# Looking for a bacpac alternative?

> Bloom is a modern bacpac alternative with encrypted notes, automated client onboarding, drag-and-drop scheduling, and payment tracking - all for £29/month.

- Comparison: Bloom vs bacpac
- Updated: 2026-06-09
- Canonical: https://www.trybloom.co.uk/alternative/bacpac

bacpac was originally developed in collaboration with BACP, and it's been a trusted choice for UK counsellors for years. It does the basics well - client records, scheduling, and reminders. But if you've found yourself wanting more - better notes, automated onboarding, payment tracking, or a more modern interface - Bloom picks up where bacpac leaves off.

## Why therapists are switching from bacpac

- Basic interface - bacpac is functional but hasn't had a significant design update. It feels dated compared to modern tools.
- Limited session note features - no rich text editor, no auto-save, no note encryption beyond standard security.
- No automated client onboarding - no integrated flow from booking to contract signing to payment setup.
- No counselling agreement e-signatures - contracts still need to be handled manually or via separate tools.
- No payment tracking or reminders - bacpac handles records and scheduling but doesn't help you get paid.
- Limited scheduling features - no drag-and-drop, no recurring appointments, no visual week view.

## bacpac vs Bloom

| Feature | bacpac | Bloom |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly price | From ~£18/mo | £29/mo |
| Session notes encryption | Standard security | AES-256 on every note |
| Rich text note editor | Basic | Full rich text with auto-save |
| Counselling agreement signing | No | Built-in e-signatures |
| Automated client onboarding | No | Book, sign, pay - one flow |
| Payment tracking | No | Yes - with automated reminders |
| Drag-and-drop calendar | No | Yes |
| Recurring appointments | No | Yes |
| Client booking page | No | Yes |
| Appointment reminders | Email + SMS | Email included |
| UK GDPR compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Built for | Counsellors | Therapists and counsellors |

Bloom is £29/month, or £290/year with 2 months free - everything included. No add-on fees.

## Why therapists choose Bloom over bacpac

- **A modern tool for modern practice**: bacpac has served counsellors well for years. Bloom is what comes next - a modern interface, richer features, and workflows designed for how therapists work today.
- **Encrypted session notes**: AES-256 encryption on every note. Your clients' disclosures stay protected.
- **Payment tracking built in**: See every outstanding and paid session in one place. Send payment reminders with one click. No more spreadsheets or awkward conversations.
- **Client onboarding on autopilot**: Clients book, sign your agreement, and set up payment in one flow. bacpac doesn't offer this.

## Frequently asked questions

### bacpac was built with BACP - doesn't that make it more trustworthy?

bacpac's BACP origins are genuinely valuable. Bloom is also designed for BACP-registered counsellors and is fully GDPR compliant. The BACP collaboration gave bacpac a great foundation, but it hasn't evolved as much since.

### Is Bloom overkill if I just want simple client records?

If all you need is basic client records and a calendar, bacpac may be enough. Bloom is better suited if you also want payment tracking, automated onboarding, encrypted notes, and a public booking page.

### Can I switch from bacpac to Bloom?

Yes. Export your client data from bacpac and set up on Bloom in minutes. Get in touch if you need help.

### Does Bloom have outcome tracking like bacpac?

Not currently. If outcome measures are central to your practice, that's worth knowing. It's something we're considering for the future.