Quick Overview
- 1#1: SimplePractice - Provides HIPAA-compliant online booking, automated reminders, and integrated telehealth for mental health and medical practices.
- 2#2: Zocdoc - Marketplace platform enabling patients to search, compare, and instantly book appointments with verified providers.
- 3#3: Jane - Cloud-based practice management with intuitive online self-scheduling, payments, and charting for clinics.
- 4#4: Cliniko - Secure online appointment booking system with patient portal, SMS reminders, and inventory management for allied health.
- 5#5: Power Diary - HIPAA-compliant scheduling software offering customizable online booking pages, telehealth, and billing integration.
- 6#6: Practice Better - All-in-one platform for wellness pros with seamless online scheduling, client portals, and program delivery.
- 7#7: Healthie - Telehealth and practice management tool featuring patient self-scheduling, goal tracking, and HIPAA security.
- 8#8: TherapyNotes - EHR system for behavioral health with online appointment booking, secure messaging, and progress notes.
- 9#9: Acuity Scheduling - Flexible appointment scheduler with customizable booking pages, reminders, and integrations for health professionals.
- 10#10: Calendly - Effortless scheduling automation allowing patients to book appointments directly into providers' calendars.
We evaluated tools based on key factors like feature depth (HIPAA compliance, automation, telehealth), user experience, reliability, and value for money, prioritizing solutions that cater to diverse healthcare specialties and operational needs
Comparison Table
This comparison table breaks down top online patient scheduling software options, including SimplePractice, Zocdoc, Jane, Cliniko, and Power Diary, highlighting key features like usability, integration tools, and pricing. Readers will find clear insights to match their practice’s needs, whether prioritizing ease of use, appointment management, or cost efficiency.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SimplePractice Provides HIPAA-compliant online booking, automated reminders, and integrated telehealth for mental health and medical practices. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 2 | Zocdoc Marketplace platform enabling patients to search, compare, and instantly book appointments with verified providers. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | Jane Cloud-based practice management with intuitive online self-scheduling, payments, and charting for clinics. | specialized | 8.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Cliniko Secure online appointment booking system with patient portal, SMS reminders, and inventory management for allied health. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 5 | Power Diary HIPAA-compliant scheduling software offering customizable online booking pages, telehealth, and billing integration. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 6 | Practice Better All-in-one platform for wellness pros with seamless online scheduling, client portals, and program delivery. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 7 | Healthie Telehealth and practice management tool featuring patient self-scheduling, goal tracking, and HIPAA security. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 8 | TherapyNotes EHR system for behavioral health with online appointment booking, secure messaging, and progress notes. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 9 | Acuity Scheduling Flexible appointment scheduler with customizable booking pages, reminders, and integrations for health professionals. | other | 7.6/10 | 7.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 10 | Calendly Effortless scheduling automation allowing patients to book appointments directly into providers' calendars. | other | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
Provides HIPAA-compliant online booking, automated reminders, and integrated telehealth for mental health and medical practices.
Marketplace platform enabling patients to search, compare, and instantly book appointments with verified providers.
Cloud-based practice management with intuitive online self-scheduling, payments, and charting for clinics.
Secure online appointment booking system with patient portal, SMS reminders, and inventory management for allied health.
HIPAA-compliant scheduling software offering customizable online booking pages, telehealth, and billing integration.
All-in-one platform for wellness pros with seamless online scheduling, client portals, and program delivery.
Telehealth and practice management tool featuring patient self-scheduling, goal tracking, and HIPAA security.
EHR system for behavioral health with online appointment booking, secure messaging, and progress notes.
Flexible appointment scheduler with customizable booking pages, reminders, and integrations for health professionals.
Effortless scheduling automation allowing patients to book appointments directly into providers' calendars.
SimplePractice
specializedProvides HIPAA-compliant online booking, automated reminders, and integrated telehealth for mental health and medical practices.
