Ally Financial is a leading U.S digital financial services company, and is also ranked 19th among the largest banks in the United States. Ally Invest is their investment trading arm, though the name is considerably new in the stockbroker space. In 2016, a service called TradeKing was bought over by the parent company and was rebranded as Ally Invest. Ever since then, new features and benefits have been added to it along with the rebranding, turning it into a professional and reliable investment services platform.
What to expect from Ally Invest?
Since Ally Invest is a full-service firm, it provides diverse options to meet the requirements of investors and industry standards.
Among the key products that it offers are:
Stocks
ETFs
Mutual funds
Bonds
Options
It also offers managed investments (robo-advice) through a service called Ally Invest Managed Portfolios. Going with the trend in the industry, Ally Invest has removed commissions from most of the U.S exchange-listed stock, options and ETF trades.
(Image credit: Future)
Mobile platform
Ally Invest comes with a browser-based trading platform and does not require you to download any application. This works best for users who work from different locations. Both bank and brokerage can be operated using a single cloud-based application.
Ally also offers apps to trade via mobile devices. These apps are known as Ally Mobile or Ally Forex. These apps are custom mobile trading platform and are available for both Android and iOS. The apps offer similar features compared to the web-based platform.
While these apps offer most of the functionalities, they are not the among the best available in the business.
Tools
Ally Invest provides a range of different tools to help traders, such as:
Streaming Charts
Market and Company Snapshots
Watch lists
Profit and loss calculator
Probability calculator
Market data and Options Chains
Accounts
As of now Ally Invest only allows users from the United States to sign up on the platform While the required minimum deposit to open an account at Ally Invest is $0, minimum deposit for various accounts can be found below:
Brokerage account $0
Managed Portfolio: $100
Forex Account $250
Margin account $2000
Ally Invest doesn't charge for trading in stocks and ETFs. For Options Trading, they have the tiered commission plans which can be availed at a slightly lesser fee based on the volume.
(Image credit: Future)
Signing up for an Ally Invest Account is easy - just go to their homepage and click Open Account. The process of signup requires that a user makes a decision on what type of account they need. The system takes you through an automated process once you decide.
The different account types that are offered include:
Accounts can be funded via check, ACH or wire transfer. Ally Invest doesn’t charge for funding an account and doesn’t offer an option of funding through wallets, credit cards or debit cards. ACH withdrawals are free but wire transfers are chargeable at $30.
Talking about trading charges, while online stock options and ETF trades are available at zero commission, Options Trades are available at $0.50 per contract. The $9.95 mutual fund trades from Ally Invest are lower when compared to any other full-service brokerage. Because of its charges, Ally Invest is not a ideal for penny stock trading.
Support
One of the highlights is that Ally Invest provides 24/7 customer support via a telephone helpline, email or live chat.
Final verdict
Since Ally Invest is a full-service online brokerage platform, you can use it as a regular trading platform or even use it’s Enhanced Managed Portfolio to manage your funds.
A wide range of services and zero fees makes Ally Invest one of the better platforms to trade on. However, negatives include that it only allows trading in US markets, and the lack of physical offices might put some users off.
TD Ameritrade is one of the prominent brokerages – no matter whether you are a beginner in the investment arena or even an advanced investor. It recently eliminated the commissions and has become one of the highly prominent choices for online stock, ETF trading, and other trading instruments.
Some of the features that it offers you include zero commission, an exceptional set of tools and products, comprehensive research, and a no account minimum.
What is TD Ameritrade all about?
TD Ameritrade is an online brokerage platform based out of Omaha, Nebraska. The company has grown into a considerable investment portal with a wide range of acquisitions and mergers. It does offer investments in just about every type of vehicle, and that includes stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and ETFs.
It provides a combination for both online and mobile trading platform for investors. It also has a comprehensive set of research tools that can be helpful enough in building confidence for the least experienced investors. The tool provides you access to a host of investment analysis tools.
TD Ameritrade aims to work just as well for both new investors and established ones, because of both the zero minimum account as well as the extensive array of research and guidance on how to build your portfolio.
(Image credit: Future)
Features
Some of the features offered by the AD Ameritrade include the following –
Commission-free trading – TD Ameritrade provides commission-free trading for a host of trading instruments. In 2019, the company decided to cut down the commission. Some trades, however, come under a fee format of $0.65. There are over 4100 mutual funds, and all ETFs are available for free.
Investor Education – The digital education offerings available through the service are comprehensive. There is plenty of educational content in the form of videos, articles, slideshows, and quizzes. The platform also offers you reports from resources such as Morningstar, Credit Suisse, CFRA, The Street, and many others.
Visual Trading Simulator – This is basically designed for use for the likes of advanced and frequent traders. The service is available through the mobile trader app and the other platforms offered by TD Ameritrade.
Portfolio analysis and reports – Ameritrade provides you access to highly customizable portfolio analysis. The service is available both on its trading platform and the thinkorswim platform. You can even consolidate external accounts for a good look at your assets.
Mobile Trading – TD Ameritrade offers not one, but two specialized mobile apps in tune with its two trading platforms. This can go a long way in enhancing your experience in terms of improved trading experience. Mobile trading made simple; the apps work as a perfect extension of the online platform.
The platform offers you tradability across the following securities –
Stocks
Bonds
Mutual funds
ETFs
Futures
Forex
Foreign ADRs
IPOs for qualified accounts
(Image credit: Future)
The customer support offered by TD Ameritrade is comprehensive. Being one of the promising investment organizations in the US, it has set up an extensive customer support network.
The customer service can be reached through the chat option on mobile and online platforms. The 300 branches across all states will ensure the option of in-person assistance in case your issues are not addressed by the phone, email, or chat support. Support is also available on the following channels Monday to Friday 7 am to 6 pm: text, Facebook Messenger, Twitter direct message, Apple Business Chat, and Amazon Alexa.
As stated before, TD Ameritrade provides you access to two mobile apps – the TD Ameritrade Mobile app and TD Ameritrade Trader app. These are designed for standard and thinkorswim platforms. However, note that TD Ameritrade Mobile apps are only available on iOS. The mobile apps mimic each of the desktop features and offer practical functionality on the go.
(Image credit: Future)
You can opt for a multiplicity of accounts with the platform. Each of the account types is formatted for your exact requirements
Standard accounts – You can have both individual and joint accounts with TD Ameritrade and gain access to comprehensive products
Retirement accounts – These would include IRA, Roth IRA, or Rollover IRA accounts. They can be well suited for taking care of your retirement goals
Education Accounts – Want to save for education? You can opt for state qualified 529 plans and similar
Managed Portfolios – A highly tailored investment portfolio managed by the professionals. The plans are backed by the experience of TD Ameritrade Investment Management
The above accounts apart, you can also have access to Specialty accounts and margin trading as well.
Who is TD Ameritrade suitable for?
Well, the online brokerage platform is suitable for a wide range of investors. No matter what level of experience you have, the platform offers something for you :
Beginner investors
Advanced traders
Investor education/advice
Commission-free trades
Fund investors
Final verdict
With no commission on stock, ETF, and other trades, it does offer an impressive set of tools for investors. The portfolio building guidance, courses, and high-end research are a few great features that should make it especially useful to learn the basics of investment.
Netpeak Spider is an SEO tool that performs SEO audits and website analysis. During this, it highlights many critical errors, such as broken links, duplicate content, and issues with titles and meta descriptions. Plus, its comprehensive reporting capabilities make it an essential tool for SEO audits, competitor analysis, and routine website maintenance.
