Health & wellness · Ranked by price to features
9 Best Online Therapy Services of 2026
By the Rankozo research desk · Updated November 12, 2026 · Next review December 27, 2026
Talkspace is the best online therapy service for most people in 2026: its average insured copay is $15 per session, and cash plans start at $69 a week with extra live sessions at $69 each, as of November 2026. Grow Therapy suits insured clients who want to pick their therapist, with sessions averaging $21 with insurance, and Online-Therapy.com is the cash pick at $72 a week for one 45 minute live session in the first month. Choose MDLIVE ($140 per follow-up before insurance) if you want to pay per visit, or 7 Cups if you want free peer support first.
- Tools ranked
- 9
- With free plan
- 1
- Cheapest paid plan
- Online-Therapy.com, $48
- per week, first month
By the numbers
- $28,303The average annual premium for employer-sponsored family coverage in the U.S. reached $28,303 in 2026, 5% higher than in 2025, according to KFF.KFF
- $7,471Covered workers contributed an average of $7,471 a year toward family coverage in 2026, according to KFF.KFF
- $1,955Among covered workers with a general annual deductible, the average single deductible was $1,955 in 2026, according to KFF.KFF
- $178The average monthly marketplace premium in 2026 was $619 before advance premium tax credits and $178 after, per CMS.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- $3,786The average ACA marketplace deductible rose 37%, or $1,027 per person, to a record $3,786 in 2026, according to KFF.KFF
- $15,474U.S. national health expenditure grew 7.2% to $5.3 trillion in 2024, or $15,474 per person, according to CMS.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Comparison table
| Tool | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talkspace | 01 | 9.0 | 9.0 | $69per week | No |
| Grow Therapy | 02 | 8.8 | 9.4 | Customper session, depends on your plan | No |
| Brightside | 03 | 8.7 | 9.0 | Customper visit, depends on your plan | No |
| Headway | 04 | 8.6 | 9.2 | Customper session, depends on your plan | No |
| Online-Therapy.com | 05 | 8.4 | 8.8 | $48per week, first month | No |
| Calmerry | 06 | 8.3 | 8.6 | $49.50per week, first month | No |
| BetterHelp | 07 | 8.2 | 7.2 | Check price | No |
| MDLIVE | 08 | 8.0 | 7.8 | $140per follow-up therapy visit before insurance | No |
| 7 Cups | 09 | 7.7 | 7.8 | $159per month for messaging therapy | Yes |
Click a column to sort. Prices are the cheapest paid plan quoted from each vendor's US pricing page; "Check price" means the US price check is pending.
How this ranking works
One method for every tool. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests. Value carries the most weight.
Full methodThis list is for people comparing what online therapy really costs per session, with or without insurance. We compared documented features and published prices for 9 services using each vendor's own pricing pages, homepages and FAQs, and ranked them by value first (40%), then features (35%), then ease of use (25%). Value reflects the cost of one live session: the average or typical copay for insurance-based services, and the weekly or per-visit cash price for subscription and pay-per-visit services. Prices are in USD as shown on the check date. BetterHelp showed only euro prices from our location, so its price is marked pending.
The verdict
Talkspace leads because it publishes the numbers clients need to estimate a session: a $15 average copay, cash plans from $69 a week and a $69 price for each extra live session. Grow Therapy, Brightside and Headway are the insurance-first marketplaces, with Grow at $21 per session on average, Brightside at $25 or less for most patients and Headway as low as $0. Online-Therapy.com and Calmerry are the cheapest weekly cash plans, BetterHelp has the most formats but a pending USD price, MDLIVE sells single visits at $140 per follow-up before insurance, and 7 Cups pairs free peer support with $159 and $299 monthly therapy plans.
- 01Top value
Talkspace
9.0/10Online therapy and psychiatry that bills most major insurance plans and sells weekly out-of-pocket plans.
Price
$69per week
Average insured copay $15 per session; out-of-pocket plans from $69 per week; extra live sessions $69 each
“Most insured members have a $0 copay and out-of-pocket pricing starts at $69/week.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 9.0
- Features (35%)
- 9.2
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.8
Best forinsured adults, teens and couples who want a low copay
Talkspace ranks first for per-session cost because it gives the clearest numbers for both insured and uninsured clients. Its pricing page says most insured members pay a $0 copay and the average member copay is $15 per session, and it lists Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Optum, TRICARE, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare among covered plans. Without insurance, individual therapy costs $69 a week for messaging or $99 a week for video plus messaging with up to four 30 minute video sessions a month, and any extra live session costs $69. Couples therapy paid out of pocket is $436 a month with four live sessions. Psychiatry is priced separately, starting with a $299 initial evaluation. The catch for cash payers is session length: 30 minutes is shorter than the 45 minute sessions at Online-Therapy.com. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests.
