With more than one in five US adults living with a mental illness, you're not alone if you've been considering getting help. Many people hesitate to seek therapy, unsure where to start. Luckily, tons of online therapy apps give you instant access to support. These range from simple meditation guides to mood trackers and professional counseling sessions.
We've enlisted the expertise of a clinical psychologist with over two decades of experience in anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, and relationship counseling. Together, we’ve curated a list of the 10 best mental health tools and apps to make therapeutic support more accessible and effective.
» Skeptical about counseling over the phone? Find out more abouthow online therapy works.
Our Top 10 Best Mental Health Tools and Apps:
BetterHelp - Best overall mental health tool
Talkspace - Best for online medicine prescriptions
Headspace - Best for guided meditation
Calm - Best for sleep and relaxation techniques
AbleTo - Best insurance covered online therapy
Woebot - Best for AI chatbot therapy
MindShift CBT - Best for free anxiety relief tools
Moodfit - Best for CBT-based thought correction
Insight Timer - Best for largest library of guided meditations
Happify - Best for gamified mental health tools
How We Reviewed the 10 Best Mental Health Tools and Apps
Evaluation Process
Our team partnered with a professional clinical psychologist specializing in anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, and relationship counseling to ensure that all assessments were well-informed. To create well-rounded evaluations, we looked at therapist credentials, real user experiences, academic research, and testimonials.
Evaluation Criteria
Therapist credentials: We reviewed therapists' qualifications and experience (e.g., PsyD, Ph.D., LCSW, LPS) to ensure their suitability for conducting clinical counseling.
Therapy techniques: We examined the range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches to ensure they address various issues.
Personalization features: We evaluated the treatment and scheduling options to assess how well the services provide individualized care
Accessibility and cost: We weighed pricing, insurance coverage, and features (e.g., video conferencing) to ensure affordability and accessibility.
Privacy and security: We ensured all listed services value patient confidentiality and data security.
User reviews and testimonials: We sifted through client feedback on Trustpilot and BBB to gain insights into real user experiences. We highlighted common concerns and benefits to guide your decision-making process.
Our Top 10 Best Mental Health Tools and Apps, Reviews:
1. BetterHelp
Get access to over 35,000 therapists with smart provider-matching
Best for: Asynchronous messaging and digital worksheets
Pricing: From $70/week
Features: Text, live chat, phone, and video communication
Platforms: Android, iOS, and web application
Free trial: No
BetterHelp is an online therapy app that connects you with one of over 30,000 licensed therapists from the comfort of your own space. The platform offers individual, couples, and teen therapy for a wide range of concerns, including depression, anxiety, relationships, and trauma.
The platform prioritizes flexibility in mental health support. You can message your therapist anytime via text or schedule live sessions through phone or video calls. This ensures your sessions fit seamlessly into your life.
The platform provides 150+ digital worksheets and self-help modules, covering topics from cognitive behavioral techniques to mindfulness exercises. A journaling feature in the mobile app and weekly live group sessions allow you to explore your thoughts, learn new skills, and connect with others.
Why we chose BetterHelp: The platform's smart matching system connects you with therapists tailored to your specific needs and location. Features like nicknames for discretion and journaling prioritize privacy and self-reflection. BetterHelp also offers 20+ free weekly expert-led group seminars and a comprehensive advice section, providing valuable resources for your healing journey.
Our experience: BetterHelp's questionnaire helped us pinpoint our therapy goals, particularly for anxiety and work stress. We were matched with a therapist who combined practical solutions with spiritual perspectives. Her suggestion of mindfulness meditation, among other techniques, made our sessions more meaningful and motivating.
Pros:
Full access to conversation history
4.8/5 star rating on the iOS app store
Free therapist switching
Cons:
No medication prescriptions provided
Insurance doesn’t cover the service
2. Talkspace
Access remote psychiatric evaluations and prescriptions with ease
Best for: Insurance coverage for therapy and psychiatry
Pricing: From $69/week
Features: In-app symptom and progress tracking
Platforms: Android, iOS, and web application
Free trial: Yes, seven days
Talkspace offers a comprehensive approach to mental health care, combining online therapy and psychiatry services for over 150 conditions. As one of the best online therapy services covered by insurance, it provides flexible sessions through text, video, or audio.