Netpeak has distinguished its services in two broad categories. First, the Netpeak Spider is responsible for running SEO audits and generating crawling results within minutes. Next, the Netpeak Crawler does an in-depth check on any given URL. It runs various parameters on the website by integrating different industry services, including Moz, SimilarWeb, Ahrefs, Serpstat, Google Analytics, and many more.
But is it going to help you during your SEO studies? Will it justify its cost? Does it stand tall against its competitors in the crowded SEO market? Don’t worry. We’ll answer all of these and many more queries in this detailed review of Netpeak Spider. So, let’s get started.
Netpeak Spider’s paid plans provide powerful instruments for SEO audit, crawling, scraping, sitemap validation, research, analysis, and more, making it a valuable tool for a wide range of SEO tasks and projects. It offers three main subscription plans to meet the needs and budgets of different users. These plans are available for both Windows and macOS (currently in beta).
Starter Plan
This plan starts from $7 per month (billed annually at $84) and is ideal for freelancers and marketers working with small websites. This plan allows you to crawl websites and check for over 100 technical issues, delivering comprehensive SEO audits. It supports JavaScript rendering for accurate page analysis, quick search for efficient data navigation, and data filtering & segmentation for detailed analysis. You can even save and copy data for reporting purposes, utilize a multi-window mode for multitasking, and access built-in tools for custom website scraping and data extraction.
Advanced Plan
Next up is the advanced plan which starts at $12 per month (billed annually at $144) and is ideal for SEO professionals working with larger websites. The Advanced Plan includes everything present in the starter plan. It further increases the number of crawling threads to 20, which significantly boosts your website audit speed. Plus, it supports unlimited URLs that would help you conduct extensive SEO analysis across larger websites.
Pro Bundle
The Pro bundle is $22 per month (billed annually at $264) and is ideal for SEO agencies and in-house teams. The Pro Bundle maximizes SEO analysis and crawling capabilities with up to 200 crawling threads that give you rapid audits of very large websites or multiple projects simultaneously. It also offers usage on two devices for a single user account, improving the flexibility of the package and making collaborations easier during analysis. This bundle includes all the features available in the Advanced plan, such as unlimited URL support, comprehensive SEO audit tools, custom scraping, and data extraction capabilities, making it the most comprehensive package for SEO agencies and in-house teams.
Netpeak Spider: Features
Netpeak Spider offers many valuable features for website auditing and crawling. Let’s examine them in more detail.
Integration with Google
The integration of Netpeak Spider with Google Analytics and Search Console is an impressive feature. It adds valuable user behavior metrics from Google Analytics to website audit data. This means that you not only identify technical SEO issues but also gain insights into traffic, goals, and conversions. Plus, if you run an e-commerce store, it even includes dedicated parameters that can help you audit such websites.
Similarly, its integration with Google Drive and Sheets lets you effortlessly export reports directly to Google Sheets. This is very useful if you wish to share them with your team members or clients. For this, conduct a website audit, export the report as a PDF to Google Drive, and then simply share its link. This feature simplifies the report-sharing process, eliminates unnecessary steps, and enhances collaboration, as team members can access and edit the data in real-time.
Simplified Source Code and HTTP Headers Check-Up
Netpeak makes it much easier to inspect a page's backend details. Generally, users had to open a page in a browser to examine its source code. But with Netpeak Spider's built-in feature, you can now check a link's HTTP request and response headers, redirects, and extracted text without HTML code, and that too with just a few clicks. This is especially useful for quickly identifying redirect chains or server response issues, all of which are vital for SEO.
Enhanced Internal PageRank Calculator
Another impressive feature of Netpeak is its internal PageRank calculator. It provides in-depth insights into a website's internal linking structure. You can analyze how link equity is distributed among pages, identify pages with high link value, and find those that are being overlooked. This will help you optimize your internal linking strategies.
PDF Optimization Quality Audit
The SEO audit software from Netpeak Spider is highly effective. It quickly analyzes a website's optimization quality and presents the results in a clear and easy-to-read PDF format. The software goes beyond just providing raw data; it also visualizes the data through diagrams and charts, making it easy to understand the report at a glance.
SEO Audit Reports with White Labelling
The white-label reporting feature lets you generate comprehensive SEO audit reports with a personalized touch. These reports can include your company's logo, contact details, and even customized recommendations from experts. This feature is powerful for pre-sales, as it not only demonstrates your analytical capabilities but also strengthens your brand identity. It adds a level of professionalism and customization to your service offering, making it perfect for client presentations and reports.
Personalized Website Data Scraping and Extraction
The website scraping tool in Netpeak Spider is highly adaptable, letting you extract specific data from websites. You can set up to 15 different conditions and choose from four search types, including contains, Regexp, XPath, and CSS. You can customize the scraper to gather various data, such as contact details, social media metrics, competitor prices, and content. This feature is beneficial for market analysis, competitor research, and content strategy.
Complex Site Structure Analysis
Netpeak Spider provides a comprehensive breakdown of the site's structure based on link segments, giving valuable insights into the distribution of URLs across different levels. What sets this tool apart is its ability to filter data by specific site areas, enabling targeted analysis. Plus, it’s extremely useful for identifying structural issues or opportunities within a website. Whether the site is small or a complex multi-level platform, Netpeak offers a clear overview of the architectural layout, which is crucial for strategic planning.
Working with Heavy Data and Export
Netpeak Spider excels in using RAM efficiently. With JavaScript rendering turned on, it uses 3x less RAM than other tools, and without rendering, it uses an impressive 8x less RAM. This efficiency is crucial for handling huge datasets without slowing down your system. Likewise, the process of exporting data is simple and flexible. After crawling a website, you can export the reports in various formats like CSV, XLSX, and PDF with just a few clicks. This feature provides versatility and ease for analyzing or presenting data to clients.
Furthermore, the tool's internal database manages a large number of URLs, making it ideal for SEO professionals working with extensive websites. You can even analyze links, redirects, images, and more directly within the tool, eliminating the need for external exports. This will save you time and enhance the tool's ability to handle heavy data loads effectively.
Netpeak Spider: Interface and in-use
(Image credit: Netpeak Software)
Netpeak Spider is designed to make SEO analysis efficient and customizable. Its data filters and segmentation capabilities are exceptional and let you analyze large amounts of data with accuracy. This segmentation is vital for targeted analysis and makes the tool adaptable to different SEO needs. Additionally, the real-time interactive dashboard provides a dynamic overview of crawling data, keeping you informed and engaged.
Plus, the crawling settings management feature gives you full control over the crawling process, allowing you to optimize each crawl according to specific site requirements. Lastly, the inclusion of templates for filters, parameters, and segments saves a significant amount of time and ensures consistent standards across projects. Overall, Netspeak’s interface is super user-friendly and is quite efficient in delivering its toolset in a very neat layout.
Netpeak Spider: Support
(Image credit: Netpeak Spider)
Unfortunately, you don’t get any call support or live chat support with Netpeak. All you get is a chatbot that simply googles your queries and is not very useful. However, they have ticket support where you can raise your query, and Netspeak’s team will revert with a solution. During our tests, we got a response from their team after a couple of hours. However, if you want instant support, you can contact their team via mail at customercare@netpeaksoftware.com. Moreover, they have an extensive Knowledge Base that has plenty of information about Netpeak Spider. It covers everything from basic functions to advanced features, making it an essential resource for both beginners and experienced users.
Netpeak Spider: The competition
As an SEO crawler, Netpeak Spider faces tough competition from established agencies. Screaming Frog, for example, provides many of the same features in its free plan, while its Premium plan is still more affordable than the cheapest Netpeak Spider subscription at £149 (roughly $195) per year.
