Cliniko vs SimplePractice vs NextGen Healthcare EHR vs Athenahealth EHR Comparison
Cliniko
Starting at $45 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Individuals
- Large Enterprises
Cliniko is software specially developed by allied health and clinical professionals that donates 2% of subscription fees to charity each month. An ideal choice for people who care, Cliniko is easy to use and without cont…
SimplePractice
Starting at $39 /Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
SimplePractice is your ideal practice management and EHR partner, integrating online appointment requests, telehealth and paperless intakes. A perfect choice for over 10,000 practitioners and 44M+ clients, this software…
NextGen Healthcare EHR
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
NextGen Healthcare EHR is a robust, cloud-based electronic health record platform designed to streamline clinical, operational, and revenue workflows in ambulatory care settings. Tailored for practices of all sizes, it o…
Athenahealth EHR
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Athenahealth EHR is designed to make it easy for medical professionals to stay ahead of industry changes and maintain exceptional care. This software provides accurate documentation enabling users to excel in providing q…
Cliniko leads on user satisfaction with a 4.8-star rating across 6 reviews.
Cliniko vs SimplePractice vs NextGen Healthcare EHR vs Athenahealth EHR — at a glance
| Feature | Cliniko | SimplePractice | NextGen Healthcare EHR | Athenahealth EHR |
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| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 | — | 3.3 / 5 |
| Reviews | 6 | 987 | — | 26 |
| Starting price | $45 /User/Month | $39 /Month | Contact for pricing | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Free version | No | No | No | No |
| Best for | Individuals, Large Enterprises, Medium Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Medical Practice Management Software | EHR Software | EHR Software | EHR Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud |
| API | Available | — | — | — |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online | Online | Online | Online |
| Certifications | HIPAA, GDPR | SOC 2, HIPAA | SOC 2, HIPAA | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Data residency | Global | US | Global | US |
Key differences between Cliniko and SimplePractice
- Pricing: Cliniko starts at $45 /User/Month, while SimplePractice starts at $39 /Month.
- Target audience: Cliniko is built for Individuals and Large Enterprises, while SimplePractice targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Cliniko scores higher with a 4.8-star average.
- Deployment: Cliniko supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - iOS; SimplePractice supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Compare Cliniko vs SimplePractice vs NextGen Healthcare EHR vs Athenahealth EHR — and walk away knowing which one fits.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Medical Practice Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for small to medium allied health clinics needing simple, contract-free management.
- You want easy-to-use software tailored specifically for healthcare professionals.
- You value 24/7 free customer support without long-term contracts.
- You prefer a socially responsible vendor donating part of fees to charity.
- Your organization requires extensive custom integrations or complex workflows.
- You need transparent, detailed pricing information upfront before committing.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Cliniko typically suits Individuals and Large Enterprises. SimplePractice tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Cliniko is software specially developed by allied health and clinical professionals that donates 2% of subscription fees to charity each month. An ideal choice for people who care, Cliniko ... Read More about Cliniko | SimplePractice is your ideal practice management and EHR partner, integrating online appointment requests, telehealth and paperless intakes. A perfect choice for over 10,000 practitioners ... Read More about SimplePractice | NextGen Healthcare EHR is a robust, cloud-based electronic health record platform designed to streamline clinical, operational, and revenue workflows in ambulatory care settings. Tailored ... Read More about NextGen Healthcare EHR | Athenahealth EHR is designed to make it easy for medical professionals to stay ahead of industry changes and maintain exceptional care. This software provides accurate documentation ... Read More about Athenahealth EHR |
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User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||||
Best Company Size | Small BusinessMedium Business | 1 – 50 employees | 50 – 1,000+ Employees | 5–50 Employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
No key benefits available yet.
- Streamlined Practice Management in One Platform: Offers appointment scheduling, telehealth, secure communication, paperless intake, reminders, document storage, and AutoPay — all under one clean interface.
- Reliable for Virtual and In-Person Services: Built to support hybrid care delivery with consistent tools for solo or group practitioners across both virtual and physical care models.
- Secure Client Portal and Automated Workflows: Provides clients with a secure space for messaging, intake, scheduling, and payments while automating admin tasks for the provider.
- Comprehensive feature-rich platform: Includes patient portal, specialty-specific workflows, practice management, e‑prescribing, and revenue cycle management—all under one cloud-based system.
