Disclaimer: ( Cliniko not responsible for this review, this review, written with AI help.)
Introduction
Cliniko is a comprehensive practice management software designed specifically for allied health practitioners and clinics. Used by thousands of healthcare professionals across more than 95 countries worldwide, Cliniko offers a cloud-based solution for managing appointments, patient records, invoices, payments, and more. This review provides an in-depth analysis of Cliniko’s features, pricing, security measures, user experiences, and how it compares to competitors in the market.
Company Overview
Cliniko positions itself as “software for people who care,” emphasizing its focus on healthcare practitioners. The platform is designed to be an all-in-one solution that helps practitioners manage their practice efficiently while maintaining focus on patient care. Cliniko’s approach centers on providing a user-friendly interface with comprehensive functionality that scales from solo practitioners to multi-location clinics.
Key Features
Booking & Scheduling
Cliniko’s appointment calendar is one of its standout features, offering a clear, straightforward interface that both practitioners and administrative staff can easily navigate. The system is designed to reduce no-shows and administrative time through:
- Intuitive calendar interface with customizable views
- Patient self-booking capabilities that integrate seamlessly with the main calendar
- Automated appointment reminders via email (free) or SMS ($0.10 per message)
- Easy rescheduling and cancellation management
- Multi-practitioner and multi-location support
The online booking system receives particular praise from users for its simplicity, making it accessible even for patients with limited technical skills. The booking process requires just a few clicks to complete an appointment, enhancing the patient experience while reducing administrative burden.
Health Records
Cliniko’s treatment notes system offers flexibility and security for patient records:
- Fully customizable treatment notes templates
- Secure cloud storage of all patient information
- Access to records from any device with proper authentication
- Quick search functionality to find saved notes
- Ability to flag incomplete items for follow-up
- Drag-and-drop file uploading to patient records
While the system offers significant flexibility, some users note limitations including a limited number of ready-made templates and inability to attach PDFs to emails. However, the customization options generally allow practitioners to adapt the system to their specific needs.
Finance Management
The financial management tools in Cliniko streamline the often complex aspects of healthcare billing:
- Comprehensive invoicing system
- Payment processing and tracking
- Financial reporting capabilities
- Integration with accounting software like Xero
The platform lacks some advanced financial features such as package management and percentage-based payments to contractors or locums, which may be limiting for certain practice models.
Reporting and Tracking
Cliniko provides detailed performance reports that give practice owners and managers valuable insights:
- Comprehensive practice performance metrics
- Tracking of marketing channel effectiveness
- Real-time information for business decision-making
- Performance monitoring tools for growth analysis
These reporting capabilities allow practitioners to make data-driven decisions about their practice, identifying growth opportunities and areas for improvement.
Business Management
For practices with multiple locations or practitioners, Cliniko offers robust business management features:
- Multi-location management capabilities
- Internal communication tools for staff coordination
- Import and export functionality for data management
- Customizable workflows to match practice processes
Pricing Structure
Cliniko offers a transparent, tiered pricing model based on the number of practitioners in a practice: ( Price may changing, for correct price please check the original website)
- 1 practitioner: $45/month
- 2-5 practitioners: $95/month
- 6-8 practitioners: $145/month
- 9-12 practitioners: $195/month
- 13-25 practitioners: $295/month
- 26-200 practitioners: $395/month
All prices are in USD, and SMS messages cost an additional $0.10 each, while emails are free. Notably, Cliniko offers:
- Free 30-day trial for all new users
- No upfront costs – charges only begin after the trial period
- No minimum contract term – users can cancel anytime
- Free subscriptions for registered charities (though SMS credits are still charged)
What’s Included in All Subscriptions
Unlike some competitors that restrict features in lower-priced tiers, all Cliniko subscriptions include:
- Every Cliniko feature (no feature restrictions)
- 100% free support
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited locations
- Unlimited file storage
- 24/7 monitoring
- Constant updates
- 2% donated to charity
This all-inclusive approach means that even small practices can access the full functionality of the platform, making it particularly attractive for solo practitioners or small clinics that may grow over time.
Security Features
Cliniko places a strong emphasis on security, which is critical for healthcare providers handling sensitive patient information:
Data Ownership and Management
- Users retain ownership of their data while Cliniko acts as custodian
- Data is held for minimum 90 days after cancellation
- Data export feature allows users to transfer information outside of Cliniko
Infrastructure Security
- Hosted in state-of-the-art datacenter facilities (Amazon Web Services)
- Physical access controlled by professional security staff
- Video surveillance and intrusion detection systems
- Built in clusters for high availability and redundancy
Data Protection
- HTTPS encryption for all data transmission (end-to-end encryption)
- 2048-bit SSL certification for encryption in transit
- All data encrypted at rest using AES-256 encryption algorithm
- Daily backups with redundant storage in multiple physical locations
- Real-time data streaming to replica databases for up-to-the-second redundancy
Compliance and Certifications
- Meets or exceeds regulations of Australian Privacy Principles, GDPR, PIPEDA, and HIPAA
- AWS partner has achieved PCI DSS Level 1, ISO 27001, and FIPS 140-2 certifications
Additional Security Features
- 24/7/365 monitoring
- Bug bounty program for responsibly disclosed issues
- Regional data storage (Australia, UK, Canada, Ireland/EU)
- Support for passkeys and two-factor authentication
- User security roles to limit access to confidential information
These comprehensive security measures make Cliniko suitable for healthcare practices that must comply with various regional and international data protection regulations.
