Software & Tools

Cliniko vs Halaxy vs Nookal: Which Practice Management Software Is Right for Your Allied Health Clinic?

An independent comparison of seven Australian allied health practice management platforms — Cliniko, Halaxy, Nookal, Splose, Zanda, Coreplus, and Jane App — across pricing, features, integrations, compliance, and real user sentiment. Written from inside the platforms, not by a marketing team.

Ben Carter 24 min read
Cliniko vs Halaxy vs Nookal: Which Practice Management Software Is Right for Your Allied Health Clinic?
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No affiliate relationships

Clinic Admin works inside Cliniko, Nookal, and Splose every day. We are platform agnostic and hold no affiliate relationships with any software vendor in this comparison. This guide is updated periodically as platforms evolve.

Choosing practice management software is one of the most consequential decisions an allied health practice makes. It touches every workflow, every patient interaction, every dollar billed. And yet most comparison content online is either vendor produced, affiliate driven, or written by people who have never actually worked inside these platforms day to day.

Our team uses Cliniko, Nookal, and Splose across dozens of allied health practices every week. We see the strengths and frustrations first-hand. This comparison is written from that operational perspective rather than a marketing one.

We do not recommend any specific platform. The right choice depends entirely on your practice size, discipline mix, billing requirements, and appetite for complexity. What we can do is lay out the facts clearly enough that you can make that decision with confidence.

The market leader
Cliniko

Founded 2011, Melbourne · 65,000+ practitioners · Private, founder owned, never raised capital

Cliniko is the default for a reason. The interface is genuinely intuitive, every feature is included at every price point, and the company has held its prices steady since 2011. That fifteen-year price freeze is not a marketing gimmick. It reflects a deliberate philosophy about fairness that extends to donating 2% of all revenue to charity, having passed $3 million AUD in total donations by late 2025.

The platform scores 4.7 out of 5 on Capterra with ease of use rated 4.9. Support is 24/7, human-only, via chat and email. Cliniko deliberately tested and then publicly rejected AI for its support operations. That kind of opinionated product philosophy is either refreshing or frustrating depending on what you need.

The trade-offs are real. Medicare and DVA claiming requires Tyro Health, a third-party integration with its own fees. NDIS support relies on workarounds using patient cases and custom billable items rather than native tooling. Patients cannot self cancel or reschedule online bookings. And the deliberately anti-AI stance means you will need third-party apps for clinical documentation automation. Cliniko prices in USD, so Australian practices pay more than the headline figure suggests.

Solo practitioner
~$70 AUD/mo
2 to 5 practitioners
~$150 AUD/mo
6 to 8 practitioners
~$225 AUD/mo
13 to 25 practitioners
~$460 AUD/mo

The free platform
Halaxy

Founded 2012, Melbourne · 45,000+ practitioners · Private

Halaxy’s pitch is genuinely unusual. The core platform is free. Not a trial, not a limited tier. Free with unlimited practitioners, unlimited locations, and unlimited appointments. Revenue comes from a credits system where each credit costs roughly AUD $0.15 to $0.22 and is consumed by SMS, Medicare claiming, telehealth, and AI Scribe usage.

The breadth of native features is the deepest in this comparison. Halaxy processes Medicare rebates, DVA, ECLIPSE, TAC, WorkCover, and Comcare claiming natively. NDIS plan management with funding period tracking is built in. Over 700 clinical tools and templates cover 90+ healthcare professions. Heidi Health AI Scribe launches directly inside clinical notes. The platform also offers a patient portal with two factor authentication, a built-in CRM, and e-prescriptions via eRx.

The downsides centre on predictability and perception. The credit-based model makes monthly costs hard to forecast for high volume practices. Competitor Zanda has publicly challenged Halaxy’s privacy policy, arguing that if you are not paying for the product you are the product. Halaxy denies these claims. Regardless of who is right, the debate creates perception risk worth acknowledging. Review data is more scattered than competitors, and users report mixed customer support experiences alongside the comprehensive feature set.

The physio favourite
Nookal

Founded 2010, Oxenford QLD · Primarily AU/NZ/UK · Private

Nookal keeps things simple. One plan, $55 AUD per practitioner per month, all features included, unlimited admin staff, unlimited locations. The pricing model is the most transparent in this comparison and 60% of its Capterra reviewers identify as physiotherapists, confirming its stronghold in that discipline.

