Butterfly Network
Handheld whole-body ultrasound with single-probe design and AI guidance.
For most clinicians who want one handheld probe that covers the whole body, the iQ3 is the strongest pick—AI guidance, advanced tools, and a growing software ecosystem make it more than a gadget. It's less ideal if you need cart-level image fidelity for cardiology or deep structures; those buyers should look at dedicated systems like GE Vscan Air or Philips Lumify.
Verified 5d ago · liveness 78/100 · cite: rightaichoice.com/tools/butterfly-network
- Emergency physicians needing fast bedside FAST and lung ultrasound
- Hospitalists and intensivists performing daily POCUS on rounds
- Primary care providers adding ultrasound to office visits
- Health systems standardizing POCUS with CompassAI workflow software
- Advanced echocardiography needing 3D or strain imaging
- High-resolution deep abdominal or vascular exams
- Cardiology specialists who need a dedicated phased-array probe
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3 free scans · no card needed
Skip Butterfly iQ3 if you need high-end image fidelity for advanced cardiology or deep abdominal exams, or if you're on an Android-only environment and need TeleGuidance for remote consults.
The probe price does not include the software membership—you must also pay $299/yr (Core) or $420/yr (Advanced), which adds significant recurring cost.
Butterfly's pricing is mid-range for handheld ultrasound: the iQ3 at $3,899 is competitive with GE's Vscan Air ($3,999) but more expensive than Lumify's $8,000+ setup. However, the subscription model means ongoing costs: $299-$420/yr for software. If you need a single, affordable probe for POCUS, Butterfly offers good value; if you need multiple probes or higher image fidelity, consider alternatives.
In short
Butterfly Network — Handheld whole-body ultrasound with single-probe design and AI guidance. Best for Emergency physicians needing fast bedside FAST and lung ultrasound, Hospitalists and intensivists performing daily POCUS on rounds, Primary care providers adding ultrasound to office visits. Plans from $299/mo.
What's new in Butterfly Network
Checked 5 days agoAcross the latest 4 updates: 3 launches and 1 pricing change.
Introducing iQ3 Vet – Next-Gen Veterinary Imaging Solution
Butterfly launched iQ3 Vet, an all-species veterinary ultrasound solution based on the iQ3 probe, expanding its market to animal care.
Introducing Butterfly Move – All-in-One POCUS Cart
Butterfly introduced its first all-in-one POCUS cart, integrating the iQ3 probe for stationary hospital use.
CompassAI Enterprise Workflow Platform Now Available
CompassAI, an enterprise platform for managing ultrasound programs (documentation, billing, analytics), is now available.
Trade-In Program: Up to $1,500 Credit Toward iQ3
Existing iQ/iQ+ owners can get up to $1,500 credit when upgrading to iQ3.
Viability Score
How well maintained and how widely used is Butterfly Network? Built from what the vendor actually publishes (docs, changelog, tutorials, integrations, pricing), whether the site is live, and how much real users discuss it. How we calculate this
Last calculated: September 2026
How we score →Key Features
- Handheld whole-body ultrasound with single probe
- Ultrasound-on-Chip semiconductor technology
- On-device AI guidance for image acquisition
- Auto Bladder Volume with 3D visualization
- Auto B-Line Counter from 6-second clips
- iQ Slice multi-angle imaging (iQ3 exclusive)
- iQ Fan real-time virtual tilting for lungs (iQ3 exclusive)
- Needle Viz in-plane needle highlighting
- Power Doppler & Pulsed-Wave Doppler (Advanced membership)
- M-Mode & Color Doppler (all memberships)
- Biplane Imaging for MSK/nerve/vascular access
- TeleGuidance for remote peer connection (iOS only)
- Unlimited cloud storage with de-identified sharing
- CompassAI enterprise workflow: documentation, billing, analytics
- Butterfly Academy course library and administration tools
About Butterfly Network
Butterfly Network makes a pocket-sized, single-probe ultrasound system that gives clinicians whole-body imaging at the point of care. The core product is the Butterfly iQ3, a third-generation handheld probe built on Ultrasound-on-Chip semiconductor technology, which replaces the multiple piezoelectric probes of traditional systems. You plug it into a smartphone or tablet and get imaging across 20+ clinical applications at the bedside, in the clinic, or in the field. Designed for emergency physicians, hospitalists, intensivists, primary care providers, and medical educators, it's a full POCUS solution that fits in your pocket. On-device AI assists with image acquisition and interpretation, including FDA-cleared tools like Auto Bladder Volume and Auto B-Lines. Advanced imaging features—iQ Slice, iQ Fan, Biplane, and Needle Viz—come with the Advanced Technology membership and are mostly iQ3-exclusive. CompassAI, the enterprise software layer, automates documentation, billing, and analytics for whole ultrasound programs, making it a fit for health systems standardizing POCUS across departments. Recent additions expand the ecosystem. The Butterfly Move cart turns the iQ3 into an all-in-one stationary setup for hospital use, and the iQ3 Vet extends the platform to all species in veterinary medicine. Education is built in: Butterfly Academy offers a curated course library, and the AI Marketplace lets third parties build and distribute apps on Butterfly hardware. The company reports over 145,000 customers globally. Compared to traditional cart systems and other handhelds, Butterfly's single-probe design means you carry one device, not several. The trade-off is image quality—sharp for point-of-care work, but not matching dedicated high-end systems for advanced cardiology or deep abdominal exams. Pricing is transparent: probes start at $2,699, and software memberships are required, with a perpetual option available.
