Best AI Scribe for Therapists (2026)
Comparing Mentalyc, Upheal, Autonotes, and SOAP Note Buddy - which AI documentation tool is right for your mental health practice?
Quick Verdict
AI Scribe for Therapists: Side-by-Side Comparison
Here's how the top AI documentation tools for mental health professionals stack up:
| Feature | Mentalyc | Upheal | Autonotes | SOAP Note Buddy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $69-99/mo | $49-79/mo | $29-49/mo | $49/mo |
| Requires Recording? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Works with Any EHR | Limited | Limited | Copy/paste | Yes - auto-fills |
| Free Trial | 7 days | 14 days | 7 days | 3 days |
| Note Generation Time | After session | After session | After session | Instant (during session) |
| Client Consent Required | Yes (recording) | Yes (recording) | Yes (recording) | No |
| Best For | Detailed transcripts | Video sessions | Budget-conscious | Any therapist |
1. Mentalyc
Mentalyc is a popular AI scribe designed specifically for mental health professionals. It records therapy sessions and generates clinical notes from the transcript.
Pros
- Purpose-built for mental health
- Multiple note formats (SOAP, DAP, BIRP)
- Session insights and analytics
- Good transcription accuracy
Cons
- Requires session recordings
- Higher price point ($69-99/mo)
- Clients must consent to recording
- Limited EHR integrations
Mentalyc Pricing
Mentalyc starts at $69/month for their basic plan and goes up to $99/month for unlimited notes. Annual plans offer some savings.
Who Mentalyc is Best For
Therapists who are comfortable recording sessions and want detailed transcripts along with their notes. Works best for practices where clients don't mind being recorded.
2. Upheal
Upheal combines AI note-taking with analytics and outcome tracking. It's designed for therapists who want insights into their practice along with documentation help.
Pros
- Session analytics and insights
- Outcome tracking features
- Video telehealth integration
- Treatment progress monitoring
Cons
- Requires video/audio recording
- Complex setup process
- May be overkill for simple needs
- Recording consent requirements
Upheal Pricing
Upheal pricing starts around $49/month for basic features and goes up to $79/month for their full suite including analytics and unlimited sessions.
Who Upheal is Best For
Data-driven therapists who want analytics about their sessions and don't mind the recording requirement. Good for practices focused on outcome measurement.
3. Autonotes
Autonotes is a more budget-friendly option in the AI therapy notes space. It transcribes sessions and generates notes in various formats.
Pros
- Lower price point
- Simple, straightforward interface
- Multiple note templates
- Quick transcription
Cons
- Still requires recording
- Copy/paste into EHR
- Less polished than competitors
- Fewer advanced features
Autonotes Pricing
Autonotes is one of the more affordable options, starting at $29/month with plans up to $49/month for additional features.
Who Autonotes is Best For
Budget-conscious therapists who want basic AI note generation and don't need advanced features. Best for those who are okay with copy/paste workflows.
4. SOAP Note Buddy
SOAP Note Buddy takes a fundamentally different approach: it generates therapy notes without requiring session recordings. It's a Chrome extension that works directly in your EHR, auto-filling every field in your documentation.
Pros
- No session recording required
- Works with ANY web-based EHR
- Auto-fills fields directly in your system
- No client consent for recording needed
- Instant note generation during session
- Simple, affordable pricing ($49/mo)
Cons
- Chrome browser only
- Shorter free trial (3 days)
- No session transcript
SOAP Note Buddy Pricing
SOAP Note Buddy is $49/month with unlimited notes. No per-note fees, no hidden costs. Cancel anytime.
Who SOAP Note Buddy is Best For
Any therapist who doesn't want to record sessions. Whether it's for privacy reasons, client comfort, or simply preference - SOAP Note Buddy lets you get AI-powered documentation without the recording hassle. Perfect for mental health professionals who want to focus on the session, not the technology.
Many clients are uncomfortable with session recordings - especially in mental health settings where privacy is paramount. SOAP Note Buddy lets you offer AI-assisted documentation without asking clients to consent to being recorded.
The Key Difference: Recording vs No Recording
The biggest decision when choosing an AI scribe for therapy is whether you want to record sessions or not.
Recording-Based AI Scribes
- Mentalyc, Upheal, Autonotes
- Must record every session
- Need client consent for recording
- Notes generated after session ends
- Some clients uncomfortable with recording
- More complex workflow
No Recording Required
- SOAP Note Buddy
- No recording needed
- No special consent required
- Notes generated during/immediately after
- Client privacy fully preserved
- Simple, streamlined workflow
For many mental health professionals, the no-recording approach is a game-changer. It preserves the therapeutic relationship, eliminates consent complications, and lets you focus entirely on your client.
Which AI Scribe Should You Choose?
Choose SOAP Note Buddy if:
- You don't want to record therapy sessions
- Your clients value privacy and discretion
- You want AI notes without changing your workflow
- You use any web-based EHR system
- You want simple, affordable pricing
Choose Mentalyc if:
- You want detailed session transcripts
- Your clients are comfortable being recorded
- You value session analytics and insights
- Budget isn't a primary concern
Choose Upheal if:
- You primarily do video telehealth
- You want outcome tracking built-in
- Analytics and data are important to you
- You're comfortable with a learning curve
Choose Autonotes if:
- Budget is your top priority
- You just need basic transcription and notes
- You don't mind copy/paste workflows
- Simple is more important than feature-rich
Ready to Save Hours on Documentation?
Try SOAP Note Buddy free for 3 days. No recording required. Works with any EHR.
Start Your Free TrialFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to record therapy sessions to use AI for notes?
Not with SOAP Note Buddy. While most AI scribes (Mentalyc, Upheal, Autonotes) require session recordings, SOAP Note Buddy generates notes without any recording. You simply enter patient information and it auto-fills your EHR documentation.
Are these AI scribes HIPAA compliant?
Yes, all four options reviewed here (Mentalyc, Upheal, Autonotes, and SOAP Note Buddy) are HIPAA compliant. SOAP Note Buddy automatically scrubs PHI before AI processing and uses HIPAA-compliant servers with a BAA.
Which AI scribe works with my EHR?
SOAP Note Buddy works with any web-based EHR system - it detects fields automatically and fills them directly. Other tools like Mentalyc and Upheal have limited integrations, and Autonotes requires copy/paste.
What if my clients don't want to be recorded?
This is exactly why SOAP Note Buddy was created. Many therapy clients are uncomfortable with session recordings. SOAP Note Buddy gives you AI-powered documentation without requiring any recording or special consent.
Can I use these for SOAP, DAP, or BIRP notes?
Yes, most AI scribes support multiple note formats. SOAP Note Buddy adapts to whatever fields are in your EHR, whether you're writing SOAP notes, DAP notes, BIRP notes, or any other format.