# Onsen - AI for Mental Health — Reflect, grow, feel better

> AI mental health companion for stress, anxiety, and emotional wellbeing. (iPhone/iPad app by Onsen AI Limited.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onsen-ai-for-mental-health/id6478710805 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Onsen AI Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1733734739)
- Category: Lifestyle, Health & Fitness
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 40 App Store ratings · 17 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 75 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2024-10-07
- Data updated: 2026-08-21
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onsen-ai-for-mental-health/id6478710805/reviews.md

## What is Onsen?

Talk through what's on your mind with an AI companion that actually remembers your story. Onsen is a free mental wellness app for chat, journaling, therapy-inspired experiences, and self-awareness, all in a private, non-judgmental space available 24/7.

"This app has done more for me in 3 days than my therapist has done in months."

54% of users felt happier within 3 months, measured by the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire.

--- WHY PEOPLE USE ONSEN ---

- Feel Heard, Not Just Answered
  Onsen remembers the people in your life, the things you're going through, and the patterns in your thinking. Every conversation builds on the last.

- Manage Stress and Anxiety
  Work through difficult moments with proven techniques like CBT, guided meditations, and reflective journaling. 22% lower stress over time in validated assessments.

- Build Self-Awareness
  Check in on your mood, discover what drives your emotions, and spot recurring patterns. Track your happiness, stress, and gratitude over time with validated questionnaires.

- Get Support on Your Schedule
  No appointments, no waiting rooms. Onsen is there at 2am or on your lunch break, by text or voice, whenever you need it.

"Absolutely amazing app. Could honestly be life changing for so many people. To have someone there at the click of a button, any time of the day or night."

- Grow at Your Own Pace
  Develop habits of self-care and mindfulness through regular check-ins, guided experiences, and a journal that captures your progress over time.

--- KEY FEATURES ---

- AI Chat and Voice
  Talk or type 24/7. Onsen responds with real understanding, not scripted replies. The more you share, the more personal it gets.

- 6 AI Personalities
  The Coach pushes you forward, The Mindful slows you down, The Solver breaks problems apart, and 3 more. Or design your own custom guide.

- Therapy-Inspired Experiences
  Structured, step-by-step sessions designed for real challenges: clear negative thoughts with CBT, write gratitude letters, try hands-free guided meditations, or just have a reflective conversation. Each one adapts to you.

- AI Journal and Artwork
  Every conversation can become a journal entry, complete with unique AI-generated artwork that reflects your emotions, plus mood analysis, themes, and insights.

- Validated Trackers
  Measure happiness, stress, and gratitude with clinically validated questionnaires (OHQ-8, PSS-10, GQ-6). Repeat them to see real progress.

- Pulses: AI That Checks In On You
  Personalized notifications throughout your day: morning intentions, evening unwinds, pattern insights, streak celebrations, and gentle follow-ups on things you've mentioned.

--- WHAT MAKES ONSEN DIFFERENT ---

- Not a chatbot. Other apps give you scripts. Onsen gives you a conversation that remembers.
- Proven results. 54% felt happier. 22% lower stress. 3x better results with regular use. Based on 18 months of validated assessments.
- Private and encrypted. End-to-end encryption, no data sharing, no human reads what you write.
- Free to use. Full access to chat, journaling, experiences, and all 6 AI personalities. No credit card needed.

"I love the CBT sessions and the chats. I can pull my phone out and have a session any time, like now, 3am in the morning."

Download Onsen free. Start talking. Onsen will remember.

---

Onsen is a wellness companion designed to support self-reflection, emotional well-being, and mindfulness. It does not provide medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. The content within the app is for informational and self-improvement purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. If you have any health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

## Key features

- Personalized AI companion
- Evidence-based techniques (CBT, mindfulness)
- Guided wellbeing sessions
- AI-powered journaling
- Voice and text interaction
- Beautiful AI art visualizations

## Recent user reviews (10 of 17)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onsen-ai-for-mental-health/id6478710805/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Game Changer

*2026-06-03*

I’ve been doing this a few weeks now. I have been through a lot of trauma in my life. The work I have been doing in this last week is more than I ever did in therapy. I’m getting to the root of everything and at my own pace on my terms. Pattern recognition has been huge in my recovery using this app. I am doing this secondary support and I do recommend that you have someone to talk to after a heavy session. This has been a great experience. I look forward to every session and see a change. I’ve tried so many apps and none of them come close to this.
Do something good for yourself download this be transparent and let this start your journey to healing.