Behind the Verdict
Butterfly Network's iQ3 is a compelling choice for clinicians who want a single, portable ultrasound solution that covers a wide range of point-of-care applications. The single-probe design eliminates the need to carry multiple transducers, and the integration with smartphone/tablet devices makes it highly portable. The on-device AI tools, such as Auto Bladder Volume and Auto B-Lines, are genuinely useful for quick assessments, even for less experienced scanners. The imaging quality, while not matching high-end cart systems, is sufficient for most POCUS exams, and the iQ3's double processing power and improved image clarity address some of the previous generation's shortcomings. The membership model is a key consideration: you're not just buying a probe; you're committing to a software subscription (or a perpetual license) to unlock the full feature set. The Advanced Technology tier adds Doppler and advanced imaging tools that many clinicians will want, but it comes at a higher annual cost. The perpetual option is a good alternative for those who want to avoid recurring fees, but it requires a larger upfront investment and is limited to one probe purchase online. The ecosystem is a major strength. CompassAI provides enterprise-level workflow management, which is valuable for health systems looking to standardize POCUS across departments. Butterfly Academy offers a wealth of educational resources, and the AI Marketplace opens up the potential for third-party innovation. The recent launches of Butterfly Move and iQ3 Vet expand its applicability to hospital settings and veterinary medicine, respectively. However, there are trade-offs. The image quality is not on par with dedicated systems for advanced echocardiography or deep abdominal imaging, so cardiologists and radiologists may need a separate device. TeleGuidance is iOS-only, which is a limitation for Android users. And the subscription costs can add up over time, especially if you need multiple seats. Overall, Butterfly iQ3 is an excellent choice for emergency physicians, hospitalists, primary care providers, and educators who want a versatile, pocket-sized ultrasound. It's less ideal for specialists who require high-end imaging or those who want to avoid ongoing software costs.
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Real-world workflow fit
Concrete scenarios for the personas Butterfly Network actually fits — and what changes day-one when you adopt it.
In a busy ED, a patient presents with undifferentiated hypotension. You grab your iQ3, plug it into your iPhone, and perform a FAST exam in under 2 minutes, followed by a lung ultrasound to check for B-lines. The Auto B-Line Counter gives you a quick count to assess for pulmonary edema.
Outcome: You quickly rule out major trauma and identify pulmonary edema, guiding your fluid management. The portable probe allows you to do this at the bedside without waiting for radiology.
In your office, a patient complains of urinary retention. You use the iQ3 with Auto Bladder Volume to measure bladder volume in seconds, avoiding the need to refer out for a separate bladder scan.
Outcome: You diagnose and manage the patient's urinary retention on the spot, improving patient convenience and reducing unnecessary referrals.
Your hospital wants to standardize POCUS across departments. You deploy Butterfly iQ3 probes and enroll in CompassAI to manage documentation, billing, and analytics.
Outcome: You gain visibility into POCUS usage across the system, capture more charges (as seen in the University of Rochester case), and improve compliance with standardized protocols.
Use Cases
- Emergency department FAST exams and cardiac assessment
- Rural clinic point-of-care imaging for triage and diagnosis
- Primary care bladder volume measurement and MSK evaluation
- Anesthesiology guided procedures and vascular access
- OB/GYN limited obstetric exams with gestational age tool
- Medical education: scan training and certification programs
- Veterinary imaging for all species (iQ3 Vet)
Limitations
- Butterfly iQ3 offers double processing power and clearer images compared to previous generations, but specific image quality limitations are not detailed in the evidence.
- Advanced AI tools and Doppler features are available through membership tiers, with some features requiring additional subscriptions.
- The pricing page indicates a choice between Core Technology and Advanced Technology memberships, with the latter including more advanced imaging tools.
- TeleGuidance is available on iOS only, but other platform limitations are not specified in the provided evidence.
as of 2026-08-28
Verification history
We have re-verified Butterfly Network 18 times since . Each pass re-reads the vendor's own pages and re-checks every listed field against that evidence; passes where nothing had changed are marked as such.
