SimplePractice Reviews

Pros

Choosing it has been a solid move for my private practice. I'm not new to electronic health records but I wanted software that would let me reach my records from any device, especially now that I've added a virtual component to my work. Having that kind of access in a HIPAA-compliant system is really important. The platform feels very user-friendly and I was able to move all of my data from my previous software in a fairly short time. My clients have also responded well to the automated appointment reminders, billing and payment features and the client portal. I'm especially looking forward to making more use of the billing tools soon.

Cons

Since I'm still getting used to cloud-based software, I do have some concerns about having all of my practice information stored only in the cloud. I also didn't see clear instructions in the portal about how to back up data to my own hard drive although support was able to help me figure out the process through the Data Export function. Another drawback is that some insurance companies that require electronic billing like Medicare, need an account ID attached to the client record. SimplePractice doesn't assign that automatically the way my previous software did so the practitioner has to come up with a manual system, assign the ID and then attach it as a sticky note in the client record.

Pros

Running my practice with this has been pretty simple. It has all the tools I need at a price that feels very reasonable. With other platforms, I would have had to pay for a premium plan just to print claim forms or superbills so I'm really happy that those features are already included in the lower-cost option. It has been an excellent fit for my practice.

Cons

I really wish it offered a shared family portal or at least the ability to create different usernames under the same email address. I work with a lot of husbands, wives and children who all use one email account but because the system only allows one patient per email, I end up having to give the other family members paper forms to complete. It would be so much better if they could all use the same email but still have separate usernames for logging in. I'd also love to see an iPad app for note-taking and similar tasks since the app right now is really only user-friendly on iPhones.

Pros

Switching from paper records to this tool has been a really positive change for me. I love having everything stored securely in one online portal and being able to work without paper. The features I rely on most are creating superbills for clients, writing and saving client progress and process notes all in one place, using the standardized templates to build my own documents and checking whether a client has logged into the portal and completed consent and privacy forms.

Cons

Right now, I have to schedule an appointment on the calendar before I can begin a progress note and I would prefer to create the note first and have the calendar appointment generated at the same time, especially since I do not use SimplePractice to manage my client calendar. I have also noticed that it does not handle situations with child clients and separated or divorced parents very well. When both parents need to sign consent forms, there is not a convenient way to collect both signatures under a single client profile.

Pros

The system has been fairly simple to use and anytime I wasn't sure about something, the Help button led me to really useful articles. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone just opening a private practice.

Cons

It was frustrating how long it took to set up templates but since that's just a one-time task, it's manageable.

Pros

Nearly everything can be tailored to fit my practice specialty which is something I really appreciate.

Cons

PDF versions of Privacy Practices or Informed Consent forms can't be uploaded directly. Everything has to be copied and pasted into their text box which strips away custom formatting, logos and overall readability. I worked around it by uploading the PDF versions to my website and adding links in the SimplePractice text box instead. It's an extra step I wish I didn't have to take but keeping these documents user-friendly and easy for my clients to read matters a lot to me.

Pros

This EMR has a lot going for it, the layout looks appealing and is mostly user-friendly, the sidebars are useful and the huge library of FAQs and videos is impressive and often genuinely helpful.

Cons

The templates feel a bit restrictive because they lock users into certain forms and leave fairly small spaces for narrative notes. I used EPIC before and I really miss being able to pull in my own template onto a blank page and edit it however I wanted, more like working in a Word document. I'd also love more detail in the calendar such as different colors for intake appointments versus follow-ups. Another helpful option would be adding a code before the client's name in the calendar slot like "I - Jane Doe" or "F - John Doe." On top of that, the appointment end times could be displayed more clearly. I usually leave a 15-minute break between appointments and while the Weekly view works better than the Monthly view for that, it still isn't as clear as I'd prefer.

Pros

The technology feels very simple and the whole platform is easy to use.

Cons

It would be helpful if patient intake forms could be completed while the patient is in the room with you.

Pros

The client portal has been really convenient and being able to let clients book video consultations with me has helped me grow my practice.

