Best Mental Health Apps for 2022

Knowing which apps can help, support, and encourage your mental health will largely depend on what you are looking to address. From meditation and sleep apps to therapy and psychiatry apps, we chose the top apps in 11 categories to help you meet your needs for 2022.

Best Mindfulness Apps

Mindfulness, much like meditation, can be great for those struggling with anxiety, poor sleep, or other mental health symptoms. Mindfulness exercises teach you to be more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions. This is usually done through breathing exercises, body scans, and meditation.

Here are our top three picks for the best mindfulness apps for 2022.

Waking Up – Best Mindfulness App

Waking Up is a mindfulness app that is based heavily on neuroscience and psychology. The goal of Waking Up is to help you learn the nature of your mind, and it combines meditations, mindfulness exercises, and TED Talk-like courses. All of the teachers in the app are well-known and highly respected in the field of mindfulness, like Sam Harris, Henry Shukman, and Loch Kelly. This makes Waking Up’s content just as outstanding as Calm, Headspace, or Insight Timer.

A great perk to the Waking Up app is that you will automatically be given a seven-day free trial of all the premium content. You will not be automatically charged for the annual subscription, either, and can choose to use the free version after your trial is over. The Waking Up app does feature an introductory course to mindfulness, as well as 18 other courses on topics like walking meditations, compassion awareness, and meditation for children. Much like other mindfulness and meditation apps, Waking Up will keep track of how many days, minutes, and sessions you have completed.

How Much Does Waking Up Cost?

Waking Up costs $129.99 annually on Apple and $99.99 annually on Android or through the website. To get the best deal, we recommend you sign up on the website.

Pros

• Comes with an automatic seven-day free trial
• Great introduction course for beginners and new users to the app
• Scholarships for free subscriptions available through the website

Cons

• Prices are not listed until free trial ends
• Those who just want mindfulness exercises may not enjoy the many lectures about how mindfulness works

Visit the Waking Up website to sign up.

The Mindfulness App

The Mindfulness app features mindfulness courses for beginners, intermediate, and experienced meditators. In the free version, you will have access to the “Welcome Course”, which explains what The Mindfulness App can help with, tips on how to meditate, and explains how to use the app. The Mindfulness app has a premium version that unlocks over 30 courses and costs $9.99 monthly or $144.99 annually. Currently, the annual subscription is discounted to $54.99 and comes with a seven-day free trial.

Getting started with The Mindfulness app takes less than 10 minutes. You will select your familiarity with meditation, what you want to improve (e.g., sleep or focus), set a reminder to meditate, then create your account. On the home screen, you will find quick access to all the mindfulness and meditation courses, as well as a timed session option. You can customize your timed sessions by selecting how often you want to hear the bells ring and by adding additional background sounds like waves, forest, or rain.

How Much Does The Mindfulness App Cost?

The Mindfulness App costs $9.99 monthly or $144.99 annually. The annual subscription is discounted to $54.99 and comes with a seven-day free trial.

Pros

• Easy to navigate
• Annual subscription cheaper than Headspace or Calm
• Free version offers a great introductory course on mindfulness skills

Cons

• Limited free version
• No dedicated tab or hub for free content, which makes it hard to find
• All the best mindfulness courses are locked behind the paywall

Visit The Mindfulness App website to sign up.

Breathwrk

Breathwrk is an app that provides several tools to help users build a breathing practice. It’s easy to use and designed for anyone who wants to use breathwork to work towards a specific goal, such as enhancing sleep, increasing energy, or reducing stress. Breathwrk has a limited free version and costs $7.99 monthly or $76.99 annually on Apple, and $11.99 monthly or $59.99 annually on Android. Seven-day free trials are available, depending on which app you use.

You can personalize your experience by selecting a goal and scheduling breathing exercises for different parts of your day. Breathwrk also has curated breathing exercise schedules to build habits according to your lifestyle and needs. Beyond creating daily routines and habits, Breathwrk offers pre-recorded classes and 7-day challenges.

To learn all about how this app can help sleep, increase energy, and reduce stress, please read our in-depth Breathwrk review.

How Much Does Breathwrk Cost?

Breathwrk costs $7.99 monthly or $76.99 annually on Apple, and $11.99 monthly or $59.99 annually on Android. Android offers a seven-day free trial for their annual subscription.

Pros

• Great for beginners and experts
• Free version has a lot to offer
• Wide range of pre-recorded, guided breathing exercise classes with audio and visual aids taught by experts

Cons

• Select areas in the app are still under development
• A few breathing exercises currently don’t have guided audio
• Limited customizable audio/visual options

To find out how to sign up, visit the Breathwrk website.

Best CBT Apps

Cognitive behavioral therapy apps can teach you to see the connection between your thoughts, feelings,  and actions. Most CBT apps will have learning modules or articles to read, journals to complete, and sometimes mental health coaching.

These are our top four picks for best CBT apps for 2022.

Happify – Best CBT App

Happify is an easy-to-use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills and positive psychology app. It encourages you to connect with your thoughts and feelings through journals, activities, and learning courses. Happify has a decently sized free version and the premium version costs $14.99 monthly or $139.99 annually.

