Some EHRs are trying to ride the AI wave by adding note-taking features, but are they getting it right? We took a closer look at TherapyFuel by TherapyNotes and compared it with Mentalyc, a platform built specifically for insurance-ready therapy documentation. Who nails it, and who’s just pretending? In this comparison of Mentalyc vs TherapyFuel, let’s break it down and help you pick the better tool.
Mentalyc vs TherapyFuel Features Comparison Chart
Data Security & Privacy – Mentalyc vs TherapyFuel for Privacy and Compliance
Mentalyc
✅ Data protection & Confidentiality are at the core of what Mentalyc does. The platform is built from the ground up to protect client data and meet the highest privacy standards, including HIPAA, SOC2, PHIPA, PIPEDA, and the New Zealand Privacy Act, making it truly HIPAA-compliant therapy note software.
✅ Every therapist using Mentalyc gets a Business Associate Agreement (BAA), which guarantees their data is handled with the strictest security and legal compliance, delivering truly secure data handling for therapists.
✅ To improve note quality, Mentalyc may use fully de-identified data – but only fully identified. Therapists on the SUPER plan can easily opt out of AI training, reinforcing its reputation for Mentalyc HIPAA compliant notes.
Therapy Fuel
✅ TherapyFuel is covered under our BAA with you.
✅ TherapyNotes claims that they never sell any data to any third party.
❌ However, Therapy Fuel uses an AI model provided by a third-party vendor, which raises potential concerns about data security related to the processing of sensitive information by external parties. They claim that any partners they work with also follow the same strict rules and can only use the data to provide the service – nothing else. However, risks remain: data leaves the platform’s environment, limiting direct control and increasing exposure to potential errors or data breaches. This difference matters when deciding between Mentalyc or TherapyFuel for secure AI note-taking for therapists.
❌ The copy about enabling the AI Feature is confusing and unclear. It mentions a free trial, but doesn’t specify whether that’s limited to the feature or the entire app. You only find out the real deal after you click the purchase button – instead of asking you to confirm, it just activates the feature and charges you more. This feels unfair and misleading because it doesn’t give users enough opportunity to think and make an informed decision.
Mentalyc vs TherapyFuel Pricing Comparison
| Feature / Plan | Mentalyc | TherapyFuel by TherapyNotes |
| Base Price | USD 14.99 /month | USD 59 /month |
| AI Note Automation | ✅ Fully automated AI-generated therapy progress notes | ❌ Only partial automation; manual input required |
| Note Formats Supported | SOAP, DAP, and more | SOAP only |
| Session Types Supported | Individual, Couples, Family, Group | Individual only |
| Customer Support | ✅ Human support, FAQs, in-app guidance | ⚠ Limited live support; trial-and-error learning |
For more details, visit the pricing page.
Notes & Customization: Mentalyc or TherapyFuel – which One should I use?
Mentalyc
✅ Mentalyc goes far beyond progress notes – it supports the entire clinical workflow, including intake, treatment planning, risk assessments, biopsychosocial evaluations, and safety plans, making it a truly streamlined documentation process for busy clinicians.
✅ From solo practice to team settings and supervision, Mentalyc adjusts to your needs and supports work with individuals, couples, families, and groups. This flexibility is why many recommend Mentalyc for couples and family therapy.
✅ Supports multiple note formats – including SOAP, DAP, MSE notes, and more, ensuring it works as an AI therapy documentation software across different frameworks.
✅ Works with a wide range of therapy modalities – CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT, EMDR, Play Therapy, Brainspotting, and others, making it one of the best AI note-taking tools for therapists who value versatility.
✅ Offers flexible, customizable templates to match your clinical style and workflow.
✅ Notes are fully automated, require minimum input from you – just enough to personalize and improve their accuracy, delivering accurate AI progress notes for therapists every time.
Therapy Fuel
❌ Currently, Therapy Fuel supports only individual (1-on-1) therapy sessions. Group, family, or couples sessions are not available, which can be a significant drawback when comparing Mentalyc vs TherapyFuel for mental health professionals.