User Experience and Interface
Cliniko’s user interface is consistently praised for its intuitive design and ease of use. The platform strikes a balance between comprehensive functionality and simplicity, making it accessible to users with varying levels of technical proficiency. The dashboard provides a clear overview of appointments, tasks, and practice performance, though some new users report an initial learning curve in navigating all features.
The mobile responsiveness of the platform allows practitioners to access their schedules and patient information on the go, enhancing flexibility in practice management.
Integration Capabilities
Cliniko offers integration with various third-party applications to expand functionality:
- Integration with MailChimp for email marketing campaigns
- Integration with Xero for financial record management
- API access for custom integrations
- Connected apps require API key for secure linking
While these integrations cover many common needs, the range of pre-built integrations is not as extensive as some competitors, potentially requiring custom development for specific workflow requirements.
User Reviews and Testimonials
Positive Feedback
Users consistently highlight several strengths of the Cliniko platform:
- Ease of Use: Multiple users praise Cliniko for being intuitive and user-friendly
- Scalability: Works well for both solo practitioners and multi-location clinics with many staff members
- Support Quality: Users consistently mention the helpful and responsive support team
- Online Booking: The patient self-booking system is highlighted as particularly effective and easy for patients of all ages
- Growth Enabler: Several users mention how Cliniko helped them expand from single practitioners to multiple locations
- Integration: Integration with accounting software like Xero is mentioned as valuable
- Longevity: Some users report using Cliniko for 5-15 years with continued satisfaction
- Setup Process: Users find the setup process straightforward and intuitive
- Administrative Efficiency: Reports of improving admin efficiency by over 50%
Limitations and Concerns
Despite the overall positive reception, users have identified several limitations:
- Limited customization options for specialized practices
- Cannot attach PDFs to emails
- Limited number of ready-made templates for notes
- No built-in package management feature
- Lacks ability to make percentage payments to contractors or locums
- Some users report the dashboard can be complex and difficult to navigate initially
Competitors and Alternatives
The practice management software market includes several alternatives to Cliniko, each with its own strengths and focus areas:
Jane App
- Popular alternative specifically designed for health and wellness practitioners
- Similar focus on appointment scheduling and practice management
- Often compared directly with Cliniko in the allied health space
Epic
- Larger, more comprehensive healthcare software system
- More suitable for larger medical practices and hospitals
- More extensive but potentially more complex than Cliniko
Carepatron
- Practice management software with similar functionality
- Focuses on healthcare practitioners and clinics
Power Diary (now Zanda)
- Practice management system for health clinics
- Features appointment scheduling, notes, and billing capabilities
Practice Better
- Focused on health and wellness practitioners
- Includes client management and scheduling features
Other Alternatives
- SimplePractice: Popular for mental health practitioners
- TM3: Practice management software with user sentiment rating of 84 (compared to Cliniko’s 98)
- PracticeSuite: Alternative with different pricing and feature sets
- Cerner: Larger healthcare IT solution
Competitive Advantages of Cliniko
When compared to alternatives, Cliniko stands out in several areas:
- User-friendly interface and ease of setup
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or contracts
- Strong focus on customer support
- No feature restrictions on lower-priced tiers
- Established reputation with long-term users
Conclusion
Cliniko offers a robust, user-friendly practice management solution specifically designed for allied health practitioners. Its comprehensive feature set covers all essential aspects of practice management, from scheduling and patient records to invoicing and reporting. The platform’s scalability makes it suitable for practices of all sizes, from solo practitioners to multi-location clinics.
The transparent pricing model, with no feature restrictions across tiers, provides excellent value, particularly for smaller practices. Strong security measures and compliance with healthcare regulations ensure that sensitive patient data is protected according to industry standards.
While Cliniko has some limitations in terms of customization options and certain specialized features, its core functionality, ease of use, and quality support make it a strong contender in the practice management software market. The consistently positive user feedback, particularly regarding the platform’s intuitive interface and helpful support team, further reinforces its position as a leading solution for allied health practitioners.
For healthcare practitioners seeking a reliable, comprehensive practice management system with a focus on usability and security, Cliniko represents an excellent choice that can grow with their practice over time.
Recommendation
Cliniko is highly recommended for:
- Allied health practitioners of all specialties
- Small to medium-sized practices looking for an all-in-one solution
- Practices prioritizing ease of use and patient self-booking capabilities
- Healthcare providers requiring strong security and compliance features
- Growing practices that may expand to multiple locations
Practices with highly specialized workflows or those requiring advanced financial management features may want to evaluate whether Cliniko’s customization options will meet their specific needs before committing.