OrbDoc vs Abridge vs Suki: Which AI Scribe is Right for You?

The AI medical scribe market has evolved rapidly, with three innovative startups emerging as leaders for different use cases: OrbDoc, Abridge, and Suki. While DAX Copilot and Nuance dominate through Epic integration, these three companies are building specialized solutions for specific clinical workflows.

This comprehensive comparison examines the real differences between OrbDoc, Abridge, and Suki—not marketing claims, but actual capabilities that matter for your practice in 2025.

Quick Comparison: Three Different Approaches

OrbDoc: Evidence-Linking for Audit Defense

OrbDoc built the only AI scribe with claim-level evidence linking. Every billing code in your documentation connects to the exact audio timestamp where you discussed that finding with the patient. This isn’t theoretical—it’s designed for the reality that Medicare audits increased 40% in 2024.

Best for: High-volume practices, discharge-heavy specialties (hospitalists, emergency medicine, surgery), and any provider concerned about audit risk. OrbDoc’s mobile-first design works offline and transforms 60-minute discharge summaries into 90-second documentation tasks.

Unique strength: Seven-year audio storage with claim-level evidence linking. When an auditor questions a level 4 visit from three years ago, you can play the exact conversation segment where you addressed each component.

Abridge: Patient-Facing Audio Sharing

Abridge pioneered patient access to encounter audio. Patients receive a recording of their visit, which research shows improves adherence and satisfaction. This patient-facing approach differentiates Abridge in markets where patient engagement metrics matter for value-based contracts.

Best for: Primary care practices focused on patient experience, ACOs with engagement targets, and providers who see patient access to visit recordings as a competitive advantage.

Unique strength: Structured patient-sharing workflow. The audio storage isn’t just for providers—it’s a patient engagement tool. This matters for practices where patient satisfaction scores directly impact revenue.

Suki: Voice Command Workflow

Suki built comprehensive voice commands beyond documentation. You can voice-order labs, check schedules, and handle administrative tasks while remaining hands-free. For providers who think in voice commands, Suki’s broader functionality extends beyond note creation.

Best for: Providers comfortable with voice interfaces, practices needing admin task automation, and workflows where ordering and scheduling happen during encounters.

Unique strength: Voice-controlled administrative actions. Suki isn’t just transcribing—it’s executing commands across your practice management system.

Feature Comparison: What Each Actually Does

Pricing estimates based on publicly available information and market research as of October 2025. Actual pricing may vary based on practice size and contract terms.

The Evidence-Linking Gap: A Critical Differentiator

Only OrbDoc offers claim-level evidence linking. This isn’t a minor feature—it’s becoming essential as audit scrutiny intensifies.

How Evidence-Linking Works

When OrbDoc generates your documentation, every billing code connects to the specific audio segment where you addressed that finding:

• E/M level justification: The 99214 code links to the four-minute discussion of the patient’s three chronic conditions
• Procedure codes: The 12002 (simple laceration repair) links to your description of the wound and repair technique
• Diagnosis support: Each ICD-10 code connects to where you discussed that diagnosis with the patient

Why This Matters Now

Medicare audit rates increased 40% in 2024. Commercial payers followed with their own documentation reviews. The most common audit targets:

1. E/M level downgrades: Payers questioning whether the documentation supports the billed level
2. Procedure medical necessity: Questioning whether documentation justifies the procedure performed
3. Diagnosis code support: Challenging whether documentation supports specific diagnosis codes

Traditional AI scribes generate comprehensive notes, but when an auditor questions a specific claim element, you’re left proving the conversation happened. Neither Abridge nor Suki provides audio evidence linked to specific claim components.

The Audit Defense Reality

Consider a common scenario: An auditor reviews your 99215 (high-complexity visit) from 18 months ago and proposes downgrading to 99214, requesting a $50 refund plus potential extrapolation to similar visits.

With traditional AI scribes: You have a comprehensive note, but the auditor questions whether the documented complexity actually occurred. Without audio evidence tied to specific claim elements, you’re defending based on note quality alone.

With OrbDoc: You provide the 2-minute audio segment where you discussed medication management for the patient’s three conditions, reviewed their recent hospital discharge, and coordinated with their cardiologist—the exact elements justifying 99215. The auditor hears your clinical reasoning in your own words.

