AdvancedMD vs Headway
Headway scores 7.2/10 vs 6.5/10. Best for: Solo therapists who want zero startup costs and fast insurance credentialing.
Headway scores higher overall at 7.2/10 vs 6.5/10. Buy Headway if you're a new solo therapist who wants zero startup costs and fast insurance credentialing. Skip if you want full control over your insurance panels or run a group practice.
AdvancedMD 
Headway Rank
#35 of 41
Rank
#20 of 41
Features
18/18
Features
12/18
Starting at
$130/mo
Starting at
$0/mo
User reviews
3.6/5 (525)
User reviews
—
What they cost
| AdvancedMD | Headway | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting at | $130 /mo | Free /mo |
| Free trial | 30 days | Free tier available |
| Number of plans | 3 | 1 |
What the pricing really means
At first glance, Headway looks cheaper at $0/month vs $130/month. But sticker price is only part of the story. Look at what is included on the base plan, how many users you get, and whether you need add-ons to get the features you actually need. The $99/month plan that requires $200 in add-ons is actually more expensive than the $250/month plan that includes everything.
Where AdvancedMD wins
- NOW plan at $130/mo specifically targets small mental health practices, capped at 3 providers
- 300+ customizable documentation templates
- Clearinghouse connects to 1,800+ insurance carriers
- Actual 30-day free trial available on the mental health plan
Where Headway wins
- Completely free for providers — zero monthly cost
- Insurance credentialing done in weeks instead of the usual months
- 65,000+ providers across all 50 states
- AI-assisted session notes via built-in Scribe
Where AdvancedMD falls short
- Full EHR+PM bundle at $729/provider/mo is prohibitively expensive for small practices
- 3.6 ratings on both G2 and Capterra are the lowest in this category
- Automated reminders cost extra on top of already high monthly prices
- API access is an add-on, not included in standard plans
Where Headway falls short
- Headway owns your credentialing — if you leave, you may need to re-credential
- Commission from insurance reimbursements means you earn less per session
- No e-prescribing
- Not built for group practices — every provider must be individually licensed and credentialed
Who is each product built for?
AdvancedMD
Target: 1-200+ providers
Buy AdvancedMD if you're a mid-size multi-specialty practice that needs enterprise customization, or try the NOW plan at $130/mo if you're a small mental health practice. Skip if price matters — outside the NOW plan, this is built for practices with bigger budgets.
Headway
Target: 1 provider
Buy Headway if you're a new solo therapist who wants zero startup costs and fast insurance credentialing. Skip if you want full control over your insurance panels or run a group practice.
Feature comparison
| Feature | AdvancedMD | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance & Security | ||
| HIPAA compliant | ||
| Telehealth / video sessions | ||
| Secure messaging | ||
| Scheduling & Clients | ||
| Online scheduling | ||
| Client portal | ||
| Intake forms / assessments | ||
| Automated reminders | ||
| Clinical | ||
| Progress notes / documentation | ||
| Treatment plans | ||
| E-prescribing | ||
| Outcome measures / assessments | ||
| Billing & Payments | ||
| Insurance billing / claims | ||
| Payment processing | ||
| Superbill generation | ||
| Automated billing | ||
| Platform | ||
| Group practice support | ||
| Mobile app | ||
| Integrations / API | ||
Common questions
Headway scores 7.2/10 vs AdvancedMD's 6.5/10 in our ranking. Headway is the better pick for 1 provider. AdvancedMD is better if you need mid-size multi-specialty practices that need heavy customization, or small mental health practices willing to try the now plan.
AdvancedMD starts at $130/month. Headway starts at $0/month. Watch for add-on costs — the base price often does not include all features. Pricing last verified 2026-04-01.
AdvancedMD: Yes, 30-day free trial. Headway: Free tier available. Always test with your actual workflow before committing to an annual plan.
AdvancedMD covers 18 of 18 features we track. Headway covers 12 of 18. AdvancedMD has broader feature coverage, but more features does not always mean better — pick the tool that covers what your business actually needs.
Yes, AdvancedMD has a mobile app. Headway does too.
Yes. The main effort is migrating your data (customer lists, job history, invoices). Plan for 1-2 weeks of overlap where you run both. Most healthcare practice management tools can import CSV data. Ask both vendors about migration support before you sign.
The bottom line
Pick AdvancedMD if...
Mid-size multi-specialty practices that need heavy customization, or small mental health practices willing to try the NOW plan
Pick Headway if...
Solo therapists who want zero startup costs and fast insurance credentialing