CounSol vs FYL.care — Honest Comparison for Private Practice Therapists
CounSol or FYL.care for your private practice? Detailed comparison: pricing, features, compliance, customer support. See why a 100% free platform can go head-to-head with a $69.95/month paid solution.
FYL.care Team
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CounSol vs FYL.care — Honest Comparison for Private Practice Therapists
When you're launching or running a mental health private practice, choosing the right practice management software is a decision that shapes your daily workflow — and your bottom line. CounSol.com has built a strong reputation in the United States as a go-to platform for solo therapists. FYL.care makes the same all-in-one promise, but with a radically different approach: 100% free, forever, no credit card required.
This isn't a boxing match. It's a clear-eyed look at what each platform brings to the table — and what it actually costs you.
CounSol.com at a Glance
Founded in 2011 in Orlando, Florida, CounSol.com is a cloud-based EHR and practice management platform designed exclusively for therapists, counselors, psychologists, and social workers in private practice. The company has remained independent — a rarity in a market where most small vendors have been acquired by private equity or larger health IT firms.
Positioning: a straightforward, relatively affordable tool with exceptional personalized customer support. Every user gets a dedicated account manager — a luxury larger platforms like SimplePractice don't offer.
User Rating: 4.7/5 (542 Capterra reviews).
CounSol Pricing (2026)
| Plan | Price/month | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $49.95 | Online booking, SMS/email reminders, client portal |
| Premium | $69.95 | Basic + clinical notes, billing, full EHR |
| Pro | $99.95 | Premium + integrated telehealth, advanced features |
The Basic plan is misleading: without clinical notes and billing, it doesn't cover the minimum expected of a practice management platform. Realistically, the entry-level price is $69.95/month — that's $839/year.
FYL.care at a Glance
FYL.care is a Canadian practice management platform for helping-relationship professionals: psychologists, social workers, psychotherapists, occupational therapists, psychoeducators, and certified coaches.
Positioning: 100% free, no time limits, no credit card required. The platform covers the full practice management cycle: appointment scheduling, client records, session notes, billing and receipts, and a secure client portal.
Compliance: Canadian-hosted, Law 25 (Québec) compliant, PIPEDA compliant, PHIPA compliant.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | CounSol (Premium, $69.95/mo) | FYL.care (Free) |
|---|---|---|
| Online scheduling | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automated reminders (SMS/email) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Client records | ✅ | ✅ |
| Session notes (SOAP/DAP) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Treatment plans | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom intake forms | ✅ | ✅ |
| Billing and receipts | ✅ | ✅ |
| Secure client portal | ✅ | ✅ |
| Integrated telehealth | ❌ (Pro only, $99.95) | ✅ (free) |
| Secure messaging | ✅ | ✅ |
| White-label branding | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dedicated account manager | ✅ | ❌ (standard support) |
| Mobile app | ✅ | ✅ (PWA) |
| Law 25 / PIPEDA compliant | ❌ (US servers, HIPAA) | ✅ (Canadian hosting) |
| Bilingual interface (FR/EN) | ❌ (English only) | ✅ (bilingual FR/EN) |
| Annual cost | $839 USD | $0 |
What CounSol Does Really Well
1. White-Label Client Portal
This is CounSol's crown jewel. Most EHRs slap their own branding on the client portal. CounSol lets you customize everything: logo, colors, welcome message, even a custom domain. For a therapist building a professional brand, this is a genuine advantage. FYL.care also offers a customizable portal, but without the custom domain option.
2. Client Journal Feature
Unique to CounSol: a between-session journaling space the client can optionally share with their therapist. It's a small touch that can enrich therapeutic work.
3. Personalized Support
Every CounSol user gets a dedicated account manager. In an industry where customer support is often the weak link, CounSol stands out clearly.
4. Proven Stability
14 years in business, 542 verified reviews, a solid installed base. CounSol isn't a startup pivoting every six months.
Where CounSol Falls Short
1. Telehealth Costs Extra
In 2026, restricting video sessions to the $99.95/month Pro plan is hard to justify. FYL.care includes it for free, as do most modern platforms.
2. The Interface Is Showing Its Age
Multiple user reviews mention an interface that "feels dated." It's not a dealbreaker, but the user experience lags behind newer competitors.
3. No Canadian Compliance
CounSol runs on US-based servers (Tier-IV data centers) and is HIPAA-certified — the US standard. But HIPAA carries zero legal weight in Canada. For a Québec therapist subject to Law 25, or an Ontario professional under PHIPA, storing health data on a US server exposes you to compliance risks — especially since the CLOUD Act allows US authorities to access data held by US companies, even abroad.
4. No French Interface
The interface is English-only. For francophone clients in Québec, Ontario, or France, that's a significant barrier.
5. High Payment Processing Fees
Several Capterra reviewers flag credit card processing fees (via Cardpointe) as a pain point. Some therapists opt for an external payment solution to save money.
The Real Cost of Paid Software for a Solo Therapist
Let's run the numbers. A therapist launching a private practice in Canada:
- CounSol Premium: $69.95 USD/month × 12 = $839 USD/year
- CAD conversion (rate
1.37): **$1,150 CAD/year** - Payment processing fees: ~2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
- At 15 clients/week at $130/session: ~$290 USD/year in processing fees
Estimated annual total: ~$1,100 USD, or ~$1,500 CAD.
That's not astronomical, but for a therapist in their first year generating maybe $50,000 in gross revenue, it represents 3% of their income. And it's recurring, year after year.
With FYL.care, that same therapist keeps that $1,500 — with no functional compromise.
Why Is FYL.care Free?
It's a fair question. FYL.care is an open-source project maintained by a passionate team, funded through donations and sponsorships. The model is transparent: the software stays free for practitioners, and revenue comes from optional services (like deep integrations with third-party APIs) and community support.
This isn't a disguised "freemium" — there's no paid tier hiding behind the free label. No client limits. No feature gates. What you see is what you get.
Verdict: Who Should Choose What?
Choose CounSol if:
- You practice exclusively in the United States
- A white-label portal with a custom domain is non-negotiable
- You want a dedicated account manager
- Budget isn't a concern
Choose FYL.care if:
- You practice in Canada and need Law 25 / PIPEDA / PHIPA compliance
- You want a bilingual French/English interface
- You're launching your private practice and every dollar counts
- You prefer a modern, actively updated tool
- You want integrated telehealth without paying extra
FAQ
Is CounSol compliant with Québec's Law 25?
No. CounSol is HIPAA-certified (the US health data protection standard). Québec's Law 25 (and Canada's PIPEDA) impose different obligations, particularly around data hosting. CounSol's servers are in the United States, meaning your Québec clients' data would be subject to the US CLOUD Act — a direct conflict with Law 25 requirements.
Is FYL.care truly free, or is it a limited trial?
FYL.care is 100% free, with no time limits and no credit card required. There are no hidden paid plans, no client limits, no features locked behind a subscription. The model is open source and community-funded.
Does CounSol offer a French version?
No. CounSol's interface is English-only. Client forms and the portal can be manually configured in other languages, but the administrator interface remains in English.
Which software is easier to use?
Both platforms are designed for therapists, not IT professionals. CounSol benefits from 14 years of maturity but some reviews note an aging interface. FYL.care offers a modern interface with intuitive navigation. Your comfort with English will also factor into the decision.
Can I migrate my records from CounSol to FYL.care?
Yes. FYL.care provides a data import tool to ease the transition from another platform. The support team can guide you through the migration process.
FYL.care — The 100% free practice management platform for helping-relationship professionals.
Try FYL.care for free — Free. No credit card. Forever.