The platform also offers stress-relief exercises to enhance coping skills. You can track your progress, set personal goals, and gain valuable insights with guided support. This approach helps you manage various challenges, including anxiety, relationship issues, and different types of eating disorders.
Why we chose Talkspace: Talkspace simplifies access to psychiatric care with its online evaluations and the ability to prescribe medication through video sessions. It ensures ongoing support with quarterly follow-up appointments for medication management and accepts most insurance to cover the expenses.
Our experience: We tried Talkspace's free online mental health screening tests and found them surprisingly insightful. The assessments were quick and straightforward, giving us a clear picture of our mental state. This initial step helped us decide whether to pursue further support from a licensed professional, making seeking help more manageable.
Pros:
Free online therapy for NYC teens through Teenspace
Fully encrypted online therapy room to enhance protection
30% discount through veterans page signup with "MTSUPPORT"
Cons:
Can’t apply coupons to psychiatry services
Doesn’t prescribe controlled substances
3. Headspace
Get grounded with mindfulness coaching
Best for: Holistic combination of meditation and exercise
Pricing: $12.99 per month or $69.99 per year
Features: Sleep, meditation, focus, and physical exercise tools
Platforms: Android, iOS, and web application
Free trial: Yes, 14 days
Headspace is designed to help you manage stress with a wealth of expert-led exercises, guided meditations, and personalized coaching. It focuses on four key areas: meditation, sleep, focus, and physical well-being. With a vast library of 1000+ resources, the app provides practical tools and interactive guides to address burnout, anxiety, and everyday stress.
Additionally, Headspace encourages consistency in your mental wellness journey with features like progress tracking and daily reminders. You can set personal goals and share insights with your mindfulness coach, who helps keep you on track. The app's user-friendly interface makes it easy to incorporate mindfulness practices into daily routines, catering to both beginners and experienced meditators.
Headspace fosters consistency through progress tracking and gentle reminders. It allows you to set personal goals and receive guidance from a dedicated mindfulness coach. The intuitive interface seamlessly integrates meditation into your daily routine, regardless of your experience level.
Why we chose Headspace: Its meditation and sleep sections provide valuable tools to help you center yourself and manage anxiety effectively. The app delivers inspiring stories and mini-meditations each morning to start your day on the right foot. At night, you can enjoy bedtime meditations, relaxing music, nature sounds, and sleep stories designed to lull you into a restful sleep.
Our experience: The sleep casts are fantastic. We loved the soothing stories about marina cats and cozy cottages. The focus sounds also kept us productive during the day. Beyond that, the daily gratitude messages and stress management tips have improved our emotional well-being, making us more reflective and less reactive overall.
Pros:
User-friendly interface
500+ meditation sessions
Offers a 14-day free trial
Cons:
Subscription required for full access
Some complaints about auto subscription
4. Calm
Drift off with soothing sleep stories
Best for: Relaxing bedtime stories
Pricing: $69.99 per year
Features: Sleep stories, meditations, music, and soundscapes
Platforms: Android, iOS, and web application
Free trial: Yes, seven days
Calm is a versatile app that improves sleep, meditation, and overall relaxation. Its sleep features are particularly noteworthy, offering a wide range of soothing sleep stories, calming music, and nature sounds to help you drift off.
Beyond sleep, Calm provides expert-led sessions for stress management and mood balancing. It offers short guided exercises using breathing techniques and mindfulness practices to help you quickly relax and refocus. The app also emphasizes daily mindfulness, with programs that teach you the basics and help you integrate these practices into your daily life.
