Last updated: October 24, 2026 · By Alex Sandev, Founder of HiveSourced
A SimplePractice website is a sensible starting point if you already use SimplePractice and want a simple, connected site with no extra cost. A custom therapist website is the better fit when you want full control of your pages, your design and your search strategy, and you are ready to invest in a site that is built around the clients you want. Here is how the two compare, using SimplePractice’s own published information.
Key takeaways
- SimplePractice says its Professional Website is available at no additional cost on all subscription plans, and that it connects to the SimplePractice EHR and calendar.
- A custom WordPress site costs more up front, but you own the site, choose the structure and can build a page for every specialty.
- Neither option is “better” for everyone. It depends on your budget, your timeline and how much you want your website to bring in new clients.
- If you are comparing platforms more broadly, read WordPress vs Squarespace vs TherapySites
What do you get with a SimplePractice website?
SimplePractice is practice management software for scheduling, notes and billing. It also includes a website builder it calls the Professional Website. Based on SimplePractice’s own guide to creating a website, you choose from “a curated selection of professionally designed themes,” adjust the look and colors to fit your brand, and add your own images. It also says the builder integrates with the SimplePractice EHR, including your calendar for client scheduling.
On cost, SimplePractice’s pricing page lists plans at $49, $79 and $99 per month (standard rates, before any promotion). Its help center says the Professional Website is available at no additional cost on all subscription plans, so you are not paying a separate fee for the site itself. Prices and offers change, so confirm on SimplePractice’s site before you decide.
What are the limits of a SimplePractice website?
A built-in website is designed to be quick and easy, which is its strength. The trade-offs are the ones that come with any template-based builder inside a larger software product.
- You work within the available themes. You can change colors and images, but the layout comes from the builder rather than from a design made for your practice.
- Your domain stays separate. SimplePractice’s custom domain FAQs say a domain is bought through a third-party provider, only one custom domain can be connected, and SimplePractice does not host custom domains. If the domain registration lapses, the connection breaks.
- The site lives inside your software account. If you ever move to a different practice management system, you will probably need to rebuild the website too.
- It is a general tool. It is not built around your niche, your city or the words your clients use, so those parts are up to you.
What do you get with a custom therapist website?
A custom site is designed for one practice. At HiveSourced, every site is a custom WordPress build, designed in Figma before any code is written, with copy written for your specialty and on-page SEO set up at launch. You see three homepage style options first, and most projects launch 3 to 6 weeks after kickoff. Custom websites start from $2,000, and hosting for sites we build is $20 per month. See our pricing for current details.
The main advantages are practical: you decide the page structure, you can add a page for each specialty, and the site is yours to move or expand. A custom site can also carry a longer-term search plan, such as the one described in our local SEO for therapists guide.
SimplePractice website vs custom website: side by side
| SimplePractice website | Custom therapist website | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No additional cost on its plans (per its help center); plans start at $49/month | From $2,000 one-time, plus hosting from $20/month |
| Design | Choose from curated themes, change colors and images | Designed for your practice from scratch |
| Page structure | Set by the builder | Whatever your practice needs, one page per specialty if you like |
| Scheduling and EHR link | Built in with SimplePractice | Connect any tool you use, including SimplePractice |
| Domain | Buy and connect your own domain | Domain connected and hosted for you |
| Moving later | Website tied to your SimplePractice account | Site stays with you if your software changes |
| Time to launch | Quick to set up yourself | 3 to 6 weeks with a designer |
How does each option affect getting found on Google?
Both kinds of website can appear in search, and Google’s SEO starter guide says the basics are the same for any site: clear page titles, descriptive content and pages that help people. The difference is how much room you have to act on that advice. With a custom site you can write a page for each specialty and city you serve, set your own titles and headings, and add structured data. With a built-in site, you can do what the builder allows, so check which of those settings you can change before you commit.
If being found by new clients is your main goal, plan for it from the start. A site that looks good but has one page for everything will struggle to rank for specific searches like “EMDR therapist for trauma” in your city.
Which one should you choose?
A SimplePractice website is often enough if you are just starting, you already use SimplePractice, and you mainly need a professional page where clients can find your details and book. It lets you get online without spending much.
A custom site tends to make more sense when the website is a main way you expect to find clients. That usually means you want pages for each specialty, a design that matches your brand, and a plan for being found in Google. If you are weighing whether you need your own site at all, see why your practice needs a website
You can also start with one and move to the other later. If you do, keep your domain name the same so the address your clients know does not change.
Can I use SimplePractice and a custom website together?
Yes. Many practices keep SimplePractice for scheduling, notes and billing, and use a separate website for marketing. Your custom site can link to your SimplePractice client portal or booking page. If you collect inquiries through a form on your own site, make sure it sends them securely. Our guide to HIPAA-compliant emails and forms explains the options, and the HHS summary of the HIPAA Privacy Rule covers the basics.
What should I check before deciding?
- Which pages you need. Our list of the 10 pages every therapist website needs is a good starting point.
- Whether you can add a separate page for each specialty on the platform you are considering.
- Who owns the domain and what happens if you change software.
- How the site will be found. Our beginner’s guide to SEO for therapists explains what search engines look for.
- The total cost over a year, not only the first month. See what a therapist website costs.
If you want to see what a custom build looks like, browse our portfolio or talk to us about custom websites for therapists.
Frequently asked questions
Does SimplePractice include a website?
Yes. SimplePractice offers a builder it calls the Professional Website. Its help center says it is available at no additional cost on all subscription plans. Check SimplePractice for current details.
Can I use my own domain with a SimplePractice website?
Yes. According to SimplePractice’s help center, you buy the domain from a third-party provider and connect it. Only one custom domain can be connected, and the domain must stay registered for the link to keep working.
Is a custom therapist website worth the cost?
It can be, if you want the website to bring in new clients. A custom site lets you build a page for each specialty and plan for search. If you only need a simple page with your details, a built-in site may be enough.
What if I outgrow my SimplePractice website?
You can build a separate site and keep using SimplePractice for scheduling and notes. Keep the same domain name so your address does not change.
How much does a custom therapist website cost?
Custom websites from HiveSourced start from $2,000, and hosting for sites we build is $20 per month. See the pricing page for details.
Is a website form HIPAA compliant by default?
Not automatically. Check how any form sends and stores messages. Your practice stays responsible for how it handles client information.