Data segmentation is the main advantage of Netpeak Spider over similar applications. It’s one of the only SEO crawlers with powerful segmentation tools that narrow down reporting and gather more valuable data.
Netspeak Spider: Final verdict
The thing we love about Netpeak Spider is that it keeps updating its suite. The users can now own a lifetime license, apart from their subscription plans. Plus, now it supports both Mac (Beta) and Windows. Moreover, it also integrates seamlessly with Google Analytics and Search Console. And, even after adaptability and UI issues, features like organized data display and customization options remain a plus point. Similarly, despite being a bit pricier, its ability to provide detailed competitor analysis and compare backlink statistics in a single glance impressed us. Overall, we find Netpeak Spider a solid choice for individuals looking to enhance their SEO toolkit with advanced website auditing and crawling.
Shopify is one of the most dominant ecommerce platforms globally, powering millions of online stores. The platform has evolved significantly in 2026 with its AI design tools and a revamped pricing structure.
We rigorously test the best ecommerce platforms across many criteria. All together, our reviewers have hands-on experience with more than 80 of the best website builders.
Read my full Shopify review to see why I still rate it as the best website builder for online stores.
Shopify pricing and plans
Shopify's pricing strikes me as reasonable for what you get, though the value proposition varies significantly across tiers. I appreciate the 25% discount when paying annually, but the jump between plans feels steep. Transaction fees on third-party payment processors can also eat into margins, especially on the lower tiers.
Plan
$/mo (paid monthly)
$/mo (paid annually)
Basic
$39
$29
Grow
$105
$79
Advanced
$399
$299
Plus
$2,300+
$2,300+
Pricing last verified: 13/02/2026
Shopify plans: Explained
Best for solo entrepreneurs Starting at: $29/mo
The Basic plan gives you everything needed to launch your first store . You get 10 inventory locations, 24/7 chat support, and up to 77% shipping discounts .
However, you won't get any staff accounts, which surprised me.View Deal
Best for small teams Starting at: $79/mo
I found the Grow plan offers the sweet spot for growing businesses. You get 5 staff accounts, better transaction rates (2.7% + 30¢), and enhanced shipping discounts up to 88%.
The lower transaction fees on third-party processors (1% vs 2%) make a real difference.View Deal
Best for scaling operations Starting at $299/mo
The Advanced plan targets businesses hitting capacity limits on Grow. You get 15 staff accounts, 10x checkout capacity, and third-party calculated shipping rates.
The price jump feels justified only when you're consistently bumping against Grow's limitations.View Deal
Best for enterprise businesses Starting at $2,300+/mo
Shopify Plus starts at $2,300/month on a 3-year commitment . You get 200 inventory locations, unlimited staff accounts, fully customizable checkout, and B2B capabilities.
I'd only recommend this for businesses exceeding $5 million in monthly revenue.View Deal
Getting started with Shopify: Reviewer's experience
Step 1: Onboarding
You can pick from an email, Google, Apple, or Facebook login. (Image credit: Shopify)
Creating my Shopify account took less than two minutes. I entered my email, created a password, and chose a store name. This launched a Setup guide that guided me through initial configurations.
It asked about my business goals upfront, which helped tailor subsequent recommendations.
Step 2: Store dashboard
Shopify's dashboard utilizes plenty of white space, making it simple to navigate. (Image credit: Shopify)
Everything felt logically organized with clear navigation paths in the dashboard. The left sidebar grouped related functions together, with options like Products, Orders, Customers, and Analytics.
I never felt lost during my testing, which speaks volumes about the interface design.
Step 3: Adding products
Uploading products is a breeze. For bulk uploading you can use a CSV file, saving you a bunch of time. (Image credit: Shopify)
Setting up my first product took about five minutes.
The product creation form included all necessary fields with tooltips explaining each option. I could add multiple images, set inventory levels, and configure variants among other things.
Step 4: Themes, design, and customization
Shopify comes with plenty of free themes, but serious stores may want to opt for a paid theme to get that premium look. These cost in the region of $140 to $500. (Image credit: Shopify)
Choosing and customizing a theme was straightforward because I wasn't looking to build anything fancy. Shopify's Theme Store offers both free and premium options.
I selected the free Horizon theme and launched into the theme editor. It let me rearrange sections, change colors, and upload my logo without touching code.
Step 5: AI content generator
Shopify's AI helper 'Sidekick' can help you create new pages and content with just a short prompt. (Image credit: Shopify)
Then, I tested the AI layout builder by describing a product page I wanted. Within seconds, Shopify generated a complete layout that I could customize further. The AI content generator helped me draft product descriptions quickly, though the output needed refining.
Shopify's business tools
Shopify offers the following business tools:
Point of Sale (POS) system
Inventory management and tracking
Order processing and fulfilment
Payment processing via Shopify Payments
Multi-location warehouse management
Tax and duty calculator
Shopify's business toolkit is vast yet practical. I found most essentials built right in, but for everything that isn't, you have third-party apps.
Read more about Shopify's business tools ▼
Point Of Sale (POS) system
Shopify makes it easy to integrate online and in person sales with its POS system. (Image credit: Shopify)
Setting up Shopify POS on an iPad takes about 10 minutes.
According to Shopify, POS sales grew 31% year-over-year globally over the most recent Black Friday, leading to the platform launching a host of new POS features in early 2025.
The interface syncs up with your online inventory, centralizing all data. However, the POS Lite plan feels limited. You don't get detailed reports or staff permissions. POS Pro costs $89/month per location.
Inventory management
Inventory management is crucial to online store success, especially for those with multiple locations or a large volume of products. Shopify's built in inventory management tool can help with this. (Image credit: Shopify)
The inventory system tracks stock across multiple locations in real-time. I could monitor 10 locations on the Basic plan, which seems generous. The interface shows stock levels clearly with color-coded alerts.
If I sold a product through POS, my online storefront would update instantly. However, advanced forecasting requires either the Stocky app or third-party solutions.
Order processing and fulfilment
Order processing is straight forward on Shopify, reducing potential stress and saving time on fulfilment. (Image credit: Shopify)
Processing felt snappy throughout my testing. Shopify’s dashboard displays orders chronologically with clear status indicators. I could fulfill orders, print shipping labels, and send tracking info without leaving the platform.
Shopify's pre-negotiated carrier rates claim it saves up to 77% on shipping. Label printing works smoothly with both desktop and mobile. But carrier-calculated rates at checkout cost extra on Basic.
One downside to Shopify's order management is the limited ability it offers when it comes to editing orders. For example, if a customer asks to swap products after the order has been placed, change their payment method, or edit a 'fulfilled' order, you cannot. Often this means orders need to be cancelled and placed again, adding unneeded work to often busy online store owners plates.
Shopify Payments
Alongside its own dedicated Shopify Payments option, you can pick from over 100 payment providers, helping you offer customers easier ways to pay. (Image credit: Shopify)
Setting up Shopify Payments took less than five minutes. It supports credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay.
I'd recommend sticking with Shopify Payments unless you have specific needs. Transaction fees are competitive: 2.9% + 30¢ on Basic. But using third-party processors adds 2% extra, which quickly eats profits.
Multi-location warehouse management
Businesses with multiple locations can benefit from this dedicated tool, helping better manage stock and reduce friction. (Image credit: Shopify)
I set up three test warehouses and assigned inventory to each.
Shopify automatically routes orders to optimal locations based on proximity. Stock transfers between locations happen through a simple interface. However, automated transfer recommendations require third-party apps.
