JaneApp vs. TheraNest: How They Compare for Mental Health Practices
Takeaways
- JaneApp = clean, flexible, best for private-pay
- TheraNest = therapist-friendly, better for insurance billing
- Both get the job done, but they feel very different
- Try both. Seriously. You’ll know within a week which one clicks
So, full disclosure, I’ve used both JaneApp and TheraNest at different stages of my private practice. If you’re a therapist trying to figure out which software to go with, I’ve been there.
When I first started out, I had no idea how much time I’d spend in these platforms. Scheduling, billing, writing notes, sending reminders, all of it. And I’ll be honest, I made my choice at first based on what looked nicer. (Not the best move.)
Here’s what I’ve learned after using both, the good, the annoying, and what actually made my life easier.
The Short Version
If you just want a quick answer:
- JaneApp feels cleaner and more modern. Great if you’re getting private-pay or insurance clients and want them to have a smooth experience.
- TheraNest is more therapy-specific. If you bill insurance or need templates for notes, it saves a ton of time.
Now, here’s the longer version, the stuff I wish someone told me before I picked one.
Design & Everyday Use
JaneApp
Jane is sleek. The calendar’s smooth, the menus make sense, and once I got the hang of it, it just felt fast. Clients seemed to like the online booking, too, no clunky logins or weird password issues.
But (there’s always a but), it’s not only made for mental health, so some parts felt… general? I had to tweak things to make it feel like my workflow.
TheraNest
TheraNest is clearly built for therapists. Everything from intake forms to progress notes just felt familiar. I didn’t need to figure out workarounds. But the design? It feels like 2012. Not terrible, but not exactly inspiring to use either.
Verdict:
- Want a smoother, more modern feel? Go with Jane.
Want a platform that speaks “therapist” right out of the box? TheraNest.
Notes & Charting
This one’s a little tricky.
In Jane, I could use prebuilt templates or build my own templates (which took time), but once I had them set up, they worked the way I think.
TheraNest? It already had most of what I needed, SOAP notes, treatment plans, diagnosis tracking, all ready to go. But it’s less flexible if you want to customize.
My take:
If you’re new to private practice and don’t want to fiddle with templates, TheraNest is easier. If you’ve got a very specific way you like to document (or you’re a bit of a system-builder), Jane gives you more control.
Telehealth
They both offer secure, HIPAA-compliant video.
I’ve had fewer tech issues with Jane’s telehealth feature. It just opens in the browser, no downloads or weird glitches.
TheraNest worked most of the time, but I had a couple of sessions freeze or drop, which isn’t fun mid-session.
Winner: Jane, at least from my experience.
Billing & Payments
This depends a lot on how you get paid.
JaneApp
Fantastic for private-pay. You can take payments online, issue receipts automatically, and it integrates with Stripe. Super smooth.
But it doesn’t do insurance. Like, at all. No claim submission, no ERA/EOB tracking. That’s a deal-breaker for some.
TheraNest
Not as slick with payments, but it has built-in insurance billing tools. If you work with insurance, this will save you hours (and probably a few headaches too).
Real-world tip:
If you do any insurance billing, go with TheraNest. If you’re 100% private-pay? Jane is easier.
Pricing
When I signed up:
- JaneApp was $79/month per provider.
- TheraNest started lower, around $39 for solo providers, but the price goes up if you add features or users.
Not a huge difference, but if you’re just starting out, the lower price of TheraNest can be tempting.
Support & Learning Curve
I’ve had solid experiences with both.
Jane’s support team is fast, I usually got a reply within a couple of hours. Plus, they have a ton of helpful guides and videos.
TheraNest was fine, but slower. I had to wait a day or more sometimes, which was frustrating when I was stuck.
Also, Jane has a steeper learning curve at first. It took me a week or so to feel comfortable. TheraNest was easier to pick up right away
So… Which One Would I Choose Now?
Honestly? It depends on where you’re at.
Choose JaneApp if:
- You don’t bill insurance
- You want something polished
- You care about user experience (for both you and your clients)
- You’re okay setting up your own note templates
Choose TheraNest if:
- You bill insurance or work with EHRs
- You want built-in treatment planning tools
- You’re a solo or small group practice
You need to get started quickly, without a big learning curve
Final Thoughts (No Buzzwords, Just Real Talk)
If you’re still stuck deciding, don’t overthink it. Try both. They each have free trials, and within a few days, you’ll know which one fits your brain better.
I started with Jane because it looked better. Then switched to TheraNest when I started taking insurance. Now, weirdly enough, I kind of miss parts of both.
There’s no perfect platform, just what works better for your situation.
If you’re choosing between them now, you’re already doing the right thing: thinking ahead and planning for what kind of practice you want to build.
You Don’t Need to Be a Numbers Person
I used to think reports were for data nerds – turns out, they’re for anyone who wants to run a better clinic.
Jane makes it easy to see what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus next.
Use code ACCELERATE10 to get 1 month free on your JaneApp subscription and start using your data without the overwhelm.
The Tab You’ve Probably Been Ignoring
If you’ve never clicked on the “Reports” tab in Jane, trust me — it’s worth it.
It helped me spot problems early, celebrate team wins, and actually feel in control of my clinic.
Thinking of diving in? Use ACCELERATE10 to get 1 month free on your JaneApp subscription.