Talkspace vs BetterHelp: Which Online Therapy App Fits You Best?

Both Talkspace and BetterHelp are leading online therapy platforms that make professional mental health support more affordable and accessible. Yet, they differ in pricing, therapist communication styles, session formats, and insurance coverage.

We know choosing between the two can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re ready to get help and don’t want to waste time comparing details.

That’s why we’ve done the groundwork for you. We tested both platforms for usability, effectiveness, and overall experience to help you decide which fits your needs best.

Key Learnings

• Both BetterHelp and Talkspace offer couples, individual, and teen therapy.
• BetterHelp focuses on flexible and affordable talk therapy. Talkspace, on the other hand, expands its services beyond therapy offering psychiatry, medication management, and insurance coverage.
• The Liven app supports you between online therapy sessions with journaling, mood tracking, and AI assistance.

What Both Talkspace and BetterHelp Offer

BetterHelp Mental Health Services

BetterHelp is one of the largest online therapy platforms, serving over 5 million users across 100 countries with access to more than 35,000 licensed therapists. Like most digital therapy services, it offers a range of benefits as well as certain limitations to consider.

Benefits of BetterHelp

The platform is known for a mix of talk therapy formats and flexibility. Its affordable online therapy services can save you high fees at a brick-and-mortar therapist's office. 

• Wide variety of mental health professionals 

  There are 35,000 BetterHelp therapists specializing in individual therapy, teen counseling, and couples therapy. You can find anyone you need, starting with a family therapist or a licensed marriage counselor and finishing with a licensed clinical social worker.

  Keep in mind that teen therapy and couples therapy reside on different sister sites, which are Teen Counseling and ReGain respectively. 

Plus, BetterHelp offers a quick matching, often under 24 hours. 

• The basic plan includes 1 live session weekly

  Perfect for those who prefer traditional live therapy every week. Sessions vary between 30 and 45 minutes and can happen via video or phone. 

• 7-day therapist availability

  Unlike Talkspace therapists who take 2 days off, most BetterHelp therapists are available 7 days a week. But keep in mind that it doesn’t mean 24/7 availability: a therapist will typically answer your messages within 24 hours but it’s their decision to decide when they’ll do it. 

• Unlimited live group sessions

  The platform offers live group sessions and webinars to its subscribers, which means that peer and community support come at no extra cost.

• Offers journaling and worksheets

  One can use an in-app journal (keep it private or share it with a therapist when needed) and worksheets for homework, which BetterHelp therapists might assign. 

• Financial aid available

  The platform offers financial assistance based on location, income, and financial hardship. This makes a huge difference if you’re paying out of pocket or don’t have insurance coverage.

Limits of BetterHelp

No platform is without its constraints. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind before subscribing:

Focus on talk therapy

BetterHelp primarily provides access to licensed therapists for online counseling sessions. It does not include psychiatric evaluations or medication management. Users who require prescription support may need to seek additional services elsewhere.

Insurance coverage

At this time, BetterHelp does not typically accept health insurance. Users are responsible for the subscription cost out of pocket, although some may qualify for financial assistance through the platform.

Who Is BetterHelp Best For?

People who tend to thrive with BetterHelp are commonly those who:

• Thrive in traditional therapy. BetterHelp offers multiple online therapy approaches and session formats one can choose from.
• Prefer affordable weekly video sessions. The Basic plan includes one session per week (typically lasts for 30-45 minutes).
• Prefer consistent communication with a therapist. Clients can send unlimited messages to BetterHelp therapists 7 days a week.
• Enjoy group sessions. The platform offers live, interactive group therapy sessions at no extra cost. 

What Studies Say about BetterHelp

One referenced study reported that online cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered through BetterHelp was as effective as in-person therapy for mild-to-moderate depression.

Another study also emphasizes that first-time BetterHelp users showed a notable drop in depressive symptoms after several weeks of sessions. Researchers also highlighted the platform’s ease of use. 

However, experts also note that while digital therapy tools like BetterHelp make online therapy easier-to-access, they still face issues such as data privacy and differences in therapist quality.

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Talkspace Mental Health Services

As we’ve found, BetterHelp focuses strongly on flexibility and accessibility for those without insurance. Meanwhile, Talkspace emphasizes the breadth of services and widely accepts insurance. 

Benefits of Talkspace

• Offers psychiatric evaluations & medication management services

  One might get an initial psychiatric evaluation and a follow-up appointment for medication management. This makes the platform a perfect fit for those who need a combined mental health treatment, which includes both talk therapy sessions and medication support. 

