Talkspace vs BetterHelp
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Talkspace
Access licensed therapists for online mental health support through text, audio, and video messaging. Receive personalized support and custom podcasts to aid your mental wellness journey. Insurance and employer coverage options are available.
- Licensed therapist matching
- Unlimited messaging (text, audio, video)
- Daily responses from therapists
- Personalized Talkcast podcasts
- Insurance and employer coverage
- HIPAA compliant security
Read full descriptionHide full description
Talkspace is an online therapy app that connects adults and teens (13+) with licensed therapists in their state for text, audio, and video therapy — covered by many U.S. insurance plans and employers. More than 1 million people have used Talkspace for online therapy. Read member reviews at www.talkspace.com/reviews. Talkspace uses clinician-informed, responsible AI tools to support care that always stays human-first: every member is treated by a licensed therapist. HOW DOES TALKSPACE WORK? Tell us your preferences and get matched with a licensed therapist in your state, often the same day. Send unlimited text, audio, picture, or video messages anytime and receive responses at least once a day, 5 days a week — so you can process things as they happen instead of waiting for a weekly appointment. WHAT CAN TALKSPACE HELP WITH? Talkspace therapists treat a wide range of mental health needs, including anxiety, depression, stress and burnout, relationship challenges, trauma and PTSD, substance use, and grief. Whatever brings you to therapy, you'll be matched with a therapist experienced in your area of need. IS TALKSPACE FOR TEENS? Yes. Talkspace offers online therapy for teens ages 13–17 with therapists specialized in adolescent mental health — including school stress, anxiety, and self-esteem. Parental or guardian consent is required to get started. DOES TALKSPACE OFFER PSYCHIATRY OR COUPLES THERAPY? Yes. In addition to individual therapy, Talkspace offers psychiatry (evaluation and medication management with licensed prescribers) and couples therapy — all online, in the same app. IS TALKSPACE COVERED BY INSURANCE? Yes. Talkspace is in-network with leading U.S. health plans and partners with many employers, so most covered members pay a copay similar to an in-person visit. Enter your insurance or employer details at checkout to check eligibility in seconds. HOW MUCH DOES TALKSPACE COST? Many members pay only a copay through insurance. Without insurance, choose a subscription plan that fits your needs and budget. Visit our Help Center for pricing details. IS TALKSPACE EFFECTIVE? Talkspace has been shown to be as effective as face-to-face therapy: in one study, 81% of participants found Talkspace as effective or better than in-person therapy, and users showed significant improvement in depression and anxiety symptoms within 2 months. Talkspace has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Business Insider. Research: research.talkspace.com | Press: talkspace.com/press WHO ARE THE TALKSPACE THERAPISTS? The Talkspace network includes thousands of licensed therapists across all 50 states, all vetted and credentialed according to NCQA standards. If your first match isn't the right fit, you can switch therapists anytime. IS TALKSPACE SECURE? Your safety and security are our #1 priorities. Talkspace is protected with banking-grade encryption and externally audited for HIPAA compliance. Full Privacy Policy: talkspace.com/public/privacy-policy WHAT IS TALKCAST? To help you stay engaged between sessions, your therapist can create Talkcast personalized podcasts: after your therapist reviews a script based on your therapy goals, our AI engine generates a custom recording you can listen to anytime. WHO IS TALKSPACE BEST FOR? Talkspace is ideal for anyone who wants therapy that fits a busy schedule, prefers messaging a therapist over weekly appointments, wants to use insurance for mental health care, or is starting therapy for the first time and wants a low-pressure way to begin. CONNECT WITH US Questions or feedback? Email support@talkspace.com or visit talkspace.com. Follow Talkspace on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
BetterHelp
Access professional mental health support from licensed therapists. Connect via messaging or live sessions, and join educational webinars. Find personalized guidance for various challenges.
