Mirth Connect is a cornerstone of healthcare interoperability, and recent licensing changes from NextGen Healthcare will impact how you use this critical tool. On March 19, 2025, NextGen Healthcare announced changes to the Mirth Connect licensing model, transitioning to a closed-source, proprietary license model with the release of version 4.6.

In our commitment to keeping you informed and empowered, Meditecs is addressing the recent NextGen Healthcare announcement regarding the Mirth Connect license. This article delivers a comprehensive analysis of these changes, their potential implications, and how Meditecs will ensure your integration needs are met.

Mirth Connect license update #

With the release of Mirth Connect 4.6, the licensing model is changing significantly. It will change from a dual-license (open-source and commercial) to a single license. This new license is closed-source and proprietary. Therefore, the software’s internal code is not publicly accessible and is owned exclusively by NextGen Healthcare. NextGen has stated that this change aims to enhance the product’s quality and reliability.

Additionally, NextGen Healthcare is introducing Mirth Connect for Research. This is a complimentary license available for active research studies affiliated with a non-profit research institution.

NextGen Healthcare will continue to encourage and value contributions from users. However, new feature and enhancement requests will be reviewed through their product enhancement process workflow in Success Community. This option is available to all Mirth Connect Silver, Enterprise, Gold, and Platinum clients.

• Read NextGen announcement on Mirth Connect forum.
• NextGen FAQ about the new Mirth Connect license model.

New features and availability #

Along with the new license, Mirth Connect 4.6 will bring the new Enterprise package. This will include SSL Manager, Channel History, and Message Generator. All tiers will also include access to the new Mirth Command Center and a designated number of channels for channel analytics.

Mirth Command Center is a new dashboard that allows users to view and centrally manage Mirth servers and channels. It is currently in beta. The features include the ability to see metrics for certain servers and channels. Notifications via email are provided when various Mirth Connect thresholds, such as errors, queues, and inactivity are reached or exceeded.

Note that the Mirth Command Center is not currently available in the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK).

NextGen Healthcare will continue to provide Docker images for each release, accessible through the Mirth Command Center starting with version 4.6. Clients with an existing CI/CD process or other forms of automation for obtaining Docker images may need to make some minor updates to their scripts. Docker images for all previous Mirth Connect versions will remain available in Docker Hub.

Impact of the new Mirth Connect license #

Users of current open-source versions #

Users can continue to use their current open-source versions or upgrade to the last published open-source version (4.5.2). These versions will remain available under their respective Mirth Connect licenses (Mozilla Public License 1.0 or 2.0). Release notes, upgrade notes, and source code will remain accessible on GitHub.

The change in upcoming versions of Mirth Connect will not impact current integrations, and you may stay on your current version. Once a version is no longer maintained by NextGen, other vendors, including Meditecs, may provide maintenance and future development.

Commercial users #

Existing commercial Mirth Connect users will see no immediate change to their cost, support package, services, or license key. However, those with custom extensions may need to update them to ensure compatibility with Mirth Connect 4.6. Additionally, users will need to sign an updated terms and conditions agreement before upgrading to Mirth Connect 4.6.

Availability of Mirth Connect resources #

The Mirth Connect Slack Channel, legacy Mirth Forums, and previously published GitHub content will remain accessible.

Although, NextGen has removed the downloads section from its website, you can still find all the open-source versions under our Mirth Connect download page. Additionally, you can download Open Integration Engine, a fully compatible open-source fork of Mirth Connect.

Meditecs’ commitment #

Meditecs ensures the continuity and reliability of your interoperability solutions by maintaining our integration engine, Meditecs Smart Connect, independently of Mirth Connect license changes. We will continue to support our products and the open-source core within them.

Looking ahead, we will:

• Actively maintain and monitor open-source versions of Mirth Connect and its existing forks, like BridgeLink and Open Integration Engine. The aim is to identify the best options for the future of our products and provide you with the most robust solutions.
• Engage with NextGen Healthcare to stay up-to-date and explore possibilities for our commercial Mirth Connect extensions. This will ensure a smooth transition for you, whether you stay with open-source versions or transition to the new license model.

As a solid and reliable vendor of interoperability products and services, Meditecs is committed to providing expert guidance and proactive support throughout these changes. We’re here to ensure your operations remain seamless and efficient.

Support from Meditecs #

Meditecs is here to support our partners and clients! Please do not hesitate to contact us with any inquiries or concerns regarding Mirth Connect, its license, or our suite of products and services. We are committed to providing the solutions and support you need for seamless interoperability and your continued success.

Check out Meditecs related services:

• Advanced support and migration services for Mirth Connect.
• Migration to Open Integration Engine
• Meditecs Smart Connect integration engine.

Can we help you with anything else? Contact Meditecs team.