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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

athenaPatient vs athenaText

athenaPatient 4.9★ · Free to download 80
Winner athenaPatient
athenaText 3.9★ · Free to download 40

athenaPatient is the better choice for patients due to its higher user satisfaction, despite some reported technical issues, while athenaText, designed for healthcare staff, suffers from significant and persistent reliability problems.

Full reviews: athenaPatient · athenaText

athenaPatient, a patient portal app, boasts a significantly higher lifetime rating and is generally praised for ease of use and communication with providers, though some users experience login and notification issues. athenaText, for healthcare staff, is valued for secure communication but is plagued by frequent login problems, update failures, and unreliable notifications.

Head to head

Features edge: athenaPatientR2R4R5R15
athenaPatient athenaPatient allows users to communicate with providers, schedule appointments, view test results, and manage billing statements R2R5. Users appreciate the ability to message doctors directly and receive prompt replies R2R47R51. However, some users report missing features like prescription refills, viewing visit notes, or connecting with other clinic apps like MyChart R15. There are also complaints about not seeing all appointments or test results R4.
athenaText athenaText is designed for staff communication, enabling quick and confidential messaging among healthcare teams . It helps with add-ons, cancellations, schedule changes, and improving workflow . Users can send texts from their phones, making it convenient for rounds . Some users wish for features like attaching patient charts, group messaging functionality on the iPhone app, or a snooze function for notifications . There are also complaints about not being able to dictate or enter info for signing off charts on the phone .
Ease of Use edge: athenaPatientR1R7R8R10
athenaPatient Many athenaPatient users find the app easy to understand, navigate, and use, with clear markings and a smooth flow R8. Facial recognition is a liked feature . However, a significant number of users report issues with the login process, including being logged out constantly, requiring new passwords frequently, or the app not recognizing credentials R7R10R25R30. Some find the keyboard for login problematic R1. Navigation is described as difficult by some, especially after switching from other apps .
athenaText athenaText is generally described as user-friendly, easy to navigate, and simple to use by those who can access it . However, a major recurring complaint is the need to sign in every time the app is opened, which negates its convenience . Users also report the app being clunky, not loading messages, or requiring multiple refreshes R66.
Reliability tieR4R6R9R10
athenaPatient athenaPatient works well most of the time for many users R6. However, a significant number of reviews highlight reliability issues, particularly with login failures, blank screens, and the app not working as expected R10R25. Notifications for new messages are frequently reported as unreliable or non-existent, forcing users to constantly check the app or email R9. Some users also experience problems with appointments not being listed or information not being uploaded R4R6.
athenaText athenaText has severe and widespread reliability problems. Users frequently report the app crashing, shutting down immediately after opening, or being stuck on 'syncing' R103. A major issue is the app constantly requiring updates that don't actually update, leading to an unusable state R77R79. Notifications are often not delivered or messages don't load even with alerts R66R70R85R91. Many users state the app is 'useless' or 'non-functional' due to these persistent glitches .
Price/Value edge: athenaPatientR2R4R5R10
athenaPatient Both apps are free to download. For athenaPatient, the value comes from providing patients with convenient access to their healthcare information and providers R2R5. Users appreciate the ability to communicate, schedule, and view results without needing to call the office R2R47. However, if the app is not working or missing key information, its value diminishes significantly R4R10.
athenaText For athenaText, the value lies in its HIPAA-compliant, efficient, and confidential communication for healthcare staff, improving workflow and saving time . It allows staff to communicate on the go, which is crucial for busy medical environments . However, the frequent technical issues, login problems, and unreliable notifications severely undermine this value, making the app 'pointless' or 'useless' for many .
Support tieR4R7R9R10
athenaPatient Reviews for athenaPatient do not directly mention app support. Issues like login problems, missing features, and notification failures suggest a need for better support or app development R7R9R10. Some users express frustration with the app's functionality compared to previous systems R4.
athenaText athenaText users frequently report poor support. They mention being told to simply remove and redownload the app for issues R66. Users have complained to Athena support almost monthly about notification issues with no fix R70. Feedback submission within the app itself is broken, with users unable to submit their complaints . Physicians have tried giving helpful feedback on bugs numerous times, only for responses to be 'lame' and tickets closed without resolution .
Pick athenaPatient if

You are a patient looking for an app to communicate with your doctor, schedule appointments, and view test results, and you are willing to tolerate occasional login and notification issues R2R5R8.

Pick athenaText if

You are a healthcare professional whose office uses Athena services for internal communication and you need a HIPAA-compliant messaging tool, provided you are prepared to deal with frequent login problems, update issues, and unreliable notifications .

Evidence note: athenaPatient has a significantly larger number of reviews (155,817 vs 377) and a much higher lifetime rating (4.88 vs 3.86), indicating a generally more positive user experience despite its flaws. athenaText's lower rating and smaller review count, combined with the nature of its complaints (critical functionality failures), suggest a more problematic app. The free-to-download nature of both apps means that negative reviews are not necessarily skewed by payment friction.

