Fetching openemr apis and build new website OR integrating theme into openemr? Which is better?

OpenEMR Development
1

We want to know which option will consume less time and easy to implement :

As openemr do not have good UI, also as there are no openemr themes are available,
1)is it better to modify the exisiting UI to make it look good or

2)is it better to fetch the openemr api and create a new independent php/html website ?

please suggest us

2

:white_check_mark: Option 1: Modify Existing OpenEMR UI

Pros:

  • Faster setup initially – you’re working inside the existing system.

  • Less risk of breaking API compatibility – you’re not decoupling anything.

  • Keeps access control, session management, and permissions intact.

Cons:

  • OpenEMR’s frontend uses a mix of Smarty templates, outdated jQuery, Knockout.js, and minimal CSS, which can be hard to modernize.

  • No theme support, so customizations are manual and scattered.

  • Harder to maintain and upgrade – updates might overwrite your changes.

  • UI structure is rigid – adding modern components (like charts, modals, tabs) is time-consuming.

:warning: Verdict: Best if you only need minor visual improvements, like changing colors, fonts, layout tweaks.

:white_check_mark: Option 2: Create a New Frontend with OpenEMR APIs

Pros:

  • You get complete control over design, layout, responsiveness, and user experience.

  • You can use modern stacks (React, Vue, or even PHP/HTML/JS) for maintainability and performance.

  • Makes it easy to integrate dashboards, role-based views, and mobile-friendly UIs.

Cons:

  • Initial development time is higher.

  • You’ll need to handle login/authentication securely (though OpenEMR supports external login APIs).

  • Might need to build some custom APIs if OpenEMR’s existing ones are not sufficient.

:warning: Verdict: Best if you want a clean, modern UI and are okay with a moderate setup time. Great for long-term scalability and professional look.

:bulb: Recommendation (Based on Your Context)

Since:

  • OpenEMR doesn’t support themes,

  • UI is not great,

  • You’re concerned about time and ease of implementation,

:large_blue_diamond: Hybrid Option (Recommended):

:heavy_check_mark: Start with creating a new frontend (Option 2), but begin with only patient-facing or frequently-used admin modules (like Dashboard, Appointment, Billing).
:heavy_check_mark: Leave lesser-used OpenEMR screens with their default UI for now.
:heavy_check_mark: Gradually expand based on usage and feedback.

This gives you a modern-looking, fast-loading interface without redoing everything at once.

Bonus: How to Start a New Frontend (Option 2)

  • Use OpenEMR REST APIs: https://yourdomain/apis/default/api/

  • Authenticate using a valid OpenEMR user (/api/auth)

  • Fetch patient data, encounters, appointments, etc.

  • Build your site with:

  • React or Vue (modern + scalable)

  • Or simple PHP/HTML/CSS (quicker if your team is familiar with PHP)

If you have any clariffication, you can contact us. for free support.