SimplePractice Alternatives for Solo Therapists (2026)

If you're reading this, you probably don't need to be sold on why you're looking for a SimplePractice alternative. Maybe your bill went up again. Maybe you're paying for insurance billing features you've never touched. Maybe the AI notes you were excited about turned out to be glorified transcription. Whatever brought you here, you're not alone -- therapist communities have been buzzing about alternatives for the past year.

This post is a straightforward comparison of six SimplePractice alternatives, written specifically for cash-pay solo therapists. I'll cover real pricing (verified as of March 2026), genuine strengths, honest limitations, and who each platform is best suited for. No platform is perfect for everyone, and I'll say so.

Let's start with why so many therapists are exploring their options right now.

Why Therapists Are Looking for SimplePractice Alternatives in 2026

SimplePractice earned its market leadership for good reasons. It was one of the first therapy EHRs to feel modern, and for years it offered strong value at a reasonable price. That's worth acknowledging.

But several things have changed.

The price increases. SimplePractice's base plan increased 63% -- from $29/mo to $49/mo. The Essential plan is now $69/mo, and the Plus plan runs $99/mo. For a solo therapist who started at $29/mo a few years ago, the current bill stings.

Feature gating. Calendar sync -- something most therapists consider a basic feature -- is now locked behind the $99/mo Plus plan. SMS reminders cost $0.04 per message, which adds up to roughly $77-154/year for an active solo practice. These are features that were either included or didn't carry per-use charges at lower price points.

Insurance feature bloat. SimplePractice was built for the broad therapy market, which means claims management, ERA processing, credentialing tools, and insurance billing features take up significant space in the platform. If you're a cash-pay therapist, roughly half the features in your EHR are ones you'll never use. You're paying for them anyway.

AI notes that don't go deep enough. SimplePractice rolled out AI note assistance as a $35/mo add-on. It helps structure notes from session content, but it's generic. Whether you practice CBT, EMDR, or IFS, you get the same output. The AI doesn't understand the difference between identifying cognitive distortions and tracking desensitization phases -- it formats what it hears into a standard note structure.

Declining satisfaction. SimplePractice currently sits at 3.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot across 1,591 reviews. Common complaints include support quality, login issues, and billing disputes. "I don't use half the features I'm paying for" is a refrain that shows up across therapist forums and review sites.

None of this means SimplePractice is a bad product. It's still the most widely used therapy EHR for a reason. But for many solo therapists -- especially those running cash-pay practices -- the value equation has shifted.

What to Look for in a SimplePractice Alternative

Before diving into specific platforms, it helps to know what actually matters for your practice. Not every feature list is created equal, and the right tool depends on how you work.

Must-Haves for Solo Therapists

• Scheduling with client self-booking. Your clients should be able to book their own sessions without a back-and-forth text chain.
• Client portal. Intake forms, document sharing, and secure messaging in one place.
• Progress notes. Ideally with AI assistance -- but evaluate the quality of that AI, not just whether the checkbox says "has AI."
• Cash-pay billing. Superbills for clients who want to file for out-of-network reimbursement, credit card processing, and Good Faith Estimates for No Surprises Act compliance.
• HIPAA-compliant telehealth. Either built in or BYOV (bring your own video) integration with tools like Zoom or Doxy.me.
• SMS and email reminders. Without per-message fees that scale with your caseload.
• Calendar sync. Google, Apple, or Outlook -- on every plan, not just the most expensive one.

Nice-to-Haves

• AI progress notes that understand your therapeutic modality, not just generic formatting
• Treatment plan generation
• AutoPay and card-on-file
• Mobile app
• Data import and migration support

Red Flags

• Per-session AI pricing that gets more expensive as your practice grows
• Core features locked behind enterprise-tier plans
• No clear HIPAA compliance documentation or unwillingness to provide a BAA
• Hidden fees that only become apparent after signup

With that framework in mind, here are six alternatives worth considering.

SimplePractice Alternatives Compared

TherapyDesk -- Built for Cash-Pay Solo Therapists

Pricing: Starter $29/mo (core practice management) | Pro $59/mo (everything including AI notes, AutoPay, treatment plans)

Total cost with AI: $59/mo

Best for: Cash-pay solo therapists who want AI notes that understand their specific therapeutic modality.

TherapyDesk is a practice management platform designed exclusively for cash-pay solo therapists. No insurance billing, no claims management, no credentialing tools. Every feature is one you'll actually use.

