Looking for a Best Practice Alternative?

Why Doctors Are Looking for Best Practice Alternatives in 2026

Best Practice has been the backbone of Australian general practice for over two decades. Trusted by thousands of clinics across the country, it earned its reputation through reliable Medicare billing, solid clinical notes, and a workflow that GPs know inside out. There is no question that Best Practice has played a foundational role in digitising Australian primary care.

However, the healthcare technology landscape has shifted dramatically. In 2026, artificial intelligence is transforming how doctors diagnose, document, and deliver care. Telehealth is no longer a pandemic afterthought — it is a permanent fixture of modern medicine. Patients expect digital check-ins, online booking, and seamless communication with their practice. And clinicians want software that works on any device, from any location, without being tethered to a Windows desktop in a consulting room.

For many practices, Best Practice still works. But for those wanting to embrace AI-powered clinical tools, cross-platform flexibility, and integrated telehealth, the search for an alternative has become a serious conversation. This page offers a fair, balanced comparison to help you decide whether it is time to explore what modern medical software can offer.

What Best Practice Does Well

It would be disingenuous to discuss alternatives without acknowledging Best Practice's genuine strengths. It is the market leader for a reason.

• Deep Medicare Integration: Best Practice's Medicare Online claiming is battle-tested across thousands of practices. Bulk billing workflows, DVA claims, and PBS prescribing are deeply embedded in the system.
• Familiar Workflow: Most Australian GPs trained on Best Practice. The learning curve for new staff is minimal because locums, registrars, and practice nurses already know the interface.
• Comprehensive Clinical Records: Progress notes, investigations, referrals, recalls, immunisation tracking — Best Practice covers the core clinical record-keeping requirements thoroughly.
• Third-Party Integrations: Pathology and radiology results flow in via established HL7 feeds. PenCS CAT4, Healthkit, and other population health tools integrate well with Best Practice data.
• Large User Community: With such a large install base, finding peer support, training resources, and experienced staff is straightforward.

These are real advantages, and any practice considering a switch should weigh them carefully.

Where Best Practice Falls Short in 2026

Despite its strengths, Best Practice has notable limitations that become more apparent as healthcare technology advances.

Dated User Interface

Best Practice's interface has not fundamentally changed in years. The Windows-native UI feels dated compared to modern web applications. Navigation relies heavily on nested menus and modal windows that slow down clinical workflows. Younger clinicians accustomed to intuitive, responsive interfaces find it frustrating.

No AI Capabilities

Best Practice offers no built-in artificial intelligence features. There is no AI clinical decision support, no automated documentation, no intelligent drug interaction analysis beyond basic alerts, and no predictive analytics. In an era where AI can save clinicians hours per week on documentation alone, this is a significant gap.

No Built-In Telehealth

Despite telehealth becoming a permanent part of Medicare, Best Practice has no native video consultation capability. Practices must bolt on third-party telehealth tools, creating fragmented workflows where clinical notes, billing, and the consultation happen across separate systems.

Windows-Only Architecture

Best Practice runs exclusively on Windows. There is no native macOS version, no Linux support, and no true web-based access. Remote access requires VPNs or third-party remote desktop tools — adding complexity, cost, and security risks. In 2026, when clinicians expect to review results on their iPad at home or consult from a laptop anywhere, this is a meaningful limitation.

Opaque Pricing

Best Practice does not publish transparent pricing on its website. Costs vary based on practice size, modules selected, and licensing agreements. Many practices report that pricing conversations require lengthy sales calls, and ongoing costs for support and updates can be difficult to predict.

Slow Innovation Cycle

Major feature updates are infrequent. The pace of innovation does not match the rapid evolution of healthcare technology. Features that modern practices need — AI scribing, real-time analytics dashboards, patient engagement tools — are either absent or years away on the roadmap.

How KPro Apps Compares

KPro Apps builds AI-powered medical software purpose-built for Australian healthcare. With over 20 years of software engineering experience and solutions deployed across 45+ GP clinics and used by 60+ doctors, KPro Apps represents the next generation of clinical software.

