Our team has personally used and reviewed both BetterHelp and Grow Therapy multiple times, including a recent round of testing for 2026. We see three key differences between Grow and BetterHelp: Grow Therapy has much broader insurance coverage, also offers medication management, and has you choose your own provider from a directory, making it a good choice for people looking for certain specialties or modalities.
BetterHelp, on the other hand, could be a good fit for those who are new to therapy and want to simply be matched with a therapist, plus its monthly subscription cost is affordable for those without insurance who are paying out of pocket for therapy.
Grow Therapy and BetterHelp are both on our list of best online therapy options available right now, but for different reasons. I recently re-tested BetterHelp and had a good experience—I thought the more in-depth initial intake form helped the algorithm match me with a decent therapist fit. Another of our reviewers, Matthew, personally used Grow Therapy to find a therapist who takes his insurance, and he appreciated being able to look through the full list of providers and choose his own match.
Editor's Notes
After thoroughly re-reviewing both BetterHelp and Grow Therapy, we maintain that BetterHelp will likely be the better option for cash-pay clients, while Grow Therapy is great for those with insurance.
If you want to be able to sign up, fill out a form, and simply be matched with a therapist, BetterHelp is your option. If you want to browse therapist’s bios and choose a therapist for yourself, Grow Therapy is the way to go.
Both companies offer options to reduce your total out of pocket cost. BetterHelp offers financial assistance for lower income users, as well as students and veterans, while many providers on Grow Therapy offer a sliding scale rate—it’s just left up to each therapist to decide what to charge, but you can filter by price if you’re paying with cash.
Unlike BetterHelp, Grow Therapy’s directory also lists medication prescribers. Plus, some of its providers also offer in-person visits.
At-a-Glance Comparison of Grow Therapy Vs. BetterHelp
| Services Offered | Therapy for children, teens, and adults, couples therapy, and medication management | Individual therapy, teen therapy, couples therapy |
| Price | $75–$250+ per session | $260–$400 monthly |
| Geographic Availability | USA & International | USA & International |
| Insurance Accepted |  | |
| Session options | Video, phone, live messaging | Video, phone, live messaging |
| Offers medications | |  |
| Offers financial aid | | |
| Services Offered | |
| Therapy for children, teens, and adults, couples therapy, and medication management | Individual therapy, teen therapy, couples therapy |
| Price | |
| $75–$250+ per session | $260–$400 monthly |
| Geographic Availability | |
| USA & International | USA & International |
| Insurance Accepted | |
| | |
| Session options | |
| Video, phone, live messaging | Video, phone, live messaging |
| Offers medications | |
| | |
| Offers financial aid | |
| | |
BetterHelp Vs. Grow Therapy: Key Factors & Differences
- Insurance? No
- Medication? No
- Between-Session Messaging? Yes
BetterHelp makes online therapy simple and stress-free. With a network of over 30,000 therapists and an affordable pricing system, it’s a top choice for anyone seeking fast, convenient, cash-pay therapy on a monthly subscription model. Fill out about 15-minutes worth of questions and then get matched with a therapist within 24 hours to get started.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Quick and easy sign-up process
- Offers financial aid to help offset costs
- Easy to switch therapists when necessary
- Extra features like group sessions & webinars included
Cons - Doesn’t accept insurance
- Doesn’t offer medication management
- Not much choice over initial therapist
- Just one subscription option
Cost
Unlike Grow Therapy, BetterHelp costs run on a subscription model. This price includes weekly therapy sessions, access to BetterHelp’s extra resources, and a weekly group webinar.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect as far as BetterHelp costs:
- A BetterHelp subscription is anywhere from $260 and $400 monthly depending on your location and availability of therapists in your state
- Users can pay a weekly subscription instead of monthly for a slightly higher cost
- BetterHelp has just started offering very limited insurance coverage in select states, but for most people, cash-pay will be your only payment option
- BetterHelp accepts FSA and HSA for payments
- Students and veterans can get discounted subscription rates
- Lower income individuals may qualify for BetterHelp’s financial aid program
Overview
We think BetterHelp is a great fit overall for people who are new to therapy and those paying for services out of pocket. With additional programs for teens and couples, BetterHelp runs the gamut for which services they offer. Plus, we think the extras like goal-setting, group sessions, and journaling can be really helpful for people wanting to improve their mental health.
I just re-tested BetterHelp and had a good experience. I thought its in-depth intake questions led me to a really solid therapist fit on the first try, and I liked the extra features that came free with my subscription. When one of our reviewers used BetterHelp to work on his depression symptoms, he appreciated its ease and simplicity, especially for cash-pay therapy. While he didn’t find a perfect therapist match right away, BetterHelp made it easy to change therapists and keep trying until he was satisfied.