Positive psychology focuses on building skills proven to help people thrive and flourish, which helps them create and live the best version of themselves. CBT helps people recognize and replace automatic negative thoughts that keep them stuck. When paired with the mindfulness exercises used in the Happify app, you can learn how to find more happiness throughout your day.

To learn more about how this CBT program works, please read our Happify app review.

How Much Does Happify Cost?

Happify’s premium version, Happify Plus, costs $14.99 monthly or $139.99 annually. There is also a two-year subscription for $229.95, and a lifetime membership for $449.95.

Pros

• Easy to understand content for those new to CBT
• Great free version with enough content to see if you want the premium version
• In-app activities can be completed in 5 to 10 minutes

Cons

• No free trials of premium version
• The app can feel more like a game rather than focused work
• Certain free features, like the meditations, can be hard to find
• App can be buggy and takes a while to load

To find out how to sign up, visit the Happify website.

Wysa

Wysa is an AI chatbot-guided app that teaches CBT techniques and offers meditation, yoga, and guided journaling activities. There is a free version and a premium version, as well as an option for mental health coaching. The premium version cost starts at $68.99 per year, and coaching starts at $29.99 per 30-minute text-based session.

With the Wysa app you will have access to a mental health coach. While they call this “therapy” in the app, it is not. Coaches are either US-based or licensed therapists located in India. Since some of these therapists do not live in the US,  they cannot provide diagnoses or treatment. However, they do hold graduate degrees in clinical or counseling psychology and can offer you support and encouragement.

To find out more about how AI chatbots can help you in your CBT journey, please read our comprehensive Wysa app review.

How Much Does Wysa Cost?

Wysa premium costs $68.99 annually for Android users and $74.99 annually for Apple users. Coaching costs $29.99 for a single session or $99.99 monthly on Android, and $79.99 monthly on Apple.

Pros

• CBT exercises are easy to complete under 10 minutes
• “Self-Care” library features a wide range of learning modules
• Remain anonymous when you use the app

Cons

• App says there is therapy, but it is actually mental health coaching
• Most of the app is locked behind a paywall
• Some users might find the CBT activities with the AI chatbot frustrating

To find out how to sign up, visit the Wysa website.

Woebot

Woebot is like a little life coach that fits into your pocket. Your main screen will always be the chatbox you share with Woebot, along with three main sections at the top of the app to explore. If you choose “topic,” you can talk to Woebot about subjects like the pandemic, managing emotions, or relationships.

If you choose “tools,” Woebot will start chatting with you about what is currently bothering you. After it discovers a problem, it will recommend a tool, like rewriting negative thoughts or completing a mindfulness exercise. There is a mood tracker and a gratitude journal, which can be completed with Woebot as your guide.

How Much Does Woebot Cost?

Woebot is free and does not offer a premium version.

Pros

• You can chat with Woebot right away
• There are a lot of topics you can choose from to help guide your interactions with Woebot
• Woebot writes more like a human and feels less robotic than other chatbots

Cons

• There are no live people to talk to and no community space
• All activities take place with the Woebot AI bot
• You may run out of activities to do if you consistently interact with Woebot

You can download Woebot in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

CBT Thought Diary

CBT Thought Diary can help you identify your emotions and analyze how and why you’re feeling a certain way. It can teach you to challenge negative thoughts and gives you ways to reframe them. You can use this app as a mood journal, a thought record journal, or a gratitude journal.

Educational materials are very text-heavy, but cover important topics like negative thoughts, distortions, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. A unique feature in CBT Thought Diary are the guided journals, of which there are over 20! The guided journals cover topics from self-compassion to recognizing your strengths and really make you want to keep journaling.

For more about how the guided journals can help you throughout your day, please read our in-depth CBT Thought Diary review.

How Much Does CBT Thought Diary Cost?

CBT Thought Diary costs $4.99 monthly or $59.99 annually on Android and $9.99 monthly or $69.99 annually on Apple.

Pros

• Free version has mood check-ins, two guided journals, and educational articles
• The courses teach you CBT skills in an easy-to-understand manner
• Apple version has in-app assessments for anxiety, depression, OCD, and more

Cons

• CBT Courses may be too simplistic for those familiar with CBT techniques
• Everything is very text heavy
• Best features locked behind a paywall

To find out how to sign up, visit the CBT Thought Diary website.

Best Therapy Apps

Therapy apps tend to offer a combination of text messaging and live video sessions with a licensed therapist to help with various mental health symptoms. Costs for online therapy will largely depend on your location, therapist availability, and if you are paying for a subscription, a per session fee, and if you are using insurance.

Here are our top three choices for best online therapy apps of 2022.

BetterHelp – Best Therapy App

BetterHelp is a subscription-based online therapy service that offers weekly 30-minute live sessions with a licensed therapist for only $240 – $360 monthly. BetterHelp is a great fit for those who want an affordable, out-of-pocket therapy option. Many of BetterHelp’s therapists specialize in working with teens, couples, people looking for faith-based counseling, and those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

After completing a brief questionnaire, you will pay for your subscription and be matched with a therapist in your state. Matching usually takes a day or two and after you are matched you will be able to select a day and time for your first session. If you don’t think your therapist is a good fit, changing your therapist is easy and you can choose a new one from more than 20,000 therapists in the directory.

You can read all about how this subscription works by reading our detailed BetterHelp review.

