DrChrono vs Headway
Headway scores 7.2/10 vs 6.8/10. Best for: Solo therapists who want zero startup costs and fast insurance credentialing.
Headway scores higher overall at 7.2/10 vs 6.8/10. 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.
DrChrono 
Headway Rank
#29 of 41
Rank
#20 of 41
Features
18/18
Features
12/18
Starting at
$249/mo
Starting at
$0/mo
User reviews
3.5/5 (522)
User reviews
—
What they cost
| DrChrono | Headway | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting at | $249 /mo | Free /mo |
| Free trial | No | Free tier available |
| Number of plans | 4 | 1 |
What the pricing really means
At first glance, Headway looks cheaper at $0/month vs $249/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 DrChrono wins
- iPad-native app is a genuine differentiator for mobile-first practices
- Award-winning open API with hundreds of integrations
- E-prescribing with EPCS controlled substances included in all plans
- Strong template library for specialty practices outside behavioral health
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 DrChrono falls short
- Starting at $249/provider/mo makes it one of the most expensive options in this category
- 3.5 G2 rating with declining user satisfaction in recent reviews
- No free trial to test before committing to a monthly contract
- Apollo Plus at $1,200/mo minimum is enterprise pricing aimed at small practices
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?
DrChrono
Target: 1-50 providers
Buy DrChrono if you run a specialty medical practice and want iPad-native workflow with a strong API. Skip if you're a therapist or small behavioral health practice — this wasn't built for you and the price reflects it.
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 | DrChrono | 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 DrChrono's 6.8/10 in our ranking. Headway is the better pick for 1 provider. DrChrono is better if you need tech-forward specialty medical practices that want ipad-native charting and a strong api ecosystem.
DrChrono starts at $249/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.
DrChrono: No free trial. Headway: Free tier available. Always test with your actual workflow before committing to an annual plan.
DrChrono covers 18 of 18 features we track. Headway covers 12 of 18. DrChrono has broader feature coverage, but more features does not always mean better — pick the tool that covers what your business actually needs.
Yes, DrChrono 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 DrChrono if...
Tech-forward specialty medical practices that want iPad-native charting and a strong API ecosystem
Pick Headway if...
Solo therapists who want zero startup costs and fast insurance credentialing