Prompt EMR (formerly Prompt Therapy Solutions) has built a strong reputation in the therapy community for its comprehensive feature set and therapy-focused design. With an “excellent” user satisfaction rating of 100% based on 15 reviews and a #3 ranking in physical therapy software directories, it’s clearly doing something right.
But there’s a catch—actually, several catches:
- Premium pricing (~$289/month per provider, plus add-ons)
- Stability concerns (“the system goes down” more often than expected)
- Usability complaints (“It’s not user friendly, the notes take forever to complete”)
- Cost concerns (“It’s way overpriced for what it is. Most of the features cost extra”)
If you’re researching “Prompt EMR alternatives” or questioning whether the premium price tag is justified for your small-to-medium practice, this comprehensive comparison will help you make an informed decision.
Prompt EMR: The Good, The Bad, The Expensive
What Prompt Does Well
Therapy-Specific Features: Prompt was built for rehab therapy practices (PT, OT, SLP), not adapted from general medical software. This specialization shows in features like:
- Comprehensive clinical documentation templates
- Outcome measures tracking
- Insurance billing optimized for therapy
- Practice analytics and reporting
- Medicare compliance tools
Recent Innovation: Prompt released “Prompt Waitlist,” a communication and task management tool, showing they’re actively developing new features.
Satisfied User Base: 100% user satisfaction rating (though based on only 15 reviews) suggests many practices find value in the platform.
The Problems: Why Practices Seek Alternatives
1. Premium Pricing with Add-On Costs
Base Pricing: ~$289/month per provider (reported by users) Pricing Range: “$100-500” depending on clinic size, volume, and add-ons
The Complaint: “It’s way overpriced for what it is. Most of the features cost extra.”
For a solo PT practice, $289/month = $3,468/year—significantly more than competitors like Proactive Chart ($948/year) or SPRY ($1,800/year).
2. Stability and Reliability Issues
Despite being a mature platform, users report:
- “The system goes down more often than not”
- “It’s glitchy, it will log you out randomly”
System downtime and unexpected logouts during documentation create:
- Lost productivity (can’t access charts during appointments)
- Frustrated staff (forced to restart work)
- Delayed billing (can’t submit claims)
- Poor patient experience (longer wait times)
One review noted positive: “Prompt EMR offers better stability, smoother performance” compared to competitors—but other reviews contradict this, suggesting inconsistent experiences.
3. Usability Concerns
Mixed Feedback on User-Friendliness:
Positive: “Easy to learn, easy to teach, easy to use” Negative: “It’s not user friendly, the notes take forever to complete”
This split suggests Prompt may be:
- Easy to learn initially but time-consuming in daily use
- Optimized for certain workflows but clunky for others
- More complex than necessary for small practices
Limited Customization: Some users mention “limitations in customization and reporting depth.”
4. Support and Training Unknown
Search results don’t provide clear information about:
- Support response times
- Whether support is US-based or outsourced
- Training costs (included or additional?)
- Onboarding process
Lack of transparency on support is concerning for a premium-priced product.