Tax and duty calculator
For online stores managing tax is dull, time consuming, but essential. This tool can take a lot of the leg work, minimizing the time you spend on calculating tax. (Image credit: Shopify)
Shopify's tax calculator now works across all plans. I tested international orders and found the duty calculations accurate. The system displays full costs at checkout, preventing surprise fees for customers.
One caveat: Shopify charges a 0.5% transaction fee when duties are calculated. You'll also need duty-prepaid labels from third parties to avoid double-charging customers.
Shopify's marketing tools
Shopify offers the following marketing tools:
Email marketing via Shopify Email
Abandoned cart recovery
SEO optimization tools
Social media integration
Discount and coupon creation
Marketing automation with Shopify Flow
Analytics and reporting
Shopify's marketing features cover the basics well. I appreciated the email, workflow automation, and SEO tools. But advanced automation requires add-ons, which was a bit disappointing.
Read more about Shopify's marketing tools ▼
Shopify Email
Built in email marketing can help you re-engage potential customers, bringing them back to your site and driving sales. (Image credit: Shopify)
Shopify Email integrates into your admin panel. I created my first campaign in 15 minutes using pre-built templates. The editor lets you drag product images straight from your catalog.
You get 10,000 free emails monthly, which helps small businesses. Beyond that, it's $1 per 1,000 emails sent. The segmentation options felt basic compared to Klaviyo, but adequate for simple campaigns.
Abandoned cart recovery
Abandoned carts offer a prime opportunity to close a sale. (Image credit: Shopify)
Abandoned cart emails work automatically once enabled.
I set mine to send 10 hours after checkout abandonment. The system includes the cart contents and a direct checkout link. Setup took less than five minutes. I also liked how Shopify checks for email consent before sending to avoid compliance issues.
SEO tools
Optimizing your site and product pages for search engines is essential in helping customers find you, but can also take up a lot of time. Shopify's built in SEO tools can help speed this process up. (Image credit: Shopify)
The built-in SEO features cover fundamentals well. I could edit meta titles, descriptions, and URLs for each product. It also generates a sitemap automatically and submits it to Google.
However, I noticed some limitations during testing. URL structures aren't fully customizable, which bothered me. Duplicate content issues can occur with product variants. Blog functionality also feels basic. Advanced SEO work requires apps like Booster SEO or TinyIMG.
Social media integration
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram help you sell your products in spaces where your customers are already active. Shopify lets you easily sell via these on one central platform. (Image credit: Shopify)
Connecting Facebook and Instagram took about three minutes. I synced my product catalog and created shoppable posts directly from Shopify.
Orders from social platforms flow into the same dashboard as web orders. The integration supports TikTok, Pinterest, and YouTube Shopping too. But what I missed was native social media scheduling.
Discount and coupon creation
Discounts and coupons can drastically increase sales. However, monitoring and managing them can be tricky. This is where Shopify's dedicated discount tool comes in handy. (Image credit: Shopify)
Creating discounts felt straightforward throughout my testing. I set up percentage discounts, fixed amounts, free shipping, and buy-one-get-one offers. The interface also lets you set start/end dates and usage limits.
You can also create unique codes for specific customers or campaigns. But advanced features like tiered discounts require apps. The native system handles basics well but won't satisfy complex promotional strategies.
Shopify Flow
Shopify Flow takes some time to set up and master, but can automate many repetitive tasks, saving considerable resources in the long run. (Image credit: Shopify)
Shopify Flow was a pleasant surprise for a native automation tool.
I created workflows that trigger based on inventory levels, customer tags, and order values. I set up a workflow that notified me via Slack when inventory dropped below 20 units. It then automatically drafted a purchase order and offered to email my supplier. However, mastering it requires time.
Analytics and reporting
Shopify's analytics give excellent insight into what is and isn't working. Use the data here to shape your strategy for products, marketing, and website improvements. (Image credit: Shopify)
The analytics dashboard provides a clear sales overview.
I could track revenue, traffic sources, and customer behavior at a glance. The real-time data updates helped me make quick decisions during testing. Basic reporting felt adequate, but advanced reports like customer cohorts and forecasting lock behind higher tiers.
Reviewer's experience: Shopify support
Shopify support is comprehensive, but can be a little slow. Our testing found support agents to be knowledgeable enough to answer basic questions, although help for more advanced issues needed to be escalated. (Image credit: Shopify)
Shopify offers 24/7 support via live chat across all plans. Phone support is reserved for Shopify Plus customers. Email responses typically take 2-4 days.
I tested the live chat during my review. The initial wait time was about 14 minutes, despite a 5-minute estimate. Once connected, the agent was polite and helpful, though responses felt somewhat scripted. They resolved my basic question about inventory management but couldn't address a more technical theme-related issue without escalation.
That said, user opinion on support is decidedly mixed.
On Capterra, Shopify scores 4.5/5 from over 6,500 reviews, with many praising ease of use. G2 shows a similar 4.4/5 rating from nearly 4,500 business users. However, Trustpilot tells a different story with a 1.3/5 rating from over 4,000 reviews.
Common complaints include billing disputes, payment holds, and difficulty reaching knowledgeable support staff. Reddit users frequently mention that support quality has declined, with offshore teams providing inconsistent answers and reluctance to escalate issues.
Test results: Shopify
Attribute
Notes
Rating
Value for money
Solid pricing for what you get, but app costs add up quickly. Third-party payment fees hurt margins. Similar entry-level price to other website builder ecommerce plans.
★★★★☆
Ease of use
Intuitive dashboard and setup process. Minimal learning curve for beginners.
★★★★★
Design
Professional themes with decent customization. Limited free options require premium purchases.
★★★★☆
Business tools
Comprehensive POS, inventory, and payment systems. Advanced features need higher plans.
★★★★☆
Marketing tools
Covers basics well but lacks depth. Advanced automation requires third-party solutions.
★★★☆☆
Support
24/7 chat available, but wait times vary. Quality inconsistent based on user feedback.
★★★☆☆
Competitor comparison: Shopify
Below we show you how Shopify compares to BigCommerce and Wix, two of its closest competitors:
Platform
Best for
Our overall rating
Free plan
Paid plans start at
Ease of use
Support
Shopify
Growing online stores
★★★★☆
Trial only
$29.00 USD/month
★★★★☆
Live chat, email, community
BigCommerce
Large product catalogs
★★★★☆
Trial only
$29.00 USD/month
★★★★☆
Live chat, phone, email
Wix
Beginners and hobbyists
★★★★½
Yes
$17.00 USD/month
★★★★★
Live chat, phone, tickets
You can read our Shopify vs BigCommerce comparison to learn more about how the two stack up. To see how it compares to Wix you can check out our Wix vs Shopify guide.
I built multiple test stores on Shopify to evaluate every aspect of the platform. My hands-on testing covered setup speed, design flexibility, business tools, marketing capabilities, and support quality. I assessed how well Shopify performs for different user types, from solo entrepreneurs to scaling businesses.
At TechRadar, we conduct thorough, real-world testing of every website builder we review. We build actual websites, test features extensively, and compare our findings against marketing claims.
Yes, Shopify is accessible for beginners, though simpler platforms exist.
You get an intuitive dashboard, guided setup wizard, and drag-and-drop design tools. You don't need coding knowledge to launch a professional store. AI-powered features help generate layouts and content quickly.
However, costs can escalate as you add apps and upgrade plans.
How much does Shopify really cost?
Shopify starts at $29/month when paid annually. However, total costs vary significantly based on your needs.
