MentalNote vs SimplePractice Note Taker
Facts checked on 14 October 2026. Prices change, so check each vendor's page before you decide.
SimplePractice sells its AI scribe as Note Taker. Note Taker is also part of Care Aide, a larger set of AI tools that adds session prep, a treatment planner and client summaries.
The short answer
- Choose SimplePractice Note Taker if SimplePractice is already your EHR and you want AI notes inside the chart, with no copy and paste.
- Choose MentalNote if you are a solo therapist or a small practice and want a standalone scribe that works next to any EHR, a free plan you can keep using, or a Microsoft Word add-in.
Side by side
| MentalNote | SimplePractice Note Taker | |
|---|---|---|
| Try it | Free plan: 5 web-app scribe sessions a month, no time limit, no credit card. | 30-day Note Taker trial; Care Aide is free for 45 days. |
| Price | Premium $99 a month, or $990 a year ($82.50 a month). Unlimited note generation. | Note Taker: $35 a month per clinician. Care Aide: $59 a month for the account owner, $49 for each extra clinician. Both are add-ons to a SimplePractice plan (Starter $49, Essential $79, Plus $99 a month). Launch discounts were running on 14 October. |
| Do you need an EHR subscription? | No. MentalNote is standalone; copy or export the reviewed draft to any system. | Yes. Note Taker is an optional add-on to a SimplePractice subscription plan. |
| Telehealth | Record a telehealth call in a browser tab. | Works only with SimplePractice Telehealth, in its web app or mobile app. |
| In-person sessions | Record in the browser. | Record with the SimplePractice mobile app, or use dictation or upload. |
| Note formats and style | SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, PIRP and Progress notes, plus Intake and Treatment Plan workflows. Custom instructions for your structure and style. | Adapts to the style of your last progress note for that client. SimplePractice says you cannot teach it specific guidelines. |
| Couples and groups | Not listed on our features page. | Works with couple and group appointments. |
| HIPAA and BAA | MentalNote is HIPAA-compliant, with a BAA included on every plan. | SimplePractice publishes a BAA and says it holds a HITRUST certification. |
The 2026 transcript retention default
SimplePractice's support article "Transcript retention FAQs" (updated June 19, 2026) says: "SimplePractice will begin retaining de-identified and de-coupled Note Taker session transcripts on June 17, 2026."
It adds: "If you enable Note Taker on or after June 17, 2026, you'll be opted in to transcript retention by default and can opt out at any time." Clinicians who used Note Taker before that date are opted out by default.
SimplePractice says the audio is still deleted right after transcription, that retained transcripts are de-identified to the HIPAA Safe Harbor standard, and that it is not training an AI model with them. You can opt out at the clinician, client or session level. Read the full article before you decide.
Where SimplePractice Note Taker is stronger
- Notes live in your chart. If you already run your practice on SimplePractice, there is nothing to copy across.
- Couples and groups, plus a mobile app for in-person sessions.
- Lower add-on price for existing SimplePractice users: $35 a month for Note Taker.
- More AI tools in Care Aide: session prep, a treatment planner, client and intake summaries.
Where MentalNote is stronger
- No EHR lock-in. Use it with SimplePractice, another EHR, or no EHR. Record a telehealth call in a browser tab, where Note Taker works only with SimplePractice Telehealth.
- A free plan that does not expire. 5 recorded sessions every month, against a 30-day trial.
- You set the structure. Pick SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP or PIRP and add custom instructions. Note Taker instead adapts to the style of your last note and cannot be taught specific guidelines.
- Note rules against filling gaps. MentalNote's note rules tell the AI to use only what was said in the session and to write "Not documented in session" where something was not covered.
Which should you pick?
| If you... | Pick |
|---|---|
| Already use SimplePractice and its telehealth | SimplePractice Note Taker |
| Run couple or group appointments | SimplePractice Note Taker |
| Use another EHR, or run telehealth in a browser tab outside SimplePractice | MentalNote |
| Want a free plan you can keep using | MentalNote |
| Write your notes in Microsoft Word | MentalNote |
Frequently asked questions
Can I use SimplePractice Note Taker without SimplePractice?
No. SimplePractice offers Note Taker as an optional add-on to its subscription plans.
Does SimplePractice keep Note Taker transcripts?
Since June 17, 2026, SimplePractice retains de-identified transcripts for clinicians who are opted in. New Note Taker users are opted in by default and can opt out at any time.
What is a SimplePractice Note Taker alternative that works with any EHR?
MentalNote is a standalone scribe: review the draft, then copy or export it into any record system. It has a free plan with 5 sessions a month.
Is MentalNote HIPAA compliant?
MentalNote is HIPAA-compliant, with a BAA included on every plan.
Do I need my client's consent?
Yes, if you record. Before every recording, MentalNote asks you to confirm you have your client's consent.
Try it
Start free at app.mentalnote.ai: 5 scribe sessions a month, no credit card.
Try it freePrefer Microsoft Word? Get the free Word add-in. Installs from Microsoft AppSource.
More comparisons
SimplePractice, Note Taker and Care Aide are trademarks of their owner. This page compares public information as of 14 October 2026 and is not endorsed by SimplePractice. A clinician must review every AI draft. Spotted something out of date? Email support@mentalnote.ai and we will fix it.