# SimplePractice for Clinicians vs Columbia Protocol

The clearest difference is ratings volume: SimplePractice for Clinicians at 34K against Columbia Protocol's 12. SimplePractice for Clinicians also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Columbia Protocol's advantage is review sentiment (50% vs 29%) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.3). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

SimplePractice for Clinicians holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SimplePractice for Clinicians has 34K ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 29% of SimplePractice for Clinicians's written reviews are positive against 50% of Columbia Protocol's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SimplePractice for Clinicians ships an update every 3 weeks, Columbia Protocol every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SimplePractice for Clinicians | Columbia Protocol |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (34K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplepractice-for-clinicians/id738207604/reviews)** | [4.4 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/columbia-protocol/id1450966911/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **34K** | 12 |
| Positive reviews | 28.8% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | **#206** | — |
| Size | 137 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.3 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [SimplePractice, LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/738207607) | [PSS Chute Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/1019573904) |

## What reviewers say

### SimplePractice for Clinicians

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplepractice-for-clinicians/id738207604)

**Currently charting:** #206 Top Free · Medical (US App Store)

Manage your practice on the go with intuitive tools for scheduling, client management, and administrative tasks. This HIPAA-compliant app offers a streamlined experience for clinicians to connect with clients, manage appointments, and access client information securely from their mobile devices.

**Highlights:** Client scheduling and management, HIPAA-compliant security, Session note writing, Document sharing and uploading, Secure messaging, Invoice and payment processing, Optimized mobile interface

**Features:** Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient mobile app
- 📝 Helpful note-taking features
- 💳 Efficient billing and payment processing
- 🗓️ Useful scheduling and calendar integration
- 🔒 Secure client portal

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy app updates causing crashes and freezes
- 📱 Limited functionality compared to desktop version
- 🕰️ Confusing calendar and scheduling interface
- 🔍 Difficulty accessing certain features and reports
- 🔊 Poor video/audio quality for telehealth

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent behavior when syncing appointments
- Unreliable push notifications and reminders
- Issues with insurance billing and payment tracking
- Problems accessing client documents and files on mobile

**Requested features**

- iPad app support
- Ability to edit invoices and payments
- More customization options for client portal
- Improved calendar view and scheduling functionality
- Better integration with other productivity apps


### Columbia Protocol

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/columbia-protocol/id1450966911)

This application provides a standardized tool for assessing suicide risk through a series of questions. It is designed for widespread use to aid in suicide prevention, offering guidance for low or moderate risk responses.

**Highlights:** Suicide risk assessment, Evidence-supported tool, Simple question series, Global usability, Mental health referral guidance

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SimplePractice for Clinicians free?

SimplePractice for Clinicians is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Columbia Protocol free?

Columbia Protocol is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SimplePractice for Clinicians or Columbia Protocol?

SimplePractice for Clinicians is rated higher. SimplePractice for Clinicians averages 4.7 out of 5 from 34K ratings, while Columbia Protocol averages 4.4 from 12 ratings.

### Do SimplePractice for Clinicians or Columbia Protocol have ads?

Neither SimplePractice for Clinicians nor Columbia Protocol shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SimplePractice for Clinicians or Columbia Protocol?

SimplePractice for Clinicians ships an update every 3 weeks, and Columbia Protocol every 6 weeks. Most recently, SimplePractice for Clinicians was updated on September 24, 2026 and Columbia Protocol on September 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*