SimplePractice Review 2025: Is It Right for Your Practice?

Detailed Review of SimplePractice

SimplePractice streamlines almost every aspect of running a therapy practice. Pricing ranges from $49 to $99 monthly, depending on the selected features, and a 30-day free trial is available with no credit card required at sign-up. Among the many EHRs we’ve tested, SimplePractice stands out as one of the best. It earned our award for Best EHR for New Practices and Practices That Bill Insurance, thanks to its intuitive interface, automation features, and strong billing tools.

Client Management & Intake

Adding and setting up new clients in SimplePractice is remarkably intuitive. The client portal streamlines the intake process by allowing clients to submit clinical and demographic information before their first appointment, reducing administrative burden.

For my sample client, nearly the entire intake process was completed within the client portal–including assessments like the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, clinical intake forms, demographics, and various legal agreements and consents. The system allows clients to enter a custom electronic signature and sign all of their documents from within the system.

Forms for couples, minors, and other edge cases are included with minimal input needed from the practitioner. All documents are quickly viewable from a client’s overview page and can be exported in various formats.

Once a client is added, managing records within the EHR is straightforward and highly automated. Clients can be searched and organized by various parameters such as name, insurance provider, and appointment history, making it easy to manage large caseloads efficiently.

Calendar & Scheduling

SimplePractice makes scheduling and availability management straightforward. Practitioners can set calendar rules, manage multiple locations, and coordinate telehealth, couples, or group sessions from a single dashboard. The system supports recurring appointments, allowing easy scheduling for ongoing therapy sessions.

At the Starter plan ($49 monthly) and up, clients can request appointments based on customizable rules, giving practitioners control over availability while reducing manual scheduling. A built-in waitlist feature helps fill openings by notifying clients when a preferred time slot becomes available, improving scheduling efficiency and automatically filling schedule gaps as they pop up.

The calendar system is intuitive and well-designed, minimizing manual work while offering enough functionality for most practices. Through the client portal, clients can easily view upcoming appointments and access telehealth. However, a key drawback is the lack of multi-time zone support. Appointments and reminders always reflect the practice’s time zone, requiring manual adjustments for clients in different regions. Competitors like TherapyNotes handle this better.

While SimplePractice offers one-way Google Calendar syncing, it does not support full two-way sync, meaning external calendar updates won’t reflect back into the system. SimplePractice also offers useful appointment reminders via email, text, and push notifications, but customizing these reminders is somewhat rudimentary.

Despite these limitations, SimplePractice’s scheduling system excels in usability. It delivers the core functionality most practices need without unnecessary complexity, making it a top-tier option for many practices.

Treatment Planning & Notes

Clinical documentation in SimplePractice aims to help the practitioner have as little manual work and writing as possible. With the addition of the Wiley Treatment Planner add-on, this is made even easier. SimplePractice has an intuitive workflow that allows practitioners to establish diagnosis and treatment plans simultaneously, and each successive treatment plan can be auto-populated by those previous.

One of my favorite features of SimplePractice is its integration with Wiley Treatment Planners, available starting at the Essential plan ($79 monthly) and up. This tool helps automate the creation of structured treatment plans by allowing therapists to select from over 150 presenting concerns across 30 categories. From there, Wiley provides prebuilt behaviors, goals, objectives, and interventions—all of which can be quickly checked off to generate a fully structured plan.

If needed, everything remains fully editable, allowing therapists to tailor treatment plans on a case-by-case basis. Once set, Wiley goals automatically populate into the Treatment Progress section when writing progress notes, making it easy to track client outcomes over time. SimplePractice also allows treatment plan review reminders, ensuring that practitioners keep their plans up to date regularly.

Aside from Wiley, SimplePractice offers a strong library of customizable note templates, including SOAP notes, DAP notes, and even a dedicated template for group therapy notes. Unlike some systems, SimplePractice allows full control over templates—clinicians can duplicate existing ones, rearrange elements, create new elements, and build new custom forms from scratch. This level of customization makes it easier to standardize documentation across a practice while maintaining flexibility for the unique needs of your clients.

SimplePractice also includes built-in scored assessments–the GAD-7 and PHQ-9– which help track client progress over time. These assessments can’t be customized and you can’t build new ones, but they provide valuable insight with automatic score tracking and visual progress graphs which help showcase your clients’ progress over time.

Security and compliance are also seamlessly integrated into SimplePractice. The platform automatically logs all activity, tracking log-ins, document views, edits, and downloads to maintain HIPAA compliance. This is especially beneficial for larger or multidisciplinary practices, where multiple providers may need access to the same client records while maintaining strict access controls.