Direct Medicare and DVA claiming is native at approximately 30 cents per successful claim. NDIS support includes budget tracking, plan management, and bulk invoicing. Nookal integrates with both Heidi Health and its own Clinical AI scribe for voice-to-text dictation, and an Innovation Hub provides early access to features like AI letter generation. New Zealand practitioners benefit from strong ACC claiming support. The platform holds SOC 2 Type 2 certification, one of the stronger security credentials among all platforms reviewed.

The most significant gap is the missing patient portal, the platform’s most requested feature, announced for early 2026 but repeatedly delayed. The mobile app was last updated in 2020 and is essentially abandoned. Reporting functionality, while adequate, is frequently cited as a limitation compared to competitors. Nookal scores 4.6 out of 5 on Capterra from the largest review sample of the primary three platforms at 89 reviews.

The challengers

Splose 2018, Adelaide · $46M Series A (Feb 2026) · 20,000+ practitioners
Pricing model
~$20 to $35/practitioner (custom quotes)
Reviews
4.6/5 Capterra · 4.8/5 G2 (173+)

Best for: NDIS heavy practices, AI enthusiastic clinicians, and growing multi-disciplinary teams. Best-in-class NDIS service agreement management. Native AI powered voice-to-text, progress notes, and summarisation generating 200,000+ AI outcomes per month. The $46M raise signals aggressive expansion.

Zanda (formerly Power Diary) 2010, Ballarat VIC · Private, self funded · 65,000+ practitioners
Pricing model
From ~$19 AUD/month (50% off for 6 months)
Reviews
4.7/5 G2 (269) · 4/5 Trustpilot (543)

Best for: Budget conscious practices wanting native free Medicare claiming and free two-way SMS. ISO 27001 certified at the platform level, the strongest security credential in this comparison. BizzyAI for clinical note generation. The Power Diary rebrand to Zanda (November 2024) has caused some brand confusion.

Coreplus ~2009, South Melbourne · Private · Undisclosed
Pricing model
~$35/practitioner/month
Reviews
Limited reviews (3 AU Capterra)

Best for: Practices needing deep Australian digital health ecosystem integration. The only platform supporting both Xero and MYOB. Free built-in Medicare and DVA claiming. HealthLink secure clinical messaging for referrals and pathology. No AI scribe features. Very small but loyal user base with consistently positive support feedback.

Jane App 2012, Vancouver Canada · 200,000+ globally · Strong worldwide
Pricing model
From ~$83 AUD/month (USD pricing)
Reviews
4.8/5 Capterra (490) · 4.7/5 G2

Best for: Cash only wellness practices where beautiful UX is the priority. Highest rated interface in the category at 4.8 out of 5 on Capterra from nearly 500 reviews. Over 10,000 charting templates. No native Medicare, DVA, NDIS, HealthLink, HotDoc, Xero, or MYOB support. Practices needing Australian health system integration will find significant gaps.

Australian-critical features compared

The features that matter most to Australian allied health practices, across all seven platforms.

Feature ClinikoHalaxyNookalSploseZandaCoreplusJane
Medicare claiming Via TyroNative (credits)Native (30¢)Via MedipassNative (free)Native (free)—
DVA claiming Via TyroNative (credits)NativeVia MedipassNative (free)Native (free)—
NDIS support Workaround✓ Native✓ NativeBest in classLimited✓ Native—
AI Scribe Third party✓ Heidi✓ Heidi + native✓ Built in✓ BizzyAI—✓ Add on
Xero ✓✓✓ One way✓ Two way✓✓—
MYOB ——✓ Export——✓—
Patient portal —✓Coming 2026—✓✓✓
Open API ✓✓ FHIR✓✓—✓—
HealthLink —✓———✓—
AU data hosting ✓ AWS✓ AWS✓ AWS✓ AWS✓ AWS✓ AWS✓

Monthly cost by practice size

Drag the slider to see how base subscription costs compare at your practice size. Remember that some platforms add per-claim, per-SMS, or credit-based charges on top.

3

Approximate AUD base subscription costs. Excludes SMS, claiming fees, and add-ons. Cliniko and Jane priced in USD, converted at ~1.55. *Halaxy base is free but credits apply for SMS, claiming, and telehealth.