You'll face transaction fees (2.7% + 30¢ on Basic), app subscriptions, and potentially theme purchases. Third-party payment processors add extra 2% fees. Budget $50-150/month realistically for a functional store with essential apps.
Can I sell on Shopify without inventory?
Yes, Shopify supports dropshipping and print-on-demand business models.
You can connect with suppliers through apps like DSers, Printful, or Spocket. Digital product sales work seamlessly too.
The platform handles order routing to suppliers automatically. This eliminates upfront inventory costs and storage concerns.
Does Shopify take a percentage of sales?
Yes, if you use third-party payment processors, Shopify charges 2% on Basic, 1% on Grow, and 0.6% on Advanced.
Using Shopify Payments eliminates these fees. Standard credit card rates apply: 2.9% + 30¢ on Basic, 2.7% + 30¢ on Grow, and 2.5% + 30¢ on Advanced. The duty calculator adds 0.5% when calculating international taxes.
What are Shopify's biggest limitations?
Shopify's main limitations include limited free themes, restrictive URL structures, and plan-locked features. Basic plans restrict staff accounts severely. Advanced customization requires liquid coding knowledge.
Transaction fees on third-party processors hurt margins. App costs accumulate quickly, inflating monthly expenses beyond base subscription rates.
Its robust ecommerce platform offers a wide range of features and customization options, making it suitable for building and managing online stores for clients. Additionally, Shopify's partner program provides agencies with resources and tools to streamline client management and boost their businesses.
M1 Finance is a Chicago based online financial services company. It is also known as Robo-advisor. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a broker-dealer and is also a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).
Founded in 2015, it offered services like Investing, Asset Management, Lending, and other financial services. In 2016, they introduced the ability to automate monthly deposits and maintain a preset portfolio allocation to make the funds withdrawal with ease.
Also, the good thing about M1 Finance is they are available on all modern platforms. M1 Finance has a web-based trading dashboard along with both iOS and Android applications available for a quick download.
M1 Finance offers automated investing with a high level of customization and a unique combination of automated investing allowing customers to create a portfolio as per their specifications. A user can create portfolios containing low-cost ETFs or use individual stocks or both in the same. M1 Finance offers low-cost alternatives that allow fractional share transactions and control over these portfolio contents.
For the new users, it is quite easy and straightforward to sign up for the M1 Finance account. All the user needs to do is to enter the email address and choose the password, just after this the user will get a pie-building feature where the user can build the pie or choose the made up of ETFs or individual stocks. For help, there are tutorials on the site alongside to guide how the site works.
M1 Finance is also expanding to offer a digital bank along with its investment service. They are also looking forward to launching a service that will sweep your excess cash into a paying 1.5% per year, it includes a debit card that earns 1% cashback on different purchases. The service will be named as M1 Spend.
The M1 Standard limited for the long term users. If the user is looking forward to investing in long term usage then the user will get decent cashback. That’s one of the reasons to go with M1 finance. There are better-paying places to park your funds, also there is a no-fee savings account or a user investment portfolio.
(Image credit: M1 Finance)
Few of the expert pies available for the user are:
General investing: The user can set this one up to reflect your risk tolerance and create a diversified portfolio to protect yourself
Plan for retirement: This pie is just for the target retirement date
Responsible investing: If you are a responsible investor then only you need this pie
Income earnings: This pie only works for dividends and income returns
Hedge fund followers: This one follows the strategies of reputable and acclaimed investors
Industries and sectors: This option lets you invest in certain industries that interest only the user
(Image credit: Future)
There is a no-risk assessment questionnaire that helps you answer the understand the process better. The offers you Individual, joint accounts, ITAs and trust accounts.
A user can also set up automatic deposits in part of the initial account setup which you can edit whenever you please. Margin loans are allowed and M1 Borrow service lets you borrow up to 35% of the account value at a 4.00% interest for non-investing purposes.
Fees and charges
M1 Finance does not charge for trading fees. Well, that’s a piece of great news for the user that they don’t need to pay for the custom pies. There is something they charge for, that’s the termination fees.
Also, there are two versions of spend that you can choose, the free one is M1 Standard and M1 Plus which comes with an annual fee of $100 fee for the first year and $125 per year thereafter. There is also an inactivity fee if the user stays offline for more than 180 days, the platform penalizes a user with $20 for the same.
(Image credit: M1 Finance)
Support
Customer support is one of the important features on any trading platform. Here you can sort yourself from the issues that you may face during trading. From their Support Center you can go through manage account, transfers, invest, spend and borrow specific queries. Users from across the globe can sign up for trading on M1 Finance.
Solo Investors get the benefits from both of the worlds. The user can customize the portfolio and invest in any stocks and ETFs s/he wishes. M1 Finance will manage the same for the user. For the medium experienced investors, the company does not provide any advice or recommendations. This service is recommended for experienced users. For the long-term investors, M1 Finance allows trading only once a day.
Final Verdict
This tool is best fit for the starters. If you want to start the active investment portfolios then this may be the best space to start with. M1 finance does automatic maintenance of proportional investment allocation. It offers more control over the investments and provides a fine balance between automation and manual control on the investment, depending on each user.
CollaborateMD is a company that provides cloud-based medical billing and medical practice management software for practices of all sizes. The company was founded in 1999 by Douglas Kegler, who is still the CEO today. CollaborateMD’s mission is to help healthcare providers and billers improve their revenue cycle management, reduce administrative costs, and enhance patient care.
CollaborateMD has over 10,000 active users and processes over $2 billion in claims annually. The company is based in Orlando, Florida, and has a team of over 100 employees. CollaborateMD has received several awards and recognitions, such as the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list, and the KLAS Category Leader for Practice Management in 2020.
CollaborateMD: Features
CollaborateMD, a well-established player in the medical billing industry, offers various features designed to optimize workflow, ensuring ease of use and faster payment for clinicians. Its core focus lies on catering to small and medium-sized practices, providing them with the personalized attention and support they need, rather than targeting the enterprise market.
CollaborateMD's cloud-based medical billing software streamlines the claims process significantly. It allows the staff to receive and process claims in real time, eliminating the delays associated with traditional paper-based billing methods. In the past, clinicians used to collect a stack of billing cards each week, and billers had to wait until they were physically received before they could begin the billing process. This delay is now a thing of the past, as the claims process commences as soon as the billing charge is entered into the system. This efficiency directly contributes to faster payment cycles and improved cash flow.
(Image credit: CollaborateMD)
CollaborateMD enhances billing efficiency by enabling electronic claim submissions, known as eClaims. This feature expedites payment processing, eliminating delays and facilitating prompt reimbursement. Furthermore, the software accommodates an unlimited number of eClaims, ensuring scalability for growing practices. Its robust capabilities allow it to handle increased workloads seamlessly, resulting in an exceptionally high first pass claim submission rate of 99%, outperforming other billing software solutions.
Crucially, CollaborateMD ensures that each practice has a dedicated billing specialist, ensuring consistency in support and facilitating a smooth onboarding process, as opposed to having to start over each day with a new, unfamiliar representative.
CollaborateMD: Drawbacks
A major limitation of CollaborateMD is its lack of dedicated software for both Mac and Windows platforms. It solely operates as a browser-based application. Additionally, the absence of mobile apps for Android and iOS further restricts its accessibility. Many users prefer the convenience of accessing software through mobile devices, especially when they are out of the office.
Many users have expressed dissatisfaction with the unidirectional communication between their EHR and the CollaborateMD billing solution. They would prefer a bidirectional connection to enable automatic transfer of appointment and demographic data from the scheduling software to the billing system. This would eliminate the need for manual re-entry of data, reducing workload and errors.