Client portal with 24/7 self-scheduling, integrated intake forms, and automated insurance eligibility checks
SimplePractice is an all-in-one practice management platform tailored for mental health and wellness professionals, with robust online patient scheduling at its core. It enables clients to self-schedule appointments 24/7 via a secure, customizable portal, complete intake forms, and receive automated SMS/email reminders and confirmations. The software integrates seamlessly with calendars, telehealth, billing, and EHR features, all while maintaining strict HIPAA compliance for secure operations.
Pros
- Highly intuitive online booking portal with client self-scheduling, waitlists, and recurring appointments
- Seamless integration of scheduling with telehealth, billing, and HIPAA-secure messaging
- Automated reminders and no-show protection reduce administrative burden significantly
Cons
- Higher-tier plans required for advanced features like insurance billing
- Per-client record fees can increase costs for larger practices
- Occasional learning curve for customizing forms and workflows
Best For
Solo practitioners and small to medium-sized mental health or wellness practices seeking a comprehensive, HIPAA-compliant scheduling solution.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Starter plan) up to $99/month (Professional plan), with optional per-client fees and annual discounts available; billed monthly or annually.
Zocdoc
enterpriseMarketplace platform enabling patients to search, compare, and instantly book appointments with verified providers.
Instant, real-time booking with insurance eligibility checks across a massive provider network
Zocdoc is a leading online marketplace for healthcare appointment scheduling, enabling patients to search for providers by specialty, location, insurance, and availability, then book instantly. It offers verified reviews, secure messaging, and automated reminders to streamline the patient experience. For providers, it boosts visibility, manages calendars, and drives new patient acquisition through a pay-per-confirmed-appointment model.
Pros
- Extensive provider network with real-time availability and instant booking
- Seamless insurance matching and verified patient reviews
- Automated reminders, rescheduling, and patient communication tools
Cons
- Pay-per-new-patient model can be costly ($40-$250 per appointment)
- Primarily focused on acquiring new patients rather than managing existing ones
- Limited customization for practice workflows and US-only availability
Best For
Healthcare providers and practices seeking to attract new patients via an intuitive online booking marketplace.
Pricing
Free for patients; providers pay $40-$250 per confirmed new patient appointment based on specialty and location.
Jane
specializedCloud-based practice management with intuitive online self-scheduling, payments, and charting for clinics.
Smart waitlist that automatically notifies and books patients into cancellations
Jane (jane.app) is a comprehensive practice management platform tailored for health and wellness practitioners, with robust online patient scheduling at its core. Patients can self-schedule via customizable booking pages, receive automated SMS/email reminders, and manage appointments seamlessly. It also features intelligent waitlists, recurring appointment support, and integration with telehealth, charting, and billing for streamlined clinic operations.
Pros
- Highly customizable online booking pages with intake forms
- Automated reminders and waitlist to reduce no-shows
- Seamless mobile app for on-the-go scheduling management
Cons
- Pricing scales per practitioner, costly for larger teams
- Limited advanced analytics in base features
- Steeper learning curve for full practice management suite
Best For
Solo or small health and wellness practices seeking an all-in-one scheduling and management solution.
Pricing
$74 CAD/month per practitioner (unlimited patients/appointments); 30-day free trial.
Cliniko
specializedSecure online appointment booking system with patient portal, SMS reminders, and inventory management for allied health.
Embeddable, customizable online booking widget with intake forms and payment collection
Cliniko is a cloud-based practice management software tailored for allied health practitioners, excelling in online patient scheduling with 24/7 booking widgets embeddable on clinic websites. It streamlines appointment management, patient records, invoicing, and telehealth, while supporting unlimited patients and appointments regardless of plan. The platform emphasizes ease of use with automated SMS/email reminders and comprehensive reporting for efficient clinic operations.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup for online booking
- Unlimited patients and appointments on all plans
- Strong customer support available via phone, email, and chat
Cons
- Pricing scales per practitioner, costly for larger teams
- Limited advanced customization for booking forms
- No native mobile app for patients, relies on web portal
Best For
Solo practitioners or small allied health clinics needing a user-friendly all-in-one scheduling and management tool.
