Starting Price
~$13/month (annual plan)
$60–$100/week (billed monthly)
Free Tier
Yes — limited free content
No — subscription required
Human Support
None — fully self-guided
Yes — licensed therapist assigned
Session Format
Audio/video meditations, sleep sounds
Text, video, phone, or live chat sessions
Content Library Size
500+ guided meditations & exercises
Minimal — focus is on therapist sessions
Therapist Credentials
N/A
Licensed (LPC, LCSW, psychologists, etc.)
Insurance Accepted
No
No (some FSA/HSA eligible)
Prescriptions / Diagnosis
No
No (therapy only, not psychiatry)
Platform Availability
iOS, Android, Web
iOS, Android, Web
Response Time
Instant (on-demand content)
Messages: hours; Live sessions: scheduled
Crisis Support
None — redirects to emergency services
Limited — not a crisis service, refers out
Therapist Switching
N/A
Yes — free therapist changes allowed
Worth knowing
- Headspace has published peer-reviewed research showing reductions in stress after just 10 days of use.
- BetterHelp has over 30,000 licensed therapists on its platform — one of the largest networks globally.
- Headspace was co-founded by a former Buddhist monk, Andy Puddicombe, who narrates much of the content.
- BetterHelp faced FTC scrutiny in 2023 and paid $7.8M in a settlement over sharing user health data with advertisers.
- Neither platform is a substitute for emergency mental health care or psychiatric medication management.
Andy Puddicombe, Headspace's co-founder, spent 10 years as an ordained Buddhist monk before pivoting to becoming a meditation tech entrepreneur — which is either very zen or very Silicon Valley, depending on your perspective.
If you wantYou want to reduce daily stress and build a meditation habit on a budget
Headspace's guided library is polished, science-backed, and costs less per month than one therapy co-pay.
→ Pick Headspace If you wantYou're dealing with anxiety, depression, or relationship issues that need real conversation
BetterHelp gives you a licensed human who can actually respond to your specific situation — no app can replicate that.
→ Pick BetterHelp If you wantYou want the best value entry point before committing to therapy
Start with Headspace's free tier to build mental wellness habits; upgrade to BetterHelp if you hit a ceiling.
→ Pick Headspace If you wantYou need flexible scheduling and hate commuting to a therapist's office
BetterHelp's text-based messaging means you can process thoughts at 2am without booking a formal appointment.
→ Pick BetterHelp Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.