A 2025 HRSA report highlights how behavioral health providers in the U.S. are struggling to meet rising demand. Six in ten psychologists do not accept new patients, and the national average wait time for mental health services is 48 days. These gaps in access, combined with growing administrative responsibilities, put immense pressure on providers.
Mental health professionals deal with complex administrative tasks that divert attention from patient care. Between managing documentation, insurance claims, scheduling, and client communication, valuable clinical time gets lost to paperwork and phone calls.
Two platforms consistently emerge as solutions: SimplePractice and TherapyNotes. Each offers a distinctive approach to streamlining practice management and reducing administrative burden.
This guide compares SimplePractice vs TherapyNotes, examining what each platform offers, including their core features, pricing structures, user feedback, and key pros and cons to help mental health providers make the right choice for their practice.
Head-On Comparison
SimplePractice is a cloud-based Electronic Health Record (EHR) system that assists in managing the clinical and administrative components of a private practice among health and wellness professionals. Having more than 225,000 practitioners, the platform provides an in-built tool for therapists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other mental health specialists.
The software allows the patient care process to run through an interconnected system through the combination of telehealth, scheduling, billing, insurance claims, secure messaging, AI-powered documentation, and customizable templates. Moreover, the platform is accessible both through desktop-based and mobile-based applications, and it facilitates a user-friendly design and workflow automation to accelerate the day-to-day activities of the company. In addition to the practice management, TherapyFinder directory by SimplePractice was nominated for the Webby Award, which includes 12% out of almost 14,000 projects in the world.
Trusted by over 225,000 practitioners, the software is used by mental health professionals, chiropractors, social workers, and speech-language pathologists, among others.
Standout Features Of SimplePractice
Client Portal: A self-service portal where clients can book appointments, complete intake paperwork, sign forms, join telehealth sessions, make payments, and securely message providers
Integrated Telehealth: Built-in HIPAA-compliant video sessions with features such as waiting rooms, screen sharing, and interactive whiteboards, eliminating the need for third-party telehealth tools
Insurance Billing Suite: Enables users to create, submit, track, and reconcile insurance claims while generating superbills for out-of-network reimbursement
Group Practice Management: Supports multi-clinician practices with team permissions, shared calendars, client waitlists, and practice-wide reporting tools
ePrescribe: Electronic prescribing functionality for psychiatrists and other eligible prescribers, allowing medications to be sent directly to pharmacies
TherapyNotes EHR is a web-based, HIPAA-compliant EHR and practice management platform built specifically for behavioral health professionals. It supports thousands of therapists, psychologists, and social workers with structured documentation, streamlined medical billing, and telehealth integration, insurance claims, and e-prescribe capabilities.
Known for its emphasis on reliability and clinical consistency, TherapyNotes also stands out for its 24/7 live phone and email support, which remains a key differentiator in the behavioral health EHR space. Furthermore, its iOS and Android mobile apps enable on-the-go access to essential workflows. Reflecting its strong market presence, TherapyNotes ranked 12th in Newsweek’s America’s Best Online Platforms 2025 based on evaluations across more than 20,000 U.S. platforms.
