Best AI Progress Note Tools for LCSWs (2026)
By Ilan Sender, Founder & Editor · Last updated Aug 8, 2026
ClinicAI is independently researched and edited. We are not clinicians, and nothing here is medical advice — we compare practice software so you can decide. How we evaluate tools.
This is an independent editorial comparison based on vendor documentation, pricing, and security pages — not on reviews collected on this site. We have not tested note accuracy; trial any shortlist on your own visit types before paying. See our methodology.
| Feature | Mentalyc | AutoNotes | Upheal | Supanote | Yung Sidekick |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99–$119.99/mo | $29–$69/mo | Free + up to $69/mo | $29.99–$89.99/mo | $39.99–$99.99/mo |
| Free Trial | 14 days | 7 days | 30 days | 14 days | 30 days |
| Rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet | No reviews yet | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| HIPAA | Independently audited | Self-reported | Independently audited | Self-reported | Self-reported |
| Top EHRs | SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, Jane | None documented | None documented | None documented | None documented |
| Best For | Therapists on SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, Jane, or TheraNest who want notes pushed into their EHR instead of copy-paste | High-volume note writers on a budget — flat plans with unlimited notes on every tier | Therapists with lighter caseloads (pay-per-session pricing) or anyone open to replacing their EHR entirely | Multilingual practices and therapists who see couples and want that supported at the entry price | Price-sensitive solo therapists who want session insights and analytics, not just notes |
| Accuracy | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Setup Ease | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Our Recommendation
For LCSWs needing named BIRP/GIRP formats, AutoNotes is the only tool in our data that documents both — every plan, unlimited notes at $29/month (self-reported HIPAA). For strict, independently-audited compliance and EHR push, Mentalyc (SOC 2 Type II, pushes into SimplePractice/TherapyNotes/Jane/TheraNest; confirm Pro-tier formats directly, budget for the $69.99 tier). For a built-in compliance checker and treatment-plan continuity, Upheal's compliance checker (per its own documentation) and golden-thread plans (SOC 2 Type II). Take the quiz to match your setting.
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Take the 30-second quizLCSWs Document Across Settings — Pick for Format and Compliance Range
Licensed Clinical Social Workers work across more settings than most clinicians — agency, community mental health, private practice, integrated care — which means LCSW documentation spans SOAP, DAP, BIRP, and GIRP, individual through group, and a range of payer requirements. The right AI notes tool is one whose format coverage and compliance posture match wherever you practice.
Nothing here is clinical or licensure guidance.
Matching Tools to LCSW Realities
- AutoNotes — the widest documented format coverage for the range LCSWs span: SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, group, couples, family, and EMDR, all on every plan, with unlimited notes at $29/month (Economy). Built-in client records suit a private LCSW practice with no separate EHR. HIPAA self-reported ("HIPAA-aligned"); BAA with every customer.
- Mentalyc — built for behavioral health, with additional note formats and CPT codes at the $69.99 Pro tier and real push into SimplePractice/TherapyNotes/Jane/TheraNest. HIPAA independently audited (SOC 2 Type II) — the strongest compliance posture if you're in a setting with strict data requirements. $19.99–$119.99/month by note volume. (Our data doesn't enumerate its Pro-tier formats, so confirm BIRP/GIRP directly if you require them.)
- Upheal — SOAP, DAP, and Intake note formats, treatment plans with golden-thread continuity, and a compliance checker (per Upheal's own documentation). HIPAA independently audited (SOC 2 Type II), $1/session capped at $69/month, free plan for basic notes.
- Supanote — common formats plus 100+ language auto-detection (useful for LCSWs serving multilingual communities); couples at the entry tier. HIPAA self-reported.
- Yung Sidekick — multiple formats per session plus progress analytics; $39.99/month for up to 130 sessions (no free plan). HIPAA self-reported.
The Honest Recommendation for LCSWs
If you work in agency or community mental health where named BIRP/GIRP formats matter, AutoNotes is the only tool in our data that documents both — on every plan, unlimited notes at $29/month (self-reported HIPAA). If strict, independently-audited compliance and EHR push matter more, Mentalyc carries a SOC 2 Type II attestation and pushes notes into the major private-practice therapy EHRs (SimplePractice, TherapyNotes, Jane, TheraNest), though our data doesn't enumerate its Pro-tier formats — confirm BIRP/GIRP directly. Budget for its $69.99 Pro tier if you need couples or its full format set.
If you're in private practice and want the widest format coverage at the lowest cost, AutoNotes ($29/month, unlimited notes, all formats including BIRP/GIRP on every plan) is the value pick — accepting its self-reported HIPAA posture (BAA included).
If a built-in compliance checker and treatment-plan continuity are your focus, Upheal's compliance checker (per its own documentation) and golden-thread treatment plans speak directly to that, with a SOC 2 Type II attestation and pay-per-session pricing.
All offer a BAA. We have no review data to rank these by real-world LCSW satisfaction, and we won't invent any — trial two before you commit.
Want a shortlist scored to your setting, formats, and budget? Take the 30-second matcher quiz.