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iPlum is the best OhMD alternative for patient communication.
In this iPlum vs. OhMD guide, we will break down how the two platforms compare when it comes to texting and calling capabilities.
Before we get into the details, here are some unique features you get with iPlum.
- Mobile app and web calling
- Robust phone tree with auto attendants and extensions
- Shared number
That said, you can get a new iPlum number or port your current one to experience the platform's 50+ calling and texting features.
On to the iPlum vs. OhMD comparison.
iPlum vs. OhMD—What Do Users Say?
User reviews reveal first-hand experiences by customers. Below is a snapshot of what customers say about iPlum and OhMD.
OhMD Reviews
Many users appreciate OhMD’s simplicity, but concerns about privacy, missing features, and inconsistent performance frequently arise, particularly among healthcare teams.
❌ Lack of message privacy
"I don't like that I can't message patients directly, and when they message me back, my entire office can see the conversation. I wish it were more private." — Sheri S., G2
❌ System lag and hiccups
"Consistently slow and has frequent hiccups in terms of finding patients in the system." — Frank M., G2
❌ Missing internal tagging tools
"There is no way to categorize messages in a single thread… no waiting room for telehealth." — Charles M., G2
❌ No message unread marker
"I wish OhMD had a feature to mark messages as unread." — Emily M., G2
❌ Delayed message delivery
"Slight delay in delivery time, not a huge issue, but something I noticed." — Mary K., G2
✔ Easy to use
"Very intuitive to set up and use." — Verified User, G2
✔ Mobile and desktop access
"Easy to use, available on both phone and laptop." — Barry L., G2
iPlum Reviews
iPlum users mention the platform’s dependable call quality, HIPAA compliance, and fast setup. Others say support is responsive, and managing users is easy.
✔ HIPAA-compliant and secure
"I can send and receive text messages without worry that the information will not be safe." — Sheri S., Trustpilot
✔ Great for remote teams
"Calls, texts, and voicemails stay completely separate from personal lines… iPlum exceeded my expectations." — Vidur Gupta, Trustpilot
✔ Excellent call quality
"I’ve never had a dropped call, and the connection stays strong whether I'm on Wi-Fi or mobile data." — J.A., Trustpilot
✔ Reliable for small businesses
"So far, the service is working great and has been very helpful for my business… I would recommend iPlum to others." — Arash Eskandari, Trustpilot
✔ Easy transition from other providers
"It was a very smooth transition from my old phone provider, and I got to keep my original number!" — Nicole Sisti, Trustpilot
✔ Responsive and helpful support
"Customer support responded in 10 minutes… they professionally helped me through the process." — David Campbell, Trustpilot
✔ Powerful admin tools
"From a management standpoint, the centralized admin panel is a game changer." — Vidur Gupta, Trustpilot
⚠️ Small setup learning curve
"I was a bit confused on how to set up everything" — Teju Lakkundi, Trustpilot
In hindsight, iPlum, as customers reckon, has a super responsive customer care desk available to help you get started as soon as possible.
You can even schedule a Zoom call for interactive support, complete with screen sharing.
iPlum vs. OhMD—A Feature Comparison
Although iPlum and OhMD offer tools to help with patient communication, there are notable differences.
We’ll explore those in a short while, but first, here is a table summarizing the key functionalities of both platforms.
Secure and Compliant Texting
Private texting is crucial in healthcare. You’re dealing with sensitive information, and using a communication platform that doesn’t guarantee privacy can put patient trust and your practice at risk.
Here’s how OhMD and iPlum compare when it comes to secure, compliant texting.
OhMD
OhMD offers HIPAA-compliant texting. Messages are sent as SMS or secure links, and patients don’t need to download an app to reply.
However, OhMD’s compliance coverage only extends to HIPAA. The platform doesn’t cater to regulations like Dodd-Frank.