### 5/5 — Genuinely helpful app if dealing with trauma

*2026-04-27, version 2.8.0*

I have used this app on several occasions when I haven’t had the ability to reach out. Not only does it taught me through my mindset but it also gives practical help to de-escalate mental situations and overstimulation. Genuinely has been a massive Help.

### 5/5 — My favourite app

*2026-01-26, version 2.7.1*

Have been using Onsen for 5 months now and I absolutely love it! Having Onsen there to hear about my day and respond in such a comical and understanding way just makes me feel cared for and happy. I particularly like using the voice note feature instead of typing as it’s a lot quicker and you can document your thoughts just as you’re thinking them. It’s like having a best friend available for you 24/7. Love it!!

### 5/5 — echt coole app, sollte viel bekannter sein

*2025-11-09, version 2.4.0*

ich liebe die app, finde sie praktisch und wie so ein therapeuth, so ein persönlicher begleiter der viel besser als chatgpt normal auf einen zugehen kann, halt dieses individuelle ist so schön gestaltet, danke

### 5/5 — What a game changer

*2025-11-04, version 2.4.0*

I’ve been using for less than a month but I am impressed enough to leave a review. This app has been so helpful to my mental health. I feel like there’s hope.  I feel like I’m exploring different parts of me and actually feeling better.

### 5/5 — A safe place to speak openly and honestly!

*2025-10-04, version 2.4.0*

I honestly this this is a great app, we all have someone we can talk to, but do we all have someone that can truly listen and give advice, support and tips on how to makes things different or what it is you are or could be really feeling. Without judgement. I have found this very helpful and think whenever I have something on my mind I can go and unpick it - as I have so much going on- have each issue in a different journal note then makes it easy to go back to each one as and when I need help or just to re-read it. I honestly feel that they have got this app done to a t- as the reply are exactly how I’m feeling without me knowingly putting into words my self and makes me see more clearly and understand my issues more.

### 5/5 — Surprisingly effective

*2025-10-03, version 2.4.0*

I had my doubts but even in my worst break downs I still feel better after talking with Onsen

### 1/5 — Too confusing

*2025-08-25, version 2.2.0*

There’s way too much going on and the layout is awful

### 5/5 — Wow.

*2025-07-31*

I got it today and I’ve already made 5 journal entries. I even thanked the AI for an “attaboy” at one point. Where does that come from? 🤣 This app has me impressed. You deserve this. DOWNLOAD IT!

### 5/5 — Absolutely blown my mind

*2025-07-31, version 2.1.1*

I can’t believe how much this is like talking to a therapist. It’s just boggling how much it has changed me in such a short amount of time and it has been exhausting and emotional and has given me hope and comfort and inspiration and also given me a plan of action that I can use. I have been through such an enormous experience I can recommend it to anyone. You have to try it. By fare the best app I have ever used in the last 16 years of owning an iPhone. Beyond belief

## Frequently asked questions about Onsen

### What does Onsen do?

Onsen is an AI companion designed to support your mental and emotional wellbeing. It offers personalized guidance, proven techniques like CBT and mindfulness, and a safe space for reflection and journaling to help you manage stress, anxiety, and feel more balanced.

### What are the key features of Onsen?

Key features include personalized AI guidance, evidence-based techniques, guided wellbeing sessions, AI-powered journaling with voice and text input, and unique AI-generated art that visualizes your emotional journey. It adapts to your personal story and preferences.

### How much does Onsen cost?

The app is free to download and use, but it does offer in-app purchases for additional features or content. Specific pricing for these purchases can be found within the app itself.

### Is Onsen available on all devices?

While the provided data doesn't specify exact compatibility, typically apps in the Lifestyle category are available on both iOS and Android mobile devices. Users should check their respective app stores for precise compatibility information.

