SimplePractice vs Sessions Health 2026 — Is Free Good Enough?
Sessions Health is the only fully free EHR for therapists with a HIPAA BAA. SimplePractice starts at $29/month and is the most widely used therapy EHR in the US. Here is an honest comparison of what you actually get with each.
Updated May 2026 · Both platforms verified HIPAA-compliant
CHOOSE SIMPLEPRACTICE IF
- →You bill insurance
- →You want SMS reminders
- →You need group practice features
- →You want the most polished experience
- →You see 10+ clients per week
SESSIONS HEALTH IS FINE IF
- ✓You are cash-pay only
- ✓You are just starting out
- ✓You see a small caseload
- ✓Budget is your top priority
- ✓You do not need insurance billing
| FEATURE | SimplePractice | Sessions Health |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $29/month | Free forever |
| HIPAA BAA | ✓ Included | ✓ Included |
| Progress notes | ✓ Full templates | ✓ Basic templates |
| Telehealth | ✓ Built-in (all plans) | ✓ Built-in |
| Client portal | ✓ Full portal | ✓ Basic portal |
| Online scheduling | ✓ Client self-booking | ✓ Client self-booking |
| Insurance billing | ✓ Full clearinghouse | ⚠️ Limited (no ERA) |
| Credit card processing | ✓ Stripe integration | ✓ Included |
| Wiley Treatment Planners | ✗ Not included | ✗ Not included |
| Mobile app | ✓ iOS + Android | ✓ iOS + Android |
| Automated reminders | ✓ Email + SMS | ✓ Email only (free) |
| Customer support | Chat + email | Email only |
| Group practice support | ✓ Full multi-clinician | ⚠️ Limited |
| Customizable intake forms | ✓ Fully customizable | ✓ Basic customization |
Where Sessions Health Falls Short
Sessions Health is genuinely impressive for a free product — HIPAA-compliant, solid notes, telehealth, scheduling. But there are real limitations that matter depending on your practice:
No ERA/EOB processing
Sessions Health does not have a full insurance billing clearinghouse. You cannot submit claims directly or receive Electronic Remittance Advices. If you take insurance, you need a separate billing solution or a different EHR.
Email-only reminders on free plan
SimplePractice sends both email and SMS reminders automatically. Sessions Health's free plan only sends email reminders. SMS can reduce no-shows significantly — for a busy practice, this alone may justify the SimplePractice cost.
Limited group practice functionality
Sessions Health is designed for solo therapists. If you plan to add clinicians, SimplePractice has much better multi-provider support with proper access controls for HIPAA compliance.
When Free Is the Right Choice
If you are a new therapist building a cash-pay practice with a small caseload, Sessions Health is a legitimate option. It is HIPAA-compliant, has a signed BAA, and covers the basics. Starting free and switching to SimplePractice as your practice grows is a reasonable strategy — the main cost of switching is re-entering client data, which is manageable for a small caseload.
Trusted by 225,000+ Therapists
50% Off Your First 4 Months + Free Credentialing
SimplePractice is the #1 HIPAA-compliant practice management platform for therapists. Includes a signed BAA, encrypted messaging, telehealth, and full insurance billing.
Offer valid through July 15, 2026 · No credit card required for trial
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FAQ — SimplePractice vs Sessions Health
Is Sessions Health really free?
Yes — Sessions Health has a genuinely free plan with no time limit and no credit card required. The free plan includes notes, telehealth, scheduling, client portal, and a HIPAA BAA. Paid plans add features like SMS reminders and additional storage, starting around $29/month.
Is Sessions Health HIPAA-compliant?
Yes. Sessions Health signs a Business Associate Agreement with all users, including free accounts. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. The platform meets core HIPAA Security Rule requirements.
Can I switch from Sessions Health to SimplePractice later?
Yes, but the migration requires manual work. Sessions Health allows you to export client data as a CSV. Clinical notes can be exported as PDFs. SimplePractice does not have an automated import from Sessions Health — you would re-enter client records manually, which is manageable for a small caseload.
Which is better for a new therapist starting out?
If you are cash-pay only and just starting: Sessions Health free plan is a reasonable choice while you build your caseload. If you plan to take insurance, or want the most professional client experience from day one, start with SimplePractice — the $29/month Starter plan covers most solo therapist needs.