Why we chose Calm: Calm stands out for its impressive sleep section. It boasts over 300 sleep stories narrated by celebrities like Jennifer Garner and beloved children's characters like Winnie the Pooh. The app also offers sleep-tracking tools to monitor quality and establish personalized bedtime routines.
Our experience: We loved Chibs Okereke’s voice for the sleep meditations and enjoyed the calm it brought to our bedtime routine. Each session used mindfulness tools like body scans and progressive muscle relaxation to help us unwind. We coupled this with Calm’s WearOS app and liked the quick-start breathing exercises and tracking features for our meditations.
Pros:
Free meditation courses
Seven-day free trial
Option for a one-time lifetime purchase
Cons:
Some complaints about unresponsive customer service
Features may be too basic for seasoned meditators
5. AbleTo
Elevate your wellbeing with self-guided programs
Best for: Combining self-help with professional guidance
Pricing: $0 with insurance, but there may be some co-pays
Features: Practical goal-setting, journaling, and meditation tools
Platforms: Android, iOS, and web application
Free trial: No
AbleTo offers a holistic approach to mental health, blending virtual therapy and coaching with a self-guided digital program. You'll gain access to scientifically backed tools rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy designed to help you manage conditions like anxiety and depression. In eight weeks, you can work one-on-one with a therapist, coach, or both, learning valuable coping skills and building healthier habits to enhance your daily resilience.
AbleTo partners with major health plans, offering insurance-covered mental health services to over 60 million people. Its network of more than 2,400 providers delivers personalized, expert-led support tailored to your needs.
Why we chose AbleTo: AbleTo stands out by seamlessly integrating with your existing health plan, making quality mental health care accessible and affordable. The service quickly matches you with the most appropriate treatment and clinician, streamlining your path to better mental health. AbleTo's commitment to your well-being is evident in its value-based approach: you only pay when you see results.
Our experience: We initially faced some scheduling issues, but luckily, they were quickly resolved. Our thorough intake session covered essential mental health questions to establish a baseline. The therapist and behavioral coach we worked with were exceptional, helping us tackle both immediate concerns and long-term objectives.
Pros:
Comprehensive CBT tools
Features 24/7 access to content aimed at managing stress, anxiety, and depression
Integrates with professional therapy
Cons:
Only available to individuals with insurance
Self-guided systems may be less effective without professional guidance
6. Woebot
Gain deeper insights with mental state records
Best for: Personalized AI support
Pricing: Free
Features: On-demand personalized therapeutic conversations
Platforms: Android and iOS
Free trial: No
Woebot combines the accessibility of a chatbot with the expertise of CBT professionals. The app learns about your emotional state as you interact, offering personalized tools like mood tracking, progress reflection, gratitude journaling, and mindfulness exercises. These features work together to help you better understand and manage your emotions over time.
Unlike generative AI, Woebot uses a rules-based system to ensure you receive guidance rooted in established therapeutic practices. Its conversations, crafted by expert writers with input from clinical professionals, are tailored to your needs.
Why we chose Woebot: We chose Woebot for its round-the-clock personalized support. This AI chatbot adapts to your mood, helping you shift from self-criticism to self-compassion. We were impressed by its ability to uncover insights about your values and motivations, making mental health support accessible and deeply personal.
Our experience: We were genuinely impressed by Woebot’s memory of details discussed in past conversations. Whether it was mentioning something that happened last week or identifying a recurring emotional response to the same trigger, the chatbot consistently provided insights we hadn’t fully considered.
Pros:
Based on CBT, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Available 24/7
Available on both Android and iOS devices
Cons:
Limited to new US study participants or users with employer-provided access codes
Transcripts of conversations only contain your responses, limiting full context review
7. MindShift CBT
Ease anxiety and boost your mood with quick relief tools
Best for: Long-term and immediate anxiety management
Pricing: Free
Features: Anxiety trackers, thought journals, coping cards and belief experiments
Platforms: Android and iOS
Free trial: No
MindShift CBT is a free, user-friendly platform to manage anxiety using evidence-based CBT techniques. The app encourages you to challenge negative thinking patterns and learn about anxiety disorder symptoms, equipping you with practical strategies to reshape your life. You'll gain access to tailored mindfulness and relaxation exercises designed to help you handle daily stress more effectively.
