SimplePractice for Physical Therapy: Is It Enough? (2025 Comparison)

SimplePractice has built a strong reputation in the mental health space, but as a physical therapist, you have different needs—and you might be feeling the squeeze after their recent price increases. If you’re searching for “SimplePractice for physical therapy” or “SimplePractice alternatives,” you’re probably wondering: Is a platform built for therapists and counselors really the right fit for a PT practice?

The short answer: It depends on your practice model—but probably not.

In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore SimplePractice’s limitations for physical therapy practices, break down the 63% price increase they implemented in 2025, and help you determine whether a PT-specific EMR would better serve your needs.

SimplePractice’s 2025 Price Shock: What Happened?

On February 3, 2025, SimplePractice notified users that they were restructuring their pricing—with accounts automatically migrated to new, higher-priced plans starting March 3, 2025.

The Price Changes:

Old Pricing (2024):

• Basic Plan: Starting at $29/month
• Mid-tier: ~$60/month
• Premium: $99/month

New Pricing (2025):

• Starter: $49/month (+69% increase from old basic plan)
• Essential: $79/month
• Plus: $99/month

What Users Are Saying:

“SimplePractice with minimal warning increased the monthly price for basic features astronomically.” — Verified User Review, March 2025

“Recent price increases have made SimplePractice less affordable, particularly for small or solo practices, with essential features now only available in higher-priced tiers.” — G2 Review

The price increase alone might be manageable if you’re getting tremendous value, but when you combine it with the platform’s limitations for PT-specific workflows, many physical therapists are exploring alternatives.

The Real Cost: Hidden Add-Ons for Essential Features

SimplePractice’s pricing doesn’t include everything you might need. Here’s what costs extra:

Additional Monthly Fees:

• AI Note Taker: +$35/month per clinician
• E-Prescribing: +$49/month per clinician
• Payment Processing: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction

Real Cost Example for a Solo PT:

• Base Starter plan: $49/month = $588/year
• AI Note Taker (to save documentation time): +$35/month = $420/year
• E-Prescribing capability: +$49/month = $588/year
• Total First Year: $1,596

That’s for a single provider with basic add-ons—and it doesn’t include the 2.9% payment processing fees on every transaction.

SimplePractice for Physical Therapy: What’s Missing?

SimplePractice markets itself to physical therapists, but it was fundamentally designed for mental health professionals. Here are the critical gaps PT practices encounter:

1. No PT-Specific Documentation Templates

SimplePractice offers “an easy-to-use notes and documentation template library,” but these are generic clinical templates—not PT-specific workflows.

What’s Missing:

• ❌ Pre-built SOAP notes with PT-specific fields (ROM, MMT, gait analysis)
• ❌ Functional outcome measures tracking (LEFS, DASH, Oswestry, etc.)
• ❌ Treatment plan templates aligned with PT progressions
• ❌ Exercise prescription and home exercise program (HEP) builders

Reality: You’ll spend hours customizing generic templates or building everything from scratch—time you could be spending with patients.

2. Medicare 8-Minute Rule Compliance: Not Included

For any PT practice billing Medicare or working with insurance, the 8-minute rule is non-negotiable. You need automatic time tracking and unit calculation to ensure compliant billing.

SimplePractice: No built-in 8-minute rule calculator or time-based billing units tracker.

What PT practices need:

• Real-time unit calculation based on timed modalities (see our Medicare 8-minute rule guide)
• KX modifier support for therapy threshold
• Medicare compliance alerts
• NCCI edits and billing safeguards

SimplePractice doesn’t provide any of this out of the box.

3. Limited Insurance Billing Features

SimplePractice does offer “auto-populated claim forms” and basic insurance billing, but reviews note:

• “SimplePractice lacks seamless integration with other essential software, such as electronic health records (EHRs) and billing systems.”
• “The reporting functionality could be more comprehensive and may not provide the necessary insights for practice management.”

For PT practices managing complex insurance billing with multiple payers, Medicare, and authorization tracking, SimplePractice’s basic billing falls short. For comprehensive guidance on PT billing requirements, see our complete PT billing and RCM guide.

4. No Multi-Location Support

Planning to grow your practice? SimplePractice does not support multi-location clinics, which is a deal-breaker for any PT practice with expansion plans or multiple treatment locations.

5. Generic Scheduling (Not PT Workflow Optimized)

SimplePractice’s scheduling is designed for 45-60 minute therapy sessions, not the variable-length PT appointments common in outpatient clinics:

• Initial evaluations (60-90 minutes)
• Follow-up treatments (30-60 minutes)
• Group classes
• Overlapping appointments with multiple treatment areas

PT-specific EMRs handle these scheduling complexities; SimplePractice treats them as workarounds.

