TherapyNotes and TheraNest are electronic health records (EHR) systems that offer great value for mental health practices. TherapyNotes delivers simple efficiency of the core features, while TheraNest has Wiley integration and optional fully managed insurance billing. Let’s dive into our experience testing these two EHRs and how they differ in features, cost, and value.
TherapyNotes Vs. TheraNest – At a Glance
While TherapyNotes and TheraNest ultimately offer very similar services to mental health practices, we found some differences in how they accomplish this. Overall both platforms have many of the features found on our list of the best mental health EHRs.
Some differences between TheraNest and TherapyNotes are:
- TherapyNotes is designed better and executes its features more effectively than TheraNest.
- TheraNest costs are based on caseload size, whereas TherapyNotes costs are based on the number of practitioners.
- TheraNest has more a la carte pricing, whereas TherapyNotes includes most of its features under one price.
TherapyNotes Vs. TheraNest – Key Takeaways
| TherapyNotes | TheraNest | |
| Monthly Cost | $49 - $59 | $39 - $91 |
| Free Trial? | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 21 days |
| Offers Telehealth Platform | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited Clients on All Subscription Levels | Yes | No |
| Unlimited Sessions on All Subscription Levels | Yes | Yes |
| Cost per Additional Clinician | $30 monthly | Unlimited clinicians included in base cost |
| Insurance Billing Costs | $0.14 per claim | Variable, $0.17 - $0.25 per claim |
| Client Data Import | Yes, no cost | Yes, at no cost |
| ePrescription Features | Yes, $65 monthly per prescriber | Yes |
| Estimated Annual Cost | $588 - $1,188+ | $468 - $1,092 |
TherapyNotes vs. TheraNest – Final Verdict
Throughout our review, we found that in most scenarios mental health practices will face, TherapyNotes offers better value for the cost than TheraNest does. TherapyNotes is better designed and implemented, plus its pricing structure allows you to access all of the tools you will need without unexpected costs. By contrast, TheraNest has a lackluster design and is not as easy to use as TherapyNotes.
However, if your practice deeply values in-depth customer service, with the option for fully managed insurance billing, or you have more than one practitioner, TheraNest may be able to save you costs in certain circumstances.
Pros & Cons of TherapyNotes
TherapyNotes is a high-quality EHR system that offers a free telehealth platform and an excellent user experience. While TherapyNotes is simple and easy to implement, it is lacking in customization features and data reporting.
Pros & Cons of TheraNest
TheraNest really stands out when it comes to customer service responsiveness, quality of training offered, and ability to customize features and forms. However, deep levels of customization may require extensive training in the software and the forms and template library is pretty rudimentary.
TherapyNotes Vs. TheraNest – Costs
TheraNest costs range from $39 – $91+ monthly, with the ultimate cost depending on the size of your caseload. TherapyNotes costs range from $49 – $99+ monthly, however, all features are unlimited and total cost depends on the number of practitioners. Additionally, TheraNest features some premium add-ons that are standard features with TherapyNotes.
TherapyNotes Cost
TherapyNotes cost ranges from $49 – $99+ monthly. It has a somewhat more straightforward pricing structure than TheraNest. TherapyNotes simply gives you unlimited access to the platform under one monthly price, with only a few additional costs. Additional practitioners incur a slight price bump monthly, and a per-practitioner fee for each additional one added,such as telehealth and a client portal.
TherapyNotes Costs
| Plan | Features | Cost |
| Solo Plan | All features, except for premium add-ons listed below. | $49 monthly |
| Group Plan | All features, except for premium add-ons listed below. | $69 monthly, plus $30 monthly per additional clinician |
| Additional Costs |
|
TheraNest Cost
TheraNest costs range from $39 – $91+ monthly, with the ultimate cost depending on the size of your caseload. TheraNest’s pricing system is not as simple as TherapyNotes. Additionally, there are a few standard TherapyNotes features that are paid add-ons with TheraNest.
TheraNest Costs
| Plan | Cost | |
| Up to 30 clients | $39 monthly | |
| Up to 40 clients | $50 monthly | |
| Up to 50 clients | $60 monthly | |
| Up to 80 clients | $91 monthly | |
| Additional Costs |
| |
Which Offers a Better Value?
Ultimately the value offered by TherapyNotes or TheraNest will depend on your practice’s needs. However, we sound that in most scenarios you’ll find TherapyNotes to be better than TheraNest in terms of value offered versus cost. TherapyNotes offers a more lenient pricing structure wherein all standard features are included under a single monthly cost.
If you have multiple practitioners, TheraNest does not have any additional per-practitioner cost, however, multiple practitioners usually mean more clients, so the caseload cap may raise your price regardless. It’s also worth noting that the telehealth platform and client portal are an additional monthly and per practitioner cost with TheraNest, whereas these are offered standard with TherapyNotes. With TherapyNotes’ base plan only initially being $10 more expensive than TheraNest, these extra costs can quickly push TheraNest to be far more expensive than TherapyNotes in the long run.
TherapyNotes Vs. TheraNest – Key Features
Both TherapyNotes and TheraNest provide the basic and premium features you’d expect of a mental health EHR. While both would cover the basics, TherapyNotes is more functional and better designed in many of the key feature areas we reviewed.
Caseload & Practice Management
TheraNest and TherapyNotes both perform very similarly in the area of caseload management. As with most of its features, TherapyNotes takes a slightly simpler approach with less flexibility, however, this ultimately helps to streamline workflows in the system. We found this to be very useful for simplifying daily workflows.
TheraNest does offer more options for creating reports for the practice and practitioners and staff can be added at no additional cost, so TheraNest is slightly more capable than TherapyNotes when it comes to practice management.