This difference becomes more valuable as your practice grows. A single successful audit defense pays for years of evidence-linking capability.

What Abridge and Suki Offer Instead

Neither Abridge nor Suki built evidence-linking functionality. Their focus differs:

• Abridge prioritizes patient access to the full visit recording, not claim-specific evidence
• Suki focuses on comprehensive voice commands for practice workflow, not audit defense

These are valid strategic choices. Patient engagement and workflow automation matter. But they don’t address audit risk, which affects every practice regardless of specialty or patient population.

Audio Storage: Who Keeps What, and For How Long

Audio storage policies vary dramatically between these three platforms, with significant compliance and legal implications.

OrbDoc: Seven-Year Storage with Full Encounters

OrbDoc stores complete encounter audio for seven years—the standard statute of limitations for medical malpractice in most states. This aligns with legal defense requirements, not just billing compliance.

Storage details:

• Complete visit audio from start to finish
• Synchronized with note timestamps
• Downloadable for external legal review
• Encrypted storage meeting HIPAA requirements

Use cases beyond audit defense:

• Malpractice defense when treatment decisions are questioned years later
• Quality improvement review of clinical decision-making
• Training and educational review with proper de-identification

Abridge: Patient-Facing Storage with Time Limits

Abridge stores audio for patient access, but with different objectives than OrbDoc’s provider-focused approach. The storage period is typically shorter because the primary use case is patient review shortly after the visit.

Storage details:

• Audio optimized for patient consumption
• Limited retention period (typically 6-12 months based on publicly available information)
• Patient-accessible through dedicated portal
• Designed for engagement, not legal defense

Important distinction: Abridge’s patient-facing audio serves immediate engagement goals. It’s not structured for multi-year audit defense or malpractice protection.

Suki: Transcripts Only, No Audio Retention

Suki does not store encounter audio after transcript generation. You receive comprehensive documentation, but the underlying audio doesn’t persist.

What this means:

• No audio evidence for audits or legal disputes
• Documentation stands alone without supporting audio
• Smaller storage footprint and potentially lower infrastructure costs
• Traditional approach similar to human scribes who don’t record

When this works: If your practice has never needed audio evidence for audits or legal defense, Suki’s transcript-only approach may be sufficient. Many successful practices operate without audio archives.

The Legal and Compliance Calculus

Audio storage introduces complexity. Stored audio is discoverable in legal proceedings. Some attorneys advise against creating audio archives that could be subpoenaed.

However, the calculus changed when Medicare and commercial payers increased documentation audits. Audio evidence increasingly shifts from potential liability to essential protection:

• 2023: Audio was primarily defensive against malpractice claims
• 2024-2025: Audio became critical for billing audit defense as AI-generated notes face increased scrutiny

Your practice’s risk tolerance and specialty determine whether seven-year audio storage is essential protection or unnecessary exposure. But the decision should be intentional, not accidental based on which AI scribe you selected for other features.

Use Case Recommendations: Honest Guidance by Practice Type

Choose OrbDoc If:

You’re discharge-heavy or high-volume:

• Hospitalists creating 15-20 discharge summaries daily
• Emergency physicians with complex dispositions
• Surgeons with detailed operative notes
• Any specialty where documentation time significantly exceeds patient contact time

OrbDoc’s discharge workflow transforms 60-minute documentation into 90-second review. The time savings compound in high-volume practices.

Audit risk is a concern:

• High Medicare volume with increased audit exposure
• Previous audit experience or current documentation review
• Specialty with frequent E/M level scrutiny
• Procedures where medical necessity is often questioned

Evidence-linking provides audit defense capabilities that become more valuable as exposure increases.

Mobile and offline capability matters:

• Rural practices with unreliable internet
• Hospital workflows requiring mobility
• Providers who document between patient encounters
• Settings where internet dependency creates workflow friction

Budget is a consideration:

• Smaller practices where the $199-299/month price point matters
• Groups wanting to pilot AI scribes without long-term commitment
• Practices where month-to-month flexibility is preferred

Choose Abridge If:

Patient engagement drives your business model:

• Primary care practices in competitive markets
• ACOs with patient satisfaction targets
• Value-based contracts where engagement metrics affect revenue
• Practices where patient reviews and word-of-mouth matter significantly

Abridge’s patient-facing audio creates differentiation that patients notice and value.

