Butterfly Network
About Butterfly Network
Butterfly Network is a pioneering digital health company dedicated to transforming medical imaging through its innovative handheld, whole-body ultrasound system. Founded in 2011, the company’s core offering, the Butterfly iQ (and its subsequent generations like iQ+ and iQ3), utilizes proprietary Ultrasound-on-Chip™ semiconductor technology. This breakthrough enables a single, pocket-sized probe to perform comprehensive imaging across various anatomical regions, a significant departure from traditional, bulky, and expensive ultrasound machines.
For physicians, Butterfly Network’s technology aims to democratize access to high-quality ultrasound at the point of care (POCUS), integrating seamlessly with smartphones and tablets. This facilitates immediate diagnostic information, streamlines clinical workflows, and enhances efficiency across diverse specialties, including emergency medicine, obstetrics, cardiology, and primary care. Beyond hardware, Butterfly Network provides AI-powered software solutions like Compass AI™ for workflow management and ScanLab for educational purposes, further supporting clinical decision-making and training. The company is committed to improving global health equity by making advanced imaging affordable and accessible, particularly in underserved communities, and is actively exploring new applications and AI-driven tools to enhance care delivery and develop new biomarkers.
Focus Areas
Business Intelligence
| Key Investors | Baillie Gifford, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Fidelity, Fosun Industrial Co., Limited (Fosun Pharma), Glenview Capital Management, Tenet Healthcare, UPMC Enterprises, Eldridge, Ridgeback, Wellington Management, Stanford University, Aeris Capital, Jamie Dinan |
| Partnerships | UltraSight (for AI real-time cardiac guidance), Midjourney, Inc. (co-development and licensing), various NGOs for global health initiatives, Butterfly Garden (AI Marketplace for third-party developers) |
| Acquisitions | Merged with Longview Acquisition Corp. (SPAC) to go public in 2021 |
| Technology | Ultrasound-on-Chip™ semiconductor technology, fully electronic 2D capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array, software-defined beam steering, cloud-based software, AI operating system (Compass AI), Software Development Kit (SDK) and Application Programming Interface (API) for developers |
| FDA Clearances | At least 4 cleared products (estimated) |
What Physicians Need to Know
For physicians, Butterfly Network's technology stands out by offering unparalleled portability and versatility with a single, handheld probe that fits in a lab coat pocket, allowing for bedside imaging across various specialties. The integrated AI, particularly through Compass AIu2122, streamlines workflows by automating documentation, providing AI-powered image review for quality assurance, and offering real-time feedback, which can significantly reduce charting time and improve documentation compliance. This leads to faster diagnoses, more efficient patient care, and enhanced collaboration with colleagues through secure image sharing. Furthermore, the comprehensive educational resources, including AI-guided training, accelerate POCUS proficiency, making advanced imaging more accessible to a broader range of clinicians.
Butterfly Network's ecosystem is designed for seamless integration into existing healthcare IT environments. The Butterfly Cloud, built on AWS, supports interoperability with Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), and Single Sign-On (SSO) via DICOM and HL7 standards. This allows for centralized image storage, streamlined data management, and efficient sharing of clinical results. Additionally, the 'Butterfly Garden' provides an SDK and API access for third-party developers to build and integrate AI-powered applications, expanding the functionality and utility of Butterfly devices within a health system.
What the Web Says
Butterfly Network is generally viewed as an innovative company with a revolutionary product in the handheld ultrasound market. The Butterfly iQ and iQ+ probes are praised for their portability, ease of use, and ability to provide whole-body imaging with a single probe, making ultrasound more accessible in various healthcare settings. However, some concerns exist regarding image quality compared to traditional cart-based machines and the cost of the device and its associated subscription for cloud storage. As an employer, reviews are mixed, with some highlighting a positive work environment and motivated colleagues, while others point to issues with leadership, diversity, and career advancement.
Overall: MixedStrengths
- Portable, handheld, and durable ultrasound probe (Butterfly iQ/iQ+)
- Whole-body imaging with a single probe due to silicon chip-based technology
- User-friendly interface and app
- Increases accessibility to ultrasound in various care settings, including remote areas
- Ability to securely store and share images with other clinicians and integrate with EMRs
- Potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce hospital visits
Limitations
- Image quality may not be as good as traditional cart-based ultrasound machines
- Cost of the device and the associated subscription for cloud storage can be a deterrent
- User account system and login process can be clunky and error-prone for shared devices
- Lack of diversity and clear career ladder within the company (employer review)
- Concerns about leadership and management (employer review)
- Probe has a large footprint, which can be a limitation for certain uses like cardiac ultrasounds
Based on reviews from: Capterra, Elion, Reddit, Indeed.com, NICE, Zebra Medical, MDEdge, TrialX, YouTube, G2, Built In, ZipRecruiter, ResponsibilityReports.com
Last updated: 2026-07-18
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Press & Coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
Comparisons
When considering AI tools, physicians must differentiate between those that augment diagnostic capabilities through direct imaging and those that provide analytical support for specific conditions. The Butterfly iQ/iQ+ Ultrasound System and ARTHUR represent these distinct categories, each offering unique strengths for clinical practice. The Butterfly iQ/iQ+ is a versatile, handheld ultrasound system that leverages “Ultrasound-on-Chip™” […]
For physicians evaluating AI tools, the Butterfly iQ/iQ+ Ultrasound System and Radium offer distinct functionalities tailored to different clinical needs. The Butterfly iQ/iQ+ is a portable, whole-body ultrasound system designed for point-of-care imaging. Its key practical difference lies in its hardware-software integration, providing a handheld probe that connects to mobile devices, enabling immediate diagnostic imaging […]
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