The 10 Best BetterHelp Alternatives in 2023

There are many apps that claim to support your emotional state. 

Some apps might be effective, while others are only there to get money. It’s important to focus your time on therapy services that actually work to reduce your stress. BetterHelp is one good example, but that doesn’t suit everyone’s taste and budget. 

Fortunately, you can discover similar apps that support those with a range of mental health conditions. There’s no need to spend lots of money on a subscription, especially if you want to use certain apps in the long term. 

Keep reading to find the top BetterHelp alternatives in 2023. 

Comparing the Alternatives 

The 10 Best BetterHelp Alternatives

Now that you have a rough idea on what each app can do, it’s worth delving more into their benefits and main features.

Here are the top alternatives to BetterHelp: 

#1 Sensa – best overall 

Sensa is an online therapy app that uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people understand their mental health better. You can take lessons that encourage you to change your mindset and build healthy habits that prevent unwanted behaviors.

A study found that CBT can help treat symptoms of depression and anxiety. This means people have the ability to change their thought patterns. Alongside CBT, you’ll gain access to features that document your potential triggers and moods.

One prominent feature of Sensa is the wide variety of educational content. You can learn habit-building techniques through courses and online counseling. Even simple 10–30-minute tasks could increase your resilience to anxiety and paranoid thoughts. 

#2  Bloom – best for CBT 

Bloom is an interactive self-therapy app that focuses on CBT, mood journaling, video lessons, and breathing techniques. You can work on improving your cognitive behavioral therapy skills to reinforce positive thinking and greater confidence. 

Apps that focus heavily on CBT suit those with mood disorders. This is because you’re encouraged to identify problems that trigger negative emotions. Bloom uses journaling features and educational courses to guide you through the benefits of cognitive therapy.

If you prefer tracking your progress, the journaling aspect is a great way of personal expression. The creators of this app want you to change how you think and act, so it’s worth documenting your mental health journey to overcome emotional challenges. 

#3 MoodKit – best for mood journaling

MoodKit focuses more on improving your mood throughout the day. There are thought checkers, engaging activities, trackers, and journals that document your progress. It’s about changing the way you think and behave when approaching negative situations. 

Research suggests that mood journaling can be an uplifting treatment. It’s a way of expressing yourself without the need to bottle up emotions. MoodKit uses professional psychology to give you the best lessons and techniques for feeling loveable again. 

There are also other small features to have fun with on the app. One of these includes the physical tab on the homepage. You can explore new, exciting ways to become active since regular exercise is known to improve your mental and physical health. 

#4 Talkspace – best for online therapy

Talkspace is an effective online therapy app that encourages you to speak with a licensed therapist without leaving the house. It’s better for those who aren’t comfortable having face-to-face interaction when discussing a range of mental health problems. 

Some notable features comprise text-based messaging, live chats, progress tracking, and in-app workshops. Many of the professional therapy sessions cover post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and addiction. 

Moreover, you also get access to psychiatric services when seeking medication management. The creators of Talkspace believe it’s important that people converse with mental health professionals before getting an evaluation and prescribed medicine. 

#5 Calm – best for meditation 

Calm can help soothe your thoughts through meditation. The audio and video content gives people a chance to relax throughout the day or after a stressful time. Intermittent mindfulness practice ensures you’re taking regular breaks to declutter bad thoughts.

A study found that meditation prevents high stress levels. You can sit down for 10 minutes in the morning or evening and listen to the app’s sound recordings. Calm uses delicate music and nature-based sounds to push you into a relaxed mindset. 

It’s also been proven that meditative practices improve your sleep. Getting enough sleep can reduce symptoms of depression and social anxiety. Furthermore, you can watch master classes on how to meditate properly when reducing negative feelings.

#6 Happify – best for entertainment 

Happify wants to make online therapy fun for people. You can discover engaging games that promote meaningful improvements in your life. One example is that users have to smack negative words or thoughts with a ball to score points and find the next level. 

