Alma vs CounSol
CounSol scores 7.4/10 vs 7.0/10. Best for: Solo counselors or small mental health practices that value personal support and want a dedicated account manager without paying enterprise prices.
CounSol scores higher overall at 7.4/10 vs 7.0/10. Buy CounSol if you are a solo counselor who values personal support and wants a human to call when things break, not a chatbot. Skip if you need reliable video sessions, a mobile app, or a modern-looking interface.
Alma 
CounSol Rank
#23 of 41
Rank
#16 of 41
Features
14/18
Features
15/18
Starting at
$125/mo
Starting at
$50/mo
User reviews
4.1/5 (92)
User reviews
4.5/5 (828)
What they cost
| Alma | CounSol | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting at | $125 /mo | $50 /mo |
| Free trial | No | 14 days |
| Number of plans | 2 | 4 |
What the pricing really means
At first glance, CounSol looks cheaper at $50/month vs $125/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 Alma wins
- Flat $125/mo includes insurance credentialing that normally takes months and costs thousands
- Built-in referral network sends clients directly to your profile
- AI Note Assist for session recording and transcription
- Handles both insurance and out-of-pocket billing in one place
Where CounSol wins
- Every single user gets a personal dedicated account manager, which is unheard of at this price point in healthcare software
- 4.9/5 customer service score on Capterra backed by 828 reviews, not just a handful of happy users
- e-Prescribing available as an add-on ($60-70/mo), so psychiatrists and prescribers can stay on one platform
- All four plans include HIPAA-compliant records, scheduling, secure messaging, and a branded client portal
- CounselorListing.com advertising included on Standard Plus and above, which is free marketing for your practice
Where Alma falls short
- Must credential with Aetna, Cigna, or Optum — no flexibility to pick other panels
- No group practice support (individual memberships only)
- No mobile app, web-based only
- 3.6 Capterra rating with only 26 reviews is concerning
Where CounSol falls short
- No mobile app, and CounSol has been promising one is coming without delivering, which frustrates practitioners who work between offices
- Video sessions are glitchy according to multiple reviews, with group video not supported and device compatibility issues reported
- Video session quality is inconsistent — multiple reviews report glitches, and group video is not supported
- Interface looks dated compared to newer competitors like SimplePractice or Jane, which may put off younger practitioners
- No API means zero automation or integration with external tools
Who is each product built for?
Alma
Target: 1 provider
Buy Alma if you're a solo therapist who wants insurance credentialing done for you and a steady stream of referred clients. Skip if you run a group practice, want to pick your own insurance panels, or need a mobile app.
CounSol
Target: 1-10 counselors
Buy CounSol if you are a solo counselor who values personal support and wants a human to call when things break, not a chatbot. Skip if you need reliable video sessions, a mobile app, or a modern-looking interface.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Alma | CounSol |
|---|---|---|
| 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
CounSol scores 7.4/10 vs Alma's 7.0/10 in our ranking. CounSol is the better pick for 1-10 counselors. Alma is better if you need solo therapists in private practice who want insurance credentialing done for them and a built-in referral network to fill their caseload.
Alma starts at $125/month. CounSol starts at $50/month. Watch for add-on costs — the base price often does not include all features. Pricing last verified 2026-04-01.
Alma: No free trial. CounSol: Yes, 14-day free trial. Always test with your actual workflow before committing to an annual plan.
Alma covers 14 of 18 features we track. CounSol covers 15 of 18. CounSol has broader feature coverage, but more features does not always mean better — pick the tool that covers what your business actually needs.
No, Alma does not have a mobile app. CounSol does not have one either.
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 Alma if...
Solo therapists in private practice who want insurance credentialing done for them and a built-in referral network to fill their caseload
Pick CounSol if...
Solo counselors or small mental health practices that value personal support and want a dedicated account manager without paying enterprise prices.