Software · head to head
BetterHelp vs SimplePractice
SimplePractice
Software
Practice management and EHR for mental health and therapy
- From
- $49/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: BetterHelp pricing from $50-$90 per week billed every 4 weeks with location and therapist availability variations; SimplePractice no API or webhook support for integrations, preventing connections to Zapier or custom automation tools
- They diverge on capability: BetterHelp covers Video Sessions, SimplePractice covers Scheduling.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which BetterHelp and SimplePractice actually diverge.
| Attribute | BetterHelp | SimplePractice |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $50/week | $49/month |
| Founded | 2013 | 2011 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in BetterHelp
- Video Sessions
- Phone Sessions
- Messaging
- Journaling
- Worksheets
Only in SimplePractice
- Scheduling
- Client Portal
- Notes
- Billing
- Telehealth
- Documents
- Stripe
- PayPal
Both cover
- HIPAA
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Mobile support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
BetterHelp
- Online therapy with licensed mental health professionalsnot SimplePractice
- Flexible scheduling with messaging, video, phone, and live chat optionsnot SimplePractice
- Access to 150+ worksheets and therapy support modulesnot SimplePractice
- Weekly free group seminars with expert therapistsnot SimplePractice
SimplePractice
- Patient Carenot BetterHelp
- Medical Recordsnot BetterHelp
- Practice Managementnot BetterHelp
- Telehealthnot BetterHelp
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
BetterHelp
- Pricing from $50-$90 per week billed every 4 weeks with location and therapist availability variations
- Not suitable for minors or those under legal guardianship
- Cannot provide official diagnoses, fulfill court orders, or prescribe medication
- Requires reliable internet access; not appropriate for emergency or crisis situations
SimplePractice
- No API or webhook support for integrations, preventing connections to Zapier or custom automation tools
- Lacks AI clinical documentation in base plan, requiring manual note typing which takes 15-30 minutes per session
- Reporting and customization features are limited compared to competitors, with weak insurance workflow support
- Hidden costs beyond base pricing, with real cost often 3x higher after add-ons and annual increases
- Telehealth component reported as unstable and frequently unreliable by some users
Pricing, plan by plan
BetterHelp
$50/weekNo published plan breakdown. See the BetterHelp review.
SimplePractice
$49/month- Starter$49/month
- Scheduling
- Documentation
- Client portal
- Essential$79/month
- Billing and payments
- Insurance claim filing
- Telehealth
- Plus$99/month
- Website builder
- Advanced reporting
- ePrescribe integration
Which should you pick?
Choose BetterHelp if
- You need video sessions.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want phone sessions.
Choose SimplePractice if
- You need scheduling.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want client portal.
Questions people ask
- Is BetterHelp or SimplePractice better?
- Neither clearly leads. BetterHelp starts at $50/week and SimplePractice at $49/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, BetterHelp or SimplePractice?
- BetterHelp starts at $50/week and SimplePractice at $49/month.
- Does BetterHelp or SimplePractice run on more platforms?
- Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- What is BetterHelp best used for?
- BetterHelp is most often used for online therapy with licensed mental health professionals, flexible scheduling with messaging, video, phone, and live chat options, access to 150+ worksheets and therapy support modules, weekly free group seminars with expert therapists. Of those, online therapy with licensed mental health professionals and flexible scheduling with messaging, video, phone, and live chat options are not what SimplePractice is typically brought in for.
- What can BetterHelp do that SimplePractice cannot?
- BetterHelp covers Video Sessions, Phone Sessions, Messaging, Journaling. SimplePractice covers Scheduling, Client Portal, Notes, Billing. Both handle HIPAA, Cloud deployment, Web support, Mobile support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
SimplePractice: What does SimplePractice pricing include?
SimplePractice tiers start at $49 (Starter), $79 (Essential), and $99 (Plus) per clinician per month. Add-ons cost extra, including AI Note Taker at $35/month and ePrescribe at $49/month plus $89 setup.
SourceSimplePractice: Does SimplePractice include telehealth?
Yes, all SimplePractice tiers include HIPAA-compliant integrated telehealth, allowing therapists to conduct secure video sessions directly from the platform.
SourceSimplePractice: Is AI documentation included in SimplePractice?
No, AI clinical notes are not included in base pricing. SimplePractice offers an optional AI Note Taker add-on for $35/month that provides basic transcription, though it lacks advanced note generation features of competitors.
SourceSimplePractice: Does SimplePractice support international or non-US workflows?
No, SimplePractice is designed for US practices only and does not support non-US workflows, insurance structures, or currencies, limiting its use for international practitioners.
Source