The standout feature is modality-aware AI notes. Rather than generating generic SOAP notes, TherapyDesk's AI is trained on published clinical treatment manuals for CBT, DBT, IFS, EMDR, ACT, and psychodynamic frameworks. A CBT therapist gets notes identifying specific cognitive distortions. An IFS therapist gets parts language and system dynamics. An EMDR therapist gets desensitization phase tracking and SUD levels. The AI thinks in your clinical vocabulary rather than applying a one-size-fits-all template.

Features that SimplePractice charges extra for are included: SMS reminders (free, no per-message charges), calendar sync (all plans), and AI notes (included in Pro). Telehealth uses a BYOV approach -- you bring your existing Zoom or Doxy.me setup.

Key strengths:

• Modality-aware AI that generates clinically specific notes for six therapeutic frameworks
• $59/mo all-in pricing with no add-on fees or per-message charges
• Clean interface without insurance feature clutter
• Price stability commitment -- no surprise increases

Honest limitations:

• Newer platform launching in 2026, so it has a shorter track record than established competitors
• Smaller user base compared to SimplePractice's ~100,000 users
• No built-in telehealth (BYOV only)
• No insurance billing (by design, but a limitation if your practice model changes)

TherapyNotes

Pricing: $69/mo base | AI notes (TherapyFuel) add-on: $40/mo

Total cost with AI: $109/mo

Best for: Therapists who prioritize reliability and an established reputation over a modern interface.

TherapyNotes is the EHR therapists recommend when they want something that "just works." It has years of solid uptime, a well-earned reputation for responsive customer support, and comprehensive documentation features. If stability and proven reliability are your top priorities, TherapyNotes delivers.

The trade-off is that the interface shows its age. It's functional but not modern, and daily workflows can feel heavier than they need to. The bigger cost consideration is AI notes: TherapyFuel, their AI add-on, runs $40/mo on top of the $69 base, bringing the total to $109/mo. TherapyFuel assists with note generation but doesn't differentiate between therapeutic modalities -- you get the same generic output regardless of your clinical framework.

TherapyNotes also raised its base price by 41% (from $49 to $69/mo) in recent years. To their credit, SMS reminders and calendar sync are included without extra charges, which puts them ahead of SimplePractice on that front.

Key strengths:

• Excellent uptime and reliability track record
• Customer support that's consistently praised in reviews
• Comprehensive documentation and record-keeping features
• SMS reminders and calendar sync included

Key limitations:

• Dated interface that lags behind newer platforms
• AI notes are a $40/mo add-on, pushing the total to $109/mo
• No modality awareness in AI-generated notes
• 41% base price increase mirrors the SimplePractice pattern
• Insurance billing features add UI complexity for cash-pay therapists

Blueprint Health

Pricing: $0/mo base EHR | AI notes priced per session ($0.49-0.99/session)

Total cost with AI (at 70 sessions/mo): ~$35-69/mo

Best for: Therapists who want a free EHR and see fewer than 40 clients per month, or who want to try AI notes without a subscription commitment.

Blueprint deserves genuine credit for offering a free EHR. That's a bold move in this market, and the base platform is legitimately useful -- not a stripped-down trial, but a functional practice management tool.

Their AI takes an interesting approach: rather than applying a standardized template, it adapts to your writing style. Your notes sound like you wrote them, which is a thoughtful design decision. Blueprint also offers built-in outcome measurement and measurement-based care tools -- a real differentiator if tracking client outcomes with validated instruments is central to your practice.

The catch is pricing at scale. AI notes cost $0.49-0.99 per session, which means your costs grow with your caseload. At 50 sessions per month, you're paying $25-50 for AI. At 70 sessions, it's $35-69. At 100 sessions, you're looking at $49-99/mo -- just for the AI, on top of a "free" EHR. For therapists with fuller caseloads, per-session pricing can quietly become expensive.

It's also worth noting that Blueprint's AI adapts to your writing style, not your clinical framework. "Writing like you" and "understanding your modality" are different things. The AI won't automatically identify cognitive distortions or track desensitization phases unless those patterns are already well-established in your historical notes.

Key strengths:

• Genuinely free base EHR -- not a trial, not a stripped-down version
• AI adapts to your individual writing style
• Strong outcome measurement and measurement-based care tools
• Low barrier to entry for trying AI-assisted notes

Key limitations:

• Per-session AI pricing scales with caseload -- costs are unpredictable
• AI adapts to writing style but doesn't understand clinical frameworks
• At higher session counts, total cost approaches or exceeds flat-rate alternatives
• Insurance billing features included, adding complexity for cash-pay therapists

Jane App

Pricing: $79/mo base | AI notes add-on: $15/mo

Total cost with AI: $94/mo

Best for: Allied health practitioners (chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists) who also offer therapy services, or multi-disciplinary practices.