Pricing
Starts at $55 AUD/month (~$37 USD) for the first practitioner, plus $35 AUD per additional practitioner; no usage limits.
Power Diary
specializedHIPAA-compliant scheduling software offering customizable online booking pages, telehealth, and billing integration.
Intelligent waitlist management that auto-fills cancellations and notifies clients in real-time
Power Diary is a cloud-based practice management platform tailored for health and wellness professionals, with a strong emphasis on online patient scheduling. It enables 24/7 self-scheduling through a customizable client portal, automated SMS/email reminders, waitlist management, and recurring appointment handling. Beyond scheduling, it integrates telehealth, secure client records, billing, and reporting to support efficient practice operations.
Pros
- Robust online booking with real-time availability and mobile-responsive client portal
- Automated reminders and waitlist features reduce no-shows effectively
- HIPAA-compliant telehealth and secure messaging built-in
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations (e.g., fewer EHR or payment gateways)
- Per-practitioner pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Some advanced customization requires setup time
Best For
Solo practitioners or small to medium-sized allied health and therapy practices needing integrated scheduling and telehealth.
Pricing
Starts at $19.95/month (Starter, 1 practitioner) up to $69.95/month (Unlimited); additional practitioners $12-19.95/month each; 14-day free trial.
Practice Better
specializedAll-in-one platform for wellness pros with seamless online scheduling, client portals, and program delivery.
All-in-one HIPAA-compliant client portal combining self-scheduling, video sessions, intake forms, and payments without needing multiple tools
Practice Better is a comprehensive practice management platform tailored for health and wellness professionals, with robust online patient scheduling at its core. Clients can self-schedule appointments via a customizable booking page, with features like availability syncing, automated email/SMS reminders, waitlists, and group sessions. It integrates scheduling seamlessly with telehealth, billing, EMR charting, and a secure client portal for intake forms and payments.
Pros
- HIPAA-compliant telehealth integrated directly with scheduling
- Intuitive client portal for self-booking, payments, and forms
- Automated reminders and waitlist management reduce no-shows
Cons
- Overkill for users needing only basic scheduling without additional practice management tools
- Learning curve for advanced features like custom forms and reporting
- Pricing scales up quickly for larger practices or high client volumes
Best For
Solo or small holistic health practitioners who want integrated scheduling with telehealth, billing, and client management.
Pricing
Starts at $25/month (Essential, up to 100 active clients), $49/month (Pro), $79/month (Elite), with annual discounts and a 14-day free trial.
Healthie
specializedTelehealth and practice management tool featuring patient self-scheduling, goal tracking, and HIPAA security.
Integrated client portal enabling self-scheduling alongside secure messaging, goal tracking, and progress forms in a single HIPAA-secure interface.
Healthie is an all-in-one telehealth and practice management platform designed primarily for wellness professionals like nutritionists, therapists, and health coaches. It offers robust online patient scheduling through a HIPAA-compliant client portal, allowing self-booking, reminders, and calendar syncing with tools like Google Calendar. The software integrates scheduling seamlessly with charting, billing, secure messaging, and goal tracking for comprehensive practice management.
Pros
- HIPAA-compliant self-scheduling portal with automated reminders and waitlists
- Seamless integration of scheduling with telehealth, charting, and billing
- Customizable appointment types supporting groups, recurring sessions, and packages
Cons
- Pricing can be steep for solo practitioners or basic scheduling needs
- Steeper learning curve for non-wellness users due to specialized health features
- Occasional reports of calendar sync delays with external providers
Best For
Wellness practices such as nutritionists, therapists, and coaches needing integrated scheduling with EHR, telehealth, and client engagement tools.