- ✓The only service here that publishes both an average copay and a per-session add-on price
- ✓Lists Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Optum, TRICARE, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare among covered plans
- ✓Plans billed monthly, quarterly or biannually and can be paused or canceled
- ✕Live video sessions on cash plans are 30 minutes, not a standard 50 minute hour
- ✕The $69 plan is messaging only
- ✕High-deductible plan members pay full cost until the deductible is met
- Average copay:
- $15 per session
- Cheapest cash plan:
- $69 per week, messaging
- Extra live session:
- $69
- Couples therapy cash price:
- $436 per month
Bottom line: Talkspace is the best online therapy service for most insured clients because its published average copay is $15 per session. Cash payers get a clear $69 price for each added live session.
- 02
Grow Therapy
8.8/10A directory and booking platform for in-network therapists and prescribers, online or in person.
Price
Customper session, depends on your plan
Sessions average $21 with insurance; cash rates are set by each therapist and shown on their profile
“Sessions cost $21 on average with insurance” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 9.4
- Features (35%)
- 8.2
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.6
Best forinsured clients who want to choose their own therapist
Grow Therapy suits people who want to pay per session through insurance rather than buy a weekly plan. Its homepage says sessions cost $21 on average with insurance, which is the lowest average session figure published by any service in this list. You search by state and insurance, browse named therapists, and book either a virtual or in-person appointment; the same platform also offers medication support. Clients whose plan is not accepted can select cash, and each therapist shows their own appointment cost on their profile, so self-pay prices vary. That makes Grow Therapy a strong pick for insured clients and a less predictable one for uninsured clients. There is no messaging plan, so contact happens in scheduled sessions. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests.
- ✓Pay per session instead of a weekly subscription
- ✓You browse and pick the therapist yourself
- ✓State-wide search shows every therapist credentialed in your state
- ✕Cash rates vary by therapist, so there is no single self-pay price
- ✕No messaging subscription for between-session contact is advertised
- ✕Cost depends on your plan's deductible and copay
- Average with insurance:
- $21 per session
- Formats:
- Virtual and in person
- Self-pay:
- Rate set by each therapist
Bottom line: Grow Therapy is the cheapest per-session option for many insured clients, with sessions averaging $21. Uninsured clients should compare each therapist's listed cash rate first.
- 03
Brightside
8.7/10Online therapy and psychiatry in network with major insurers, Medicare and Medicaid.
Price
Customper visit, depends on your plan
Most patients pay $25 or less per visit with insurance; a cash price is offered
“Most patients pay $25 or less with insurance” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 9.0
- Features (35%)
- 8.6
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.4
Best forMedicare and Medicaid members who want therapy and medication in one place
Brightside is a strong per-visit option for insured clients, especially people on Medicare or Medicaid. Its homepage says it is in network with all major insurance carriers plus Medicare and Medicaid, that most patients pay $25 or less with insurance, that 67% paid $25 or less out of pocket and that 37% paid $0. Care runs through 1:1 video sessions with messaging between sessions, and Brightside covers psychiatry, therapy, teen care for ages 13 to 17, a suicide prevention program and intensive outpatient care. Appointments can be booked as soon as the same day, including evenings and weekends. The weak spot for this comparison is cash pricing: the site says a low cash price is available but does not show it on the homepage, so uninsured clients need to ask. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests.
- ✓Accepts Medicare and Medicaid, which most cash-first services do not
- ✓Publishes the share of patients paying $0 out of pocket
- ✓Combines therapy and psychiatry with one care team
- ✕The cash price is not published on the homepage
- ✕Copay varies by plan
- ✕Clients who only want text-based therapy have cheaper subscription options
- Paid $25 or less:
- 67% of patients
- Paid $0:
- 37% of patients
- Insurance:
- All major carriers, Medicare and Medicaid
Bottom line: Brightside is the best pick for Medicare and Medicaid members, with most patients paying $25 or less per visit. Uninsured clients should confirm the cash price before booking.