❌ Therapy Progress Note Only. No intake. No Psychiatry Notes, No Treatment Plans, etc.
❌ No supervision notes.
❌ It supports only progress notes and only in the SOAP format, which may limit flexibility for therapists who use other frameworks.
❌ Even when notes are automated, you still need to add important details manually – filling in sections like Current Mental Status, Risk Assessment, and Interventions before generating the note to ensure better results.
❌ TherapyFuel allows only one primary approach to treatment per note, used to guide the overall tone and structure. While you can still include interventions from different modalities, this setup may still feel limiting for therapists who use a more eclectic approach.
❌ The Clinical Voice settings feature feels confusing because it’s not clear what each setting does. The terms are vague, there’s no preview to show how changes affect the note, and it’s hard to tell how much impact moving a slider will have. For example, does nudging it toward “Verbose” significantly change the output, or does it barely make a difference?
Recording & Integration: TherapyFuel vs Mentalyc – Unbiased Review
Mentalyc
✅ Whether you’re seeing clients in person or online, you’ve got flexible ways to capture your sessions. Use the built-in audio recorder or stick with tools you already know and prefer (e.g., Zoom). This flexibility is a big win for those comparing Mentalyc vs TherapyFuel for private practice.
✅ Already have a recording? No problem – just upload your pre-recorded sessions and let the platform take it from there. These video and audio session capture AI tools make documentation seamless.
✅ Not into recording? You can also summarize your session afterward by dictating your notes or typing them out manually – whatever works best for your flow, while still benefiting from Mentalyc therapy notes automation to save time and effort.
Therapy Fuel
✅ You can manually enter a session summary to create a foundation for a progress note.
❌ Uploading transcripts isn’t supported, which limits the ability to create AI-generated therapy progress notes from existing sessions.
❌ Works exclusively with its built-in telehealth platform and integrated audio recording. Third-party recording tools (e.g., Zoom) are not supported, which limits flexibility for therapists who prefer other platforms.
❌ The Therapy Fuel fills in only the SOAP sections in the note, leaving the rest for the user to complete manually. You’ll still need to enter the treatment approach, a brief session summary, and fill out additional sections like risk assessment and interventions. This is worth considering when asking: Mentalyc or TherapyFuel – which is better?
Treatment Planning & Analytics – Mentalyc vs TherapyFuel AI Note Comparison
Mentalyc
✅ Treatment planning made easy – set SMART goals, choose from suggested objectives and interventions, and tailor everything to fit your approach and each client’s unique needs, making it one of the best clinical note-taking software options for therapists.
The only tool you’ll need for notes
From intake to progress and treatment planning — automated, and aligned with your clinical style.
- SOAP, DAP, BIRP & EMDR notes
- Alliance signals
- SMART treatment plans
- HIPAA & PHIPA compliant
✅ Build your way – start with audit-ready templates or customize your treatment plans by selecting the exact sections you need. These automated treatment planning tools allow for a fully tailored approach, saving time and improving efficiency.
✅ Golden Thread – Mentalyc keeps your notes consistent and connected, so the full story of your client’s progress is always visible, enabling consistent AI-assisted therapy note generation across sessions.
✅ Progress tracking – automatic updates and clean visual dashboards let you easily spot client growth over time, keeping both you and your clients engaged and motivated.
✅ Therapeutic Alliance insights – with the Alliance Ginie™ feature, you get constant feedback from the session, as if you had a supervisor.
Therapy Fuel
❌ No treatment planning, which is a key limitation when asking: Is Mentalyc better than TherapyFuel?
❌ No analytics and insights.
Ease of Use: Which Therapy Note Tool Integrates Better – Mentalyc or TherapyFuel?
Mentalyc
✅ User-friendly and intuitive, no matter your tech experience. No tricky setups, steep learning curves, or complex integrations – just log in and dive right in.
✅ To get you started smoothly, there’s a demo note you can explore that shows exactly how the system works, hassle-free.
✅ Mentalyc continually improves to be even more accessible for neurodivergent users, such as those with ADHD and autism, by focusing on clear, simple design and features that minimize cognitive strain.
