# BetterHelp vs Oliva

The clearest difference is monetization model: Oliva at free against BetterHelp's subscription. Oliva also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). BetterHelp's advantage is ratings volume (150K vs 1) and chart position (#73 vs unranked). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Oliva holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BetterHelp has 150K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of BetterHelp's written reviews are positive against 78% of Oliva's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

BetterHelp ships an update monthly, Oliva every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BetterHelp | Oliva |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (150K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/betterhelp-therapy/id995252384/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oliva/id6466439617/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **150K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | **80.0% of reviews** | 77.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#73** | — |
| Size | 34 MB | 72 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [BetterHelp](https://appshunter.io/developer/995252383) | [Oliva Health Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1707379755) |

## What reviewers say

### BetterHelp

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

**Currently charting:** #73 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


### Oliva

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oliva/id6466439617)

Access professional coaching and therapy tailored for employees. Find the right expert and create a personalized plan to navigate challenges and enhance your performance at work.

**Highlights:** 1-to-1 therapy and coaching, Dedicated manager support, Self-guided library, Personalized professional matching, Performance enhancement support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BetterHelp free?

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

### Is Oliva free?

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

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

Oliva is rated higher. BetterHelp averages 4.8 out of 5 from 150K ratings, while Oliva averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do BetterHelp or Oliva have ads?

BetterHelp shows ads; Oliva does not.

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

BetterHelp ships an update monthly, and Oliva every 9 days. Most recently, BetterHelp was updated on October 19, 2026 and Oliva on October 13, 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.*