SimplePractice vs. PT-Specific EMRs: Feature Comparison

When SimplePractice Might Work for PT

SimplePractice isn’t always wrong for physical therapists. It can work if:

✅ You’re a Cash-Based Solo Practitioner

• You don’t bill insurance (no need for 8-minute rule)
• You see 1-2 patients per hour with simple scheduling
• You’re comfortable building custom templates
• You want strong telehealth integration

✅ You Offer Hybrid PT + Wellness Coaching

• Your practice blends physical therapy with wellness coaching or mental health support
• You value SimplePractice’s mental health-focused features
• You don’t need complex billing workflows

✅ You’re Just Starting Out and Need Something Simple

• You’re in your first 6 months and want minimal learning curve
• You have very few patients (under 10 active)
• You’re willing to upgrade as you grow

When You Need a PT-Specific EMR Instead

SimplePractice becomes inadequate when:

❌ You Bill Insurance (Especially Medicare)

Without 8-minute rule tracking, KX modifiers, and PT-specific billing codes, you risk:

• Claim denials due to improper unit calculation
• Compliance issues during audits
• Revenue loss from under-billing or over-billing

❌ You See High Patient Volume

Generic templates slow you down when you’re documenting 8-12 patients per day. PT-specific SOAP notes with:

• Quick ROM dropdowns
• MMT grading shortcuts
• Functional outcome measure auto-scoring
• Treatment plan auto-population

These features save 5-10 minutes per note—which adds up to 1-2 hours per day.

❌ You Want to Scale Beyond Solo Practice

SimplePractice’s lack of multi-location support means you’ll outgrow it as soon as you:

• Open a second location
• Hire additional therapists
• Need location-based reporting

Switching EMRs mid-growth is exponentially harder than starting with the right platform.

❌ You Value Cost Predictability

SimplePractice’s base price doesn’t include essential features. Once you add:

• AI Note Taker (+$35/month)
• E-Prescribing (+$49/month)
• Payment processing (2.9% per transaction)

Your actual monthly cost approaches or exceeds PT-specific alternatives—without getting PT-specific features.

Proactive Chart: The PT-Specific Alternative

Proactive Chart was built specifically for physical therapy and small medical practices—not adapted from a mental health platform.

All-Inclusive Pricing: $79/Month Per Provider

What’s Included:

• ✅ PT-specific SOAP note templates
• ✅ Automatic 8-minute rule calculation
• ✅ KX modifier and Medicare compliance
• ✅ Functional outcome measures tracking
• ✅ Automated superbill generation (perfect for out-of-network)
• ✅ Integrated billing and claims management
• ✅ Patient portal and intake forms
• ✅ E-prescribing (included, not +$49/month)
• ✅ Telehealth capabilities
• ✅ Multi-location support
• ✅ Unlimited support and training

No Additional Costs:

• No setup fees
• No per-note charges
• No add-ons for essential features
• No payment processing markups

Real Cost Comparison: 1 Year, Single Provider

And that’s not counting the time savings from PT-specific templates and workflows.

What Makes Proactive Chart Different

1. Built for PT Workflows

• Pre-loaded evaluation and treatment templates
• Common PT diagnoses and treatment protocols
• Quick charting for high-volume days
• Functional outcome measures that auto-calculate

2. Medicare & Insurance Optimized

• Real-time 8-minute rule calculation as you document
• KX modifier prompts when approaching therapy threshold
• Authorization tracking and expiration alerts
• Clearinghouse integration for claims

3. Perfect for Cash-Based + Insurance Hybrid Practices

• Automated superbill generation with CPT codes
• Patient-friendly statements for out-of-network reimbursement
• Transparent payment processing (no hidden fees)
• Self-pay discount workflows

4. Grows With Your Practice

• Multi-location support from day one
• Unlimited providers (just $79/month each)
• Location-based reporting and analytics
• No feature restrictions as you scale

Other SimplePractice Alternatives for PT Practices

WebPT — Enterprise PT Solution

Pricing: ~$180-220/month per provider

Pros:

• Most comprehensive PT-specific feature set
• Strong billing capabilities
• Large user community

Cons:

• Frequent outages (quarterly reported)
• Complex and expensive for small practices
• Difficult data export when leaving
• $1,000+ setup fees

Best for: Larger practices (5+ providers) with dedicated billing staff

TherapyNotes — Budget Mental Health Focus

Pricing: Starting at $25/month

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Good for mental health + PT hybrid

Cons:

• Limited PT-specific features
• Basic reporting
• Not ideal for insurance-heavy practices

Best for: Mental health practices seeing occasional PT patients

TheraOffice — Mid-Tier PT Option

Pricing: $299/month per provider

Pros:

• PT-specific templates
• Established platform

Cons:

• Expensive compared to alternatives
• Outdated interface
• Mixed support reviews

Best for: Mid-sized practices (3-7 providers) with complex billing needs

Making the Switch from SimplePractice

If you’ve decided SimplePractice isn’t meeting your PT-specific needs, here’s how to transition:

