Butterfly Network AI vs Tortus
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Butterfly Network AI and Tortus.
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Verdict: Tortus wins
Tortus scores 4.3/5, edging out Butterfly Network AI at 3.8/5. NHS trusts and ICSs procuring an ambient clinical scribe with regulatory coverage, published safety data, and direct EHR write-back — especially those on Epic, Oracle Health, EMIS or SystmOne.
Butterfly Network AI AI-powered portable ultrasound | Tortus AI-powered healthcare efficiency and EHR optimization | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8 (1 review) | 4.3 (1 review) |
| Pricing Model | paid | paid |
| Starting Price | From $2000/mo | From $99/mo |
| Best For | Clinicians and health systems wanting AI-guided, handheld whole-body ultrasound for point-of-care diagnostics at a fraction of cart-system cost. | NHS trusts and ICSs procuring an ambient clinical scribe with regulatory coverage, published safety data, and direct EHR write-back — especially those on Epic, Oracle Health, EMIS or SystmOne. |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | mobile app | team featuresgdpr compliantapi access |
| Visit Butterfly Network AI → | Visit Tortus → |
Butterfly Network AI
Pros
- + Clear published pricing: iQ3 probe $3,899 with 3-year warranty, iQ+ $2,699 with 1-year warranty, $299/year Core Technology membership at time of writing
- + AI tools do one job each and carry clearance paths: Auto Bladder Volume has its own FDA 510(k) (K200980) with documented U-Net segmentation
- + Single-chip whole-body probe covers cardiac, lung, abdominal, bladder, OB/GYN, MSK and more across 20+ presets and six imaging modes
- + iQ Slice and iQ Fan automate 3D acquisition on the iQ3, which is where less experienced users struggle most
- + Organisation memberships are device-agnostic, so existing probe fleets can join the software stack
Cons
- - Hardware is mandatory and prescription-use: there is no software-only product for individuals
- - Image fidelity still trails cart-based systems; the vendor itself says trained clinical interpretation remains essential
- - AI is measurement-specific, not diagnostic: it counts, measures and guides, it never reads a study
- - Bladder tool has real contraindications (no fetal or paediatric use, no ascites, no suprapubic wounds)
- - Butterfly is a small-cap with mixed financials: Q3 2025 revenue up 5% but negative GAAP gross margin that quarter
Tortus
Pros
- + Published safety evidence: hallucination-check layer verified against the transcript with a 75% reduction in major hallucinations reported in npj Digital Medicine — rare transparency in this category
- + Direct Epic and Oracle Health integration with context-aware launch from the patient chart and signed notes written back to the EHR, not copy-paste exports
- + UKCA Class IIa medical device with ISO 13485, ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials Plus, DTAC and DSPT — the most regulatory coverage I found among UK scribes
- + Third-party evaluated outcomes: documentation time halved and 47 minutes back per shift at St George's (GOSH DRIVE for NHS England); 15,000 more appointments/year projected at Royal Devon
- + Published G-Cloud pricing (enterprise £200,000/year incl. 100,000 audio hours, £44/licence/month small pilot) lets procurement model cost before a sales call
Cons
- - No self-serve path for small clinics — everything routes through NHS trust procurement or the X-on Health partnership; smallest pilot caps at 20 licences and 1-2 departments
- - G-Cloud pricing documents carry conflicting validity dates (offers valid to 31/03/2025 vs G-Cloud 15 live from 7 Sept) — current figures need confirming in procurement
- - Template customisation is more limited than some competitors despite per-specialty templates
- - UK-centric: built around NHS governance and UK record systems with no documented private-practice PMS integration
- - Clinical performance claims rest on published evaluations and vendor documentation — there is no way for an individual reviewer to test the device in a real consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Butterfly Network AI or Tortus?▼
Tortus scores higher at 4.3/5 vs 3.8/5 for Butterfly Network AI, making it the better-rated option in our comparison.
What is the difference between Butterfly Network AI and Tortus?▼
Butterfly Network AI: Butterfly Network makes a handheld whole-body ultrasound probe that plugs into a phone or tablet, with AI guidance for point-of-care imaging. Tortus: TORTUS is a clinical AI assistant used in NHS systems that writes consultation notes automatically while the clinician talks to the patient.
Is Butterfly Network AI or Tortus more affordable?▼
Butterfly Network AI starts at €2000/mo, Tortus starts at €99/mo. Check the comparison table above for current pricing.
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