CentralReach vs CR Essentials

SimplePractice

Carepatron

Theralytics 

TheraPlatform

AlohaABA

Total Therapy

Compare CentralReach and CR Essentials based on features, pricing, verified reviews, integrations & more on GetApp. Find out which software is best for your business in 2026.

Theralytics is a cloud-based ABA practice management software that streamlines scheduling, billing, data collection, documentation, payroll, and reporting in one secure, user-friendly platform, boosting efficiency for therapy providers.

Running an ABA practice can be overwhelming, but AlohaABA makes it a breeze! Our all-in-one practice management software handles scheduling, payroll, billing, and insurance claims while our Customer Success Managers provide 24/7 support. Focus on your patient and let us handle the heavy lifting.

S Cubed

S Cubed is a clinic management solution that assists with appointment scheduling, data reporting, and more. Key features include customized treatment plans and guardian portal

CentralReach provides a comprehensive ABA therapy platform with integrated tools for data collection, billing, scheduling, and AI-powered session notes, helping providers manage autism and IDD care with efficiency and compliance.

ABA Data Collection

Access Controls/Permissions

Activity Dashboard

Activity Tracking

Alerts/Notifications

Appointment Management

Appointment Scheduling

Assessment Management

Automated Scheduling

Availability Management

Behavior Tracking

Billing & Invoicing

Calendar Management

Care Plan Management

Charting

Chat/Messaging

Claims Management

Claims Scrubbing

Client Database

Client Portal

Clinical Notes

Clinic Interoperability

Coding Assistance

Communication Management

Compliance Management

Compliance Tracking

Customizable Forms

Customizable Reports

Customizable Templates

Data Security

Data Storage Management

Data Visualization

Decision Support

Documentation Management

Document Management

Document Storage

Document Templates

Electronic Payments

Electronic Signature

Employee Management

EMR/EHR

For ABA Industry

For Mental/Behavioral Health

Forms Management

For Occupational Therapists

Goal Setting/Tracking

HIPAA Compliant

Historical Reporting

Initial Assessments

Insurance Eligibility Verification

Insurance Management

Invoice Management

Learning Management

Medical Billing

Mobile Access

Multi-Location

Multi-Physician

Multi-Provider Practice

Notes Management

Outcome Assessment Tools

Patient Database

Patient Engagement

Patient Intake

Patient Monitoring

Patient Portal

Patient Records Management

Patient Scheduling

Payroll Management

Physician Scheduling

Practice Management

Program Management

Progress Notes

Progress Reports

Progress Tracking

Real-Time Reporting

Records Management

Registration Management

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

Revenue Management

Role-Based Permissions

Scheduling

Self Service Portal

Session Notes

SOAP notes

Staff Management

Template Management

Therapy Notes

Third-Party Integrations

Treatment Planning

Visual Analytics

CentralReach

Web-based

Android

iPhone

iPad

Windows

Basic

Owner

CentralReach is great to have everything in one place, such as data collection, onboarding paperwork, timesheets, billing, claims, invoicing, trainings, etc.  Haven't been able to find another platform that has all of this.

Onboarding and training Supervisor

What I like about Central, which is that is a software that has only information and it’s really useful, friendly, including the mobile app to just take data or just to have information as an HR admin, it’s a really good and forward software to make everyone’s life easier and it doesn’t matter if it’s from the clients’ end or company’s

Practice Manager

After many years of making it work, with tons of service disruptions because the software was down for sometimes days at a time, and not trusting that the high additional monthly costs would make it that much better for us, we decided to switch to a different platform, only to be told that they had automatically renewed our annual policy a full month before it was due for renewal, insisting that our contract had been on auto-renewal for years even though they manually renewed with us every year prior.

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, COTA

This system supports our clinic's ABA documentation and data collection nicely.

I was able to review data, plans, graphs, and be able to assist with reassessments and other things at ease.

Best suited for ABA but also functions well for other billable services including speech/OT, counseling, and diagnostic evaluations.

Behavioral Health Technician

Was difficult to navigate from a cell phone, some functions worked better on a desktop.

First of all, users need to know that if you are unhappy and decide to switch to another EHR, Central Reach does not give you a copy of your patient records.

Operation Manager

Reporting and tracking in the Learning platform is weak, Making it hard to follow progress on the learning side.

BCBA

I liked features that it included such as having all platforms within one and the option to pull reports

Reports are also clunky and require a ton of manual modification to be usable, and do not contain all of the information you would commonly need.

Behavior Analyst

I also like how you can view the graphs as you're collecting data.

I did like the ability to structure the session note.

