Mental Note AI vs Mentalyc: Clinical Notes Comparison

Compare pricing, note formats, platform integration, and data privacy to find the right clinical documentation tool for your practice.

Feature Mental Note AI Mentalyc
Platform Microsoft Word Add-in Web App
Pricing Free tier + $99/month unlimited $49-$149/month
Free Tier Yes (2,000 words/month) No
Note Formats 6 Formats (SOAP, DAP, BIRP, SIRP, GIRP, PIE) 15+ Therapy-Specific Formats
Patient Data Storage Zero Retention (On-Device) Encrypted Server Storage
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes (with BAA)
Setup Time 5-10 minutes 1-2 hours
Workflow Integration Works Inside Word Separate App
EHR Integration Microsoft Word (copy/paste to any system) Limited Direct Integrations
Best For Solo Practitioners, Privacy-First Group Practices, Advanced Features

Platform & Workflow

Mental Note AI

Integrates directly into Microsoft Word. Write notes as usual, then use the sidebar to generate or refine them. Notes stay in Word—no app switching, no workflow changes.

  • Advantage: Zero context switching. Stay in Word.
  • Best for: Practitioners already using Word for documentation.

Mentalyc

Standalone web application. Log in to Mentalyc, generate notes there, then export or integrate with your EHR. This adds a distinct workflow step compared to Word-based generation.

  • Advantage: Dedicated interface with more customization options.
  • Best for: Teams wanting a centralized platform for note management.

Data Privacy & HIPAA Compliance

Mental Note AI

Zero data retention: Patient data never goes to our servers. Notes generate locally in Word. Our team has zero access to any patient information.

  • Advantage: Strictest privacy model in the market.
  • Best for: Practices requiring maximum privacy and HIPAA certainty.

Mentalyc

Notes stored on encrypted servers. HIPAA-compliant with BAA agreements available. Patient data passes through their infrastructure, but is protected with standard healthcare security measures.

  • Advantage: Standard HIPAA compliance suitable for most practices.
  • Best for: Practices following standard HIPAA protocols.

Note Formats & Customization

Mental Note AI

Supports 6 note formats: SOAP, DAP, BIRP, SIRP, GIRP, PIE, plus treatment plans and progress notes. All designed for mental health professionals.

  • Advantage: All core formats for mental health in one tool.
  • Best for: Therapists using standard note formats.

Mentalyc

Supports 15+ therapy-specific note types with deeper customization of templates and fields. Offers specialized templates for different therapy modalities and specialties.

  • Advantage: More templates and granular customization.
  • Best for: Practices needing specialized or uncommon note formats.

Pricing

Mental Note AI

  • Free Tier: Full access to all note types, 2,000 words/month
  • Paid Plans: $99/month unlimited
  • Annual Option: $990/year
  • Best for: Solo practitioners wanting to try first; cost-conscious practices.

Mentalyc

  • No Free Tier
  • Pricing: $49-$149/month (depends on plan tier and add-ons)
  • Group Discounts: Available for multi-user practices
  • Best for: Committed teams ready to pay for advanced features.

Setup & Onboarding

Mental Note AI

5-10 minutes: Download add-in, activate in Word, watch a quick tutorial, start generating notes.

Result: Generating professional notes within the hour.

Mentalyc

1-2 hours: Account setup, security training, template customization. Requires more initial time investment.

Result: Fully configured system tailored to your practice, but requires upfront effort.

Who Should Choose Each Platform?

Choose Mental Note AI If You:

  • Already use Microsoft Word for documentation
  • Want the fastest, most frictionless setup
  • Prioritize data security and zero patient data storage
  • Are a solo practitioner or small group (under 5 therapists)
  • Want to try AI note generation with minimal commitment (free tier)
  • Prefer simplicity over maximum customization
  • Work with sensitive populations requiring strict privacy

Choose Mentalyc If You:

  • Prefer a dedicated app with more templates
  • Have a group practice needing collaborative features
  • Want to consolidate multiple therapy specialties in one platform
  • Need deep EHR integrations or centralized management
  • Are comfortable switching between multiple applications
  • Require highly specialized or uncommon note formats
  • Want advanced template customization out of the box

Migrating from Mentalyc to Mental Note AI

What Transfers

  • Your clinical knowledge and practice patterns
  • Completed notes (export from Mentalyc as PDF or Word)
  • Your documentation style and preferences

What Changes

  • Daily workflow moves to Word
  • Templates reset to Mental Note's core formats
  • Integrations use Word export + paste-into-EHR

Timeline: Most practitioners transition in 1-2 weeks. Mental Note AI provides onboarding documentation and email support to help with the switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Mental Note AI and Mentalyc?

Mental Note AI is a Microsoft Word add-in that generates notes inside an application you already use, with zero patient data stored on servers. Mentalyc is a standalone web app with more templates and features, but requires you to switch between applications and stores notes on encrypted servers. Mental Note is best for workflow simplicity and privacy; Mentalyc is best for advanced customization and team features.

Can I switch from Mentalyc to Mental Note AI?

Yes. You can export your completed notes from Mentalyc as PDFs or Word documents for archival. The workflow changes to Word-based generation, which takes about 1-2 weeks to adjust to. Mental Note AI provides onboarding support to help with the transition.

Which has a free tier?

Only Mental Note AI offers a free tier: 2,000 words per month with full access to all 6 note formats (SOAP, DAP, BIRP, SIRP, GIRP, PIE). Mentalyc does not have a free tier, starting at approximately $49-$149 per month depending on the plan.

How does data privacy compare?

Mental Note AI uses zero data retention: patient information is never sent to servers and notes are generated locally in Word. Mentalyc stores encrypted notes on their servers (HIPAA-compliant with BAA available). Both are compliant, but Mental Note AI has the strictest privacy model if that's your primary concern.

Explore Mental Note AI

View All Features See Pricing Plans Explore Templates

Try Mental Note AI Free

2,000 words per month on the free tier. Full access to all 6 note formats. No credit card required.

Try for Free in Word

Last updated March 15, 2026