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Best HIPAA compliant telehealth platforms in 2026: Top 7 compared

Avatar photo Anja Dodevska
Last Updated: October 6, 2026
Reviewed by: Avatar photo Lucy Galloway

Of the HIPAA compliant telehealth platforms we compared, our own practice software, Pabau, fits multi-provider medical and aesthetic practices best. The rule behind every pick is simple. In short, a platform is only usable for patient visits once the vendor signs a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with your practice. In fact, no government body certifies software as HIPAA compliant.

A telehealth platform is HIPAA compliant when its vendor signs a BAA with your practice and safeguards patient data on the plan you use. Those safeguards are, for example, encryption in transit and at rest, role-based access controls and audit logs. The free or consumer version of the same app often has no BAA, so the plan you pick matters.

Next, we call the cheapest plan a vendor will sign a BAA on its BAA threshold. Specifically, the BAA threshold runs from $0 on Doxy.me, Upheal and VSee to $104 a month on Pabau, but that plan covers the whole patient record.

First, Doxy.me, Zoom for Healthcare and VSee are video tools for practices that already run a separate EHR and billing system. By contrast, Pabau, SimplePractice, Upheal and Healthie put the visit, notes and invoices in one record, making them practice management software, not a video window. Also, for the safeguards every option needs, see our guide to HIPAA compliant telehealth requirements.

Key takeaways

Key takeaways

1. Pabau — best all-in-one pick for multi-provider medical and aesthetic practices that want video, records, forms and billing under one BAA.

2. SimplePractice — strongest fit for solo therapists who bill insurance, with a BAA on every plan from $49 a month.

3. Doxy.me — the simplest free option, with a BAA for individual providers who already have an EHR.

4. Zoom for Healthcare — the familiar video layer for health systems, with the BAA starting on the paid Pro plan.

5. Upheal — free telehealth and AI notes for therapists, with a BAA signed on every account.

6. Healthie — wellness and nutrition practices that want telehealth, programs and progress tracking from $19.99 a month.

7. VSee — low-bandwidth video for rural care, with a free solo plan that includes a signed BAA.

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Best HIPAA compliant telehealth platforms: Quick comparison

The telehealth platforms HIPAA compliant practices can use all sign BAAs, but only on certain plans, and the cheapest plan runs from free to $62. The table then shows where each BAA starts and what that plan includes.

PlatformBest forPlan where the BAA starts (BAA threshold)Price per provider at that planVideo-only or all-in-oneEHR/billing included?
PabauMulti-provider medical and aesthetic practicesEvery plan, from one userFrom $62/monthAll-in-oneYes, EHR, forms and invoicing
SimplePracticeSolo and small-group therapistsStarter, accepted at sign-up$49/monthAll-in-oneYes, EHR and insurance billing
Doxy.meIndividual providers with an EHR alreadyFree, for individual providers$0Video-onlyNo
Zoom for HealthcareHealth systems already on ZoomPro, with the BAA selected at checkout$16.99/user/monthVideo-onlyNo
UphealTherapists who want AI notesFree, on every account$0All-in-one, mental healthYes, on EHR plans
HealthieNutrition and wellness practicesCore, accepted at sign-up$19.99/monthAll-in-oneYes, charting and payments
VSeeRural and low-bandwidth careFree, for a solo provider$0Video-firstPayments from Plus, claims on Enterprise

Also, prices are monthly billing from each vendor’s own pricing page, checked October 1, 2026. The free BAAs look cheapest, but the chart shows how little those plans cover once a second clinician or a billing workflow joins the visit.

Bar chart of the monthly price per provider at each platform's BAA threshold
Free BAAs from Doxy.me, Upheal and VSee cover one provider’s visit, while Pabau’s $104 plan covers records, forms and billing too. Figures from each vendor’s pricing page, October 2026.

In fact, when practices move to us from a video-only setup, they are usually managing three vendors and three BAAs for video, records and billing. So the threshold price alone tells half the story.

1. Pabau – Best HIPAA compliant telehealth platform for multi-specialty clinics

Rating/5★★★★★Top pick
The bottom line

Pabau runs the video visit inside the same patient record that holds the booking, consent forms, notes and invoice.

Who it’s for
  • Multi-provider medical and aesthetic practices
  • Med spas and medi aesthetics clinics
  • Wellness and functional medicine practices
  • Groups that want one BAA for the whole workflow
PricingFrom $62/monthone user, full platform
What works
  • Video visits launch from the calendar
  • Forms, notes and invoices stay in one record
  • Every subscription includes every feature
What doesn’t
  • More platform than a solo therapist may need
  • Setup runs through structured onboarding

Pabau is an all-in-one practice management system that puts telehealth software next to scheduling, clinical notes, digital forms and billing. For instance, a patient books online, signs consent before the call, joins the video visit, and gets an invoice afterward, all against one record.