Cons

There's definitely a learning curve so it takes some time to explore the system, get familiar with it and make use of the training resources available.

Pros

There are plenty of ways to handle tasks in it and the platform feels user-friendly overall.

Cons

I really wish it offered a 1-800 support number for small business owners who need answers right away. I don't enjoy having to wait through the weekend or until someone is back in town just to speak with a real person. Some of the pasted instructions and in-system directions do help but a lot of the time it would be much more useful to see things explained visually, especially with Teleconnect.

Pros

Clients can schedule their appointments online which is really convenient.

Cons

The guided tour feels a bit too limited so it took me a while to figure out how to navigate everything.

Pros

The support team has been a real plus. They do a good job of helping you make sure your client records stay ethical and legally compliant.

Cons

The ability to transfer intake paperwork from one account to another can be improved.

Pros

Auto billing and automatic superbill generation are the features I value most in this software. Those are the kinds of tasks that give me nothing back for the time they take so anything that automates them and gives me that time back feels like a smart financial investment. I also really appreciate being able to add my clinical note directly to the appointment, how the system links couples together and the option to share and upload documents with clients. Customer service has been outstanding as well, whether it's answering questions or offering a free one-on-one consult. They even responded to our request to make the demographic form more inclusive which was a major need for my practice.

Cons

Something that bothers me is having to create a completely separate client profile for couples and each person has to sign their own consent forms. Building your own intake questionnaire is also very tedious when it's detailed so I still haven't tried to move my current form into the system because it would take hours.

Pros

The interface feels user-friendly and is simple to navigate.

Cons

The online help resources are too basic and just send you in circles back to the same question. I couldn't get any answers beyond broad, surface-level information.

Pros

Having client reminders was a must for me and this was one of the few platforms that actually included that feature. It also came with integrated billing which was another big thing I needed so it checked both boxes I was looking for.

Cons

I'd really like to see the ability for clients to confirm appointments just by replying to the reminder messages. I'd also love an option to attach multiple notes to a single session like adding both a treatment plan note and a separate session note when more process-based topics come up during that same planning session.

Pros

As a new user, it already feels like it was carefully designed and does a solid job of simplifying the day-to-day side of managing a private practice. The Client Portal has been especially useful and being able to send intake forms to clients ahead of time is something I really appreciate.

Cons

Some parts were complicated. I'm also not a fan of how the booking calendar looks from the client side. Another drawback is that there's no option to talk to someone by phone. That said, there are plenty of articles available, the online support has been helpful and the SimplePractice Facebook page is a really good resource.

Pros

I'm still exploring the platform but the website feels easier to navigate than the other options I tried and I really love the paperless intake feature.

Cons

I haven't run into anything I dislike yet since I'm only just beginning to use it.

Pros

It took almost no effort at all to get started and I never had to spend time reading guides or training myself to figure it out. It really feels like a pick-up-and-use product which is incredibly convenient for someone with a busy schedule like mine.

Cons

I really don't have any complaints. I still haven't used every feature yet such as the video conferencing or insurance billing tools but I'm optimistic they'll be just as simple to use as the rest of the program has been.

Pros

Its truly a simple program and I've been enjoying how flexible it is. Getting in touch with clients is simple and the built-in online tele-counseling platform has been especially useful.

Cons

At this point, I haven't come across anything I dislike about it.

Pros

Right from my short time using it, the standout has been the built-in templates for intake forms, notes, privacy and security forms and more. They're very customizable which has been really helpful. I've also appreciated the tools for tracking Insights, Reminders, Activity, Billing and Clients, they're useful, convenient and simple to work with.

Cons

Scheduling does the job overall and works fairly well but it can feel a bit complex now and then.

Pros

Being a new user, one thing that has really stood out is that most forms already come with built-in templates and the overall layout feels fairly user-friendly to navigate.

Cons

I would still appreciate clearer, more accessible setup instructions. Some of the setup prompts were a little confusing and I've had trouble finding my way back to sections I had worked on earlier.