Overall, SimplePractice provides a well-rounded, intuitive documentation system that balances customization, automation, and compliance. While it does not yet include AI-assisted features like automatic transcription, its ease of use, flexible note templates, and seamless treatment planning integration make it an excellent choice for therapists looking to streamline their documentation workflow.

For those seeking a more affordable alternative, our review of My Best Practice found it to offer a similar level of customization at a lower price point, though it lacks some of SimplePractice’s premium tools.

Telehealth

SimplePractice includes a built-in telehealth platform in all plans. The platform is intuitive and easy to use, with a design that feels similar to Google Meet or Zoom, helping it feel familiar for both practitioners and clients.

Unlike some EHRs that require clients to log into a portal, SimplePractice allows clients to join sessions via a direct link—no login necessary. This makes access seamless, whether clients prefer to connect via desktop, tablet, or smartphone. The platform runs entirely in a web browser, with no software downloads required. Or, clients can use the SimplePractice mobile app.

Beyond standard video conferencing, SimplePractice includes several in-session features that enhance usability:

• Screen sharing for collaborative discussions
• Custom backgrounds, background blur, and noise reduction for a distraction-free experience
• Session timers to help practitioners manage time
• Adjustable video resolution to accommodate different bandwidth needs
• In-session chat for quick text-based communication
• Multiple view options for group calls

Overall, SimplePractice’s telehealth platform is user-friendly, secure, and feature-rich, making it a strong choice for therapists looking for an all-in-one EHR with video capabilities.

Insurance Billing

Insurance billing is one of SimplePractice’s standout features, making it easy for small and solo practices to handle claims without the need for dedicated billing staff. The platform offers a dedicated insurance billing dashboard where practices can:

• Submit and track claims
• Generate superbills for out-of-network clients
• Check claim statuses in real time
• View and reconcile insurance payments

Insurance billing is available on both the Essential and Plus plans. Essential Plan users receive 10 free claims per month, with additional electronic claims costing $0.35 per claim. Plus Plan users receive unlimited free manual insurance status checks and automatic insurance verification at no extra cost, while additional electronic claims remain $0.35 per claim. The Starter Plan includes insurance billing as an optional feature at $0.50 per claim.

For practices that want full-service billing support, SimplePractice’s Managed Billing service offers a hands-off approach. This feature handles claim submissions, insurance follow-ups, and payment tracking—ideal for practices that prefer to outsource the complexity of insurance billing. Managed billing incurs a fee of about 6% of all collections, plus an upfront setup fee.

Client Payment Methods, Collection, & Processing

Just as with the rest of the system, SimplePractice makes client payment collection simple and efficient, offering automated invoicing, multiple payment options, and seamless client self-service tools. Invoices can be generated and sent to clients automatically or manually, reducing administrative workload. Payments can be collected and recorded via cash, check, or card processing, ensuring flexibility for both clients and practitioners.

For card processing, SimplePractice supports credit cards, debit cards, HSA, and FSA cards for mental health expenses. Transactions are securely processed through a third-party clearing house, with a processing fee of 3.15% + $0.30 per successful transaction. Practices can also document external transactions made through other payment systems, ensuring accurate financial tracking. If needed, credit can be assigned to a client’s account for prepayments, refunds, or alternate payment arrangements.

Clients can easily manage and pay their balances directly from the client portal or mobile app, providing them with greater control over their payments while reducing administrative work for the practice.

Practice Management & Reports

SimplePractice provides a powerful suite of tools to help both solo and group practices streamline operations, manage finances, and track performance. The platform allows practices to assign different roles with customized access levels, ensuring that clinicians, administrators, and billing staff only see the data relevant to their responsibilities.

For financial tracking and reporting, SimplePractice offers detailed reports covering appointments, revenue trends, insurance claims, and more. At the Plus plan level ($99 monthly), practices also gain access to an analytics dashboard, providing real-time insights into financial health and service metrics to ensure smooth practice management. Even at the lower pricing tiers, SimplePractice includes business reports and administrative tools that help practices stay financially organized.

SimplePractice also includes built-in marketing solutions, such as a custom website builder and a listing in the Monarch therapist directory. These tools help practices enhance their online presence and attract new clients, eliminating the need for third-party marketing platforms.

One consideration is that multi-provider practices must subscribe to the Plus plan and also pay an additional $69-$74 per practitioner per month, making it a larger financial commitment for group practices. However, the investment unlocks valuable features, including:

• Internal messaging for staff collaboration
• Advanced role-based access management
• Expanded analytics and reporting tools

With strong reporting tools, marketing features, and practice management automation, SimplePractice delivers one of the most comprehensive EHR solutions I’ve seen.

Customer Service & Training

SimplePractice offers very robust customer service and training. While it does lack the personalized touch of a dedicated white-glove customer service representative like CounSol offers, I would say that it is ultimately not needed.

