Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Headspace VS BetterHelp

Compare Headspace VS BetterHelp and see what are their differences

Headspace logo Headspace

Meditation made simple. Brilliant things happen in calm minds.

BetterHelp logo BetterHelp

The world's largest therapy service. 100% online.
  • Headspace Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-02
  • BetterHelp Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-28

Headspace

Release Date
2010 January
Startup details
Country
United States
State
California
Founder(s)
Andy Puddicombe
Employees
250 - 499

Headspace features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Headspace offers a clean, intuitive, and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for beginners and experienced users alike.
  • Wide Range of Programs
    Includes various meditation courses, from stress management and sleep improvement to focused meditation sessions, catering to diverse needs.
  • High-Quality Content
    Provides professionally produced audio and video sessions, led by experienced meditation teachers, ensuring high quality and effective guidance.
  • Regular Updates
    New content is frequently added, keeping the app fresh and engaging for users over long periods.
  • Guided Meditations
    Offers a variety of guided meditations that help users stay on track and develop their practice step-by-step.
  • Offline Access
    Allows users to download sessions to use offline, providing flexibility for those without constant internet access.

Possible disadvantages of Headspace

  • Cost
    Subscription-based service which might be expensive for some users, despite offering a free trial period.
  • Limited Free Content
    The free version of Headspace has very limited content, requiring a subscription to access the full library.
  • Repetitiveness
    Some users may find the content repetitive after extended use, possibly leading to diminished engagement.
  • Requires Commitment
    Meditation, to be effective, requires regular practice which might be a commitment that some users find difficult to maintain.
  • Generic Approach
    Some advanced users may find the guidance too generic and not tailored enough to specific meditation traditions or advanced practices.

BetterHelp features and specs

  • Convenience
    BetterHelp offers therapy sessions that can be accessed from any location, removing the need for travel and allowing for flexible scheduling.
  • Various Communication Methods
    Users can choose from messaging, phone calls, and video sessions, giving them multiple ways to interact with their therapist.
  • Wide Network of Therapists
    BetterHelp provides access to a large number of licensed therapists with various specializations, increasing the likelihood of finding a good match.
  • Affordability
    The service often costs less than traditional face-to-face therapy sessions, making mental health care more accessible.
  • Anonymity
    Users can remain anonymous, which can make it easier for them to open up about their issues.

Possible disadvantages of BetterHelp

  • Insurance
    BetterHelp does not accept insurance, which could make it less affordable for some users.
  • Lack of In-Person Interaction
    The absence of face-to-face interaction may make it difficult for some individuals to form a connection with their therapist.
  • Variable Quality
    The quality of therapists can vary, and finding the right match might take time.
  • Technology Issues
    Technical problems such as connectivity issues could interrupt therapy sessions, which can be frustrating for users.
  • Not Suitable for Severe Cases
    Online therapy through BetterHelp may not be appropriate for individuals with severe mental health conditions requiring intensive, in-person treatment.

Analysis of Headspace

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Headspace is considered a good choice for individuals looking to incorporate meditation and mindfulness practices into their daily routine. Its high-quality content, user-friendly design, and wide accessibility make it a valuable resource for those new to meditation as well as experienced practitioners.

Why this product is good

  • Headspace is a popular meditation and mindfulness platform that offers a wide range of guided meditations and exercises designed to help reduce stress and improve mental well-being. It provides an easy-to-use interface and a variety of content to cater to different needs, such as sleep improvement, stress relief, and focus enhancement. The app has been praised for its effectiveness and the gentle, approachable style of its guides.

Recommended for

  • Beginners who are new to meditation
  • Individuals seeking stress relief and improved mental health
  • People looking to enhance their focus and productivity
  • Anyone interested in incorporating mindfulness into their daily routine
  • Those struggling with sleep and looking for guided practices to improve sleep quality

Analysis of BetterHelp

Overall verdict

  • BetterHelp is generally considered a good option for people looking for accessible and flexible online therapy. However, it is important for users to assess if it suits their personal needs and to ensure that they are comfortable with receiving therapy in a digital environment. It should also be noted that it might not be suitable for those in crisis situations or those requiring specialized therapy outside the scope of what the platform can offer.

Why this product is good

  • BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that offers a convenient way to access mental health support. It is good for those who seek professional help without the constraints of geographical location, transportation, and traditional office hours. The platform provides a pool of licensed professionals and flexible scheduling for therapy sessions via chat, phone, or video calls.

Recommended for

  • Individuals seeking convenience and flexibility in therapy scheduling
  • People without access to traditional face-to-face therapy
  • Those comfortable with using digital communication technologies
  • Individuals seeking anonymity in therapy

Headspace videos

Headspace Review: What I Really Think of the App

More videos:

  • Review - Meditation Apps: Headspace vs Calm!
  • Review - Headspace App - My Experience & Honest Opinion | Is Headspace Worth it?

