Youper is an app that uses AI technology to help users manage their mental health. The app provides an AI chatbot that utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to conduct daily check-ins and track your mood, thoughts, and feelings. Youper subscriptions are $69.99 annually and come with a seven-day free trial.
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Cost: $69.99 annually
Pros - Offers a seven-day free trial
- AI chatbot offers insights and CBT techniques to manage mental health
- Easy to navigate
- Offers assessments for panic, depression, anxiety, and more
- Tracks progress
Cons - There is no free version of the app
- No longer offers behavioral therapy or medication management
- App often freezes
Preview
Youper is a mental health app that uses an AI chatbot to help members manage anxiety, depression, sleep, self-confidence, and more. The chatbot asks users to check in daily so it can track moods, feelings, and thoughts. It uses CBT techniques to help users reframe daily obstacles, find positive perspectives, and enhance motivation. The Youper app costs $69.99 annually and comes with a seven-day free trial.
Youper offers a personalized plan to help you target specific issues, like anxiety or depression. You’re immediately led into a chatroom where you’re introduced to the AI chatbot that will conduct a mental health check. It will ask you questions about how you’re doing and provide quick responses that reflect CBT tools and exercises.
Youper has a 4.8-star rating from 14.9K reviews on the Apple App Store and a 4.5-star rating from 49.6K reviews on the Google Play Store. Youper contributes to reducing symptoms of six different mental health conditions and has supported the well-being of over two million people.
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Final Verdict
While communicating with an AI-led app for mental healthcare may seem unusual to some, I encourage you to try Youper’s seven-day free trial to see how impressive the chatbot is. It’s certainly not for everyone, but if you’re open to navigating mental health challenges with the help of a chatbot, you may be surprised by how helpful Youper can be. I generally felt better after my check-ins, and the chatbot asked me to reconsider thoughts and emotions from a different perspective that was truly valuable. Overall, I think Youper is a solid resource and offers evidence-based CBT support.
Key Takeaways
- Youper uses AI technology to help users manage their mental health. The AI chatbot utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy to conduct daily check-ins and track your mood, thoughts, and feelings.
- Youper offers a free seven-day trial and only an option of an annual subscription of $69.99. No monthly subscriptions are offered at this time.
- Users are given unlimited access to the AI chatbot.
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Where to Download Youper
You can learn more about how to download the app by visiting the Youper website.
What Is Youper?
Youper is a mental health app that uses an AI chatbot to help members manage anxiety, depression, sleep, self-confidence, and more. The chatbot asks users to check in daily so it can track moods, feelings, and thoughts. It uses CBT techniques to help users reframe daily obstacles, find positive perspectives, and enhance motivation.
After you answer a few questions about your current mental health, Youper will offer a personalized plan to help you target specific issues, like anxiety or depression. You’re immediately led into a chatroom where you’re introduced to the AI chatbot that will conduct a mental health check. It will ask you questions about how you’re doing and provide quick responses that reflect CBT tools and exercises.
Who Is Youper Right For?
Youper is a great fit for anyone interested in improving their mental health but is not ready for therapy. It’s also a great resource for those who are interested in using new AI technology to boost their well-being.
Not Ready for In-Person Therapy
If you believe that it’s time to take a closer look at your mental health and you’d like some support, Youper could be a desirable option. Through daily check-ins, progress tracking, and insights into your thoughts and feelings, you can identify issues that need to be addressed and improve your mood, energy, and focus with the help of CBT methods —without having to see a therapist.
Interested in AI-Assisted Mental Healthcare
There’s no question that AI has impacted multiple industries, and that includes the mental health field. While some may find it odd to discuss thoughts and feelings with a chatbot, it’s surprising how accurate and insightful Youper’s AI chatbot can be. If you’re uneasy about sharing thoughts and feelings with a real person, AI may be able to provide the privacy and security you’re looking for.
Who Might Want an Alternative to Youper?
You may want an alternative to Youper if you’re ready to see a licensed therapist or if you’re uncomfortable with sharing personal information with an AI chatbot.
You’re Ready to See a Licenced Therapist
While Youper can offer a lot of support, it is not the same as seeing a therapist in person. There are a lot of benefits to seeing facial expressions, personalities, and feeling a human connection. If you’re ready to see a therapist, check out our therapist directory to find help in your local area.
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You’re Not Ready for AI
Just because AI technology has made significant advances in the mental health industry, it doesn’t necessarily mean everyone is ready for it. Many people might feel uncomfortable, or even a little ridiculous, speaking to a chatbot about their deepest thoughts and feelings. If you’re curious about CBT methods to help boost your mental health, check out the Happify app. Happify also utilizes CBT techniques and it leans into self-guided exercises and tools instead of AI.
To learn more about this app, check out our Happify review.
What Are Youper Users Saying
Youper has a 4.8-star rating from 14.7K reviews on the Apple App Store and a 4.6-star rating from 48.4K reviews on the Google Play Store. Many of the positive reviews mention the effectiveness of the AI chatbot and how Youper is a great supplement to therapy. However, many long-time users complained that the new version is very limited.
Surprised by the Effectiveness of AI
Several reviewers stated that they were surprised by the effectiveness of the AI chatbot. The chatbot helped them navigate through daily obstacles and was able to recognize when they were frustrated or annoyed with the direction of the conversation and could redirect and utilize different CBT tools to find a path that worked best for them.
Great Supplement to Therapy
Many users who were already seeing a therapist stated that the Youper AI chatbot was a great tool for them to use in between sessions. You have unlimited access to the chatbot, so when you’re facing unexpected challenges, you can instantly connect with the chatbot who can offer support.