  If you’ve received a prescription through Talkspace psychiatry or medication management services, Talkspace will send the prescription to your local pharmacy: you’ll have to pick it up or ask for home delivery if that’s what the pharmacy offers.

❗ Please keep in mind that Talkspace does not prescribe controlled substances.

• One can send unlimited video updates to their therapist

  Clients can send unlimited text, video, and audio messages to therapists (sort of like check-ins between live sessions) and receive responses 5 days a week. 

• Users can qualify through Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

  If your employer provides employee assistance programs that cover a certain number of online therapy or psychiatry sessions, Talkspace will accept it. 

• One can benefit from biannual and quarterly discounts 

  Users who pay out-of-pocket quarterly or biannually can benefit from 10-20% discounts. 

  You can also benefit from bundled pricing for psychiatry-related services, meaning you can buy multiple sessions with a discount upfront.

• Accepts insurance coverage

  Talkspace partners with multiple insurance companies, allowing users to copay. Among the top popular providers the platform cooperates with are Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, TRICARE, Medicare and Medicare Advantage, and others. 

Limitations of Talkspace Compared to BetterHelp

Therapist availability

Talkspace therapists are typically available five days a week, while BetterHelp professionals often provide messaging responses seven days a week.

Basic plan structure

Talkspace’s messaging-only plan is priced higher than BetterHelp’s starting plan. Unlike BetterHelp, Talkspace’s basic plan does not include live therapy sessions.

Fewer integrated support features

Talkspace does not currently offer certain interactive tools, such as group sessions, in-app journaling, or digital therapy worksheets. Users who value self-guided or between-session exercises may wish to confirm whether their assigned therapist can provide similar resources.

Therapist selection process

With BetterHelp, users can browse and choose their own therapist based on preferences and specialties. Talkspace uses a matching system that assigns therapists based on user input; while clients can request a change, direct therapist selection is not available.

Who Is Talkspace Best For?

Talkspace can be a strong fit if you:

• Want consistent mental health support, especially if your treatment plan includes ongoing medication management.
• Are looking for online psychiatric services, including evaluation and prescription support.
• Have insurance coverage for mental health services or qualify through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Prefer structured, text-based therapy, with messaging as the main format for communication.
• Value one-on-one therapy over group sessions or community-based support.

What Studies Say about Talkspace 

Several large-scale studies have focused on the app’s use for depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.

A 2023 quality improvement study examined over 166,000 clients, 4,900 therapists, and more than 20 million messages exchanged on Talkspace. Results showed that users who received more supportive messages from Talkspace therapists stayed on the platform longer and reported higher satisfaction and stronger symptom improvement. 

Another trial compared two forms of Talkspace therapy: messaging-based therapy (MBP) and video-based therapy (VCP). Both forms were found equally effective for reducing depression symptoms, but people in the messaging group stayed active longer — about 7.8 weeks compared with 4.9 weeks for video therapy. 

Meanwhile, a review of user feedback from a different study pointed out some common challenges:

• Slow therapist replies;
• Pricing confusion with subscription plans and refund policies;
• Varying counselor availability, which can interrupt care. 

Key Differences Between Talkspace and BetterHelp

BetterHelp vs Talkspace: Pricing Plans and Cancellation Rules

Let’s start with the Talkspace vs BetterHelp cost comparison. 

Unlike BetterHelp, which doesn’t accept insurance, Talkspace partners with multiple major insurance providers to make therapy more affordable.

The copay typically ranges between $15–$30 per live therapy session. In some cases, individuals may even have a $0 copay, which means sessions are fully covered as an eligible expense under their policy.

❗ Please keep in mind that the average price for Talkspace services depends on insurance plans as those differ among providers and states. Also, the platform doesn’t support direct billing to international insurers. 

Meanwhile, BetterHelp recognizes financial hard times and offers income-based financial assistance, which is a benefit that Talkspace, unfortunately, does not provide. Typically, one has to apply during the sign-up process. If approved, the platform reduces the out-of-pocket subscription cost by 10–40%.

Privacy and Security of Online Therapy by BetterHelp and Talkspace

Both Talkspace and BetterHelp comply with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which ensures the patient’s data is fully protected. Talkspace also holds NCQA (National Committee for Quality Assurance) accreditation, which recognizes healthcare organizations that meet strict quality and privacy standards. 

