On average, therapy costs $100 to $200 with almost 38% of individuals requiring some form of financial assistance to afford therapy. In recent years, online therapy has emerged as a cheaper alternative to conventional practice, with studies finding online therapy to be as effective as traditional therapy.
Services like BetterHelp provide an efficient online platform to connect patients with mental health professionals at affordable fees. Many of these services compete on costs – which is one of the most important factors in mental health therapy.
This article compares cheaper alternatives to BetterHelp and evaluates their pros and cons.
How Much Does BetterHelp Cost?
BetterHelp costs $65-$90 on average per week charged as a monthly cycle for four weeks amounting to $240 to $360 per month. Each week grants one session with a licensed mental health professional with additional options such as messaging and voice calls. BetterHelp doesn’t accept insurance; however, it does offer financial aid for individuals from low-income backgrounds.
Alternatives to BetterHelp: 8 Affordable Online Therapy Options
With a rise in online therapy in the wake of COVID-19, many platforms have emerged offering to connect patients and therapists. These online platforms cater to various clients such as individuals, couples, and families offering various services including free counseling sessions, informative blogs, and online resources.
Many online services also compete on prices offering low-cost therapy and being a cheaper alternative to BetterHelp.
1. Calmerry
Calmerry was founded in 2020 to provide affordable mental health care to the masses. It connects mental health patients with licensed mental health professionals at cost-friendly prices via text and video therapy.
Key features:
- One of the cheapest therapy platforms starting at $50 per session with flexible pricing plans for different clients.
- Can be accessed via the Web as well as mobile applications for Android and IOS.
Specialization:
The platform offers therapy in several areas including the following:
- Adoption
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Grief and loss
- Marriage counseling
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Trauma
- Stress and burnout
- Substance abuse
- Parenting
- Depression
- Chronic pain management
Best for: This is great for individuals, couples, teens, and those seeking psychiatry to help with medication management.
Pricing:
The platform offers several plans ranging from $50 to $90 per session amounting to $200 and $360 per month. The cheapest plan costs $57 ($49.5 after the discount) and only includes messaging.
Other plans cost $90 ($73.75 after the discount) and $74.50 ($61.25 after the discount) offering one and four live videos respectively. The amount is billed monthly.
Insurance:
Calmerry doesn’t accept insurance.
| Pros | Cons |
| Licensed therapists Affordable pricing plans starting at $50 per session Accessible via web and mobile applications (Android and IOS) Complies with HIPPA ensuring full privacy Offers promos to get discounts Additional features like mood tracking and online journals Inclusive platform including LGBT-friendly therapy | Doesn’t accept insurance No free trial period The therapist is matched using specialized agents. Interface can be confusing Doesn’t include a calling option for therapy |
2. ReGain
ReGain is an exclusive couple’s therapy platform offering affordable therapy to couples. It is a highly flexible platform catering to different schedules and locations of couples facing difficulties.
Key features:
- Specializes in couples therapy offering support via licensed professionals at an affordable cost.
- Allows couples to work around their schedules and access therapy conveniently.
Specialization:
The platform specializes in matters related to couples and offers support for the following issues:
- Depression
- Separation/divorce
- Conflicts and disagreements
- Adultery and cheating
- Motivation, self-esteem, and confidence
- Sex and intimacy issues
- Parenting
- Stress and anxiety
- Family conflicts
- Sleeping disorder
- Compassion fatigue
Best for: This is primarily targeted at couples – both married and unmarried – to address their issues and problems.
Pricing:
The platform costs $65 to $90 per week billed in a monthly cycle. The platform also offers a discount based on your income status saving an additional $25 to $30. The final cost also depends on your location and therapist.
Insurance:
ReGain doesn’t accept insurance.
| Pros | Cons |
| Licensed mental health care professionals Affordable pricing plans ranging between $65 to $90 Offers discounts to low-income individuals Quickly matches with a therapist within 48 hours Flexibility for couples to join from different locations Web accessible for disabled individuals Available on the web and mobile | Doesn’t accept insurance Automatic matching with the therapist Only specializes in couples therapy Partners can read each other messages |
3. Domental
Domental is an online therapy platform that offers text and voice messaging support by certified therapists to overcome mental health issues. It provides a quick sign-up, 24/7 support, and affordable prices to address mental health needs.
Key features:
- One of the cheapest therapy platforms with prices ranging from $29 to $47 per week
- Offers quick messaging with the therapist
Specialization:
The platform offers therapy in several areas including the following:
- Insomnia
- Eating disorders
- Grief and loss
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Best for: This platform works well for individuals who are looking for 24/7 support to improve their mental wellbeing.