BetterHelp videos

An Honest BetterHelp.com Review

More videos:

  • Review - A Psychologist Weighs in on the Youtube + BetterHelp Controversy
  • Review - I Tried Online Counselling For A Month... *Very Nervous* | BetterHelp Review
  • Review - BetterHelp Review: Pros, Cons, And Everything In Between (Not Sponsored)
  • Review - BetterHelp Review 2025 โ€“ Is This the Right Online Therapy for You?
  • Review - BetterHelp Review (Unsponsored!) | Pros and Cons

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Headspace and BetterHelp)
Health And Fitness
100 100%
0% 0
Health & Wellness
0 0%
100% 100
Meditation
100 100%
0% 0
Mental Health
68 68%
32% 32

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Headspace and BetterHelp

Headspace Reviews

The 7 Best Meditation Apps of 2024
We tried Headspace for a month and were overwhelmingly impressed with its offerings. We could choose exercises from four different categoriesโ€”Meditation, Sleep, Stress, and Mindfulnessโ€”and with the hundreds available, we never ran out of options. We liked that as soon as we signed up, we could fill out symptom trackers for our stress and anxiety, and the app followed up a...
10 Best Headspace Alternatives
Unlike Headspace, most of Insight Timerโ€™s content is free, meaning you donโ€™t need a premium subscription to start meditating. Additionally, Headspace is geared toward beginner meditators, with a 30-minute limit on most sessions. Insight Timer is ideal for practitioners of all levels, from beginner to advanced. Meditation practices range from five-minute introductory sessions...
Eight Meditation Apps That Are Cheaper (and Better) Than Headspace and Calm
Waking Up takes the elements of Buddhism, Stoicism, and mindfulness meditation to create a 28-day long course. All you have to do is spend 10 or so minutes on the practice every day. The $99/year membership is not cheaper than Headspace, but if youโ€™re trying to explore the mindfulness meditation space, you can try out the 28-day beginnerโ€™s courseโ€”you can use the program for...
Source: lifehacker.com
The 20 Best Health and Fitness Apps of 2023
Headspace is another leading meditation and mindfulness app. It focuses on helping individuals reduce stress, improve focus, and cultivate a sense of calm through guided meditation sessions.
12 best mindfulness apps to help you keep calm during a crisis
Headspace was one of the first meditation apps and remains one of the best-known on the market. Following its launch in 2010, it has accrued more than 65 million members across 190 countries โ€“ and itโ€™s not hard to see why. The app is a great choice if you want to learn the essentials of meditation and mindfulness, with hundreds of guided meditations on subjects including...

BetterHelp Reviews

The Online Therapy Services Weโ€™d Use
Psychologists are unable to prescribe medication. For prescription meds, you need to connect with a healthcare provider capable of prescribing medication, such as a psychiatrist. Since psychiatrists tend not to provide therapy, most healthcare professionals suggest seeing both a psychiatrist and a psychologist if you (or your therapist) think you might benefit from...
The Top 5 Online Mental Health & Therapy On-Demand Services
Over time Betterhelp has also partnered with two of the other entries on our list to focus on teen counseling (through TeenCounseling.com) and couples counseling (through regain.us).When viewed in its totality, Betterhelp offers a wider range of price points, communication methods, and tailored services for teens, couples, and individuals than any other online therapy...
8 Online Alternatives That Are Cheaper Than Traditional In-Person Therapy
BetterHelp wants to make counseling accessible, affordable and convenient, allowing you to get help anywhere at anytime. Within 24 hours of signing up, you are matched with a trained, licensed counselor who you can instant message, speak with over the phone or video conference. All methods are included in your membership at no additional cost.
Source: themighty.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Headspace seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 17 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Headspace mentions (17)

  • How is the McNair unit?
    This is a list of resources that provide mental health education, as well as strategies and tools to manage mental health. โ€ข Anxiety BC: http://anxietybc.ca โ€ข BIPOC Mental Health: https://www.ubcpactra.ca/bipoc-and-lgbtq-mental-health- Supports/ โ€ข Centre for Clinical Interventions: http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking- After-Yourself โ€ข First Nations Mental Health:... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Transference of awareness from the periphery to the centre
    Meditating on headspace.com offers real acceleration, easy techniques,. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Smiling through the financial problems in this unbearable capitalist world โœจ
    Check out the headspace.com app I found it real helpful to make my mind a kinder place. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I naturally LD every night. AMA
    I think practicing mantra work and meditation and mindful exercise -- will help you touch this experience with ease in waking and in dreams. I enjoyed the headspace.com app. The advanced courses are great. Also learning and studying a religion. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Something I've thought about
    i'm here for you, meditation helps the mind, don't let your thoughts boss you around, you are the awareness behind them, check out headspace.com helped me with my thoughts, take care! Source: over 3 years ago
View more

BetterHelp mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of BetterHelp yet. Tracking of BetterHelp recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Headspace and BetterHelp, you can also consider the following products

Calm - Calm.com can help you reduce stress and increase calm.

7 cups - Want to talk to someone now?

Medito - 100% Free Meditation App that will improve your Mental wellbeing with the help of Guided Meditations, Breathing Exercises, Mindfulness Practices, Relaxing Sounds, and more.

Talkspace - Connect with a licensed therapist from the palm of your hand, and experience the most convenient, affordable way to improve your mental health. Start today.

Insight Timer - Support your meditation practice through a massive community powered app.

Simple Habit - Our mission is to empower humans to stress less, achieve more, and live better. Meditate today!