You’re willing to pay premium for patient experience:

• The $300-400/month pricing reflects patient engagement infrastructure
• ROI comes from patient retention and satisfaction scores
• You view patient access to visit audio as competitive advantage

Your patients actively want visit recordings:

• Complex chronic disease management where patients benefit from reviewing discussions
• Geriatric populations where family members review care decisions
• Specialties where patient understanding of diagnosis and treatment is critical

You don’t have significant audit concerns:

• Lower Medicare volume reducing audit risk
• Specialty with less frequent documentation scrutiny
• Willingness to manage audit defense without audio evidence

Choose Suki If:

Voice commands match your workflow:

• You think in voice commands and want comprehensive voice control
• Administrative tasks happen during patient encounters
• You want to order labs, check schedules, and handle tasks hands-free
• Your workflow benefits from voice-controlled practice management

Deep EHR integration is essential:

• You need two-way sync, not copy-paste workflow
• Your practice has invested in EHR optimization
• You want AI scribe functionality embedded in existing systems

Admin automation justifies higher pricing:

• The $400-500/month cost is offset by comprehensive workflow automation
• You value voice-controlled administrative functions beyond documentation
• Your time spent on ordering, scheduling, and admin tasks is significant

You prefer transcript-only approach:

• Your practice philosophy doesn’t include audio storage
• You’re comfortable with traditional documentation without audio evidence
• Storage complexity and potential discoverability concerns outweigh audit defense benefits

When to Consider Multiple Solutions or None

You might not need specialized AI scribes if:

• Epic Dragon integration through DAX Copilot serves your workflow
• Your documentation time is already efficient
• Your practice prefers human scribes for quality and relationship reasons
• The workflow disruption of implementing AI outweighs time savings

You might need multiple solutions if:

• Different specialties in your practice have different needs
• You want to pilot approaches before standardizing
• Some providers prioritize patient engagement while others prioritize audit defense

Pricing Reality Check: Total Cost Beyond Monthly Fees

Listed monthly fees tell part of the story. Understanding total cost requires examining contract terms, implementation costs, and hidden charges.

OrbDoc: Transparent Month-to-Month

Base pricing: $199-299/provider/month based on practice size Contract terms: Month-to-month available for practices wanting flexibility Implementation: Self-service setup, typically operational within days Hidden costs to watch for: None identified in market research ROI timeline: Immediate time savings in documentation

Cost advantage: Lower entry point and contract flexibility benefit smaller practices and those piloting AI scribes. Month-to-month terms mean you’re not locked into annual contracts if workflow doesn’t fit.

Abridge: Premium Patient Engagement Pricing

Base pricing: $300-400/provider/month (market estimates) Contract terms: Typically annual commitments Implementation: More involved due to patient-facing components Hidden costs to watch for:

• Patient portal infrastructure if required
• Training for staff on patient engagement workflow
• Potential integration costs for patient communication systems

ROI calculation: Benefits come from patient satisfaction scores, retention, and value-based contract metrics—harder to quantify than time savings but potentially more valuable long-term.

Suki: Comprehensive Automation Premium

Base pricing: $400-500/provider/month (market estimates) Contract terms: Annual commitments typical Implementation: Complex due to deep EHR integration Hidden costs to watch for:

• Integration fees for EHR connectivity
• Training for voice command workflow
• Potential customization for specialty-specific commands
• IT resources for integration maintenance

ROI calculation: Justifies higher cost through comprehensive workflow automation beyond documentation. Value depends on how much admin time the voice commands actually save.