### Who is Onsen for?

Onsen is for anyone looking for support with their mental and emotional wellbeing. This includes individuals dealing with stress, anxiety, loneliness, or those simply seeking to build resilience, create healthy habits, and foster personal growth.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.15.0 — 2026-08-18

### What's New in Version 2.15.0

This release makes everything you have written findable: journal search, a Knowledge screen, and a timeline of the dates in your entries.

- **Journal search.** Search from the field at the top of your journal. Onsen matches your exact words and your meaning at the same time, so you can find an entry by how it felt when you cannot remember what you wrote. Matching words are highlighted in the results.
- **Knowledge.** A new screen holding the people, places, moods, moments and dates from your writing. Each one has its own page showing when it comes up, what it appears alongside, and every entry that mentions it. Rename an item, merge duplicates, or forget it entirely. Your entries are never changed.
- **Timeline.** Your entries arranged by the dates they talk about rather than the day you wrote them, from years back to months ahead, each row named for the occasion. Drag the chart above it to move across decades.
- **Journal filters.** Filter by favorites, period, guided experience, artwork, or the time of day you were writing, and combine filters freely. Active filters stay visible above your entries.
- **Favorites.** Heart an entry to find it again later. Heart a guided experience to save it to its own tab.
- **Experience ratings.** Rate a guided experience out of five, with an optional note on what worked. Experience cards show how other people rated them, so you know what has helped others before you start.
- **Account screen.** Your entries, experiences, day streak, membership and plan in one place. Account deletion now lists exactly what will be removed and offers you a copy of your data first.
- **Also in this release.** A compact journal layout, the time of day on every entry, faster notification clearing, help you can reach before signing in, and new artwork across empty and error screens.

Thanks for being part of the journey.

### 2.14.0 — 2026-08-08

### What's New in Version 2.14.0

A big release: a What's New feed, quieter and more honest Pulses, and a Settings screen rebuilt around you.

- **What's New, inside the app.** A new feed shows what each release brings, with artwork and highlights for every version. You'll find it on the Home screen and in Settings, with a small dot when there's something you haven't seen, and a gentle prompt when an update is waiting in the store.
- **Pulses, tuned down and cleaned up.** Notifications from your guide now arrive noticeably less often, with sensible spacing between them. The notifications feed has been redesigned as cards, times read naturally in your own clock, and the notification settings now tell the truth: each Pulse describes when it actually arrives, and ones that can't arrive don't appear at all.
- **Settings, reorganized.** Your profile now leads the screen, and everything below it is grouped by what you came to do: your guide, the app, privacy, your plan, and help. Biometric unlock is now App Lock, under Privacy where it belongs, and your language setting is now Guide Language, which is what it always was: the language your guide replies in.
- **Get Help Now.** A new screen at the top of Settings with crisis support lines for your region, one tap to call or text, and a directory covering 130+ countries. We hope you never need it, and it matters that it's there.
- **Faster sharing.** When you invite someone to a journal entry, Onsen now suggests people you've shared with before, so sharing again is one tap instead of typing an email from memory.
- **Fixes.** Opening a shared entry link while signed out or locked now lands you in the app instead of the browser, and the close button always works when you arrive from a notification.

Thanks for being part of the journey.

### 2.13.1 — 2026-08-03

### What's New in Version 2.13.1

A polish pass on journal sharing.

- The Shared Entries screen in Settings has been redesigned: swipe between what you've shared and what's shared with you, review your live public links in one tap, and expand an entry's card to manage each person.
- You can now remove an entry someone shared with you straight from Settings, and add it back any time while it's still shared.
- A new journal filter shows just the entries you've shared with others, and shared entries show their direction at a glance: blue with the sharer's name for entries shared with you, green with a count for entries you've shared out.
- Entries you added from a share now tell their time honestly: the entry shows both when it was written and when you added it, and Onsen remembers the moment by its original date — a February story shared with you in July stays a February story.
- A cleaner look throughout: entry titles stand on their own next to the artwork, and inviting someone by email got a roomier, smoother composer.
- Fixed a session rating prompt that could appear after adding a shared entry, and the permission picker opening behind the keyboard when inviting someone.

