If your organization uses Mirth Connect for data integration or HL7 workflows, you may have noticed something’s changed.
Since version 4.6, Mirth is no longer fully open-source. Access to critical updates and features now requires a commercial license — and for many healthcare teams, that raises new questions:
- What happens if we stay on an old version?
- Is there a free alternative to Mirth?
- How do we switch safely, without disrupting our systems?
In this post, we’ll walk you through what’s happening with Mirth Connect, introduce you to Bridgelink — an open-source alternative — and show how Healthcare Integrations can make the transition easy.
Why Is Mirth Connect No Longer Free?
Mirth Connect was originally a community-driven, open-source integration engine built for healthcare. But under its current owner, access to the latest versions now requires a license. As of version 4.6, you’ll need to pay for ongoing updates, support, and critical security fixes.
If you’re still using Mirth 4.4 or earlier, you’re technically unsupported — and likely exposed to security risks.
What’s the Alternative?
Meet Bridgelink — an open-source fork of Mirth Connect. It’s built by contributors who know the platform inside out, and it’s designed to stay community-first and license-free.
Bridgelink is:
- Actively maintained
- Production-ready
- Free and open source
- Compatible with existing Mirth-based workflows
Can I Just Switch from Mirth to Bridgelink?
Yes — and the process can be smoother than you might think, especially with expert support.
At Healthcare Integrations, we specialize in:
- Verifying your current Mirth version
- Preparing a migration plan
- Updating interfaces and configurations
- Testing and validating your new setup
- Training your internal teams (if needed)
We’re also a board-level partner in the Bridgelink project, which means we’re helping shape its roadmap and long-term support strategy.
Why Replace Mirth Now?
Security: Outdated versions may not meet HIPAA and enterprise compliance requirements.
Cost Control: Avoid surprise licensing costs or vendor lock-in.
Future-Proofing: Bridgelink is committed to open standards and a transparent development path.
Next Steps: How to Migrate
If you’re using Mirth Connect and want to stay compliant and secure, the safest move is to plan a migration early — before problems arise.
We recommend starting with:
- Version Check: Find out what version of Mirth you’re running. We can help.
- Consultation: Schedule a free consult with our team to assess your needs.
- Migration Plan: We’ll outline a low-risk migration strategy tailored to your system and workflow.
Talk to a Migration Expert Today
We’ve helped providers, hospitals, and startups across the U.S. replace commercial Mirth with BridgeLink — seamlessly and securely. Whether you’re planning to replace Mirth Connect due to licensing changes or looking for a more scalable solution, our team ensures a smooth transition.
📅 Schedule your free consultation to get started.
🟣 This post is part of our ongoing series on interoperability and integration tools in healthcare IT. Explore more on our blog homepage. 🔗 Learn more about our Integration Services
