FreeMED is a free, open-source electronic medical record and practice management system for medical offices, developed since 1999 and now stewarded by the non-profit FreeMED Software Foundation. It is a web application: the server runs on Linux, and staff use it in a browser. Anyone searching for a FreeMED download or the FreeMED EMR should know two things first: it is medical, not dental, software, and it is only lightly maintained.
The code on GitHub still receives occasional fixes (the latest, in March 2026, made it work with PHP 8.3), but there has been no packaged release since 2007. In practice FreeMED is for technically confident users who want to run or study a classic open-source EMR, not for a clinic that needs a supported product.
FreeMED at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Latest version | 0.8.4, the last packaged release (21 May 2007); the 0.9.x series is available only from the Git repository, last updated March 2026 |
| Licence | Free and open source, GNU GPL v2 or later |
| Platforms | Linux server (Debian is the reference), Apache, PHP 8.3, MySQL/MariaDB; web browser for users |
| Developer | FreeMED Software Foundation (original author Jeff Buchbinder) |
| Official website | freemedsoftware.org |
| Best for | Developers and IT enthusiasts who want a self-hosted, open-source medical practice system to study or adapt |
What it does
- Scheduler with scheduling rules, blocked time slots, appointment templates and follow-ups.
- Patient chart: allergies, current and chronic problems, medications, immunisations, vitals, growth charts and progress notes with templates.
- Prescriptions and refill requests, lab orders and results, clinical orders and referrals.
- Document management: scanned documents, unfiled and unread document queues, and a DICOM module.
- US-style billing with CPT and ICD codes, superbills, insurance coverage and claims, using the foundation’s REMITT billing and remittance engine.
- HL7 interfacing through Mirth Connect, and FreeSHIM for connecting medical devices.
- Internal messaging, reporting, user groups and access control.
How dental teams use it
FreeMED has no dental charting, tooth numbering or dental procedure catalogue, so realistic dental uses are limited:
Front-desk records in a mixed clinic
A clinic that already runs FreeMED for medical services can register dental patients, book them in a dentist’s schedule and keep scanned consent forms and referral letters in the patient’s documents. Clinical dental charting must stay in dental software.
Teaching and development
Students and developers can use FreeMED to learn how a complete EMR handles scheduling, notes, prescriptions and claims, and to prototype their own modules, since the whole code base is open under the GPL.
Install and first run
- Debian/Ubuntu (reference method): install Apache, MySQL, PHP 8.3 with its common extensions and the helper tools listed in the official wiki, then clone the freemed and remitt repositories from GitHub into /usr/share and link the provided Apache configuration.
- Database: create the freemed database and set the connection details in lib/settings.php. On recent MySQL versions the README gives a required sql_mode setting.
- Docker: the repository contains a Docker Compose setup for the 0.9.x series, but it expects a database dump from an existing instance, so it suits migrations and testing more than first installs.
- Gotchas: the wiki instructions were written for older Debian releases and need adapting; add index.php to Apache’s index files; allow plenty of RAM for building dependencies; secure the server with HTTPS before storing any real data.
Limitations
- No formal release since 2007 and only occasional maintenance commits; no guaranteed security updates.
- No dental features at all.
- Installation is manual and assumes Linux, Apache and MySQL administration skills.
- Billing is built around US code sets and claim formats.
- Documentation is sparse and partly outdated.
FreeMED vs alternatives
| Tool | Main difference |
|---|---|
| OpenEMR | Actively developed free EHR with regular releases, Docker image and online demo; the more practical choice for most practices. |
| GNU Health | Maintained free hospital system that also has a dentistry package with odontogram. |
| Bahmni | OpenMRS-based hospital EMR with Docker deployment, aimed at low-resource settings. |
FAQ
Where can I get a FreeMED download?
The current code is on GitHub (freemed/freemed), and the official wiki explains the installation. Old packaged releases up to 0.8.4 remain on SourceForge but are outdated.
Is FreeMED EMR still maintained?
Only lightly. The GitHub repository received PHP 8.3 compatibility fixes and a Docker Compose setup in 2025–2026, but there are no formal releases or release notes.
Is FreeMED free?
Yes. FreeMED is free and open source under the GNU GPL v2 or later.
Is there a FreeMED demo?
The FreeMED Software Foundation website links to an online demo instance. Use it only with fictitious data.
What does FreeMED need to run?
A Linux server with Apache, PHP 8.3 and MySQL or MariaDB; Debian is the reference platform. Users only need a modern web browser.
Is FreeMED the same as FreeMedForms?
No. FreeMedForms is a separate project by different developers, with its own code base and website.
Can a dental practice use FreeMED?
Not for clinical dental work: it has no tooth chart or dental procedures. Consider dental practice software, or GNU Health if you need a free system with a dentistry package.
Last checked against official sources: 26 September 2026 (developer website: freemedsoftware.org). Versions and licence terms change — confirm on the developer's site before deploying in a clinic.