In addition, Pabau’s compliance setup covers encryption in transit and at rest, audit logging and role-based access controls, and Pabau signs a BAA with covered entities. Because the video sits inside the platform, the practice has no separate video vendor to sign a BAA with.

Pabau telehealth screen with a Join with Pabau video button and an acne consultation card
Pabau’s video visit opens from the booking, and Pabau Scribe, our AI scribe, writes the note into the same record under one BAA.

Key features

  • Native telehealth sessions: Launch video consultations from the calendar, so there is no external login or separate application.
  • Digital forms before the call: Send intake questionnaires, consent forms and pre-care instructions so they are signed before the session starts.
  • Automated appointment reminders: SMS and email reminders also work for virtual appointments exactly as they do for in-person visits.
  • Integrated billing and invoicing: Issue invoices and take payments from the same record that holds the session, so no one retypes the details.
  • Clinical notes and EHR: Document the consultation, attach before-and-after photos and then update the patient record without leaving the platform.
  • Multi-provider and multi-location support: Role-based access controls also let front-desk staff, clinicians and administrators see only what their role needs.
  • Audit logs: Access to patient data is logged, so it supports the HIPAA Security Rule’s audit control standard.

Where Pabau shines

  • No third-party video tool required: Telehealth is built in, so there is no separate BAA to manage with a video vendor.
  • Complete pre- and post-session workflow: Instead of switching applications, digital consent, the session, clinical notes and invoicing happen in one place.
  • Built for practice teams: Moreover, front-desk staff, clinicians and administrators each get role-appropriate views, which suits multi-provider practices.
  • Strong fit for aesthetics and med spas: Injection plotting, before-and-after photos and treatment notes also sit alongside telehealth in the same platform.

Where Pabau falls short

  • Learning curve for new users: The breadth of features means setup takes time, so Pabau runs structured onboarding before go-live.
  • Broad for pure solo teletherapy: Providers who need only video and progress notes may therefore find the feature set wider than their workflow requires.

Customer reviews

Overall, according to Capterra reviewers, Pabau earns 4.7 out of 5 from over 600 verified reviews. Overall, reviewers highlight the all-in-one platform, the telehealth and EHR connection and automated workflows. However, the most common constructive note is an initial learning curve when teams first onboard.

Who Pabau is best for

  • Aesthetics practices and medical spa software users who need telehealth inside a complete practice management stack.
  • Multi-specialty or multi-provider practices managing several disciplines under one roof.
  • Wellness, longevity and functional medicine practices where forms, consent and documentation matter as much as the video session.
  • Growing practices that want predictable subscription pricing without per-feature add-ons.

Pricing

The BAA starts on every Pabau plan, from $104 per month for one user, because every subscription includes the full platform.

PlanPriceBAA on this plan?Key inclusions
StarterFrom $62/monthYes1 user, up to 100 patients, full platform
SoloQuote by locationYes1 user, unlimited patients
Team, Medium and GroupQuote by location and usersYes2 to 15 users, unlimited patients
EnterpriseCustom pricingYes16+ users, multi-location support

Pricing depends on location and user count, but annual billing saves up to 20%. You can also see the full breakdown on Pabau’s pricing page.

2. SimplePractice – Best for solo mental health telehealth

Rating/5★★★★★
The bottom line

SimplePractice signs its BAA the moment you create an account, so telehealth is covered from the $49 Starter plan.

Who it’s for
  • Solo therapists and counselors
  • Small behavioral health groups
  • Practices billing insurance
PricingFrom $49/monthStarter, billed monthly
What works
  • Telehealth on every plan
  • BAA accepted at sign-up
  • Insurance billing built in
What doesn’t
  • Group telehealth needs the $99 Plus plan
  • Built around therapy, not medical or aesthetic care

First, SimplePractice is the default EHR for many solo behavioral health clinicians, and SimplePractice says more than 250,000 practitioners use it. Therapists launch video sessions from the calendar, reminders also go out before each appointment, and progress notes open the moment the session ends.

Moreover, for data privacy and HIPAA compliance in mental health care, the platform keeps session notes, intake documents and claims in one record. SimplePractice’s BAA takes effect when the account is created, so a practice never runs a session without one.