How Much Does BetterHelp Cost?

BetterHelp costs between $240 – $360 per month (advertised at $60 – $90 per week but billed monthly), with exact pricing dependent on your location and therapist availability.

Does BetterHelp Accept Insurance?

No, BetterHelp does not accept any insurance. However, you can apply for financial aid during the payment process and you can use your FSA/HSA card to pay for therapy.

Pros

• Affordable out-of-pocket therapy options
• Available nationwide
• Sister sites for teens, couples, LGBTQ+, and faith-based counseling

Cons

• Costs vary depending on your state and therapist availability
• Matched with therapist, no self-selecting
• Does not accept insurance

Calmerry

Calmerry is a subscription-based online therapy platform, very similar to Talkspace, that offers weekly half-hour therapy sessions with a licensed therapist for $227.96 – $359.96 monthly. A few interesting features of Calmerry are the option to purchase additional therapy sessions for $45 and the access to an AI chatbot called Coa. Currently, Calmerry does not accept insurance.

Unlike Talkspace, however, Calmerry only has 30-minute sessions versus Talkspace’s 45-minute sessions. You can pay for additional therapy sessions if you’d like, at $45 per session, or bundle two or more for $40 per session. Calmerry does not limit the number of sessions you can attend in one week, but how often you are actually going to see your therapist depends on their availability.

To read more about what these three subscription options offer, please read our in-depth Calmerry review.

How Much Does Calmerry Cost?

Calmerry offers three subscription plans: a messaging-only plan, messaging and one live therapy session, and a messaging and four live therapy sessions.

• Messaging Plan: starting at $168 for the first month ($42 weekly), then $228 monthly ($57 weekly). This plan includes unlimited messaging with a licensed counselor, personalized therapy plan, and access to reflection tools.
• Messaging + 1 Live Video Session Plan: starting at $208 for the first month ($52 weekly), then $296 monthly ($74 weekly). This plan includes everything in the messaging plan plus one live 30-minute video session with a licensed therapist.
• Messaging + 4 Live Video Sessions Plan: starting at $268 for the first month ($67 weekly), then $360 monthly ($90 weekly). This plan includes everything in the messaging plan, plus four live video sessions with a licensed therapist.
• Additional Live Sessions: If you would like more therapy sessions per month, you have the option to purchase additional sessions. The cost of one additional 30-minute session is $45, two 30-minute sessions are $84, and four 30-minute sessions are $160.

Does Calmerry Accept Insurance?

No, Calmerry does not accept insurance at this time. You can, however, request a superbill to submit to your insurance provider for possible reimbursement. Calmerry also accepts HSA/FSA cards as payment for therapy.

Pros

• Three subscription options to choose from
• Fast matching and appointment scheduling
• Easy-to-use app

Cons

• Insurance is not accepted
• No option to self-select therapist, even if you want to change
• Unlimited text messages are more like emails

To sign up for therapy, please visit the Calmerry website.

Teen Counseling

Teen Counseling is a therapy service that allows teens (13+) to be quickly matched with a licensed counselor or therapist. With Teen Counseling, teens can see their therapist for weekly video, phone, or live-texting sessions, whichever they prefer. In between live sessions, teens can keep in touch with their therapist by sending text messages in their private chat room and can expect replies once daily. Teen Counseling costs $240 – $360 monthly (advertised as $60 – $90 weekly), making it an affordable out-of-pocket therapy option for teens.

Teens will usually attend the first live session with their parent/guardian present, so everyone can be on the same page about what to expect during the sessions. After the first session, the teen has a session with just their therapist, which gives them the space to open up to the therapist. Whatever the teen says to their therapist will stay between them, with a few specific exceptions – if a teen expresses the wish to harm themselves or others, or mentions any abuse or neglectful situations, the therapist will notify the correct people, including parents.

For more about how exactly your teen can start therapy today, please read our detailed Teen Counseling review.

How Much Does Teen Counseling Cost?

Teen Counseling costs start at $240-$360 billed monthly (advertised as $60-$90 weekly), with the exact upfront costs depending on your location and therapist availability.

Does Teen Counseling Accept Insurance?

No, Teen Counseling does not accept insurance at this time. They also will not provide a superbill and do not accept FSA/HSA cards to pay for therapy.

Pros

• Great online therapy for teens 13+ in all 50 states
• Sign up process takes less than 10 minutes
• Teens have private chat rooms to text their therapist

Cons

• No insurance accepted
• Teens need parental/guardian consent to sign up
• Teens are matched with a therapist, no self-selecting available

Best Psychiatry Apps

Much like the best therapy apps available, most psychiatry apps will offer a combination of text messaging and live sessions with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. While some apps may offer psychiatry as a per session cost, others may have subscriptions which combine psychiatry and therapy in a bundle.

Here are our top three picks for best psychiatry services with an app for 2022.

Talkspace – Best General Psychiatry App

Talkspace offers psychiatry and medication management with licensed psychiatrists and nurse practitioners. There are also three subscription options for online therapy for individuals, couples, and teens, which makes Talkspace a one-stop shop for many. An initial psychiatric evaluation costs $249, and each follow-up appointment costs $125, but because most major insurance plans are accepted, it can often be much more affordable.