All of BetterHelp’s extra features, like journaling prompts, mental health check-ins, and group therapy sessions are integrated into your subscription, meaning it’s a pretty well-rounded way to boost your mental health, especially if you’re unsure about where to start.
That being said, if you need medication management or prefer to use insurance, other platforms like Grow Therapy might be a better fit for you. And, while I personally found the “extras” with BetterHelp to be a great bonus, the most important factor in your healing journey is the fit you have with your therapist. While it’s totally possible to find a great match on BetterHelp (and I think its current algorithm is pretty decent), it may take a few tries to find a great match. It’s easy to switch therapists on BetterHelp, but if you know what you’re looking for in a therapist, such as a specific modality, you’ll probably have better luck right away on Grow.
Learn more in our detailed BetterHelp review.
“I recently signed up for BetterHelp, attending group therapy and individual therapy sessions. It took me about 15 minutes to answer all of the initial intake questions, but I found this up-front time to be worth it, as the therapist I was matched with by its algorithm was a really good fit for what I was dealing with. Additionally, the app is easy to navigate and includes extra features like journaling and setting goals.
Overall, I think BetterHelp could be a good fit for people who are new to therapy or who aren’t quite sure what they’re looking for in regards to the therapist’s approach, as the matching algorithm takes care of this for you. Plus, the extra features like journaling, goals, and webinars give people multiple ways to track their mental health symptoms and progress.” – Abigail Rueger, MA
- Insurance? Yes
- Medication? Yes
- Between-Session Messaging? Yes
With wide insurance acceptance, Grow Therapy makes it easy to use your insurance plan for therapy or medication management. It has providers on its platform who treat kids as young as age six, and it offers seamless insurance billing, making it a strong option for insured users, especially compared to BetterHelp. Plus, with medication prescribers also on its platform, it could be a one-stop-shop for those needing both therapy and medication.
Pros & Cons
Pros - Accepts many insurance plans
- Works with children as young as six
- Also offers medication management
Cons - Some states have limited provider selection
- Cash-pay rates vary by provider and can be high
Cost
For insured users, Grow Therapy states that most people pay copays between $20–$50 per session. Since each provider sets their own rate on Grow, users paying out of pocket can sort by cash-pay prices to ensure they stay within their budget. BetterHelp, with a fixed cost range of $260–$400 per month for therapy, can be a good option for those without insurance, but some Grow therapists might still be able to offer better prices for cash-pay clients.
Here’s a quick breakdown of potential costs from Grow Therapy:
- Grow Therapy states that the average copay is $21 per session
- Cash-pay session fees and insurance coverage varies depending on the individual provider
- For those paying out of pocket, therapy fees range from $75–$150+ per session
- For those seeing medication prescribers, cash-pay rates are $80–$250+ per session
- There are no subscription fees or extra fees beyond the copay or session fee.
Overview
We think Grow Therapy is a great fit for those with insurance, and those wanting to find their own therapist instead of using an online therapy service that matches you automatically. Users can use the extensive filters on the directory to find someone in-network with their insurance (or who offers a sliding-scale rate within budget for those paying with cash) and suitable for their other needs and preferences.
If you have behavioral health insurance, it’s well worth checking Grow Therapy to see the providers in your state who take your plan. However, some states may have fewer therapists and medication prescribers, so if you’re in a less-populated state you may have a harder time finding a good fit, especially if you’re looking for a niche specialty or a provider with specific lived experience.
A key difference between Grow Therapy and BetterHelp is payment structure. While BetterHelp uses a monthly subscription model that doesn’t accept insurance, Grow Therapy primarily works with insurance, making it more accessible for insured users.
Grow Therapy also offers cash-pay options, but its out-of-pocket rates can be higher than BetterHelp’s fixed pricing in many cases—though you may be able to find someone on Grow with lower-cost sliding-scale rates if you’re paying out of pocket.
See more details in our full Grow Therapy review.
“I recently turned to Grow Therapy to find a new therapist, and I was genuinely impressed with the whole process. I could see providers in my area who definitely took my insurance, along with clear estimates of what my copay would be. After using the filters to narrow things down, I ended up picking someone who was a great match from the very first session.
Everything about the day-to-day experience with Grow Therapy has been smooth. Appointment reminders, telehealth sessions, paying bills, and messaging my therapist all worked exactly how I hoped they would. I’ve stuck with Grow because nothing has gone sideways so far; it’s all been intuitive and reliable. I even asked my therapist what they thought of Grow from the provider side, and they said they enjoy using it and appreciate that they aren’t pushed into a specific therapeutic style.
For people who want to choose their own therapist rather than rely on a matching algorithm’s best guess, Grow offers a really transparent and flexible process. It gives you a sense of control while still making all of the logistics simple.” – Matthew Church, MS
Other Alternatives to Consider
Grow Therapy and BetterHelp are both top options to consider for online therapy. However, people seeking comprehensive psychiatric care or specialty services, such as ADHD care or substance use recovery, may want to look into alternatives. Plus, neither is the most affordable option out there for online mental healthcare.
