Best Online Therapy Services

There’s a reason BetterHelp is one of the most well-known and popular online therapy companies today: It is an easy-to-use, relatively affordable online therapy company that will suit many people’s needs.

Prior to signing up, users can browse through the detailed bios of the therapists that work with BetterHelp. This allows you to feel confident that you'll be able to find someone they can build a therapeutic relationship with prior to actually beginning the sign-up process. BetterHelp is also transparent about how it protects patient data and privacy, with detailed information prominently displayed on its website. 

The company also offers clients a variety of communication options for talking to their therapist, including video, audio, live chats, and unlimited messaging. This allows users to pick the most convenient and comfortable option. Sessions are available for individuals, couples, and teenagers. And while BetterHelp’s subscription costs are about average when compared to all 33 companies we reviewed, they were still lower than some of their biggest competitors. However, it’s important to note that the company matches your therapist to you rather than lets you choose. You can switch relatively easily, though, if you don’t think it's a good match.

BetterHelp has higher overall customer satisfaction ratings with the users we surveyed than its biggest competitors:

• Seventy-two percent rated the services they received through BetterHelp as either very good or excellent.
• Ninety-one percent stated they were either likely or very likely to recommend BetterHelp to someone like them.

According to our surveys, users were generally very satisfied with the response rate from their therapists and 79% said it was very easy or easy to switch therapists at BetterHelp if they felt like their therapist wasn’t the right match for them. BetterHelp’s subscription plan is also better priced and more all-inclusive than similarly priced plans at competitor companies. 

The company does not have medication management services available, though, which is a drawback if you are taking medications or think you might benefit from a combination of medication and talk therapy services. 

Subscription prices range from $240 per month to as much as $600 per month (or more), depending on your geographical location and the therapist you're assigned to. The very ranges of prices you'll see online are geotagged, which means they vary by your IP address. They also appear to vary depending on availability, suggesting the company uses a sort of surge pricing. Per BetterHelp, the monthly price average is $280.

Services include:

• Weekly 30- to 45- minute sessions, depending on therapist availability
• Video, audio, live chat communication options
• Unlimited messaging available 24/7

Read the Full BetterHelp Review

Founded in 2012, Talkspace was one of the first online therapy companies to hit the market—and its services have only expanded since it launched. They now include psychiatry, medication management, couples therapy, and teen therapy. 

Like BetterHelp, Talkspace offers a variety of different communication options for talking with your therapist, including video, audio, live chat, and unlimited messaging. The company also works with a few insurance providers and EAP plans, which helps make them more affordable if your plan is in-network. They also take payments from HSA and FSA cards. Talkspace is HIPAA compliant and its privacy policies are prominently displayed on the website.

Of the users we surveyed, 69% rated the services they received through Talkspace as either very good or excellent, which was lower than how BetterHelp users rated their services. In addition, only 65% of Talkspace users said its value was very good or excellent for the money spent.

However, 93% of users stated they were either likely or very likely to recommend Talkspace to someone like them. This is likely because many users are happy with the therapists on staff: Eighty-six percent of the users we surveyed said their therapists’ qualifications were very good or excellent and 88% said they were likely to be working with a therapist at Talkspace a year from now. 

It is worth noting that while Talkspace does offer psychiatric services, the costs are additional beyond the therapy subscription costs. As a result, if your insurance plan is out-of-network, getting talk therapy and psychiatric services at Talkspace could become expensive. 

Talkspace differs from BetterHelp in that they offer a variety of different subscription options, all priced differently.

There are three available:

• Unlimited Messaging Therapy Plus: This plan includes text, video, and audio messaging and your therapist responds daily, up to five days per week.
• Unlimited Messaging Therapy Premium: This plan offers everything in the Therapy Plus plan, but also includes one live video session per month of 30 minutes.
• Unlimited Messaging Therapy Ultimate: This plan also includes everything in the Plus plan, as well as four live video sessions per month of 30 minutes. 

