Upheal vs TherapyNotes: Pick an AI documentation tool that fits your practice and budget

The allure of free AI tools is undeniable when practice budgets are tight. ChatGPT, Claude, and other general-purpose AI platforms promise to help with therapy notes at no cost—but using them means copying sensitive client information into systems never designed for healthcare. The privacy risks are real, the compliance violations clear, and the ethical implications troubling.

Yet premium solutions can feel equally problematic when AI features require expensive add-ons to already costly practice management systems. Many therapists find themselves in an uncomfortable middle ground: choosing between compromising client privacy with unsuitable free tools or stretching budgets beyond sustainable limits for enterprise-grade solutions.

TherapyNotes with TherapyFuel represents the established approach — comprehensive practice management with AI capabilities layered on top.

Upheal takes a different path, offering a purpose-built AI documentation platform that starts with unlimited free notes while maintaining the security and privacy standards that therapeutic relationships demand.

Both platforms understand that healthcare AI requires specialized safeguards, but their approaches to making those protections accessible reveal fundamentally different philosophies about who should have access to ethical AI documentation.

The choice isn't just about features — it's about finding the sweet spot where clinical excellence, financial sustainability, and ethical practice intersect.

Differences between Upheal and TherapyNotes

^{The information in the table above is current as of June 2025.}

Documentation and note-taking

Upheal offers unlimited AI-generated notes across all plans, including the free tier. The platform supports multiple note formats (SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, EMDR, Mental Status Exam) and allows both session recording and manual input methods. Therapists can dictate summaries or type brief session overviews, with AI generating comprehensive clinical documentation. The platform includes Smart Edit functionality for quick adjustments and custom AI prompts within templates.

TherapyNotes provides comprehensive practice management with its new TherapyFuel add-on ($40/month per clinician). TherapyFuel includes automated SOAP note generation, client history summaries, and contact note creation from secure messages. The system integrates seamlessly with TherapyNotes' existing structured documentation approach, offering both traditional manual entry and AI-assisted options.

Session capture options

Upheal supports in-person sessions, virtual sessions through any telehealth platform, manual uploads, and includes its own video calling platform with integrated AI. The system works with Zoom integration and offers multiple language support (English, Spanish, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Mandarin, Hindi).

TherapyNotes TherapyFuel Scribe automatically generates transcripts from both in-person sessions and TherapyNotes telehealth calls. The system focuses primarily on integration with existing TherapyNotes telehealth infrastructure, though it also supports in-person session recording.

Privacy and security features

Upheal deletes all recordings by default, requires explicit opt-in consent for AI model training, offers filed and anonymous client options, includes 2-step verification, and maintains SOC 2 certification. The platform commits to notifying providers when served with subpoenas and uniquely separates notes from transcripts to minimize disclosure requirements.

TherapyNotes maintains HIPAA compliance within their existing infrastructure, with TherapyFuel covered under their business associate agreement. All AI features operate within TherapyNotes' established security framework, though specific data handling practices for AI training are less explicitly detailed in their public materials.

Treatment planning and analytics

Upheal provides AI-powered treatment plans with SMART objectives, advanced analytics including session mapping, Golden Thread treatment plan integration, and automatically generated case snapshots. The platform tracks speech analytics and sentiment analysis for clinical insights.

TherapyNotes offers traditional treatment planning tools within their comprehensive EHR system, with outcome measure insights and timeline charts. TherapyFuel enhances this with AI-generated client history summaries and streamlined progress note generation.

Integration and compatibility

Upheal connects with EHR systems, work calendars, and personal calendars, while offering browser extensions for enhanced accessibility. The platform functions as a complement to existing practice management systems.

TherapyNotes provides a complete practice management solution including scheduling, billing, client portal, telehealth, ePrescribe, and outcome measures—all integrated within a single platform with TherapyFuel AI capabilities layered on top.

Pricing transparency

Upheal offers a truly free plan with unlimited notes, with paid plans at $29-99/month (annually) that include progressively advanced features. No credit card is required for the free tier.

TherapyNotes starts at $59/month for solo practitioners, with TherapyFuel adding $40/month per clinician. Group practices pay $69/month for the first clinician plus $40/month for additional clinicians, plus the TherapyFuel fee.

What therapists are sthink about Upheal and TherapyNotes

The therapy community's response to these platforms reveals telling insights about what practitioners truly value. In online forums and reviews, a clear theme emerges around the fundamental question of trust in AI systems. One graduate student and care coordinator shared:

"I am truly impressed with Upheal. It makes documentation so much more efficient and captures key information during sessions... Everyone in our practice who uses Upheal has had nothing but positive things to say." -Reem Alkaabi

The emphasis consistently returns to accuracy and the platform's ability to distinguish between client and clinician voices — a critical feature that other AI tools often struggle with.

TherapyNotes users frequently praise the platform's comprehensive approach and long-term reliability. A therapist with over a decade of experience noted:

"I have been with TherapyNotes a long time... They have constantly improved the system so that I can meet requirements of Medicaid notes... However, now with TherapyFuel I can finally keep up with my notes." -Heather Yasolsky, LPC

The privacy conversation surfaces repeatedly in therapist discussions. One Upheal user specifically highlighted:

"I really like how easy Upheal is to use and that it allows therapists to turn off opting in to training the LLM." -TS

Choosing your path forward

For therapists prioritizing comprehensive practice management with integrated AI capabilities, TherapyNotes with TherapyFuel offers a mature, full-service solution. The platform excels when you need everything — scheduling, billing, documentation, and AI assistance — within a single, established system. TherapyNotes makes sense for practices seeking incremental innovation within familiar infrastructure.

Upheal serves therapists who want AI-first documentation designed specifically for mental health practice. The platform's commitment to privacy-by-design, explicit consent models, and separation of recordings from transcripts appeals to practitioners with heightened privacy concerns. Upheal's free tier with unlimited notes removes financial barriers to ethical AI adoption, while advanced features scale with practice needs.

The fundamental choice often comes down to this: Do you want to move to a full EHR system with some AI features, or AI-native tools you can use with your existing systems?

For practices deeply embedded in TherapyNotes' ecosystem, TherapyFuel represents a natural evolution. For therapists prioritizing privacy transparency, flexible integration with existing systems, or those wanting to start with free AI documentation, Upheal offers a compelling alternative path.

The mental health field stands at a unique moment where the tools we choose today will shape the therapeutic relationship for years to come. Whether you choose evolutionary enhancement or revolutionary design, the key is selecting a partner that shares your commitment to protecting the sacred trust between therapist and client.