# Looking for a PracticePal alternative?

> Bloom is a modern PracticePal alternative built for UK therapists. Encrypted notes, automated onboarding, and simple pricing at £29/month.

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

PracticePal has been around since 2006 and has served thousands of UK practitioners. It's a solid, mature system. But if you've felt like the interface is showing its age, or you're missing modern features like encrypted notes, automated client onboarding, and a cleaner booking experience - Bloom was built to be the next step.

## Why therapists are switching from PracticePal

- Dated interface - PracticePal has been running since 2006 and the design reflects that. Navigation can feel clunky compared to modern tools.
- Add-on pricing - the base price is low but online bookings, clinic notes, and marketing features all cost extra. The total adds up.
- No session note encryption - notes are stored securely but without dedicated encryption.
- No automated client onboarding - no integrated booking-to-contract-to-payment flow.
- No counselling agreement e-signatures - therapy contracts need to be handled outside the system.
- Designed for clinics broadly, not therapy specifically - PracticePal serves physios, osteopaths, chiropractors, and other allied health. Therapy-specific workflows aren't the focus.

## PracticePal vs Bloom

| Feature | PracticePal | Bloom |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly price | From £25/mo + add-ons | £29/mo - everything included |
| Online booking | Add-on cost | Included |
| Session notes encryption | Not beyond standard hosting | AES-256 on every note |
| Counselling agreement signing | No | Built-in e-signatures |
| Automated client onboarding | No | Book, sign, pay - one flow |
| Payment tracking + reminders | Basic invoicing | Full tracking with one-click reminders |
| Recurring appointments | Yes | Yes |
| Appointment reminders | Email + SMS | Email included |
| Built for | Allied health broadly | Therapists and counsellors |
| UK GDPR compliant | Yes | Yes |

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

## Why therapists choose Bloom over PracticePal

- **A modern experience**: Bloom is built with modern technology - fast, responsive, and designed for how people use software today.
- **Encrypted notes as standard**: AES-256 encryption on every session note. PracticePal doesn't offer this level of protection for sensitive therapy records.
- **No add-on fees**: PracticePal charges extra for online bookings, clinic notes, and marketing. Bloom is £29/month - everything included, no surprises.
- **Automated client onboarding**: Clients book, sign your agreement, and set up payment in one flow. No manual steps, no separate tools.

## Frequently asked questions

### PracticePal is cheaper than Bloom - why switch?

PracticePal's base price is lower, but add-ons for online bookings, clinic notes, and marketing bring the real cost closer to or above £29. Bloom includes everything in one price.

### Does Bloom have all PracticePal's features?

Bloom covers scheduling, client management, notes, payments, onboarding, and booking. PracticePal has some features like marketing tools and Google Drive integration that Bloom doesn't. But Bloom has encrypted notes, e-signatures, and automated onboarding that PracticePal doesn't.

### Can I migrate from PracticePal to Bloom?

Yes. Export your data from PracticePal and set up on Bloom. Get in touch if you need help with the switch.

### I've used PracticePal for years - is it worth switching?

If PracticePal is working well for you, there's no urgent need. But if you want encrypted notes, automated client onboarding, and a more modern experience, Bloom is worth trying.