Jane App is a beautifully designed practice management platform with an excellent booking interface and strong scheduling features. It's genuinely pleasant to use, and the client-facing experience is polished.

However, Jane was built for the broad allied health market, not specifically for therapists. It serves chiropractors, physiotherapists, massage therapists, naturopaths, and counselors under one roof. This breadth means the platform is wide but not deep in any single discipline. Therapy-specific features -- especially around clinical documentation and modality-aware workflows -- aren't as developed as what you'd find in a platform built exclusively for therapists.

Jane's AI notes add-on is relatively affordable at $15/mo, but the AI is basic and doesn't differentiate between therapeutic modalities. At $94/mo total, you're paying more than several therapy-specific alternatives for a platform that treats therapy as one of many disciplines it supports.

If you're running a multi-disciplinary practice where therapy is one of several services, Jane's breadth is a genuine advantage. If therapy is all you do, a purpose-built therapy platform will serve you better.

Key strengths:

• Beautiful, modern interface with excellent user experience
• Strong booking and scheduling features
• Works well for multi-disciplinary practices
• Relatively affordable AI add-on ($15/mo)

Key limitations:

• Built for allied health broadly, not therapy specifically
• AI notes are basic with no modality awareness
• $94/mo total is higher than several therapy-focused alternatives
• Therapy-specific clinical documentation features are limited compared to dedicated therapy EHRs

TheraNest

Pricing: $29/mo base | AI notes add-on: $35/mo

Total cost with AI: $64/mo

Best for: Budget-conscious therapists who need basic, no-frills practice management.

TheraNest offers a straightforward practice management platform at an affordable base price. The interface is simple and relatively easy to learn, and it covers the essential functions: scheduling, billing, notes, and client management.

At $29/mo for the base plan, TheraNest is one of the more affordable entry points in the therapy EHR space. Adding their AI notes brings the total to $64/mo, which is competitive. The platform works well for therapists who want functional basics without a lot of complexity.

The limitation is depth. TheraNest's AI doesn't differentiate between therapeutic modalities -- like most competitors, it produces generic formatted notes regardless of your clinical approach. The feature set overall is more basic than what you'll find in platforms like SimplePractice or TherapyNotes, and the platform hasn't seen the same level of investment in modern design or advanced features.

For therapists who primarily need scheduling, basic notes, and billing without much fuss, TheraNest is a solid, affordable option. If you're looking for sophisticated AI documentation or a platform that feels modern and actively evolving, you may outgrow it.

Key strengths:

• Affordable base price ($29/mo)
• Simple, straightforward interface
• Covers the basics well for solo practitioners
• Reasonable total cost with AI ($64/mo)

Key limitations:

• Basic AI that doesn't differentiate between modalities
• Limited feature depth compared to more established platforms
• Interface and feature set can feel dated
• Less active development and updates than larger competitors

Upheal

Pricing: $29-69/mo (AI notes included in paid plans, free tier available)

Total cost with AI: $29-69/mo

Best for: Therapists who want session transcription and automated note generation with extensive template options.

Upheal takes a different approach to AI notes: rather than a separate add-on, AI-assisted documentation is central to the platform. They offer a free tier for AI notes (with limitations), and their paid plans range from $29 to $69/mo with AI included.

The headline number is 170+ note templates. That sounds impressive, and in terms of formatting variety, it is. You can choose from SOAP, DAP, BIRP, and many other note structures to match your documentation preferences.

The distinction worth understanding: templates are formatting, not clinical intelligence. Having 170 templates means 170 ways to structure a note -- it doesn't mean the AI understands 170 clinical frameworks. Whether you select a CBT-labeled template or a psychodynamic one, the AI generates from the same session content without modality-specific understanding. The template determines where information goes; it doesn't change what the AI identifies in the session.

Upheal also offers useful features like session transcription, built-in telehealth, and analytics on session patterns. For therapists who primarily need transcription with structured formatting, it's a solid tool.

Key strengths:

• AI notes included in paid plans (not a separate add-on)
• Free tier available for trying AI-assisted notes
• 170+ note templates for formatting flexibility
• Session transcription and analytics features
• Competitive pricing with AI included

Key limitations:

• Templates are formatting variety, not modality understanding
• AI doesn't distinguish between therapeutic frameworks clinically
• Practice management features are less comprehensive than full EHR platforms
• The gap between "many templates" and "clinical intelligence" is important to understand

Side-by-Side Pricing Comparison

Here's what each platform actually costs for a cash-pay solo therapist who wants AI notes. All prices verified as of March 2026.

*Blueprint AI cost varies with session count. Range shown is for 50-100 sessions/month.

