Mentalyc
freemium


The short answer
Both are therapy-native AI tools with BAA-included tiers, but they solve different problems. Mentalyc is a documentation specialist with the deepest therapy note formats (BIRP, DAP, GIRP, SOAP, PIRP, SIRP, PIE) and SOC 2 Type II. Upheal is broader AI scribe plus full EHR, telehealth, and payments. Choose Mentalyc if you already have an EHR you like; choose Upheal if you want to consolidate.
Skip both if
Skip both if you primarily need an EHR with deep insurance billing TherapyNotes or SimplePractice handle that better. Skip Upheal specifically if you bill commercial insurance heavily, since insurance billing inside Upheal is not GA until summer 2026.
At a glance
Side-by-side facts. Rows where the two tools differ meaningfully are highlighted.
| Feature | ![]() | ![]() |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing from | $20 / mo | $72 / mo |
| Pricing modelSame | freemium | freemium |
| HIPAASame | Yes | Yes |
| Free trialSame | Yes | Yes |
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| Key features |
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Pricing
Starting prices and what they include. The cheaper tool is not always the better value.
freemium
freemium
Honest assessment
Based on hands-on testing. Both tools have real weaknesses worth knowing before you commit.


In depth
Mentalyc and Upheal are the two most-cited therapy-native AI tools in 2026 clinical communities, but they're not really competing for the same buyer. Mentalyc is a focused AI documentation specialist that lives alongside an existing EHR. Upheal is a private-practice platform with AI documentation as one feature among several (telehealth, scheduling, payments).
The pricing comparison is misleading at the headline level. Mentalyc starts at $19.99/mo for the Mini tier (40 notes). Upheal has a free plan plus $1/session capped at $69/mo Premium which means a busy solo therapist using Upheal at the cap will pay more than Mentalyc's Pro tier ($69.99 for 160 notes). At lower volumes, Upheal's per-session pricing can be cheaper. At full volumes, Mentalyc wins.
On clinical fit: Mentalyc is the stronger pick if your documentation style depends on therapy-specific formats. BIRP for community mental health, GIRP when goal-anchoring matters, PIE for treatment planning continuity Mentalyc handles all of these natively. Upheal supports the major formats but is less deep in modality vocabulary, and its session analytics (speech cadence, talking ratios) are descriptive rather than clinically directive.
On consolidation: Upheal wins if you're tired of stitching SimplePractice + Mentalyc + Doxy.me + Stripe together. The all-in-one platform reduces context switching and integration overhead. But you're also locked into Upheal for everything, including insurance billing which isn't shipped until summer 2026.
A pragmatic test: if you'd describe your current pain as 'documentation eating my evenings,' Mentalyc solves that. If you'd describe it as 'my tech stack is fragmented and I waste hours on platform switching,' Upheal solves that.
Recommendations
Different practices need different tools. Here is how the choice changes based on your situation.
Solo practice
Mentalyc. The $19.99/mo Mini tier (40 notes) covers a lighter solo caseload at a price Upheal can't match unless you stay on its free plan.
Group practice
Mentalyc. The Group Practice plan at $39/seat includes admin oversight and supervisor visibility features Upheal lacks at the equivalent tier.
Specialty focus
Mentalyc. The 100+ template library and modality-aware notes make it the stronger pick for DBT, IFS, trauma-informed, or substance-use clinicians where format matters.
Take it for a spin
Both tools offer free trials. The fastest way to confirm a fit is to run one real session through each.

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About this comparison
This comparison was hands-on tested by our editorial team. Both tools were used on real workflows for a minimum of two weeks before this comparison was published.
We may earn a flat referral fee if you sign up through links on this page. It is the same for every tool in a category, so it never affects our recommendations.
Some listings on Mytherapist Tools are paid placements, clearly labeled. Paid placement does not buy editorial recommendation. Our top picks are chosen on merit.
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