If you’ve ever navigated SimplePractice’s tiered pricing structure by calculating whether the $49 Starter plan provides enough features or if you’ll need to jump to the $99 Plus plan for group appointments, while discovering that AI note-taking adds another $35 monthly and e-prescribing costs $49 more, you know that practice management software pricing can feel like creating a budget with constantly shifting pieces.
SimplePractice has been established as a leading practice management platform, serving over 225,000 behavioral health practitioners with its user-friendly interface and comprehensive feature set. The platform simplifies practice operations with integrated scheduling, billing, telehealth, and documentation tools. But following its acquisition by Vista Equity Partners in 2024, users have expressed growing concerns about customer support quality, rising costs, and the platform's future direction under private equity ownership.
I’ve spent time analyzing SimplePractice’s pricing tiers, add-on costs, and user feedback. I believe it’s the ideal choice if:
However, SimplePractice’s pricing may not be optimal if:
In this case, you should consider CarePaths: an evidence-based EHR platform that includes integrated Measurement-Based Care developed with Bruce Wampold, PhD, offering more affordable pricing with a free tier and comprehensive features designed specifically by and for behavioral health professionals.
Because of that, I’ve included a detailed pricing comparison with CarePaths in this review, as the best choice for clinicians seeking evidence-based, affordable practice management. With that said, if you’re eager to jump into the CarePaths pricing breakdown, go ahead and do so with this link.
Table of contents
| SimplePractice | CarePaths | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | • No free plan • 30-day free trial • No credit card required | • FREE MBC for up to 30 clients • Full MBC features included • No credit card required |
| Entry Plan | • Starter: $49/month • Basic features only • No appointment reminders (except Telehealth) • No calendar sync | • Getting Started: $10/month • Limited to 15 sessions • Full EHR features • 30-day free trial available |
| Standard Plan | • Essential: $79/month • Full appointment reminders • Wiley Treatment Planners • 10 free insurance claims | • EHR + MBC: $49/month • Complete practice management • Automated MBC included • Free claims processing |
| Advanced Plan | • Plus: $99/month • Group appointments included • Automatic insurance checks • 35 free claims/month | • Psychiatry EHR: $98/month • E-prescribing included • Decision support • PDMP integration |
| Best For | Practices prioritizing user-friendly interface and established market presence | Evidence-based practitioners wanting integrated outcome tracking and affordable pricing |
SimplePractice operates on a three-tier subscription model targeting behavioral health professionals from solo practitioners to group practices.
The platform requires monthly or annual commitments with no free plan, only a 30-day trial period. Beyond base subscriptions, users face additional costs for features like AI note-taking ($35/month), e-prescribing ($49/month), and various one-time fees. Let’s examine each tier to understand the true cost of using SimplePractice.
Billed monthly, cancel anytime
Billed monthly, cancel anytime
Billed monthly, cancel anytime
| Feature | Regular | Promotional Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $49 | $24.50 (first 3 months) |
| Clients | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Core Features | Yes | Yes |
| Appointment Reminders | Telehealth only | Telehealth only |
| Calendar Sync | No | No |
The Starter plan at $49 monthly provides basic features for new practices testing SimplePractice. It includes core features like telehealth, online payments, and progress notes, but lacks appointment reminders (only Telehealth reminders included) and calendar sync. At $49 monthly, it matches many competitors’ full-featured plans, making it feel overpriced for the limited features offered.
| Starter Plan Pros | Starter Plan Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Unlimited clients included | ❌ Limited appointment reminders |
| ✅ Telehealth built-in | ❌ Missing calendar sync |
| ✅ Client portal access | ❌ No Wiley Treatment Planners |
| ✅ 50% off first 3 months | ❌ Limited insurance features |
The Bottom Line 👉 Starter works for solo practitioners with minimal needs, but most will quickly outgrow its limitations and face a $30 monthly increase.
