClickCare, and any other browser-based EHR.
Skip the Enterprise Sales Process
SOAP Note Buddy: $49/month, no recording required, works with any EHR. 3-day free trial.
Start Your Free TrialAbridge vs DeepScribe FAQ
Is Abridge or DeepScribe better?
It depends on your organization. Abridge is better for large health systems with Epic EHR - it has deeper Epic integration, more funding, and deployments at major institutions like Mayo Clinic. DeepScribe may be better for mid-size practices with broader EHR needs and smaller budgets. Neither is accessible to individual clinicians without enterprise involvement.
Which is cheaper, Abridge or DeepScribe?
Based on industry reports, DeepScribe is cheaper at an estimated $99-149/month versus Abridge's estimated $150-300/month. However, neither publishes official pricing - both require contacting sales and negotiating enterprise contracts. Actual pricing varies based on organization size and volume.
Do Abridge and DeepScribe work with my EHR?
Both integrate with major EHRs. Abridge has the deepest integration with Epic as their first "Pal." DeepScribe integrates with Epic, athenahealth, and other systems. For non-Epic EHRs, DeepScribe may offer broader compatibility. Contact their sales teams for specific EHR support.
Can I sign up for Abridge or DeepScribe as an individual clinician?
No. Both Abridge and DeepScribe are enterprise products that require going through a sales process. Individual clinicians cannot sign up directly. For individual use, consider SOAP Note Buddy ($49/mo) which offers self-serve signup and works with any browser-based EHR.
Do Abridge and DeepScribe require recording patient visits?
Yes. Both Abridge and DeepScribe are "ambient AI scribes" that record audio during patient encounters and use AI to generate documentation from the conversation. If you prefer not to record, SOAP Note Buddy offers an alternative approach that doesn't require ambient recording (though a voice option is available).
Are there alternatives to Abridge and DeepScribe?
Yes! For enterprise users, other options include Nuance DAX (Microsoft), Suki AI, and Freed AI. For individual clinicians who want self-serve access, SOAP Note Buddy offers AI documentation at $49/month without enterprise contracts. It works with any browser-based EHR through a Chrome extension.
What makes SOAP Note Buddy different from Abridge and DeepScribe?
SOAP Note Buddy is built for individual clinicians, not enterprises. Key differences: (1) Self-serve signup in 30 seconds, no sales calls (2) Transparent $49/month pricing, no contracts (3) Works with ANY browser-based EHR without IT integration (4) Doesn't require recording during patient visits (5) 3-day free trial to try before buying.