Key features

  • Telehealth on every plan: Video sessions with screen sharing and chat are also part of the core feature set.
  • Group telehealth on Plus: Group calls hold up to 15 patients, but group appointments are a Plus plan feature.
  • Integrated billing: Superbills, insurance claim filing and online payments also sit in the same EHR.
  • Client Portal: Additionally, patients request appointments, complete intake documents and open session links through the portal.
  • HIPAA BAA: In fact, the BAA is made part of SimplePractice’s terms of service at account creation.

Where SimplePractice shines

  • Purpose-built for behavioral health: Moreover, the workflow suits therapists, counselors, psychologists and social workers.
  • Frictionless session launch: Patients join from an emailed link, so no download is required.
  • Strong insurance billing: Filing claims and tracking reimbursements also happen in the same interface as clinical notes.

Where SimplePractice falls short

  • Narrow beyond mental health: Medical and aesthetic practices will therefore find the documentation too therapy-focused.
  • Pricing climbs with features: Reminders start on Essential at $79, group telehealth needs Plus at $99, and each extra clinician on Plus then adds $74.
  • Support response times: However, some users report slower support replies than they expected for a paid subscription.

Customer reviews

Furthermore, according to Capterra reviewers, SimplePractice scores 4.6 out of 5 from over 2,800 verified reviews. On G2, it also holds a 4.4 out of 5 from 150 reviews. Overall, reviewers consistently praise ease of use for solo therapists and the integrated billing.

Who SimplePractice is best for

  • Solo therapists, psychologists and licensed counselors in private practice.
  • Small group behavioral health practices with insurance billing requirements.
  • Mental health providers who want telehealth, notes and billing in one tool without broader practice operations features.

Pricing

The BAA starts on the Starter plan, $49 per provider per month, because SimplePractice’s BAA takes effect when the account is created.

PlanPriceBAA on this plan?Key inclusions
Starter$49/monthYesTelehealth, notes, intake, Client Portal
Essential$79/monthYesAdds reminders, calendar sync, secure messaging
Plus$99/month, +$74 per extra clinicianYesAdds group appointments and group telehealth
CustomCustom pricingYesGroups of 6+ practitioners

Additionally, new accounts that convert within seven days get 50% off for three months. Figures come from the pricing page on SimplePractice’s website, October 2026.

3. Doxy.me – Best free option among HIPAA compliant telehealth platforms

Rating/5★★★★★
The bottom line

Doxy.me gives an individual provider a free BAA and a browser-based waiting room, with no download for patients.

Who it’s for
  • Solo providers who already have an EHR
  • Practices testing telehealth
  • Patients with low tech confidence
PricingFreePremium $29/user/month, billed annually
What works
  • Free BAA for individual providers
  • No patient download
  • Virtual waiting room
What doesn’t
  • No EHR or billing
  • Multi-provider practices need a clinic BAA

If you want HIPAA compliant telehealth platforms free of a monthly fee, Doxy.me is the cleanest option. Patients click a link, wait in a virtual waiting room, then the provider admits them when ready. In addition, Doxy.me says more than 1.5 million care providers have used it.

Moreover, Doxy.me’s help center says every user can generate a BAA from account settings, free plan included. However, that free BAA covers individual providers only. So a practice with several providers needs Doxy.me’s clinic BAA, arranged through its team.

Key features

  • Free plan with a BAA: Video visits and a waiting room for an individual provider, with the BAA generated in settings.
  • Patient waiting room: Patients check in online, then wait in a virtual queue until the provider is ready.
  • No download required: Patients join through the browser, so desktop and mobile both work.
  • Premium plan: Adds group calls up to 25 participants, SMS invites, roles and permissions, and intake and consent workflows.

Where Doxy.me shines

  • Zero cost for a compliant video visit: Thus, a solo provider gets a BAA and secure video without paying a cent.
  • Lowest patient friction: Because there are no downloads or accounts, less tech-savvy patients can join in seconds.
  • Healthcare-only focus: Also, Doxy.me was built for clinical visits rather than repurposed from a consumer video app.

Where Doxy.me falls short

  • No built-in billing or EHR: Scheduling, documentation and billing live in other systems, so each of those needs its own BAA.
  • Video-focused even when paid: Premium adds team and intake tools, but Doxy.me stays a video platform rather than practice management software.
  • Integration dependency: Full workflow automation means connecting third-party tools, so each one adds a vendor to vet.

Customer reviews

Similarly, according to Capterra reviewers, Doxy.me earns 4.6 out of 5 from over 500 verified reviews. Overall, the free waiting room and no-download patient experience are the most praised features. Meanwhile, reviewers on G2 (4.4/5 from 120 reviews) often name the lack of built-in billing as the main limitation.