Pricing:
The price ranges from $29 to $47 per week depending on the pricing plan. This amounts to $116 to $189 per month making it an extremely cheap option.
Insurance:
Domental doesn’t accept insurance.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable with prices starting at $27 Mental health professionals with relevant academic backgrounds Quick match (within 2 hours) Allows changing therapists 24/7 support Can be used anonymously Unlimited text and voice messaging | Doesn’t accept insurance Automatically matches with the therapist No live video session Interface can be confusing Doesn’t include a calling option for therapy No free trial period |
4. Online-therapy
Online-therapy.com is a convenient platform that addresses mental health issues using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. The platform has a wide array of dedicated therapists and counselors ready to help patients in an affordable setting.
Key features:
- Includes a well-structured therapy plan with 8 sections available as video, audio, and text alongside contact with a therapist and additional resources.
- Boasts a well-rounded team of professionals including therapists, counselors, and psychiatrists.
Specialization:
The platform specializes in the following areas:
- Anger management
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Family issues
- Relationship issues
- Weight loss
- Social anxiety
- Health anxiety
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Depression
- Insomnia
Best for: This is great for individuals and couples looking to address their mental health issues affordably.
Pricing:
The platform offers several plans starting from $50 per session amounting to $200 and $440 per month. The packages range from basic to premium costing $50 to $110 per week.
The basic package only includes text messaging while the other two packages include live sessions, unlimited messaging, and a therapy program. The platform also offers a 20% first-month discount to new users.
Insurance:
Online-therapy(dot)com doesn’t accept insurance.
| Pros | Cons |
| Licensed professionals including therapists, psychiatrists, and counselors Structures therapy plan available in video, audio, and text Additional resources and tools including journals, activity plans, and yoga Complies with HIPPA ensuring full privacy Allows for anonymity Additional features like mood tracking and online journals First month discount (20%) | Doesn’t accept insurance Automatically matches with the therapist Doesn’t offer medical management Not suitable for groups seeking therapy |
Read our complete review Online Therapy.com
5. OpenPath Psychotherapy Collective
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is a not-for-profit organization catering to mental health patients at affordable rates. It has mental health professionals from all around the world and also provides wellness resources to individuals to raise awareness about mental health problems.
Key features:
- One of the cheapest therapy platforms starting at $50 per session with flexible pricing plans for different clients.
- Can be accessed via the Web as well as mobile applications for Android and IOS.
Specialization:
The platform offers therapy in several areas including the following:
- Adoption
- Anger Management
- Anxiety
- Grief and loss
- Marriage counseling
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Trauma
- Stress and burnout
- Substance abuse
- Parenting
- Depression
- Chronic pain management
Best for: This is well-suited for individuals, couples, and groups (family) to improve their mental health by overcoming mental health problems.
Pricing:
As a not-for-profit organization, this platform charges $40 to $80 per session amounting to $160 to $280 per month. The organization also charges a one-time membership fee of $65.
The organization explicitly targets low-income individuals and families who are underinsured and have a mean annual income of less than $100,000. The platform ties your fee with your income requirement and therefore the fee can increase if your financial situation improves.
The platform also offers sessions with student interns that cost $30.
Insurance:
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective doesn’t accept insurance focusing on underinsured individuals.
| Pros | Cons |
| One of the largest directories (21,000) of psychotherapists and mental health professionals based on zip code. Affordable pricing plans starting at $40 per session Sessions with student interns at $30 A diverse network of therapists with availability in the U.S. and Canada Charges are based on the patient’s financial situation | Doesn’t accept insurance Doesn’t cater to high-income groups No active supervision between the therapist and the patient One-time fee of $65 Charges may increase if the financial situation improves |
6. Brightside
Brightside connects mental health professionals with patients conveniently and safely at affordable prices. The platform is committed to offering cost-effective mental healthcare and offers therapy as well as psychiatric solutions.
Key features:
- Provides easy (and free) assessments for psychiatric and therapy evaluation with follow-up steps.
- Leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to prescribe effective medication based on 100+ data points.
Specialization:
The platform offers therapy in several areas including the following:
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Phobias
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Insomnia
- Bipolar disorder
- Postpartum depression
- Panic disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder
Best for: This is optimal for individuals, couples, and families seeking psychiatry to help with medication management.
Pricing:
The platform offers different plans differentiating based on psychiatry and therapy. Personalized psychiatry costs $95 per month and therapy costs $299 per month. A combined psychiatry and therapy combination costs $349 per month.
