Editorial rating:
Editor's Note
On May 31, 2024, Pace permanently closed and shut down its service. Pace groups, apps, chats, and other features are no longer accessible.2 For alternatives, visit our list of the best group therapy and support groups.
The Pace support group app provides online meetings for those seeking interaction with a community sharing similar experiences. Support groups cover a wide range of topics, are run by professional facilitators, and are offered multiple times daily. A Pace subscription costs $89 monthly, and they do not accept insurance at this time.
Rating of Pace
I have spent a considerable amount of time researching and reviewing online group therapy and support group companies to ensure consumers are finding exceptional services. In my independent review of the Pace app, I found their group meeting structure and variety of topics to be quite impressive, earning Pace 5 stars in those categories. Unfortunately, the app lacks extra resources, tools, and features, resulting in a deduction of points in that category.
Pros & Cons of the Pace App
The Pace app is a great resource for connecting with others online in a support group setting. Pace group meetings are run by trained facilitators that are experts in the topics presented. However, Pace does not offer a free trial, and I experienced some technical difficulties with registration and accessing meetings. Thankfully, their support team worked quickly to resolve these issues.
Pace App Key Takeaways
- The Pace app costs $89 monthly, and does not offer a free trial. However, if you attend two sessions and decide Pace isn’t right for you, contact customer support before your third session, and they’ll refund your first month’s membership.
- Pace’s motto is being real and honest with ourselves and others, so they prefer for you to use your real name and participate in discussions.
- Group meetings with the Pace app last 75 minutes, include a structured agenda and are capped at eight people.
- Pace has core groups and open groups. Anyone can join an open group, but you must attend a series of open groups and follow at least 15 other members to access a core group. Core groups include the same people every week and are closed to new members unless a new spot opens up. Your Pace membership includes access to three core groups.
- You’ll be suspended from booking new open group meetings for one week if you’re a no-show to a booked meeting.
Final Verdict on the Pace App
The Pace app isn’t just a platform for support groups; it’s an entire online community of people coming together to share experiences, build relationships, and discover new things about themselves. There are dozens of groups to choose from daily, all run by professional facilitators that are experts in their field. The group meetings are perfectly structured to allow all group members to share and receive feedback. While I did have a few technical issues at registration, their support team reacted quickly and effectively, and the rest of my time with Pace was positive. Overall, I had a positive experience and strongly recommend the Pace app.
What Is the Pace App?
The Pace app is an online support group platform that offers daily meetings run by professional facilitators. Pace has various group topics covering mental health, careers, parenting, and much more. A Pace membership costs $89 monthly, and they do not accept insurance. There is no free trial.
New Member Orientation
Once you create an account with Pace, you can book a new member orientation session. These introductory sessions are hosted by some of Pace’s most experienced facilitators, so it’s a perfect space to learn how the app works, ask questions, and discuss expectations. After your orientation, you can book your first open group.
Open Groups Vs. Core Groups
Pace has open groups and core groups. Open groups are open to anyone, and new members are encouraged to attend as many open groups as possible and follow other members. Once you follow 15 other members, you’re eligible to join a core group. Membership includes access to three core groups. Core and open groups cover an incredibly wide range of topics. You can find meetings on mental health, nutrition, parenting, age-related issues, self-care, and many more.
Pace App Dashboard
The Pace app dashboard includes four main tabs: “This Week,” “Explore”, “Chat,” and “Profile.” “This Week” is where you’ll find all the open groups listed chronologically. “Explore” is where you can view all of the open groups and core groups, and it includes a filter tool to help you find specific groups, like age groups, groups for women, or parenting groups. “Chat” is where you can connect with members from groups you attended, and “Profile” holds all of your personal information.
Meeting Structure
Pace caps all groups to eight people, and they run for 75 minutes. When you enter a meeting room, you’ll see lists of emotions (e.g. hopeful, exhausted, anxious, focused, excited, sad), and you’ll choose up to three emotions that you’re currently feeling. This helps the facilitator gauge the emotional state of each member as they enter the group and identify any common themes.
Every group session runs with the same format: a check-in with each member, a “hot seat” where one group member takes questions from the rest of the group, an open discussion, and then closing with key takeaways. Once it’s over, you have the opportunity to offer feedback, rate your experience, and follow other members.
How Much Does the Pace App Cost?
The Pace App costs $89.99 monthly and does not include a free trial. If you attend two sessions and decide Pace isn’t right for you, contact customer support before your third session, and they’ll refund your first month’s membership.
How to Get Started With The Pace App
To get started with the Pace App, follow the simple step-by-step guide below to attend your first group session.
- Go to the Pace website, create an account by answering a few survey questions, and pay for a membership.
- Download the app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and enter your account information.
- Schedule your orientation session.