Who Doxy.me is best for

  • Individual providers who already have a separate EHR and billing system and need a free, compliant video layer.
  • Practices testing telehealth before committing to an integrated platform.
  • Providers whose patients need the simplest possible session experience.

Pricing

The BAA starts on the free plan for individual providers, at $0 per month.

PlanPriceBAA on this plan?Key inclusions
Free$0/monthYes, individual providersVideo visits and waiting room
Premium$29/user/month, billed annuallyYes, BAA includedGroup calls up to 25, team roles, intake and consent
Multi-provider practiceContact Doxy.meClinic BAASeveral providers under one practice

Furthermore, Doxy.me’s pricing page lists Premium at $29 per user per month on annual billing and offers a free plan for providers getting started.

4. Zoom for Healthcare – Best video infrastructure for large health systems

Rating/5★★★★★
The bottom line

Zoom for Healthcare is a paid Zoom plan with a BAA added, covering the video layer only.

Who it’s for
  • Health systems already on Zoom
  • Practices with an existing EHR
  • Teams with IT staff to configure settings
Pricing$16.99/user/monthPro, billed monthly
What works
  • Familiar interface for patients
  • BAA available from the Pro plan
  • Waiting rooms and passcodes
What doesn’t
  • Free Basic plan has no BAA
  • No scheduling, notes or billing

Zoom for Healthcare is the healthcare setup of a tool most patients already know, so adoption is easy. Zoom’s healthcare pricing page puts the rule plainly: to enable HIPAA compliance, select a paid plan and establish a BAA.

First, on the Pro plan, the BAA is selected at checkout under the business country menu. By contrast, Business, Business Plus and Enterprise customers sign the BAA through Zoom’s sales team.

Key features

  • BAA-backed video: Also, Zoom signs a BAA covering the video communication layer on paid plans.
  • Session security: Waiting rooms, per-meeting passcodes, end-to-end encryption options and admin lock controls.
  • Familiar interface: Providers and patients already know Zoom, so setup friction drops.
  • Scalability: Supports concurrent sessions across departments and locations, so it scales with the organization.
  • EHR connections: Connects with major EHR systems for practices that want video inside an existing clinical workflow.

Is Zoom for Healthcare HIPAA compliant? Where it shines

Zoom for Healthcare is HIPAA compliant once your practice is on a paid plan and has signed Zoom’s BAA. As a result, a Zoom for Healthcare HIPAA compliant setup is cheap, at $16.99 per user per month on Pro.

  • Almost no learning curve: Most patients have used Zoom before, so it is the easiest adoption option for large provider networks.
  • Enterprise scale: Built for health-system video traffic with administrative controls.
  • Integration ecosystem: Connects with major EHR vendors for organizations that need video embedded in existing workflows.

Where Zoom for Healthcare falls short

  • Video only: Zoom does not include scheduling, clinical documentation, billing or intake forms, so each needs a separate system.
  • The free plan carries no BAA: A practice on Zoom Workplace Basic has no BAA and therefore should not run patient visits there.
  • Settings are your job: Waiting rooms, recording and cloud storage need configuring, so set them up before the first patient visit.

Customer reviews

Overall, on G2, Zoom holds a 4.5 out of 5 rating from over 55,000 reviews across all Zoom products. Additionally, Capterra reviewers of Zoom for Healthcare note the familiar interface and security controls as strengths. However, the lack of built-in clinical tools is the main limitation for smaller practices.

Who Zoom for Healthcare is best for

  • Large health systems that already use Zoom internally and want to extend it to patient care.
  • Organizations with existing EHR infrastructure that need a video layer, not a practice management replacement.
  • Teams with IT staff to manage BAA documentation and compliance configuration.

Pricing

The BAA starts on the Pro plan, $16.99 per user per month billed monthly, or $14.16 billed annually.

PlanPriceBAA on this plan?Key inclusions
BasicFreeNo40-minute meetings, 100 participants
Pro$16.99/user/month ($14.16 billed annually)Yes, selected at checkout30-hour meetings, 100 participants
Business$21.99/user/month ($18.33 billed annually)Yes, through Zoom salesPro features plus business admin tools
Business Plus and EnterpriseContact salesYes, through Zoom salesQuoted for larger organizations

Figures come from Zoom’s Workplace and healthcare pricing pages, October 2026.

5. Upheal – Best mental health EHR with free HIPAA compliant telehealth

Rating/5★★★★★
The bottom line

Upheal signs a BAA with every account, including the free plan that covers telehealth calls.

