# Talkspace vs BetterHelp

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 chart position (#88 vs unranked) and 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.

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 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Talkspace | BetterHelp |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (47K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/talkspace-virtual-therapy-app/id661829386/reviews) | [4.8 (149K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/betterhelp-therapy/id995252384/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 47K | **149K** |
| Positive reviews | 26.9% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#88** |
| Size | 19 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Groop Internet Platform inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/661829389) | [BetterHelp](https://appshunter.io/developer/995252383) |

## What reviewers say

### Talkspace

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/talkspace-virtual-therapy-app/id661829386)

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.

**Highlights:** Licensed therapist matching, Unlimited messaging (text, audio, video), Daily responses from therapists, Personalized Talkcast podcasts, Insurance and employer coverage, HIPAA compliant security

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient online therapy
- 👍 Helpful therapists
- 💡 Innovative concept
- 🔒 Secure platform

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unresponsive customer service
- 💰 Expensive pricing
- 🕰️ Slow therapist response times
- 🔀 Difficulty switching therapists
- 🚫 Lack of in-network insurance coverage

**Reported bugs**

- Technical issues with app and website
- Glitches in booking and rescheduling appointments
- Inconsistent therapist availability and communication

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/betterhelp-therapy/id995252384)

**Currently charting:** #88 Top Free · Health & Fitness (US App Store)

Access professional mental health support from licensed therapists. Connect via messaging or live sessions, and join educational webinars. Find personalized guidance for various challenges.

**Highlights:** 30,000+ licensed therapists, Therapist matching, Unlimited messaging, Live video/phone sessions, Group webinars

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Convenient and accessible therapy
- 🚀 Quick matching with therapists
- 💬 Ability to message therapist anytime
- 📝 Helpful journaling and worksheets
- 🤗 Supportive and understanding therapists

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 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

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Video call disconnections
- Billing and subscription issues

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Talkspace free?

Talkspace is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is BetterHelp free?

BetterHelp is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Talkspace or BetterHelp?

Talkspace and BetterHelp are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 47K and 149K ratings respectively.

### Do Talkspace or BetterHelp have ads?

BetterHelp shows ads; Talkspace does not.

### Which is updated more often, Talkspace or BetterHelp?

Talkspace ships an update every 6 weeks, and BetterHelp monthly. Most recently, Talkspace was updated on September 26, 2026 and BetterHelp on September 26, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*