BetterHelp is an online therapy service, and it isn’t always the right fit for everyone.
For many clients without insurance coverage or a specific type of therapy, BetterHelp’s subscription model may leave gaps. Exploring other options and comparing platforms isn’t a step back, but an informed step forward.
This post breaks down 10 BetterHelp alternatives, covering their top features and their actual costs (with and without insurance).
| Platform | Takes insurance? | Accepts Medicare or Medicaid? | Offers medication management | Payment model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grow Therapy | ✓ (Accepts 135+ plans) | ✓ | ✓ | Pay-per-session |
| Talkspace | ✓ | ◐ (Accepts Medicare) | ◐ (No controlled substances) | Pay-per-session and subscription (varies by insurance coverage) |
| Alma | ✓ | ✗ | ◐ (No controlled substances) | Pay-per-session |
| Open Path Collective | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Membership fee + Pay-per-session |
| Psychology Today | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Pay-per-session |
| Octave | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Pay-per-session |
| Brightside | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ (No controlled substances) | Pay-per-session and subscription (varies by insurance coverage) |
| 7 Cups | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Subscription |
| TherapyDen | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | Provider dependent |
| Online-Therapy.com | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | Subscription |
1. Grow Therapy
Grow Therapy is an online therapy platform that connects individuals, couples, and families with licensed therapists and psychiatric providers. Rather than using an algorithm, you can browse and choose your own provider from a searchable directory of 26,000+ licensed clinicians, filtered by insurance, specialty, identity, language, and availability.
Unlike platforms built around subscription billing, Grow Therapy operates on a flexible, pay-per-session model with no monthly fees or long-term commitment. It also accepts a wide range of insurance plans (including Medicare and Medicaid in select states), making it one of the most cost-accessible platforms.
Grow Therapy offers medication management alongside talk therapy, so clients who need both a therapist and a prescriber can find them in one place. Appointments are available in the evenings and on weekends, and switching providers is free and straightforward through the client portal.
Grow Therapy vs. BetterHelp
The most important difference between Grow Therapy and BetterHelp is how each platform handles cost and insurance. Grow Therapy works with more than 135 insurance providers, while BetterHelp operates primarily on a subscription model. Grow Therapy also offers in-person therapy and medication management, while BetterHelp does not.
Costs and insurance
- With insurance: Most clients pay about $21 per session; some pay as little as $0 (depending on plan)
- Without insurance: $75-$250+ per session (depending on provider’s credentials and location)
Features
- Accepts 135+ insurance providers, including Medicaid and Medicare
- Secure telehealth platform
- Evening and weekend appointments
- In-network cost estimates before booking
- Transparent per-session pricing
- Robust search and filtering tools to find the right provider (e.g., by specialty, language, insurance, etc.)
- Low-stress scheduling with quick availability
- Medication management (psychiatry and NP providers)
- Progress monitoring and AI journal tools
Who it’s a good fit for
Grow Therapy is a strong choice for those who want to use their health insurance for therapy, prefer to choose their own provider, or need access to both therapy and medication management.
2. Talkspace
Talkspace is an online platform for psychiatry and therapy, offering text, audio, and video sessions with licensed therapists. This platform also:
- Uses both pay-per-session and subscription models
- Matches users with a provider through an intake assessment, unlike Grow Therapy
- Accepts most major insurance plans (including Medicare)
- Offers a messaging model with therapist responses within 24 hours, five days a week
- Provides access to therapists supporting 20+ specialties, including ADHD counseling
- Supports couples, teen, and LGBTQIA+ therapy
Talkspace vs. BetterHelp
Both Talkspace and BetterHelp use a subscription model. However, Talkspace accepts more major insurance plans, offers psychiatric care alongside therapy, and provides users with greater flexibility.