Prices for each plan vary depending on your location and plan, from as low as $69 per week to $159 per week or higher. The very prices you'll see during signup will be geotagged to your location.

Couples and teen therapy at Talkspace is similar to the Unlimited Messaging Therapy Ultimate subscription, including four live sessions per month.

Psychiatric services begin at $249 for an initial evaluation, then you will be charged $125 for every follow-up visit, though prices will vary depending on how you customize your plan.

All plans, even the text-based plan, includes one 10-minute intro call with your chosen therapist.

Read the Full Talkspace Review

As a service dedicated exclusively to helping couples with their relationship issues and mental health, ReGain stands out. All therapists are fully licensed, which is different from some of the couples’ focused companies on the market. Eighty-six percent of the users we surveyed said that their therapists’ qualifications were very good or excellent and 90% said they were very likely or likely to be working with a Regain therapist a year from now.

You can sign up as an individual to discuss your relationship issues, or together with your partner. You also have the option of inviting your partner at a later time. Once you sign up, you have access to a private, secure “room” where you can chat with your therapist 24/7 and receive responses and guidance. You also have the option of scheduling a live chat, phone, or video sessions with your therapist. ReGain also offers a library of mental health articles on its website.

Of the users who tried ReGain that we surveyed:

• Seventy-seven percent rated the services they received as either very good or excellent.
• Seventy-six percent said its value was very good or excellent for the money spent. 
• Ninety-five percent stated they were either likely or very likely to recommend it to someone like them.

It should be noted that the service does not offer medication management and ReGain’s services cannot fulfill any court order. 

Subscription prices range from $240 to $360 per month. The price is determined by your location and therapist preferences. Services include:

• Live video or phone sessions 
• Unlimited messaging available 24/7

Read the Full ReGain Review

Wellnite is the most affordable online therapy platform that offers you medication management and talk therapy for the treatment of depression or anxiety. Once you subscribe, you will be able to connect same-day with a board-certified physician who is licensed in your state and regularly treats people for depression and anxiety. Together, you'll develop a treatment plan that could involve therapy and/or medication.

Wellnite therapists also treat other mild conditions that can be treated with psychotherapy and do not require controlled substances or in-person psychiatric visits, primarily using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Of the users we surveyed:

• Seventy-six percent rated the overall services they received as either very good or excellent.
• Seventy-three percent said its value was very good or excellent for the money spent. 
• Ninety-one percent stated they were either likely or very likely to recommend Wellnite to someone like them. 

Wellnite offers two therapy plans. The solo therapy plan is $350 per month and includes access to six video sessions with a licensed therapist and everyday member support. The Medical Care + Therapy plan is $195 per month and includes two video sessions, member support, one monthly doctor consultation, and access to wholesale pricing on mental health medication.

Read the Full Wellnite Review

Aimed specifically at the LGBTQIA+ community, Pride Counseling delivers on what it promises: private, affordable counseling from licensed, board-accredited professionals. It offers one subscription package that gives you the option of scheduling a live video or phone session, plus unlimited messaging, via a private portal. However, it’s important to note that the company matches your therapist to you rather than letting you choose. You can switch relatively easily, though, if you don’t think it's a good match.

All therapists at Pride Counseling are licensed and have a master's or doctorate degree in their field. Of the users we surveyed, 83% said their therapist’s qualifications were excellent or very good and 94% said they were very likely or likely to be still seeing a Pride Counseling therapist 12 months from now. 

Our survey also found:

• Seventy-seven percent rated the overall services they received were either very good or excellent. 
• Seventy-nine percent said its value was very good or excellent for the money spent.
• Ninety-six percent stated they were either likely or very likely to recommend Pride Counseling to someone like them. 

There is one subscription plan offered at Pride Counseling, ranging from $240 to $480 per month, depending on your location, therapist availability, and therapist qualifications. The prices you see on the website is geotagged, meaning the range you see on the website will vary with your IP address.