Who it’s for
  • Solo therapists
  • Small group mental health practices
  • Clinicians who want AI progress notes
PricingFreeAI notes $39/month, EHR Pro $99/month
What works
  • BAA on every account, free included
  • SOC 2 Type II, per Upheal
  • Session audio deleted by default
What doesn’t
  • Mental health only
  • Automated notes from live calls need a paid plan

Upheal pairs free telehealth with an AI-native mental health EHR. Moreover, Upheal says it is SOC 2 Type II certified and signs a BAA with every account. Also, the free plan covers video calls plus basic notes from text, dictation and uploads.

Automated notes from live sessions, however, start on the $39 AI notes plan. Moreover, for therapists weighing data privacy, Upheal deletes session audio by default once the note is generated, unless the clinician chooses to keep it.

Upheal progress note screen with a session overview
Upheal drafts the progress note from the session and runs a compliance check, so the therapist reviews a draft instead of writing from scratch.

Key features

  • Free compliant telehealth: Upheal’s own HIPAA-compliant video calls are on the free plan.
  • AI progress notes: In addition, paid plans turn video and audio sessions into structured notes in SOAP, DAP, BIRP and other formats.
  • SOC 2 Type II: Furthermore, Upheal reports an independent SOC 2 Type II audit.
  • BAA on every account: No separate negotiation is needed for compliance paperwork, so setup is faster.
  • Treatment plans: AI-generated treatment plans track progress from session to session.

Where Upheal shines

  • AI documentation cuts admin: Thus, Upheal targets the biggest non-clinical time drain in behavioral health, the progress note.
  • Free plan carries the BAA: The $0 plan is also covered by the same BAA as paid accounts.
  • High compliance bar from the start: Therefore, SOC 2 Type II plus a BAA for every account sets a strong baseline.

Where Upheal falls short

  • Mental health only: Upheal is built for behavioral health, so it has no medical, aesthetic or physical health workflows.
  • AI notes need review: Generated notes still need the clinician’s review before signing.
  • Newer platform: However, Upheal has fewer published reviews and a smaller community than SimplePractice or Doxy.me.

Customer reviews

Upheal does not yet have enough review volume on major review sites for a reliable aggregate rating. Instead, practitioners in online communities highlight the AI notes and free telehealth as its strongest points. Check current ratings before you commit.

Who Upheal is best for

  • Behavioral health therapists who want free telehealth with automated documentation.
  • Solo or small-group mental health practices looking to cut documentation time.
  • Providers already used to AI note-taking who want it inside their video session workflow.

Pricing

The BAA starts on the free plan, at $0 per month, because Upheal signs one with every account.

PlanPriceBAA on this plan?Key inclusions
Free$0/monthYesTelehealth calls, notes from text, dictation and uploads
AI notes$39/monthYesUnlimited AI notes from video and audio sessions
EHR pay-as-you-go$1/sessionYesFull EHR, invoicing, insurance billing at $0.30 per claim
EHR Pro$99/monthYesFull EHR with AI Assistant Pro included

Figures come from the pricing page on Upheal’s website, October 2026. Group practices, however, buy AI notes or EHR plans per seat.

6. Healthie – Best HIPAA compliant telehealth for nutrition and wellness coaches

Rating/5★★★★★
The bottom line

Healthie's BAA takes effect when the account is created, so telehealth is covered from the $19.99 Core plan.

Who it’s for
  • Registered dietitians
  • Health coaches and wellness programs
  • Practices running group programs
PricingFrom $19.99/monthCore, 10 active clients
What works
  • BAA accepted at sign-up
  • Programs, journaling and goal tracking
  • White-label options for enterprise
What doesn’t
  • Core caps you at 10 active clients
  • Group telehealth starts on Plus at $129.99

Healthie targets registered dietitians, nutrition coaches and wellness programs that need telehealth tied to goal tracking and ongoing programs. White-label options also make it a fit for enterprise wellness programs too.

Healthie’s BAA is entered into when the account is created. It also commits Healthie to written notice of a breach of unsecured PHI within five business days of discovery.

Key features

  • Telehealth tied to patient programs: For example, video sessions connect to goal tracking, food logging and progress monitoring.
  • White-label customization: Also, enterprise wellness programs can brand the patient-facing experience.
  • Group sessions: Likewise, group telehealth runs alongside individual sessions on the Plus plan.
  • BAA at sign-up: Furthermore, the BAA applies from account creation on every plan.
  • Programs and packages: Set up multi-session programs with several touch points.

Where Healthie shines

  • Niche-specific workflows: Goal tracking, nutrition logging and program management are built in.
  • White-label capability: Full branding for enterprise deployments is rare in this segment.
  • Group coaching support: Group telehealth with program-based patient management suits cohort programs.