A few things stand out in this table. SimplePractice's total cost with AI and essential features ($104/mo or more) is among the highest. TherapyDesk and Upheal include AI in their subscription pricing. Blueprint's per-session model can be very affordable at low volumes but climbs quickly. TherapyNotes' $40/mo AI add-on is the most expensive standalone AI surcharge in this group.

How to Choose the Right Alternative

No single platform is right for every therapist. The best choice depends on your practice model, your clinical approach, and what matters most to you day-to-day. Here's a framework for thinking through it.

Start with your practice model

Do you bill insurance? If yes, your options narrow. TherapyDesk doesn't support insurance billing at all. SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, and Blueprint all handle claims. If you're cash-pay, you'll benefit from a platform that doesn't clutter your workflow with insurance features you don't need.

Solo or group? If you're a solo practitioner, every platform on this list will work. If you're considering bringing on additional clinicians, check whether the platform supports multi-provider scheduling and permissions before you commit.

Consider your AI priorities

Do you use a specific therapeutic modality? If your practice is grounded in CBT, IFS, EMDR, DBT, ACT, or psychodynamic work, the quality of AI notes varies significantly. Generic AI will format your notes; modality-aware AI will draft notes using your clinical vocabulary. That difference shows up in how much editing you do before finalizing.

How many sessions do you run per month? If you see 80-100+ sessions/month, per-session AI pricing adds up fast. A flat-rate plan becomes more cost-effective as your caseload grows. Under 30 sessions a month, per-session pricing might actually save you money.

How important is AI quality versus availability? Some platforms include AI but it's basic. Others charge more for deeper capabilities. Decide whether "has AI" is enough or whether clinical quality matters for your documentation workflow.

Weigh the trade-offs

Established track record vs. purpose-built design. TherapyNotes has years of proven reliability. TherapyDesk is newer but designed specifically for your use case. Neither answer is wrong -- it depends on how much you value track record versus fit.

Free entry point vs. predictable all-in pricing. Blueprint's free EHR is genuinely appealing. But factor in what AI costs will look like in six months as your practice grows. A $59/mo flat rate might cost more upfront than a free EHR but could cost less over time.

Breadth vs. depth. Jane App covers many disciplines well. TherapyDesk goes deep on one. If therapy is your only service, depth usually wins. If you run a multi-disciplinary practice, breadth matters more.

The decision, simplified

• "I want AI that understands my therapeutic framework." Look at TherapyDesk.
• "I want the most established, reliable platform." Look at TherapyNotes.
• "I want a free starting point." Look at Blueprint.
• "I run a multi-disciplinary practice." Look at Jane App.
• "I need the lowest possible monthly cost." Look at TheraNest or Upheal.
• "I need strong insurance billing." Stay with SimplePractice or switch to TherapyNotes.

If your biggest frustration with SimplePractice is paying for features you don't use -- and your AI notes feel like generic transcription that doesn't match how you actually practice -- TherapyDesk was built specifically for that problem. See how TherapyDesk handles notes for your modality.

How to Switch from SimplePractice (Without the Headache)

Switching EHRs feels more daunting than it usually turns out to be. Here's a quick overview of what's involved.

Export your data first. SimplePractice allows you to export client records. Do this before canceling. Download everything: client demographics, notes, documents, and billing records.

Plan for overlap. Run both platforms simultaneously for 2-4 weeks. Onboard new clients on the new platform while finishing current episodes in SimplePractice, then migrate remaining active clients in a batch.

Notify your clients. Let clients know they'll receive a new portal invitation. For most clients, the transition is seamless -- a new link, updated intake forms, and business as usual.

Check and cancel. Verify that client records and scheduled appointments transferred correctly, then cancel SimplePractice once you're confident. Download a final export as a backup.

Most therapists complete the full transition in 2-4 weeks.

Wrapping Up

You shouldn't have to pay $100+ per month for two separate tools -- one for practice management and one for AI notes that don't understand your clinical approach. The therapy EHR landscape has more real options in 2026 than it did even a year ago, and each platform on this list has genuine strengths worth considering.

The right choice depends on your practice. A cash-pay solo CBT therapist has different needs than an insurance-billing group practice. No single platform is the best answer for everyone, and any comparison that tells you otherwise isn't being honest.

Take your top two or three options and actually try them. Most offer free trials or demos. Pay attention to how the AI handles your specific modality, whether the daily workflow feels natural, and what the real monthly cost looks like once you add the features you need.

Curious what modality-aware AI notes look like for your practice? Try the TherapyDesk demo -- it takes two minutes, and you can see how the AI handles CBT, IFS, EMDR, and other frameworks before committing to anything.

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Pricing information verified as of March 2026. We update this comparison quarterly. If you notice any pricing changes we've missed, let us know.