CounSol vs Headway
CounSol scores 7.4/10 vs 7.2/10. 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 7.2/10. 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.
CounSol 
Headway Rank
#16 of 41
Rank
#20 of 41
Features
15/18
Features
12/18
Starting at
$50/mo
Starting at
$0/mo
User reviews
4.5/5 (828)
User reviews
—
What they cost
| CounSol | Headway | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting at | $50 /mo | Free /mo |
| Free trial | 14 days | Free tier available |
| Number of plans | 4 | 1 |
What the pricing really means
At first glance, Headway looks cheaper at $0/month vs $50/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 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 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 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
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?
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.
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 | CounSol | 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
CounSol scores 7.4/10 vs Headway's 7.2/10 in our ranking. CounSol is the better pick for 1-10 counselors. Headway is better if you need solo therapists who want zero startup costs and fast insurance credentialing.
CounSol starts at $50/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.
CounSol: Yes, 14-day free trial. Headway: Free tier available. Always test with your actual workflow before committing to an annual plan.
CounSol covers 15 of 18 features we track. Headway covers 12 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, CounSol does not have a mobile app. Headway 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 CounSol if...
Solo counselors or small mental health practices that value personal support and want a dedicated account manager without paying enterprise prices.
Pick Headway if...
Solo therapists who want zero startup costs and fast insurance credentialing