- Practice management tools at a glance
- Ten practice management tools to consider instead of SimplePractice
- The US rule on cloud providers and health data
- What to compare in practice management software
- Switching practice software carefully
- Practice software mistakes to avoid
- Solo practice or group practice?
- Client experience matters too
- My plain advice on SimplePractice alternatives
- Frequently asked questions
The right SimplePractice alternative handles your scheduling, notes, client portal, telehealth and billing in a way that suits your kind of practice and your country. Some tools are built for mental health in the US, others for allied health or UK practices. This page lists ten in no particular order, then covers the US rule on cloud providers and health data.
Practice management software sits at the centre of a solo or group practice, and switching can feel daunting. The good news is that there are now strong options for almost every kind of practitioner, from counsellors and coaches to physiotherapists and dietitians.
Below are ten practice management tools in no particular order, sorted alphabetically. Each description comes from the tool's own website, re-checked today. If you're also improving your practice website, my guide to website design for health practices covers what clients look for.
Before you compare, note where you practise and who you see. Country, profession and whether you bill insurance narrow the list more than any feature does.
Practice management tools at a glance
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free plan or free core software, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carepatron | Practice management software | Small practices starting free | Yes |
| Cliniko | Allied health practice software | Physio and allied health clinics | Trial only |
| Halaxy | Health practice platform | Free core practice software | Yes |
| Owl Practice | Therapy practice management | Mental health practices | Trial only |
| Practice Better | EHR and practice management | Wellness and nutrition practices | Trial only |
| Sessions Health | Mental health EHR | Therapists wanting simplicity | Trial only |
| TheraNest | Mental health EHR | Group mental health practices | Trial only |
| TherapyNotes | Behavioural health EHR | US behavioural health practices | No |
| WriteUpp | Practice management software | UK clinicians | Trial only |
| Zanda | Practice management software | Growing multi-practitioner clinics | Trial only |
Ten practice management tools to consider instead of SimplePractice
Carepatron
Best for: Small practices that want scheduling, notes and an AI scribe on a free plan.
Cliniko
Best for: Allied health clinics that want booking, notes and invoicing with a free trial.
Halaxy
Best for: Practitioners who want free core practice software with optional add-ons.
Owl Practice
Best for: Mental health practitioners who want an EHR and client tools built for therapy.
Practice Better
Best for: Dietitians, coaches and wellness practitioners who want programmes and client portals.
Sessions Health
Best for: Therapists who want a straightforward EHR for notes, scheduling and billing.
TheraNest
Best for: Group mental health practices that want EHR, billing and telehealth together.
TherapyNotes
Best for: US behavioural health practices that want notes, billing and scheduling in one system.
WriteUpp
Best for: UK clinicians who want notes, booking and billing with UK-based support.
Zanda
Best for: Growing clinics that want scheduling, notes and automations for several practitioners.
The US rule on cloud providers and health data
If you practise in the US, this decides which tools you can use. HHS guidance on HIPAA and cloud computing says that when a covered entity uses a cloud service provider for electronic protected health information, the two must enter into a HIPAA-compliant business associate agreement, and the provider is both contractually liable for the agreement and directly liable for complying with the HIPAA Rules.
So ask any US-facing tool for its business associate agreement before you add client records. Practitioners elsewhere should check their own country's data protection rules in the same way.
What to compare in practice management software
- Your profession: mental health, allied health or wellness.
- Your country: data rules, billing and support hours.
- Notes and templates: forms that match how you document.
- Client portal: booking, forms and messages for clients.
- Telehealth: built-in video sessions if you work online.
Switching practice software carefully
- Check what data your current system lets you export.
- Confirm the new tool's agreements and data location.
- Move client records and appointments first.
- Set up note templates before your first session.
- Tell clients about any new portal or booking link.
Practice software mistakes to avoid
- Moving records without checking agreements. Do that first.
- Switching mid-month. Billing gets messy.
- Skipping templates. Set them up before sessions.
- Not telling clients. Explain any new links clearly.
If admin is overwhelming, my piece on what a healthcare virtual assistant does explains how support can help.
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I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Solo practice or group practice?
Solo practitioners mostly want quick notes, easy booking and simple invoicing. Group practices need shared calendars, permissions, reporting and sometimes a front desk view. Many tools handle both, but they lean one way, so check how the software feels for the size of practice you run.
If you're planning to grow, it's worth choosing a tool that can add practitioners easily, so you don't have to switch again in a couple of years.
Client experience matters too
It's easy to judge practice software from your side of the screen, but your clients will use it too. Book a test appointment, fill in an intake form and join a telehealth session as if you were a client. If any step feels confusing, your clients will feel it as well.
A smooth booking and reminder process cuts no-shows, and a clear client portal saves you answering the same questions by email every week.
It's worth asking each vendor how they'll help you move, too. Some will import client records for you, which you'll appreciate when you're juggling a full diary at the same time.
Do you make practice management software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on SimplePractice alternatives
Pick the tool built for your profession and your country. A system designed for UK allied health and one designed for US therapists can look similar, but they work very differently day to day.
And protect your clients' records first. Check agreements, data location and export options before you think about features.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good alternative to SimplePractice?
It depends on your profession and country. Some tools suit US mental health, others suit UK or allied health practices.
Do I need a business associate agreement?
In the US, HHS says covered entities using cloud providers for health information need a HIPAA-compliant business associate agreement.
Is there free practice management software?
Some tools here offer free plans or free core software.
Can I move my client notes?
Most systems allow some export. Check what's included before switching.
Which tools suit UK practitioners?
Some tools here are built for the UK. Check data location and support hours.
Do these tools include telehealth?
Many include built-in video sessions. Check before you commit.
Can clients book online?
Most offer online booking and client portals.
How long does switching take?
Allow a few weeks to move records and set up templates without rushing.