| Feature | Regular Price | Promotional Price | vs Starter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $79 | $39.50 (first 3 months) | + $30 |
| Appointment Reminders | Yes | Yes | New |
| Calendar Sync | Yes | Yes | New |
| Wiley Treatment Planners | Yes | Yes | New |
| Free Insurance Claims | 10/month | 10/month | New |
Essential at $79 monthly adds critical features missing from the Starter plan, including appointment reminders and calendar synchronization. The inclusion of Wiley Treatment Planners provides evidence-based content, though only 10 free insurance claims per month may feel restrictive for insurance-based practices. The 61% price increase from Starter seems steep for these additions.
| Essential Plan Pros | Essential Plan Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Full appointment reminders included | ❌ 61% price jump from Starter |
| ✅ Calendar sync functionality | ❌ Only 10 free claims monthly |
| ✅ Wiley Treatment Planners | ❌ Group appointments cost extra ($20/month) |
| ✅ Integrated MBC tools | ❌ No automatic insurance checks |
The Bottom Line 👉 Essential suits growing solo practices, but the price point approaches competitors’ premium tiers while still requiring add-ons for some features.
| Feature | Regular Price | Promotional Price | vs Essential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $99 | $49.50 (first 3 months) | + $20 |
| Group Appointments | Yes | Yes | New |
| Free Insurance Claims | 35/month | 35/month | +25 |
| Auto Insurance Checks | Yes | Yes | New |
| Premium Support | Yes | Yes | New |
Plus at $99 monthly represents SimplePractice’s full-featured tier, adding group therapy capabilities and automatic insurance verification. At $99 monthly, it’s the only tier that feels complete, though this price point significantly exceeds many competitors. The jump to 35 free claims helps insurance-based practices, but heavy billers still face per-claim charges.
| Plus Plan Pros | Plus Plan Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Group therapy support | ❌ $99/month is expensive |
| ✅ 35 free insurance claims | ❌ Add-ons cost extra |
| ✅ Automatic insurance verification | ❌ No unlimited claims option |
| ✅ Premium phone support | ❌ High total cost with add-ons |
The Bottom Line 👉 Plus delivers SimplePractice’s complete experience but at a premium price that may not accommodate budget-conscious practices.
Beyond subscriptions, SimplePractice’s true costs emerge through numerous add-ons:
Clinical Add-Ons:
Additional Fees:
These add-ons can push monthly costs well above $150 for a fully-featured experience, particularly for practices needing both AI notes and e-prescribing.
While SimplePractice offers a polished interface and comprehensive features, several limitations create challenges for behavioral health practices seeking value and clinical excellence:
Different MBC Philosophy
SimplePractice includes automated measurement-based care with scored assessments and progress tracking. However, practices seeking MBC tools developed specifically by leading psychotherapy researchers may prefer alternatives. The platform’s approach, while functional, differs from specialized implementations designed with specific evidence-based protocols in mind.
Customer Support Challenges
Following the Vista Equity Partners acquisition in 2024, users report mixed experiences with customer support. While phone support is available to all customers (with premium access for Plus members), many describe longer response times and varying quality of assistance. For practices dealing with billing issues or technical problems, this can mean delays in resolution.
Rising Costs Without Proportional Value
The tiered pricing structure requires practices to pay $99 monthly for features like included group appointments and adequate insurance claims. Add-ons like AI notes ($35) and e-prescribing ($49) push total costs well above $150 monthly. Meanwhile, competitors offer similar or superior features at lower price points.
No Free Tier for Testing
Unlike many competitors, SimplePractice offers no free plan for practices to properly evaluate the platform long-term. While the 30-day trial provides initial access, it may not be enough time for practices to fully assess workflow fit and features before committing financially.
These limitations have led many evidence-based practitioners to explore alternatives that prioritize clinical outcomes and affordability.
Clinician Insight: CarePaths’ Measurement-Based Care system was developed with Bruce Wampold, PhD, ensuring that outcome tracking follows evidence-based psychotherapy standards rather than generic data metrics.
CarePaths delivers comprehensive practice management with integrated Measurement-Based Care at a fraction of SimplePractice’s cost, built by clinicians who understand the realities of behavioral health practice.
For those who feel SimplePractice’s pricing structure and clinical approach don’t align with their practice philosophy, CarePaths offers a solution with evidence-based features developed with Bruce Wampold, PhD, transparent pricing starting at FREE, and a platform designed specifically by and for behavioral health professionals.