AI-Powered Clinical Decision Support

KPro Apps integrates artificial intelligence directly into the clinical workflow. AI clinical decision support analyses patient data in real time, suggesting potential diagnoses, flagging drug interactions with contextual detail, and providing evidence-based treatment recommendations. This is not a bolted-on feature — it is core to the platform, already deployed and proven across dozens of Australian clinics.

Modern Web-Based Interface

Built with modern web technologies, KPro Apps works on any device with a browser — Windows, macOS, iPad, or Android tablet. The interface is clean, responsive, and designed around how clinicians actually work. No VPNs, no remote desktop, no Windows dependency.

Integrated Telehealth Platform

Telehealth is built into the platform — not bolted on. HD video consultations, e-prescribing, Medicare bulk billing for telehealth items, and automated clinical note summarisation happen within the same system. No switching between applications, no fragmented workflows.

Transparent, Predictable Pricing

KPro Apps believes in transparent pricing. You know exactly what you are paying for, with no hidden costs or surprise fees. The OpenClaw clinical platform starts from just $500 for complete setup, security hardening, and 30-day support.

Feature Comparison: Best Practice vs KPro Apps

Who Should Consider Switching

KPro Apps is an excellent fit for practices that:

• Want AI-powered clinical decision support to enhance diagnostic accuracy and reduce cognitive load
• Need integrated telehealth without bolting on third-party tools
• Value a modern, responsive interface that works on tablets, laptops, and desktops across any operating system
• Prefer transparent, predictable pricing without lengthy sales negotiations
• Are growing and need software that scales with them — from solo GP to multi-site practice
• Want an AI reception system to handle patient check-ins, phone answering, and appointment scheduling automatically

Who Should Stay with Best Practice

Best Practice remains a solid choice for practices that:

• Are deeply integrated with Best Practice's ecosystem, including PenCS CAT4, third-party add-ons, and established HL7 feeds
• Have staff who are highly proficient with Best Practice and are not ready to invest in retraining
• Do not need AI features, telehealth, or cross-platform access in the near term
• Are in a stable operating mode where the current system meets all clinical and business requirements

There is no shame in staying with what works. The best software is the one that serves your patients and your practice effectively.

Migrating from Best Practice to KPro Apps

Data migration is often the biggest concern when switching practice management software. KPro Apps has developed a structured migration process specifically for Best Practice users.

• Data Export Assistance: Our team guides you through exporting patient demographics, clinical records, Medicare data, and appointment histories from Best Practice.
• Structured Data Mapping: We map Best Practice data fields to the KPro Apps schema, ensuring nothing is lost in translation — including progress notes, pathology results, prescribing histories, and immunisation records.
• Parallel Running Period: We recommend a two-week parallel running period where both systems operate simultaneously. This ensures your team is comfortable and all data has migrated correctly before decommissioning Best Practice.
• Staff Training: Comprehensive onboarding sessions for GPs, nurses, and reception staff. Most teams are fully comfortable within the first week.
• Ongoing Support: Dedicated support during and after migration, with direct access to our engineering team — not a generic helpdesk.

We have successfully migrated practices ranging from solo GPs to multi-doctor clinics with thousands of active patient records. The process is well-documented, low-risk, and designed to minimise disruption to your practice operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my patient data if I switch?

No. KPro Apps provides a comprehensive data migration service. All patient demographics, clinical notes, pathology results, medications, allergies, immunisations, and Medicare data are migrated and verified before go-live.

Does KPro Apps support Medicare online claiming?

Yes. Full Medicare online claiming, bulk billing, DVA, and WorkCover billing are supported.

Can I access KPro Apps from my iPad or Mac?

Absolutely. KPro Apps is web-based and works on any modern browser across Windows, macOS, iPadOS, and Android — no VPN required.

How long does migration typically take?

Most practices complete migration within two to four weeks, including the parallel running period. Solo practices can often transition in under two weeks.