Comparison

AIMS Explorer vs IntelliCare Plus

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

AIMS Explorer

Features
Read full description

This app provides: - evidence-based information and in-the-moment strategies for managing anger - anger logs for tracking episodes of anger and learning your patterns and how to break them This app is being reviewed for safety and feasibility and is designed specifically for those already enrolled in an authorized user experience study. The app REQUIRES a username and password to fully unlock. Please contact the developers if you are interested in learning more about AIMS Explorer: mobilementalhealth@va.gov

About

IntelliCare Plus

This digital mental health tool integrates psychotherapy principles into an easy-to-use mobile application. It offers on-demand support with interactive activities designed by leading clinicians to help users cope with negative feelings and manage stress.

Highlights
  • Decreases depression and anxiety symptoms
  • Integrates psychotherapy principles
  • On-demand support tool
  • Interactive daily activities
  • Stress management skills
  • Challenges harmful thinking
Read full description

IntelliCare Plus is a digital mental health tool. One of the only apps validated in clinical trials to be effective in decreasing the symptoms of depression and anxiety. IntelliCare Plus has been proven effective by integrating the principles of psychotherapy into an easy to use, convenient mobile application. IntelliCare Plus empowers you to take control of your own mental health. The easy to use, on-demand support tool was designed by some of the leading clinicians to help patients cope with negative feelings and get back to enjoying life. Each activity focuses on a different skill and can teach you how to anticipate and cope with stress, increase gratitude, challenge harmful thinking, engage in more activities, and much more! All the activities provide interactive tools you can use daily to practice the skills and are there to help whenever you need immediate, in-the-moment support. DISCLAIMER: THIS APP DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material obtained on this app are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regiment, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this app. To learn more about the science behind this app, check out our article, "Graham AK, Greene CJ, Kwasny MJ, Kaiser SM, Lieponis P, Powell T, Mohr DC. Coached Mobile App Platform for the Treatment of Depression and Anxiety Among Primary Care Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2020 Sep 1;77(9):906-914. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.1011. PMID: 32432695; PMCID: PMC7240649.

Screenshots

AIMS Explorer4 screens
IntelliCare Plus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: IntelliCare Plus at every 6 weeks against AIMS Explorer's every 72 months. IntelliCare Plus also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AIMS Explorer ships an update every 72 months, IntelliCare Plus every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
AIMS Explorer versus IntelliCare Plus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAIMS ExplorerIntelliCare Plus
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—5 — better
Update frequencyEvery 72 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB13 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperPalo Alto Veterans Institute for ResearchAdaptive Health, Inc

In-app purchases

None

AIMS Explorer

No in-app purchases

None

IntelliCare Plus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AIMS Explorer free?
AIMS Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is IntelliCare Plus free?
IntelliCare Plus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do AIMS Explorer or IntelliCare Plus have ads?
Neither AIMS Explorer nor IntelliCare Plus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AIMS Explorer or IntelliCare Plus?
AIMS Explorer ships an update every 72 months, and IntelliCare Plus every 6 weeks. Most recently, AIMS Explorer was updated on October 14, 2026 and IntelliCare Plus on October 2, 2026.

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