BetterHelp vs Online-Therapy.com

Open-ended versus structured

The main difference is approach. On BetterHelp, the style of therapy depends on the therapist you are matched with. Online-Therapy.com is built around cognitive behavioral therapy, so every plan comes with structured sections, worksheets and a journal your therapist can review.

Formats

Both let you message your therapist and hold live sessions. BetterHelp offers live chat, phone and video. Online-Therapy.com offers live sessions by video, voice or text, depending on your plan. Check what each plan includes before you sign up.

Matching and switching

BetterHelp's large network and simple therapist-change request make it easier to find a good fit if the first match does not work. Online-Therapy.com gives you less say in choosing a therapist up front, though you can contact support about changing.

Cost

Both offer subscriptions. BetterHelp lists in-network options with some health plans in some states, while Online-Therapy.com does not accept direct insurance payments but provides receipts you can submit to your insurer. Plan prices change, so check the current price and billing terms on each site, and note how to cancel.

Who each suits

BetterHelp tends to suit people who want to talk things through in their own way, change formats from week to week, or who are not yet sure what kind of therapy they want. Its mix of live chat, phone and video makes it easy to experiment.

Online-Therapy.com tends to suit people who like to work on something between sessions, such as filling in a worksheet or keeping a journal, and who want a clear sense of the framework they are following. If you have tried CBT before and found it useful, its program will feel familiar.

The bottom line

If you want flexibility, BetterHelp is the better all-rounder. If you know you like homework and structure, Online-Therapy.com's CBT program may suit you well. Neither is for emergencies; in a crisis, call or text 988.