What matters for your discipline

A physiotherapist, a podiatrist, and an exercise physiologist walk into a software demo. They all need different things. Here is what actually matters for each, based on what we see operationally across the practices we support. These are observations, not recommendations. Your practice is unique and your decision should be based on your own evaluation.

Physiotherapy Expand to see what matters for your discipline

Physio practices live and die by the EPC lifecycle. Five Medicare funded sessions under a GP Management Plan, tracked across referral periods, with recall campaigns timed to re-engagement windows. The platform that handles this workflow most naturally wins.

EPC session tracking
Cliniko and Nookal both handle EPC tracking well through treatment counters and patient cases, but neither automates the five session limit notification natively. You will set this up manually. Halaxy tracks Medicare sessions within its claiming module. Splose automates session count alerts.
Exercise prescription
If you use Physitrack (and most Australian physio practices do), Nookal and Cliniko both integrate directly. Halaxy does not have a native Physitrack integration. This is a genuine deal breaker for practices that prescribe home exercise programmes as standard.
DVA claiming
DVA physiotherapy follows treatment cycles with initial consultations, subsequent sessions, and end of cycle reports back to the GP. Any platform with native DVA claiming (Halaxy, Nookal, Zanda, Coreplus) will handle this more smoothly than those requiring Tyro Health or Medipass as intermediaries.
Group classes
If you run clinical pilates, hydrotherapy, or group exercise classes, test this carefully. Cliniko’s group session functionality is acknowledged as immature. Nookal handles classes and group bookings more capably. Halaxy and Splose also support group scheduling.
AI clinical notes
Physio consultations involve hands-on treatment where typing is impractical. AI scribe tools that transcribe and structure SOAP notes from voice dictation are increasingly valuable. Nookal integrates Heidi Health plus its own Clinical AI. Splose has the deepest native AI. Cliniko relies on third party apps only.
Recall campaigns
Rebooking rates are the lifeblood of physio revenue. All platforms offer recall functionality, but the depth of filtering (by appointment type, last visit date, treatment count) and automation varies. Nookal and Cliniko offer good recall workflows. Halaxy’s CRM adds a layer of sophistication.
Summary
Most Australian physio practices we see end up on Cliniko or Nookal. Cliniko tends to be chosen for its simplicity and ecosystem maturity. Nookal tends to be chosen for its Physitrack integration, stronger group session support, and SOC 2 compliance. Practices with high DVA volume may find native claiming capability to be a significant decision factor. These are observations from our operational experience, not recommendations.
Podiatry Expand to see what matters for your discipline

Podiatry has the highest DVA penetration of any allied health discipline. Veterans with Gold Cards receive ongoing podiatry for all clinically necessary conditions, making DVA claiming efficiency a critical platform consideration. Podiatry practices also deal with orthotic inventory, wound care documentation, and biomechanical assessment templates that not all platforms handle equally.

DVA volume and workflow
A podiatry practice with even a moderate veteran patient base will process hundreds of DVA claims annually. The treatment cycle structure (initial consultation, subsequent sessions, end of cycle report to GP) requires software that tracks cycle position. Platforms with native free DVA claiming (Zanda, Coreplus) save meaningful money here. At 30 cents per claim on Nookal, a practice processing 200 DVA claims per month spends $60 per month on claiming fees alone.
Orthotic and inventory tracking
Custom orthotics, prefabricated devices, and clinical consumables need tracking. Cliniko’s inventory management is consistently described as basic. Nookal handles product tracking and invoicing. If orthotic inventory is a significant part of your practice, test this feature specifically during your trial rather than assuming it works.
Wound care and clinical photography
Diabetic foot care and wound management require longitudinal clinical photography and measurement documentation. Check how each platform handles image attachments within clinical notes and whether you can track wound progression visually over time. Cliniko’s treatment note templates with body charts work reasonably well here.
Biomechanical assessment templates
Gait analysis, pressure mapping results, and biomechanical examination findings need structured templates. All major platforms offer customisable clinical note templates, but the depth of pre-built podiatry specific templates varies. Cliniko has a broad template library. Halaxy claims 700+ clinical tools across 90+ professions.
Recall and rebooking
Podiatry has predictable recall intervals (typically 6 to 8 weeks for general care, more frequent for high risk patients). Automated recall campaigns filtered by last appointment date and patient risk category are essential. All platforms offer this, but the granularity of segmentation matters.
EPC and CDM plans
Podiatry EPC referrals are common for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes. Tracking the five session allocation, managing referral expiry dates, and coordinating with the referring GP are administrative workflows that happen at volume. Halaxy and Splose track these natively. Cliniko and Nookal handle it through manual configuration.
Summary
Podiatry practices with significant DVA caseloads tend to benefit most from platforms with native DVA claiming. Zanda and Coreplus offer this at no per-claim cost. For practices where DVA is secondary, Cliniko and Nookal both serve podiatry well in our experience. Nookal’s stronger inventory handling may suit practices with high orthotic volume. We always suggest trialling the wound documentation and clinical photography workflow before committing to any platform.
Exercise Physiology Expand to see what matters for your discipline