Insurance:
Brightside accepts insurance including Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Anthem, and Texas.
| Pros | Cons |
| Accepts insurance Affordable pricing plans starting at $50 per session Appointments within 24 hours Free psychiatric and therapy assessment Interactive application Offers medical management | Appointments can be limited for some therapists Limited support areas Switching therapists may become difficult Automatically matches with a therapist |
7. Sesame Care
Sesame offers low-cost support for various healthcare needs including mental health issues. The platform targets patients from low-income backgrounds with limited insurance coverage and boasts an impressive range of healthcare professionals.
Key features:
- Offers an easy-to-navigate platform to connect directly with mental health professionals at affordable rates.
- A wide range of medical health professionals allows quick appointment times and lower waiting times.
Specialization:
The platform specializes in various mental health areas including the following:
- Anxiety
- Anger Management
- Depression
- ADHD
- Weight loss
- Self-esteem and confidence
- Trauma
- Stress and burnout
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Best for: The platform caters to individuals, couples, and families at affordable rates.
Pricing:
The pricing structure is more like pay-as-you-go at Sesame with a wide range of mental health professionals offering different prices. The prices start from as low as $39 for mental health consultancy.
Online therapy sessions range between $96 to $112 and online psychiatry consultants range from $102. Sesame also offers a membership that costs $10.99 per month which can save additional costs on all appointments.
Insurance:
Sesame doesn’t accept insurance.
| Pros | Cons |
| Licensed therapists, doctors, and psychiatrists Low-cost therapy and quick appointment times Medical prescriptions for as low as $5 Membership worth $10.99 per month can save additional costs on appointments Offers promos to get discounts Good customer support | Doesn’t accept insurance Wide disparity between costs based on location Limited availability of qualified therapists in many areas |
8. Teen Counseling
Teen counseling is an online therapy platform that addresses the mental health problems of teens from ages 13-19. It offers a convenient and affordable solution for teens to brave their way through their teenage with support from mental health professionals.
Key features:
- Focuses on teens from ages 13-19 providing support to a demographic that is ignored by many other online therapy platforms.
- Offers a convenient and cheaper alternative to in-person therapy allowing parents and teens to resolve issues via therapy.
Specialization:
The platform provides support for the following issues:
- Family conflicts
- Anger Management
- Panic attacks
- Grief and loss
- Addiction
- ADHD/ADD
- School challenges
- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma or abuse
- Anger issues
- Depression
- Eating disorders
Best for: This is great for individuals in the age range of 13 to 19 navigating their way from their teenage years.
Pricing:
The platform offers several plans ranging from $65 to $90 per week billed in a monthly cycle amounting to $240 to $360 per month.
Insurance:
Teen Counseling doesn’t accept insurance.
| Pros | Cons |
| Licensed therapists and mental health professionals Allows for teenagers’ privacy with separate therapy rooms Offers video, audio, and live chat options Provide web accessibility for disabled users A wide range of therapists Focused on teens (a largely ignored demographic segment) | Doesn’t accept insurance No free trial period Automatically matches with a therapist Interface can be confusing No medication management |
Cheaper Alternatives to BetterHelp: A Quick Summary
| # | Platform | Founded | Specialization | Best for | Pricing | Insurance |
| 1 | Calmerry | 2020 | Adoption, Anger Management, etc. | Individuals, couples, teens, psychiatry (medication management) | $50 to $90 per session ($200 to $360/month) | Doesn’t accept |
| 2 | ReGain | Not Specified | Depression, Separation/divorce, etc. | Couples (married and unmarried) | $65 to $90 per week (billed monthly) | Doesn’t accept |
| 3 | Domental | Not Specified | Insomnia, Eating disorders, etc. | Individuals (24/7 support) | $29 to $47 per week ($116 to $189/month) | Doesn’t accept |
| 4 | Online-therapy.com | Not Specified | Anger management, Anxiety, etc. | Individuals and couples | $50 per session ($200 to $440/month) | Doesn’t accept |
| 5 | Open Path Psychotherapy Collective | Not Specified | Adoption, Anger Management, etc. | Individuals, couples, groups (family) | $40 to $80 per session ($160 to $280/month) | Doesn’t accept |
| 6 | Brightside | Not Specified | Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), Phobias, etc. | Individuals, couples, families | $95 to $349 per month | Accepts (Various) |
| 7 | Sesame Care | Not Specified | Anxiety, Anger Management, etc. | Individuals, couples, families | From $39 for consultancy, $96 to $112 for therapy sessions | Doesn’t accept |
| 8 | Teen Counseling | Not Specified | Family conflicts, Anger Management, etc. | Teens (ages 13-19) | $65 to $90 per week ($240 to $360/month) | Doesn’t accept |
Key Takeaways
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