Costs and insurance
- Accepts many major insurance providers and EAP programs
- With insurance: An average copay of $15/session
- Without insurance: Typically between $69 and $109/week
3. Alma
Alma, acquired by Spring Health in May 2026, is a network of independent providers with backend insurance billing support. The platform’s additional characteristics include:
- 24,000 supported clinicians across all 50 states
- Free consultations before committing to ongoing sessions
- Virtual and in-person appointments
- Fewer insurance coverage options than Grow Therapy
- Self-pay options and a cost estimator for clients
- HSA, FSA, and sliding scale payment options
- Works with some Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
Alma vs. BetterHelp
Alma offers a browsable directory and direct booking with independent clinicians who set their own rates, whereas BetterHelp matches users to a therapist and uses a subscription model for billing.
Costs and insurance
- Accepted insurance is limited; varies by provider
- With insurance: Depends on the individual clinician
- Without insurance: $130-$380 per session (varies by provider)
4. Open Path Collective
Open Path Collective is a nonprofit therapist directory for people who cannot afford to pay standard therapy rates. A one-time membership grants access to a network of more than 40,000 therapists offering:
- Sliding-scale sessions at reduced rates
- $30 sessions with student interns
- Lifetime access to self-guided courses, educational videos, and other benefits
- Support for those without accessible insurance benefits and household incomes below $100,000
- Individual, couple, and family counseling options
Open Path Collective vs. BetterHelp
Open Path is not a managed platform with in-house therapists, but rather a nonprofit directory that connects clients with providers at reduced rates. In contrast, BetterHelp uses a subscription model with an algorithm-based matching process to pair clients with providers.
Costs and insurance
- One-time lifetime membership fee of $65
- Without insurance: Typically $40 to $70 for individual counseling and $40 to $80 for couples or family counseling
5. Psychology Today
Psychology Today’s Therapist Finder is a search directory rather than a managed care platform. Clients find local therapists by contacting them directly, while also receiving:
- Nationwide, searchable database with detailed therapist profiles
- Filters by zip code, insurance, specialty, and therapy type
- Individualized insurance acceptance, session fees, scheduling, and communication options
- Limited access to issues of Psychology Today magazine articles
- An encyclopedia of mental health basics
Psychology Today vs. BetterHelp
Psychology Today is a directory, not a care-delivery platform, that offers broader access to providers. BetterHelp is a subscription service that handles matching, scheduling, billing, and communication, but limits choices and does not accept insurance for some users.
Costs and insurance
- Varies by provider, though the fee for a single session typically ranges from $100 to $200
6. Octave
Octave is a mental health platform that offers individual, couples, and family therapy through a curated network. After completing an intake form, Octave:
- Offers a hands-on matching approach with its Care Navigation Team
- Is available in 23 states plus Washington, D.C.
- Provides therapy in 40+ languages
- Operates on a pay-per-session model
- Supports therapists who offer multiple therapy techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based therapy
- Providers are approved by a credentialing committee
Octave vs. BetterHelp
Octave offers a more curated, evidence-based care model with insurance acceptance and pay-per-session billing. BetterHelp uses a subscription model and does not accept insurance for some users. Octave is only available in select states, while BetterHelp is available nationwide.
Costs and insurance
- With insurance: Typically costs $28, and many clients pay less than $45
- Without insurance: Range from $170 to $250 per individual session and $190 to $275 for couples or family therapy
7. Brightside
Brightside Health offers therapy and psychiatric services in all 50 states, with intensive outpatient programs in select locations. Self-pay and insurance patients are accepted, and Brightside’s key features include:
- Therapy and psychiatry services
- A subscription model with a flat monthly fee for self-pay patients
- A suicide prevention program
- Care for individuals 13+
- Broad insurance acceptance, including Medicare and Medicaid in some states
- Access to additional resources, such as self-guided videos
Brightside vs. BetterHelp
While both platforms use a subscription model, Brightside accepts more insurance plans than BetterHelp and includes medication management. BetterHelp offers flexibility in therapist communication formats, but Brightside offers higher levels of care for more serious mental health concerns.
