Top 5 Online Therapy Platforms Compared (2025)
A comprehensive comparison of the leading online therapy platforms to help you find the perfect match for your mental health needs.
How We Compare Online Therapy Platforms
Our comprehensive comparison methodology evaluates online therapy platforms across multiple dimensions to provide you with accurate, unbiased information for making an informed decision.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Platform | Price Range | Communication Methods | Insurance | Medication | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetterHelp | $60-$90/week | | truetruetruetrue | General anxiety and depressionConvenient and flexible therapyThose who prefer text-based communicationPeople with busy schedulesFirst-time therapy seekersLong-distance or rural areas | ||
| Talkspace | $65-$99/week | | truetruetruetrue | Those with insurance coverageNeed for medication managementSpecific mental health conditionsTeen and adolescent therapyCorporate mental health benefits | ||
| Cerebral | $85-$325/month | | truetruetruetrue | Those needing medication managementADHD treatmentAnxiety and depression with medicationComprehensive mental health careInsurance coverage seekers | ||
| Online-Therapy.com | $40-$88/week | | truetruetruetrue | CBT therapy approachStructured self-help programsBudget-conscious therapy seekersAnxiety and depression managementThose who like homework and activities | ||
| ReGain | $60-$90/week | | truetruetruetrue | Couples therapy and counselingMarriage issuesRelationship communication problemsPre-marital counselingDivorce supportBlended family challenges | ||
| MDLive | $108-$284/session | | truetruetruetrue | Those with insurance coverageNeed for medication managementMedical and mental health integrationUrgent mental health consultationsCorporate health benefits users | ||
| Brightside | $95-$299/month | | truetruetruetrue | Depression and anxiety with medicationThose needing psychiatry servicesData-driven treatment approachInsurance coverage seekersComprehensive mental health care | ||
| Calmerry | $42-$84/week | | truetruetruetrue | Budget-conscious therapy seekersAnxiety and depressionFirst-time therapy usersVideo therapy preferenceSimple, straightforward therapy | ||
| Amwell | $99-$279/session | | truetruetruetrue | Insurance coverage holdersMedication management needsIntegrated healthcare approachCorporate health benefit usersUrgent consultations | ||
| Lasting | $11.99-$299/month | | truetruetruetrue | Couples therapy and pre-marital counselingRelationship communication issuesMarriage enrichmentBudget-conscious couplesTech-savvy couplesSelf-guided relationship work | ||
| Doctor On Demand | $99-$269/session | | truetruetruetrue | Insurance coverage holdersMedication management needsUrgent mental health consultationsCorporate benefit usersIntegrated healthcare needs | ||
| Pride Counseling | $60-$90/week | | truetruetruetrue | LGBTQ+ individualsComing out supportGender identity explorationLGBTQ+ relationship issuesDiscrimination and minority stressFinding affirming care |
Detailed Platform Reviews
BetterHelp
BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, offering affordable and convenient access to licensed therapists through messaging, phone, and video sessions.
Pros
- Largest network of licensed therapists (over 30,000)
- Multiple communication methods (text, video, phone, live chat)
- Flexible scheduling and 24/7 messaging
- Financial aid available for those who qualify
- Quick therapist matching (usually within 24-48 hours)
- Easy therapist switching at no extra cost
Cons
- Does not accept insurance
- Therapists are independent contractors, not employees
- Video quality can vary depending on connection
- No medication management or psychiatric services
- Pricing can add up over time
- Some states have limited therapist availability
Key Features
Best For
General anxiety and depressionConvenient and flexible therapyThose who prefer text-based communicationPeople with busy schedulesFirst-time therapy seekersLong-distance or rural areas
Talkspace
Talkspace offers online therapy and psychiatry services with insurance coverage options, providing access to licensed therapists and psychiatrists through text, audio, and video.
Pros
- Accepts many major insurance plans
- Medication management available through psychiatrists
- Text, audio, and video therapy options
- Specializes in specific conditions (anxiety, depression, etc.)