Additionally, the customer support has been criticized for being inadequate. The complaint highlights the limited hours of availability for assistance and suggests that many support staff could benefit from improved training.
CollaborateMD: Support
CollaborateMD provides multiple options for users to obtain support. Previously, phone support was accessible through a toll-free number, but this is no longer available. The primary support method has transitioned to chat, accessible during the hours of 8 AM to 6 PM EST on weekdays only. Additionally, users can create a support ticket or visit the support portal. There is a designated email address for general inquiries, but it is not intended for direct support.
(Image credit: CollaborateMD)
In terms of self-support, an extensive Knowledge Center offers various articles categorized for easy navigation. It includes step-by-step instructions for numerous processes, such as issuing a refund for a patient, but it lacks video content.
(Image credit: CollaborateMD)
CollaborateMD: Pricing
With CollaborateMD, you need to enter your information, and establish contact with the company for a custom quote for any of the four plans. It states that it starts at a monthly price of $215 per month, and that this is per the provider.
CollaborateMD starts on the Starter plan which provides for unlimited eClaims, an appointment scheduler, real time claim submission, credit card processing, and patient payment plans. Going up to the Basic plan adds 150 MB cloud storage for documents, a secure patient payment portal, and a custom report builder. The Growth plan adds in claim scrubbing, claim follow-up and a patient responsibility estimator. At the top is the Unlimited plan, and delivers patient appointment reminders via SMS and phone, unlimited paper claims, financial insight tools and analytics.
For practices with a high volume of patients, the fixed monthly fees charged by this provider can be more cost-effective than some other billing software solutions that charge a percentage of collections. Therefore, estimating the monthly collections can help determine which pricing model will be more affordable for your specific situation.
CollaborateMD: Final verdict
CollaborateMD offers medical offices assistance in expediting medical billing to accelerate payment processing. It has some drawbacks, including the absence of mobile apps, restricted support hours, and a lack of transparent upfront pricing. However, CollaborateMD stands out with advantages such as an exceptionally high first pass claims submission rate, real-time claims submission, and fixed monthly costs with various package options. Balancing the pros and cons, CollaborateMD emerges as a competitive solution in the medical billing landscape despite a few shortcomings.
MedicsPremier is a fully featured medical billing service from the Advanced Data Systems Corporation (ADS). Founded in 1977 by David Barzillai, an electrical engineer and former Israeli Air Force member, ADS began as a patient demographics database for radiology practices. Initiated in a humble NYC apartment, ADS has grown to occupy a spacious 15,000-square-foot building in Paramus, NJ and employs over 300 dedicated professionals.
ADS has achieved remarkable success over the years, processing over 55 million claims annually with an impressive 98% payment rate for clean claims on the first submission. This exceptional performance reflects the company's unwavering focus on quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
MedicsPremier: Features
Medics Premier stands out as a comprehensive medical billing service that goes beyond the conventional approach of billing insurance companies and patients for payment. It not only handles insurance claims but also provides a multitude of supplementary services. These include denial management, fee schedule review and analysis, provider enrollment assistance, and revenue cycle management. Medics Premier's multifaceted services empower healthcare providers to maximize their revenue streams, ensuring a streamlined and efficient billing process.
Unlike many medical billing services that are often tied to a single EHR system, MedicsPremier stands apart by offering flexibility. Medical practices and facilities can retain their current EHR if they are satisfied with it, as MedicsPremier is not limited to a specific platform. Additionally, MedicsPremier can provide EHR suggestions or, through their e-superbill process, operate without an EHR entirely, catering to the diverse needs of healthcare providers.
The true strength of MedicsPremier lies in its ability to integrate seamlessly with other services offered by the company. This integration creates a cohesive solution that optimizes revenue generation at various stages of the patient journey. For example, during patient scheduling, the software can verify insurance coverage and provide an estimate of the copay. This transparency enhances patient expectations management, eliminates unexpected surprises, and facilitates the collection of copayments during the visit, resulting in a simplified and efficient process.
MedicsPremier prioritizes maximizing coverage at the outset, streamlining the subsequent process by ensuring patients are either in-network or aware of their out-of-network status before their visit. This strategic approach contributes to an impressive 99% first billing submission success rate, an achievement that stands out among comparable software billing providers. Notably, this proficiency extends to challenging providers, such as workers' compensation and no-fault claims. This optimization saves valuable time for practices by reducing the occurrence of rejected claims that require resubmission. Consequently, the practice benefits from cost savings in terms of both labor expenses and delays in receiving payments.
Modern billing software boasts the key advantage of integration with business analytics. This harmony offers users a quick insight into the financial well-being of their practice. Users are granted the flexibility to visualize data in a format of their preference, be it graphical charts, dashboards, or traditional reports. Moreover, the software empowers users to export data into an Excel spreadsheet, allowing for further analysis and customization, thereby providing a comprehensive and personalized analytical experience.
MedicsPremier: Drawbacks
MedicsPremier's platform presents a significant challenge: organizing vast amounts of information in a way that is easy to understand and use. The interface appears cluttered, overwhelming users with too much data at once, making it difficult to identify and extract relevant information for practical use. Additionally, the outdated appearance of the interface adds to the overall usability issues.
Moreover, the platform offers a plethora of reporting options, which can be overwhelming and confusing. Users have expressed the need for customizable reports tailored to their specific requirements rather than having to run multiple reports from the available options to obtain the desired data.
Furthermore, MedicsPremier's software availability is limited to Windows, lacking support for Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. This limitation contrasts with many competitors who provide cross-platform access to data, allowing users to remain connected and productive even when away from their office.
MedicsPremier: Support
MedicsPremier provides customer support during its business hours, which are not specified. Customers can contact the company through email or a toll-free number. MedicsPremier states that it responds to messages within an hour.
(Image credit: Advanced Data Systems)
Additionally, the wealth of training materials they provide is commendable. The eBooks, such as “Collecting More Patient Payments: A Guide to Best Practices,” and “The ‘Ins’ and ‘Outs’ of Revenue Cycle Management: INcome by OUTsourcing,” can be incredibly helpful for both new staff members and experienced users. The online video content, including “MedicsRCM: Cloud-Based & Transparent RCM Services,” adds to the comprehensive resources available.
Having a variety of formats, from infographics to whitepapers and brochures, ensures that users can access information in a way that suits their learning preferences. Overall, it seems like MedicsPremier is committed to providing robust support and educational materials for their users.
MedicsPremier: Pricing
Obtaining pricing information for MedicsPremier proves to be a challenge, mirroring the practices of many of its competitors. Instead of transparent pricing upfront, MedicsPremier requires potential customers to complete an online form and subsequently engage in direct contact to receive a custom quote. While there is no free tier or trial, there is a 90 day guarantee.
Extensive online research yields limited results regarding MedicsPremier's pricing structure. The cost remains shrouded in opacity, with the exception of a lone user review suggesting that it falls within the higher price range.
MedicsPremier: Final verdict
MedicsPremier, a medical software billing service, excels in certain areas: its exceptional first submission payment rate, smooth integration with scheduling software, and flexibility to support various EHRs. However, several shortcomings limit its potential. The lack of mobile apps, overwhelming information presentation, and limited support options are notable drawbacks. Moreover, the absence of a free trial and transparent pricing structure makes it difficult for potential users to make an informed decision. These factors hinder MedicsPremier from receiving a more positive recommendation.