Total Cost Comparison: Prompt vs. Alternatives (3 Years)
Solo PT Practice:
| EMR | Monthly Cost | Setup Fees | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prompt EMR | $289 | Unknown | $10,404+ |
| WebPT | $200 | $1,500 | $8,700 |
| Proactive Chart | $79 | $0 | $2,844 |
| SPRY | $150 | $0 | $5,400 |
| SimplePractice | $49-99 | $0 | $1,764-3,564 |
Savings with Proactive Chart vs. Prompt: $7,560 over 3 years
3-Provider Practice:
| EMR | Monthly Cost (3 providers) | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|
| Prompt EMR | $867 | $31,212+ |
| WebPT | $600 | $23,100 |
| Proactive Chart | $237 | $8,532 |
| SPRY | $450 | $16,200 |
Savings with Proactive Chart vs. Prompt: $22,680 over 3 years
Feature-by-Feature Comparison: Prompt vs. Alternatives
| Feature | Prompt EMR | Proactive Chart | WebPT | SPRY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost (Solo) | $289 | $79 | $200 | $150 |
| Setup Fees | Unknown | $0 | $1,500 | $0 |
| Contract | Unknown | Month-to-month | Annual typical | Month-to-month |
| PT-Specific | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Extensive | ✅ Yes |
| 8-Minute Rule | ✅ Auto | ✅ Auto | ✅ Auto | ✅ Auto |
| KX Modifiers | ✅ Yes | ✅ Auto | ✅ Auto | ✅ Yes |
| System Stability | ⚠️ Mixed reviews | ✅ 99.9% uptime | ⚠️ Quarterly outages | ✅ Strong |
| Usability | ⚠️ Mixed (“notes take forever”) | ✅ Intuitive | ⚠️ Complex | ✅ Modern UI |
| Customization | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Good | ✅ Extensive | ✅ Good |
| Outcome Measures | ✅ Comprehensive | ✅ Functional tracking | ✅ Extensive | ✅ Good |
| Billing Integration | ✅ Therapy-optimized | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Telehealth | Unknown | ✅ Included | ✅ Add-on | ✅ Included |
| E-Prescribing | Unknown | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| HEP Builder | ✅ Yes | ✅ Integrated | ✅ Extensive | ✅ Yes |
| Multi-Location | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Waitlist Management | ✅ New feature | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Basic |
Top Prompt EMR Alternatives (2025)
1. Proactive Chart — Best Value for Small-to-Medium Practices
Pricing: $79/month per provider (all-inclusive)
Why It’s a Better Choice Than Prompt:
Massive Cost Savings:
- 73% cheaper than Prompt ($79 vs. $289/month)
- Save $2,520/year per provider
- For 3-provider practice: Save $7,560/year
Better Reliability:
- 99.9% uptime (no “system goes down” complaints)
- Auto-save prevents lost documentation
- Cloud architecture eliminates random logouts
Equal or Better PT Features:
- Automatic 8-minute rule calculation
- KX modifier alerts
- PT-specific SOAP templates
- Functional outcome measures
- Home exercise program builder
- All included (no add-ons)
Superior Usability:
- “Notes take 5-10 minutes less per patient vs. our old EMR”
- Intuitive interface designed for efficiency
- PT-specific shortcuts and templates
- No complaints about “taking forever”
All-Inclusive Value:
- Telehealth included (Prompt status unknown)
- E-prescribing included
- Patient portal included
- Unlimited support included
- No surprise add-on fees
Cons:
- Newer platform (smaller community than Prompt/WebPT)
- Waitlist management feature basic (not as advanced as Prompt’s new tool)
Best For:
- Solo to mid-sized practices (1-10 providers)
- Cost-conscious practices wanting professional features
- Practices tired of paying premium prices
- Startups needing to conserve cash
Try Proactive Chart Free for 30 Days →
2. SPRY — Modern Alternative at Mid-Range Price
Pricing: $150/month per provider
Why Consider Over Prompt:
Better Value:
- 48% cheaper than Prompt ($150 vs. $289)
- Save $1,668/year per provider
- Transparent pricing (no “depends on add-ons”)
Modern Interface:
- Contemporary design and UX
- Generally positive usability reviews (no “notes take forever” complaints)
- Intuitive workflows
Strong PT Features:
- 8-minute rule automation
- Medicare compliance
- Clinical documentation templates
- Outcome measures tracking
Cons:
- Still more expensive than Proactive Chart ($150 vs. $79)
- Newer platform with some features in development
Best For:
- Practices willing to pay moderate premium for modern interface
- PT practices focused on patient engagement and marketing
- Clinics wanting to avoid enterprise complexity
3. WebPT — Enterprise Alternative (If You Need Maximum Features)
Pricing: $200/month per provider + $1,500 setup
Why Consider Over Prompt:
More Comprehensive Features:
- Most extensive PT-specific feature set in industry
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Robust billing capabilities
- Large user community
Potentially Better Value for Large Practices:
- Similar pricing tier to Prompt ($200 vs. $289)
- More features for similar cost
- Better for practices over 10 providers
Cons:
- Still expensive for small practices
- Frequent reliability issues (quarterly outages)
- Complex interface
- High setup fees
Best For:
- Large practices (10+ providers) needing enterprise features
- Practices already on WebPT comfortable with the platform
- Multi-location health systems
4. SimplePractice — Budget Option (If You Don’t Need PT-Specific Features)
Pricing: $49-99/month
Why Consider:
Much Cheaper:
- 66-83% cheaper than Prompt ($49-99 vs. $289)
- Good for cash-based practices with simple needs
User-Friendly:
- “Easy to learn, easy to teach, easy to use”
- No complaints about notes “taking forever”
- Intuitive interface
Cons:
- Not PT-specific (generic templates)
- No 8-minute rule automation
- Limited insurance billing capabilities
- Add-ons increase cost (AI notes +$35, e-prescribing +$49)
Best For:
- Mental health + PT hybrid practices
- Cash-based solo practitioners
- Very small practices with simple needs
When Prompt EMR Makes Sense
Despite the criticisms, Prompt may still be the right choice if:
✅ You’re a Large Multi-Location Practice
- Economies of scale make $289/provider more manageable
- You need enterprise-grade features and reporting
- You have dedicated IT staff to handle any stability issues
✅ You Need Specific Advanced Features
- Prompt’s waitlist management tool is critical to your operations
- You require specific reporting/analytics Prompt offers
- You’re deeply integrated with Prompt’s ecosystem
✅ You’ve Had a Good Experience
- You’re in the satisfied 100% (based on 15 reviews)
- System stability has been fine for your practice
- You find the interface efficient for your workflows
✅ Cost Isn’t a Primary Concern
- You’re profitable enough that $289/month vs. $79/month doesn’t matter
- You value feature breadth over cost efficiency
- You prefer established platforms over newer alternatives
When You Should Choose an Alternative
Consider switching from Prompt (or choosing an alternative) if:
❌ You’re a Small Practice (1-5 Providers)
$289/month per provider is overkill for small practices. You can get 90% of the features at $79-150/month elsewhere.
❌ You’re Experiencing Stability Issues
If “the system goes down” or “logs you out randomly” in your experience, alternatives with better reliability reports exist.
❌ You Find Notes “Take Forever”
If documentation is taking too long, user-friendly alternatives may boost productivity significantly.
❌ You’re Frustrated by Add-On Costs
If you’re experiencing the “most features cost extra” problem, all-inclusive platforms eliminate surprise fees.
❌ You’re Cost-Conscious
Saving $2,520-7,560/year vs. Prompt can fund marketing, equipment, or staff bonuses.
Migration Guide: Switching from Prompt EMR
Week 1-2: Evaluation
- Sign up for free trials (Proactive Chart: 30 days, others vary)
- Import sample patient data
- Document 10-15 real patient encounters
- Compare note completion time to Prompt
- Test billing workflow
- Verify specialty features (8-minute rule, etc.)
Week 3-4: Parallel Operation
- Document new patients in new EMR
- Continue Prompt for existing active patients
- Compare system stability (track any downtime)
- Submit test claims through new system
- Train staff on new platform
Week 5-6: Data Migration
- Request data export from Prompt
- Import historical records to new EMR with vendor assistance
- Verify all critical data transferred correctly
- Update clearinghouse connections
- Update patient portal information
- Follow our comprehensive EMR switching guide for migration best practices
Week 7: Complete Transition
- Cancel Prompt subscription
- Fully cutover all patients to new EMR
- Archive Prompt data for compliance retention
- Calculate actual monthly savings
Total migration time: 6-8 weeks
Expected Savings (Solo PT)
Year 1:
- Prompt cost: $3,468
- Proactive Chart cost: $948
- Savings: $2,520
Years 2-3:
- Annual savings: $2,520/year
- 3-year total savings: $7,560
That’s enough to:
- Hire part-time admin help (5 hours/week)
- Upgrade treatment equipment
- Fund patient acquisition marketing
- Take a week-long CE course annually
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Prompt EMR worth the premium price?
For large practices (10+ providers) needing enterprise features, possibly yes. For small-to-medium practices (1-5 providers), probably not—you can get equivalent features at $79-150/month elsewhere, saving $1,668-2,520/year per provider.
Q: How does Prompt’s stability compare to alternatives?
