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Head-to-head · Patient Portal Software

healow vs Patient Access

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score healow #1 in Patient Portal Software 9.2/10 Free plan · pricing on request Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit healow
Patient Access #8 in Patient Portal Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Patient Access

healow leads on 0 checks, Patient Access on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorehealow · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPatient Access · 2 of 4

healow scores higher on our rubric for patient portal software: 9.2 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.

healow is the better fit for practices wanting a full-featured patient portal. Patient Access is the better fit for UK patients using NHS and local care services.

  • healow fits best

    Practices wanting a full-featured patient portal

  • Patient Access fits best

    UK patients using NHS and local care services

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature healow 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Patient Access 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.2
Ranking #1 in Patient Portal Software #8 in Patient Portal Software
Best for Practices wanting a full-featured patient portal UK patients using NHS and local care services
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price Free plan · pricing on request Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo
Features healow 1/4 · Patient Access 2/4
Secure messaging ✓ ✓
Record access Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Online payments Not checked yet Not checked yet
Digital forms Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Appointment tools Not checked yet Self-schedule
Mobile access Not checked yet Web-and-app
Our review
Pros
  • Free patient portal and app access for patients
  • Combines scheduling, digital intake, messaging, reminders, and telehealth
  • Web and mobile access with HIPAA compliance
  • Book in-person or remote GP appointments and request repeat prescriptions.
  • View and share medical records, then message a GP practice.
  • Access selected NHS referrals and local pharmacy services.
Cons
  • Practice-facing products require contacting sales
  • Patient feature availability can vary by practice
  • Support channels listed are limited to documentation
  • GP-linked features depend on practice participation and availability.
  • Self-referral is limited to selected NHS services.
  • It focuses on patient access rather than a broad practice portal.
Our verdict

For practices that want patients to handle more of the care journey online, healow combines a patient portal and mobile app with appointment booking, digital check-in, records access, secure messaging, reminders, telehealth, and bill…

Read the review →

Patient Access connects people in the UK with participating GP practices and local health services through a website and mobile app. It is aimed at patients who want to manage routine care online: depending on their practice, they can book…

Read the review →
  1. healowPatient Portal Software 9.2Free plan · pricing on request
  2. Patient AccessPatient Portal Software 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • healow — where it wins

    • Free patient portal and app access for patients
    • Combines scheduling, digital intake, messaging, reminders, and telehealth
    • Web and mobile access with HIPAA compliance

    Where it doesn't

    • Practice-facing products require contacting sales
    • Patient feature availability can vary by practice
    • Support channels listed are limited to documentation

  • Patient Access — where it wins

    • Book in-person or remote GP appointments and request repeat prescriptions.
    • View and share medical records, then message a GP practice.
    • Access selected NHS referrals and local pharmacy services.

    Where it doesn't

    • GP-linked features depend on practice participation and availability.
    • Self-referral is limited to selected NHS services.
    • It focuses on patient access rather than a broad practice portal.

More comparisons

All patient portal software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update