Certain games won’t be for everyone, but they are great for boosting your mood. The 5–15-minute video sessions could also help you break negative habits. On the Happify website, they state that 80% of frequent users feel happier within just 2 months. 

This app is more suited to beginners who need something easy. The features are fun and simple to navigate, even when you’re taking educational courses. For those who are looking for serious online counseling, this app might not be right for you. 

#7 Cerebral – best for depression

Cerebral offers therapy sessions to those with anxiety, insomnia, or depression. You can arrange meetings if you aren’t comfortable with in-person therapy. Independent nurse practitioners want to create a “safe space” for users to share their thoughts.

This app also has mindfulness and meditation guides. Scan through the educational resources, and you’ll find tips for relieving common depression symptoms. The creators of Cerebral believe that online therapy platforms should be versatile and resourceful. 

You also have a dedicated care coordinator who can help organize your schedule in terms of therapy meetings. This ensures you don’t get overwhelmed when trying to book an appointment or find a time that works for you and the licensed therapist.

#8 I Am Sober – best for addiction 

I Am Sober is for people who want to track their sobriety. You can join a community that is supportive and understanding. It’s a way of gaining inspiration on how to build healthy habits, especially if you struggle to establish a sustainable routine throughout the day. 

Research suggests that social support is a powerful tool for maintaining good health. This app wants the community to share their stories and offer personal advice. Users will get the chance to build positive relationships that boost their motivation. 

You can also identify behavioral patterns that contribute to addiction. The tracking features ask about your mood and whether you stayed sober. Even journal-like entries give people the opportunity to open up and share their thoughts for the day. 

#9 Ginger – best for employees

Ginger can offer mental health therapy to employers and employees. The self-care resources ensure the workspace is comfortable for everyone. Video therapy and psychiatry meetings enable all team members to openly express their feelings.  

A study discovered that mobile apps could reduce stress levels in a workplace environment. This means higher productivity levels when it comes to new projects. If you feel more motivated, you are more likely to complete high-quality tasks on time. 

Statistics on the Ginger website state that 71% of members prefer this app over seeing a mental health professional in person. Team members can arrange meetings with behavioral health coaches if they want to discuss any issues or long-term concerns. 

#10 eMoods – best for mood tracking

eMoods is a user-friendly app that supports those with PTSD, depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety. You can track your moods throughout the day on a dedicated chart and document symptoms that help you gain valuable insights into your mindset. 

Identifying triggers will help prevent potential relapses. For example, if you get panic attacks while driving, you might note down triggers like roadworks or bridges. The app creates a brief summary report that you can show to doctors or professional counselors. 

Sharing reports with your doctor can help them better understand your mind. They could prescribe the right treatment that helps relieve any negative symptoms. A study that included this app shows that mood-tracking features can help users cope with stress, too. 

How to Choose the BetterHelp Alternative

There are many things to consider before downloading an app. You don’t want to invest your time and money into something that might not even work. We understand that mental health apps need to cater to everyone’s goals and personal preferences. 

Below are factors we considered that should help you choose: 

Quality 

High-quality apps should have no code defects or security problems. If the app is consistent and responsive, then it’s worth downloading. During our evaluation, we discovered that apps with fewer complex features run better for most customers. 

Price 

Not everyone can afford expensive subscriptions. Choose an app that suits your budget and can be a sustainable investment in the long term. We understand that an online therapy service should be inexpensive and versatile for those who want to save money.

Brand reputation 

Our team believes that a brand should be transparent and reliable. It’s important that brands clearly state their mission and goal for the app. If they don’t, people may feel as though they care about money the most, which can make the app seem less desirable. 

Effectiveness 

There’s no point in buying an app if it doesn’t work, right? This is where free trials come in handy for new users. You can test the app for 7 or more days to judge the main features and determine whether the therapy sessions are actually worth your time.

Conclusion

You should choose an app that suits your mental health needs. Think about how it will benefit you in the long term when it comes to building good habits. Sensa, Bloom, and MoodKit are the top 3 options for providing convenient and effective online therapy.