Healthcare · head to head
BetterHelp vs Kareo
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; Kareo kareo is now part of Tebra and sold under the Tebra brand rather than as a standalone product
- They diverge on capability: BetterHelp covers Video Sessions, Kareo covers Electronic Health Records.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which BetterHelp and Kareo actually diverge.
| Attribute | BetterHelp | Kareo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $50/week | $99/month |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, Mobile |
| Founded | 2013 | 2010 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Healthcare).
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
Only in Kareo
- Electronic Health Records
- Scheduling
- Patient Portal
- Medical Billing
- Payment Processing
- Labs
- Pharmacies
- Clearinghouses
Both cover
- HIPAA
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
- Mobile 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 Kareo
- Flexible scheduling with messaging, video, phone, and live chat optionsnot Kareo
- Access to 150+ worksheets and therapy support modulesnot Kareo
- Weekly free group seminars with expert therapistsnot Kareo
Kareo
- Practice management, scheduling and billing for independent medical practicesnot BetterHelp
- Electronic health records and e-prescribing for small clinicsnot BetterHelp
- Insurance claim submission and patient payment collectionnot 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
Kareo
- Kareo is now part of Tebra and sold under the Tebra brand rather than as a standalone product
- Tebra publishes no rate: pricing varies with provider count, features and implementation requirements and is quoted during a demo
- Billing counts clinical providers such as MDs, DOs, NPs and PAs, so adding a prescriber raises the bill even though non clinical staff are free
- Electronic prescribing of controlled substances setup costs about $75 per provider as a one time fee
- PDMP integration costs $500 one time per facility plus about $50 per user per year
Pricing, plan by plan
BetterHelp
$50/week- Standard$50/week
- Messaging, live chat, phone sessions, video conferencing
- 150+ digital worksheets
- Access to 20+ weekly group seminars
Kareo
$99/month- Starter$99/month
- EHR
- Scheduling
- Patient Portal
- Professional$199/month
- Everything in Starter
- Billing
- Reporting
Which should you pick?
Choose BetterHelp if
- You need video sessions.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want phone sessions.
Choose Kareo if
- You need electronic health records.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want scheduling.
Questions people ask
- Is BetterHelp or Kareo better?
- Neither clearly leads. BetterHelp starts at $50/week and Kareo at $99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, BetterHelp or Kareo?
- BetterHelp starts at $50/week and Kareo at $99/month.
- Does BetterHelp or Kareo run on more platforms?
- BetterHelp runs on Web, iOS, Android. Kareo runs on Web, Mobile.
- 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 Kareo is typically brought in for.
- What can BetterHelp do that Kareo cannot?
- BetterHelp covers Video Sessions, Phone Sessions, Messaging, Journaling. Kareo covers Electronic Health Records, Scheduling, Patient Portal, Medical Billing. Both handle HIPAA, Cloud deployment, Web support, Mobile support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
BetterHelp: How much does BetterHelp cost per week?
BetterHelp costs between $50 and $90 per week, with the actual price determined by your location, therapist availability, and therapist preference. Charges are billed every 4 weeks rather than weekly despite per-week pricing.
SourceKareo: Does Kareo publish its pricing?
No. Kareo (now rebranded as Tebra) uses custom per-practice pricing that varies based on the number of providers, features needed, and implementation requirements. Pricing is determined during a demo with the sales team.
SourceBetterHelp: What does BetterHelp subscription include?
BetterHelp includes access to therapy via messaging, live chat, phone sessions, and video conferencing. Subscribers receive 150+ digital worksheets and free access to 20+ weekly group seminars led by expert therapists on various mental health topics.
SourceKareo: Are there discounts for adding multiple modules?
Yes. Tebra states that many practices qualify for bundled pricing or volume incentives when adopting multiple modules like EHR, billing, and patient experience tools together.
SourceBetterHelp: Can you cancel BetterHelp anytime?
Members can cancel their BetterHelp subscription at any time without penalties or restrictions. Cancellation is flexible with no long-term commitment required.
SourceKareo: What are the additional costs for controlled substance prescribing?
For providers who prescribe controlled substances, EPCS setup costs approximately $75 per provider as a one-time fee, and PDMP integration costs $500 one-time per facility plus around $50 per user per year.
SourceKareo: Does Kareo offer a free trial?
Kareo's website does not mention a free trial option. Access to pricing and trial arrangements requires contacting the sales team to request a demo.
SourceRelated pages
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