Making client notes is a small thing you always do as a therapist, counselor, or mental health professional. Therapy notes not only give you a record of how your client is progressing, but they also help you follow compliance with privacy regulations such as HIPAA. Whether you’re working as an independent practitioner, in group practice, or just starting your journey in the therapy field, having tools in place to help facilitate the note-taking process is key.
This guide will review the best free therapy notes software for mental health professionals for 2025. We will cover their features, pros, and cons so you can easily find the best software for your practice.
Understanding the significance of Free Therapy Notes software is crucial for mental health professionals. This software provides a cost-effective solution for documenting therapy sessions and monitoring client progress.
What is Free Therapy Notes Software?
Free Notes software for mental health professionals: These software solutions offer therapists, counselors, and psychologists a convenient and efficient way to document therapy sessions and monitor client progress.
This software can help with:
Progress notes: Record what occurred during each session, as well as goals, interventions, and progress.
SOAP notes: A format that therapists follow in clinical documentation, which includes subjective, objective, assessment, and plan.
Therapist Notes storage is HIPAA compliant. This ensures client confidentiality, providing you with the confidence that your client’s information is secure.
Scheduling: Some software also provides scheduling features to manage appointments.
Paid therapy note software is usually detailed and loaded with many features. In contrast, free therapy notes software can be an economical solution that provides enough capabilities for that one-person practice or recent entrant in mental health.
Exploring the different types of therapy notes software is essential for mental health professionals. This overview will help you understand the variety of options available and choose the one that best suits your practice.
Different therapy board software meets different needs. Let’s take an overview of the key categories:
All-in-One Practice Management Software: These tools can do much, from client management to scheduling, billing, and therapy notes. They are perfect for therapists who want a single place to do everything related to their practice.
Specialized Therapy Notes Software: These tools are primarily designed for note-taking and record-keeping. They are perfect for professionals who require a simple and secure method to document what they do with their clients and any progress.
Cloud-Based Software: Most free therapy notes software is also cloud-based, allowing you to access your notes from anywhere, anytime, and stay in control of your practice.
Desktop Software: These are downloaded onto your computer, providing a more secure option for therapists who want to work offline.
Best Free Therapy Notes Software In 2025
TheraNest
TheraNest Practice Management Software for Mental Health TheraNest: This therapy notes software has a paid version with all advanced features, but it also offers a free data tool for independent therapists to track their therapy sessions.
Key Features:
Session Notes: Produce detailed therapy notes, including SOAP and progress notes.
Client Management: Store all your client information, treatment plans, and session notes in one place.
Scheduling Schedule appointments in the software itself.
Reports: Create simple reports on client progress and finances.
Pros:
- It has a minimal, straightforward interface and is easy to use.
- Ideal for solo practitioners.
- Secure data storage, HIPAA-compliant
- Some features include a 30-day free trial.
Cons:
- The free version limits some features (some features, billing, and invoicing, require a paid plan)
- Advanced customization capabilities are missing
Pricing: Free for solo practitioners; paid plans start at $12/month
Simple Practice
Another popular option among mental health professionals. Its free version is solid for tracking therapy notes for solo therapists or small practices.
Key Features:
Progress Notes: Write detailed, customizable notes for each session.
Secure Premium: Communicate with clients through secure email and text messages.
Document Storage: A secure cloud environment to store documents (intake forms, progress reports, etc.)
HIPAA-compliant: Make sure your therapy notes are 100% compliant with industry regulations.
Pros:
- The free version has only basic functionality.
- It is a simplified interface and is easy to implement.
- Do note-taking on the go with a mobile App
Cons:
- Advanced scheduling and invoicing features are not free
- The free plan lacks scalability for large practices.
Cost: Basic features are available free of charge. Pricing: paid plans from $29/month
TherapyNotes
Features Familiarisation TherapyNotes Free Trial TherapyNotes doesn’t have a free plan, but it does offer a free trialTherapyNotes has excellent value for therapists who want pro-grade therapy notes software.
Key Features:
- SOAP and Progress Notes: Document each therapy session using pre-set templates.
- Secure and HIPAA-compliant: Allows you to know that all client info and notes are stored safely and will not be made public.
- Calendar and Scheduling Automated booking tools to facilitate appointments
Billing: Provides billing and insurance processing features.
Pros:
- It is very easy to use and well thought out for the therapy office.
- Great for solo practitioners and group practices alike.
- Secure with HIPAA compliance bolster security.
Cons:
- The trial is free for 30 days.
- Layer elegans: its training run.
Pricing: Free 30-day trial. Prices starting at $49.99/month
CounSol.com
CounSol. SONDOOS. Com Free therapy notes software with robust features for therapists. While their more business-oriented features are practice management-focused, their free version does offer secure note-taking and client tracking.
Key Features:
Note-Taking: Comprehensive notes for every therapy and customizable templates.
Provide clients access to their notes and documents via a secure client portal.
Scheduling: Schedule and manage appointments directly using the software.
Secure and HIPAA-compliant: Safeguard sensitive client data.
Pros:
- Customizable note templates.
- HIPAA-compliant and secure
- Built-in client communication and billing capabilities.
Cons:
- We will also know about the limited features of the free plan
- The interface can be less user-friendly than other alternatives
Price: Free for solo practitioners. Paid plans begin at $19/month.
Zoho Clinic Management
Zoho Clinic Management is a complimentary therapy notes software offering a variety of features for handling therapy sessions, patient information, and scheduling management.
Key Features:
Session Notes: Make custom templates for detailed therapy notes
Booking Management: Book, manage, and rebook easily.
Messaging: Send and receive secure messages from clients.
Reporting and Analytics: Monitor patient development and create reports.
Pros:
- Free for solo practitioners 100% of the time.
- Cloud-based for easy access.
- It’s also suitable for various therapy-related tasks outside of notetaking.
Cons:
- If you have significant practice, firmer functions may not suffice.
- Integration with third-party tools is limited.
Cost: Free for individual practitioners.
Using the Best Free Therapy Notes Software for Your Practice
If you also want to know how to select free therapy notes software for your practice, consider the checklist below.
Tip: HIPAA compliance should be discussed when selecting software for therapy notes, as it is essential for patient safety.
User-Friendly: Select software that is simple to use and does not require significant training. Check out its interface, which is easy to use with simple note-taking tools.
Note templates: Depending on how you like to take notes, ensure the software provides customizable templates for SOAP notes or other types of therapy documentation.
Scalability: The free version may serve a solo practitioner well, but ensure that the software scales with your practice as it expands. Some software has paid upgrades that offer new features as your operation grows.
Mobile Access: Mobile capability is necessary for therapists who require access to their notes when moving. Choose software with either a mobile app or one that is cloud-based.
Customer Support: Even when it’s a free version, getting customer support is essential when you need help. Pursue software with a supportive team or online resources.
Conclusion
Disclosure: Free Therapy Notes SoftwareEverything You Need to Know to Avoid Wasting Time and MoneyFinding the right free therapy notes software will save you time managing your therapy practice while ensuring you produce secure, compliant, and accurate documentation. Use the tools above, and you’ll be sure to find the right solution, whatever your needs—whether you’re a solo practitioner starting from scratch or an experienced therapist looking for a more straightforward way to handle client notes.
Remember, you will have restrictions on the services for free solutions, but for running your practice smoothly, these are enough without stretching your pocket. Then, you can upgrade to premium solutions when your practice outgrows the basic package.