Talkspace providers treat a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), insomnia, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Online psychiatry is only available to adults (18+), and providers do not prescribe controlled medications like Xanax, Klonopin, Adderall, and Ritalin.

To learn more about how psychiatry works with Talkspace, you can read our detailed Talkspace review.

How Much Does Talkspace Cost?

Talkspace costs $249 for an initial psychiatric evaluation and $125 for each follow-up appointment.

Does Talkspace Take Insurance?

Yes, Talkspace accepts select insurance plans, including Cigna, Optum, Premera Blue Cross, and Humana.

You may also request a superbill from your provider if your insurance is an out-of-network provider.

Pros

• Accepts major insurance plans
• Online therapy available as a stand-alone option
• Easy-to-use app

Cons

• No psychiatry + therapy plans available
• Unable to self-select provider

To sign up, please visit the Talkspace Psychiatry website.

Brightside Health

Brightside specifically focuses on comprehensive treatment for anxiety and depression, offering medication management and CBT-focused therapy sessions. While it may be slightly more expensive than other competitors, like Cerebral, it also gives you access to skills-building tools and ways to monitor your progress. Brightside Health costs $95 – $349 monthly, depending on the subscription plan you choose. There are additional fees for medication delivery and purchasing more therapy visits.

If the provider you are matched with decides to prescribe medication, it will be delivered to you within about a week. Refills can also be sent to you as needed. Brightside providers do not offer prescriptions for controlled medications like Xanax or Klonopin.

To learn how their subscriptions work, please read our in-depth Brightside Health review.

How Much Does Brightside Cost?

Brightside Health costs $95 – $349 monthly depending on the subscription plan you choose. There are two main psychiatry subscriptions available: Medication Only or Medication + Therapy.

• Medication Only: costs $95 monthly plus an additional fee of $15 per medication, which includes having the medication shipped to you, or your pharmacy copay. You will have a virtual evaluation with a psychiatric provider, ongoing support and monitoring, plus unlimited messaging with your provider.

• Medication + Therapy: costs $349 monthly and combines the medication plan with the therapy plan. You will have a virtual evaluation with a psychiatric provider, ongoing medication management, weekly video therapy sessions, and unlimited messaging. You can also add medication delivery for $15 per medication.

Does Brightside Accept Insurance?

Yes, Brightside Health accepts some insurance plans like Aetna, Cigna EverNorth, and Allegiance. Brightside Health will not submit claims for you, but they can provide you with a superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Pros

• Accepts some health insurance plans
• Medication and therapy offered together
• Prescriptions mailed directly to your house

Cons

• Only available to those 18+
• Treatment exclusively for anxiety and depression
• No self-selecting of providers available

To sign up, please visit the Brightside website.

Cerebral

Cerebral is a subscription-based service, similar to Brightside, that offers online medication management and therapy. Cerebral accepts insurance and offers a range of services and subscription options starting at $85 a month. They can treat conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, and alcohol and opioid use disorders. Because of the range of mental health disorders they treat, the Cerebral team includes physicians and physicians’ assistants in addition to psychiatric providers.

Cerebral has recently been in the news due to overprescribing controlled medication and is currently being investigated by the DOJ. Two weeks after this news broke, Cerebral lost its CEO and stopped prescribing controlled substances to new patients. Despite this, Cerebral is still a great choice for those seeking out-of-pocket medication management and therapy subscription plan.

For more about this platform, please read our in-depth Cerebral review.

How Much Does Cerebral Cost?

Cerebral costs $85 monthly for medication management and $325 monthly for medication + therapy.

Does Cerebral Accept Insurance?

Yes, Cerebral is in-network with some insurance plans, like Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Medicare. They can also provide you with a superbill to submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

Pros

• Select your own provider
• Accepts insurance
• Medication + Therapy offered together

Cons

• Unable to see providers until you select a subscription
• Only for 18+
• Some glitches and other technical issues with the app reported often

To sign up, please visit the Cerebral website.

Best Apps for Anxiety

A common theme with apps designed for those suffering from anxiety or depression is the use of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. This therapy style encourages people to examine what they are thinking, how thoughts affect their mood, and learning how to reframe those thoughts. 

Here are our top three choices for best anxiety apps for 2022.

Sanvello – Best Anxiety App

Sanvello is great for anyone who is struggling with anxiety symptoms. Sanvello has options for asynchronous texting with a mental health coach or teletherapy available in certain states with select insurance plans. Coaching with Sanvello may not be a good fit for those who need a more personal touch and therapy is not available to those who wish to pay out-of-pocket.

The CBT journals are easy to complete on the go and the meditations are good for beginners. There is a community space, which offers many choices to connect with other like-minded people. However, not all of the chatrooms are very active and it may take some time to find one that is a good fit.

To see if this CBT-based app would be a good fit for you, read our detailed Sanvello app review.

How Much Does Sanvello Cost?

Sanvello has a free version, with costs for subscriptions ranging $8.99 monthly to $53.99 annually. Mental health coaching and therapy costs depend on insurance coverage.

Pros

• Free version has at least one or two free things per section
• CBT journals and learning materials are great for beginners
• Mental health coaching is available to anyone
• Therapy may be covered by insurance
• Community space allows you to connect with like-minded people

Cons

• Coaching is only text-based, more like emails than text messages
• Therapy is not available to those who want to pay out-of-pocket
• Some of the community chat rooms are not as active as others, and it can take time to find one that’s a good individual fit

To sign up, please visit the Sanvello website.