Alternatives for Medication
While Grow Therapy offers medication management, services like Brightside Health provide more comprehensive psychiatric care, on top of offering therapy, crisis care, and more. Talkiatry could also be a decent option, as it offers personalized treatment plans and can prescribe controlled medications—but it only accepts in-network insurance and doesn’t offer cash-pay at all.
See more options in our list of the best online psychiatry services.
Alternatives for Affordable Cash-Pay Therapy
For those with lower incomes who don’t have behavioral health insurance benefits, we recommend looking into Open Path Collective. After paying a one-time membership fee of $65, users under a certain income threshold can access therapy sessions at $30–$70.
Alternatives for ADHD Care
While Grow Therapist’s prescribers are able to diagnose and treat ADHD to an extent, the platform is unable to prescribe any controlled medications. For specialized ADHD care, look to Klarity or Talkiatry instead. Find more options on our list of the best online ADHD treatments.
Alternatives for OCD Treatment
Grow Therapy and BetterHelp can both work for treating OCD, but not every provider will have experience with the best practices for OCD therapy. NOCD stands out as the top choice for treating OCD and its variants, as every therapist on the platform is specifically trained in the current best models for OCD care.
Alternatives for Substance Use Treatment
BetterHelp and Grow Therapy aren’t ideal for treating alcoholism or substance use disorder (SUD). For specialized care, try WorkIt Health or Sunnyside. Brightside Health also offers an intensive outpatient program.
If you’re looking for lighter support, check out some of the best mindful drinking apps.
Final Verdict: Which Is Better, Grow Therapy or BetterHelp?
“Opt for Grow Therapy if you have insurance or want therapy combined with medication management. BetterHelp is ideal if you’re paying out-of-pocket and only need therapy. Ultimately, Grow Therapy offers the best value for insured users, with low copays and a wide selection of services. Without insurance, BetterHelp may be simpler and more affordable, but Grow Therapy’s out-of-pocket rates could still be worth considering, depending on your location.
However, if you’re new to therapy and don’t know where to start, BetterHelp could be a great intro, as they’ll match you with a therapist (unlike Grow where you have to book your therapist yourself) and offer extras like group sessions and check-ins.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grow Therapy the Same as BetterHelp?
No, Grow Therapy and BetterHelp work differently. Grow Therapy focuses on providing care through billing insurance (though they do have cash pay options), and it can offer medication management. Plus, you’ll only pay after you have a session. BetterHelp uses a monthly subscription model for its therapy services and doesn’t accept insurance, plus it doesn’t offer any psychiatry services.
Is there a better alternative to BetterHelp?
If you want more control over choosing your therapist, or you want to use your insurance to pay for therapy, there are several alternatives that would be a better fit. Grow Therapy is one of our top options, but we also recommend Talkspace and Brightside Health for those wanting to use their insurance.
Which is better, BetterHelp or Grow Therapy?
BetterHelp is likely a better choice for people who are brand new to therapy and don’t know where to start, since it takes care of matching you with a therapist and offers other ways to support your mental health journey. However, for people wanting to use their insurance and/or who want to choose their therapist, Grow Therapy is the better option.
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.
-
Rueger, A. (June 2025). Grow Therapy Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/grow-therapy-review/
-
Rueger, A. (December 2025). BetterHelp Review: Cost, Pros & Cons, & My Experience. ChoosingTherapy.com. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/betterhelp-review/
-
Frequently asked questions. BetterHelp. https://www.betterhelp.com/faq/
-
How it works. Grow Therapy. https://growtherapy.com/wp/how-it-works/
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 (New author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added new user experience; updated cost sections for each; added more information on therapist matching with BetterHelp (and lack thereof with Grow Therapy); updated FAQ section; thoroughly fact-checked and edited for readability and clarity.
Author: Matthew Church, M.S. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Rewrote many of the sections throughout to improve readability. Fact-checked entire article.
Author: Matthew Church, M.S. (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD
Primary Changes: Updated BetterHelp’s pricing throughout, from $260–$360 monthly to $260–$400 monthly. Added FAQ, “Is Grow Therapy the same as BetterHelp?” Updated “Other Alternatives to Consider” to include Brightside Health. Fact-checked and edited for readability and clarity.
Author: Matthew Church, M.S.
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD
Your Voice Matters
Leave your own reviews!
Have you used an online therapy company? Have you tried an online psychiatry service? Do you use a meditation or mindfulness app? We’d love to hear about your experience!
We want to hear about the companies you love and the companies you wish you never used.
Leave your feedback for our editors.
Share your feedback on this article with ChoosingTherapy.com’s editors. If there’s something we missed or something we could improve on, we’d love to hear it.
Our writers and editors love compliments, too. :)