A serious veteran in the space, ClaimCare has over 17 years of medical billing service experience. Its mission is clear: to maximize revenue for your practice as quickly as possible, all while reducing costs and hassle for your organization. It is US based, with multiple locations, including Austin TX, Dallas/Fort Worth TX, Houston TX, Orlando FL, San Jose Ca, and Pittsburgh Pa. Its clients include all the specialities, across the entire US, and furthermore all the employees are within the US.
ClaimCare Medical Billing: Features
ClaimCare Medical Billing Solutions aims to provide comprehensive medical billing services to enhance your practice's collections promptly. Its efficient and dedicated service enables practices to outsource this crucial task, eliminating the potential risks of handling it internally.
The Instant Payment Program is instrumental in ensuring faster payments for practices. ClaimCare promises to facilitate payments within a remarkable 24 hours post-patient encounter, eliminating prolonged waiting periods that can impede cash flow. Moreover, this service can boost collections by 10% to 20% while reducing billing costs.
Transitioning to a new billing solution can be challenging for practices, as downtime must be kept to a minimum to maintain billing capabilities. ClaimCare's Expedited Billing Solution ensures a fully operational billing system within a week. This solution is particularly advantageous in cases where a practice loses its in-house biller or has a backlog of claims.
In addition to billing services, ClaimCare offers a range of ancillary services, including credentialing, contracts, front office staff training, and integrated billing and scheduling software, to alleviate administrative burdens.
ClaimCare stands out from its competitors by offering a Service Level Guarantee backed by quantifiable benchmarks. Notably, it guarantees that "85% of your charges will be resolved within 60 days." This commitment demonstrates ClaimCare's dedication to delivering reliable and efficient services to its clients.
ClaimCare Medical Billing: Drawbacks
Despite the fact that ClaimCare Medical Billing Services has been operating for close to twenty years, it is unsettling that, despite our best efforts, we were unable to locate even one user review online. Furthermore, the business does have a social media presence through its Facebook page, which hasn't been updated since July 2020. Although it has a favorable reputation overall, it only has "40 Likes," which isn't that impressive considering the number of clients it claims to have. With just 19 followers and no updates since 2020, things on Twitter haven't really improved either.
The service's website needs more information about its features. For example, it doesn't say if ClaimCare works with all EHRs or only some. It does say that an EHR can be bundled with the service, but it doesn't say how much extra it might cost. There's also no mention of mobile apps for iOS and Android to access billing services remotely, and we couldn't find an app in either platform's store. Finally, the website doesn't mention any specific desktop platform requirements for ClaimCare.
As discussed later, the pricing information on the website is also pretty vague. The same goes for the support options, which are also discussed later. They're not easy to find on the website.
(Image credit: ClaimCare)
ClaimCare Medical Billing: Support
Based on the information provided on ClaimCare's website, the primary support option appears to be through an online portal. Users can submit their questions via this portal, and an email address is required to receive a response. Recently, ClaimCare added the option to provide a phone number and specify the preferred method of response, either by phone or email. This is a notable improvement since our last review of their services.
However, it's worth noting that some competing platforms offer additional features, such as the ability to upload attachments to better illustrate an issue, such as annotating a screenshot. This option is currently lacking in ClaimCare's support portal.
We also lament the lack of other options for support, such as directly via phone, online chat, or some self support options. There is also no indication what the hours or days for support are.
Furthermore, we’d like to admit that we get a little concerned when the numbers listed on the support page to their online portal are all for sales, and not to support the product. We are disappointed by the absence of alternative support options such as phone support, online chat, or self-support resources. Additionally, there is no clear information regarding the availability and operating hours of the support team.
Furthermore, it is concerning that the contact numbers provided on the support page are solely dedicated to sales and not to product support.
ClaimCare Medical Billing: Pricing
When it comes to pricing transparency, ClaimCare falls short. Navigating their website, one cannot find any straightforward information about their rates. Instead, potential customers are expected to contact the company directly to discuss their specific needs and receive a custom quote. The only hint regarding pricing is ClaimCare's claim that they offer "The most competitive billing rates in the industry," which, while enticing, lacks concrete details.
Contrary to expectations, the reality might not be as positive. After conducting extensive research, we discovered that ClaimCare's pricing structure is based on a monthly fee per provider, ranging from approximately $200 (£154) to $300 (£231), depending on the number of providers and the volume of services. It's unclear if there are lower costs for non-MD practices, such as optometry or physical therapy. Additionally, there are concerns regarding potential extra costs. For instance, the initial transfer of records can incur an estimated expense of $500 (£385) for every 1,000 records, and the initial training sessions may cost around $200 (£154) per session.
ClaimCare Medical Billing: Final verdict
ClaimCare Medical Billing Services has some appealing features, including its Instant Payment Plan, which accelerates payments to clinicians and decreases the time it takes to collect accounts receivable. Additionally, its setup process can be completed in less than a week, and it provides helpful ancillary services like credentialing.
However, there are also some significant drawbacks to consider. The company lacks transparency in its pricing, which can be a concern for potential customers. It also offers limited support options and does not have any user reviews available, making it difficult to assess the quality of its services.
Ultimately, each practice must determine the best billing solution for its needs. However, our assessment is that there are stronger alternatives available on the market.
CureMD is a company that provides health information systems and medical billing services to healthcare organizations of all sizes. It offers cloud-based solutions for electronic health records, practice management, billing, telemedicine, and more. CureMD aims to simplify decision making, streamline operations, and ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices. CureMD has won several awards and recognitions, such as Best in KLAS, Top Performing RCM Vendor, and Most Promising Healthcare Solutions. CureMD also caters to different specialties and workflows, and supports COVID-19 vaccine management.
CureMD Medical Billing: Features
CureMD is a cloud-based health information system designed to streamline practice operations and enhance patient care. It offers a comprehensive suite of features that caters to the diverse needs of healthcare providers, including:
1. Electronic Health Records (EHR):
CureMD's EHR system provides a centralized platform to store and manage patient health information. It allows healthcare professionals to access patient records, track medical history, document encounters, and collaborate with other providers, fostering improved care coordination. This also includes e-consents.
2. Practice Management:
CureMD's practice management module simplifies administrative tasks, allowing healthcare providers to focus on patient care. It includes features such as appointment scheduling, patient registration, insurance verification, billing, and reporting, helping to streamline workflows and optimization of revenue cycle management.
3. Telehealth:
With the increasing demand for virtual care, CureMD offers an integrated telehealth solution. This feature enables healthcare providers to conduct secure video consultations with patients from any location, providing convenient access to care while maintaining social distancing protocols.
Moreover, CureMD's telehealth solution is designed to streamline workflows and optimize the healthcare delivery process. It seamlessly integrates with the platform's robust suite of features, allowing healthcare providers to access patient records, review medical histories, and document encounters efficiently. This integration ensures continuity of care, enables accurate and up-to-date documentation, and enhances overall operational efficiency.
(Image credit: CureMD)
4. Patient Engagement:
CureMD recognizes the importance of patient engagement in healthcare. Its patient portal allows patients to access their health information, communicate with providers, schedule appointments, and pay bills online. This enhanced patient engagement promotes better self-management and improves the overall healthcare experience.
5. Clinical Decision Support:
CureMD's clinical decision support system provides real-time clinical insights to healthcare professionals. It offers evidence-based guidelines, drug interactions, and treatment recommendations, assisting providers in making informed decisions for better patient outcomes.
6. Reporting and Analytics:
CureMD's robust reporting and analytics engine allows healthcare providers to gain valuable insights into their practice performance. Customizable reports offer a clear overview of key metrics, such as patient visits, revenue, and clinical outcomes, empowering providers to make data-driven decisions for practice growth.