Frequently asked

Can I use athenaPatient to communicate with my doctor?
Yes, athenaPatient allows for instant communication with providers, with many users reporting prompt replies, sometimes within minutes R2R47R51.
Does athenaText reliably deliver notifications for new messages?
No, athenaText frequently fails to deliver notifications for new messages, with users reporting they have to constantly check the app or force close and reopen it to see new messages R66R70R85R91.
Are there common login issues with athenaPatient?
Yes, many athenaPatient users report frequent login issues, including being logged out every time they open the app, needing to get a new password repeatedly, or the app not recognizing their credentials R7R10R25R30.
Is athenaText compatible with the latest iPhone updates?
athenaText users have reported significant issues with the app not working or being unable to log in after iPhone updates, with some stating the app becomes unusable R77R79R103R105.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] athenaPatient 5/5 · US Access!: I really like the ArhenaPatient App because I have instant communication with my providers and they usually reply promptly within 24 hrs but usually instantly. My last message I sent my Endocrinologist, she relied in 2 minutes. I love having access to my providers in real-time. This app is a gem for someone like me on dialysis and type I diabetic.
  2. [R4] athenaPatient 1/5 · US Useless: Our dr just switched from an app that worked great to this. It has no info. Nothing gets uploaded. It’s terrible. Follow My Health was great. Might as well not even have this one.
  3. [R5] athenaPatient 5/5 · US This App is a blessing from God: Recently , I needed to see my doctor but I felt so bad so I called the office and was able to schedule a online tele appointment ThankGod
  4. [R15] athenaPatient 3/5 · US Prescriptions: I would love to see a link on here to refill prescriptions or message the pharmacists. That would make it so much easier to have an all-in-one app for patients.
  5. [R1] athenaPatient 1/5 · US Keyboard is awful: The main keyboard for login does not have a period! I shouldn’t need to switch to an alternate keyboard multiple times to enter my email address. This is on the iPad version, so space on the screen is not an issue.
  6. [R7] athenaPatient 2/5 · US Password failure: This app only allows one time use of password each time I want to open it it requires me to get a new password. Also I can’t add an additional doctor
  7. [R8] athenaPatient 5/5 · US It’s about time: Of all the medical apps that I’ve used, this is by far the easiest to understand and use; everything is clearly marked and easy to understand. I probably said that already, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.
  8. [R10] athenaPatient 1/5 · US Entirely worthless: It logs me out every time I open it. I downloaded the app to have access when away from my computer but now I have no access.
  9. [R6] athenaPatient 3/5 · US Athena App: Works well most of the time. Scheduling appointments can be tricky. A lot of times they won’t list available appointments so you end up having to call to schedule.
  10. [R9] athenaPatient 3/5 · US No alerts are sent ever when doctor responds to messages. I have to recheck over and over.: The alerts are turn on for this app but I’ve never gotten one for in-app messages. How hard could it be to add alerts for the potentially VERY important messages or responses from my doctor?
  11. [R47] athenaPatient 5/5 · US Review: It’s wonderful that we can communicate with staff members to better understand our concerns and care possibilities , without having to make an appointment always. Thank you for this service.
  12. [R51] athenaPatient 5/5 · US Easy to communicate: The app is so easy to communicate with anyone at Blackbird Health. I feel confident knowing my message will get to the appropriate department (schedule, medicine)
  13. [R66] athenaText 3/5 · US App needs work: The concept of this app is great but it needs work. Every time I make a comment about it, I’m told to remove the app and redownload it. No other app do I have to do that with. It works for a while and then the notifications stop coming, it won’t show new employees, and it will sometimes give you a notification but won’t load the new message. I have to close out several times to get
  14. [R70] athenaText 1/5 · US Dangerous game: Due to continues issues last year with app not notifying is risking delaying provider notification when staff tries to reach provider. Have told Athena support almost monthly, yet no fix
  15. [R85] athenaText 1/5 · US Not refreshing: App is not refreshing. I’m getting alerts, but in the app. No messages.
  16. [R91] athenaText 2/5 · US Docjoseandres: We have just started using AthenaText. The premise sounds awesome but for some reason the app does not notify the user when we have a message.. So unless I continuously check this app - I won’t know I have messages Is there a setting we have missed that will allow a notification? Thanks
  17. [R25] athenaPatient 1/5 · US Faulty app: This is the worst app. Every time I want to log into it, it won’t let me even if I change password.
  18. [R30] athenaPatient 1/5 · US Horrible: This app is absolutely horrible and frustrating. Why have an app that I have to log into every single time and it routes you to a website within the app it self… it’s like being in the 90s. Additionally you request a password word reset and it take 10min for the email to show up. Worst app ever.
  19. [R77] athenaText 1/5 · US Update issue: I’m constantly getting this message when I open the Athena app. I click on the update link and it takes me to the App Store and it shows the Athena app and the link to “open”. I open the app and in circles I go. When I change my pass code, it’ll work until I open the app again. What’s going on? “App Update Required! The current app version you are using is obsolete. To continue us
  20. [R79] athenaText 2/5 · US Athenatext: Smh Athenatext continues to go in and out whether in office or if you’re trying to use the app. Attempting to use the app I keep getting an update message when the app has already updated. Please fix this is annoying.
  21. [R103] athenaText 1/5 · US Crashy, very crashy, please fix: You guys need to update your apps and make it stabler, we rely on this to keep in contact within the clinic on the go. You are still referring to security as Touch ID on my iPhone XS that uses Face ID? Are you serious? Get your act together, please.
  22. [R105] athenaText 1/5 · US Update fail: I can’t send or receive messages since the new update. I’ve removed and reinstalled.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store