Where Healthie falls short

  • Not suited to medical specialties: Practices outside nutrition and wellness may therefore find the clinical documentation thin.
  • Insurance billing is an add-on route: CMS 1500s start on Essentials, and claims then run through a ClaimMD integration from $30 a month.
  • Active-client caps push you up tiers: For example, Core stops at 10 active clients and Essentials at 250.

Customer reviews

Meanwhile, according to Capterra reviewers, Healthie earns 4.4 out of 5. Overall, reviewers in nutrition and wellness coaching name the niche features and patient management tools as strengths. However, limited clinical billing and rising costs at higher patient volumes are the recurring criticisms.

Who Healthie is best for

  • Registered dietitians and nutrition coaches running individual and group telehealth programs.
  • Enterprise wellness programs needing white-label, patient-facing tools with compliant video.
  • Health coaches managing ongoing relationships across multi-session programs.

Pricing

The BAA starts on the Core plan, $19.99 per provider per month, because Healthie’s BAA takes effect at account creation.

PlanPriceBAA on this plan?Key inclusions
Core$19.99/month ($18 billed annually)Yes10 active clients, telehealth, charting, payments
Essentials$49.99/month ($45 billed annually)Yes250 active clients, outbound fax, CMS 1500s
Plus$129.99/month ($115 billed annually)YesUnlimited clients, group telehealth, programs
Group$149.99+/month ($135+ billed annually)YesShared calendar, $50/month per added clinician

Figures come from the pricing page on Healthie’s website, October 2026.

7. VSee – Best for low-bandwidth and rural HIPAA compliant telehealth

Rating/5★★★★★
The bottom line

VSee's free plan includes a signed BAA for a solo provider, with video built for weak connections.

Who it’s for
  • Rural and underserved care
  • Solo providers with an existing EHR
  • Mobile health and remote monitoring programs
PricingFreesolo provider; Premium $49/provider for teams
What works
  • Signed BAA on the free plan
  • Low-bandwidth video
  • No download for patients
What doesn’t
  • Free and Plus allow one provider
  • Claims and eligibility on Enterprise only

First, VSee’s differentiator is low-bandwidth video built for unreliable internet connections. Additionally, VSee says it uses 256-bit AES encryption for patient data at rest and in transmission.

First, the free plan gives a solo provider a waiting room, 1:1 HD video and a signed BAA. By contrast, paid plans add group video, payments and shared waiting rooms for teams.

Key features

  • Low-bandwidth video: Designed to hold a call on rural or limited connections.
  • Free solo plan: Individual providers use VSee at no cost with a signed BAA.
  • BAA on every VSee Clinic plan: Also, VSee signs a BAA on every plan except free VSee Messenger.
  • Waiting room and intake: Quick intake on the free plan, with consent forms and payments on paid plans.

Where VSee shines

  • Reliable on poor connections: Indeed, the low-bandwidth focus is the main reason to pick VSee for rural patients.
  • Free solo tier with a BAA: Many video tools reserve a signed BAA for paid accounts, so the free tier stands out.

Where VSee falls short

  • Dated interface: However, Capterra reviewers often say the interface feels older than competing platforms.
  • Limited EHR integrations: VSee does not connect natively with many mainstream EHRs, so notes may need manual handoffs.
  • Team features cost more: Free and Plus allow one provider, but eligibility and claims are Enterprise-only.

Customer reviews

Finally, according to Capterra reviewers, VSee holds a 4.3 out of 5 rating. Overall, low-bandwidth performance and free-tier compliance are the most cited strengths. However, the dated interface and limited EHR connectivity are the recurring criticisms.

Who VSee is best for

  • Providers serving rural or underserved communities with unreliable internet.
  • Individual practitioners who need a free compliant video tool and already have separate EHR and billing systems.
  • Mobile health or remote monitoring programs where low-bandwidth performance is a clinical requirement.

Pricing

The BAA starts on the free plan, at $0 per provider per month, for a single provider.

PlanPriceBAA on this plan?Key inclusions
Free$0/monthYes, signed BAA1:1 HD video, waiting room, quick intake
Plus$29/provider/monthYesGroup video, patient portal, card payments
Premium$49/provider/month + $200 setupYesShared waiting room for teams up to 50, EMR notes
EnterpriseQuoteYesWhite-label, eligibility, billing and claims

Figures come from the pricing page on VSee’s website, October 2026. Group discounts, however, apply from three providers.

Is Zoom HIPAA compliant for telehealth?

Standard Zoom is not HIPAA compliant for telehealth by default, because the free Basic plan comes with no BAA. Zoom for Healthcare, however, is the paid setup that adds one, starting on Pro.