With MindShift CBT, you can build healthier habits through various interactive tools. Track your anxiety triggers and trends using thought journals, create personalized coping cards, and engage in belief experiments to transform your mindset. The goal-setting features and timely reminders guide you toward your objectives, while regular check-ins keep you accountable.
Why we chose MindShift CBT: We picked MindShift CBT because of its easy-to-use design, clear instructions, and soothing look. The app's best features, "Chill Zone" and "Quick Relief," give you different ways to tackle anxiety head-on. Whether you need a moment of calm or a quick anxiety fix, these tools have you covered, making them great for handling stress in all situations.
Our experience: When we first opened MindShift CBT, we were impressed by the user-friendly check-in process, which helped us track our mood and anxiety levels with ease. The app's Community Forum quickly made us feel part of a supportive network, where sharing experiences and advice boosted our understanding of our struggles.
Pros:
Free app with all features accessible; no paid subscriptions required
Customizable coping cards
Option to export data if you want to share it with your therapist
Cons:
Limited to anxiety management
No live therapist support
» Learn how you can break habits and stop procrastinating with CBT.
8. Moodfit
Eliminate distorted thinking patterns with CBT thought records
Best for: Customizable performance and goal metrics
Pricing: Free or $9.99 per month for premium membership
Features: Thought record tool, journals, and grounding exercises
Platforms: Android and iOS
Free trial: Yes, seven days
Moodfit empowers you to explore and enhance your mental well-being by focusing on the interplay between your thoughts, emotions, and actions. The CBT Thought Record tool is an effective technique to beat cognitive distortions like overgeneralization or catastrophizing, which often fuel negative emotions. The mood journal promotes self-reflection and encourages you to dig deeper into your thoughts and emotional states.
You can also track your nervous system's state, practice gratitude, and use various relaxation techniques. These include breathing exercises that are calming or energizing, mindfulness meditations that reduce stress, and grounding exercises that center you in the present moment.
Why we chose Moodfit: Its analytics feature offers easy-to-interpret charts, helping you spot patterns in your mood and activities. The app's intentional focus on uncovering connections between behaviors and moods, with views ranging from monthly to hourly, sets it apart from competitors.
Our experience: We had a blast experimenting with Moodfit's insights feature. Our team used the app's flexible analytics tools to test common wellness advice against our mental health, tweaking daily routines like hydration, caffeine intake, and sleep patterns. We found it fascinating to see how individual experiences and results varied.
Pros:
Incorporates clinically recognized PHQ-9 and GAD-7 assessments for depression and anxiety
Promotes holistic well-being by linking mental health with fitness and nutrition
Highly rated mobile apps (4.7/5 on App Store, 4.4/5 on Google Play)
Cons:
Free version limited to mood and gratitude journal tools only
Requires consistent use for best results
9. Insight Timer
Join a community of 26 million meditators worldwide
Best for: Customizable meditation timer and free content
Pricing: Free or $9.99/month for premium subscription
Features: Guided meditation, sleep tools, podcasts, and yoga sessions
Platforms: Android, iOS, and web application
Free trial: Yes, seven days
At its core, Insight Timer provides a customizable meditation timer. You can set your preferred duration, ambient sound, and interval bells. It offers 210,000+ guided meditations, sleep tracks, and live events from more than 17,000 experts, like mindfulness teachers, neuroscientists, and psychologists.
You can explore breathwork exercises, guided visualizations, bedtime stories, and soothing music. If you're interested in deeper dives, it offers multi-day courses on manifestation and tarot.
Why we chose Insight Timer: It stands out for its extensive sleep-focused features, offering thousands of music tracks, soundscapes, and sleep meditations. The free version provides access to 146,000+ guided meditations, talks, and podcasts, making it exceptionally generous compared to other apps. Plus, if you want access to offline listening, full courses, and the option to rewind/fast-forward, you can try it free for seven days.
