# BetterHelp vs Open

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BetterHelp at none against Open's 2. BetterHelp also leads on review sentiment (80% vs 60%) and chart position (#69 vs unranked). Open's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price, rating and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Open sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. BetterHelp asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for BetterHelp against 4.9 for Open. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BetterHelp has 150K ratings behind it against 18K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of BetterHelp's written reviews are positive against 60% of Open's.

BetterHelp ships an update monthly, Open weekly. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | BetterHelp | Open |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (150K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/betterhelp-therapy/id995252384/reviews) | **[4.9 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-breathwork-plus-meditation/id1482725254/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **150K** | 18K |
| Positive reviews | **80.0% of reviews** | 60.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#69** | — |
| Size | 34 MB | 306 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [BetterHelp](https://appshunter.io/developer/995252383) | [Open Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1482725253) |

## What reviewers say

### BetterHelp

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

**Currently charting:** #69 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


### Open

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-breathwork-plus-meditation/id1482725254)

This app offers guided breathwork, meditation, and movement classes designed by neurobiology experts. It aims to help users regulate their nervous system, reduce stress, and foster personal growth through a blend of science and spirituality. Practice anytime, anywhere with daily new classes and progress tracking.

**Highlights:** Guided breathwork techniques, Daily meditation sessions, Mindfulness-based movement classes, Progress tracking and reminders, Expert-designed curriculum, On-demand class library

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $149.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Life changing
- 🤗 Transformative experience
- 🌟 High-quality classes
- 💫 Beautiful app design
- 🙌 Supportive community

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 💰 Expensive subscription cost
- 🐛 App crashes and glitches
- 🤔 Limited free content
- 📞 Poor customer service

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription not showing in Apple account
- Inability to cancel subscription
- Unexpected charges after cancellation

**Requested features**

- Offline mode for classes
- More free content options
- Apple Watch app integration
- Better search and discovery
- Progress tracking and analytics


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BetterHelp free?

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

### Is Open free?

Open is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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

Open is rated higher. BetterHelp averages 4.8 out of 5 from 150K ratings, while Open averages 4.9 from 18K ratings.

### Do BetterHelp or Open have ads?

BetterHelp shows ads; Open does not.

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

BetterHelp ships an update monthly, and Open weekly. Most recently, BetterHelp was updated on October 29, 2026 and Open on October 29, 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.*