7. Interoperability:
CureMD understands the significance of seamless data exchange. It offers open APIs and integrates with various third-party applications, including labs, pharmacies, and imaging centers. This interoperability ensures smooth data flow and eliminates the need for manual data entry, enhancing efficiency and reducing errors.
These are some of the features that CureMD offers to its users. We also note that an Android app has been recently added to help mobile users, and there is also the iOS version as well.
CureMD Medical Billing: Drawbacks
One notable disadvantage of CureMD is its browser specificity, as users have expressed concerns regarding the restriction to using solely Internet Explorer. Additionally, there are grievances related to software glitches and difficulties in completing tasks. Furthermore, the speed of CureMD is deemed inadequate, posing challenges to workflow efficiency and hindering its ability to handle busy office hours, particularly when inputting lab orders. Moreover, the sales process has attracted criticism due to instances of customers being upsold on unnecessary services. Lastly, the billing department's responsiveness to customer issues is considered unsatisfactory.
(Image credit: CureMD)
CureMD Medical Billing: Support
If you need any support or assistance with CureMD, you have several options to contact their team. You can use the support ticket link at the top of your CureMD EHR & PM to access the support portal. You can also send an email to support@curemd.com with your name, practice name, call back number and a brief description of your issue. Alternatively, you can call the support helpline at (212) 852 0279 or (718) 684 9298 between 8 am - 8:30 pm EST. You can also visit the FAQs page for more information on common issues and solutions.
CureMD Medical Billing: Pricing
CureMD offers different pricing options for its products and services, depending on the features and functionalities you need. Here are some of the pricing plans that CureMD provides:
1. For practice management (PM): $195/month/provider
2. For electronic health records (EHR): $295/month/provider
3. For all-in-one (PM + EHR): $395/month/provider
4. For billing services: As low as 3% of collections
You can also request a personalized quote for your specific practice needs by filling out a form on their website.
CureMD also offers a free trial, a limited time $0 switch to EHR offer, and a MIPS, Meaningful Use and ICD-10 guarantee.
CureMD Medical Billing: Final verdict
CureMD Medical Billing Services presents itself as a logical extension of the CureMD EHR platform. Its advantages encompass a range of support options, an application tailored for both iOS and Android mobile platforms, and a rigorous claims scrubbing process. However, these benefits must be weighed against certain drawbacks, such as the limited transparency regarding pricing, and the comparatively higher cost of the product. While CureMD Medical Billing Services may serve as a suitable extension for those already committed to the EHR platform, potential users are advised to utilize the available free trial to thoroughly assess whether this platform aligns with their requirements before making a final decision.
AdvancedMD Medical Billing is a company that provides cloud-based software for medical practices. It offers solutions for electronic health records (EHR), practice management (PM), telemedicine, patient engagement, analytics, and more. It serves over 16,000 physicians and 60,000+ users in nearly all medical specialties in all 50 states. It was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in South Jordan, Utah. It is part of Global Payments, a leading provider of payment technology and software solutions
AdvancedMD Medical Billing: Features
The AdvancedMD platform combines a widely used EHR with medical billing software, offering a fully integrated billing solution. This seamless integration between the billing module and the EHR streamlines front office operations. For instance, the integration with Medical Scheduling and other front office tools allows for effortless collection of copays after office visits. With the "One-click display of patient information, copays, and eligibility," healthcare professionals can easily access the necessary information, eliminating the need for extensive patient searches.
Furthermore, this integration extends to payment processing as well. The billing software is compatible with credit card processing, allowing charges to be automatically posted to the patient's account with a simple swipe. This streamlined approach simplifies and expedites the billing process for healthcare providers.
(Image credit: AdvancedMD)
With a track record dating back to 1999, AdvancedMD boasts unrivaled expertise in cloud-based storage for EHR data. This approach offers several benefits, including seamless backend updates, ensuring that end-users consistently utilize the latest software version. The cloud-based model eliminates additional costs associated with software upgrades, hourly backups, and the latest encryption technology, thus maintaining HIPAA compliance. Moreover, hosting data on the cloud facilitates mobile platform usage through iOS devices. An Android app has been developed as well, although it only has just over 1k downloads, and no rating.
Furthermore, the cloud-based approach greatly enhances the functionality of this EMR, particularly in multi-location practices with numerous providers. Managing and updating bills in such scenarios can be a significant challenge when using traditional, locally-run software solutions. AdvancedMD's Centralized Billing, accessible via the cloud, simplifies this task by allowing effortless management of multiple providers across diverse locations. This functionality stems from the integration of all data into a centralized database.
(Image credit: AdvancedMD)
AdvancedMD introduces the Claims Inspector, an innovative billing feature designed to enhance claim acceptance rates. This feature proactively identifies potential errors related to CCI, HIPAA, and LCD before claim submission, preventing claim rejections and reducing unpaid claims. By catching errors early, AdvancedMD boasts an impressive "almost-100% first-pass claim acceptance rate." Additionally, the Claims Inspector allows users to batch-check insurance eligibility prior to appointments, minimizing the risk of unexpected coverage issues and ensuring a smoother billing process.
AdvancedMD Medical Billing: Drawbacks
User reviews of AdvancedMD have revealed several shortcomings. Many users found the software difficult to navigate, citing slow performance and inflexible templates as additional pain points. Furthermore, users reported instances of lost documents and billing issues when claims failed to process. To make matters worse, customer service was often difficult to reach, and when users did get through, they experienced poor accountability and resolution of their issues. Overall, AdvancedMD's shortcomings can lead to a frustrating user experience.
AdvancedMD Medical Billing: Support
If you need any support or assistance with AdvancedMD, you have several options to contact them. You can:
Visit their Support Center at Support.AdvancedMD.com for FAQs, knowledge base articles, training resources and more.
Live chat with a Support Advocate by logging into the AdvancedMD platform and selecting “Get Help.” This method has the fastest response times.
For general customer support, email: Support@AdvancedMD.com
Call their toll-free number: 1-800-825-0224. Their hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. MT.
(Image credit: AdvancedMD)
AdvancedMD Medical Billing: Pricing
AdvancedMD has different pricing plans depending on your needs and preferences. Here is a summary of their pricing plans:
Medical Billing & EMR/EHR Software: This plan includes both the EHR and PM solutions, as well as other features such as telemedicine, patient engagement, and analytics. This plan starts at $729 per provider per month.
Medical Billing Software: This plan includes only the PM solution, which covers billing, scheduling, reporting, and more. This plan starts at $429 per provider per month.
Revenue Cycle Management: This plan includes the EHR and PM solutions, as well as a dedicated team of billing experts who handle your claims, denials, and collections. This plan charges a percentage of your monthly collections, which varies depending on your specialty and volume.
You can also customize your plan by adding extra features or services, such as electronic eligibility, electronic remittance advice, advanced fax, advanced insight, lab interfaces, e-prescribing, and more.
AdvancedMD Medical Billing: Final verdict
The AdvancedMD Medical Billing solution represents a comprehensively integrated offering designed to enhance the already-capable AdvancedMD EHR. The advantages of the solution encompass software claim scrubbing, seamless integration with patient scheduling, and secure cloud-based hosting of data.
Conversely, it is essential to acknowledge certain drawbacks highlighted in user reviews, including limited support, a challenging user interface, and sporadic technical glitches resulting in downtime.
In conclusion, for existing users of the AdvancedMD EHR platform, transitioning to the Medical Billing solution presents a logical and sequential step. However, for users who are content with their current EHR platform, the advantages of switching to AdvancedMD Medical Billing may not be sufficient to warrant the transition.