Standout Features Of TherapyNotes
TherapyPortal Client Portal: A customizable client portal that lets clients request appointments, complete intake forms, sign documents, make payments, join telehealth sessions, and securely message providers
Specialty Documentation Templates: Includes structured note templates, treatment plans, assessments, and behavioral health-specific workflows designed to speed documentation while maintaining compliance
PDMP Easy Access: Gives prescribers streamlined access to prescription drug monitoring program summaries when prescribing controlled substances, reducing separate logins and manual checks
Secure Messaging And Paperless Intake: Allows practices to exchange secure messages with clients while automating forms, signatures, uploads, and intake paperwork digitally
Integrated Billing And Claims Management: Supports invoicing, payment posting, ERA workflows, insurance claims submission, and financial reporting tailored to therapy practices
SimplePractice Vs TherapyNotes: At A Glance
Feature
SimplePractice
TherapyNotes
E-Prescribe
✓
✓
Scheduling
✓
✓
Worry Free Security
X
✓
Telehealth
✓
✓
Patient Portal
✓
✓
Measurement Based Care
✓
X
AI Functionality
✓
✓
Reporting And Analytics
✓
✓
Documentation And Intake
✓
✓
Billing And Payment Processing
✓
✓
Comparing Strengths And Weaknesses
SimplePractice
TherapyNotes
Pros:
Pros:
Intuitive scheduling widget reduces phone calls
Automated reminders minimize client no-shows
Easy setup and mobile app management
Supports customizable interventions and note templates
Efficiently streamlines administrative tasks
Exceptional and responsive customer support
Cons:
Cons:
Minimum flexibility for expanding practice workflows
Recent updates caused telehealth and server issues
Problems attaching files in the client portal
Side-By-Side Feature Comparison
Scheduling
SimplePractice features an intuitive scheduling system designed for ease of use. Users can efficiently manage appointments, set recurring sessions, and utilize automated client reminders. The software also features a client portal where clients can request appointments, which makes the scheduling process even more efficient.
TherapyNotes includes a secure medical scheduling system with features like appointment reminders, calendar synchronization, and clinic schedule management. It also offers mobile calendar sync and custom calendar views, allowing therapists to manage appointments across devices and locations with ease.
Winner: While both platforms excel in scheduling capabilities, SimplePractice distinguishes itself with additional features like a client portal for appointment requests, which contributes to its overall user-friendly design.
Billing
SimplePractice offers advanced billing features designed to streamline practice finances. It supports electronic claims submission, insurance tracking, and facilitates the creation and sending of invoices directly to clients.
TherapyNotes provides specialized billing features tailored for mental health practices, including electronic claims submission, ERA processing, and automatic payment posting. The platform also offers detailed financial reports to provide insights into practice performance.
Winner: Both software solutions offer essential billing capabilities, but TherapyNotes stands out with its mental health-specific tools and comprehensive financial reporting features.
Documentation
SimplePractice offers customizable templates for mental health documentation and secure document storage with the ability to upload files directly to client records. It also allows users to add a psychotherapy note or progress note for every client appointment from the ‘Appointment’ page.
TherapyNotes excels in documentation with specialty-specific templates tailored for behavioral health practices. The software features intuitive note-taking and electronic signature capabilities, and secure document storage to ensure comprehensive record-keeping.
Winner: TherapyNotesstands out in the documentation category due to its specialty-specific templates and user-friendly note-taking features.
Telehealth
SimplePractice offers a fully integrated telehealth/telemedicine solution within its platform, allowing practitioners to schedule and conduct secure video sessions. The user-friendly interface enhances the telehealth experience that positions SimplePractice as a leading choice in this category.
TherapyNotes also provides an integrated telehealth solution, known as ‘TherapyNotes Telehealth’, which features simple scheduling and an easy-to-use video platform for virtual sessions. It also offers features like a virtual waiting room and screen sharing to support more interactive and flexible sessions.
Winner: SimplePractice stands out in the telehealth category for its integration and enhanced user experience in the SimplePractice vs TherapyNotes comparison.
User Experience And Interface Design
SimplePractice is highly regarded for its intuitive design, which offers therapists a user-friendly interface that facilitates easy navigation. The software features a customizable dashboard, intuitive menus, and a drag-and-drop option for streamlined appointment scheduling and management.
TherapyNotes provides a comprehensive interface designed to meet the specific needs of mental health professionals. It offers personalized home screens, customizable templates, and extensive navigation options tailored for complex workflows. Some users find its visual appeal slightly subdued compared to SimplePractice but appreciate its focus on functionality.
Winner: SimplePractice edges ahead with its cleaner, more intuitive interface that gives a smoother overall user experience compared to TherapyNotes.
