7 Cups is an online platform that provides text-based mental health support from an interactive AI chatbot or volunteers trained as “listeners,” as well as video therapy with licensed therapists. We rated it 1 star and don’t recommend it, because when we used the online therapy service, multiple people at ChoosingTherapy.com were matched with out-of-state therapists (which is illegal). Plus, the chatbot was not very helpful when we tried it.
Editor's Note: We Don't Recommend 7 Cups
We do not recommend 7 Cups for consumers looking for mental health services or therapy.
7 Cups connected our team with therapists who were not licensed in the state we lived in and, in some cases, may not be licensed in the U.S. at all, raising serious concerns about their online therapy services.
7 Cups may have fewer than 70 therapists offering therapy on their platform despite listing more than 100,000 therapists in their directory. Learn more about this in our article about 7 Cups’ Ghost Network.
7 Cups at a Glance
Cost: Basic plan is free; Paid tiers: $12.95, $159, or $299 monthly
Insurance Accepted: No
Pros & Cons
- Community space with mental health dedicated forums
- Users can receive support from others through the group chat events
- AI Chatbot can help users navigate the website or app
- Asynchronous messaging and video sessions with a therapist available
- “Active Listeners” are not licensed professionals
- Users can post anything, meaning there can be lots of posts to sort through that won’t apply to you
- Users might not receive any response on discussion forums
- Does not accept insurance
- “Real-time” therapy option for users is limited to 45-minute sessions
7 Cups is a mental health app that provides emotional support services and 24/7 assistance to users in two ways: Its free services allow you to connect anonymously with volunteer listeners in group chats so you can talk about how you’re feeling with others without fear of judgment. It also offers in-app subscriptions, which include connecting with a licensed therapist whom you can message at any time of day or schedule up to four video calls a month.
During our independent review of 7 Cups, we gave it an overall rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars. When we tried the app, we found it very easy to sign up and subscribe to the premium services. However, the app’s interface felt cluttered, and navigating the discussion boards was challenging, even though they are one of its main features.
In addition to its various chatting services, 7 Cups offers asynchronous therapy via texting and live video sessions as different subscription options on its platform. Text-based therapy is done via text in a chat box, either online or in the app. Its video therapy option allows you to meet with your provider for 45-minute sessions.
Detailed Review of 7 Cups
7 Cups has a diverse online community space built around mental health and wellness. The platform serves users 13+, looking to connect with others in larger groups, or one-on-one with a dedicated “active listener.” The community discussion boards can be overwhelming, and others may not see or engage with your posts. While you can access 7 Cups through its website or app, the app is buggy and doesn’t include all the features found on the website.
The 7 Cups dashboard features a lot of information that can make it feel overwhelming to navigate. If you’re looking for someone to talk to, 7 Cups could be a sufficient platform.
However, we do not recommend using 7 Cups’ therapy offerings. It is likely that you’ll get matched with an out-of-state therapist, which is illegal and manipulative of the system.
Review our scoring criteria for online therapy platforms here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.
Active Listeners
7 Cups app users have access to free communication with Active Listeners, who complete a brief online training class with 7 Cups, pass a test, and use their skills to actively listen and message those in need. When signing up to see what type of training active listeners complete, I was surprised to find that listeners can be as young as 15 with parental consent.
Listeners can be professional counselors and psychologists, but most of them are just folks interested in volunteering their time for a good cause.
This service should not be considered therapy. Per their training, Active Listeners should know the limitations of their tools and refer users to additional supports as needed. I took the training class, and while 7 Cups states it should take around an hour, I was able to breeze through and pass the test questions in about 10 minutes, and the mock chat scenario took me about another 10. While there is additional support from coaches, it seemed a bit lacking and reinforced to me that an active listener could truly be anyone, regardless of how committed they are to members’ safety and best interests.
Listeners are instructed to refer users to crisis services if they are experiencing severe symptoms, suicidal thoughts, or homicidal ideations, but some of the topics discussed still feel like they could be beyond the depth of a normal person’s abilities. For example, when signing up as a listener, I could select all the topics I was willing to talk about and what I had direct experience with, and these included PTSD, bipolar disorder, BPD, schizophrenia, and many other very serious mental health matters.
7 Cups makes it very clear that listeners should never give advice, but the lack of safety guardrails is deeply concerning.
