MyTCM vs ZangFu for acupuncture and TCM clinics in Canada
2026 pricing and feature comparison. By Oscar Poon, founder of MyTCM.
The short answer
ZangFu is an AI documentation tool for acupuncturists that produces pattern differentiation, point prescriptions and herbal formulas from dictation. It is not an EMR, scheduling or billing system, it stores data in the browser, and its site says it is not HIPAA certified. MyTCM is a complete Canadian clinic system with data stored in Montreal.
Features compared
ZangFu lists a founding member price and an annual price without naming a currency.
| MyTCM | ZangFu | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A complete EMR and practice management system | An AI clinical documentation tool. Not an EMR, practice management or billing system |
| Price | Single License $56 CAD a month | $19.99 a month founding rate (first 20 subscribers), or $199.99 a year. Currency not stated |
| AI charting | Voice dictation, SOAP report, pairing from the ICD code and pattern | Voice dictation, SOAP notes, ranked pattern differentials, point prescriptions and herbal formulas with dosages |
| Scheduling, reminders, payments | Included | Not part of the product |
| Insurance billing today | ICBC available today (email on every license, web portal on Site License). More insurers and MSP are being added | Suggests ICD-10 codes. No payers named |
| Data handling | Dedicated database you own, stored in Montreal. Designed to the ten principles of PIPEDA and BC PIPA | Stored locally in the browser. Clinical content is sent through the Claude API. Site says not HIPAA certified. PIPEDA and PHIPA not mentioned |
| Free trial | 30 days | 7 days, no card |
ZangFu details are from its home page.
Anyone can build an EMR with AI. Solving day-to-day clinic problems requires real clinic management experience.
A chart, a calendar and an invoice are the easy part of clinic software. What makes practitioners choose MyTCM is that it was designed around the specific problems of a TCM clinic, so each one takes a fraction of the time and effort.
Oscar Poon, MyTCM's founder, is in the process of becoming certified as a CIPP/C, the Canadian privacy professional designation. He has not passed the exam yet. He also spent 10 years managing 3 acupuncture clinics, and that experience shaped how every part of MyTCM works.
Problems MyTCM is built to solve
Where a ZangFu cell says "not described", the pages we read did not mention it. Ask ZangFu before you decide.
| Problem | How MyTCM solves it | ZangFu |
|---|---|---|
| Charting in Chinese when records and insurers need English | Mandarin and English voice dictation, a Chinese to English SOAP report, and a trilingual interface (English, Traditional and Simplified Chinese) | English interface. Chinese interface not stated |
| Building presets before the software saves you time | Pairs an ICD code and a TCM pattern with suggested acupoints and herbs without presets, built from more than 10 Canadian and Chinese textbooks and 20 years of clinical documentation from three Vancouver clinics | Produces pattern differentials, point prescriptions and herbal formulas from dictation |
| Paying more every time you add a practitioner | One flat price covers up to 5 users at a location | Not described on the pages we read |
| Splitting revenue and paying practitioners | One-click payment, payroll and revenue-split reports | Not described on the pages we read |
| Getting help fast when something breaks | Direct tech support on WhatsApp, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific | Not described on the pages we read |
| Owning and keeping your patient data | You own the database, set up on accounts in your name, stored in Montreal. MyTCM accesses it only as the Data Processing Agreement you sign before set up allows | Stored locally in the browser. Site says not HIPAA certified |
Where ZangFu is strong
- Produces pattern differentials, point prescriptions and herbal formulas with dosages from dictation.
- A low price and a 7 day trial with no card.
- Useful for students and for practitioners who only want a note tool.
Where MyTCM is strong
- Charting built around TCM: ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes, TCM patterns, 361 acupuncture points and Pinyin plus Latin herb names.
- Auto diagnosis and treatment pairing that suggests acupoints and herbs from the ICD code and pattern, without presets.
- Mandarin and English voice dictation and a Chinese to English SOAP report.
- Unlimited appointments and one flat price for up to 5 users at a location, so adding practitioners costs nothing extra.
- Direct tech support on WhatsApp, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific.
- You own the database. Your data is stored in Montreal, Canada.
- ICBC billing available today, with more insurers being added.
Choose ZangFu if
- You are a student or want only an AI note tool and already have other systems.
- You accept browser-based local storage.
Choose MyTCM if
- You want scheduling, reminders, payments, payroll and billing in one system.
- You need Canadian data storage and a dedicated database.
- You have several practitioners and want a flat price.
Ask any vendor before you sign
These questions apply to us too.
- Which Canadian payers can I bill directly today, and which are still planned?
- What is the total monthly price for my number of practitioners and staff?
- Where is my patient data stored, and can I export it if I leave?
Frequently asked questions
Is ZangFu an EMR?
No. Its site describes an AI clinical documentation tool, and says it is not an EMR, practice management or billing system.
Where does ZangFu store patient data?
Its site says data is stored locally in the browser and that clinical content goes through the Claude API. It says it is not HIPAA certified and does not mention PIPEDA or PHIPA.
Sources
MyTCM is not affiliated with ZangFu. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm current pricing on their site.