Customization Options
SimplePractice offers an extensive library of ready-made templates for notes, forms, and assessments. All templates are fully customizable, which allows users to tailor them precisely to their practice requirements. It also allows users to build and personalize their own professional website, helping them manage both clinical and branding needs in one place.
TherapyNotes provides customizable templates for clinical notes and treatment plans, allowing mental health practitioners to adapt documentation to their specific needs. However, it features a relatively small library of ready-made templates, and its template customization capabilities are limited, which may require more time for document management.
Winner: SimplePractice leads with more extensive customization options for templates and websites, making it more adaptable for various practice needs.
Customer Support And Training Resources
SimplePractice provides customer support via email and live chat, available during extended hours, including weekends, to accommodate the varied schedules of mental health professionals. In addition to responsive support channels, the platform offers an extensive knowledge base, FAQs, and live classes that ensure users have access to a comprehensive suite of resources for troubleshooting and learning. Their webinars also deliver in-depth training on various platform features.
TherapyNotes offers dependable customer support during business hours, with a dedicated phone number and it is also available via email. Additionally, the software provides valuable resources such as webinars and tutorials, which help practitioners understand the platform’s features and optimize their use.
Winner: SimplePractice wins with more comprehensive customer support options and a wider range of training resources.
Mobile App Functionality
SimplePractice offers two distinct mobile apps for iOS and Android devices: a clinician app for managing EHR tasks and a client app for accessing the client portal. The client app supports telehealth sessions, appointment reminders via push notifications, payment processing, and allows clients to schedule or cancel appointments.
TherapyNotes now also offers dedicated mobile apps for both iOS and Android, giving clinicians and clients mobile access beyond its previous web-based experience. The apps support features such as scheduling access, client communication, telehealth participation, and on-the-go practice management, making mobile usability significantly stronger than before.
Winner: It’s a tie! Both SimplePractice and TherapyNotes now provide iOS and Android mobile apps that improve accessibility and convenience for clinicians and clients.
Compliance
SimplePractice prioritizes compliance and security to protect sensitive patient information. The platform is HIPAA compliant, utilizing secure servers and 256-bit encryption to safeguard all data transmitted within the system. Additionally, SimplePractice ensures secure data storage and is PCI compliant, which provides protection for financial transactions and client information. It also notes that its AI tools, including Care Aide and Note Taker, are HIPAA compliant, with safeguards for transcripts, notes, and protected health information, and states that client data is not sold.
TherapyNotes also emphasizes strict compliance and security measures by adhering to HIPAA standards and obtaining HITRUST certification. The software employs FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption to ensure data protection and performs routine backups to guard against data loss. The platform also announced a separate HITRUST AI Security Certification for its TherapyFuel AI tools, covering areas such as AI data governance, model security, privacy, and risk management.
Winner: It is a tie as both SimplePractice and TherapyNotes meet high industry standards for compliance and data security.
Scalability
SimplePractice is well-suited for both solo practitioners and larger practices, which offers scalability with customizable features and flexible pricing plans. The software supports growth by accommodating increased client loads and expanding practice needs without compromising efficiency.
TherapyNotes is designed to scale effectively with growing practices by providing comprehensive features and support for multi-provider environments. It supports increased client volumes and complex organizational structures, making it suitable for practices aiming for expansion.
Winner: Tie. Both SimplePractice and TherapyNotes offer scalable solutions that adapt well to solo providers and growing group practices.
AI Capabilities
SimplePractice offers AI capabilities through its Note Taker and Care Aide tools. Note Taker records in-person or telehealth sessions, generates real-time transcripts, and drafts structured progress notes in formats such as SOAP, DAP, and BIRP for clinician review and editing. It also supports post-session dictation or uploaded audio/text files that are converted into draft notes. Care Aide expands these features with pre-appointment summaries that combine recent notes, treatment plans, and chart data, agenda tracking during telehealth visits, and AI-assisted documentation after sessions. Its Treatment Planner tool uses existing client records and scored measures to generate or refresh treatment plans with updated clinical information. SimplePractice also uses AI in its customer support chatbot and fraud detection systems.