Exercise physiology sits at the intersection of Medicare EPC plans, NDIS, workers compensation, and private billing. No other allied health discipline navigates as many concurrent funding streams, and the administrative burden of managing service agreements, session counts, and reporting obligations across all of them is substantial.

NDIS service agreements
Many EP practices derive 30% or more of their revenue from NDIS participants. Service agreement management, plan date tracking, utilisation alerts, and bulk invoicing to plan managers or the NDIA directly are not optional features for these practices. Splose leads here with best-in-class NDIS tooling. Halaxy and Nookal offer native support. Cliniko’s NDIS workflow relies on workarounds.
Multiple funding streams
A single EP practice might bill Medicare (EPC), DVA, NDIS (self managed, plan managed, and NDIA managed), WorkCover, TAC, private health insurance, and private patients in the same week. The platform needs to handle different fee schedules, different claiming pathways, and different invoice formats without creating admin chaos. Halaxy covers the broadest range natively.
Group sessions and classes
Group exercise programmes are core EP business, especially under NDIS and chronic disease management plans. The platform needs to handle group scheduling, individual billing within group sessions (at different rates for different funding sources), and attendance tracking. Test this carefully. Cliniko’s group functionality is limited.
Outcome measurement
NDIS reporting and Medicare EPC reviews require documented outcome measures. Platforms that integrate with outcome measurement tools or allow structured assessment scoring within clinical notes save significant time. Nookal integrates with VALD for objective outcome data. Most platforms handle this through custom templates.
Longer appointment types
EP appointments commonly run 45 to 60 minutes, with initial assessments at 90 minutes. The scheduling calendar needs to handle variable appointment lengths cleanly, and the pricing model should not penalise practices with fewer but longer appointments per day. Per-practitioner pricing (Nookal, Coreplus) is unaffected. Flat rate pricing (Cliniko) suits high volume practices.
Referrer relationship management
EP relies heavily on GP referrals for EPC plans and specialist referrals for NDIS and compensation cases. Tracking referral sources, automating progress reports back to referring practitioners, and maintaining referrer databases are important workflow features. Nookal and Cliniko both offer referral source tracking and letter writing.
Summary
Exercise physiologists with heavy NDIS caseloads may find Splose worth evaluating first given its NDIS tooling is materially ahead of competitors in our assessment. For practices primarily billing Medicare EPC and private patients, Cliniko or Nookal both tend to work well. Practices billing across four or more funding streams simultaneously may find Halaxy’s breadth of native claiming valuable despite the unpredictable credit costs. These observations are based on our operational experience and should not be treated as recommendations.
From the field

The question we hear most often from practices we work with — including clinics like Optimise Health in Toowoomba — is not “which platform is best?” It is “which platform will our team actually stay in?” The honest answer is that the best platform is the one your admin and clinical teams will use fully, rather than half-adopting and working around. That is usually decided by fit and training, not by the feature matrix.

Decision guide
Which platform fits your practice?

Work through these eight questions about your practice and read what each answer implies. This guide is illustrative only. It uses a simplified model and does not account for every factor relevant to your decision. It is not a recommendation. Always verify current information directly with vendors and conduct your own due diligence before choosing any platform.