AI Chatbot (Noni)
When I used the 7 Cups AI Chatbot, Noni, I found it was just that: A chatbot with a limited scope of help and advice to offer users. It can guide you through various text-based activities, but it is not the same as talking to a live human, and the responses aren’t always the best, since human answers are more nuanced and personalized.
Noni has a very limited range of responses and doesn’t really offer help or advice the way a person would. Honestly, I got more helpful information from the free version of ChatGPT, which I also don’t recommend as a replacement for talking to a licensed professional, but at least it’s free, compared to the $12.95 users must pay to have unlimited access to Noni.
Text-Based Therapy
I paid for a subscription for text-based therapy at $159 monthly and I got matched with someone not licensed in my state. I went ahead to see if I could talk to them without any issues, and I got a friendly message from my therapist with some basics and what I can expect from her as far as her schedule and messaging me back. While still likely that this is the message she sends to all new clients, it did feel personal to her and gave me actual helpful information about what the process will be like.
So I sent her some info about me and what I’d like to get guidance on from her. I got a decent response after about 20 minutes, but the three messages in a row and the amount of text in each one made me question whether she may have been using AI to generate a response. That doesn’t mean it’s not helpful, but I signed up to talk to a therapist, not an AI bot (though her response was MILES above what I received when I sent the same message to Noni).
Online Therapy
Video therapy is available from 7 Cups, but 7 Cups will likely match you with an out-of-state provider. I signed up for therapy (I live in Ohio) and got matched with a provider who is licensed in Texas. This was unnerving, but I went ahead and paid $299 for a month’s worth of weekly video appointments.
I met with the therapist, and she ensured me this was “legitimate therapy,” not any form of coaching, and when I asked if there were any issues with us being in separate states, she said, “Oh, 7 Cups takes care of that for us.” This didn’t reassure me.
Our Top Concern With 7 Cups’ Online Therapy
It’s a huge problem that 7 Cups is knowingly matching users looking for affordable mental healthcare with therapists who aren’t licensed within their states of residence.
Here are some of the issues you may encounter when seeing a therapist not licensed in your state:
- If the therapist isn’t licensed in your state, it may mean they haven’t met your state’s requirements for education, training, or ethics. This means you might not be getting the high standard of care that licensed professionals must provide.
- If the therapist does something wrong, you may not be able to report them to your state’s licensing board and your state may not be able to investigate or take action to protect you. This means less protection for you.
- A therapist working without a valid license in your state may be breaking the law. This means they are not following the professional rules that are established to keep clients safe.
- Most insurance companies won’t cover therapy from someone who isn’t licensed in your state. You might have to pay out of pocket, and claims can be denied if your therapist isn’t approved.
- If you feel harmed or unsafe while working with your therapist, you won’t have an easy way to file a complaint or get support from your state’s licensing board. There may be no clear way to get help if things go wrong.
Community Groups
7 Cups is home to many discussion forums and group chats. Categories include Newbies, Fun, Health & Wellbeing, and Peer Groups, among others. Within these categories are a variety of smaller communities to explore, like Hobbies, Personality Disorders Support, 20 & Over Community, and Young People of Color.
Anyone can post anything in these community groups, which can sometimes lead to chaotic posts to sort through.
7 Cups Cost & Insurance
7 Cups base membership, which includes a limited number of AI and “Listener” chats, is free. There is also an option to purchase premium services, which offer additional chats and growth paths for $7.99 monthly. There are more plan options which include messaging therapy ($159 monthly) and talk therapy ($299 monthly) with licensed therapists. 7 Cups doesn’t offer a free trial of its paid memberships.
7 Cups does not accept insurance, but if your plan offers out-of-network benefits, you may be able to submit a superbill for partial reimbursement. Your therapist can provide the information you’ll need to start this process.
Here are the four access plan options for 7 Cups:
- Free: A free membership includes limited AI chat opportunities and 24/7 messaging via the website with volunteer listeners.
- Premium: For $7.99 monthly (billed yearly), or $12.95 (billed monthly), a subscriber has access to 1-1 chats with an Active Listener, group chats, the AI chatbot, and “Growth Paths.”
- Messaging Therapy: For $159 monthly, users have access to confidential text-based online therapy with a licensed therapist (though likely not in-state!) in a chat setting via a private online room, in addition to the 24/7 chat options with volunteer listeners.
- Talk Therapy: For $299 monthly, a subscriber has access to all premium features and a weekly call with a therapist (again, be wary of this; they may not be licensed in your state).
Who Does 7 Cups Serve?