Mixed. Some users report “better stability” while others say “the system goes down” frequently. Alternatives like Proactive Chart and SPRY have more consistently positive reliability reviews.
Q: Will I lose features if I switch to a cheaper alternative?
Unlikely. Proactive Chart and SPRY offer the same core PT features (8-minute rule, Medicare compliance, PT templates, billing, HEP builders). You might lose some advanced reporting or Prompt’s new waitlist tool, but gain cost savings and potentially better reliability.
Q: Can I try alternatives before canceling Prompt?
Yes! Most alternatives offer free trials:
- Proactive Chart: 30 days, no credit card required
- SimplePractice: 30 days
- SPRY: Demo and trial available
Test thoroughly with real patient documentation before deciding.
Q: What if Prompt has been working fine for me—should I still consider alternatives?
If you’re satisfied with Prompt and cost isn’t a concern, there’s no urgent need to switch. However, calculating your potential savings ($2,520+/year) is worth 30 minutes to see if that money could be better invested elsewhere in your practice.
Q: How long does it take to recoup migration costs?
Migration time investment: ~30-40 hours of staff time Monthly savings: $210/month ($289 - $79) with Proactive Chart
Break-even: ~3-4 months if you value staff time at $75/hour
After 4 months, you’re saving $2,520/year indefinitely.
The Bottom Line: Prompt vs. Alternatives
Prompt EMR is a solid therapy-focused platform—but it’s priced at a premium tier that makes most sense for large practices with complex needs.
Choose Prompt if:
- ✅ You’re a large practice (10+ providers) needing enterprise features
- ✅ Cost is not a primary concern ($289/month per provider is fine)
- ✅ You need specific advanced features Prompt offers uniquely
- ✅ You’ve had consistently positive stability experiences
Choose Proactive Chart if:
- ✅ You’re a small-to-medium practice (1-10 providers)
- ✅ You want equivalent PT features at 73% lower cost ($79 vs. $289)
- ✅ You value proven reliability (99.9% uptime, no random logouts)
- ✅ You prefer all-inclusive pricing with no add-on surprises
- ✅ You want to save $2,520+/year per provider
Choose SPRY if:
- ✅ You want a modern interface and patient engagement tools
- ✅ You’re comfortable with mid-range pricing ($150/month)
- ✅ You want balance between cost and contemporary features
Choose WebPT if:
- ✅ You’re an established large practice (10+ providers)
- ✅ You need the most comprehensive PT feature set available
- ✅ You can tolerate occasional reliability issues for feature breadth
Take the Next Step: See If You’re Overpaying
If you’re paying $289/month for Prompt and experiencing:
- ⚠️ System downtime or random logouts
- ⚠️ Notes that “take forever to complete”
- ⚠️ Surprise add-on costs
- ⚠️ Budget pressure from premium pricing
Calculate your potential savings:
Solo PT: Save $2,520/year with Proactive Chart 2-provider practice: Save $5,040/year 3-provider practice: Save $7,560/year
That’s real money that could fund growth, equipment, or your bottom line.
See the Difference for Yourself
Try Proactive Chart Free for 30 Days →
✅ All PT-specific features included ✅ Compare documentation time to Prompt ✅ Test system stability (no random logouts) ✅ See the cost savings firsthand ✅ No credit card required
If it saves you even 10 minutes per day, it pays for itself. If it also saves you $2,520/year, it’s a no-brainer.
Related Resources
- Medicare 8-Minute Rule: A 2025 Refresher & Cheat Sheet - Master automated billing calculations
- How to Switch EMR Systems Without Losing Data - Complete migration roadmap
- The Hidden Costs of EMR Downtime - Calculate the impact of system outages
- PT Billing and RCM Guide - Optimize your revenue cycle management
- Affordable EMR for Physical Therapy Startups - Compare budget-friendly options
Questions about switching from Prompt? Schedule a comparison demo →
“We were paying $867/month for Prompt for our 3-provider clinic. Switching to Proactive Chart at $237/month saved us $7,560 per year—with the same PT features and better stability. Used the savings to hire a part-time front desk assistant. Best operational decision we made.” — Dr. Kevin T., Multi-Provider PT Clinic, Charlotte, NC