BetterHelp, on the other hand, doesn’t hold NCQA and faced scrutiny when the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) fined the company $7.8 million for misleading users and sharing sensitive data for advertising purposes. 

Outside the U.S., HIPAA protections don’t apply, but users in Europe and the UK benefit from GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Meanwhile, in many other regions, mental health apps exist in a regulatory gray area, which means users aren’t protected. 

How to Verify Therapist Licenses and Boundaries? 

Every Talkspace therapist or BetterHelp counselor holds at least a master’s degree in a mental health field and a valid state license. Users can check therapist’s licensing data directly on the app or contact customer support. 

If you’re unsure, you can verify their license number through your state’s public database of mental health professionals.

❗ Please keep in mind that mental health specialists cannot provide emergency care. Also, only those with medical credentials (MD, DO, NP) can deliver psychiatry services, such as psychiatric evaluation or medication prescription. 

Talkspace vs BetterHelp Comparison: Which Platform Is Right for You? 

How Liven Helps You Make Progress Between Therapy Sessions

Your in-between-sessions time is when you test new coping strategies learned from online therapy and try building new habits, all while combating the old ones.

Both BetterHelp and Talkspace connect you with licensed therapists, but can they help you stay consistent after your live or chat sessions end? That’s where Liven steps in. It gives you tools for reflection, emotional awareness, and self-guided growth between your online therapy sessions.

#1: Helps you remember what you’ve learnt and reinforce it

Many users of online therapy services struggle to remember key takeaways from their sessions. You can use Liven to jot down coping strategies, summarize key insights, and leave reflection notes.

Possible scenario: One of your online therapy exercises is identifying automatic negative thoughts. You can use Liven’s in-app journal to document your progress, track triggers, and reflect on how those thoughts evolve week by week.

#2: Strengthens self-regulation and emotional resilience

Liven promotes calm and self-regulation between therapy sessions. For instance, it helps you refocus and unwind with gentle binaural beats or relaxing nature sounds. 

You can also chat with Livie, your personal AI companion, that can help you process your thoughts through reflective questioning

The best part? You no longer have to wait for your next Talkspace therapist reply or live video session on BetterHelp, since Liven supports you in real time.

Possible scenario: After a difficult day, you notice your anxiety creeping in. You open Liven, begin a short course on anxiety management, track your mood to understand what’s driving it, and chat with Livie for a calming check-in when things feel heavy.

#3: Helps you track and analyze your wellbeing

You can track your feelings and triggers with Liven’s mood tracker and notice how your emotional wellbeing changes after online therapy sessions, self-care routines, or medication adjustments. 

Possible scenario: Your Liven mood logs show recurring stress midweek. You discuss this data with your therapist, who shifts session timing and adds midweek self-regulation techniques.

In short, BetterHelp and Talkspace connect you to professional guidance. Liven helps you stay connected to yourself.

You can check out the Liven app on Google Play or Apple Store, get more advice from Liven experts on our blog, or take free Liven tests to assess your mental health right now. 

Making the Best Choice for Your Mental Health Care

Both Talkspace and BetterHelp offer accessible therapy solutions for people with busy schedules who prefer not to commute to an in-person office.

Each platform brings its own strengths: BetterHelp emphasizes live video sessions and provides financial assistance options, while Talkspace includes psychiatric care and accepts insurance coverage.

Liven complements both by supporting your mental health between therapy sessions helping you track your moods, practice emotional regulation, and apply what you learn in real time.

If you’re ready to make therapy more effective and feel supported every day, try exploring Liven as your personal self-discovery companion.

References

1. Almalki, M., & Mehmood, A. (2025). Assessing the features of mobile apps for self-management of postpartum depression. African Journal of Reproductive Health, 29(3), 132–142. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40135451/
2. Anser, M. K., et al. (2025). Advancing mental health care: A comprehensive review of digital tools and technologies for enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and wellness. Health & Social Care in the Community. https://doi.org/10.1002/hcs2.70018
3. Areán, P. A., et al. (2024). Randomized trial of the effectiveness of videoconferencing-based versus message-based psychotherapy on depression. Psychiatric Services, 75(12). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.20230176
4. Imel, Z. E., et al. (2024). Outcomes in mental health counseling from conversational content with transformer-based machine learning. JAMA Network Open, 7(1), e2352590. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.52590
5. Jo, E., et al. (2023). Exploring user perspectives of and ethical experiences with teletherapy apps: Qualitative analysis of user reviews. JMIR Mental Health, 10, e49684. https://doi.org/10.2196/49684

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