Costs and insurance
- Costs with insurance are dependent on individual plans
- Without insurance: Starting at $95/month for psychiatry-only, $299/month for therapy, and $349/month for combined plans
8. 7 Cups
7 Cups is a peer-support community with trained volunteer listeners available around the clock, plus paid options for adult and teen mental health support. This mental health platform offers:
- A free community for emotional support
- Licensed therapist support
- Messaging-only and video or audio therapy options
- Self-pay support for individuals 18+
- Group support chats by topic
- Web and mobile app interfaces
7 Cups vs. BetterHelp
Both BetterHelp and 7 Cups offer chat-based therapy, but 7 Cups is more affordable for cash-pay users and offers a free peer support layer. BetterHelp offers more traditional therapy services.
Costs and insurance
- Does not accept insurance, but offers free peer-based support
- Without insurance: Free options available with paid plans starting at $7.99/month (billed annually) for premium platform access, $159/month for text-based therapy, and $299/month for video or audio therapy
9. TherapyDen
TherapyDen is an independent directory built to help clients find affirming, culturally sensitive therapy. The platform is free to search, offering:
- A values-aligned network
- An in-depth search platform
- Specialized filtering by identity, values, modality, and affirmations
- Services for relationships, trauma and healing, and more
- Availability in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- In-person and online provider options
- Group therapy services
TherapyDen vs. BetterHelp
TherapyDen is a directory that connects clients with independent therapists, offering more choice and provider diversity, particularly for affirming care. BetterHelp is a platform with in-house therapist matching.
Costs and insurance
- With insurance: Varies by provider and coverage
- Without insurance: Varies by provider, but average rates typically range from $65 to $250 per session
10. Online-Therapy.com
Online-Therapy.com is a subscription-based platform built around an 8-section CBT program. This online platform’s key features include:
- Live video, phone, or live chat sessions
- Therapist-supported worksheets, journaling, and activity plans
- Detailed superbills for reimbursement
- Potential financial aid for students, veterans, and low-income individuals
- Robust encryption and database security
- Respected anonymity
Online-Therapy.com vs. BetterHelp
Both platforms offer subscription-based therapy, but Online-Therapy.com’s approach is often more structured, while BetterHelp is more open-ended. Online-Therapy.com offers a rich set of between-session tools, while BetterHelp offers communication flexibility.
Costs and insurance
- Offers a potential reimbursement for therapy costs
- Without insurance: Subscription rates start at $48/week
Why people look for BetterHelp alternatives
For many, BetterHelp’s platform leaves gaps in care and accessibility, including these common reasons people explore other options:
- Subscription-based pricing: For those who want to pay only for the care they use, BetterHelp’s subscription model requires a recurring monthly fee regardless of how many sessions you attend.
- Insurance coverage: BetterHelp has begun offering insurance coverage through select providers in certain states, but it remains limited compared to platforms like Grow Therapy.
- Provider selection: BetterHelp matches users through an algorithm based on an intake questionnaire, rather than letting them choose their own therapist from a browsable directory.
- Specialization gaps: BetterHelp offers individual therapy, while those who need medication management, psychiatry, ADHD treatment, or other specialized care must look elsewhere.
How to choose the right therapy platform for you
Choosing a therapy platform comes down to matching your specific situation to a platform built to support it. Here are the most important factors and benefits of online therapy to weigh:
- Cost: If you have insurance, check which platforms offer in-network support or use a cost-estimate tool before you book.
- Choice: If choosing your own therapist matters to you (rather than being matched with a provider), look for directory-based platforms rather than algorithm-matching services.
- Availability: Evening and weekend access may be available. Confirm your preferred platform offers the scheduling flexibility you need before signing up.
- Specialization: If you’re looking for a specific type of care, such as online ADHD treatment or LGBTQ+-affirming care, filter for it from the start.
- Format: Some people thrive with messaging-based support, while others prefer video chats or in-person sessions. Know what you’re looking for before committing to a subscription or session package.
Discover the best BetterHelp alternative with Grow Therapy
Navigating the many alternatives to BetterHelp can feel overwhelming, but finding one that supports therapists who work with your insurance is often the best (and most affordable) choice. Most people with insurance coverage pay far less per session than they expect, and platforms that make that process transparent from the start save a lot of guesswork.
For people who want insurance-based access, provider choice, medication management, and flexibility without a subscription, Grow Therapy brings it all together.