True to its name, SimplePractice really is simple enough to learn and implement very quickly and intuitively. If a user does run into issues, there is a help documentation center and FAQ that has a huge amount of information that can easily be searched. As well, SimplePractice offers on-demand classes wherein a software specialist will guide you through the features of the software and provide a place to ask questions.

SimplePractice also has a community forum in which users can ask questions and gain clarification – it seems like this is relatively active, and allowed me to get to the bottom of questions much faster than if I had to write to customer service.

SimplePractice Mobile App

One of SimplePractice’s standout features is its dedicated mobile apps, offering flexibility for both practitioners and clients. The system includes three mobile apps, each designed to streamline different aspects of practice management and client engagement:

• SimplePractice for Clinicians: Ideal for practitioners who need to manage their practice on the go. It allows users to message clients, schedule appointments, view billing information, and add administrative notes. However, full note-taking functionality and some advanced features are only available on the desktop version.
• SimplePractice Client Portal: Designed for easy client access, this app enables clients to view appointments, make payments, and manage paperwork without needing to log in from a computer.
• Telehealth by SimplePractice: Available for both practitioners and clients, this app automatically syncs with the other two, allowing for seamless transitions between scheduling, communication, and virtual sessions.

Unlike many competitors such as TheraNest or TherapyNotes, which lack a dedicated mobile solution, SimplePractice includes mobile access at every subscription level, making it particularly accessible.

Pricing & Cost

SimplePractice offers three subscription plans ranging from $49 to $99 per month for solo practitioners, with additional fees for add-ons and extra staff members. While the pricing structure provides flexibility, costs can add up quickly depending on the features your practice needs.

One potential downside is that some features are piecemeal in lower plans but are bundled into the more expensive plans, which can make it difficult to determine the most cost-effective option. However, SimplePractice does offer a free 30-day trial, providing full access to the Plus Plan without requiring a credit card.

Starter Plan – $49 monthly

Best for solo practitioners who need basic EHR functionality. It includes the following features:

• Core EHR system (unlimited clients and sessions)
• Client portal for document sharing and scheduling
• Telehealth
• Online appointment requests
• Professional website builder
• Monarch Directory listing
• Electronic insurance claims ($0.50 per claim)
• Manual insurance status checks ($0.25 per check)
• Credit card processing (added fee)

Essential Plan – $79 monthly

This is the best option for practitioners who need customizable workflows and insurance billing tools. Here is what you get with the Essential Plan:

• Everything in Starter Plan, plus:
• Customizable notes & assessments
• Client messaging
• Calendar sync & advanced filters
• Client waitlist management
• Group appointments & group telehealth ($20 add-on)
• Wiley Treatment Planners (previously a $15 add-on)
• 10 free electronic insurance claims per month ($0.35 per additional claim)
• Manual insurance status checks ($0.15 per check)

Plus Plan – $99 monthly

Best for group practices that need premium support and automation.It includes the following:

• Everything in Essential, plus:
• Group telehealth
• Automatic insurance status checks
• Premium support phone line
• Advanced calendar sync
• Unlimited free manual insurance status checks

For group practices, the Plus Plan costs the base rate, plus an additional per-clinician fee based on the size of your practice:

• 2-5 clinicians: $74 per clinician
• 6-15 clinicians: $72 per clinician
• 16+ clinicians: $69 per clinician

Additional Costs & Add-Ons

• Electronic Insurance Claims – $0.35 per claim (Essential & Plus), $0.50 per claim (Starter)
• Group Telehealth Add-On (Essential Plan Only) – $20/month
• Credit Card Processing – 3.15% + $0.30 per transaction

For solo practitioners or those just starting out, the Starter Plan is a pretty robust option with included telehealth and marketing tools, but insurance billing is still a bit limited. The Essential Plan is better for those who need insurance billing and group options, while the Plus Plan is designed for growing or large practices that need premium support and automation.

History & News

Year Founded: 2012
Founders: Howard Spector, Ralph Zimmerman
Headquarters: Santa Monica, California

Founded in 2012 by Howard Spector and Ralph Zimmerman¹, SimplePractice started as a private company before later being acquired by EngageSmart, a publicly traded SaaS company. However, specific details on the acquisition timeline remain unclear.²

Concerns Over SimplePractice Privacy Practices

In August 2023, SimplePractice updated its privacy policies, stating that it collects aggregated, anonymized user data, including some client data. This sparked widespread concern among providers, leading to discussions across social media and professional forums. In response, SimplePractice issued a clarification via email, asserting that it does not sell client data and remains fully HIPAA-compliant. However, some clinicians remain skeptical, raising broader concerns about transparency in EHR health data collection.

Show more