CouchNotes vs Freed
A Freed alternative that never uploads your sessions.
Freed is a polished cloud scribe built for clinicians broadly — and that's the trade: your session audio is uploaded and processed on Freed's servers under their retention policy, and the meter never stops. CouchNotes is built for therapists specifically, runs entirely on your Mac, and costs less once than Freed costs in two months. If your dealbreaker is "client audio never leaves the room," there is no configuration of Freed that gets you there.
Side by side
| Feature | Freed | CouchNotes |
|---|---|---|
| Where session audio is processed | Freed's cloud servers | Your Mac, locally |
| Audio retention | Per Freed's policy | Deleted on finalize, by default |
| Pricing | $99/mo subscription | One-time license |
| Year-one cost | $1,188 | $199 |
| Works offline | No — requires connection | Yes, fully |
| Account required | Yes | No — license key only |
| Therapy note formats (SOAP/DAP/BIRP) | Yes | Yes, plus custom templates |
| Dictation mode (client never recorded) | Yes | Yes, with guided cues |
| Platform | Browser, iOS, Android | macOS (Apple Silicon) |
Freed details as listed publicly, June 2026 — verify current terms on their site.
Where Freed is genuinely strong
- Works on any device with a browser, including Windows and phones
- Established product with hundreds of reviews and a free-trial funnel
- Covers medical specialties beyond therapy (Freed is built for clinicians generally)
Choose Freed instead if…
- You're on Windows or need to work from multiple shared computers
- You want a vendor-managed BAA and are comfortable with cloud processing under it
- You need specialty templates outside behavioral health (e.g., primary care, dentistry)
Common questions
Is CouchNotes cheaper than Freed?
Over any horizon longer than two months, yes. Freed is $99/month ($1,188/year, as listed publicly in June 2026). CouchNotes is a one-time license — it costs less than two months of Freed and you keep it.
Does CouchNotes upload audio like Freed does?
No. Freed processes audio on its servers; CouchNotes transcribes and drafts notes with models running on your own Mac. There is no server side — you can use it with Wi-Fi off.
What do I give up by leaving Freed?
Windows and phone capture, and a vendor-managed cloud workflow. If you practice on a Mac and want client audio to stay on it, those trade-offs usually favor CouchNotes; if you need cross-platform access, they favor Freed.
Keep your sessions on your Mac.
CouchNotes is in development — the waitlist gets early-access pricing and first beta invites.
Comparing more tools? See the full Mac scribe roundup — or grab the free SOAP/DAP/BIRP templates while you decide.