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
- — re-checked, vendor evidence unchanged
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
- — re-verified summary, description, our verdict, our analysis, pricing model, pricing tiers, features, integrations, who it suits, who should skip it
Showing the 6 most recent of 18 verification passes.
Free to cite with attribution — this page re-verifies continuously.
12-month cost
Project the real annual outlay, including the implied monthly cost when only an annual tier is published.
Vendor list price only. Add-on usage, seat overages, and contract minimums are surfaced under Hidden costs & gotchas.
Plans compared
For each published Butterfly Network tier: who it actually fits, and what it adds vs. the previous tier. Cross-reference the cost calculator above for projected annual outlay.
iQ+ probe
$2,699 (one-time)
Ideal for
Clinicians on a budget who want a reliable handheld for basic POCUS exams and don't need the latest image quality or extended warranty.
What this tier adds
Starting probe option; costs $2,699 (one-time) and includes 1-year warranty, but requires a membership for full functionality.
iQ3 probe
$3,899 (one-time)
Ideal for
Clinicians who want the best handheld image quality and longer warranty, willing to pay more upfront for future-proofing.
What this tier adds
Upgrade from iQ+: costs $3,899 (one-time), includes 3-year warranty, double processing power, and sharper images.
Core Technology membership
$299/yr plus cost of probe
Ideal for
Solo practitioners or small clinics that need basic imaging modes and education resources at a low annual cost.
What this tier adds
Starting membership tier; $299/yr adds 1 user seat, M-Mode & Color Doppler, unlimited cloud storage, and Butterfly Academy courses.
Advanced Technology membership (annual)
$420/yr plus cost of probe
Ideal for
Clinicians who need Doppler and advanced imaging tools like iQ Slice and Needle Viz for procedures and detailed assessments.
What this tier adds
Adds Power/Pulsed-Wave Doppler, advanced imaging tools, and AI features (Auto Bladder, Auto B-Lines) for $420/yr.
Advanced Technology membership (perpetual)
$1,500 one-time plus cost of probe
Ideal for
Long-term users who want to avoid recurring fees and are willing to pay a one-time $1,500 for lifetime access (5-year guarantee).
What this tier adds
Same features as annual, but no recurring costs; however, limited to 1 probe purchase online.
Where the pricing makes sense
The company stage and team size where Butterfly Network's pricing actually pencils out — and where peers do it cheaper.
Butterfly's pricing is mid-range for handheld ultrasound: the iQ3 at $3,899 is competitive with GE's Vscan Air ($3,999) but more expensive than Lumify's $8,000+ setup. However, the subscription model means ongoing costs: $299-$420/yr for software. If you need a single, affordable probe for POCUS, Butterfly offers good value; if you need multiple probes or higher image fidelity, consider alternatives.
Setup time & first value
How long it actually takes to get something useful out of Butterfly Network — broken out by persona, not the marketing-page minute.
For an individual clinician, you can unbox the iQ3, charge it, pair it with your smartphone, and start scanning within 30 minutes. For a health system deploying multiple probes and CompassAI, expect a few days for onboarding, including training sessions for staff and configuring enterprise integrations.
Switching to or from Butterfly Network
How to bring data in from common predecessors and how to get it back out — written for the switcher, not the buyer.
- →From traditional cart systems: Replace your cart with Butterfly probes and use the mobile app to scan at the bedside. You can export studies to PACS via cloud storage.
- →From other handhelds (e.g., Lumify, Vscan): The single-probe design may require adjusting to one probe for all applications, but training is minimal.
- ↗To a cart-based system: If you need higher image quality for advanced exams, you may keep Butterfly for POCUS and invest in a dedicated cart system for complex cases.
- ↗To another handheld: If you prefer a different device, you can export your data and de-identified studies from Butterfly's cloud storage to your new system's archive.
Integrations
Resources & Guides
- Tutorialbutterflynetwork.com
Ultrasound Training Videos For Education
Step-by-step walkthrough from butterflynetwork.com
- Resourcebutterflynetwork.com
Access POCUS thought leadership in one place.
Helpful link from butterflynetwork.com
- Resourcebutterflynetwork.com
Butterfly Network blog
Helpful link from butterflynetwork.com
- Quickstartbutterflynetwork.com
iQ+ Getting Started Portal
Get up and running fast from butterflynetwork.com
- Resourcebutterflynetwork.com
Ultrasound Training Videos For Education
Helpful link from butterflynetwork.com
- Resourcebutterflynetwork.com
Butterfly Pricing | iQ+, iQ3, & Compass
Helpful link from butterflynetwork.com
Tutorials & Learning
Official links
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