7 Cups’ online support can be used by those 13 years and older. Group and AI chat-based support is available in all 50 US states and internationally, though it’s very possible you’ll get matched with an out-of-state provider. From what we can tell, there are fewer than 70 verified therapists on the platform. This is dangerous and illegal.
7 Cups could be an option for people who just need someone to talk to, those who sometimes feel lonely, or people who do not get the support they need from their loved ones. Chatting with Active Listeners, who can offer real-time support, might be helpful for these folks, but as mentioned, the type of support you’ll receive can vary and there could be bullying or even dangerous connections made on the platform.
User Reviews
7 Cups has decent star ratings in both app stores, with a 4.4-star rating from 5,600+ reviews in the Apple App Store and a 3.7-star rating from 21,800+ reviews in the Google Play Store.
Reviews from Apple App Store | 4.4 out of 5 | 5.6k reviews
Positive reviews on the Apple App Store emphasized the convenience of having a chatbot and the ability to seek community in the discussion forums. Many praised the way the app helps them find and engage with other users easily.
Negative reviews on the Apple App Store tended to state that they didn’t feel heard by the listeners they were engaging with, as well as issues with payment and glitches on the app.
Reviews from Google Play Store | 3.7 out of 5 | 21.8k reviews
Positive reviews on the Android App Store focused on community engagement made in the discussion forums and the overall value that many believe 7 Cups has added to their lives. Some reviews noted positive experiences with therapists found on the app.
Negative reviews on the Android App Store tended to focus on the 7 Cups mobile app itself and its technical shortcomings. Many users agreed that the mobile app is not intuitive and keeps having technical issues.
Reviews from TrustPilot | 3.4 out of 5 | 654 reviews
Positive reviews on Trustpilot tended to emphasize the progress users have made in their lives with 7 Cups, the AI chatbot, community groups, and the ability to easily find a therapist that was a good fit.
Negative reviews mention issues with scammers and trolls, poor customer service, and listeners who aren’t equipped to support users. There are also therapists leaving reviews stating that their information has been used on the app without their permission.
Alternatives & Competitors
7 Cups could be helpful for those looking to find and build community with an easy and convenient way to dip a toe into the therapy world or reduce the impact of burnout or stress. However, it’s in no way a replacement for actual mental health care. BetterHelp is great if you’re seeking a low cash-pay option for people looking for online therapy. Meanwhile, Talkspace may be a better option if you are seeking psychiatric care. And if you’re looking for an AI therapy experience, we recommend Wysa.
Betterhelp - Best for Cash Pay Therapy
While 7 Cups is largely focused on listeners and community groups, BetterHelp serves primarily as an online therapy platform. If users don’t want to opt in to video calls with their therapist, they can choose phone calls or live text sessions instead. BetterHelp also offers webinars and community spaces, as well as a journaling space that users can keep to themselves or share with their therapist.
7 Cups offers several subscription tiers, starting at $7.99 per month for unlimited peer chat and access to growth paths. Its highest tier costs $299 per month and includes weekly video therapy sessions. BetterHelp has one subscription tier that can range from $280–$400 monthly (advertised as $70–$100 weekly) for four live sessions per month, plus access to the other features on the app.
Read our review of BetterHelp for more information.
Pros & Cons
- Offers text and video therapy at one of the lowest rates
- Platform incorporates live video and telephone therapy sessions
- Ultimate monthly costs depend on your location and therapist’s availability
- No psychiatric services/medication management available
Talkspace - Best for Therapy + Medication With Insurance
Talkspace offers three different subscription tiers for those wanting either messaging-only therapy, video and messaging therapy, or video and messaging plus extra workshops. It also offers medication management for those who could benefit from mental health meds, though note that providers on Talkspace can’t prescribe controlled substances like Adderall.
It works differently from 7 Cups in that all of Talkspace’s providers are licensed mental health practitioners and have been thoroughly screened. While its out-of-pocket costs are slightly higher than 7 Cups’ therapy prices, Talkspace accepts a wide range of insurance platforms, which could significantly bring down the cost for many users.
Talkspace offers three different therapy subscription tiers:
- Messaging-only therapy for $276 monthly
- Video + messaging therapy $396 monthly
- Video + messaging therapy with workshops $436 monthly
Talkspace also offers psychiatry services, with the first visit costing $299 and follow-ups available for $175 each.
For more information about how subscriptions work, you can read our full Talkspace review.