All plans include weekly 30- to 45-minute live video or audio sessions and unlimited messaging.

Read the Full Pride Counseling Review

Teladoc has been in business since 2002 and currently offers mental and general health care to people 13 and older in dozens of countries, from the United States to Canada, Brazil, Australia, China, Portugal, and more. As all 100 of our survey responses came from U.S.-based Teladoc users, we cannot provide insight into the quality of Teladoc’s international services.

The company’s therapists and psychiatrists have individual practices and are not Teladoc employees. You can schedule 45-minute video or audio sessions seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Medical doctors are available 24/7 for non-emergencies. The service takes many insurance plans and boasts that its services may cost as low as $0 out of pocket, but you must create an account before you can check if your plan is accepted.

Unlike many other online mental health services, Teladoc can connect people with licensed psychiatrists who can provide medication management—a big plus for therapy seekers who don’t have the time, energy, or ability to find a psychiatrist at another service.

Teladoc also offers individual talk therapy, but if you’re primarily in need of couples counseling or family therapy, this isn’t the service for you. Its providers can help with issues like depression, anxiety, addiction, and stress, but the site states that conditions like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia should be managed in person, so if you live with those mental health conditions, this is not the company for you.

Of the users we surveyed:

• Seventy-one percent rated the overall mental health services they received through Teladoc as either very good or excellent.
• Eighty percent said their therapists’ qualifications were excellent or very good.
• Ninety-five percent stated they were either likely or very likely to recommend Teladoc to someone like them.

Teladoc does not offer bundles or subscriptions—all appointments are paid for à la carte. Final out-of-pocket costs will vary by in- or out-of-network coverage, but people who aren’t using insurance can expect:

• A 45-minute session with a licensed therapist for $99
• An initial 45-minute session with a licensed psychiatrist for $299; follow-up sessions are $119.

The company’s general medical services cost $75 per session.

Read the Full Teladoc Review

As a group therapy-focused company, Circles connects you to live online group support groups, led by licensed therapists or certified coaches for a monthly subscription cost of only $79 per month. Seventy-eight percent of the users we surveyed said the qualifications of the therapists leading the groups were excellent or very good. 

There are groups dedicated to a variety of different mental health struggles, including grief, depression, anxiety, and addictions, though it should be noted that the service is not meant to replace primary care or individual therapy services. Circles also offers additional exercises, resources, and an online blog for work outside of sessions. 

Of the users we surveyed:

• Eighty percent rated Circles' overall services as either very good or excellent.
• Seventy-three percent said it was a very good or excellent value for the money spent.
• Ninety percent stated they were either likely or very likely to recommend Circles to someone like them. 

It’s worth noting that most therapy companies, which aren’t suited for emergencies, still list emergency resources for people in crisis, such as suicide hotlines or domestic violence hotlines. Circles does not display this information at all.

There is only one subscription plan offered: $79 per month, with a one-week free trial. 

The plan includes: 

• Access to one group of your choice, based on recommendations from a questionnaire you fill out 
• Unlimited messaging with your therapist and other group members through the app
• Additional exercises and content outside of sessions

Read the Full Circles Review

Created in 2020 after founder Mike Russell personally discovered just how long waitlists were for outpatient addiction treatment, Monument is a relative newcomer to the online therapy world, but it provides a service that none of its competitors do: providing talk therapy and medication management to help people moderate their drinking or achieve sobriety. It also is one of only two companies that offers a free online community of supportive people that people can chat with online or in moderated groups. 

Monument’s therapy services are easy to use, accessible (as long as you live in one of the 19 states where it can treat or Washington D.C.), and convenient, which is why 79% of the users we surveyed said it was excellent or very good in this regard. You can log in through the mobile app or on your desktop portal to speak via video chat with your therapist or prescribing physician. 

