Choosing the right practice management software is a critical decision for any clinician. The right EHR can streamline your workflow, improve client care, and boost your bottom line. Two of the most popular options on the market today are SimplePractice and Jane. But how do you know which one is the right fit for you?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through a detailed comparison of SimplePractice and Jane, helping you make an informed decision for your practice. We'll explore the nuances of each platform, drawing on insights from real-world user experiences and expert reviews to give you a clear picture of what each has to offer.
When you're evaluating an EHR, the features are the first thing you look at. Both SimplePractice and Jane offer a robust set of tools designed to help you manage your practice more efficiently. However, there are some key differences to be aware of.
SimplePractice is known for its comprehensive feature set, which is specifically tailored to the needs of mental health professionals. It offers a client portal, appointment scheduling, billing and invoicing, and integrated telehealth capabilities. One of the standout features of SimplePractice is its advanced documentation capabilities, including customizable templates and AI-driven note-taking that can save you hours of administrative work.
Jane, on the other hand, is a more versatile platform that caters to a wider range of healthcare practitioners, including physiotherapists, chiropractors, and massage therapists, in addition to mental health clinicians. Like SimplePractice, Jane offers online booking, charting, billing, and telehealth features. A key strength of Jane is its intuitive and user-friendly interface, which makes it easy for clinicians of all technical skill levels to get up and running quickly.
To give you a clearer picture of how these two platforms stack up, here's a side-by-side comparison of their key features:
Feature
SimplePractice
Jane
Primary Target Audience
Mental health professionals
Multidisciplinary healthcare practices
HIPAA Compliance
Yes
Yes
Client Portal
Yes
Yes
Telehealth
Yes
Yes
AI-Powered Notes
Yes
Upcoming Feature
Mobile App
Yes
No
Free Trial
30-day free trial
No free trial, but offers a demo
Starting Price
$29/month
$39/month (special pricing)
For many clinicians, the cost of an EHR is a major consideration. Both SimplePractice and Jane offer tiered pricing plans to accommodate practices of different sizes and needs.
SimplePractice's pricing starts at $29 per month for the Starter plan, which is designed for solo practitioners who are just getting started. The Essential plan is $69 per month and the Plus plan is $99 per month, with each tier offering additional features and functionality. For group practices, the cost is $99 for the first clinician and $59 for each additional clinician. SimplePractice also offers a 30-day free trial, which allows you to test out the platform before committing to a paid plan.
Jane's pricing begins at $39 per month for the Balance plan, which is for a single practitioner with up to 20 appointments per month. The Practice plan is $79 per month and the Thrive plan is $99 per month, with options to add more clinicians at an additional cost. It's important to note that Jane does not offer a free trial, but you can schedule a free demonstration to see the platform in action.
When considering the cost, it's also important to think about the value you're getting for your money. While SimplePractice may have a lower starting price, Jane's plans may be more cost-effective for larger, multidisciplinary practices. Consider implementing a budget analysis to determine which platform offers the best return on investment for your specific practice.
The last thing you want is an EHR that's complicated and difficult to use. Both SimplePractice and Jane are designed to be user-friendly, but they have different strengths in this area.
Jane is often praised for its intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface. The platform is designed to be simple and well-organized, allowing you to find the features you need without a steep learning curve. This makes it a great option for clinicians who are not particularly tech-savvy.
SimplePractice is also user-friendly, but it may have a slightly steeper learning curve due to its extensive customization options. However, the platform offers excellent customer support, including live onboarding sessions and a comprehensive help center, to help you get the most out of the software.
To get a better sense of the user experience, it's a good idea to read reviews from other clinicians. Websites like G2 and Capterra offer a wealth of user reviews that can give you valuable insights into the pros and cons of each platform.
When you're running a busy practice, you need to know that you can get help when you need it. Both SimplePractice and Jane offer customer support, but their support options differ.
Jane offers customer support via phone, email, and live chat during business hours. They are known for their responsive and helpful support team.
SimplePractice also offers customer support through live chat and email. While they don't currently offer phone support, they do provide live onboarding sessions and a wealth of online resources, including tutorials, webinars, and a comprehensive help center.