1. How many practitioners work in your practice?

Solo (just me)
At this size, per-practitioner pricing matters less than overall value. Cliniko at ~$70 AUD or Zanda at ~$19 AUD are the low end. Halaxy is free at the base level. The more important question is whether you will actually use features beyond scheduling and invoicing.
Small (2 to 5)
This is where pricing models start diverging meaningfully. Nookal at $55 per practitioner ($110 to $275 total) versus Cliniko’s flat $150 for 2 to 5 practitioners creates a clear cost advantage for Cliniko at this size. Halaxy remains free at base.
Medium (6 to 12)
Cliniko’s flat rate tiers become very competitive at this scale ($225 to $305 for 6 to 12 practitioners). Per-practitioner models (Nookal at $330 to $660) start feeling expensive. Halaxy’s free base is appealing but credit costs at this volume may be substantial.
Large (13+)
At 13+ practitioners, Cliniko ($460 for 13 to 25) and Halaxy ($0 base) are the cost leaders. Per-practitioner models become expensive. At 20 practitioners, Nookal costs $1,100 per month in base subscription alone. Feature depth and multi-location support become the deciding factors.

2. What is your primary discipline?

Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is the strongest use case for both Cliniko and Nookal. Cliniko is an official partner of the UK Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. 60% of Nookal’s Capterra reviewers identify as physiotherapists. Both platforms have deep physio-specific template libraries and Physitrack integration.
Podiatry
Podiatry practices typically have higher DVA penetration than other disciplines. If you treat veterans, native DVA claiming capability will save meaningful time and money. Orthotic inventory tracking is another consideration that varies significantly across platforms.
Exercise physiology
Exercise physiology’s reliance on multiple concurrent funding streams (Medicare EPC, NDIS, WorkCover, private) makes billing flexibility critical. Splose’s NDIS tooling is materially ahead of competitors. Halaxy covers the broadest range of native claiming pathways.
Other allied health
For psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, dietetics, and other disciplines, the core platform differences apply. Psychology practices may find Zanda’s free native Medicare claiming and strong Trustpilot reviews appealing. OT and speech pathology practices with NDIS heavy caseloads may find Splose worth evaluating.

3. How important is Medicare and DVA claiming to your practice?

Essential (daily)
If you are claiming Medicare and DVA daily, the difference between native free claiming (Zanda, Coreplus) and per-claim fees (Nookal at 30 cents, Halaxy via credits) or third party requirements (Cliniko via Tyro Health) compounds quickly. A practice processing 40 claims per day could spend $250 or more per month on claiming fees alone with some platforms.
Regular (weekly)
Weekly claiming means the per-claim cost matters but is not the dominant expense. Native claiming is still preferred for workflow efficiency. Having to switch to a separate Tyro Health interface mid-workflow (as required by Cliniko) adds friction but is manageable at this volume.
Occasional
At this volume, claiming method is a convenience factor, not a cost factor. Choose based on other priorities. Any platform will handle occasional claiming adequately.
Rarely or never
Claiming capability is not a decision driver for you. This opens up Jane App as a genuine option and lets you focus on scheduling, notes, and billing features instead.

4. What proportion of your revenue comes from NDIS?

More than 30%
This is the single strongest filter in this entire comparison. If NDIS represents more than 30% of your revenue, Splose is worth evaluating closely. Its service agreement management, plan date tracking, utilisation alerts, and bulk NDIA portal uploads are built specifically for this use case. Halaxy’s native NDIS plan management is the second strongest option in our assessment.
10% to 30%
At 10 to 30%, you need functional NDIS support but it does not need to be the defining feature. Nookal and Halaxy both handle this well with native budget tracking and invoicing. Cliniko’s workaround approach (using patient cases and custom billable items) becomes tedious at this volume but is workable.
Less than 10%
NDIS support is a nice-to-have but should not drive your platform decision. All platforms except Jane can handle basic NDIS invoicing even if their native tooling is limited.
None
NDIS capability is irrelevant to your decision. Focus on other factors.

5. Which accounting software does your practice use?

Xero
Good news: nearly every platform integrates with Xero. Splose offers two-way sync (the deepest integration). Cliniko, Halaxy, Zanda, and Coreplus all offer standard Xero integration. Nookal’s is one-way. Jane does not integrate with Xero at all.
MYOB
This narrows your shortlist significantly. Only Coreplus offers a native MYOB integration and Nookal offers MYOB export. If MYOB is non-negotiable, your realistic options are Coreplus (native) or Nookal (export) unless you are willing to use manual CSV imports with other platforms.
QuickBooks
Halaxy integrates with QuickBooks. Most other platforms do not list QuickBooks as a supported integration. Check current integration status directly with any platform you are evaluating.
Other or none
Without an accounting software constraint, you have full flexibility across all platforms.