Pros & Cons
- Many insurance plans accepted
- Signup is quick and easy
- Can’t choose your initial therapist
- Matching process can take a few days
Wysa - Best AI Chat App
For those looking for an addition to therapy or just a bit of extra support, Wysa offers just that through its AI chatbot that can guide users through CBT techniques, meditations, and interactive exercises. Wysa learns from your interactions with it, meaning that it can supply more personalized exercises and recommendations.
The Wysa app is free to download, but the premium version costs $19.99 monthly or $74.99 annually. You can also add guided support for $79.99 monthly and 1:1 life coaching sessions for as low as $29.99.
Read our full Wysa review for more information.
Pros & Cons
- Easy to navigate and complete exercises
- Tons of learning modules
- Limited free content
- Coaching sessions are only text-based
History & News About 7 Cups

Year Founded: 2013
Founded By: Glen Moriarty
Headquartered In: Palo Alto, CA
Publicly Traded: No
7 Cups was founded in 2013 by psychologist Glen Moriarty, who believed the internet could be harnessed to help people lead better, more connected lives. Initially launched as a Y Combinator startup, 7 Cups allowed “Active Listeners” to set their own fees—either a fixed hourly rate or a pay-what-you-want model—with the company taking a 40% commission on transactions. Over time, 7 Cups shifted its model: today, peer support from listeners is offered free of charge, while revenue comes from premium learning “Paths” ($7.99/month or $95.88/year) and professional therapy services starting at $159/month.1,2
7 Cups has continued to evolve, most recently updating its home screen to resemble a social feed, blending users’ current learning paths, forum posts, and community activities. In 2023, a major overhaul called Chat 2.0 improved chat reliability, user experience, and safety, introducing a more organized inbox and enhanced group chat guidelines.3 It recently added a “One Line a Day Journal” feature as of April 2025.4
7 Cups has faced significant safety concerns, particularly around its teen and peer support communities. In 2019, the company’s contract with the state of California was terminated following reports of trolling, inappropriate content, and platform misuse, including unwelcome sexual and explicit language and nontherapeutic discussions of child sex abuse. This led to a settlement, layoffs, and the closure of unmoderated group chat rooms for safety reasons. 7 Cups implemented stricter monitoring, reduced access for unverified users, and made ongoing efforts to improve user safety in response. However, as recently as 2024, some safety concerns have persisted, underscoring the ongoing challenges of providing safe, large-scale online mental health support.5
It has also come under fire for creating a “ghost network” of therapists on its platform, in which it has copied the information of therapists who aren’t active on the site. This leads to confusion from clients about who is actually available to help them, and frustration from providers who didn’t give permission to have their information posted on 7 Cups.6 It claims that these listings are supposed to act as a “local support guide,” but it often simply points people back to its own listeners, who are not mental health professionals.7
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 7 Cups Prescribe Medication?
7 Cups therapists only provide text and talk therapy and cannot prescribe medication.
How are 7 Cups Therapists Vetted & Verified?
Therapists are experienced and licensed mental health professionals with various degrees such as psychology and social work. 7 Cups verifies their licenses, and you’re able to ask them for their credentials. The type of therapy offered by 7 Cups is referred to as active listening, which the site defines as a supportive way of listening that shows compassion and empathy, using open-ended questions meant to encourage you to talk more.
What are 7 Cups Active Listeners' Credentials?
Active listeners are less experienced because these are volunteer positions. Any adult can become a volunteer after filling out a questionnaire and successfully completing 7 Cups’s online course. Because these listeners can be anyone, they cannot give advice for serious issues and often end up referring users to outside resources, such as a suicide prevention hotline.
Are Chats Monitored?
According to 7 Cups, chats with listeners and therapists are generally not monitored. A statement on their website reads: “We may occasionally review the chat transcripts to conduct quality control, address potential safety issues, and prevent misuse of our platform if certain suspicious or potentially harmful activity is detected.”
How Does Therapist Matching Work?
There are two ways to get matched with a therapist. You can use our automatic process to match you to the right therapist. 7 Cups has a directory of all of their therapists that users are free to explore and choose from.
How Much Does 7 Cups Cost?
7 Cups base membership, which includes a limited number of AI and “Listener” chats is free. There is also an option to purchase premium services, which offer additional chats and growth paths for $7.99 monthly. There are more plan options which include messaging therapy ($159 monthly) and talk therapy ($299 monthly) with licensed therapists. 7 Cups doesn’t offer a free trial of its paid memberships.