- Corporate wellness programs available
- Teen therapy services (13-17 years old)
Cons
- More expensive than some competitors
- Insurance coverage can be confusing
- Video sessions require separate subscription tier
- Fewer therapists than BetterHelp
- Some complaints about customer service response time
Key Features
Best For
Those with insurance coverageNeed for medication managementSpecific mental health conditionsTeen and adolescent therapyCorporate mental health benefits
Cerebral
Cerebral provides comprehensive online mental health care combining therapy and medication management, specializing in anxiety, depression, ADHD, and insomnia treatment.
Pros
- Medication management included in all plans
- Specializes in ADHD, anxiety, depression, and insomnia
- Accepts some insurance plans
- Prescription delivery available
- Care counselors for ongoing support
- Comprehensive treatment approach
Cons
- More expensive than therapy-only services
- Experienced regulatory challenges in some states
- Therapy sessions are limited per month
- Customer service complaints
- Not available in all states
Key Features
Best For
Those needing medication managementADHD treatmentAnxiety and depression with medicationComprehensive mental health careInsurance coverage seekers
Online-Therapy.com
Online-Therapy.com specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with a structured program including worksheets, yoga videos, and activity plans alongside traditional therapy.
Pros
- Focused on evidence-based CBT therapy
- Comprehensive therapy program with worksheets
- More affordable than many competitors
- Includes yoga and meditation resources
- Structured 8-section therapy program
- Good for specific behavioral changes
Cons
- Does not accept insurance
- Primarily focused on CBT (limited modalities)
- Fewer therapists than larger platforms
- Video sessions limited compared to messaging
- Interface less modern than competitors
Key Features
Best For
CBT therapy approachStructured self-help programsBudget-conscious therapy seekersAnxiety and depression managementThose who like homework and activities
ReGain
ReGain specializes in relationship counseling and couples therapy, allowing both partners to participate in joint sessions with licensed marriage and family therapists.
Pros
- Specialized in couples and relationship therapy
- Both partners can participate at same price
- Licensed marriage and family therapists
- Multiple communication methods
- Flexible scheduling
- Relationship-focused resources and worksheets
Cons
- Does not accept insurance
- Limited to relationship issues
- Same price structure as BetterHelp
- No medication management
- Fewer individual therapy options
Key Features
Best For
Couples therapy and counselingMarriage issuesRelationship communication problemsPre-marital counselingDivorce supportBlended family challenges
MDLive
MDLive offers comprehensive virtual healthcare including therapy, psychiatry, and primary care services with insurance coverage and 24/7 availability.
Pros
- Accepts most major insurance plans
- 24/7 access to healthcare providers
- Offers therapy and psychiatry services
- Same-day appointments available
- Integrated with many health systems
- Comprehensive healthcare platform (not just mental health)
Cons
- More expensive without insurance
- Focuses on medical model vs. ongoing therapy
- Less personalized than dedicated therapy platforms
- Session-based pricing (not subscription)
- Interface feels more clinical than user-friendly
Key Features
Best For
Those with insurance coverageNeed for medication managementMedical and mental health integrationUrgent mental health consultationsCorporate health benefits users
Brightside
Brightside combines therapy and psychiatry with a data-driven approach, specializing in depression and anxiety treatment with medication management.
Pros
- Combines therapy and medication management
- Data-driven personalized treatment plans
- Accepts some insurance plans
- Specializes in depression and anxiety
- Regular provider check-ins
- Medication delivery included
Cons
- More expensive than therapy-only services
- Limited therapy session frequency
- Not available in all states
- Primarily medication-focused approach
- Newer platform with less reviews
Key Features
Best For
Depression and anxiety with medicationThose needing psychiatry servicesData-driven treatment approachInsurance coverage seekersComprehensive mental health care
Calmerry
Calmerry offers affordable online therapy with licensed therapists through video sessions and messaging, focusing on accessibility and convenience.
Pros
- Very affordable pricing
- Licensed therapists in all 50 states
- Video and messaging therapy
- Easy to switch therapists
- No long-term commitment
- Financial assistance available
Cons
- Does not accept insurance
- Fewer features than larger platforms
- Less therapist availability
- No phone therapy option
- Newer platform with smaller network
Key Features
Best For
Budget-conscious therapy seekersAnxiety and depressionFirst-time therapy usersVideo therapy preferenceSimple, straightforward therapy
Amwell
Amwell provides comprehensive telehealth services including mental health therapy, psychiatry, and primary care with insurance coverage and 24/7 availability.
