AutoNotes has no BAA.That matters for therapists.
AutoNotes is a text-input note generator like Reframe — same concept, lower price. But AutoNotes' terms of service prohibit uploading PHI without stripping identifiers, and there is no Business Associate Agreement. Reframe has both. Same workflow, actual HIPAA compliance.
AutoNotes Terms of Service
“You agree not to upload, post, or transmit any Protected Health Information (PHI) as defined under HIPAA without first removing all identifying information.”
Standard therapy notes contain identifying information by definition. This clause makes AutoNotes non-compliant for standard clinical documentation — regardless of their marketing language.
Reframe Practice
Signed BAA with Google Vertex AI. Zero-retention processing. PHI never stored. HIPAA-compliant by architecture.
Why AutoNotes is not truly HIPAA-compliant for therapy
A Business Associate Agreement (BAA) is a legally required contract under HIPAA between a therapist and any vendor that handles protected health information. Without a BAA, using an AI tool to process real session content — even summaries — is a HIPAA violation, regardless of the vendor's marketing claims.
AutoNotes does not offer a BAA. Their terms of service go further: they explicitly prohibit uploading PHI without first removing all identifying information. Therapy notes by definition contain identifying information — client name, presenting issue, session date. This creates a fundamental conflict between how the product is marketed and what their legal terms actually permit.
Reframe Practice has a signed BAA with Google Vertex AI, the AI infrastructure that processes session summaries. Session data is processed in-memory and never stored. This is HIPAA compliance verified through architecture, not just policy language.
Check any tool's ToS before submitting client data.
“HIPAA-compliant” in marketing copy is not the same as a signed BAA and zero-retention architecture. Before using any AI tool with real client information, verify: (1) is there a BAA? (2) does the tool store your session data? (3) is PHI used for AI training? If you can't answer all three confidently, ask your malpractice insurer.
AutoNotes vs Reframe Practice
Same text-input workflow. Completely different HIPAA posture.
HIPAA compliance isn't optional.
Both tools convert session summaries into clinical notes. Only one has a signed BAA.
Ready for worksheets that speak your client's language?
Try FreeWhere AutoNotes gets it right
AutoNotes got the core workflow correct — and that matters.
Text-input only
No recording, no audio files, no consent headaches. Type a summary after session, get a note. This is the right approach for many private practice therapists.
Multiple note formats
SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, EMDR, and PIE support covers most clinical settings. The output is structured from free-text, which keeps the workflow fast.
Budget pricing
At $19/month, AutoNotes is the cheapest paid option in the text-input category. For practices where cost is the deciding factor, the price is competitive.
What Reframe adds
Same text-input workflow as AutoNotes. Everything else is different.
Signed BAA with Google Vertex AI
The legal requirement that makes HIPAA compliance real. AutoNotes does not have this. Reframe does.
Zero-retention processing
Session summaries are processed in-memory. Nothing is stored on Reframe servers after generation completes.
Anti-hallucination safeguards
[Therapist to complete] placeholders prevent the AI from fabricating clinical content when information is missing from your summary.
Free tier — no account required
10 progress notes per month with no signup. Try it with a real client before committing to anything.
AI worksheet generation included
Generate personalized CBT, DBT, ACT, and IFS worksheets using your client's exact words. AutoNotes is notes-only.
Built by a Registered Psychotherapist
Clinical framing, placeholder logic, and format guidance built by someone who still documents sessions.
Frequently asked questions
Is AutoNotes HIPAA compliant for therapy notes?
AutoNotes does not offer a Business Associate Agreement (BAA). Their terms of service explicitly prohibit uploading PHI without first stripping all identifiers. Standard therapy notes contain identifying information by definition, which means using AutoNotes with real client data is outside their permitted terms.
What is the best AutoNotes alternative for HIPAA compliance?
Reframe Practice is the strongest AutoNotes alternative for HIPAA-compliant therapy documentation. Reframe has a signed BAA with Google Vertex AI, zero-retention processing architecture, and 10 free notes per month with no account required. Quill is another text-input option at $20/month with HIPAA compliance.
Does Reframe require session recording like Mentalyc or Upheal?
No. Reframe is text-input only — the same approach as AutoNotes. You type a brief session summary after the session ends, select your note format, and get a structured draft in seconds. No microphone, no audio files, no consent process.
Is there a free AutoNotes alternative?
Yes. Reframe Practice offers 10 free progress notes per month with no account required. SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, PIRP, and Narrative formats. No credit card. No time limit on the free tier.
What does BAA mean and why does it matter?
A Business Associate Agreement is a legally required HIPAA contract between a therapist and any vendor handling protected health information. Without one, using an AI tool with real client data is a HIPAA violation. Always verify a BAA exists before submitting client information to any AI tool.
What note formats does Reframe support?
SOAP, DAP, BIRP, GIRP, PIRP, and Narrative. You can also generate notes at the /progress-note-generator page and select any format from the dropdown.
10 free notes/month — no account required
Same workflow as AutoNotes. With a BAA.
Generate your first note free. No account. No card. HIPAA-compliant by architecture.
Generate a Free Note