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BetterHelp at a Glance
| Our Score | 9.90 / 10 (#1 for Online Therapy) |
|---|---|
| Best For | Fast matching and any session format |
| Price | From $70/week |
| Network | 31,000+ licensed providers |
| Formats | Messaging, live chat, phone, video |
| Prescriptions | Not offered |
| Insurance | Not offered to every member |
| Our Rank | #1 in online therapy |
What Is BetterHelp?
BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that matches you with a licensed therapist from a network of more than 31,000 providers. It is #1 in our best online therapy ranking, mainly for the size of that network and the flexibility of how you can talk to your therapist.
You can use messaging, live chat, phone or video, and you can message your therapist at any time without scheduling. BetterHelp also offers individual, couples and teen options on the same platform. That range makes it a convenient first stop if you are not sure what format will suit you.
Talk therapies such as CBT help people change patterns of thinking and behaviour. The National Institute of Mental Health describes the main evidence-based approaches. Studies generally find video-based therapy comparable to in-person sessions for common conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Matched from 31,000+ licensed providers
- Message, live chat, phone or video
- Message your therapist anytime
- Easy to switch if the first match is wrong
- Individual, couples and teen options
Cons
- Talk therapy only; no prescriptions
- Therapists cannot make an official diagnosis
- Insurance is not offered to every member at sign-up
- Not for crisis care or emergencies
How BetterHelp Works
Questionnaire
Answer questions about what you want help with and your preferences. This is used to match you with a therapist.
Therapist match
You are matched with a licensed therapist from the network, and you can switch easily if the first match is not right.
Choose how to talk
Use messaging, live chat, phone or video. You can message your therapist anytime, with no scheduling required.
Ongoing weekly plan
Plans start from $70 a week. Check the billing cycle at sign-up and how to cancel before you pay.
Safety & What to Know
BetterHelp is not for crisis care or emergencies. If you may be in danger or are thinking about harming yourself, call 988 in the United States or your local emergency number rather than messaging a therapist.
BetterHelp offers talk therapy only. Therapists cannot prescribe medication and cannot make an official diagnosis, so if you think you need medication or a formal evaluation, you will need a separate prescriber. Our ADHD treatment ranking covers services that can.
Messaging is not live: replies come when your therapist is available. If you want to be seen at a set time every week, choose video sessions or consider an insurance-based service instead.
BetterHelp Pricing
| Price | From $70/week |
|---|---|
| Session formats | Messaging, chat, phone, video |
| Prescriptions | Not offered |
| Insurance | Not offered to every member |
| Switching therapists | Easy |
Pricing starts from $70 a week and depends on your location, preferences and the plan you choose. Because insurance is not offered to every member at sign-up, check your options first. Insurance-based services often cost far less per session.
Who BetterHelp Is For
A good fit if you
- Do not have insurance, or prefer to self-pay
- Want to message a therapist whenever you need to
- Want to try different therapists easily
- Want individual, couples or teen therapy on one platform
Look elsewhere if you
- Need medication or a formal diagnosis
- Are in crisis or need emergency care
- Have insurance and want the lowest per-session cost
How BetterHelp Compares
With insurance, Talkspace and Rula usually cost far less: Talkspace reports a $10 average copay and Rula can be around $15 a session. Talkspace self-pay runs $69 to $109 a week. Sesame Care lets you choose your own clinician, with visits from about $34, but does not bill insurance. If you need medication, Talkiatry offers psychiatry with insurance at around $30 a visit. See our mental health services ranking for the wider picture.
BetterHelp FAQ
Plans start from $70 a week. The exact price depends on your location, preferences and plan.
No. BetterHelp is talk therapy only, and therapists cannot prescribe medication or make an official diagnosis.
Insurance is not offered to every member at sign-up, so check your options before you start.
Yes. BetterHelp makes it easy to switch if your first match is not right.
By messaging, live chat, phone or video. You can message your therapist anytime without scheduling.
No. If you are in crisis, call 988 or your local emergency number.
Our Verdict
9.90 / 10 · Outstanding
BetterHelp is the best self-pay online therapy option we have found: a very large network, quick matching and four ways to talk, including anytime messaging. It is not the right choice if you need medication, a diagnosis or crisis support, and it is rarely the cheapest if you have insurance. Use it if you want flexible, self-paid talk therapy and an easy way to change therapists.
See the full Best Online Therapy Providers ranking →About the author
Written by the TreatmentPick Editorial Team, a non-clinical research team that compares online treatment providers using only what each provider publishes. Facts were last checked on 2026-11-15. See how we review.