- Choose the first open group you’d like to attend and click “Book”
- Attend your first open group meeting.
Pace App Key Features
The Pace App has some essential key features that help users connect and attend group meetings. Key features include open groups, core groups, and member chat rooms. Pace memberships cost $89 monthly, there is no free trial, and they do not accept insurance.
Open Groups
Open groups are groups that are run daily and are open to all members. New members are encouraged to join as many open groups as possible so they can start following members and discover groups that resonate with them. You can join a core group once you’ve attended a few open groups and started following at least 15 members. Some examples of open group topics are “Relationships and Love,” “Switching Chapters,” and “Empowering Female Voices.”
My Experience in Pace’s Open Group
One of the open groups I attended was about managing life transitions. My facilitator, who was a certified life coach, was welcoming, energetic, and followed the Pace group meeting structure flawlessly. We began with a check-in, and everyone shared how they were feeling and what was happening in their lives. The Pace motto is “real and honest,” so it’s an invitation to be vulnerable and open. Thankfully, I felt comfortable sharing because the other members and the facilitator were so friendly.
Then, our facilitator chose one person to put in the “hot seat.” The “hot seat” is when one person answers a few questions from other group members. We were encouraged to avoid giving advice and focus on questions that will help a member explore their current situation. Our facilitator often reminded us to lean into our curiosity, which I appreciated.
We continued with an open discussion and closed out with final thoughts and takeaways. It was an eye-opening experience for me. I’ve tried many other online group therapy and support group platforms, like Circles and Sesh, and I think this was the one group where I found myself sharing the most. I believe this is because of Pace’s well-structured meetings and commitment to its “real and honest” ethos.
Core Groups
Core groups are groups that meet consistently each week and are closed to new members. Core groups are formed when the same members attend the same sessions, and they collectively decide that they’d like to keep it exclusive. If a member leaves, they can open it up to new members. A Pace subscription includes membership in three core groups.
Chat with Members
Once you attend a group, you have an opportunity to follow the other members that were in attendance. Those members will be available in a chat room that you can find on the main dashboard in the app. The chat is a great way to communicate with others in between meetings.
Who Is the Pace App Right For?
The Pace app would be an excellent resource for those looking to meet new people or find others with similar interests and experiences. It would also be a great fit for anyone seeking an alternative to therapy.
You’re Looking to Meet New People
If you’ve found yourself experiencing feelings of loneliness or isolation, Pace is a terrific platform for meeting new people. While Pace can offer mental health support and insights into a plethora of topics, it’s also a place where people can simply enjoy a conversation with others.
You Want to Find Others with Similar Interests or Experiences
It can be incredibly valuable to our mental health to spend time with people who are going through comparable struggles and hold similar interests. Pace offers many different groups with a wide variety of topics, so it’s easy to find a space to connect with people you can identify with.
You’re Looking for an Alternative to Therapy
Pace can provide an incredible support system, but it’s important to understand that it’s not therapy. If you feel you’re ready to change your life and engage in something new, but you’re not looking for therapy, Pace could be the answer. Pace provides a positive online community designed to help you personally grow and connect with others as an alternative to traditional therapy.
Who May Want an Alternative to the Pace app?
You may want an alternative to the Pace app if you’re going through a mental health crisis or if you’re looking for conventional group therapy. You’re also going to want a different option if you’d prefer to remain anonymous in support group meetings.
You’re Facing a Mental Health Crisis
Pace is a great tool for meeting new people and personal development, but you will need an alternative if you’re facing a mental health crisis. A better option might be Mindful Care, which offers urgent care and psychiatry services and accepts insurance. Mindful Care also has a group therapy program, Mindfit, for those who prefer group work over individual therapy.
You Want Group Therapy
The Pace app isn’t the best option if you’re looking for group therapy because it leans more toward support groups and social interaction. If you’re hoping to find a subscription to an online group therapy platform, you may want to try Grouport. Grouport offers group therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy training.
To learn more, check out our in-depth review of Grouport.
You Want to Remain Anonymous in Group Meetings
It’s quite common for some individuals to prefer to remain anonymous when attending support groups. Staying anonymous often helps group members let go of inhibitions and share more than they typically would in a meeting. If this sounds more like your speed, you may want to try the Circles app. Circles allows you to use nicknames and join with audio only instead of being on camera.
To learn more, check out our in-depth review of the Circles app.
What Users Are Saying About the Pace App
The Pace group app has 4.7 out of 5 stars from 262 reviewers in the Apple App Store 3.6 out of 5 stars from 68 reviewers in the Google Play Store. Many reviewers stated that they loved the variety of the group topics, the facilitators, and the structure of the meetings. Unfortunately, several reviews reported technical difficulties that ranged from the app crashing in meetings to issues with the onboarding process.