And, that can be an issue for providers working with financial counselors, wellness programs tied to employee benefits, or any service that involves financial disclosure or consumer protection.
iPlum
iPlum, by comparison, offers a secure texting system that aligns with multiple U.S. compliance requirements, including HIPAA, HITECH, Dodd-Frank, CMS, and various Consumer Protection Acts.
More importantly, iPlum provides a free account for your patients, enabling them to exchange secure, encrypted messages using the iPlum app. For starters, this is separate from SMS/MMS and gives both sides an extra layer of privacy.
The free account allows for compliant, bidirectional texting without exposing patient data or incurring additional costs for a secure app-based chat.
Automated Text Messaging
Text automation saves time and improves follow-through. It reduces no-shows, simplifies follow-ups, and makes it easier to manage routine replies when you’re unavailable.
A good phone system should, therefore, give you control over how and when messages go out.
Let’s compare what OhMD and iPlum offer in this area.
OhMD
OhMD comes with several automation tools for appointment management. You can send reminders, create recurring messages, and set up auto replies.
However, OhMD automation tends to lean more toward broadcast-style workflows and lacks flexible controls designed for small practices or solo providers.
iPlum
iPlum, on the other hand, boasts a more hands-on control over message automation.
First, it allows you to schedule texts in advance, set auto-replies for missed calls or after-hours messages. On top of that, you can configure messaging rules based on business hours.
These features not only work well for patient engagement but also for general business communication, such as sending intake instructions, rescheduling links, or payment reminders.
And the best part is that everything runs through a centralized dashboard. You don’t need to jump between interfaces to schedule messages, update replies, or check logs. The system makes it easier to track communication and avoid duplicate outreach.
Voicemail Transcription
When you miss a call, you need a simple way to follow up. Voicemail transcription and call-to-text tools let you see what the caller said and decide how to respond.
Here's how OhMD and iPlum handle it.
OhMD
OhMD offers voicemail transcription, allowing you to read messages instead of listening to them.
It also gives patients the option to switch to texting during a call, which can reduce phone volume. Indeed, this can be sufficient for simple tasks, such as scheduling or billing questions.
However, the usefulness of the call deflection feature depends on whether the patient chooses to text. If they don’t, you may need to follow up manually.
iPlum
iPlum automatically transcribes every voicemail into text. That way, you can review messages quickly and efficiently.
In addition, it allows you to set auto-text replies for missed calls based on time of day or business hours.
iPlum boasts another time-saver—text templates. These will enable you to save frequently used replies, such as intake information or appointment confirmations, and reuse them in seconds.
Plus, you can record calls and store them with a consent message, which is particularly useful for clinics, legal services, or billing audits.
Phone Tree with Auto Attendant and Extensions
Patients and clients don’t want to wait on hold. Therefore, you’re better off with a phone system that has an auto-attendant to enable you to route calls quickly to the right person or department.
Let’s compare OhMD and iPlum here.
OhMD
OhMD doesn’t have a built-in phone tree. Instead, it integrates with third-party phone tree software.
The problem is that this setup adds extra steps. You must manage call routing in a separate system, which often entails additional costs, configuration, and maintenance.
And if something goes wrong, resolving the issue may require back-and-forth communication between different support teams.
For practices trying to manage high call volume, that added friction can lead to delays, confusion, or missed calls.
iPlum
iPlum comes with a phone tree with auto attendant and extensions built in. You can greet callers with a custom message and route them to extensions or departments without requiring an operator. What’s more, the phone tree works with local and toll-free numbers, and there’s no extra fee to use it.
Furthermore, you can forward each extension to any mobile or landline, providing small practices and remote teams with the same setup that large clinics use.
The iPlum phone tree also allows you to filter call flows, create special announcements, and ensure patients reach the right person quickly. The system reduces missed calls, enhances patient service, and facilitates easier management of high call volumes.
Other notable iPlum features include:
- Dual Call Routing Mode – Allows you to automatically switch between carrier voice and Wi-Fi/data to maintain strong call quality in areas with weak signals.
- Call Recording with Consent – Enables you to record calls and play a consent message upfront—useful for legal, clinical, or training purposes.
