Alma vs SimplePractice
SimplePractice scores 7.8/10 vs 7.0/10. Best for: Solo therapists or small group practices that want one platform for scheduling, notes, telehealth, and billing without stitching together multiple tools.
SimplePractice scores higher overall at 7.8/10 vs 7.0/10. Buy SimplePractice if you want the most widely-used platform with solid telehealth and a genuine mobile app that works between sessions. Skip if you care about customer support speed or need advanced insurance billing without per-claim fees.
Alma 
SimplePractice Rank
#23 of 41
Rank
#10 of 41
Features
14/18
Features
18/18
Starting at
$125/mo
Starting at
$49/mo
User reviews
4.1/5 (92)
User reviews
3.9/5 (2943)
What they cost
| Alma | SimplePractice | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting at | $125 /mo | $49 /mo |
| Free trial | No | 30 days |
| Number of plans | 2 | 3 |
What the pricing really means
At first glance, SimplePractice looks cheaper at $49/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 SimplePractice wins
- 30-day free trial with no credit card required, so you can actually test it with real clients before paying
- Telehealth included on all plans, even the $49/mo Starter, which most competitors charge extra for
- Mobile app handles progress notes, scheduling, and telehealth between sessions without needing a laptop
- 225,000+ practitioners use it, which means community forums, YouTube walkthroughs, and third-party templates are everywhere
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 SimplePractice falls short
- G2 rating dropped to 3.9/5, which is low for the market leader and points to real frustration among power users
- No e-prescribing without a DrFirst add-on, so psychiatrists and prescribers will need another tool
- Support response times have slipped according to recent reviews, with some users waiting days for non-urgent tickets
- API access is locked behind the Plus plan at $99/mo, so automating workflows on the cheaper plans is not possible
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.
SimplePractice
Target: 1-10 clinicians
Buy SimplePractice if you want the most widely-used platform with solid telehealth and a genuine mobile app that works between sessions. Skip if you care about customer support speed or need advanced insurance billing without per-claim fees.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Alma | SimplePractice |
|---|---|---|
| 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
SimplePractice scores 7.8/10 vs Alma's 7.0/10 in our ranking. SimplePractice is the better pick for 1-10 clinicians. 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. SimplePractice starts at $49/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. SimplePractice: Yes, 30-day free trial. Always test with your actual workflow before committing to an annual plan.
Alma covers 14 of 18 features we track. SimplePractice covers 18 of 18. SimplePractice 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. SimplePractice does have one.
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 SimplePractice if...
Solo therapists or small group practices that want one platform for scheduling, notes, telehealth, and billing without stitching together multiple tools.