Love the Variety
Members love the variety of group topics that Pace offers. Regardless if you’re looking for a mental health support group, new people to connect with, or discussions on hobbies or similar experiences, Pace has you covered. Reviewers mentioned having different groups for different purposes, like one group for fun and socializing and designating another one for emotional support through challenges.
Passionate and Committed Facilitators
Almost all of the positive reviews I read mentioned the facilitators. Pace users described them as passionate and committed, and I absolutely agree with that opinion. The facilitators that ran my open meetings were incredibly professional, welcoming, and insightful.
Great Meeting Structure
There were many reviewers who mentioned appreciation for the structure of the meetings. While many support groups and group therapy sessions tend to have a general structure, they can easily go off the rails if there’s no agenda or experienced facilitator. Pace’s 75-min meeting structure (1. check-in, 2. hot seat, 3. open discussion, and 4. takeaways) provides the time and space for all members to share and receive feedback.
Technical Difficulties
After reading both Android and Apple reviews, it’s clear I wasn’t the only one facing technical difficulties. Many reviewers stated that they “love the service, but they hate the app” because of its constant crashing. Several complained that they couldn’t make it past the registration process, which was also my experience. Thankfully, the Pace customer support team was very responsive and quick to react. My technical issues were resolved within hours of sending in a complaint.
Pace App Vs Competitors
The Pace app is a terrific way to connect with others online, but it’s not the only support group service out there. Below you’ll find a brief comparative summary of Pace and two of its top competitors.
Pace App Vs. Circles App
Pace and Circles are similar apps that provide access to an online community. They both classify as support groups, not group therapy, and they offer multiple daily meetings. They’re structured a bit differently, with Pace offering open groups and up to three exclusive core groups and Circles allowing unlimited access to all groups. In addition, Circles allows members to run their own support groups without a facilitator, and Pace does not.
Circles costs $29.99 monthly and offers a seven-day free trial, so it’s significantly more affordable than Pace. Circles is the right choice if you’re looking for something more informal. It allows you to remain anonymous and has fewer requirements and guidelines. However, if you’re looking for a more organized group work system with professional facilitators, Pace is the way to go.
Pace App Vs. Sesh App
The Pace app and the Sesh app offer multiple support group sessions daily that cover a wide range of topics. All meetings are run by mental health professionals, and both companies prefer for members to participate and leave their cameras on. Pace has a few extras, like chat rooms and an ability to follow other members, while Sesh is a more straightforward service focusing solely on group meetings.
Like Sesh, Pace offers new users a live orientation with a support team specialist so you can learn how to get the most out of the app. Sesh costs $60 monthly and includes a 14-day free trial, so it’s worth a look if you’re just dipping your toes into the online support group world. However, if you’re committed to joining an online community, Pace has the additional channels to communicate with members outside of meetings, making it a better choice for more interaction with peers.
History of Pace App
Pace was founded in 2020 and launched its first public beta testing in 2021. Co-founders Jack Chou, Cat Lee, and Alex Shye wanted to redefine mental health through easily accessible online support groups that are both supportive and fun. Many of Pace’s original groups that were formed at its launch are still meeting today.1
In early 2024, Pace announced that the service would permanently close on May 31, 2024. Groups, chats, and any other features offered by Pace will no longer be available thereafter.2
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pace App
What’s the Difference Between Group Therapy and Support Groups?
Group therapy sessions are run by licensed mental health providers who aim to provide solutions, tools, or treatment for mental health conditions in a group setting. A support group’s goal is to provide comfort and help those experiencing similar situations learn to cope.
Can You Remain Anonymous on the Pace App?
The essence of Pace is being real and honest, so they prefer for members to use their real names and participate in the discussions.
Who Are the Moderators?
The Pace app’s moderators are all trained group facilitators considered experts in their fields.
Is the Pace App Legit?
Yes, I used the Pace app and can confirm that it’s a legitimate company providing online support group services.
Does Pace Have an Age Limit?
You must be 18 or older to use the Pace app.
How Do I Cancel My Pace App Subscription?
You can cancel your Pace app subscription at any time by going to your phone’s app settings and choosing ‘Cancel Subscription.’
Does Pace App Offer Refunds?
If you attend two sessions and decide Pace isn’t right for you, contact customer support before your third session, and they’ll refund your first month’s membership. Please visit Pace App Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for more information.
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Pace Group App. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from: https://about.pace.group/about/faq
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Pace Group App. (n.d.) Pace shutting down – 5/31/24. Pace Customer Support. Retrieved from: https://help.pace.group/content/pace-shutting-down-5-31-24
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: Randi Sprintis, MS (No change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No change)
Primary Changes: Added Editor’s Note and entry into “History & News” section regarding permanent closure of Pace Groups.
Author: Randi Sprintis, MS
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
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