Real-World Cost Comparison: 10-Provider Practice

Annual cost for 10 providers:

• OrbDoc: $23,880 - $35,880 (month-to-month flexibility)
• Abridge: $36,000 - $48,000 (plus implementation)
• Suki: $48,000 - $60,000 (plus integration costs)

Cost per hour saved: Varies by specialty and documentation volume

• High-volume practices: Cost per hour saved may be similar across platforms
• Lower-volume practices: OrbDoc’s lower price point matters more

Hidden value factors:

• Audit defense value (OrbDoc): Hard to quantify until you need it
• Patient satisfaction impact (Abridge): Measurable in retention and reviews
• Workflow automation (Suki): Depends on admin task frequency

What to Negotiate

All platforms:

• Multi-year discounts (if you’re committing long-term)
• Group pricing for larger practices
• Pilot programs for partial practice implementation
• Exit clauses if technology doesn’t fit workflow

Platform-specific:

• OrbDoc: Volume discounts scale with provider count
• Abridge: Patient engagement success metrics tied to pricing
• Suki: Integration cost clarity before contract signing

Bottom Line: Choose Based on Your Actual Needs

The “best” AI medical scribe depends entirely on your practice’s specific priorities, patient population, and risk profile.

Clear Winners by Criteria

Best for audit defense and high-volume documentation: OrbDoc

• Evidence-linking is unique and increasingly essential
• Mobile-offline capability suits high-volume workflows
• Discharge focus saves the most time where documentation burden is highest
• Lower pricing makes sense for practices primarily seeking time savings

Best for patient engagement and experience: Abridge

• Patient access to visit audio creates genuine differentiation
• Research supports engagement and adherence benefits
• Justifies premium pricing if patient satisfaction drives your business model
• Best fit for primary care and chronic disease management

Best for comprehensive voice-controlled workflow: Suki

• Voice commands beyond documentation provide broader automation
• Deep EHR integration suits practices optimizing existing systems
• Higher pricing justified by workflow automation beyond scribing
• Best fit for providers comfortable with voice interface workflows

The Evidence-Linking Decision

OrbDoc’s evidence-linking capability represents the most significant functional difference between these platforms. Neither Abridge nor Suki offers comparable audit defense functionality.

If Medicare audits concern you—and they should concern every practice with significant Medicare volume—evidence-linking shifts from nice-to-have to essential. A single successful audit defense can pay for years of OrbDoc subscription.

If audits don’t concern you, or you prefer the traditional transcript-only approach, Abridge’s patient engagement or Suki’s voice automation may deliver more value for your specific workflow.

The Patient Engagement Decision

Abridge’s patient-facing audio access represents genuine innovation in patient engagement. Research shows patients value access to visit recordings, and adherence improves when patients can review complex instructions.

If your practice competes on patient experience, participates in value-based contracts with engagement metrics, or sees patient satisfaction as competitive advantage, Abridge’s premium pricing may be justified.

If patient engagement isn’t your primary differentiator, OrbDoc or Suki may better match your priorities.

The Workflow Automation Decision

Suki’s comprehensive voice commands extend beyond documentation into practice management. For providers who think in voice commands and want hands-free control of ordering, scheduling, and administrative tasks, Suki’s broader functionality justifies higher pricing.

If your workflow doesn’t benefit from voice-controlled admin tasks, or you prefer separation between documentation and practice management systems, OrbDoc or Abridge may better fit your needs.

Making Your Decision

Start by answering these questions:

1. How much Medicare volume do you have, and what’s your audit risk exposure?
2. Does patient engagement directly affect your revenue through value-based contracts or market competition?
3. Would voice-controlled administrative functions save significant time in your workflow?
4. What’s your budget, and do you prefer month-to-month flexibility or annual commitment?
5. Is mobile-offline capability important for your setting?

Your honest answers to these questions will clarify which platform aligns with your practice’s actual needs.

No Wrong Choice Among These Three

OrbDoc, Abridge, and Suki each built excellent AI scribes optimized for different priorities. The wrong choice is selecting based on marketing claims rather than your practice’s specific workflow, risk profile, and strategic goals.

Choose the platform that solves your most pressing problem: audit risk (OrbDoc), patient engagement (Abridge), or comprehensive voice automation (Suki). Don’t pay for capabilities you won’t use, but don’t skip essential protection to save money.

The AI medical scribe market will continue evolving rapidly. Whichever platform you choose, ensure contract terms allow flexibility as technology and your practice needs change. Month-to-month terms, pilot programs, and clear exit clauses protect your investment as the market matures.

This comparison reflects market research and publicly available information as of October 2025. Specific features, pricing, and capabilities may vary. Contact each vendor directly for current details and custom pricing based on your practice needs.