- 30,000+ licensed therapists
- Therapist matching
- Unlimited messaging
- Live video/phone sessions
- Group webinars
Read full descriptionHide full description
BETTERHELP: NOW WITH INSURANCE BetterHelp makes it easy to connect with a licensed therapist online, whether you use insurance or choose self-pay. With insurance options now available, eligible members may access therapy with an average copay of $23 per session. Answer a few questions and get matched with a licensed therapist from our community of over 35,000 based on your needs, preferences, and location. ------------------------------------------- WHY BETTERHELP? ------------------------------------------- • Insurance options now available • Average copay of $23 per session for eligible members • Over 35,000 licensed, accredited, and experienced therapists • Match with a therapist based on your needs, preferences, and location • Message your therapist anytime • Schedule weekly live video or phone sessions • Access educational group webinars • Use BetterHelp with or without insurance PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT, TAILORED TO YOU Finding the right therapist can make a meaningful difference. BetterHelp matches you with a licensed therapist based on your goals, preferences, and location. You can message your therapist anytime and schedule live sessions from wherever you are, online. LICENSED AND TRAINED THERAPISTS BetterHelp therapists are licensed professionals with at least 3 years and 1,000 hours of hands-on experience. Our network includes psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and other similarly credentialed providers. All of our therapists hold a Master’s Degree or a Doctoral Degree in their respective fields and have been qualified and certified by their state professional board, having completed the necessary education, exams, training, and practice. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? BetterHelp now offers a wide variety of insurance options. Your cost may vary based on your plan, provider availability, deductible status, and coverage. Eligible members may have an average copay of $23 per session. Not using insurance? Individual self-pay plans typically range from $70 to $100 per week, billed every 4 weeks, and may vary based on location, preferences, and therapist availability. Your membership includes messaging and weekly live sessions and you can cancel at any time for any reason."
Screenshots
Verdict
Talkspace and BetterHelp both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 80% of BetterHelp's written reviews are positive against 27% of Talkspace's. BetterHelp also leads on ratings volume (149K vs 47K). Talkspace's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Talkspace against 4.8 for BetterHelp. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 47K and 149K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 27% of Talkspace's written reviews are positive against 80% of BetterHelp's.
Talkspace ships an update every 6 weeks, BetterHelp monthly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Talkspace | BetterHelp |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (47K ratings) | 4.8 (149K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 26.9% of reviews | 80.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 47K | 149K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #206 | #79 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Groop Internet Platform inc. | BetterHelp |
Customer experience
Talkspace
BetterHelp
User reviews
Talkspace
From 47K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Convenient online therapy
- 👍 Helpful therapists
- 💡 Innovative concept
- 🔒 Secure platform
Room to improve
- 🐛 Unresponsive customer service
- 💰 Expensive pricing
- 🕰️ Slow therapist response times
- 🔀 Difficulty switching therapists
- 🚫 Lack of in-network insurance coverage
BetterHelp
From 149K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Convenient and accessible therapy
- 🚀 Quick matching with therapists
- 💬 Ability to message therapist anytime
- 📝 Helpful journaling and worksheets
- 🤗 Supportive and understanding therapists
Room to improve
- 💰 Expensive for some users
- 🕰️ Incompatible time zones for some users
- 🔄 Difficulty switching therapists at times
- 🔌 Technical issues with app and video calls
- 🤷♀️ Inconsistent quality of therapists
Bugs and requests
Talkspace
Reported bugs
3 issues- Technical issues with app and website
- Glitches in booking and rescheduling appointments
- Inconsistent therapist availability and communication
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to schedule live sessions
- Option to extend session credits beyond monthly cycle
- Improved user interface and navigation
- More transparency around billing and cancellation policies
BetterHelp
Reported bugs
3 issues- App crashes and freezes
- Video call disconnections
- Billing and subscription issues
Requested features
5 requests- More affordable pricing options
- Availability of therapists in different time zones
- Easier process for switching therapists
- Improved video call and app stability
- Better screening and training for therapists
In-app purchases
Talkspace
No in-app purchases
BetterHelp
No in-app purchases