Unwinding Anxiety

Unwinding Anxiety is an app dedicated to helping people overcome their stress, anxiety, and other strong feelings. In the app, you will have access to daily learning lessons, tools like stress tests and mindfulness exercises, as well as the ability to join weekly calls with the app’s founder Dr. Jud Brewer. 

In the free version of Unwinding Anxiety, you can complete the first four modules in the app. These modules will have daily lessons that are part article, part video, and part mindfulness exercise. Once you complete two or three of these modules, tools like a stress test and stress meter will become unlocked. Once you upgrade to the premium version, you have access to all of the learning modules as well as a journal and community space and the option to join live weekly calls with Dr. Brewer.

How Much Does Unwinding Anxiety Cost?

Unwinding Anxiety has three subscriptions:

• One month costs $29.99
• Six month costs $139.99
• Annual costs $209.99

Pros

• Four full learning modules available in free version
• Mood check-ins feature a mindfulness practice and a learning module
• Program for anxiety, but also can be used for substance use disorder

Cons

• Features like stress test and worry tools only unlock after completing certain learning modules.
• Journal & Community space are only available for premium users
• Annual subscription costs are higher compared to Sanvello or Bloom app

To sign up, please visit the Unwinding Anxiety website.

Bloom

Bloom is currently an Apple-exclusive app that describes itself as a “self-therapy” and is based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques. There are plans for Bloom to expand to Android in the fall of 2022. While Bloom can help you learn about and build CBT skills to manage stress or anxiety, it does not offer live therapy or any interactions with a licensed therapist. Bloom costs $14.49 per month, $59.99 per year, or $399.99 for a lifetime subscription.

The Bloom app features interactive and expert-guided video lessons that use CBT skills to reduce anxiety and stress, improve self-love, and more. All of the in-app activities, journals, mindfulness, and breathwork exercises are easy for beginners. CBT skills are taught in a non-intimidating way, which encourages you to continue practicing.  All of the video lessons are written by licensed CBT psychologist Seth Gillihan, and guided by certified CBT coaches, Mike or Sherinta. They lead you through the lesson and an in-video activity meant to help you recognize how your thoughts and feelings affect your daily life.

To learn more about how “self-therapy” works, read our in-depth Bloom app review.

How Much Does Bloom Cost?

Bloom costs $14.49 per month, $59.99 per year, or $399.99 for a lifetime subscription. Bloom is not available for Android users at this time.

Pros

• CBT skills to manage anxiety or stress are not intimidating for beginners
• Lessons range in length, so it’s easy to find one that fits your schedule
• Seven-day free trial when you purchase the annual subscription

Cons

• Only available for Apple products
• Live therapy sessions not available, everything is pre-recorded lessons
• App can be buggy which causes loading errors

To learn more, please visit the Bloom website.

Best Apps for Depression

As we mentioned in our best anxiety apps section, a common theme in depression apps is the use of cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. CBT encourages people to reduce the number of negative or unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through problem-solving and homework assignments. Apps for depression range in price, depending on how much support you wish to have.

Here are our top three choices for best depression apps for 2022.

Youper – Best App for Depression

Youper features techniques from CBT for depression, stress, work, and more. After you select an activity, which is usually a journal or a meditation, the AI chatbot named Youper will act as your guide through the activity. Youper will start the conversation and give you a few phrases to select. After a couple of back-and-forth interactions, you can begin journaling.

If available in your state, you can meet with a therapist via Zoom to discuss your anxiety or depression symptoms and whether you require medication. After that initial meeting, you can then select a behavior coach and meet with them weekly. It is very important to note that digital therapy is available only in Texas, and medication management is available only in Texas and California at this time. Behavior coaching, however, is available in all 50 states.

To learn more about how their behavior coaching works, you can read our detailed Youper app review.

How Much Does Youper Cost?

Youper has three subscriptions available, a medication plan for $96 monthly, a therapy + behavior coaching plan for $180 monthly, and a therapy + behavior coaching + medication plan for $220 monthly. Medication management is only available in Texas and California.

Pros

• Digital therapy, behavior coaching, and medication management make Youper a one stop shop for many
• Behavior coaching is great for those who need to speak with a person in real-time
• All of the activities in the app are guided by an AI bot which helps you stay on track

Cons

• There is no free version of the app
• Digital therapy is currently available only in Texas
• Medication management is currently available only in Texas and California

To sign up, please visit the Youper website.

MoodTools

MoodTools is a very user-friendly app to help those struggling with depression. There are journaling prompts, videos to watch, activities, and a safety plan to explore. Videos include meditations, soothing sounds and TED Talks, all on YouTube. Activities, like exercise, chores, and socializing, are designed to help you refocus your mind and move away from a depressed state.  You can even add your own activity and customize the list.

A vital feature of this app is the safety plan for those who experience thoughts of self-harm. You fill out your safety plan with warning signs, coping strategies, reasons to live, and contacts. You can also quickly navigate to the crisis section and find the number to the National Suicide Prevention LifeLine.

How Much Does MoodTools Cost?

MoodTools costs starting at $1.99 monthly or $29.99 annually.