Can I Use My HSA/FSA for 7 Cups?
No, you cannot use HSA or FSA to pay for 7 Cups memberships.
How Do I Cancel My 7 Cups Subscription?
Subscriptions automatically renew each month until you cancel your service. Although it was initially difficult to figure out how to cancel an account, it ended up being simple: Navigate to your account settings, go to “Manage Current Subscriptions” and click cancel. You won’t be charged for future months after you do so.
Can I Pause My 7 Cups Subscription?
You cannot pause your subscription. You would have to cancel your subscription to go back to the free version.
Does 7 Cups Issue Refunds?
Requests for refunds are subject to 7 Cups approval. To request a refund, users can fill out 7 Cups refund request form.
Is 7 Cups HIPAA Compliant?
The 7 Cups platform is HIPAA compliant. Clients will be asked to confirm that they reside in the state where the therapist is licensed, to be in line with online therapy regulations. 7 Cups uses advanced security technology to keep what you and your therapist write protected and HIPAA-compliant.
All therapists abide by the code of ethics required for licensing and must protect your confidentiality and records. Therapists can only interact with you in a therapeutic relationship, not a personal one, cannot misrepresent themselves, and cannot make false claims.
For more details, visit the 7 Cups Privacy Policy.
ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Mental Health Innovation Network. (2025). 7 Cups of Tea. Retrieved from: https://www.mhinnovation.net/innovations/7-cups-tea
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americares. (2025). Glen Moriarty. Retrieved from: https://www.americares.org/profiles/glen-moriarty/
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Jon7Cups. (June 22, 2023). Feature Update: Chat 2.0 rollout. Retrieved from: https://www.7cups.com/forum/siteupdates/FeatureUpdates_2525/FeatureUpdateChat20rollout_307518/
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GlenM. (March 24, 2023). One Line a Day Journal Feature! Retrieved from: https://www.7cups.com/forum/siteupdates/General_2444/OneLineaDayJournalFeature_349548/
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Ruiz, Rebecca. (March 26, 2024). California paid millions to access a mental health app. It wasn’t safe for users. Mashable. Retrieved from: https://mashable.com/article/7-cups-tech-suite-california-deal
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Larson, Chris. (April 18, 2025). Therapists Criticize Digital Health App 7 Cups for Creating Profiles Without Permission. Behavioral Health Business. Retrieved from: https://bhbusiness.com/2025/04/18/therapist-criticize-digital-health-app-7-cups-for-creating-profiles-without-permission/
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Ruiz, Rebecca. (April 17, 2025). Finding a therapist can be hard. ‘Ghost networks’ make the problem worse. Mashable. Retrieved from: https://mashable.com/article/7-cups-therapist-directory-ghost-networks
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Church, Matthew. (March 12, 2025). BetterHelp Review: Cost, Pros & Cons, & My Experience. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/betterhelp-review/
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Church, Matthew. (March 14, 2025). Talkspace Review 2025: Pros & Cons, Cost, & My Experience. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/talkspace-review/
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Bell, Caitlin. (April 30, 2024). Wysa App Review 2024: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/wysa-app-review/
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Abigail Rueger, MA (No Change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No Change)
Primary Changes: Adjusted the score from 2.5 to 0.5 based on another round of using the platform. Added new information throughout about 7 Cups’ use of out-of-state therapists for people seeking care and changed our recommendation, as we firmly believe no one should use the platform.
Author: Abigail Rueger, MA (New Author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No Change)
Primary Changes: Adjusted the score from 3.5 to 2.5 based on another round of using the platform. Revised the “Active Listener” section to include reviewer’s experience becoming a listener. Updated the “History & News” section with some of the recent issues 7 Cups has faced. Fact-checked and edited for readability and clarity.
Author: Caitlin Bell, MA (Michelle Liu, MPH)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (Kristen Fuller, MD)
Primary Changes: Fully reviewed 7 Cups platform, rewrote entire article based on new review experiences, reformatted entire article to new format. New content written by Michelle Liu, MPH, and medically reviewed by Kristen Fuller, MD.
Author: Caitlin Bell, M.A.
Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
Primary Changes: Full reassessment of 7 Cups App; New sections: “What Users Are Saying”, “How 7 Cups Has Changed”, “How to Cancel”, “Refunds”, “Insurance”, “AI Chatbot”, “7 Cups for Organizations”; Updated Cost, Updated screenshots/images; Added images and charts for pros/cons and discounts.
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