Our experience: We loved exploring Insight Timer's yoga courses and found the variety refreshing. Casting classes to our Smart TV transformed our space into a personal yoga studio, making practice sessions more engaging. With over 9,000 instructors, we quickly found classes matching our skill level. Even though the content was free, we often felt inspired to leave donations for our favorite teachers.
Pros:
Offers a seven-day free trial to the premium content
Extensive free library of meditations, music, and talks
Family plan lets you share benefits with loved ones
Cons:
Can’t access downloaded files if you unsubscribe
Limited Apple Watch functionality (controls app audio only, not device audio)
» Discover just how much mental health affects your physical health.
10. Happify
Boost your mood with science-backed games
Best for: Science-backed activities and games
Pricing: Free or $14.99/month for premium membership
Features: Guided meditations, educational resources, and anxiety relief games
Platforms: Android, iOS, and web application
Free trial: No
Happify’s app offers a fresh take on emotional well-being with its science-backed games and activities designed to reduce stress, beat negative thoughts, and enhance resilience. Crafted by leading experts in psychology and mindfulness, the platform helps you build self-confidence, cope with stress, and find mindfulness through engaging exercises.
In addition to its interactive features, Happify provides a detailed 20-page character strength report from the renowned VIA Institute. The app also lets you track your daily progress, allowing you to see how your emotional skills develop over time and how they compare to your past self.
Why we chose Happify: It offers a user-friendly experience across Android, iOS, and web platforms. You can easily navigate between guided meditations for specific life challenges, read articles about stress management, or play quick games designed to relieve anxiety. The app provides various tools to support your mental well-being, whether you want to address particular issues or simply unwind after a long day.
Our experience: We got hooked on Happify's quest games, which taught us fun and unexpected coping skills. The "savor" games felt like a grown-up Where's Waldo, helping us tune into the present moment. Our inner child loved the games where we zapped negative thoughts with a slingshot - it was like Angry Birds but for your mood.
Pros:
Fun and interactive games
Option to buy a lifetime premium license
Flexible meditation tracks let you decide between guided sessions or ambient sounds
Cons:
Activities are only free up to a certain point
Loading times for some games and meditations can be slow
Who Should Use a Mental Health App?
Mental health apps can be valuable tools for anyone looking to boost their emotional well-being. If you're juggling a hectic schedule, value privacy, or live in an area with limited access to therapists, these apps might be beneficial. They can assist you in managing depression triggers, reducing stress, and coping with anxiety.
However, remember that while these apps are great for everyday mental wellness, they're not replacements for professional help. If you're dealing with severe mental health issues, like Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or experiencing a crisis, it’s crucial to reach out to a mental health professional.
What Types of Mental Health Apps Do You Get?
Mental health apps cater to diverse needs and preferences. Here's a quick overview of common types:
Mental health apps offer diverse tools to support your well-being. Here's a breakdown of common types:
Therapy apps: These connect you with licensed professionals for remote counseling. They're ideal if you prefer flexibility in scheduling or find in-person therapy challenging. Examples include BetterHelp and Talkspace alternatives.
Meditation and mindfulness apps: These apps focus on stress reduction and mental clarity. They offer guided sessions and breathing exercises. Popular choices like Headspace and Calm can help you develop a consistent mindfulness practice.
Mood tracking apps: By logging your emotions and activities, these apps help you identify patterns affecting your mental state. Apps like Moodfit or Moodkit can provide insights into your triggers and coping strategies.
CBT-based apps: These incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to help manage anxiety, depression, and other issues. Apps like Woebot or MindShift CBT offer interactive exercises to challenge negative thought patterns.
Support community apps: These platforms create safe spaces for sharing experiences and offering peer support. Apps like 7 Cups or Wisdo can help combat feelings of isolation and provide a sense of community.