- Customizable and scalable: Highly adaptable templates, smart phrases, and specialty modules make it a solid fit for diverse healthcare settings from outpatient to hospitals.
- Integrated patient engagement & mobility: Secure messaging, appointment management, mobile access, and population health tools improve patient experience and provider efficiency.
- Integrated billing and scheduling: Athenahealth provides seamless integration between billing, scheduling, and clinical documentation, streamlining administrative tasks and reducing errors.
- Cloud-based accessibility: Being a cloud-based platform, Athenahealth allows healthcare providers to access patient records and manage workflows remotely, enhancing flexibility and continuity of care.
- Regulatory compliance support: The system is designed to help practices comply with healthcare regulations, including HIPAA, by incorporating necessary features such as secure messaging and audit trails.
Best fit
No best-fit guidance available yet.
- 1 – 50 employees
- Mental Health, Counseling, Speech Therapy, Life Coaching, Nutrition, Wellness Services, Behavioral Health
- Therapists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Coaches, Practice Owners, Billing Coordinators, Administrative Assistants
- 50 – 1,000+ Employees
- Healthcare, Ambulatory Care, Specialty Clinics, Community Hospitals, Group Practices
- Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Practice Managers, Medical Billers, Health IT Staff, Care Coordinators
- 5–50 Employees
- General Medical Practices, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Multispecialty Clinics
- Physicians, Medical Assistants, Practice Managers, Billing Specialists, IT Support Staff
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
No alternatives guidance available yet.
- Many users find the platform’s templates and workflows too rigid, with few options for custom fields, branding, or flexible intake flows.
- Reported issues include occasional telehealth lags, syncing disruptions, and problems with ERA (Electronic Remittance Advice) payments, which can interrupt clinical and billing workflows.
- SimplePractice offers limited integrations with external billing systems, lab tools, or insurance platforms, which can be a constraint for growing practices with broader ecosystem needs.
- The interface requires significant time to master, especially for users transitioning from more intuitive platforms.
- Tasks like rescheduling appointments often involve multiple steps, increasing administrative burden.
- Users report delays and system sluggishness—sometimes exacerbated by server load or internet bandwidth issues.
- While Athenahealth offers some degree of customization, many users find it insufficient for tailoring workflows and templates to specific practice needs. This limitation can hinder efficiency and adaptability.
- Users have reported instances of system lag and slow loading times, which can disrupt clinical workflows and reduce productivity.
- The platform's complexity necessitates comprehensive training for staff, which can be time-consuming and may temporarily disrupt practice operations.
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How do Cliniko, SimplePractice, NextGen Healthcare EHR and Athenahealth EHR Compare on Features?
Total Features | 8 Features | 7 Features | 9 Features | 7 Features |
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Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Cliniko, SimplePractice, NextGen Healthcare EHR and Athenahealth EHR on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | — | ✓ Yes |
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HIPAA | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
ISO 27001 | — | ✗ No |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🇺🇸 US |
Cliniko vs SimplePractice vs NextGen Healthcare EHR User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | No reviews available for the product | |||
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Rating Distribution | ||||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall, users express high satisfaction with Cliniko's ease of use and support, though limited reviews and pricing transparency are noted concerns. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is mixed to positive across 1642 reviews, with clear strengths and a few common watchouts. What buyers like
Common complaints
| What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is mixed across 30 reviews, so it is worth reviewing the tradeoffs closely. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
| Negative Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. | No Customers information available. |  Vision Care  KATZEN EYE GROUP  Otis R. Bowen Center for Human Services | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  1 Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |
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Videos |  3 Videos |  3 Videos |
Alternatives
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Cliniko or SimplePractice?
- Cliniko edges out the other on user ratings (4.8 vs 3.8). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Cliniko and SimplePractice offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Cliniko and SimplePractice offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Cliniko vs SimplePractice?
- Cliniko starts at $45 /User/Month. SimplePractice starts at $39 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Cliniko?
- Top alternatives to Cliniko include ClinicDr, ClinicSoftware.com, Doctor Sahab, ClinaNG, Qualified.
- What are the top alternatives to SimplePractice?
- Top alternatives to SimplePractice include NextGen Healthcare EHR, Athenahealth EHR, Carepatron, TherapyAppointment, PracticeStudio.