Disclosure: Twofold Health publishes this comparison and is included in the ranking. Tools were last reviewed in June 2026, and we flag where a competitor is the better fit.
How this ranking was built
From January 2024 to 2026, we analyzed more than 2,000 therapist‑written posts across credited review sites Reddit subreddits such as r/therapists, r/psychotherapy, and r/NoteTaking. Marketing promos were rejected; only first‑hand experiences stayed. We graded each product on:
Weight | Criterion |
|---|---|
30 % | Note-taking speed & ease of editing |
25% | HIPAA safeguards (or end-to-end encryption for general tools) |
20% | Pricing transparency |
15% | Template depth / customizability |
10% | Cross-platform sync & integrations |
1. Twofold Health — purpose-built for therapy progress notes
"Twofold drafts my SOAP in under 30 seconds—rarely touch a comma." – u/Behavioral_NP
Another user mentioned that he is impressed with Twofold:
"I'm currently trying Twofold. Initial impressions are very good"
— u/Snoo-9266
Pros
- Sub-30 s draft time for SOAP, DAP, BIRP, ADIME & MSE.
- Flat $49 / mo (annual) includes BAA and deletes audio after processing.
- iOS and Android mobile apps
- 24/7 customer support on all tiers
- AI native notes cut documentation time in half
Why therapists pick it: Combines AI speed with therapist‑specific templates while keeping pricing simple.
2. Evernote — flexible, non-EHR notebook for client prep & homework
An Evernote user mentions that:
"Evernote is great at handling images and all kinds of documents in a way Obsidian is not, especially if you're on your phone a lot." – u/WishTonWish
See more user feedback on G2 and Capterra.
Pros
- Powerful web-clipper for psycho-ed articles and client homework.
- Tag + notebook stack system makes multi-client organisation easy.
- Cross-device sync (desktop, mobile, web) is near-instant.
Cons
- No native HIPAA option—requires encrypting sensitive text or avoiding PHI.
- $10.83 / mo (Personal) or $14.17 / mo (Professional) after free tier limits.
Best use-case: Session prep, resource libraries and non‑PHI brainstorming.
3. TherapyNotes — gold-standard EHR with robust note templates
Review shared in a Reddit subreddit:
"I love TherapyNotes. Their customer service has always been impeccable." – u/BackpackingTherapist
See more user feedback on Software Advice and Capterra.
Pros
- Integrated billing + telehealth; seamless insurance workflows.
- Live phone support answered by clinicians, not call-centre reps.
Cons
- Interface feels "clunky" to some users.
- $49 / mo solo → $79 / mo group starter; add-ons cost extra.
Ideal for: Practices that want an all‑in‑one, tried‑and‑true EHR rather than just a note app.
4. TheraNest — budget-minded EHR with basic notes & billing
"I prefer a simpler service and TheraNest is OK once you learn the admin side." – OP in TheraNest vs. TherapyNotes thread Reddit
See more user feedback on G2 and Capterra.
Pros
- $39 / mo (up to 30 clients) makes it cheaper than many EHRs.
- Built-in Wiley Treatment Planner add-on (extra fee).
Cons
- Reporting and telehealth modules feel dated.
- Fewer native integrations than TherapyNotes or Carepatron.
Good for: New solo therapists needing a full EHR without the TherapyNotes price tag.
5. Upheal — AI-powered recorder plus rich analytics
"I've been using Upheal... records the session then spits out SOAP, GIRP, DAP." – u/alberticuss Reddit
Pros
- Emotion & keyword timelines help with treatment insights.
- Client-consent workflow built in; audio stored in encrypted cloud.
Cons
- Requires reliable broadband and client consent for recording.
- ~70 s processing time; not instantaneous.
Best for: Therapists who want deep session analytics and don't mind recording.
6. Carepatron — free-tier EHR with evolving note features
"Is anyone using Carepatron for a small group practice? Interface seems user-friendly." – OP thread
Pros
- Forever-free tier (1 clinician / 50 clients) to test the waters.
- Built-in telehealth, calendar, billing, and basic AI note draft.
- HIPAA-compliant on all plans.
Cons
- Many advanced features still labelled "coming soon".
- Some users report occasional UI glitches.
Ideal for: Start‑ups wanting an all‑rounder without immediate costs.
7. Zoho Notebook — aesthetic, cross-platform general notebook
A Zoho user says on Reddit:
"Zoho fits my needs excellently well... Evernote import was smooth." – u/GoneFishin56
See more user feedback on G2 and Capterra.
Pros
- Supports audio notes, checklists, and sketch cards—great for creative therapy ideas.
- Smooth import from Evernote and other apps.
Cons
- No HIPAA compliance; avoid storing PHI.
- Limited search granularity compared with Evernote or OneNote.
Best for: Personal brainstorming, homework tracking, and resource libraries without client identifiers.
Quick-compare matrix (2025)
Tool | Score (/10) | Base price | HIPAA/BAA | AI help? | Stand-out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Twofold | 9.3 | $49/mo | Yes | Yes (quality compliant notes) | Therapist-specific templates |
Evernote | 9.0 | $0–14/mo | No | Limited (AI note cleanup) | Web clipper & media handling |
TherapyNotes | 8.6 | $49 + | Yes | Limited (autofill fields) | Full EHR + top support |
TheraNest | 8.2 | $39 + | Yes | Limited (planner add-on) | Budget EHR, Wiley integration |
Upheal | 7.9 | Quote | Yes | Yes (full session) | Analytics & emotion timeline |
Carepatron | 7.6 | $0–45 + | Yes | Yes (basic) | Free tier all-in-one |
Zoho Notebook | 7.2 | Free if you have Zoho | No | No | Aesthetic, unlimited devices |
Scores (out of 10) are a weighted blend of note quality, format coverage, EHR fit, HIPAA compliance, and price — weighted for this comparison's criteria.
Conclusion — Choosing the Right Note-Taking Tool for Your Practice
The "best note‑taking tools for therapists" aren't one‑size‑fits‑all.
- Need pure speed and therapy-specific templates? Twofold Health is hard to beat.
- Prefer a classic notebook for prep and client resources? Evernote or Zoho Notebook give you flexible, media-friendly workspaces—just avoid PHI.
- Want a battle-tested EHR with stellar support? TherapyNotes remains the gold standard, while TheraNest offers a budget-friendly path with Wiley add-ons.
- Crave deep session analytics? Upheal's emotion timeline delivers insights no static note can.
- Starting or testing new workflows? Carepatron's free tier lets you trial an all-in-one platform without opening your wallet.
Match the tool's pros and cons to your workflow, compliance requirements, and budget. The payoff can be significant: clinicians in our Reddit sample reported reclaiming 30–60 minutes of administrative time per day after moving to the right platform—freeing you to focus on what matters most: effective, outcome‑driven therapy. See also our best AI for therapy notes.