So, is Zoom HIPAA compliant for telehealth? On Pro with a signed BAA, yes, for $16.99 per user per month. Zoom is the clearest example of the BAA threshold, since the same app is free below it and covered above it.

Similarly, Google Meet works the same way. For example, Google lists Meet as included functionality under its HIPAA BAA, which a Google Workspace admin accepts in the Admin console. A personal Google account, however, sits outside that agreement.

Meanwhile, consumer apps such as FaceTime and WhatsApp video were tolerated only during the pandemic. HHS then ended that enforcement discretion on May 11, 2023, with a transition period that closed August 9, 2023.

ProductBAA available?Where the BAA starts
Zoom Workplace BasicNoNot offered on the free plan
Zoom for HealthcareYesPro, $16.99/user/month
Google Meet, personal accountNoOutside the Workspace BAA
Google Meet in Google WorkspaceYesAccepted by the admin in the Admin console
FaceTime, WhatsApp videoNoPandemic leniency ended August 9, 2023

What makes a telehealth platform HIPAA compliant?

A telehealth platform is HIPAA compliant when the vendor signs a BAA and the plan you use encrypts, restricts and logs access to patient data. HIPAA compliant platforms share these safeguards:

  • A signed BAA. Indeed, HHS says covered providers must use telehealth vendors that will enter into business associate agreements.
  • Encryption in transit and at rest. For example, look for TLS on the call and AES-256 for stored files and recordings.
  • Access controls. Additionally, unique logins, multi-factor authentication and role-based permissions keep front-desk staff out of clinical notes.
  • Audit logs. Also, the platform records who opened, edited or exported each record.
  • Session safeguards. Waiting rooms, passcodes and recording off by default.
  • Secure messaging. Chat and file transfer inside the visit are PHI too, so they need the same protection.

Notably, no government agency certifies telehealth software as HIPAA compliant. A SOC 2 Type II or HITRUST report is therefore extra assurance about the vendor’s controls, never a substitute for the BAA.

First, HHS’s 2026 inflation adjustment sets HIPAA civil penalties at $145 to $73,011 per violation, capped at $2,190,294 a year for identical violations. Also, patients affected by a breach must be told within 60 days of discovery.

Read the BAA before you sign. Four clauses decide how much protection it gives you:

  • Breach-notice window: How fast the vendor tells you about a breach. SimplePractice’s BAA allows up to 15 business days, but Healthie’s allows five.
  • Subcontractors: Furthermore, the vendor must bind its cloud, messaging and AI providers to the same terms.
  • Data on termination: The vendor returns or destroys PHI when you leave, as SimplePractice’s BAA requires.
  • Who signs on free tiers: Doxy.me’s free BAA covers individual providers, so a group needs a clinic BAA.

So if your video vendor, EHR and billing system are separate products, you need three signed BAAs.

HIPAA compliance tools and services to pair with your telehealth platform

HIPAA compliance tools handle the paperwork around the platform, while the platform protects the visit itself. A risk-analysis or compliance management tool documents your security risk analysis, policies and training. Those tools do not encrypt a single call, so they sit beside the platform rather than replacing it.

HIPAA compliant services beyond video: messaging, fax and e-signature

HIPAA compliant services that touch PHI between visits each need their own BAA unless your platform already includes them:

  • Secure messaging: Instead, follow-up questions go through the patient portal rather than personal texts.
  • eFax: Referrals and records requests still run on fax, and Healthie includes outbound fax from Essentials.
  • E-signature and intake forms: Consent and medical history arrive signed before the call starts.
  • AI scribes: An AI documentation tool hears the whole session, so the AI vendor needs a BAA like any other.

In addition, a HIPAA compliant EHR that shares the telehealth record removes double entry. For example, with a separate video tool, someone retypes the visit into the chart, and each copy is another place PHI can leak. In Pabau, by contrast, the video visit, notes and forms sit in one record under a single BAA.

If you record phone or video consultations, check where the recordings are stored and when they are deleted. For example, Upheal deletes session audio by default, and VSee lists cloud recording on its Enterprise plan.

How to choose the right HIPAA compliant telehealth platform

Start with the BAA threshold, then match the platform to your practice shape. Every one of these telehealth HIPAA-compliant platforms clears the legal bar, so workflow fit decides the rest. UK-based practices should compare the leading telehealth platforms in the UK instead, since BAA rules follow US HIPAA law.