- 04
Headway
8.6/10A marketplace for in-network therapists and psychiatrists that handles insurance billing.
Price
Customper session, depends on your plan
Insured clients pay as low as $0 per session; cost estimate shown before booking
“People with insurance pay as low as $0 per session through Headway” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 9.2
- Features (35%)
- 8.0
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.4
Best forinsured clients who want an in-network estimate before booking
Headway is a booking marketplace for therapists and psychiatrists who take insurance. Its homepage says people with insurance pay as low as $0 per session, that it partners with 100+ insurance plans including Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Oxford, UnitedHealthcare and Oscar, and that its average client saves 75% on sessions. You add your insurance details to get an estimated in-network price, book on Headway, and are billed only after the session. Providers offer online and in-person care in 57+ languages, and some list free consultations on their profiles. Headway notes that cost varies by location, age and coverage, and it does not publish a self-pay price, so it is a weaker fit for uninsured clients. There is no messaging subscription. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests.
- ✓Per-session billing with no subscription
- ✓Some providers offer free consultations
- ✓Headway says its average client saves 75% on sessions
- ✕Built around insurance; no published self-pay price
- ✕Price depends on location, age and coverage
- ✕No messaging plan between sessions
- Insurance plans:
- 100+
- Sessions held:
- 40M+
- Languages:
- 57+
Bottom line: Headway is the best choice for insured clients who want to see the in-network price before booking. It offers little to people paying cash.
- 05
Online-Therapy.com
8.4/10A subscription therapy service that bundles a CBT program with messaging and weekly live sessions.
Price
$48per week, first month
Basic from $48 per week (first month, then $60); Standard with one 45 minute live session $72 per week (then $90)
“Our subscription rates start at just $48 per week.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.8
- Features (35%)
- 8.2
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.2
Best forcash payers who want a full 45 minute live session each week
Online-Therapy.com is the best cash option for clients who measure cost per live session. Its pricing page says subscription rates start at $48 per week, a price that includes a 20% discount for the first month. Basic at $48, then $60 a week, has unlimited messaging and the therapy program but no live sessions. Standard adds one 45 minute live session a week by video, voice or messaging for $72 a week in the first month and $90 after, so each live session costs roughly the weekly fee. Premium doubles that to two weekly sessions for $96, then $120 a week, and a couples plan costs the same. Every plan includes worksheets, yoga and meditation videos, a journal and an activity plan. The pricing page does not describe insurance billing, so insured clients may pay less elsewhere. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests.
- ✓45 minute live sessions are longer than the 30 minute sessions at Talkspace and Calmerry
- ✓Standard works out to one live session a week for $72 in the first month
- ✓Couples plan with a weekly live session at $96 a week
- ✕The 20% discount applies only to the first month
- ✕No insurance billing is described on the pricing page
- ✕Basic has no live sessions
- Cheapest plan:
- $48 per week, first month
- Live session length:
- 45 minutes
- Standard plan:
- $72 per week, then $90
Bottom line: Online-Therapy.com is the best value for cash payers who want 45 minute live sessions, at $72 a week for one session in the first month. The price rises to $90 a week after the discount ends.
- 06
Calmerry
8.3/10A text and video therapy subscription with four plans billed monthly.
Price
$49.50per week, first month
Messaging $49.50 per week for the first month ($57 after); four 30 minute videos from $54.50 per week
“$57.00 $49.50 per week” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.6
- Features (35%)
- 7.8
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.4
Best forcash payers on a tight budget who mainly want messaging
Calmerry is a low-cost subscription for clients who pay cash. Its pricing page lists four plans billed monthly, each with a first-month discount. Messaging costs $49.50 a week for the first month and $57 after, with a licensed counselor replying 5 days a week. The 4 Live Videos plan includes four 30 minute live sessions a month for $54.50 a week in the first month, then $62.50. Plans that mix messaging with two or four live videos cost $66 and $73.75 a week in the first month. All plans include free counselor switching, a mood tracker, guided journaling and a library of more than 100 resources. The page compares its pricing from $50 a week with $100 to $250 per session for traditional therapy. Session length is the main trade-off: 30 minutes against 45 minutes at Online-Therapy.com. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests.
- ✓Lowest-priced video-only plan in this list at $54.50 a week for the first month
- ✓Counselor responds 5 days a week on messaging plans
- ✓Cancel anytime, per the pricing FAQ
- ✕Live sessions are 30 minutes
- ✕Discounts apply only to the first month
- ✕No insurance billing is described on the pricing page
- Cheapest plan:
- $49.50 per week, first month
- Video session length:
- 30 minutes
- Billing:
- Monthly
Bottom line: Calmerry is the cheapest cash option for video-only therapy, at $54.50 a week for four 30 minute sessions a month in the first month. Clients who want longer sessions should look at Online-Therapy.com.
- 07
BetterHelp
8.2/10A large subscription therapy network offering messaging, live chat, phone and video sessions.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.2
- Features (35%)
- 8.8
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.8
Best forcash payers who want to switch between chat, phone and video
BetterHelp offers the broadest set of formats among the services here. Its FAQ lists four ways to get therapy: exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking by phone and video sessions, and says clients can use different formats at different times. Messages are asynchronous, so no scheduling is needed, and phone sessions do not share your number with the provider. Subscriptions are billed every 4 weeks, and the FAQ says the price depends on location, source and preferences, with financial aid available in some cases. From our location the FAQ showed prices only in euros, so the USD price is marked pending and BetterHelp scores lower on value in this per-session comparison. Clients with insurance will likely pay less per session at Talkspace, Grow Therapy or Headway. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests.
- ✓Widest choice of session formats in this list
- ✓You can mix formats from week to week
- ✓Financial aid is mentioned in the FAQ
- ✕Price varies by location and preferences; USD price could not be confirmed from our location
- ✕Billed every 4 weeks as a subscription, not per session
- ✕No insurance billing is described in the FAQ
- Formats:
- Messaging, live chat, phone, video
- Billing:
- Every 4 weeks
- Financial aid:
- Mentioned in FAQ
Bottom line: BetterHelp is a good fit for cash payers who want messaging, chat, phone and video in one subscription. Check the US price at sign-up, since it varies by location and preferences.
- 08
MDLIVE
8.0/10A telehealth provider offering pay-per-visit talk therapy and psychiatry.
Price
$140per follow-up therapy visit before insurance
Talk therapy $0 to $179 for the first visit and $0 to $140 for follow-ups, depending on insurance
“Follow-up appointments just $140 before insurance.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.8
- Features (35%)
- 8.2
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.2
Best forpeople who want a true per-visit price without a subscription
MDLIVE is the clearest choice for anyone who wants to pay per visit instead of subscribing. Its behavioral health page says talk therapy sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes and cost $0 to $179 for the first visit and $0 to $140 for follow-ups, depending on insurance. Psychiatry costs $0 to $299 for the first visit and $0 to $159 for follow-ups, with sessions of 15 to 30 minutes. MDLIVE says you can have a first therapy appointment in a week or less and that it accepts many major insurance plans, though not every plan covers every service. For an uninsured client, $140 per follow-up is the highest cash price per session in this list, but it buys a full-length visit with no recurring commitment. There is no messaging plan between visits. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests.
- ✓Publishes a clear per-visit price instead of a weekly fee
- ✓Longer sessions than the 30 minute subscription plans
- ✓First therapy appointment in a week or less, per MDLIVE
- ✕Highest cash price per session in this list at $140 per follow-up
- ✕No messaging plan between visits
- ✕Not all insurance plans cover all MDLIVE services
- Initial therapy visit:
- $0 to $179
- Follow-up therapy visit:
- $0 to $140
- Session length:
- 45 to 60 minutes
Bottom line: MDLIVE is the best pick for people who want pay-per-visit therapy with a published price of $140 per follow-up before insurance. Weekly cash plans cost less if you need ongoing sessions.
- 09
7 Cups
7.7/10A free peer support community with paid plans for messaging or video therapy.
Price
$159per month for messaging therapy
Free peer support; Premium $7.99 per month billed yearly (no therapist); messaging therapy $159 per month; weekly video therapy $299 per month
“Message daily (Mon - Fri) with a licensed therapist + everything in Premium $159.00 /month” Quoted from the pricing page, November 12, 2026.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Value (40%)
- 7.8
- Features (35%)
- 7.4
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.0
Best forpeople who want free peer support before paying for therapy
7 Cups is the only service here with a permanent free tier, but that tier is peer support, not therapy. The free plan includes chats with trained listeners, group support and a limited number of daily chat requests. Premium costs $7.99 a month billed yearly or $12.99 monthly and adds daily listener chats, the Noni AI chatbot and growth paths, still without a therapist. Licensed therapy starts at $159 a month for messaging with a therapist Monday to Friday, and a newer plan adds a regular weekly audio or video call for $299 a month. For clients comparing cost per live session, $299 a month for a weekly call is higher than the $72 a week Online-Therapy.com Standard plan in its first month. 7 Cups works best as a free first step. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests.
- ✓Permanent free tier for peer support
- ✓Monthly therapy pricing is published openly
- ✓Paid therapy plans include Premium features
- ✕The free and Premium tiers do not include a licensed therapist
- ✕Weekly video therapy at $299 a month costs more than Online-Therapy.com Standard
- ✕No insurance billing is described on the pricing page
- Free plan:
- Yes, peer support only
- Messaging therapy:
- $159 per month
- Video therapy:
- $299 per month, weekly call
Bottom line: 7 Cups is the best free starting point because its peer support tier costs nothing. Its paid therapy plans, at $159 and $299 a month, cost more per live session than the cash leaders.
What to check before you pay
Work out the cost of one live session
Subscription prices are quoted per week, so divide by the number of live sessions you get. Online-Therapy.com Standard includes one 45 minute session a week for $72 in the first month, Calmerry's 4 Live Videos plan gives four 30 minute sessions a month for $54.50 a week in the first month, and Talkspace sells extra live sessions at $69 each.
Check session length
A cheap session is not always a long one. Talkspace and Calmerry video sessions are 30 minutes, Online-Therapy.com sessions are 45 minutes, and MDLIVE therapy visits typically last 45 to 60 minutes.
Use insurance if you have it
In-network billing usually beats cash plans. Talkspace reports a $15 average copay, Grow Therapy says sessions average $21 with insurance, Brightside says most patients pay $25 or less, and Headway says insured clients can pay as low as $0. High-deductible plans cost more until the deductible is met.
Watch first-month discounts
Online-Therapy.com and Calmerry both discount the first month. Online-Therapy.com Standard rises from $72 to $90 a week and Calmerry's messaging plan from $49.50 to $57 a week, so budget on the regular price.
Decide between subscription and pay per visit
Weekly plans suit ongoing care with messaging between sessions. Per-visit services such as MDLIVE ($179 first visit, $140 follow-ups before insurance), Grow Therapy and Headway suit people who want a handful of sessions without a recurring charge.
FAQ
How much does online therapy cost per session?
Online therapy costs about $15 to $140 per session in this comparison, depending on insurance. Talkspace reports a $15 average insured copay and Grow Therapy a $21 average with insurance, while MDLIVE charges $140 per follow-up visit before insurance.
What is the cheapest online therapy without insurance?
Calmerry and Online-Therapy.com are the cheapest cash plans in this list. Calmerry messaging costs $49.50 a week and Online-Therapy.com Basic $48 a week in the first month, but neither includes live sessions; Online-Therapy.com Standard adds a weekly 45 minute session for $72 a week.
Which online therapy services take insurance?
Talkspace, Grow Therapy, Brightside, Headway and MDLIVE bill insurance. Brightside also accepts Medicare and Medicaid, and Headway says it partners with 100+ insurance plans.
Is online therapy cheaper than in-person therapy?
Often, yes. Calmerry compares its plans from $50 a week with $100 to $250 per session for traditional therapy, and Headway says its average client saves 75% on sessions by using insurance.
Can I get online therapy for free?
Not from a licensed therapist, but 7 Cups offers free peer support with trained listeners. Insured clients can also pay $0 per session at some services: Brightside says 37% of its patients paid $0 out of pocket.
How long are online therapy sessions?
Online therapy sessions run 30 to 60 minutes depending on the service. Talkspace and Calmerry live sessions are 30 minutes, Online-Therapy.com sessions are 45 minutes, and MDLIVE therapy visits typically last 45 to 60 minutes.
Is Talkspace worth it for cash payers?
Yes, if you want short video sessions plus messaging. Talkspace video plus messaging costs $99 a week with up to four 30 minute sessions a month, and extra sessions cost $69 each; Online-Therapy.com offers longer 45 minute sessions for $72 a week in the first month.
Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.
More rankings