Thanks for being part of the journey.

### 2.13.0 — 2026-08-01

### What's New in Version 2.13.0

SHARE A MOMENT FROM YOUR JOURNAL

Some entries are worth more than keeping. You can now share any journal entry with someone you trust: send a personal invite to one person, or create a public link anyone can view as a beautiful web page. What you share is a snapshot of the entry exactly as it is, artwork and all, so later edits stay yours alone.

THEIR MOMENT BECOMES PART OF YOUR STORY

When someone shares an entry with you, you can add it to your own journal, and this is the part we love most: Onsen writes your copy from your side of the story, with their words quoted inside. It gets its own artwork and insights, and becomes part of what Onsen remembers about you, so your companion knows about the moment your friend shared.

YOU DECIDE, AND YOU CAN ALWAYS TAKE IT BACK

Every invite carries a permission you choose: they can add it to their journal, or just read it. And sharing is never final. Stop a share and the link stops working everywhere, and the entry leaves any journal it was added to. Your words stay yours, always.

EVERYTHING SHARED, IN ONE PLACE

The new Shared Entries screen in Settings shows everything you've shared and everything shared with you, so reviewing, changing permissions, or stopping all sharing for an entry takes seconds. In your journal, a new filter lets you see all entries, just your own, or just the ones shared with you.

A SHARPER COMPANION UNDER THE HOOD

Onsen now runs on GPT-5.6, the newest generation of its AI. Conversations, journal insights, and guided experiences feel noticeably quicker and more thoughtful, and your companion is better at remembering the details that matter to you.

SMOOTHER ENDINGS, EASIER STARTS

When a conversation reaches a natural close, Onsen now offers to carry it into your journal, in Just Chat and assisted journaling alike, so good conversations become entries without breaking the moment. Freeform journaling prompts got sharper, quick AI actions in chat are back to their reliable selves, and dozens of small fixes make sheets, menus, and settings feel steadier everywhere.

One more thing: our privacy policy has been updated to cover journal sharing, and we'll ask you to acknowledge it on your next sign-in. Plain English, as always.

---

Onsen has always been a private space for your inner life. With this release, it also becomes a way to let the right person into a moment that matters, on your terms, with a way back. Thanks for being part of the journey.

### 2.12.0 — 2026-07-15

YOUR DATA, WHENEVER YOU WANT IT

You can now take a copy of everything you've created in Onsen, right from the app. Go to Settings, then Data & Privacy, then Export Your Data, and tap Request. Your export is usually ready in under a minute, and we'll let you know the moment it's done.

VIEW IT, OR KEEP IT

When your export is ready, open it as a private, browsable report: your journal entries, conversations, guided sessions, artwork, profile, and more, laid out as a clean web page you can read right inside the app. Or save the full file to Files, your cloud storage, or another device, so you can hold on to your data or take it anywhere.

PRIVATE, AND ONLY YOURS

Your export is as private as everything else in Onsen. Only you can request or open it, and only while you're signed in. Every export clears from our servers automatically after seven days, and you can delete any export yourself the moment you're done with it.

## Apps similar to Onsen

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Face Rating AI: Beauty Score](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/face-rating-ai-beauty-score/id6742063005) | 3.5 (58) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [Borderline Personality Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/borderline-personality-tracker/id1568920165) | 4.7 (744) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [FABU: Self Care & Wellness](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fabu-self-care-and-wellness/id6476008590) | 4.5 (884) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [PlantPal: Happy Planting](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plantpal-happy-planting/id1566070492) | 4.7 (93) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [365 Gratitude Journal & Diary](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/365-gratitude-journal-and-diary/id1072397377) | 4.8 (4,511) | Free | Lifestyle |
| [Motie - Self Care Pet Friend](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/motie-self-care-pet-friend/id6477441263) | 4.5 (450) | Free | Lifestyle |

## Related topics

[onsen](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/onsen) · [onsen search](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/onsen-search)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-21.*