When evaluating customer support, consider your own needs and preferences. If you prefer to be able to pick up the phone and speak to someone, Jane may be the better option for you. If you're comfortable with online support and value the availability of live onboarding sessions, SimplePractice may be a better fit.
If you have plans to grow your practice in the future, it's important to choose an EHR that can scale with you. Both SimplePractice and Jane are suitable for growing practices, but they have different strengths in this area.
Jane is an excellent choice for multidisciplinary practices that are looking to add more clinicians. The platform is designed to support a variety of healthcare disciplines, and its pricing structure is more affordable for larger teams.
SimplePractice is also a good option for growing practices, particularly those that are focused on mental health. The platform's group practice plan allows you to add as many clinicians and managers as you need, and its advanced features can help you streamline your workflows as your practice grows.
Ultimately, the best platform for your growing practice will depend on your specific needs and goals. Consider your long-term vision for your practice and choose an EHR that can support that vision. Explore how each platform's features can help you achieve your growth goals.
The final verdict is that there is no single "best" EHR. The right choice between SimplePractice and Jane depends entirely on your practice's unique needs. SimplePractice is a powerhouse for solo and group mental health practices, while Jane offers incredible flexibility for multidisciplinary clinics.
However, regardless of the platform you select, the administrative burden of clinical documentation remains a universal challenge. This is where you can elevate your practice management to the next level. By integrating an AI-powered medical scribe, you can automate the most time-consuming part of your day: writing clinical notes.
S10.AI's ambient AI scribe listens to your patient sessions and automatically generates accurate, SOAP notes in seconds. This technology seamlessly integrates with both SimplePractice and Jane, allowing you to reclaim hours of your time, reduce burnout, and focus entirely on patient care. Instead of spending your evenings catching up on paperwork, you can trust that your documentation is being handled efficiently and securely.
Consider implementing an AI scribe to not only complement your new EHR but to truly transform your clinical workflow. Explore how S10.AI can help you get the most out of SimplePractice or Jane and bring the focus back to your clients.
Is SimplePractice or Jane better for a solo private practice just starting out?
For a solo therapist just starting a private practice, the choice between SimplePractice and Jane often comes down to budget and specific needs. SimplePractice's "Starter" plan is typically more affordable at the entry-level, making it an attractive option when initial overhead is a concern. It's specifically designed for mental health professionals, offering integrated tools like Wiley Treatment Planners that are highly relevant from day one. However, many clinicians on forums like Reddit praise Jane for its incredibly intuitive interface, which can significantly reduce the learning curve when you're already juggling multiple new responsibilities. While Jane's starting price might be slightly higher, its streamlined workflow for booking and billing can be a major time-saver. Consider mapping out your essential daily tasks and compare them against the feature sets of the entry-level plans for both platforms to see which aligns best with your workflow.
What are the limitations of Jane's charting for mental health notes compared to SimplePractice?
This is a common question in clinical circles, as Jane is a multidisciplinary EHR while SimplePractice is built specifically for therapists. The primary limitation of Jane's charting for mental health is its lack of specialized, pre-built templates for complex modalities like DBT or specific assessments. SimplePractice excels here, offering a marketplace of customizable templates and integrated tools tailored to psychotherapy notes and treatment plans. While Jane's charting is highly customizable and perfectly functional for standard SOAP notes, you will likely need to invest more time upfront building your own templates to match the specificity you'd get out of the box with SimplePractice. If your documentation is highly specialized, consider how much time you're willing to spend on initial setup versus having a system designed for your niche.
How can I reduce my documentation and note-taking time in either SimplePractice or Jane?
While both SimplePractice and Jane streamline many administrative tasks, the clinical documentation burden remains a significant pain point for many practitioners. Manually typing session notes after a long day of clients is a common complaint on platforms like Reddit. The most effective way to reduce this time is by integrating an AI-powered medical scribe. Tools like S10.AI's ambient scribe work seamlessly with both SimplePractice and Jane by listening to your client sessions (with consent) and automatically generating accurate, HIPAA-compliant SOAP notes. This can cut your documentation time by over 90%, allowing you to complete your notes in minutes, not hours. Consider implementing an AI scribe to supercharge your EHR, reduce burnout, and dedicate more time to client care rather than paperwork.