Therapy Fuel
❌ The user interface feels clunky and confusing, especially around settings and note generation. There’s no clear explanation of what each option does, leaving users to guess how their choices will impact the final result.
❌ Intake sessions aren’t supported, but this critical detail is nowhere to be found until you hit a wall trying to generate one. The UI doesn’t warn or guide you.
❌ Additionally, automated emails sent to clients use generic placeholder names like “Joe Doe.” It’s a small detail, but it comes across as careless and unprofessional – something that could easily damage trust before the session even starts.
❌ The interface can feel quite overwhelming and may be challenging for neurodivergent users to navigate easily.
Access to Help
Mentalyc
✅ Provides a wealth of helpful resources like blogs, articles, FAQs, and in-app tips to guide you every step of the way, making it one of the most clinician-friendly AI tools available.
✅ You can easily report any issues through the platform or book a call and speak directly with a real team member – no bots, no waiting, just human support whenever you need it, which enhances therapy software usability for clinicians.
Therapy Fuel
✅ Most users appreciate the quick responses and friendly staff.
❌ Some users feel frustrated by the limited live support and mention that issues are sometimes blamed on them or treated as user errors.
❌ Since the in-app support isn’t very helpful, learning how to use the AI tool ends up being mostly trial and error.
Our Choice: Mentalyc
Let’s start with this: while Mentalyc is designed with therapists in mind – built to help them create better notes and take the burden of manual documentation off their shoulders – Therapy Fuel Scribe is just an add-on to an EHR system, for which users have to pay extra ($40 per user).
In Mentalyc, the entire team effort goes into generating high-quality notes that are tailored to the therapist’s workflow and preferences, audit-proof, and supported by insights that help measure treatment progress and enhance clinical thinking – almost like built-in supervision. This includes access to best SOAP and DAP note templates and more for every session type.
In contrast, Therapy Fuel only offers the bare minimum needed to produce a note, and only in a single format. It only supports progress notes for individual sessions with SOAP format – no options for couples or family sessions, and no tailoring for different modalities.
Therapy Fuel only works when you’re using its built-in telehealth feature, which means you can’t upload transcripts. Plus, that’s quite a difference compared to what Mentalyc offers – letting you tailor the note-taking process to fit your workflow, clinical style, and insurance needs, so the notes feel like your own. Choosing between “Mentalyc or TherapyFuel – best AI therapy software in 2025” becomes clear once you consider these advantages.
The Therapy Fuel user interface isn’t very intuitive and can be tricky to navigate, especially when creating notes or managing telehealth sessions. The note-taking process involves a lot of manual steps and isn’t fully automated, unlike the smoother and more automated experience with Mentalyc.
If you want a solution that genuinely supports you in creating insurance-ready and high-quality notes – not a shortcut or simple Electronic Health Records (EHR) add-ons – choose Mentalyc. Finally, a documentation & clinical intelligence tool that understands your world – making note-taking easier, faster, and more tailored to your style.
Mentalyc vs TherapyFuel Pros and Cons
| Feature / Aspect | Mentalyc | TherapyFuel by TherapyNotes |
| Pros | ✅ Fully automated AI progress notes for therapists ✅ Supports individual, couples, family, and group sessions ✅ Multiple note formats (SOAP, DAP, etc.) ✅ Flexible, customizable templates ✅ HIPAA-compliant therapy note software ✅ Supports multiple therapy modalities ✅ Built-in treatment planning and dashboards ✅ Integrates with Zoom, uploads recordings, manual dictation | ✅ Quick support for basic questions ✅ SOAP format works for basic individual sessions |
| Cons | ❌ Paid plans may be higher than basic EHR add-ons ❌ Some features may require learning curve | ❌ Limited to individual SOAP notes ❌ No treatment planning, dashboards, or analytics ❌ Relies on third-party AI for notes, raising security concerns ❌ Cannot upload pre-recorded sessions or use external integrations ❌ User interface can feel confusing for new therapists ❌ Limited support for couples, family, or group sessions |