Key differences
- Free option: Upheal has a permanent free plan (text, dictation, uploads); Mentalyc has a 14-day trial.
- Price: Mentalyc Mini $19.99/mo (40 notes); Upheal AI Notes $39/mo with unlimited sessions.
- EHR: Mentalyc pushes notes into your current EHR by extension; Upheal is its own EHR ($1/session or $99/mo).
- Training: Mentalyc never trains on session data; Upheal uses de-identified data unless you opt out.
- Billing: Upheal insurance billing is live for all users: $0.30 per claim, $0.15 per eligibility check. Mentalyc billing: Ask vendor.
Side-by-side comparison
Prices in USD. "Ask vendor" means the vendor does not publish it. Each cell carries an evidence label; see how we label evidence. Scores are research-based, from public vendor documentation; see the scorecard.
| Feature | Mentalyc | Upheal |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Plans (as published) | Mini $19.99/mo (40 notes); Basic $39.99; Pro $69.99 (160 notes); Super $119.99/mo. Annual $14.99 to $99.99/mo Documentation reviewed | Free $0; AI Notes $39/mo; EHR $1/session; EHR Pro $99/mo; Assistant Pro +$39/mo; groups per seat Documentation reviewed |
| Free plan or trial | 14-day Pro trial, 15 notes, no card Documentation reviewed | Permanent free plan plus free trial; 30-day money back Documentation reviewed |
| Privacy | ||
| HIPAA BAA | Created at sign-up, downloadable from profile Documentation reviewed | Published; agreed at sign-up Documentation reviewed |
| SOC 2 | SOC 2 Type II (vendor-reported) Vendor-reported | SOC 2 Type II (vendor-reported) Vendor-reported |
| Audio | Deleted once the note is ready Documentation reviewed | Auto-deleted after notes unless you choose to save it Documentation reviewed |
| Model training | Session data never used to train AI Vendor-reported | De-identified data used to improve Upheal unless you opt out Vendor-reported |
| Retention you set | Delete anytime; retention window: Ask vendor Documentation reviewed | Delete anytime; retention window: Ask vendor Documentation reviewed |
| Workflow | ||
| EHR fit | Chrome extension into SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, Jane, and others Vendor-reported | Notes live in Upheal's own EHR; outside EHR integration: Ask vendor Documentation reviewed |
| Telehealth | Browser audio capture for any online call Documentation reviewed | Built-in telehealth, Chrome extension, Mac app, Zoom integration Documentation reviewed |
| Insurance billing | Ask vendor Ask vendor | Eligibility, claims, ERAs ($0.30/claim, $0.15/check) on EHR plans Documentation reviewed |
| Coding | Automatic CPT codes (Pro and up) Documentation reviewed | Ask vendor Ask vendor |
| Couples and family | Child, couple, family on Pro and up Documentation reviewed | Couples and families on AI Notes and up Documentation reviewed |
Psychiatry and behavioral health fit
Both target therapists first, and both include Psychiatry templates (Mentalyc on Pro and up, Upheal on paid plans). Upheal is the CAIW low-cost pick thanks to its free plan and flat $39/mo AI Notes tier. Mentalyc ties notes to treatment plan goals and adds risk documentation with safety plans. Our digest covered this matchup in Issue #2.
Neither vendor publicly describes 42 CFR Part 2 specific controls. Substance use disorder programs should get written answers on consent, counseling-note content, and redisclosure before use (Ask vendor).
Who should pick which
| Practice type | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Therapist who wants to stay on SimplePractice or TherapyNotes | Mentalyc |
| Therapist starting with no budget | Upheal Free |
| Practice that wants notes plus insurance billing in one place | Upheal EHR or EHR Pro |
| Clinician who wants no AI training without opting out | Mentalyc |
| Group therapy notes | Mentalyc Super or Team |
Verdict
Choose Mentalyc if you want to keep your current EHR and want a low entry price ($19.99/mo) with a no-training policy. Choose Upheal if you want a permanent free plan, unlimited AI notes for $39/mo, or one system for notes, telehealth, and insurance billing.
Whichever you choose, sign or download the BAA before any real patient audio is recorded and set retention to the shortest period that fits your workflow.
Related reading: Mentalyc review, Upheal review, Best AI scribes for therapists, Best free AI scribe, and the full scorecard.
FAQ
Is Upheal free?
Upheal has a permanent free plan limited to text, dictation, and uploads for individual therapy. AI Notes is $39/mo, as of 2026-10-14.
Is Mentalyc cheaper than Upheal?
At entry level, yes: Mentalyc Mini is $19.99/mo for 40 notes versus Upheal AI Notes at $39/mo. Upheal's free plan costs nothing but has limits.
Does Upheal train AI on my sessions?
Upheal says it uses de-identified data to improve its product unless you opt out. Mentalyc says session data never trains AI.
Do both sign a BAA?
Yes. Both put a BAA in place at sign-up.
Is this medical or legal advice?
No. This is general information. Confirm BAA terms, data use, and consent requirements with each vendor and your compliance advisor before using patient data.
How were facts checked?
Each fact comes from the vendor's official pricing, security, or help pages, checked on 2026-10-14. Where a vendor does not publish something, we say Ask vendor rather than estimate it.
Sources and last checked
All links checked 2026-10-14. Vendors change prices and terms often; re-verify before buying.