Hero Health vs. Sensely AskFirst

Sensely’s AskFirst was an early entrant to the online triage market. But its recent acquisition has led some GP surgeries to ponder alternatives. This blog compares Hero Health with AskFirst to help you decide which platform checks all the right boxes for your practice.

Similarities Between Hero Health and Sensely AskFirst

Both platforms aim to simplify care access and lighten the admin load, though they take different approaches. Here’s where they overlap:

1. Symptom Triage

  • Sensely AskFirst: Uses conversational AI and clinically backed algorithms to guide patients through symptom checks, often through a virtual avatar.
  • Hero Health: Harnesses a more pragmatic, customisable approach. Practices choose how they want triage to look, using simple digital forms integrated with their existing workflows.

2. Multi-Channel Accessibility

Sensely offers an app-based experience, while Hero keeps it simple via any browser. Both let patients easily connect on different devices.

3. Admin Efficiency

There’s time-saving in both solutions. Sensely automates inbound symptom triggers and offers language flexibility, whereas Hero standardises routine processes like batch messaging and streamlined bookings.

The Big Differences

1. Triage Flexibility

  • Hero Health: A ‘build-your-own-pathway’ feel. Practices decide whether patients book appointments, fill out forms, or self-manage. For a deeper look, check out Hero’s Care Navigation & Triage.
  • Sensely AskFirst: Provides a polished, avatar-led chat experience. It’s sleek but more templated, with pathways shaped by general clinical guidelines rather than your practice’s unique flow.

2. Patient Engagement

  • Hero Health: Offers outbound messaging in bulk to nudge patients about flu clinics, annual reviews, or upcoming appointments. Straightforward, cost-effective, and flexible.
  • Sensely AskFirst: Multilingual AI chat in over 30 languages, ideal if your priority is tackling a very diverse patient base with inbound queries. Less handy for mass outbound messages, though.

3. Costs

  • Hero Health: A 45p-per-patient annual flat rate, with no hidden fees. This covers triage, messaging, and appointment booking.
  • Sensely AskFirst: Price details aren’t readily shared. The advanced AI typically comes at a higher cost, and if you need another tool for batch messaging, your total may quickly exceed Hero’s flat fee.

4. Target Audience

  • Hero Health: Custom-built for primary care—the bread and butter of everyday GP workflows. Features are specifically designed to ease administrative pain points and direct patients to the right care pathways efficiently.
  • Sensely AskFirst: Targets broader healthcare organisations like pharma and payers. Its advanced AI might be overkill if you simply need triage, booking, and messaging for typical GP services.

Why Practices Choose Hero Health

Hero simplifies the day-to-day operations of GP practices, from triage to booking and beyond.

  • More Control, Less Hassle: Configurable triage and integrated booking reduce admin overhead and improve patient flow.
  • One Tool For All: From inbound triage to outbound batch messages, Hero handles it all—no need for multiple add-ons.
  • Transparent Pricing: Budget-friendly at just 45p per patient, per year.
  • Batch Messaging Mastery: Easily broadcast appointment invites or information in one go.

Should You Choose Hero Health or Sensely AskFirst?

If your priority is a flexible, practice-driven approach to triage and booking—without breaking the bank—Hero Health stands out. Sensely AskFirst excels at conversational AI, but for typical primary care needs, it can be more than you require (at a higher cost). If you’d like to see how Hero compares with other solutions, check out our blogs on Hero Health vs. eConsult and Hero Health vs. AskMyGP.

Ready to reduce admin stress? Get in touch to learn how Hero Health can simplify your practice.

Learn more:

Frequently asked questions

Commonly asked questions by providers using Hero to transform their service

What is the main difference between Hero Health and Sensely AskFirst?

How do Hero Health’s costs compare to Sensely AskFirst’s?

Does Hero Health integrate with GP electronic health records?

Can we customise Hero Health’s triage for our practice workflows?

Should we choose Hero Health or Sensely AskFirst for our practice?

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Explore our features

Learn more about the functionality covered in this blog article

Care navigation & triage

Your practice's digital front door. Help direct your patients to the appropriate service.

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Appointment booking

Share self-booking links with your patients or accept online bookings via your website

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Individual messaging

Streamline your communications with 1-2-1 messaging

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Batch messaging

Communicate with entire cohorts of patients by SMS or Email

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