Mental Note AI vs Freed AI: Which Documentation Tool Is Right for You?
Compare voice-based ambient scribe technology with text-based clinical note generation. Understand which approach fits your practice.
Two Different Approaches to Clinical Documentation
Mental Note AI
Text-based input after the session ends. You describe the session in plain language, and AI generates the clinical note.
Freed
Voice-based ambient scribe. Records your entire session with client consent and generates notes from the recording.
| Feature | Mental Note AI | Freed |
|---|---|---|
| Input Method | Text Description (Post-Session) | Voice Recording (During Session) |
| Platform | Microsoft Word Add-in | Mobile App + Web App |
| Session Recording | No Recording Required | Records Entire Session (with Consent) |
| Client Consent | Not Required | Required for Recording |
| Specialization | Mental Health Only | General Medical (All Specialties) |
| Data Storage | Zero Retention (On-Device) | Encrypted Server Storage |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Free tier + $99/month unlimited | $0-$99/month |
| Best For | Therapists, Mental Health Professionals | Physicians, General Medical Practice |
Input Method: Text vs Voice
Mental Note AI
Text-based input after the session ends. You write a brief description of the session (what the client presented with, interventions used, client response, next steps) in the Mental Note chat interface. AI generates the structured clinical note from your description.
- Advantage: Complete control over what gets documented—you decide what to include and exclude.
- Advantage: No recording complexity or consent issues.
- Best for: Clinicians who prefer to document after reflection.
Freed
Voice-based ambient scribe. Freed records your entire session as an ambient background process. You just talk naturally; Freed transcribes the conversation and generates a clinical note. Requires explicit client consent for recording.
- Advantage: Captures full session context—no need to remember details later.
- Advantage: Hands-free documentation during session.
- Best for: Clinicians who want complete session capture.
Specialization: Mental Health vs General Medical
Mental Note AI
Built exclusively for mental health professionals. AI trained on thousands of therapy notes. Understands therapeutic modalities, DSM criteria, and the language therapists use.
- Advantage: Specialized specifically for therapy documentation.
- Advantage: Knows therapy terminology and clinical approaches.
- Best for: Therapists, LCSWs, LMFTs, and mental health specialists.
Freed
General medical scribe designed for all clinical specialties: primary care, cardiology, surgery, dentistry, pediatrics, and more. Works across diverse medical settings and documentation needs.
- Advantage: Works for any medical specialty, including mental health.
- Advantage: Unified platform for multi-specialty organizations.
- Best for: Physicians and general medical practitioners.
Privacy & Recording Consent
Mental Note AI
No recording at any point. You describe the session after it ends, AI generates the note locally in Word. Zero data retention: patient information stays on your computer.
- Advantage: No recording consent needed or required.
- Advantage: No accidental recording risks.
- Best for: Therapists avoiding recording altogether.
Freed
Requires explicit client consent to record sessions. Session audio is stored on encrypted servers. HIPAA-compliant, but requires consent management and adds privacy considerations for recorded sessions.
- Advantage: Full session capture ensures no documentation details are missed.
- Advantage: Can audit sessions later for quality assurance.
- Best for: Practices comfortable with session recording for documentation.
Platform & Integration
Mental Note AI
Works as a Microsoft Word add-in. Notes are generated directly inside Word documents. Requires no new platform or app; integrates into your existing documentation workflow.
- Advantage: Zero workflow disruption—already using Word for documentation.
Freed
Mobile app (iOS/Android) and web app. Requires you to launch Freed during sessions to capture audio. Notes appear in the Freed platform for export or integration with your EHR.
- Advantage: Mobile-first platform designed for point-of-care documentation.
Pricing
Mental Note AI
- Free Tier: Full access, 2,000 words/month
- Paid Plans: $99/month unlimited
- Annual Option: $990/year
Freed
- Free Tier: Limited (usually 10 notes/month or similar)
- Paid Plans: $0-$99/month depending on usage and plan
- Enterprise Pricing: Available for large organizations
Who Should Choose Each Platform?
Choose Mental Note AI If You:
- Are a therapist, counselor, or mental health specialist
- Work in private practice (solo or small group)
- Want to avoid recording sessions altogether
- Already use Microsoft Word for documentation
- Prefer text-based input after sessions end
- Value simplicity and minimal workflow changes
- Want the strongest privacy model (zero data retention)
- Prefer a free trial with low commitment
Choose Freed If You:
- Are a physician or general medical practitioner
- Work in diverse medical specialties
- Want comprehensive session capture via recording
- Prefer hands-free documentation during sessions
- Need a mobile-first application
- Can implement client consent processes
- Work in settings where ambient recording is acceptable
- Need a general medical documentation solution
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Mental Note AI and Freed?
Freed is a voice-based ambient AI scribe that records your entire session with clients (with consent) and generates notes from the recording. Mental Note AI is text-based: you type or describe your session after it ends, then Mental Note generates the note. Freed requires session recording; Mental Note does not.
Which is better for mental health practices?
Mental Note AI is purpose-built for mental health professionals and therapists. Freed is a general medical scribe designed for all medical specialties (primary care, surgery, dentistry, etc.). Mental Note AI's AI is fine-tuned specifically on mental health clinical notes and terminology.
Do clients need to consent to Mental Note AI or Freed?
Mental Note AI: No client consent required—you type your own notes after the session. Freed: Yes, you must obtain client consent to record the session, as Freed records the entire therapy session as an ambient background process.
Which is more private: Mental Note AI or Freed?
Mental Note AI avoids recording altogether—no session audio is ever captured, so there's no risk of recording consent issues or accidental recordings. Freed stores encrypted session recordings on their servers. Both are HIPAA-compliant, but Mental Note avoids the privacy complexity of recording sessions.
Explore Mental Note AI
Try Mental Note AI Free
2,000 words per month on the free tier. No recording, no consent required, zero data retention. No credit card needed.
Try for Free in WordLast updated March 15, 2026