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PracticePal vs. Zanda

The Best PracticePal Alternative for Allied Health Practitioners

What's the difference between PracticePal and Zanda?

If two-way communication and advanced appointment reminders are vital to your practice, not to mention a waitlist to fill cancellations and a brandable client portal, Zanda is the stronger choice.

PracticePal vs Zanda: Top highlights

1

Simple, inclusive subscription

Simple, inclusive subscription

Zanda's pricing is transparent: one base fee covers all features, plus variable charges for SMS. PracticePal charges extra for treatment notes, online bookings (plus a per-booking fee), finance features, and more, adding over 70% to the base cost. Data import is also an added fee with PracticePal; Zanda's is free.

2

Brandable client portal

Brandable client portal

Both systems offer a client portal, but Zanda's is far more customizable. Add your logo, header image, brand colors, booking rules, cancellation policy, and custom availability. PracticePal's portal has very limited customization options.

3

Two-way SMS and email communication

Two-way SMS and email communication

Both systems support SMS and email messaging, but only Zanda enables seamless two-way conversations from within the app, with clients, colleagues, and other providers. PracticePal's internal messaging only works between colleagues. Zanda also supports bulk SMS, bulk email, and Mailchimp integration.

4

Auto-appointment reminders with smart processing

Auto-appointment reminders with smart processing

Both systems send automated reminders, but only Zanda processes client SMS responses, automatically updating appointment status to confirmed or canceled in your calendar. Color coding shows who's confirmed and who may need a follow-up.

5

Fill cancellations with the waitlist

Fill cancellations with the waitlist

When a cancellation opens up, Zanda's waitlist lets you send a bulk SMS to a filtered group of waiting clients by preferred clinician, wait time, or availability. Slots get filled fast, with minimal manual effort. PracticePal has no waitlist feature.

See why health practices love Zanda

Zanda is purpose-built for allied health. Whether you're running a solo clinic or a multi-location practice, Zanda gives you everything you need to manage clients, notes, billing, and communications, without the limitations of add-on pricing.

40k+

Users

100k+

Invoices per month

650k+

Client notes a month

PracticePal vs Zanda: Side-by-side comparison*

Here's how Zanda and PracticePal compare across the features that matter most.

Getting started
Zanda
PracticePal
Free trial
14-day free trial with access to all features, including SMS messaging.
No. The only option is to book a demo.
Pricing model
Simple flat pricing. All features included. Pay per SMS sent.
Base subscription plus paid add-ons for treatment notes, online bookings, finance features, and more. Automated email reminders incur a per-email fee.
Money-back guarantee
Yes
No
Data import service
Comprehensive data import, free of charge.
Yes, but starts at approx. $185 USD.
Scheduling & bookings
Calendar management
Multiple appointment types with color coding, appointment flags, multiple locations, and flexible recurring availability.
Yes
Online bookings
Via the client portal at no extra subscription or per-booking fee. Auto-updates your calendar. Branded portal with logo, header image, and brand colors. Add a booking link to your website or Facebook.
Available as a paid add-on. Each successful booking incurs an additional per-booking fee. Booking link can be added to a website but not Facebook.
Waitlist
Yes
No
Client portal branding
Logo, header image, brand colors, booking rules, cancellation policy, custom availability, and personalized instructions.
Very limited customization options.
Communication
SMS & email reminders
Up to 3 SMS and email reminders per appointment with flexible sending times. Responses auto-update appointment status in the calendar.
Yes, but each automated email reminder incurs an additional fee. Responses do not update booking status.
2-Way SMS chat
Seamless two-way chat from within the app. Messages grouped into conversations.
All client communication is one-way only.
Bulk messaging
Yes, bulk SMS and email from within the app, plus Mailchimp integration.
Yes, bulk SMS and email supported.
Clinical tools
Online forms
Fully customizable templates or build your own. Collect data and signatures before sessions. Ideal for intake forms and telehealth consent.
No mention of online forms on the PracticePal website.
Treatment notes
100+ specialized, fully customizable templates with text areas, image/body charting, multiple choice, tick boxes, and more. Duplicate previous notes easily.
Yes, but available as a paid add-on only.
Telehealth
Yes
No
Payments & billing
Invoices & payments
Fully integrated. Calendar alerts for outstanding payments. Block clients from booking with unpaid invoices. Integrates with Xero, Stripe, and Tyro.
Yes, but can't set custom alerts for outstanding invoices or block bookings until settled. Integrates with Xero and Stripe, but not Tyro.
Credit card processing
At booking, during home visits, or via client portal (Stripe).
Yes, via Stripe integration (prepayments).
Client management
Client management system
Yes
Yes, but unable to record referrers.
Reports & analytics
Yes
Yes
Support & onboarding
Training & support
Expert support team via email and live chat. Full knowledge base with step-by-step guides, continuously updated.
60-min onboarding demo plus one follow-up demo. No knowledge base or live chat. Additional 30-min sessions available for a fee.
Practice Operations Manual
Industry-first feature with 100+ ready-to-use policies, fully editable.
No