Founded in 2000 by clinical psychologists Geoff Gray, PhD and Maureen Hart, PhD, CarePaths serves practitioners who believe tracking outcomes improves care quality. The platform’s automated MBC system follows evidence-based protocols while reducing administrative burden, making sophisticated outcome tracking accessible for all clinicians.
By Bruce Wampold PhD
Complete Practice Management System
Getting Started?
CarePaths excels for solo practitioners testing practice management software, clinicians committed to measurement-based care, and practices seeking affordable, comprehensive solutions without hidden fees.
Did You Know? While SimplePractice starts at $49 with limited features, CarePaths offers a FREE MBC plan developed by researchers—making evidence-based care accessible to every clinician.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | FREE for up to 30 clients |
| MBC Features | Full battery of assessments |
| Development | By Bruce Wampold, PhD |
| Automation | Minimal administrative burden |
| Digital Front Door | Online referral system |
Unlike SimplePractice’s lack of free options, CarePaths offers genuine value with its FREE MBC tier. This plan includes the complete Measurement-Based Care system developed by leading psychotherapy researcher Bruce Wampold, PhD, allowing practices to implement evidence-based outcome tracking without any financial commitment.
| FREE Plan Pros | FREE Plan Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Completely free for 30 clients | ❌ Limited to MBC features only |
| ✅ Evidence-based assessments | ❌ No full EHR capabilities |
| ✅ Automated administration | ❌ Requires upgrade for billing |
| ✅ No credit card required | ❌ Basic reporting only |
The Bottom Line 👉 The FREE plan lets clinicians experience professional MBC tools with a specific clinical philosophy, perfect for testing evidence-based practice.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $49/month per clinician |
| Practice Management | Complete system included |
| Telehealth | Free with group support |
| Claims Processing | Free electronic claims |
| MBC Integration | Fully automated |
CarePaths’ full EHR at $49 matches SimplePractice’s Starter price while delivering features comparable to higher tiers. This includes automated appointment reminders, free electronic claims, integrated telehealth with group support, and the complete MBC system. The platform also provides AI-generated clinical notes and unlimited administrative accounts at no extra cost.
| EHR Plan Pros | EHR Plan Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Same price as SimplePractice Starter | ❌ Less polished interface |
| ✅ Includes many premium features | ❌ Smaller user community |
| ✅ Free claims and reminders | ❌ Some users report glitches |
| ✅ 30-day free trial | ❌ Help ticket support only |
The Bottom Line 👉 At $49, CarePaths delivers substantial clinical value, making it ideal for budget-conscious practices.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $10/month |
| Session Limit | 15 sessions monthly |
| Features | Core EHR access |
| Trial Period | 30 days free |
This plan provides EHR access for practices just starting or with low volume. At $10 monthly for up to 15 sessions, it’s perfect for part-time practitioners or those building their caseload. Few major platforms offer comparable entry-level pricing.
| Getting Started Plan Pros | Getting Started Plan Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Only $10 monthly | ❌ Limited to 15 sessions |
| ✅ Core feature access | ❌ Requires upgrade as practice grows |
| ✅ Perfect for new practitioners | ❌ Not suitable for full-time practice |
| ✅ Risk-free entry point | ❌ Session tracking needed |
The Bottom Line 👉 Getting Started removes financial barriers for new practitioners, offering features at a price SimplePractice doesn’t match.
SimplePractice’s Approach: SimplePractice offers comprehensive outcome tracking through automated scoring measures, instant scoring, and visual progress graphing. The platform includes validated instruments like PHQ-9 and GAD-7, with automated distribution and longitudinal tracking capabilities.
Source: SimplePractice
CarePaths’ Approach: CarePaths provides fully automated MBC developed with Bruce Wampold, PhD, automatically sending assessments, scoring responses, and generating visual progress graphs. The system includes validated batteries covering symptoms, wellbeing, and therapeutic alliance, following specific evidence-based protocols.
Value Verdict: Both platforms offer robust MBC tools. The choice depends on whether you prefer SimplePractice’s mainstream implementation or CarePaths’ researcher-developed approach at a lower price point.
