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BetterHelp vs Headspace

BetterHelp logo

BetterHelp

Software

Online therapy and counseling services

From
$50/week
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Headspace logo

Headspace

Software

Meditation and mindfulness made simple

From
$12.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: BetterHelp pricing from $50-$90 per week billed every 4 weeks with location and therapist availability variations; Headspace paid subscription required for unlimited access; free tier is limited
  • They diverge on capability: BetterHelp covers Video Sessions, Headspace covers Guided meditations.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BetterHelp and Headspace actually diverge.

Attributes where BetterHelp and Headspace differ
AttributeBetterHelpHeadspace
Starting price$50/week$12.99/month
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidiOS, Android, Web, macOS, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro
Founded20132010

Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in BetterHelp

  • Video Sessions
  • Phone Sessions
  • Messaging
  • Journaling
  • Worksheets
  • HIPAA
  • Cloud deployment
  • Mobile support

Only in Headspace

  • Guided meditations
  • Sleep stories
  • Focus playlists
  • Breathing exercises
  • SOS sessions
  • Apple Health
  • Google Fit
  • Apple Watch

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

BetterHelp

  • Online therapy with licensed mental health professionalsnot Headspace
  • Flexible scheduling with messaging, video, phone, and live chat optionsnot Headspace
  • Access to 150+ worksheets and therapy support modulesnot Headspace
  • Weekly free group seminars with expert therapistsnot Headspace

Headspace

  • Workout trackingnot BetterHelp
  • Nutrition managementnot BetterHelp
  • Health monitoringnot BetterHelp
  • Fitness coachingnot BetterHelp
  • Wellness improvementnot BetterHelp

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

BetterHelp

  • Pricing from $50-$90 per week billed every 4 weeks with location and therapist availability variations
  • Not suitable for minors or those under legal guardianship
  • Cannot provide official diagnoses, fulfill court orders, or prescribe medication
  • Requires reliable internet access; not appropriate for emergency or crisis situations

Headspace

  • Paid subscription required for unlimited access; free tier is limited
  • Mobile-first design means web experience is less feature-complete than mobile apps
  • Limited integration with other health and fitness apps compared to some competitors
  • Coaching services available only at higher tiers or additional cost

Pricing, plan by plan

BetterHelp

$50/week

No published plan breakdown. See the BetterHelp review.

Headspace

$12.99/month
  • Monthly$12.99/month
    • Unlimited meditation access
    • Sleep content
    • Focus music
  • Annual$69.99/year
    • Same as monthly
    • 14-day free trial
  • Student$9.99/year
    • Full access with student verification

Which should you pick?

Choose BetterHelp if

  • You need video sessions.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want phone sessions.
BetterHelp review

Choose Headspace if

  • You need guided meditations.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, macOS, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro.
  • You also want sleep stories.
Headspace review

Questions people ask

Is BetterHelp or Headspace better?
Neither clearly leads. BetterHelp starts at $50/week and Headspace at $12.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BetterHelp or Headspace?
BetterHelp starts at $50/week and Headspace at $12.99/month.
Does BetterHelp or Headspace run on more platforms?
BetterHelp runs on Web, iOS, Android. Headspace runs on iOS, Android, Web, macOS, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro.
What is BetterHelp best used for?
BetterHelp is most often used for online therapy with licensed mental health professionals, flexible scheduling with messaging, video, phone, and live chat options, access to 150+ worksheets and therapy support modules, weekly free group seminars with expert therapists. Of those, online therapy with licensed mental health professionals and flexible scheduling with messaging, video, phone, and live chat options are not what Headspace is typically brought in for.
What can BetterHelp do that Headspace cannot?
BetterHelp covers Video Sessions, Phone Sessions, Messaging, Journaling. Headspace covers Guided meditations, Sleep stories, Focus playlists, Breathing exercises. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Headspace: How much does Headspace cost?

Headspace offers a monthly plan at $12.99/month or annual plan at $69.99/year (approximately $5.83/month). Students can subscribe for $9.99/year. A 14-day free trial is available. HSA and FSA eligible options support pre-tax payments.

Source
Headspace: What content does Headspace include?

Headspace includes 1,000+ expert-led exercises covering meditation, stress relief, sleep resources including sleepcasts and soundscapes, anxiety management tools, and optional mental health coaching services with trained mindfulness experts.

Source
Headspace: On which platforms can I use Headspace?

Headspace is available on iOS, Android, web browsers, Mac, Apple Watch Series 6+, and Apple Vision Pro. Smart home integration with Google Assistant and Alexa allows hands-free access on compatible devices.

Source
Headspace: Does Headspace offer therapy or coaching?

Headspace includes meditation and mindfulness training led by trained experts. Mental health coaching is available as an add-on service. For therapy, users seeking clinical counseling should explore Headspace's mental health services or other dedicated therapy platforms.

Source
Headspace: Is Headspace research-backed?

Yes. Headspace describes itself as the most research-backed meditation app on the market with 500+ hours of guided content, peer-reviewed studies demonstrating efficacy, and Ebb AI personalization that adapts sessions to user mood.

Source
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