In addition, our survey shows that 75% percent of respondents said the services at Monument were either very good or excellent; 82% thought the value for money was very good or excellent, and 83% thought their provider’s qualifications were very good or excellent. 

All therapists and medical doctors at Monument are licensed in their state and have at least three years of post-graduate experience, plus an additional year of experience specializing in substance abuse. Prescribers can also prescribe two types of FDA-approved prescription medication, disulfiram or naltrexone, if they deem necessary, to help with the treatment of alcohol dependence. 

Depending on which subscription you sign up for at Monument, you can either just meet with a prescribing doctor as necessary, or have two to four virtual therapy sessions a month. 

Monument has three paid subscription plans available:

• Physician Care: $9.99 a month, plus a one-time initial $45 fee. This includes one doctor appointment, a monthly prescription, and unlimited messaging with your doctor. Follow-up appointments cost $45. 
• Total Care (Biweekly): Everything in Physician Care plus two 45-minute therapy sessions a month and unlimited messaging for $149 a month
• Total Care (Weekly): Everything in Physician Care plus four 45-minute therapy sessions a month and unlimited messaging for $249 a month

Everyone has access to support groups and community forums even if you're not a paying subscriber to one of the plans.

Read the Full Monument Review

Studies have shown that Cognitive Behavioral CBT therapy online is just as effective as in-person therapy while being more cost-effective. And Online-Therapy.com—a Swedish company that serves several English-speaking companies including the U.S.—takes this to heart: It has created an online therapy company devoted entirely to this mode of treatment. 

The company’s therapists use CBT to treat a range of mental health conditions, including agoraphobia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, insomnia, OCD, relationship issues, and more. Depending on what therapist you’re matched with, you can have therapy sessions via chat messaging, phone, or video session. In addition, no matter what subscription plan you purchase, you’ll also gain access to their online “toolbox,” which offers you a variety of self-led worksheets, journal prompts, and other resources, including yoga and meditation videos.  

Of the users who tried Online-Therapy.com that we surveyed: 

• Ninety percent of users reported that they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the therapist options they were given.
• Seventy-four percent considered Online-Therapy.com excellent or very good.
• Ninety-one percent would recommend Online-Therapy.com to someone like them.

Online-Therapy.com offers three subscription plans: 

• The Basic Plan: This costs $160 per month and includes daily messages from your therapist.
• The Standard Plan: This plan is $240 per month and includes any-time messaging with your therapist and a weekly live 30-minute session.
• The Premium Plan: For $320 per month, this plan includes any-time messaging with your therapist with express replies and two 30-minute live sessions per week.

All users get 20% off their first month and access to the toolbox of additional resources.

Read the Full Online-Therapy.com Review

As a relative newcomer to the online therapy scene, Ayana Therapy is on a mission to serve communities that have traditionally been underserved by traditional therapy, notably the BIPOC community or marginalized communities—and it achieves that mission. It prioritizes affordability, accessibility, and inclusion. 

Ayana Therapy clients get to choose the therapist they want to work with. Of the users we surveyed, 74% said their therapists' qualifications were excellent or very good. They employ a diverse group of licensed therapists who come from different backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and cultures in order to create a safe and caring space for their clients. The company also takes great care to match you with a therapist, using answers you provide from a detailed and culturally sensitive questionnaire. 

Of the users we surveyed:

• Sixty-seven percent rated the overall services they received through Ayana Therapy as either very good or excellent. 
• Seventy-four percent said its value was very good or excellent for the money spent. 
• Seventy-nine percent stated they were either likely or very likely to recommend Ayana Therapy to someone like them. 

Ayana Therapy is not super transparent about pricing, but clarified with us via email. It offers users a subscription-based payment plan and a pay-per-session option. You can either pay:

• $140 per individual session
• $290 per month for four 45-minute sessions per month.

Ayana Therapy doesn't take insurance, but they will provide a receipt if you want to seek reimbursement for out-of-network services with your insurer directly.

Read the Full Ayana Therapy Review