NoteDesigner vs Mentalyc
Two of the AI therapy scribes we track, compared on the dimensions that actually determine fit: clinical note quality, compliance, EHR integration and pricing.
Key takeaways
- NoteDesigner starts at From $14.95/mo or one-time $199 license; Mentalyc starts at From $39.99/mo (intro tier).
- HIPAA: NoteDesigner — Yes; Mentalyc — Yes.
- Note formats: NoteDesigner — SOAP, DAP, BIRP, Narrative, Custom; Mentalyc — SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, Narrative, Custom.
- Regions: NoteDesigner — US, CA, UK, EU; Mentalyc — US, CA.
Side-by-side
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 6.8 / 10 | 8.4 / 10 |
| Status | Provisional | Hands-on tested |
| Starting price | From $14.95/mo or one-time $199 license | From $39.99/mo (intro tier) |
| Free tier | No | No |
| Free trial | 7 days | 14 days |
| HIPAA + BAA | Yes | Yes |
| SOC 2 | — | Yes |
| GDPR | Partial | Partial |
| 42 CFR Part 2 | — | — |
| Note formats | SOAP, DAP, BIRP, Narrative, Custom | SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, Narrative, Custom |
| Languages | 2 | 1 |
| Regions | US, CA, UK, EU | US, CA |
| EHR integrations | 0 | 2 |
| Founded | 2014 | 2021 |
| HQ | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | New York, NY, USA |
NoteDesigner
Long-running therapy documentation tool (founded by a Canadian clinical psychologist) that is structurally different from ambient scribes: you select therapy interventions, themes and goals from menus, and NoteDesigner composes a note. No live audio capture. Useful as a complement to an ambient tool, or for clinicians uncomfortable with recording sessions. One-time license available.
Read the full NoteDesigner review →Mentalyc
One of the longest-running therapy-specific scribes. Template library is the broadest we tested — couples, family, group, EMDR, CBT, DBT and standard SOAP/DAP/BIRP variants are all available without manual prompting. Note quality on talk-therapy sessions is consistent. HIPAA-aligned with BAA; audio handling and retention are documented. Telehealth capture works via browser extension and dictation. Pricing is published and there is a free trial; the lowest tier is more expensive than the Upheal entry point. EHR integration is still mostly export-based.
Read the full Mentalyc review →Bottom line
Pick NoteDesigner if you need therapists who want a deterministic, prompt-based note builder rather than ambient recording. Pick Mentalyc if you need established practices that need reliable progress notes across many modalities. Verify on a live session before committing — both publish trials or free tiers worth using.
FAQ
Which is better, NoteDesigner or Mentalyc?
On our editorial rubric, Mentalyc scores higher (8.4 vs 6.8). Best fit depends on your country, EHR, and budget — see the side-by-side table above.
Is NoteDesigner cheaper than Mentalyc?
NoteDesigner starts at From $14.95/mo or one-time $199 license; Mentalyc starts at From $39.99/mo (intro tier).
Are both NoteDesigner and Mentalyc HIPAA-compliant?
NoteDesigner's HIPAA stance is "yes"; Mentalyc's is "yes" as of our last verification.
Which note formats do NoteDesigner and Mentalyc support?
NoteDesigner: SOAP, DAP, BIRP, Narrative, Custom. Mentalyc: SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, Narrative, Custom.
Do NoteDesigner or Mentalyc integrate with SimplePractice or TherapyNotes?
NoteDesigner has 0 published EHR integration(s); Mentalyc has 2. Most therapy scribes today use copy-paste rather than native write-back.