Pros

• Very user-friendly
• Activities are easy and fun to do
• Assessment available to give insight on your depression levels
• You can create a safety plan if you have harmful thoughts

Cons

• The premium version does not give you new content, just the option to change the color of the app
• All of the videos take you to YouTube, none of them are by MoodTools
• Barebones interface, not a lot graphics or images

To sign up, please visit the MoodTools website.

SuperBetter

SuperBetter is an self-care and motivation app that features games, challenges, and journaling. The games and challenges in the app help you work towards achieving your goals and overcoming your negative thoughts, habits, and actions. SuperBetter was created by Jane McGonigal after she suffered a concussion that left her in a deep depression.

SuperBetter has three main components: Quests, Power-Ups, and Bad Guys. Quests are like action steps you use towards a goal, Power-Ups are like self-care activities, and Bad Guys are your negative thoughts, habits, and actions that hold you back. Each time you complete a quest, power-up, or bad guy you get points and level up in the app. You can also add Allies, people who support you, or complete Future Boosts, which are like journal entries. SuperBetter is a fun app with great information, but needs an interface update.

How Much Does SuperBetter Cost?

SuperBetter is available for free and does not feature any premium content at this time.

Pros

• Free app with no ads or premium content
• Good for those 13+
• The habit building aspect is like a game, making it appealing for young people
• Choose different goals modules to build new habits

Cons

• Navigating the app isn’t as intuitive as apps like Happify or Sanvello
• The interface is slightly dated and not as appealing to the eye as Youper
• No images or graphics

To sign up, please visit the SuperBetter website.

Best Apps for Sleep

There are several different apps that can help you fall asleep and stay asleep. What type of app you may want will largely depend on how poorly you sleep, what physical factors you have (like tinnitus or restless leg syndrome), or if you have a newborn in the house!

Here are our top three choices for best apps for sleep for 2022.

Slumber – Best Sleep App

Slumber is an app dedicated to helping you fall asleep at night. It features calming stories, sleep meditations, soothing sounds, or children’s stories. All of the stories and meditations are designed to help you fall asleep quickly and stay asleep. A truly great perk to the Slumber app is a special section titled “Free”, so there is no need to hunt around the app for the free content. Slumber costs $59.99 annually and comes with a seven-day free trial.

Slumber looks very similar to the sleep section in the Calm app. However, the Slumber app only focuses on sleep stories, meditations, and sounds – there are no other meditations, like for focus or stress, in this app. The sleep stories for children seem more geared towards little ones under the age of ten, but might still be nice for even pre-teens to listen to. Slumber is a really great choice for those who want a dedicated sleep meditation app.

How Much Does Slumber Cost?

Slumber costs $59.99 annually and comes with a seven-day free trial. There is also the option to purchase a lifetime subscription for $249.99

Pros

• Great free version with easy to find section dedicated to free content
• Only meditations and soundscapes for sleep, no other types of meditations
• Features kids’ sleep stories
• Seven-day free trial

Cons

• Only sleep content, no focus, stress relieving, or other types of meditations
• No monthly subscription option
• Kids sleep stories geared towards little ones younger than ten

To sign up, please visit the Slumber website.

Tide Sleep Meditation

Tide is a meditation app that features meditations for sleep, nap, focus, and more. With Tide, you can complete full meditation courses or listen to single meditation sessions. There are even soundscapes to listen to as you sleep or work! Tide has some content for free, with most of their courses available in the premium version. A premium subscription costs $11.99 monthly or $59.99 annually.

Tide and Calm are very similar apps, but with Tide you can select what you want to focus on and it  will feature that content more prominently. When you select your focus as Sleep, all of the meditations and sleep sounds will be quick and easy to find.

How Much is The Tide Sleep & Meditation App?

Tide premium costs $11.99 monthly or $59.99 annually. You can also purchase a Sound Pass for $6.99 or $35.99 annually, which unlocks just the soundscapes in the app.

Pros

• Free version is very limited, but allows you to explore the app
• Seven-day free trial when you sign up
• Over 100 meditations and soundscapes for focus and relaxation

Cons

• Seven-day free trial is only for monthly subscriptions
• The app has less content compared to other meditation apps like Calm
• All of the best soundscapes and meditations are only available for premium subscribers

To sign up, please visit the Tide Sleep & Meditation website.

The White Noise App

The White Noise app features over 50 unique background noises to help you fall asleep. There is a free version of the app and a premium version for $0.99! While the free version has in-app ads, these are not audio ads and will not interfere with the sound you choose to listen to.

White Noise is great for your everyday life, too. You can choose sounds that help you focus during work, block out unwanted noises while traveling, ease tinnitus, or even soothe a fussy baby. While there are no meditations or stories in this app, it works really well and does not lag, glitch, or cut out.

How Much Does the White Noise App Cost?

The White Noise app is available for free and has a premium version for $.99.

Pros

• Excellent free version, with over 50 unique sounds
• Can be used while other apps are open
• Ability to cast to your smart TV or wearables

Cons

• Features only ambient sounds and background noise
• No meditations or other content available
• Sometimes your chosen noise will stop in the middle of the night

To find out more, please visit the White Noise website.