Similarly, the AI capabilities of TherapyNotes comprise chiefly of the TherapyFuel suite, including automatic generation of SOAP progress notes from a brief session summary, risk assessments, interventions, or full session transcripts via TherapyFuel Scribe for in-person and telehealth visits. It can create treatment plans with AI-generated goals, objectives, and interventions based on diagnoses, treatment targets, and selected clinical approaches. The platform also produces client history summaries from intake forms, converts secure message threads into contact notes, uses speech-to-text dictation for note entry, extracts insurance details from uploaded insurance card images into billing records, and lets clinicians customize note outputs by tone, formality, length, language style, and patient/provider reference preferences through Clinical Voice settings.
Winner: SimplePractice is the overall winner for AI capabilities because it delivers broader end-to-end clinical workflow support; including real-time transcription, live note drafting, pre-visit summaries, telehealth agenda tools, and AI treatment planning.
Pricing Plans For SimplePractice And TherapyNotes
Pricing is a critical factor when selecting the right EHR software for your mental health practice. Below is a comparison of the pricing models for SimplePractice and TherapyNotes.
SimplePractice: Pricing Breakdown
SimplePractice pricing starts at $49/month and offers the following plans:
Starter – $49/month
Essential – $79/month
Plus – $99/month
Users can also add ‘ePrescribe’ to any plan for $49/month/clinician, plus a one-time setup fee of $89/clinician. A 30-day free trial is also available.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
TherapyNotes: Pricing Breakdown
TherapyNotes pricing begins at $69/month and provides the following options:
Solo – $69/user/month
Group – $79/month for the first clinician + $50/month per additional clinician
Enterprise: $79/month for the first clinician + $50/month per additional clinician
The platform also offers a 30-day free trial.
Disclaimer: The pricing is subject to change.
The SimplePractice Starter Plan is a more cost-effective option for solo practitioners compared to the TherapyNotes Solo Plan. However, as your practice expands, the price difference between the two platforms becomes less significant. The final decision should be based on the specific features and functionalities that best suit the needs and priorities of your practice.
What Users Have To Say
According to various users, SimplePractice is an efficient and trusted platform that manages daily clinical and administrative workflows. They usually applaud its user-friendly interface, mobile accessibility, and smooth handling of scheduling, documentation, and insurance billing. However, as per some users, the new feature updates take time to get used to. All in all, the platform is appreciated due to its well-structured workflows, pre-defined templates, and ease of use among individual practitioners and group practices.
Users tend to refer to TherapyNotes as a simple and reliable behavioral health practice solution. Many appreciate its easy onboarding and the way it centralizes documentation, billing, and telehealth in one system. A few users mention that advanced reporting options can feel limited. Yet the platform is consistently recognized for saving time, supporting smooth practice operations, and maintaining accurate records for both individual clinicians and small teams.
Selecting The Best Option
SimplePractice and TherapyNotes each bring solid capabilities to behavioral health practices, but their strengths support different priorities. SimplePractice offers a more clinician-focused experience, with detailed treatment planning, built-in behavioral health templates, and structured documentation that is compatible with insurance requirements. It’s a strong choice for solo or group providers who need precision, accountability, and control over session workflows.
On the other hand, TherapyNotes emphasizes lean operations and simplicity. It is powerful in the fact that it centralizes scheduling, charting, billing, and telehealth on a single platform. Moreover, its simplicity to use and effectiveness in keeping the records make it compatible for practices that are centered on day-to-day efficiency and the management of various clinicians.
In the end, the right choice depends on how the practice operates on a daily basis. Whether the goal is optimizing clinician-driven workflows or simplifying practice management, both platforms provide the tools to support the next step.
Need Help Deciding?
Our team of experts will give you a list of software that fits your budget and business needs.
