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Head-to-head · Pharmacy Software

Apotec CRM vs FRED Dispense

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Apotec CRM #3 in Pharmacy Software 8.1/10 From £495/mo ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Apotec
FRED Dispense #4 in Pharmacy Software 7.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Fred IT

Apotec CRM leads on 1 check, FRED Dispense on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApotec CRM · 8.1/10
  • Most featuresApotec CRM · 3 of 4

Apotec CRM scores higher on our rubric for pharmacy software: 8.1 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

Apotec CRM offers inventory tracking; FRED Dispense doesn't publish it.

Apotec CRM is the better fit for multi-branch community pharmacies using NHS workflows. FRED Dispense is the better fit for community pharmacies focused on prescription dispensing.

  • Apotec CRM fits best

    Multi-branch community pharmacies using NHS workflows

  • FRED Dispense fits best

    Community pharmacies focused on prescription dispensing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Apotec CRM 8.1/10 Visit ↗ FRED Dispense 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.1 7.4
Ranking #3 in Pharmacy Software #4 in Pharmacy Software
Best for Multi-branch community pharmacies using NHS workflows Community pharmacies focused on prescription dispensing
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Support Email Phone, Tickets, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apotec CRM 3/4 · FRED Dispense 2/4
Prescription management ✓ ✓
Inventory tracking ✓ (best) Not published
Point of sale Not published Not published
E-prescribing ✓ ✓
Specs
Pharmacy type Community Community
Deployment Cloud Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Manages patient records across pharmacy branches
  • Supports NHS EPS and NHS App integration
  • Connects with Meditech and BD Rowa dispensing systems
  • Covers prescription entry, repeats, directions, quantities and pricing
  • Connects with eRx, My Health Record and MedView Flow
  • ScanCheck Rx barcode scanning flags possible medication selection errors
Cons
  • £495 per outlet each month is a substantial recurring cost
  • Activation is a separate per-outlet charge
  • Designed for community pharmacy workflows, not a broad clinical suite
  • Pricing requires contacting Fred IT rather than choosing a published plan
  • Support is not offered 24/7
  • Documented scope centers on dispensing rather than inventory or POS
Our verdict

Apotec CRM is a cloud-delivered patient medication record system for community pharmacies. Its focus is paperless dispensing and shared patient records across branches, making it relevant to pharmacy organisations that need NHS workflows…

Read the review →

FRED Dispense is pharmacy dispensing software from Fred IT Group for community pharmacies processing prescriptions. Its documented workflow covers patient and prescriber lookup, drug selection, prescription directions, repeat handling,…

Read the review →
  1. Apotec CRMPharmacy Software 8.1From £495/mo
  2. FRED DispensePharmacy Software 7.4Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apotec CRM — where it wins

    • Manages patient records across pharmacy branches
    • Supports NHS EPS and NHS App integration
    • Connects with Meditech and BD Rowa dispensing systems

    Where it doesn't

    • £495 per outlet each month is a substantial recurring cost
    • Activation is a separate per-outlet charge
    • Designed for community pharmacy workflows, not a broad clinical suite

  • FRED Dispense — where it wins

    • Covers prescription entry, repeats, directions, quantities and pricing
    • Connects with eRx, My Health Record and MedView Flow
    • ScanCheck Rx barcode scanning flags possible medication selection errors

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting Fred IT rather than choosing a published plan
    • Support is not offered 24/7
    • Documented scope centers on dispensing rather than inventory or POS
  • Apotec CRM8.1/10 · From £495/mo

    A branch-focused pharmacy system with NHS workflows, robot links and a £495 monthly subscription per outlet.

    Visit ApotecFull verdict →
  • FRED Dispense7.4/10 · Pricing on request

    A focused dispensing system with electronic prescriptions, records integration and barcode checks.

    Visit Fred ITFull verdict →

More comparisons

All pharmacy software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on pharmacy software

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update