Pricing
Starts at $99/month per provider for Essentials plan; Pro at $299/month and Enterprise custom pricing, billed annually with a free trial.
TherapyNotes
specializedEHR system for behavioral health with online appointment booking, secure messaging, and progress notes.
Secure patient portal enabling clients to self-schedule therapy sessions with real-time availability and provider-specific rules
TherapyNotes is a comprehensive practice management software tailored for mental health professionals, featuring a secure online patient portal for self-scheduling appointments. Clients can view provider availability, book sessions, request changes, and receive automated reminders directly through the portal. It integrates scheduling seamlessly with EHR, billing, and telehealth tools, making it a robust solution for therapy practices.
Pros
- HIPAA-compliant patient portal with self-scheduling
- Seamless integration with notes, billing, and telehealth
- Automated email/SMS reminders and confirmation
Cons
- Pricing is per clinician and can add up for groups
- Steeper learning curve for non-scheduling features
- Limited customization options for scheduling templates
Best For
Mental health practices seeking an integrated platform for patient scheduling alongside documentation and billing.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month for the first clinician ($49 for additional users), with annual billing discounts; no free trial but demo available.
Acuity Scheduling
otherFlexible appointment scheduler with customizable booking pages, reminders, and integrations for health professionals.
Highly customizable client intake forms that capture detailed information before booking without requiring PHI storage
Acuity Scheduling is a versatile online appointment booking platform that allows businesses and professionals to create customizable scheduling pages for clients to book appointments 24/7. It integrates with popular calendars like Google and Outlook, supports automated email/SMS reminders, payment processing via Stripe or Square, and client intake forms. While excellent for general service-based scheduling, it lacks HIPAA compliance, making it less ideal for handling sensitive patient health information.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup for self-scheduling pages
- Robust automation for reminders and confirmations to reduce no-shows
- Seamless payment integration and customizable intake forms
Cons
- No HIPAA compliance, unsuitable for protected health information
- Limited native integrations with EHR or medical-specific software
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to healthcare-focused tools
Best For
Small wellness practices, therapists, or solo providers managing non-sensitive appointments without needing HIPAA security.
Pricing
Starts at $16/month (Emerging plan) up to $49/month (Powerhouse); 7-day free trial, annual discounts available.
Calendly
otherEffortless scheduling automation allowing patients to book appointments directly into providers' calendars.
Frictionless one-click booking pages that embed anywhere and sync across multiple calendars in real-time
Calendly is a user-friendly online scheduling tool that enables healthcare providers to create shareable booking links for patient appointments, syncing seamlessly with calendars like Google and Outlook to avoid double-bookings. It supports features such as automated reminders, team scheduling, and integrations with video tools like Zoom for virtual visits. While excellent for general scheduling, it requires the Enterprise plan for HIPAA compliance, making it suitable for handling sensitive patient data securely.
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface with quick setup
- Strong calendar and app integrations including Zoom and Google Workspace
- Automated reminders and workflows reduce no-shows effectively
Cons
- HIPAA compliance limited to costly Enterprise plan
- Lacks built-in EHR/EMR integration or medical-specific forms
- Limited advanced reporting and patient management tools
Best For
Solo practitioners or small clinics needing simple, embeddable scheduling without complex healthcare workflows.
Pricing
Free plan for basics; Essentials $8/user/mo; Professional $12/user/mo; Teams $16/user/mo; Enterprise (HIPAA) custom pricing.
Conclusion
This review showcases a range of robust tools, with SimplePractice standing out as the top choice, offering HIPAA-compliant booking, automated reminders, and integrated telehealth. Zocdoc excels as a marketplace for instant provider comparison and booking, while Jane impresses with cloud-based management and user-friendly self-scheduling. Each tool caters to unique needs, ensuring practices can find strength in efficiency and patient care.
Ready to transform patient scheduling? Dive into SimplePractice to experience seamless booking, automated support, and integrated care tools that simplify operations and enhance patient experiences.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison