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Software · head to head

SimplePractice vs Zocdoc

S

SimplePractice

Software

Practice management and EHR for mental health and therapy

From
$49/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zocdoc logo

Zocdoc

Software

Find and book doctors instantly online

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Zocdoc has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: SimplePractice no API or webhook support for integrations, preventing connections to Zapier or custom automation tools; Zocdoc doctors can cancel appointments with little notice
  • They diverge on capability: SimplePractice covers Scheduling, Zocdoc covers Doctor Search.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which SimplePractice and Zocdoc actually diverge.

Attributes where SimplePractice and Zocdoc differ
AttributeSimplePracticeZocdoc
Starting price$49/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
Founded20112007

Identical on both: 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 SimplePractice

  • Scheduling
  • Client Portal
  • Notes
  • Billing
  • Documents
  • Stripe
  • PayPal
  • Electronic clearinghouses

Only in Zocdoc

  • Doctor Search
  • Online Booking
  • Reviews
  • Insurance Verification
  • Reminders
  • Practice Management Systems
  • EHRs

Both cover

  • Telehealth
  • HIPAA
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support
  • Mobile support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

SimplePractice

  • Patient Care
  • Medical Records
  • Practice Management
  • Telehealth

Zocdoc

  • Patient Care
  • Medical Records
  • Practice Management
  • Telehealth

Both are used for patient care, medical records, practice management, telehealth, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

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

Zocdoc

  • Doctors can cancel appointments with little notice
  • No direct messaging between patients and providers outside of appointment booking
  • Providers incur booking fees even if patients no-show or cancel after 24 hours

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Zocdoc

Free
  • PatientFree
    • Find doctors
    • Book appointments
    • Read reviews

Which should you pick?

Choose SimplePractice if

  • You need scheduling.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want client portal.
SimplePractice review

Choose Zocdoc if

  • You need doctor search.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want online booking.
Zocdoc review

Questions people ask

Is SimplePractice or Zocdoc better?
Neither clearly leads. SimplePractice starts at $49/month and Zocdoc at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, SimplePractice or Zocdoc?
Zocdoc has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $49/month for SimplePractice and Free for Zocdoc.
Does SimplePractice or Zocdoc run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Zocdoc for free?
Yes. Zocdoc has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SimplePractice starts at $49/month.
What is SimplePractice best used for?
SimplePractice is most often used for patient care, medical records, practice management, telehealth.
What can SimplePractice do that Zocdoc cannot?
SimplePractice covers Scheduling, Client Portal, Notes, Billing. Zocdoc covers Doctor Search, Online Booking, Reviews, Insurance Verification. Both handle Telehealth, HIPAA, Cloud deployment, Web 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.

Source
Zocdoc: Is Zocdoc free for patients?

Yes, searching for and booking appointments on Zocdoc is completely free for patients. There are no search fees, booking fees, or cancellation fees. Patients only pay their insurance copay or self-pay rate for the actual care.

Source
SimplePractice: Does SimplePractice include telehealth?

Yes, all SimplePractice tiers include HIPAA-compliant integrated telehealth, allowing therapists to conduct secure video sessions directly from the platform.

Source
Zocdoc: Does Zocdoc verify that doctors accept my insurance?

Zocdoc supports over 1,000 insurance plans and filters results to show only providers who accept your specific plan. However, Zocdoc cannot guarantee in-network status, as plans with similar names can differ by employer group or region. Final verification is always confirmed by your insurer and the provider's office.

Source
SimplePractice: 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.

Source
Zocdoc: What specialties and types of providers does Zocdoc cover?

Zocdoc features a network of over 250,000 providers across 200+ specialties, including primary care physicians, dentists, OB-GYNs, dermatologists, psychiatrists, eye doctors, orthopedic surgeons, and therapists.

Source
SimplePractice: 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
Zocdoc: How much do providers pay to use Zocdoc?

Zocdoc charges healthcare providers a one-time booking fee per new patient, with pricing varying by specialty and local market. The exact fee is quoted individually to practices.

Source
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