SimplePractice’s Approach: SimplePractice’s tiered structure requires practices to navigate multiple price points to access desired features. Full appointment reminders require $79/month, included group appointments need $99/month (or $20/month add-on for Essential), and add-ons like AI notes ($35) and e-prescribing ($49) can increase costs to above $150. This tiered approach may frustrate users seeking straightforward pricing.
CarePaths’ Approach: CarePaths includes comprehensive features in its $49 base price: appointment reminders, claims processing, telehealth, and MBC. The platform explicitly includes features that SimplePractice reserves for higher tiers or add-ons, providing transparent, more inclusive pricing that respects practitioners’ budgets.
Value Verdict: CarePaths offers better value for cost-conscious practices, delivering more features at lower prices with fewer required add-ons.
SimplePractice’s Approach: SimplePractice offers phone support to all customers (Monday-Friday, 7 AM-5 PM PT), with Plus members receiving premium phone access. Users report mixed experiences, with some report slower response times since the 2024 private equity acquisition. Support also includes ticket systems and chat options.
CarePaths’ Approach: While CarePaths also uses ticket-based support, users report generally helpful assistance. The platform offers free training and onboarding calls, and support specifically designed for behavioral health workflows. The smaller company size may enable more personalized attention.
Value Verdict: Both platforms have room for improvement in support, but CarePaths’ free training and behavioral health focus may provide more relevant assistance for clinical practices.
No, SimplePractice doesn’t provide a free plan, only a 30-day trial that doesn’t require credit card information. This contrasts with CarePaths’ FREE MBC plan for up to 30 clients, which requires no payment information and includes full outcome tracking features.
While plans start at $49/month, a fully-functional SimplePractice setup typically costs $99/month (Plus plan) plus add-ons like AI notes ($35) and e-prescribing ($49), totaling $183+ monthly. CarePaths provides comparable features: the $49 EHR plan includes AI notes but not e-prescribing (available as a $49 add-on), while the $98 Psychiatry plan includes everything with no additional add-ons required.
Included group appointments, automatic insurance verification, and 35 monthly insurance claims all come standard with the $99 Plus plan. Group appointments can be added to Essential for $20/month. These features that SimplePractice reserves for its highest tier (or add-ons) come standard in CarePaths’ $49 EHR plan.
Yes, CarePaths offers data migration services to help practices transition from other EHR systems. They provide standard import tools for CSV and CCDA formats, plus custom migration assistance at $150/hour for complex transfers.
Both platforms offer robust MBC capabilities. SimplePractice provides automated assessments with validated measures and instant scoring. CarePaths offers MBC tools developed with Bruce Wampold, PhD, following specific evidence-based protocols. The choice depends on your preferred clinical approach and budget, as CarePaths includes MBC at lower price points.
SimplePractice may justify its premium pricing for practices that prioritize user-friendly interface and prefer mainstream features with a large user community. However, evidence-based practitioners seeking affordable MBC tools developed by researchers and transparent pricing may find better value with CarePaths.
The choice between SimplePractice and CarePaths depends on your practice priorities and clinical philosophy:
👍 SimplePractice is a user-friendly practice management platform designed for behavioral health professionals who value interface polish and market popularity.
With pricing from $49-$99/month plus add-ons, it enables practices to manage operations through an intuitive system with established features. This tiered pricing model works best for established practices with steady revenue, clinicians comfortable with mainstream tools, and users willing to pay premium pricing for design aesthetics.
Get started with SimplePractice here.
👉 CarePaths is a robust EHR platform built on the principle that measuring outcomes improves therapy effectiveness, designed by psychologists who understand clinical practice realities in a variety of settings.
By offering pricing from FREE to $98/month with integrated MBC and transparent feature inclusion, it empowers clinicians to practice evidence-based care without breaking their budgets. This affordable approach makes it valuable for outcomes-focused practitioners, new clinicians building their practice, and any professional who believes quality care shouldn’t require premium pricing.
Get started with CarePaths here.
The fundamental difference isn't just cost but clinical philosophy. While SimplePractice asks "How can we make practice management efficient and user-friendly?", CarePaths asks "How can we help clinicians grow their practice while keeping costs down and outcomes up?"
