How to choose the best home exercise program software
A practical checklist for PTs and OTs comparing HEP software: what to ask about the exercise library, dosage, printing, patient delivery, privacy and price.
Start with what you need
There's no single best tool for everyone. Answer these first, and most of the list sorts itself out:
- Who's using it?A solo therapist, a small clinic, or a large group with admins, billing and several locations.
- How do patients get their program?On paper, by email link, in an app, or a mix. Think about your oldest and least techy patients.
- What else must it connect to?If you need EMR integration, telehealth or billing in the same tool, that narrows the list quickly.
- What will you pay for?Per clinician or per clinic, monthly or yearly, and whether there's a free plan to try it properly.
The buyer's checklist
Questions worth asking about any home exercise program software before you commit:
- Exercise libraryIs every exercise reviewed by a clinician before it's published? Are there clear photos or video, and can you find exercises by the names you actually use?
- DosageCan you set sets, reps, hold, rest, frequency, side and resistance for each exercise, and add a note for the patient?
- Patient deliveryCan a patient open their program without downloading an app or creating an account? Ask a patient to try it in front of you.
- PrintingDoes the printout have pictures, dosage and steps for every exercise? Can you choose how many exercises fit on a page?
- Your own exercisesCan you add exercises with your own photos and video when the library doesn't have what you need?
- TemplatesCan you save a protocol once and start each new patient from it, then adjust?
- Privacy and patient dataWhat patient information does it store, for how long, and who can see it? Fewer records stored means less to protect.
- Price and contractsIs the price listed publicly? Is there a contract or setup fee, and can you cancel anytime?
How HEPonDemand answers the checklist
We make HEPonDemand, so here are our own answers. Hold any tool you're considering, ours included, to the same questions.
| What to check | HEPonDemand |
|---|---|
| Exercise library | Clinician-reviewed before it's published, with photos and video. Search by name, nickname or tag. |
| Dosage | Sets, reps, hold, rest, frequency, side and resistance for every exercise, plus a note for the patient. |
| Getting it to the patient | Email with a private link that opens on any phone, and a PDF copy attached. No app or account for the patient. |
| Printing | 1, 2 or 4 exercises per page on US Letter (Pro). |
| Your own exercises | Add custom exercises with your own photos and video. |
| Templates | Save protocols once and reuse them for every new patient (Pro). |
| Patient privacy | No patient records: programs have a name you choose, and patient emails are used once to send, never stored. |
| Price | Free to build, and your first 3 programs to patients are free; Pro is $9.99/month for unlimited sending, saving, printing and templates. Cancel anytime. |
HEPonDemand is a good fit if you want to build a program quickly and hand it over on paper or by email, without asking patients to install anything. It isn't the right tool if you need EMR integration, telehealth or in-app patient tracking. See pricing for the Free and Pro plans.
Comparing HEPonDemand with a tool you already use
If you're weighing a switch, these pages walk through the same checklist for HEPonDemand, written for users of each tool:
New to writing home programs? Start with the clinician's guide to home exercise programs.
Questions
What is the best home exercise program software?
The one that fits how you work. A solo therapist who prints most programs needs something different from a large clinic that wants EMR integration and patient tracking. Use the checklist on this page, try two or three tools with real patients, and pick the one your patients actually use.
Is there free home exercise program software?
Some tools have a free plan. HEPonDemand is free to build programs with no time limit, and your first 3 programs to patients are free. Pro is $9.99/month for unlimited sending, saving, printing and templates.
Do patients need an app for a home exercise program?
Not necessarily. Many patients do fine with a printout or a link that opens in their phone's browser. An app can add reminders and tracking, but each download and sign-in is another step before the patient sees their exercises.
What's the difference between HEP software and an EMR?
An EMR holds patient records, notes and billing. HEP software is for building and sending exercise programs. Some platforms do both; HEPonDemand only does home exercise programs and stores no patient records.
Send your first program today
Free to start. No card needed. Upgrade to Pro to send as many as you need, save and print.