Pros
- Accepts most major insurance
- Comprehensive healthcare platform
- 24/7 provider availability
- Therapy and psychiatry services
- Integrated with health systems
- Same-day appointments
Cons
- Expensive without insurance
- Less focused on ongoing therapy relationships
- Per-session pricing adds up
- More clinical than user-friendly
- Not therapy-specialized
Key Features
Best For
Insurance coverage holdersMedication management needsIntegrated healthcare approachCorporate health benefit usersUrgent consultations
Lasting
Lasting is a couples therapy and relationship wellness app that combines therapy sessions with interactive exercises, communication tools, and relationship assessments.
Pros
- Specialized in couples and relationships
- Affordable app-based therapy option
- Interactive exercises and assessments
- Science-based relationship tools
- Both partners can use together
- Licensed couples therapists available
Cons
- Does not accept insurance
- App-based may feel less personal
- Limited to relationship issues
- Therapy add-on increases cost
- No medication management
Key Features
Best For
Couples therapy and pre-marital counselingRelationship communication issuesMarriage enrichmentBudget-conscious couplesTech-savvy couplesSelf-guided relationship work
Doctor On Demand
Doctor On Demand offers virtual healthcare including therapy, psychiatry, and primary care with board-certified providers available 24/7 and insurance coverage.
Pros
- Accepts major insurance plans
- Board-certified providers
- 24/7 availability
- Therapy and psychiatry services
- Same-day appointments
- Integrated with many employers
Cons
- Expensive without insurance
- Session-based (not subscription)
- Less personalized than dedicated therapy apps
- More medical than therapeutic approach
- No messaging therapy
Key Features
Best For
Insurance coverage holdersMedication management needsUrgent mental health consultationsCorporate benefit usersIntegrated healthcare needs
Pride Counseling
Pride Counseling offers online therapy specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community, with licensed therapists experienced in LGBTQ+ issues and affirming care.
Pros
- LGBTQ+-specialized therapists
- Affirming and inclusive environment
- Multiple communication methods
- Flexible scheduling
- Financial aid available
- Easy therapist switching
Cons
- Does not accept insurance
- Same price as BetterHelp
- No medication management
- Smaller therapist network
- Limited to LGBTQ+ community
Key Features
Best For
LGBTQ+ individualsComing out supportGender identity explorationLGBTQ+ relationship issuesDiscrimination and minority stressFinding affirming care
Popular Head-to-Head Comparisons
Looking for a direct comparison between specific platforms? Check out our detailed head-to-head analyses:
BetterHelp vs Talkspace
Compare the two largest online therapy platforms.
Talkspace vs Cerebral
Compare these platforms' approaches to therapy and medication management.
BetterHelp vs Calmerry
Compare the largest platform with a more affordable alternative.
Finding the Right Platform for Specialized Needs
Insurance Coverage
If using insurance is a priority, consider Talkspace, Cerebral, or Brightside, which accept many insurance plans.
Insurance-friendly platformsBudget Options
For more affordable therapy, consider Calmerry or explore BetterHelp's financial aid program.
Affordable alternativesSpecific Conditions
For specialized treatment of specific conditions, platforms like Brightside (depression/anxiety) may be more effective.
Best platforms by conditionFrequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the right online therapy platform?
Consider your specific needs (type of therapy, communication preferences), budget constraints, insurance requirements, and whether you need medication management. Our detailed comparisons can help you identify which platform best meets your unique requirements.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Research shows that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy for many conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The key is finding a qualified therapist and a platform that offers the communication methods that work best for you.
How much does online therapy typically cost?
Online therapy platforms typically range from $40 to $100 per week, with most falling in the $60-$90 range. Platforms with medication management services may cost more. Insurance coverage and financial aid programs can significantly reduce these costs.
Can I get medication through online therapy platforms?
Yes, platforms like Talkspace, Cerebral, and Brightside offer medication management services with licensed psychiatrists or nurse practitioners. Other platforms like BetterHelp focus solely on therapy without medication services.
Find Your Perfect Therapy Match
Take our personalized assessment to get matched with the online therapy platform that best fits your unique needs, preferences, and budget.