Central Reach is user friendly, allows for significant flexibility to meet the needs of our organization, but at the same time provides critical structure and process consistency for users across different functions and locations.  

Lead Accountant

We have begun to organize and utilize aspects of Central Reach to promote centralized reports and management by accessing tutorials through the Education modules.

Scheduling AI at a starting point program- We have not save time yet with this additional tool.

Registered Behavior Technician

I also don't like that I can only be logged in on what device at a time.

The help SOP are not always up to date-Agent send them over and you have to reach back until you can get help.

owner manager Behavior Analyst

RBTs complain about it not being easy to prepare and convert notes at sessions

Chief Executive Officer

One of the most impressive aspects of Central Reach is their commitment to innovation and their ability to adapt to the changing needs of the healthcare industry.

Ease of use, navigation was fairly intuitive, able to communicate internally.

It's very tedious and difficult to understand if you're not fully trained on it.

Billing Manager

As an administrator/biller, Central reach provides all the tools needed to easily submit, track, and collect on claims.

I enjoyed the easeat which records and concerns  could be automatically communicated.

BI Director

The utilization module is not as accurately calculated.

Expensive, additional functionality cost more,  poor customer support.

Sr. Admin Assistant

There were a lot of changes and updates and sometimes they werent the easiest to adjust to.

The pricing was a little expensive, especially for smaller businesses to afford.

Their ongoing development of new features and updates has enabled us to stay ahead of the curve and offer the best possible services to our clients.

Some features for management are difficult to manuver.

Team Leader

There are updates that they roll out recently that did made my experience hard.

Registered Behavioral Therapist

It made it easier to write notes in time.

We are becoming versed in the capabilities within Central Reach and learning simultaneously where we have short falls and how to overcome them.

With the constant support and changes this platform is a good option

We are considering the payroll options with CR.

The software is easily scalable as the business grows.

Remote Staff

The least favorite I have with this product is, every time there is a new feature added, some functions tend to get temperamental and glitchy.

Director, Behavior Analytic Services

Central reach is more intuitive than other software.

The inability to create simple reports from a financial accounting standpoint.

Partner/Finance Director

Central Reach has been instrumental in helping our organization streamline our processes and improve efficiency.

The platform is easy to use, which enables  us to streamline their processes and manage  our client data more effectively.  

The Invoicing and Credit Card collections need improving.

Software Specialist

Data disappears occasionally when staff are taking data.

Operations Analyst

Which, from a business standpoint, totally makes sense and we understand, but can occasionally be frustrating if we can't find a suitable workaround while it is developed.

The learning curve associated with implementing, technical issues or shutdowns during last year.

As the billing director, I am impressed with the ease of billing, sending claims and follow-up.  

Benefits Specialist

We often have days where the site is down (we've even had weeks) which has significantly impacted my workforce (both on the billing and payroll side).

Training and Learning Curve

Customization Options

Billing and Timesheets

Pricing

User Interface

Data Collection and Reporting

Process Organization

Client Data Management

Frequent glitches and slow resolutions

88% of reviewers feel negative about CentralReach’s bugs and issues. Some users report frequent glitches, such as unexpected reloads, errors with permissions, and system outages that disrupt their workflow. Reviewers indicate that new feature releases sometimes introduce instability, and they are frustrated by slow or unresponsive support when problems arise. They say that recurring technical difficulties, especially with the mobile app, make it challenging to rely on the software for critical tasks. Users find that unresolved bugs can hinder note recording and overall efficiency.

Intuitive and organized navigation

Billing specialist

I really appreciate the ease of use and the ability to easily navigate through different pages.

Provides a great visual of schedules, payroll and other aspects in an organized manner.

89% of reviewers feel positive about CentralReach’s user interface. Reviewers appreciate the clean and visually appealing layout, which they say makes navigation easy and reduces fatigue during extended use. Some users report that features like organized schedules, clear graphics, and seamless data entry help them manage their work efficiently. They indicate that the interface supports quick access to important functions and modules, and that ongoing updates continue to improve usability. Users think the ability to customize workflows and group programs enhances their experience and productivity.

Accessible for all skill levels

83% of reviewers feel positive about CentralReach’s ease of use. Users indicate the software is straightforward and user-friendly, even for those who are not tech-savvy. Some reviewers find it simple to set up and navigate, appreciating that it is accessible across devices like computers, phones, and tablets. Reviewers appreciate that daily tasks are manageable and that the system is organized in a way that supports efficient workflows. They say the platform’s intuitive design reduces the learning curve and helps them quickly adapt to using it for regular operations.

CentralReach vs CR Essentials Comparison (2026)

CentralReach

CR Essentials

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives