BetterHelp Review 2026: Adults paying out of pocket who want flexible messaging plus live sessions with a licensed therapist
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Our verdict
BetterHelp scores 6.4/10. It matches you with licensed therapists and lets you message, chat, call or video. Without insurance it costs $70 to $100 a week, billed every four weeks, and BetterHelp now accepts insurance in many states with an average copay of $23 for eligible members, though not Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE. Internet-delivered therapy can work: a meta-analysis of 20 trials found guided online CBT matched face-to-face CBT. BetterHelp's own evidence is weaker, an observational study of 318 users with no control group, written with people tied to the company. The largest deduction is trust: in 2023 the FTC ordered BetterHelp to pay $7.8 million and banned it from sharing health data for advertising after alleging it passed users' information to Facebook and others. Price also depends on factors such as referral source. BetterHelp says it is not for emergencies; in a crisis, call or text 988.
Score breakdown
- Safety (30%)6.5/10
- Evidence (30%)6.5/10
- Cost & Value (20%)6.5/10
- Transparency (10%)5.0/10
- Support (10%)7.0/10
Scored per our review methodology.
Who it's for
Best for: Adults paying out of pocket who want flexible messaging plus live sessions with a licensed therapist.
Pricing
$70 to $100/week, billed every 4 weeks, without insurance (as of 2026-10-02)
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription (no insurance) | $70 to $100/week | Billed every 4 weeks; price varies by location, referral source and preferences (as of 2026-10-02) |
| With insurance | Avg. $23 copay/session | For eligible members in covered states; one covered live session per week, some features limited |
| Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE | Not accepted directly | Per BetterHelp's insurance page |
What the evidence says
- The FTC ordered BetterHelp to pay $7.8 million in consumer refunds and banned it from sharing health data for advertising, after alleging it disclosed consumers' sensitive mental health information to Facebook, Snapchat, Criteo and Pinterest despite privacy promises. (US Federal Trade Commission press release, March 2, 2023)
- An observational study of 318 BetterHelp users found depression symptom scores fell significantly over 3 months, but there was no control group, the authors called for experimental trials, and two authors had ties to BetterHelp. (Marcelle et al., JMIR mHealth uHealth 2019 (PubMed))
- A meta-analysis of 20 trials (1,418 participants) that directly compared guided internet-delivered CBT with face-to-face CBT found equivalent overall effects (Hedges g = 0.05), though the authors say few conditions have been studied individually. (Carlbring et al., Cogn Behav Ther 2018 (PubMed))
- The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 or by chat; it says conversations are free and confidential and it is available 24/7/365. (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
Pros & cons
Pros
- Matches you with licensed therapists, with messaging, live chat, phone and video sessions
- Accepts insurance in many states, with an average copay of $23 per session for eligible members
- Cancel any time, per its FAQ
- Accepts HSA and FSA payment for individual and teen therapy
Cons & red flags
- In 2023 the FTC ordered BetterHelp to pay $7.8 million over charges that it shared users' mental health data with Facebook and others for advertising
- Subscription price varies with location, referral source and preferences, so the cost is not fixed up front
- Does not directly accept Medicare, Medicaid or TRICARE
- Its main published outcome study was observational, had no control group, and involved people linked to BetterHelp
- Not for emergencies. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (US) or call 911.
How it compares
BetterHelp scores 6.4/10 in our mental wellness evaluation. See where it lands in the full ranking: Best Mental Health Apps and Online Therapy of 2026.
- Headspace review — 7.8/10, adults who want a low-cost, evidence-backed daily meditation and stress app
- Talkspace review — 7.5/10, insured adults who want licensed therapy, and possibly medication management, online
Frequently asked questions
How much does BetterHelp cost?
BetterHelp says its subscription ranges from $70 to $100 a week, billed every four weeks, depending on location, referral source, preferences and therapist availability (as of 2026-10-02). With insurance, eligible members pay an average $23 copay per session.
What was the FTC case against BetterHelp?
In March 2023 the FTC announced an order requiring BetterHelp to pay $7.8 million in consumer refunds and banning it from sharing health data for advertising. The FTC alleged it had shared users' sensitive data, such as email addresses and therapy history, with Facebook, Snapchat and others.
Is BetterHelp suitable for a crisis?
No. BetterHelp's FAQ says it is not the right service if you are in an urgent crisis or emergency. Call or text 988, or call 911.
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