Best Alcohol & Addiction Recovery Apps

Learning to live your life in recovery can be hard without support. There are great benefits from attending meetings like AA or NA, but sometimes you need extra support. Recovery apps can be a great resource for those seeking that little bit of extra help during trying moments.

Here are our top three best alcohol and addiction recovery apps for 2022.

I Am Sober – Best Alcohol & Addiction Recovery App

The I Am Sober app allows you to select from a wide range of substances and issues you may need to become sober from. These include things like alcohol, binge eating, masturbation, self-harm, and much more. When you sign up, you can enter the date you became sober and write down why you want to become sober. Your reason will be called your “pledge,” and you will be able to revisit this twice a day to reflect and remember why you want to remain sober.

I Am Sober has a community space for you to connect with others recovering from similar issues. There are also private groups that you can join if someone invites you. It is important to note that while the community space is available for free, the private groups are only available for those who subscribe to the premium version. However, I Am Sober works for a wide range of issues that even the free version would be a great tool for many.

How Much Does I Am Sober Cost?

I Am Sober costs $9.99 monthly or $119.88 annually. The annual subscription is discounted to $39.99 and has a seven-day free trial.

Pros

• Free version lets you select what you want to be sober from and shows you how long you’ve been sober
• You can revisit your reason for staying sober, called your pledge, twice daily
• Community space is available in the free version
• Inspirational quotes in the app are great mood boosters

Cons

• Premium cost may be too much for someone newly out of a recovery program
• No in-app resources for local AA or NA meetings
• Private sober groups are only available in the premium version and you must be invited by a group owner

To sign up, please visit the I Am Sober website.

12-Step AA Companion App

The 12-Step AA Companion app is an upfront cost of $1.99 on Android or $2.99 on Apple. However, once you pay for the app you can read The Big Book in digital format, and access all of the prayers and the 12-steps. There is a space called notes which would make a helpful mini-journal for after attending meetings.

A truly great perk to the AA Companion app is the ability to find meetings local to you, no matter what state you are in. Those who regularly attend meetings but want to travel can now have fast access to meetings while on the go. This may be especially helpful for those visiting somewhere new or for those who are new to the program.

How Much Does the 12-Step AA Companion App Cost?

The 12-Step AA Companion has upfront costs of $1.99 on Android and $2.99 on Apple.

Pros

• Access the Big Book, prayers, and 12-steps digitally and from anywhere
• Useful note space to create mini-journal entries as needed
• Track your sobriety date
• Find meetings no matter what state you visit

Cons

• Upfront costs may be a deterrent for some
• App looks dated and not visually appealing
• AA has a religious aspect, which may not be appealing to everyone

You can download the 12-Step AA Companion App in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Pear reSET-O

Pear reSET-O is an 84-day prescription digital therapeutic (PDT) for those with opioid use disorder and are 18+. This app is only available through a prescription from a licensed clinician. reSET-O uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in addition to outpatient treatment that includes transmucosal buprenorphine.

Your doctor will have access to a dashboard that shows all of your information. This includes CBT lessons completed, self-reporting substance use, craving & triggers, medication use, and more. While this is only available with a prescription and in conjunction with outpatient treatment, it is a fantastic option for those seeking recovery from opioid use.

How Much Does Pear reSET-O Cost?

reSET-O is only available as a prescription from your healthcare provider.

Pros

• CBT-based lessons are effective at helping those with substance use disorder
• Clinician oversight ensures patients comply with the program
• Patients can log cravings, triggers, and other factors in the app and it is automatically sent to their provider

Cons

• reSET-O is only available through prescription, no out-of-pocket costs
• Unable to view what the app looks like before you use it

To find out more, please visit the Pear website.

Best Eating Disorder Recovery Apps

Those in recovery from an eating disorder can greatly benefit from having access to various tools while learning to develop healthier habits and relationships with food.

These are our top three choices for best eating disorder apps for 2022.

Recovery Record – Best Eating Disorder Recovery App

The Eating Disorder Management app by Recovery Record is a useful, free tool for anyone with concerns linked to eating, weight, and shape, but it is intended for those with an eating disorder. This app offers recordkeeping of thoughts, feelings, and eating behaviors, coping skills to help shift actions, and charts that display trends and progress through the journey.

One of the best features is the ability to link the app content to the user’s treatment team of therapists and doctors. With a foundation in CBT, RR: Eating Disorder Management is a leading eating disorder app.

How Much Does Recovery Record Cost?

Recovery Record is free and does not have any paid premium memberships for users. There is a separate paid app for clinicians who want to connect with clients using the app.

Pros

• Recommended app by the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
• Completely free resources with no ads
• CBT-based program, a proven treatment for disordered eating

Cons

• Several users mention the meal log is difficult to use
• There are a lot of extra features that slow down the app
• Real-time sharing of data with clinicians makes some users uncomfortable

To sign up, please visit the Recovery Record website.

Rise Up + Recover

Rise Up uses self-monitoring skills and is designed for anyone struggling with food, diets, activity, and body issues. The app reports being a “perfect addition” to professional eating disorder treatments.

Rise Up + Recover provides an extensive resource catalog, inspirational quotes, reminders to maintain recovery, and even access to available eating disorder professionals in the area. These tools paired with the ability to log meals and check-in with emotions and behaviors makes Rise Up + Recover a great service in a free app.