6. How interested are you in AI-powered clinical documentation?

Already using it or keen to start
Splose is the most AI-native platform, with voice-to-text, automated progress notes, and AI summarisation generating over 200,000 AI outcomes per month across its user base. Nookal integrates both Heidi Health and its own Clinical AI scribe. Halaxy has deep Heidi Health integration. Zanda has BizzyAI. Cliniko deliberately stays out of AI, offering third party apps only.
Curious but cautious
You want a platform that offers AI as an option without requiring it. Nookal is a good middle ground: it integrates with Heidi Health but does not force an AI workflow. Halaxy similarly offers AI through credits so you only pay when you use it.
Not interested right now
Cliniko’s deliberately anti-AI philosophy might actually appeal to you. The platform focuses on doing the fundamentals well without chasing features. Coreplus also does not offer AI scribe features.

7. What is your monthly software budget per practitioner?

Under $30 AUD
Under $30 per practitioner limits you to Zanda (from ~$19), Splose (~$20 to $35, custom pricing), Halaxy ($0 base plus credits), or Coreplus (~$35). Cliniko only fits at this budget point for larger practices where the flat rate divides down. Nookal at $55 per practitioner is above this threshold.
$30 to $60 AUD
This is the sweet spot where most platforms compete. All seven platforms are accessible at this budget level for most practice sizes. Your decision can be made on features and fit rather than cost constraints.
$60 to $100 AUD
Budget is not constraining your options. Focus entirely on which platform serves your workflows, discipline, and billing requirements best.
Whatever it takes
Same as comfortable. No platform in this comparison exceeds $100 per practitioner per month at any practice size. The cost differences between platforms are relatively small compared to the productivity impact of choosing the right one.

8. What matters most to you in a platform?

Simplicity and ease of use
Cliniko’s 4.9 out of 5 ease of use rating on Capterra is the highest in the comparison. Its all inclusive, no tiers, no upselling approach means you never wonder whether you are on the right plan. Nookal is similarly straightforward with its one plan, one price model.
Feature depth and breadth
Halaxy offers the broadest native feature set. Medicare, DVA, ECLIPSE, TAC, WorkCover, Comcare, NDIS, patient portal, CRM, e-prescriptions, 700+ clinical tools, AI Scribe. No other platform matches this breadth. The trade off is complexity and unpredictable credit costs.
Lowest possible cost
Zanda is the lowest entry price at ~$19 per month with native free Medicare claiming and free two-way SMS. Halaxy is free at the base. For larger practices, Cliniko’s flat rate tiers deliver the lowest per-practitioner cost.
AI and modern technology
Splose is the most technology forward platform with the deepest AI integration and $46 million in venture funding to accelerate development. Halaxy and Zanda also invest actively in AI features. Cliniko is deliberately conservative on technology adoption.

Security and compliance

All seven platforms store Australian patient data on Australian servers. The differentiator is the level of independent security verification each has obtained.

Zanda
ISO 27001

Platform level certification

Nookal
SOC 2 Type 2

Renewed December 2025

Jane
SOC 2

Independently audited

Cliniko
Via AWS

HIPAA, GDPR, APPs compliant

Halaxy
APPs compliant

Privacy policy debate noted

Splose
APPs, GDPR

No independent audit confirmed

What it comes down to

No single platform dominates on every dimension. Cliniko wins on simplicity and trust. Halaxy wins on feature breadth and per-practitioner cost at scale. Nookal wins on physio-specific workflows and independently verified compliance. Splose wins on AI capability and NDIS depth. Zanda wins on entry price and native Medicare claiming. Coreplus wins on Australian digital health integration. And Jane wins on interface design, though at the cost of Australian relevance.

The gap between platforms is narrowing. The National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan, released in December 2025, sets a five-year roadmap for digital connectivity. Sixteen software vendors are working on My Health Record integration expected by mid-2026. That will create a new differentiator around which platforms connect to Australia’s national health record infrastructure.

AI is the most visible battleground, but actual practitioner adoption of advanced AI features remains low. The AHPA Digital Transformation Survey of nearly 2,500 allied health professionals found that 70% recognise the value of digital health data, but the gap between recognition and daily use is still wide. The platforms investing most aggressively in AI are betting on where the market is heading, not where it is today.