- Two-Factor Authentication and Password Rules – Provides the ability to secure access with strong passwords, app PINs, and device-level controls.
- Spam Call Blocking – Allows you to filter out robocalls and unwanted numbers automatically, reducing interruptions during work hours.
- Business Hours and Do-Not-Disturb – Lets you route calls and texts based on your working hours so personal time stays uninterrupted.
- Music-on-Hold – Enables you to play a custom hold message or music when callers are being transferred or waiting.
- Email Forwarding and Text Archiving – Lets you back up and forward message history for compliance or team review.
- Global Number Porting – Enables you to use iPlum with international numbers, including local and toll-free options in multiple countries.
iPlum vs. OhMD—Pricing
iPlum and OhMD price their services differently, as highlighted in the section below.
How Much Does iPlum Cost?
iPlum costs $8.99 to $19.99 per user per month, depending on your plan, as follows
Standard Plan – $8.99 per user per month
Includes mobile app calling and texting in the U.S. and Canada, voicemail, auto-replies, business hours, and phone tree.
Professional – $14.99 per user per month
This plan builds upon the Standard plan, offering web-based calling and texting, secure encrypted texting, voicemail transcription, group and broadcast messaging, text archiving, and HIPAA compliance with a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) for healthcare.
Premium – $19.99 per user per month
Offers everything in the Professional plan, plus call recording and compliance features for finance, insurance, legal, sales, and support sectors.
How Much Does OhMD Cost?
OhMD pricing starts at $250 per month.
While the platform has a free Basic plan, the tier lacks essential features for patient communication, such as broadcast texting and custom BAA.
Below are some of the features that you get with the Reach plan.
Two-way SMS texting, appointment reminders, broadcast texting, and chat auditing. The plan also includes Call-to-Text, patient calling, and a custom BAA.
How Does iPlum Pricing Compare to OhMD’s?
iPlum offers more flexible pricing, starting at just $8.99 per user each month.
At that pricing point, you get calling, texting, voicemail, auto-replies, and a phone tree. Furthermore, the Professional and Premium Higher offer secure texting, voicemail transcription, and compliance tools for under $20 per user.
In contrast, OhMD’s free plan limits messaging to users who download the app. To access SMS texting, automation, and integrations, you’ll need the Reach plan, which starts at $250 per month.
That makes iPlum a far more cost-effective option for small practices, especially those that want full texting features without incurring hundreds of dollars per month.
How to Port Your OhMD Number to iPlum
You can easily port or transfer your existing OhMD number to iPlum. Watch the video below for a comprehensive guide.
iPlum vs. OhMD—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who Uses OhMD?
OhMD is primarily used by healthcare providers for patient communication and collaboration. It’s best suited for clinics and private practices that want basic texting, reminders, and EHR messaging features.
Is iPlum Encrypted?
Yes, iPlum uses end-to-end encryption for voice, text, and voicemail. It also supports HIPAA, HITECH, Dodd-Frank, CMS, and Consumer Protection regulations through secure communication and data storage.
What is iPlum Used For?
iPlum is used for secure business calling and texting. Healthcare, legal, and financial professionals use it to manage communications, route calls, and maintain compliance with privacy and recordkeeping standards.
Choose iPlum Over OhMD?
Pick iPlum over OhMD if you’re looking for a feature-packed communication platform for your practice.
With iPlum, you get secure texting, a full-featured phone tree, voicemail transcription, and powerful automation without the high monthly cost.
Furthermore, the platform supports multiple compliance standards, works seamlessly across devices, and provides full control over call and message routing.
In contrast, OhMD, while having notable texting and calling capabilities, comes at a hefty $250 per month. For small practices and solo providers, that pricing can be a dealbreaker.
Simply, iPlum boasts the communication functionalities healthcare professionals use every day without hurting your budget.
Click the link below to get started with iPlum.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational purposes and may not reflect the most current features or capabilities of the products or companies mentioned. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to the official sources of each company.
