Best Free Mental Health Counseling Apps

246+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated August 2026

The best free mental health counseling apps on iPhone average 4.6โ˜… across 246+ titles โ€” we've ranked them by what real users actually keep on their phones. Updated August 2026.

Compare top Free Mental Health Counseling Apps (August 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1Talkspace: Virtual Therapy AppTalkspace: Virtual Therapy AppFree4.8โ˜… (47K)NoNoSep 2026
2BetterHelp - TherapyBetterHelp - TherapyFree4.8โ˜… (149K)YesNoSep 2026
3Ash - AI for Mental HealthAsh - AI for Mental HealthFree4.8โ˜… (4.7K)NoYesSep 2026
4Grow TherapyGrow TherapyFree4.8โ˜… (8.9K)NoNoSep 2026
5Brightline Mental HealthBrightline Mental HealthFree4.9โ˜… (162)YesNoJul 2026
6Counselr: Mental Health AICounselr: Mental Health AIFree4.5โ˜… (94)NoYesSep 2026
7Calmerry: Online Therapy AppCalmerry: Online Therapy AppFree3.7โ˜… (77)NoNoSep 2026
87 Cups: Online Therapy & Chat7 Cups: Online Therapy & ChatFree4.4โ˜… (5.7K)NoYesSep 2026

Top Picks for Free Mental Health Counseling

Talkspace: Virtual Therapy App#1

Talkspace: Virtual Therapy App by Groop Internet Platform inc.

Online Mental Health Support
Editor's Choice
๐Ÿ’ช Health & Fitness
4.8๐Ÿ˜ž(47K ratings)
Free
Talkspace: Virtual Therapy App screenshot 1
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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.

What We Love

  • ๐Ÿš€ Convenient online therapy
  • ๐Ÿ‘ Helpful therapists
  • ๐Ÿ’ก Innovative concept
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Secure platform

Room to Improve

  • ๐Ÿ› Unresponsive customer service
  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Expensive pricing
  • ๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ Slow therapist response times
  • ๐Ÿ”€ Difficulty switching therapists
  • ๐Ÿšซ Lack of in-network insurance coverage
BetterHelp - Therapy#2

BetterHelp - Therapy by BetterHelp

#1 Therapy Platform
Strong Contender
๐Ÿ’ช Health & Fitness
4.8๐Ÿ˜Š(149K ratings)
FreeAds
#63in Health & Fitness
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BetterHelp - Therapy screenshot 5

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

What We Love

  • ๐Ÿ‘ Convenient and accessible therapy
  • ๐Ÿš€ Quick matching with therapists
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Ability to message therapist anytime
  • ๐Ÿ“ Helpful journaling and worksheets
  • ๐Ÿค— Supportive and understanding therapists
  • ๐ŸŒ Accessible from anywhere

Room to Improve

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Expensive for some users
  • ๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ Incompatible time zones for some users
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Difficulty switching therapists at times
  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Technical issues with app and video calls
  • ๐Ÿคทโ€โ™€๏ธ Inconsistent quality of therapists
Ash - AI for Mental Health#3

Ash - AI for Mental Health by Slingshot AI

Talk through it, privately.
Worth Considering
๐Ÿ’ช Health & Fitness
4.8๐Ÿ˜Š(4.7K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
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Ash - AI for Mental Health screenshot 6

This AI-powered app offers private, judgment-free emotional support for stress, anxiety, and personal growth. It learns from your interactions to provide personalized insights and a custom program for long-term development. Available 24/7 via voice or text, it aims to help you understand yourself better and achieve your goals.

What We Love

  • ๐Ÿ‘ Helpful for mental health support
  • ๐Ÿค— Provides a safe space to talk
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Realistic and natural conversations
  • ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Remembers past conversations
  • ๐Ÿง  Offers insights and suggestions
  • ๐Ÿ†“ Completely free to use

Room to Improve

  • ๐Ÿค– Concerns about AI judgement and demands
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Requires login, leading to privacy concerns
  • ๐Ÿค– Struggles with multitasking and understanding context

More Free Mental Health Counseling apps to explore

FAQ about Free Mental Health Counseling

What are the best free mental health counseling apps for iPhone?
Talkspace: Virtual Therapy App tops our free mental health counseling apps ranking as of August 2026, with a 4.8-star average from 47K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Talkspace: Virtual Therapy App has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of August 2026.
We track 246+ free mental health counseling apps on the iOS App Store as of August 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
Talkspace is an online platform that provides convenient and affordable mental health support. It matches users with licensed therapists in their state, allowing communication via text, audio, and video messaging. The service aims to improve mental well-being for individuals aged 13 and older.
Users share their therapy preferences and are matched with a licensed therapist. Communication occurs through unlimited text, audio, or video messages, with therapists responding at least once daily, five days a week. Therapists can also create personalized podcasts called Talkcasts to help users stay engaged between sessions.