Migration Timeline: 2-3 Weeks

Week 1: Evaluation

• Sign up for Proactive Chart 30-day free trial
• Import sample patient data
• Test PT-specific templates and workflows
• Train on 8-minute rule tracking
• Verify clearinghouse integration

Week 2: Parallel Operation

• Document new patients in Proactive Chart
• Continue SimplePractice for existing patients
• Compare documentation time between platforms
• Submit test claims through Proactive Chart

Week 3: Full Cutover

• Export patient data from SimplePractice
• Import historical records to Proactive Chart
• Update patient portal information
• Cancel SimplePractice subscription (no long-term contract)

Total downtime: Zero (with parallel operation)

Data Migration Support

Proactive Chart includes:

• ✅ Free data migration assistance
• ✅ Dedicated onboarding specialist
• ✅ Patient data import from SimplePractice
• ✅ Template customization to match your workflows
• ✅ Staff training (unlimited sessions)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I try Proactive Chart before switching from SimplePractice?

Absolutely. Proactive Chart offers a 30-day free trial with full access to all features—no credit card required. You can test PT-specific templates, run sample billing, and train your team before making any commitment.

Q: Will I lose my patient data if I leave SimplePractice?

No. SimplePractice allows you to export your patient data. Proactive Chart’s team will help you import this data and map it to PT-specific fields. The process typically takes 1-2 days for small practices.

Q: What if I have patients mid-treatment when I switch?

You can run both systems in parallel for 1-2 weeks. Continue documenting active patients in SimplePractice while onboarding new patients in Proactive Chart. Once you’re comfortable, import historical notes and complete the transition.

Q: Is Proactive Chart really easier than SimplePractice for PT documentation?

Yes—because the templates are pre-built for PT workflows. Instead of creating custom fields for ROM, MMT, gait assessment, etc., these are already built-in. Most PTs save 5-10 minutes per patient note, which adds up to hours per week.

Q: What about the features I like in SimplePractice (telehealth, patient portal)?

Proactive Chart includes telehealth, patient portal, intake forms, and appointment reminders—all the features you’re currently using in SimplePractice, plus the PT-specific capabilities SimplePractice lacks.

Q: Can I use Proactive Chart for cash-based and insurance simultaneously?

Yes! This is one of Proactive Chart’s strengths. It automatically generates superbills for out-of-network patients while handling direct insurance billing for in-network claims—all in one workflow.

Q: What if I’m locked into a SimplePractice contract?

SimplePractice typically operates on month-to-month billing, so you can cancel at any time with 30-day notice. Check your account settings or contact their support to confirm your billing cycle.

The Bottom Line: SimplePractice vs. PT-Specific EMRs

SimplePractice is a good mental health platform that can technically be used for physical therapy—but “technically works” isn’t the same as “optimized for your workflows.”

Choose SimplePractice if:

• ✅ You’re cash-based only (no insurance billing)
• ✅ You’re a solo practitioner with simple scheduling
• ✅ You offer hybrid therapy (mental health + PT)
• ✅ You’re comfortable building custom templates
• ✅ You don’t mind paying for add-ons ($35/month for AI, $49/month for e-prescribing)

Choose Proactive Chart if:

• ✅ You need PT-specific documentation templates
• ✅ You bill Medicare or insurance (need 8-minute rule)
• ✅ You want all-inclusive pricing under $100/month
• ✅ You see higher patient volumes and need efficiency
• ✅ You plan to grow beyond solo practice
• ✅ You want transparent pricing with no add-on fees

Take the Next Step

SimplePractice’s 2025 price increases—combined with their lack of PT-specific features—make this the perfect time to explore alternatives built specifically for your practice type.

Proactive Chart offers:

• ✅ 30-day free trial (no credit card required)
• ✅ Free migration from SimplePractice
• ✅ PT-specific templates and workflows
• ✅ All-inclusive $79/month pricing
• ✅ 8-minute rule compliance built-in
• ✅ No long-term contracts

Ready to Switch to a PT-Specific EMR?

Start Your Free 30-Day Trial of Proactive Chart →

See the difference PT-specific documentation makes. No obligations, no risk—just better workflows designed for physical therapists.

Questions about switching from SimplePractice? Our team has helped dozens of PT practices migrate successfully. Schedule a demo →

“I was using SimplePractice and constantly building workarounds for PT documentation. Switching to Proactive Chart saved me 45 minutes per day—and it costs less than SimplePractice with all the add-ons.” — Dr. Amanda S., Portland, OR

Related Resources

• How to Switch EMR Systems Without Losing Data - Complete migration guide and checklist
• Exporting Your Data from SimplePractice - Step-by-step data export instructions
• Affordable EMR Options for Physical Therapy - Compare all budget-friendly PT EMRs
• Medicare 8-Minute Rule Compliance - Why PT-specific billing features matter
• EMR Usability and Interface Design - What makes documentation efficient