Forms, Intake, & Documentation
TherapyNotes offers a far more effective forms library, intake process, and documentation system than TheraNest does. TheraNest suffers from usability issues across this area and has an insufficient selection of pre-generated forms with major issues in creating custom forms.
However, TheraNest does offer the ability to integrate Wiley Treatment Planners and Progress Note Planners, which can be very helpful for crafting in-depth treatment plans. TherapyNotes does not offer Wiley integration. Wiley is one of the biggest names in treatment planning, and we have consistently found that their products allow for fast and efficient workflows in daily paperwork.
Scheduling & Calendar
Neither TheraNest nor TherapyNotes offer particularly impressive calendar and scheduling systems. While they are entirely adequate, neither provides unique features or tools that rise above one another or the competition. During our reviews, we’ve found TherapyAppointment to have the best calendar system. You can learn more in our TherapyAppointment review.
Billing Features
While TheraNest offers complete managed billing and TherapyNotes does not, TherapyNotes’ self-service billing features are far more useful than those TheraNest offers.
If your practice bills insurance often, TherapyNotes offers billing solutions for direct client payment processing and insurance billing.
Telehealth & Other Features
Both platforms offer a telehealth platform, although the platform is included in the standard monthly price with TherapyNotes, whereas it is an add-on with TheraNest. If you don’t plan on conducting sessions remotely, then TheraNest may be able to save you some money with its a la carte pricing.
Both platforms also offer ePrescription capabilities at an additional cost. ePrescription capabilities prevent prescribers from needing to use separate software for sending in prescriptions.
Ease of Use
During our review, we found that, in most cases, TherapyNotes has superior ease of use when compared to TheraNest. Notably, in all areas of billing and client caseload management, TheraNest suffers from some major ease of use setbacks.
However, TheraNest does offer Wiley integrations which can be great for making daily documentation for treatment plans and progress notes much easier. It’s worth starting a trial for both platforms to see which system you prefer.
TherapyNotes Vs. TheraNest – Which Is Right for You?
TheraNest offers bundled pricing so more features are offered at a standard rate, which translates to potential savings for practices with smaller caseloads. TherapyNotes is excellent for solo practitioners or those looking to stick to the basics in a simple and intuitive way.
Some questions you should consider before deciding on TherapyNotes vs. TheraNest include:
- What are the essential features your practice needs?
- What is your budget?
- How many clients are on your caseload?
- Do you have multiple practitioners? What about administrative staff?
- Do you conduct sessions remotely or in person?
- Will you be billing insurance? How much experience do you have with this?
- Do you need to build a website for your practice?
Who is TherapyNotes Right For?
TherapyNotes is a great choice for those who run small or solo practices or those new to running a practice, and the subscription-included telehealth allows you to get started seeing clients remotely, without unexpected fees.
Solo Practitioners or Those New to Running A Practice
Possibly the biggest draw of TherapyNotes is its user-friendly accessibility and setup. Even those completely fresh to running a practice should be able to get up and running quickly with minimal support. If you do run into trouble, TherapyNotes’ support team is able to efficiently handle any needs.
Solo practitioners will also benefit from the refined workflow offered by TherapyNotes, and since pricing is based on the number of practitioners, solo practitioners will be able to get established with TherapyNotes at a reduced cost.
Telehealth Practices
Another important aspect of TherapyNotes is that access to telehealth is included in the base subscription cost. With the streamlined user interface and intuitive client portal features, operating a remote or telehealth practice would be well supported by TherapyNotes. The telehealth platform allows for up to 16 participants, so running remote group therapy sessions would be a breeze.
For a deeper look into the EHR, read our detailed TherapyNotes review.
Who Is TheraNest Right For?
TheraNest is a good option for those who want personalized customer support, and practices with small caseloads.
Those Who Want Excellent, Personalized Customer Support
TheraNest offers some of the best customer support available for mental health EHRs. On top of this, TheraNest’s optional managed billing program helps take a bit of weight off your shoulders. If you’re unfamiliar with insurance billing or don’t want the hassle, the cost of this feature may be worth it.
Practices with Small Caseloads
TheraNest offers significant value, especially when your caseload is small. If you plan on maintaining only a small caseload, TheraNest offers a very cut-and-dry pricing plan that can help you simplify your practice.
Who Should Look for Alternatives to TheraNest & TherapyNotes?
While TherapyNotes and TheraNest are great for many, some will find their practice is better served elsewhere.
Those Looking for the Most Advanced Documentation Features
TherapyAppointment offers the most advanced documentation features out of any mental health EHR we’ve reviewed. If you’re looking to take automation and documentation features to the next level, TherapyAppointment is your best bet.
Read more about TherapyAppointment in our detailed TherapyAppointment review.
Remote Practices That Need Unique Telehealth Features
TheraPlatform has the most unique and comprehensive telehealth platform out of any mental health EHR we’ve reviewed. It allows you to share resources, collaborate with clients on a whiteboard, and even play therapy-related games. If you plan on conducting a lot of telehealth sessions – particularly with kids – TheraPlatform is a great option.
Read our TheraPlatform review to learn more.
FAQs
What’s the Best Mental Health EHR?
The best EHR for your practice depends on a lot of factors, and every practice is different. For more information, take a look at our deep dive into the best mental health EHRs.
Are TheraNest and TherapyNotes HIPAA-Compliant?
Yes. Like any good mental health EHR, TheraNest, and TherapyNotes are both HIPAA-Compliant.
Does TherapyNotes Offer Telehealth?
Yes. TherapyNotes offers access to a comprehensive telehealth platform with all of its plans.
Is TherapyNotes Easy to Use?
Yes. In our experience reviewing TherapyNotes, we found TherapyNotes to be exceptionally easy to use.