How to Choose a Mental Health App
Choosing the right mental health app involves several considerations:
When choosing a mental health app, consider these factors to find the best fit for your needs:
Scientific backing: Look for apps like Headspace, BetterHelp, and Calm that have undergone clinical trials. These apps often cite their research on their websites or in app descriptions, demonstrating scientific credibility.
User-friendliness: Try apps with clean interfaces and clear instructions. Calm and Insight Timer are known for their intuitive designs.
Tailored features: Consider what you need most. For example, Headspace offers guided meditations, Calm focuses on sleep and relaxation techniques, and Moodfit provides CBT-based thought correction tools.
Data protection: Check the app's privacy policy. Apps like Woebot are known for their strong privacy measures.
Device compatibility: Ensure the app works well on your devices. Most popular apps like Calm and Headspace work across iOS and Android platforms.
User experiences: Read reviews on app stores, mental health forums, and Trustpilot for apps like BetterHelp and Talkspace to get diverse perspectives from real users.
Cost and value: Consider your budget and the app's pricing structure. Some apps, like Insight Timer, offer extensive free content, while AbleTo is completely free through insurance.
Customization options: Look for apps that let you tailor content to your preferences, such as meditation length in Headspace or Insight Timer.
Regular updates: Choose frequently updated apps, like Happify, which continually adds new gamified mental health tools.
Accessibility features: If needed, look for apps with options like text-to-speech or multiple-language support.
Pros and Cons of Using Mental Health Apps
Pros:
Convenience: Accessible anytime, anywhere
Discretion: Users can seek help discreetly
Cost-effective: Often cheaper than traditional therapy
Various tools: Offers diverse tools like mood tracking, meditation, and CBT techniques
Cons:
Effectiveness: It may not be as effective as in-person therapy
Privacy concerns: Potential risks with data security
Lack of regulation: Not all apps are regulated or adhere to professional standards
Not suitable for severe conditions: May not be appropriate for those with serious mental health issues or in crisis
Other Ways to Boost Your Mental Health
While mental health apps can be valuable tools, integrating various lifestyle practices can significantly enhance your overall well-being and boost your mental health. Here are some effective strategies you can try:
Move your body: Regular exercise releases mood-boosting endorphins. Find activities you enjoy, whether dancing, hiking, or using yoga apps.
Nurture relationships: Cultivate meaningful connections. Schedule regular catch-ups with friends or join community groups to combat loneliness and elevate your mood.
Prioritize self-care: Dedicate time to activities that rejuvenate and lift your spirits. Examples include reading, taking baths, or practicing mindfulness. These are simple ways to make yourself a priority.
Nourish your body: A balanced diet of omega-3s, whole grains, and vegetables can support brain health and mood regulation.
Try a digital detox: Studies have shown that increased screen time can cause declining physical and mental health. That’s why it's crucial to set boundaries with technology. Try device-free meals or a 'no-screen' hour before bedtime to reduce stress and improve your mood.
Optimize sleep: Create a consistent sleep routine. Quality sleep is crucial for mood regulation and overall mental health.
Harness natural light: Spend time outdoors or use a light therapy box, especially in winter. Exposure to bright light can help with conditions like seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Learn new skills: Engage in lifelong learning. Try a new hobby or online course to boost confidence, cognitive function, and mood.
Practice gratitude: Keep a gratitude journal or share three good things daily with a friend to shift focus towards positivity and improve your overall mood.
Finding the Right Mental Health App for You
After reviewing the top mental health tools and apps, it's clear that there's a solution for everyone. For professional guidance, BetterHelp and Talkspace offer convenient access to licensed therapists through various communication methods. Self-guided apps like Clam provide resources like guided meditations and sleep aids. While others offer tracking features and goal-setting capabilities if you prefer structure and measurable progress.
Remember, prioritizing your mental health doesn't always require a major commitment. Even small steps, like daily journaling, quick yoga sessions, or stress-relief games, can significantly improve your overall well-being. The key is finding an app or combination of tools that resonates with your needs and lifestyle.
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