Best Note Taking Tool For Therapists [2025]

How this ranking was built

From January 2024 to August 2025 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:

1. Twofold Health — purpose‑built for therapy progress notes

A review by a Twofold user:

“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 app
• 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)

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‑friendlier path with Wiley add‑ons.
• Crave deep session analytics? Upheal’s emotion timeline delivers insights no static note can.
• Starting out 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.