How Much Does Rise Up + Recover Cost?

Rise Up + Recover is free and does not feature a premium subscription of any kind.

Pros

• Totally free
• Food log can be exported as a PDF file
• Uses CBT techniques

Cons

• Unable to track long term progress
• No video or audio content in the app
• Less features than apps like Recovery Record

To sign up, please visit the Recovery Warrior website.

Brighter Bite

Brighter Bite (BB) is a highly-rated app that’s relatively new, with it launching only in 2020. Because of how new it is, there are not as many user reviews available in the app stores.

BB was started by someone in recovery from bulimia nervosa, and is available for free to both Apple and Android users. The app developers based the app on the therapy techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. It features a decent sized library of resources, coping skills, and exercises, like meditations.

How Much Does Brighter Bite Cost?

Brighter Bite is available for free on both Android and Apple.

Pros

• Totally free app
• Simple design makes the app easy to use
• Exercises like guided meditations and videos on coping skills in the app

Cons

• Less clinical than apps like Recovery Record and Rise Up + Recover
• Even fewer features than Rise Up + Recover
• No community space to connect with others in recovery

To find out more and to sign up, please visit the Brighter Bite Project website.

Best Mental Health Apps for Kids & Teens

Kids and teens have their own unique mental health challenges, and deciding which app or service would be the best fit may largely depend on your child’s age. While mental health apps are valuable tools, it is good to be aware of when you may want to seek either in-person or an online therapy option for teens or kids.

Here are three great apps to look at depending on the age of your child.

Breathe, Think, Do With Sesame Street – Best for Toddlers

Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame uses the familiar and friendly muppets to help children ages two to five with their mental health. This free app helps little ones achieve goals like improving problem solving, self-control, planning, and persistence. There are even new daily challenges to help maintain interest in learning and practicing skills.

A wonderful aspect of Breathe, Think, Do is all the skills are taught with vibrant visuals and engaging audio sounds. The combination of this can be incredibly helpful for toddlers and young children struggling with tasks like putting on shoes, waiting for turns, or even cleaning up toys.

How Much Does Breathe, Think, Do With Sesame Street Cost?

Breathe, Think, Do is a free app.

Pros

• Completely free app
• Easy for toddlers and young children to do with or without parent supervision
• No text to read, all audio and visual teaching

Cons

• Only geared towards children younger than five
• May run out of content and no option to subscription for more content
• Sesame Street muppets might be scary for some toddlers, an alternative would be the Daniel Tiger app from PBS

You can download Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Finch Self-Care – Best for Young Adults

Finch: Self-Care Pet is a self-care and habit tracking app that encourages you to take care of a little bird by taking care of yourself. This would be a great app for a young adult in college who needs reminders to care for their physical and mental health. The Finch app has you set daily goals, which can be as simplistic as drink water or make your bed, and encourages you to reflect on your day as well as write about what you’re grateful for.

Each time you complete a goal on your list, your little bird powers up and goes on adventures. When your bird comes home from their adventures, they will share what they have learned, who they met, and ask for your opinion on things. The more you interact with your bird by caring for yourself, your bird will grow in size and even start to wear clothes! Finch is a fun and helpful app that can be used daily.

How Much Does the Finch App Cost?

The Finch: Self-Care app costs $5.99 monthly or $59.99 annually. Currently, there is a seven-day free trial for the annual subscription and a three-day free trial for the monthly subscription.

Pros

• Great free version with a lot of habits and activities to track
• Cute bird friend makes you want to come back each day
• Awesome way for young adults to build healthy mental and physical habits

Cons

• No live mental health coaching available
• Activities, like breathing exercises, cost energy points which you have to earn
• There is a community space, but to both must share special friend codes to connect in the app

To sign up, please visit the Finch Care website.

What’s Up Mental Health App – Best for Teens

What’s Up? is a great app for teenagers learning how to overcome negative thinking patterns. Several different sections in the app can give tips on breathing techniques and grounding techniques. Teens can also read uplifting quotes and affirmations, track negative and positive habits, and there is even a journal space. In the journal, teens can note how your day was and rate your feelings on a scale of 1 to 10.

A fun perk teens might like is the option to customize the look and feel of the app using different colors and themes, although some require an in-app purchase. One interesting feature of What’s Up? is its catastrophe scale, which allows you to drag a slider left or right across the screen to help you visually see how serious your issues are or feel at the time.

How Much Does What’s Up? Cost?

What’s Up? is free, but does feature three options to donate to the app developers.

Pros

• Free app with no ads or premium version
• Small size of the app makes it easy to navigate
• Quick and easy to add journal entries or track negative/positive habits

Cons

• Journal does not offer any prompts
• No mindfulness or meditations
• No community space to connect with others

You can download the What’s Up Mental Health app in the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Final Word About Mental Health Apps

The world of mental health apps has grown significantly over the years. Knowing which one is best for you will depend on a number of important factors, such as your mental healthcare needs, budget, lifestyle, and age. For instance, an app designed to help you sleep will not be a good choice if you want to learn CBT skills to manage your anxiety or depression. Similarly, an app that only offers teletherapy will not be a good fit if you’re looking for medication management with a psychiatrist. Our ultimate guide to the best mental health apps of 2022 can be a terrific resource to help you choose the right apps for you and your family.