Comparison

Affect vs SIMHC

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

Head to head
About

Affect

This app offers a free sober tracker and tools to reduce alcohol and drug use. For those seeking to quit, it provides a comprehensive, insurance-covered outpatient treatment program with licensed counselors and medication support.

Highlights
  • Sober tracker for alcohol and drug use
  • Outpatient addiction treatment program
  • Licensed counselor meetings
  • Medication for cravings and withdrawal
  • Financial rewards for progress
  • Support for employment and housing
Features
Read full description

Drink less, quit drugs, or get help with your mental health—with expert care from your phone. Affect offers online treatment covered by many insurance plans, plus free tools to help you build healthier habits. MENTAL HEALTH CARE THAT FITS YOUR LIFE Connect with a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider for anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, OCD, or postpartum depression. Your personalized plan may include therapy and medication when appropriate, with appointments right in the app. SUPPORT TO DRINK LESS OR QUIT DRUGS Whether you want to cut back or stop completely, Affect meets you where you are. We treat alcohol, cannabis, stimulants such as meth and cocaine, opioids, and prescription drug misuse. Get professional support to manage cravings, build healthier habits, and maintain progress—with motivating rewards along the way. Affect has treated more than 25,000 people. In their first month of substance use treatment, members reduce their drinking or drug use by 50% on average. FREE TOOLS TO GET STARTED • Track your mood, drinking, or drug use. • Set personal goals and follow your progress. • Complete daily challenges to build healthier habits. These tools are free, with no ads or trial period. You don’t need to enroll in treatment to use them. A CARE TEAM IN YOUR POCKET When you enroll in treatment, your care may include: • Online therapy with licensed professionals. • Medication when appropriate for substance use or mental health symptoms. • Integrated support for mental health and substance use. • Help finding resources for healthcare, employment, and housing. • Connection with a supportive community. Affect’s outpatient program can also help you continue care after detox or inpatient rehab, or add professional treatment alongside AA, NA, or SMART Recovery. CHECK YOUR INSURANCE Affect accepts many insurance plans. Check your coverage privately in the app and learn about expected out-of-pocket costs, with no obligation to enroll. Visit our website for the full list of accepted plans. LICENSED CARE. RESEARCH-BASED TREATMENT. Affect is a licensed treatment provider accredited by CARF International. Our approach draws on decades of behavior change research. Our substance use research has received support from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health. You don’t need to have everything figured out to take the next step. Download Affect to explore free tools or get started with expert care.

About

SIMHC

Features
Read full description

We are excited to introduce and offer our new SIMHC patient portal app. This is a secure app providing you access to a variety of features and services through your smart phone or computer. Our goal is to provide you with a convenient, seamless, and effortless experience in both telehealth and other communication with SIMHC staff. Here is why we think you’ll love it! Secure Telehealth Sessions – Connect with your mental health provider privately and securely in the comfort of your own space. Appointment Management – Attend or cancel appointments with ease and efficiency. Document Management – Securely review, sign and manage forms, upload with ease insurance cards and other important information. Billing and Payments – View and pay your bill directly through the app. Download the SIMHC portal app today and continue your mental health journey with ease and convenience.

Screenshots

Affect4 screens
SIMHC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SIMHC at none against Affect's shown. SIMHC also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

Affect ships an update every 3 weeks, SIMHC monthly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Affect versus SIMHC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAffectSIMHC
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (512 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews77.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings512 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size325 MB220 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperAffect Therapeutics, Inc.Southern Iowa Mental Health Center

Bugs and requests

Affect

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inconsistent tracking of sobriety days
  • Technical issues with the app crashing
  • Delays in processing payments/rewards

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expand support for non-drug addictions
  • Improve communication and responsiveness
  • Enhance security and privacy measures
  • Provide more licensed clinical professionals

SIMHC

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Affect

No in-app purchases

None

SIMHC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Affect free?
Affect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SIMHC free?
SIMHC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Affect or SIMHC have ads?
Affect shows ads; SIMHC does not.
Which is updated more often, Affect or SIMHC?
Affect ships an update every 3 weeks, and SIMHC monthly. Most recently, Affect was updated on October 24, 2026 and SIMHC on October 24, 2026.

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