*This comparison article reflects information available as of April 2020.

Still need a hand deciding?

Our team is ready to help via email, live chat, or our knowledge base.

Reviews

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Features

Learn about our practice management system.

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Pricing

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Data import

We'll help you import your data for free.

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What Practitioners Are Saying

I am a psychologist and have been using Zanda for 6+ years and have found it easy to use and have particularly liked how the program has continued to develop with new features being added regularly. As a sole practitioner with no admin support I really value all of the automation in the program that reduces my admin time.
Amy Howie
Provides clear notes that cuts through a lot of the irrelevant information provided by the patient.
Joel Ames
I love Zanda! It's so convenient and easy for my clients! They get reminders and making notes is so easy with so many templates to choose from.
Lisa Clarke Love Your Health
Before deciding on Zanda, I had tried many different systems and they just didn't give me everything I needed. My clients can book online, choose to pay before the appointment with the Stripe facility, and telehealth. I can email all my invoices easily. Easy to look up unpaid accounts and see future bookings and potential income.
Liberation Holistic Health
I'm building the ship while it's in the water. Zanda just runs really smoothly it makes the practice easy to run from day one.
Miki Skinner, Founder / Owner
Solo private practice
When I was comparing platforms, I was blown away by how affordable and accessible Zanda was. Other platforms wanted to charge a ton. That made it very easy for me to get started.
Jo Anna Sena, Owner
Counselor

Professions we serve

Psychology

Designed for psychologists and clinical mental health professionals.

Counselling

Supporting counselors, psychotherapists, therapists, and social workers.

Physiotherapy

Serving physiotherapists, and movement specialists.

Speech Pathology

Supporting speech therapists, pathologists, and language specialists.

Occupational Therapy

Efficient tools for occupational therapists and rehabilitation specialists.

Allied Health

Occupational therapists, homeopaths, massage therapists, naturopaths, and more.

Osteopathy

The right tools for osteopaths and musculoskeletal health professionals.

Social Work

Designed for social workers, case managers, and behavioral health professionals.

Massage Therapy

Practice management for massage therapists and bodywork practitioners.

Chiropractic

Efficient tools for chiropractors and spinal health professionals.

Mental Health

Designed for therapists, psychologists, counselors, and social workers.

Podiatry

Supporting podiatrists and foot health specialists.

Nutrition

Practice management for nutritionists, dietitians, and wellness practitioners.

Naturopathy

Simplified admin for naturopaths and holistic wellness practitioners.

Homeopathy

All-in-one system for homeopaths and holistic health practitioners.

Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine

Simplified admin for acupuncturists and Chinese medicine practitioners.

Personal Training

Supporting personal trainers, fitness coaches, and strength specialists.

Try Zanda for Yourself!

Start your free trial before the end of the month and get 50% off for six months. Switch from PracticePal with full migration support and a team that helps you get set up the right way.

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