Frequently asked questions

Which platform is best for a solo physiotherapist?
Cliniko or Zanda. Cliniko offers a proven, all-inclusive experience at around $70 AUD per month with no feature restrictions. Zanda undercuts at roughly $19 per month with native free Medicare claiming. Both are solid choices. If budget is the primary concern, Zanda. If long-term stability and ecosystem maturity matter more, Cliniko.
Which platform handles NDIS billing best?
Splose. Its native NDIS support includes service agreements with the fee schedule built in, automated plan date tracking, utilisation and expiry alerts, and bulk uploads directly to the NDIS portal. Halaxy and Nookal also offer native NDIS support, but Splose has built the deepest tooling specifically for disability and NDIS-heavy practices.
Can I claim Medicare directly without a third-party service?
Yes, on Halaxy (via credits), Nookal (approximately 30 cents per claim), Zanda (free), and Coreplus (free). Cliniko requires Tyro Health and Splose requires Medipass, both of which carry their own fees. Jane has no Medicare support at all.
Which platform works best with Xero?
Splose offers two-way Xero sync. Cliniko, Halaxy, Zanda, and Coreplus offer one-way or standard Xero integration. Nookal’s Xero integration is one-way. Jane does not integrate with Xero.
What about MYOB?
Only two platforms support MYOB: Coreplus (native integration) and Nookal (export). If your practice relies on MYOB, this narrows your shortlist significantly.
Is Halaxy really free?
The base platform is genuinely free with no time limit, no practitioner cap, and no feature gating on core functionality. However, SMS, Medicare claiming, telehealth, and AI Scribe usage all consume credits that cost money. For a practice using these features at volume, monthly costs can become meaningful and unpredictable. Low volume practices may pay very little beyond the credits.
Which platform has the best mobile app?
Honestly, none of them excel here. No platform in this comparison offers a well-maintained native mobile app. Nookal’s was last updated in 2020. Most platforms rely on responsive web experiences accessed through a mobile browser, with varying degrees of success.
How does Clinic Admin work with these platforms?
Our team works inside Cliniko, Nookal, and Splose every day across dozens of allied health practices. Our team supports the admin workflows that run through your chosen platform, including appointment management, billing, recalls, inbox triage, and documentation. We are platform agnostic and do not recommend one over another.

We know allied health like the back of our hand.

To us, every practice management system is a native tool. Our team works inside Cliniko, Nookal, and Splose every day — across dozens of Australian allied health practices — to deliver the kind of administration results that clinic owners tell us they could not replicate in-house.

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Sources & further reading

Pricing, feature descriptions, and review ratings throughout this guide were gathered in April 2026 from the following primary sources. Platforms change frequently — always verify directly with each vendor before making a decision.

  • Vendor websites: Cliniko, Halaxy, Nookal, Splose, Zanda, Coreplus, and Jane App.
  • Third-party review platforms: Capterra, G2, GetApp, and Trustpilot — published ratings current at April 2026.
  • Australian health system: Services Australia Medicare and DVA claiming documentation; NDIA on NDIS provider requirements; My Health Record; and the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan (December 2025).
  • Security credentials: ISO 27001 (Zanda), SOC 2 Type 2 (Nookal, Jane), AWS infrastructure controls (Cliniko, Halaxy, Splose, Zanda, Coreplus). Verify current status directly with each vendor.
Disclaimer: This article is published by Clinic Admin (Yoonet Pty Ltd) for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, legal, financial, or technology advice and is not a recommendation or endorsement of any product or service. All pricing, features, review ratings, comparison tables, calculator outputs, alignment scores, and discipline-specific guidance are based on publicly available third-party sources and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. Platform features, pricing, integrations, and policies change frequently and without notice. You are solely responsible for conducting your own independent research, verifying all information directly with software vendors, and obtaining appropriate professional advice before making purchasing or business decisions. Clinic Admin accepts no responsibility or liability for decisions influenced by this article. All trademarks and product names mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Clinic Admin has no affiliate relationships, referral arrangements, or commercial partnerships with any software vendor listed. Information current as of April 2026.
About the author
Ben Carter Founder, Clinic Admin & Yoonet

Ben Carter has spent over 25 years working alongside Australian businesses, the last 15 of those deeply embedded in allied health. He founded Yoonet in 2010 to build specialist remote teams from the best of the Philippines’ workforce, and Clinic Admin grew out of that work. He writes about practice economics, marketing, the cultural nuances of building Australian–Filipino teams, and the real challenges of running a business today.

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