  1. Price the BAA threshold for your whole team. Then, cost the cheapest plan that carries a BAA for every provider who runs visits. The free BAAs on Doxy.me and VSee, however, cover one provider.
  2. Check team size and roles. Also, a telehealth platform for providers in a group needs role-based access, front-desk workflows and concurrent sessions across clinicians.
  3. Weigh billing depth. For example, SimplePractice handles insurance billing for therapy, and Pabau handles invoicing, direct pay and treatment finance. By contrast, Doxy.me and Zoom for Healthcare need an external billing system.
  4. Count the tools a free plan leaves out. For instance, Doxy.me, VSee and Upheal sign a BAA on their free plans, per each vendor’s site.

Overall, the best HIPAA-compliant video consultation platforms for healthcare practices differ most in what sits around the call. Find your practice shape in the table, then shortlist the platform beside it.

Practice shapeStart withWhy
Solo therapist billing insuranceSimplePracticeBAA from $49, insurance billing built in
Solo therapist, self-pay, wants AI notesUphealFree BAA, AI notes from $39
Solo provider with an EHR alreadyDoxy.me or VSeeFree BAA for one provider, video only
Group behavioral health practiceSimplePractice Plus or Upheal per seatGroup telehealth and team management
Nutrition or coaching practiceHealthiePrograms and goal tracking, active-client caps by tier
Multi-provider medical, aesthetic or multi-locationPabauOne record and one BAA across locations
Health system already on Zoom with an EHRZoom for HealthcareFamiliar video layer from $16.99 per user

How Pabau keeps the whole telehealth visit under one BAA

Most practices we speak with run telehealth across three tools: a video app, an EHR and a billing system. As a result, each tool means another BAA to sign, another login to secure and another copy of the patient record.

Instead, Pabau replaces that stack. The patient books through our online booking portal, completes intake and consent forms before the call, and joins the video visit at the booked time. Then the clinician writes the note into the same record and sends the invoice from the same screen.

Every Pabau subscription includes every feature, so telehealth, forms and billing are never upsells. Additionally, structured onboarding configures your forms, roles and access controls before the first patient visit.

Run every telehealth visit under one BAA

Pabau puts video visits, intake forms, clinical notes and invoicing in one patient record, so you sign one BAA instead of three.

Pabau telehealth and practice management platform

Conclusion

Pick the platform by its BAA threshold first, then by what that plan covers. Indeed, a free BAA on Doxy.me, Upheal or VSee is a sound start for one provider who already has a HIPAA compliant EHR.

Once a second clinician or a billing workflow joins the visit, the cheapest compliant setup is usually the one with the fewest BAAs. Finally, before you commit, ask each vendor for its BAA and read the breach-notice and termination clauses.

Finally, book a demo to see how Pabau runs video visits, forms, notes and billing under one BAA for your practice.

Continue your research

Continue your research

Serving practices in the UK instead? Telehealth platforms in the UK compares options shaped by CQC oversight and GDPR rules for remote consultations.

Frequently asked questions

Is Zoom HIPAA compliant for telehealth?

Only on a paid plan with a signed BAA. The free Zoom Workplace Basic plan has no BAA. Zoom for Healthcare adds one from the Pro plan at $16.99 per user per month, and Zoom still covers only the video layer. Scheduling, notes and billing therefore need other systems with their own BAAs.

What is the best free HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform?

Doxy.me is the simplest free option, with a BAA for individual providers and no download for patients. Upheal signs a BAA on its free plan too and suits therapists who want basic notes. VSee’s free solo plan includes a signed BAA and handles weak connections. However, all three free plans cover one provider and leave billing to other tools.

Is Google Meet or Zoom HIPAA compliant?

Both can be, on the right account. Google Meet is covered under Google’s HIPAA BAA for Google Workspace customers once the admin accepts it in the Admin console. Similarly, Zoom signs a BAA on paid plans starting with Pro. A personal Google account or the free Zoom plan has no BAA, so neither should host patient visits.

Which virtual meeting platform is HIPAA compliant?

Any virtual meeting platform can be used compliantly if the vendor signs a BAA and the plan encrypts and logs sessions. For example, Zoom for Healthcare, Google Workspace, Doxy.me and VSee all offer a BAA on qualifying plans. If you want the meeting, notes and billing in one place, HIPAA compliant telemedicine software such as Pabau or SimplePractice removes the extra vendors.

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Anja Dodevska
Content Writer

Anja Dodevska writes about healthcare, dermatology, and the day-to-day realities of running a medical practice for Pabau. She enjoys breaking down complex topics into clear, accessible content and has a soft spot for the often-overlooked aspects of clinic life. When she's not writing, she's exploring cafes, walking her dog, or spending time with friends and family.
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