Long-Time Users Say the New Version Is Limited
Youper has implemented a lot of changes in the app over the last few years. Its primary focus is now on the AI chatbot, mood monitoring, and progress tracking. There were quite a few long-time users who stated that they were disappointed that specific tools and features were eliminated, like meditation and journaling.
Youper Cost
The Youper app costs $69.99 annually and comes with a seven-day free trial.
How to Get Started with Youper
Getting started with Youper is incredibly easy. Follow the steps below to begin your first mood check-in with the AI chatbot
- Visit the Youper website and follow the instructions to download the app.
- Once the app is downloaded, you’ll answer a few questions about what you’d like to focus on while using the app.
- Click ‘Start Seven-Day Free Trial’.
- You’ll be directed to the chatroom with the Youper AI chatbot and you can begin your first check-in.
Talkspace - Online Therapy With or Without Insurance
Your therapist can help you process thoughts and feelings, understand motivations, and develop coping skills. Covered by most major insurance plans. Talkspace also accepts Medicare in some states. The average copay is $15, but many people pay $0. Try Talkspace
Youper Key Features
Youper is an AI-assisted app that gives you unlimited access to a chatbot that helps you track moods and discuss thoughts and feelings. Through assessments, check-ins, and chatbot discussions, Youper collects data on your mental health and offers insights into patterns in thoughts or behaviors. Youper costs $69.99 annually and comes with a seven-day free trial.
My Experience with Youper’s AI Chatbot
I have to admit, I was initially skeptical of the effectiveness of the chatbot. I’ve communicated with chatbots for various apps and I wasn’t sure if Youper could keep up with open-ended discussions on a variety of topics. I was pleasantly surprised to see how quick and accurate the responses were. Youper asked pertinent questions and directed the conversation by using legitimate CBT techniques.
There were certain times when I felt that the questions weren’t relevant to my circumstances. However, I would simply write “I don’t think answering that question will help,” and Youper would pivot and try another exercise. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by its capabilities and found the conversations helpful.
Youper Vs Happify
Youper and Happyify are both advertised as CBT apps that support those struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. However, they offer very different features and tools. Happify is a self-guided app that encourages you to connect with your thoughts and feelings through the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills and positive psychology. Happify does this through journals, activities, and games, while Youper’s primary feature is the AI chatbot.
Happify costs $14.99 monthly or $139.99 annually and also has a free version, and Youper only offers an annual subscription of $69.99 and comes with a seven-day free trial. If your key focus is to communicate with AI to discover insights into your thoughts and emotions, Youper is a great choice. However, if you’d prefer more tools and features, like CBT games and exercises, Happify is a better option.
History of Youper
Youper was co-founded in 2016 by Dr. Jose Hamilton, Diego Couto, and Thiago Marafon.1 Youper began with a more robust mental health service with direct connections to behavioral coaches, therapists, and even offered medication management in Texas and California. Recently, the app changed to focus primarily on AI chatbot capabilities.
A recent study found that Youper is a good, low-cost treatment option for those who may not otherwise have access to mental health care. The study showed that interacting with the Youper A.I. bot was effective in helping reduce anxiety and depression symptoms in those who used it daily over a four-week period.2
Frequently Asked Questions About Youper
What If I Want To Cancel Youper?
You can cancel your Youper subscription at any time. Click on the ‘Manage Subscriptions’ option on your smartphone and choose ‘Cancel Subscription.”
Does Youper Offer Refunds?
Sometimes Youper can issue refunds to users. However, you must email Youper’s customer service at [email protected] to see if you qualify. For more information, please visit Youper’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Additional Resources
To help our readers take the next step in their mental health journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy is compensated for marketing by the companies included below.
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For Further Reading
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There are a number of factors to consider when trying to determine which online therapy platform is going to be the best fit for you. It’s important to be mindful of what each platform costs, the services they provide you with, their providers’ training and level of expertise, and several other important criteria.
Best Online Psychiatry Services
Online psychiatry, sometimes called telepsychiatry, platforms offer medication management by phone, video, or secure messaging for a variety of mental health conditions. In some cases, online psychiatry may be more affordable than seeing an in-person provider. Mental health treatment has expanded to include many online psychiatry and therapy services. With so many choices, it can feel overwhelming to find the one that is right for you.
Choosing Therapy 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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Shu, Catherine. (2019) Youper, a chatbot that helps users navigate their emotions, raises $3 million in seed funding. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2019/06/18/youper-a-chatbot-that-helps-users-navigate-their-emotions-raises-3-million-in-seed-funding/
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Mehta, A., Niles, A., Vargas, J., Marafon, T., Couto, D., & Gross, J. (2021)Acceptability and Effectiveness of Artificial Intelligence Therapy for Anxiety and Depression (Youper): Longitudinal Observational Study. J Med Internet Res. 23(6): e26771. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8423345/
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 (No change)
Reviewer: Benjamin Troy (No change)
Primary Changes: Added article summary, “Why Trust Our Review” section with new editorial breakdown, and all related page elements.
Author: Randi Sprintis (New Author)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy (New Medical Reviewer)
Primary Changes: Full reassessment and rewrite of the Youper app. Removed sections that included one-on-one therapy or medication management. Updated with new images. Updated to reflect current tools and features. Added key takeaways.
Author: Caitlin Bell, M.A. (New Author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, MD (New Medical Reviewer)
Primary Changes: Full reassessment of Youper App; New sections: “How Has Youper Changed”; Updated screenshots/images; Updated Cost; Added images and charts for pros/cons and discounts.
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