Amwell vs. Headway: Which is better for your needs?

Choosing the right mental health platform should be straightforward, but with so many online therapy services available, comparing options like Amwell and Headway can quickly become complicated — particularly when you're also managing insurance coverage, availability concerns, and the important work of finding a provider who's the right match for you.

Both platforms provide access to quality care, though they operate in distinctly different ways. This guide walks through the core differences between Amwell and Headway, covering everything from pricing and insurance to provider availability and how sessions work, so you can make an informed decision that supports your mental health.

If you're comparing Amwell vs Headway alongside other online therapy options, knowing how each one functions can help you narrow down what works best for your needs.

You could also consider Rula when exploring mental healthcare options. Rula works with a nationwide network of over 21,000 licensed providers, accepts most major insurance plans, and offers both therapy and psychiatry through virtual and in-person appointments. With insurance, many patients pay around $15 per session, which may appeal to people looking for affordable online therapy.

Amwell vs. Headway: Differences at a glance

Both Amwell and Headway offer virtual mental healthcare services, but they differ significantly in their approach to care delivery, pricing models, and provider networks. If you're ready to find a therapist, understanding these key differences can help you choose the platform that best aligns with your insurance coverage, treatment preferences, and scheduling needs.

Average cost per session:

• Amwell: Average insurance copays not publicized; $99 or less for therapy sessions with insurance, $199 for an initial psychiatry visit, and $95 for follow-up psychiatry visits

• Headway: $0 to $35 per session with insurance depending on your plan

Provider network size:

• Amwell: 2,200+ providers

• Headway: 60,000+ providers

Session formats available:

• Amwell: Video and phone appointments, plus secure messaging

• Headway: Browser-based video telehealth and in-person appointments, plus a messaging portal

Mental health services:

• Amwell: Individual, couples, family, and group therapy, along with psychiatry for medication management

• Headway: Talk therapy for individuals, couples, families, children, and adolescents, as well as medication management

Insurance coverage:

• Amwell: Accepts major plans including Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Highmark, and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, but does not accept Medicare or Medicaid

• Headway: Accepts Aetna, Blue Cross and Blue Shield in select states, Cigna, Oscar, Oxford, United Healthcare, Optum, and select Medicare and Medicaid plans

Geographic availability:

• Amwell: All 50 states and Washington D.C.

• Headway: All 50 states and Washington D.C.

Specialty areas:

• Amwell: Multiple specialties including anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, grief, life transitions, and LGBTQ+ counseling

• Headway: 20+ specialties including addiction, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, couples counseling, family therapy, grief, LGBTQIA+ care, maternal mental health, OCD, and PTSD

Diversity and cultural competency:

• Amwell: LGBTQIA+ affirming care with Fenway Institute training, culturally responsive care, and therapy for children ages 10 and up

• Headway: Cultural competency training partnership with Violet, services in 57+ languages, and LGBTQIA+ specialty category

Care delivery model:

• Amwell: Virtual-only care through video and phone

• Headway: Hybrid care with browser-based telehealth and in-person options

Amwell at a glance

Founded in 2006, Amwell is a telehealth platform that connects patients with licensed mental health providers through video and phone appointments. Services include individual, couples, family, and group therapy, plus psychiatry for medication management. Therapy is available for children ages 10 and up with parental consent, and psychiatry is available for adults 18+. The platform operates 24/7, with day, night, and weekend appointment availability across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Self-pay for therapy sessions is $99 or less, while psychiatry visits are $199 for initial appointments and $95 for follow-ups, with self-pay options available. Patients can review a provider's education, experience, and treatment approach before booking. Psychiatry appointments are typically available within 14 days. The platform uses HIPAA-compliant video technology accessible via computer, iPad, or iPhone, with a mobile app for convenient access.

Headway at a glance

Headway was founded in 2019 as a mental health platform that helps people find and book in-network therapy and psychiatry through their insurance. The platform's network includes more than 60,000 insurance-accepting providers, with both telehealth and in-person appointment options. Services include talk therapy for individuals, couples, families, children, and adolescents, plus medication management. Headway is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and uses an insurance-first model — active, accepted insurance is required to sign up and book appointments.

Patients can search for providers by insurance, preferences, and availability, then book directly from provider profiles. The platform verifies insurance benefits and shows expected out-of-pocket costs upfront, with session costs typically ranging from $0 to $35. Telehealth runs in a web browser on any device, and between-session messaging is available through a dedicated portal.

Rula at a glance

Founded in 2019, Rula is a mental health platform that helps patients find licensed therapists and psychiatric practitioners covered by their insurance and book appointments online. Rula offers individual, couples, family, child, and teen therapy, plus psychiatry (medication management). Sessions are held via live video on Zoom, with in-person therapy available at provider-operated offices in some locations. Care is available across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Rula is in-network with most major insurance plans and provides an estimated out-of-pocket cost before the first appointment. Patients typically pay around $15 per session when using insurance (costs vary by plan), with self-pay rates also available. HSA and FSA funds can be used for out-of-pocket expenses, and patients can message their provider through the patient portal and switch providers if their first match isn't the right fit.

Clinical outcomes and how we compare

Clinical outcomes and evidence-based approaches are essential indicators of whether a mental health platform delivers effective care that leads to real symptom improvement and sustained progress.

Amwell clinical outcomes

Amwell shows a strong focus on quality care, reflected in high patient satisfaction rates. Based on the platform's data, 97% of clients report being very or extremely satisfied with their therapist, and providers maintain an average rating of 4.9 out of 5.

Headway clinical outcomes

Headway also tracks clinical data to measure patient improvement. Patients show a 32% average reduction in PHQ-9 scores (a common measure for depression symptoms) in the first 30 days of care. Additionally, 71% of Headway patients show measurable improvement within 30 days, and 86% of patients attend at least three sessions, which indicates strong early engagement and sustained care.

Rula clinical outcomes

Rula measures success by tracking both symptom improvement and the strength of the provider-patient connection: According to platform data, 93% of patients report progress in their symptoms, 94% report feeling comfortable with their provider, and 98% were connected with a provider who met their specific preferences — outcomes that surpass national benchmarks by more than 10%.

Cost and insurance coverage

Amwell and Headway take different approaches to insurance and pricing. Amwell offers both insurance-based and self-pay options with transparent flat rates, while Headway operates primarily as an insurance-first platform that calculates costs based on your specific plan. For many people seeking online therapy insurance information, this distinction is one of the most important factors in deciding between the two.

Insurance plans accepted

Amwell works with a variety of major insurance plans, which can be helpful if you want to use your existing benefits. The platform accepts:

• Academic Health Plans

• AlohaCare

• Anthem Blue Cross and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

• Several Blue Cross Blue Shield state plans (such as those in Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, and Massachusetts)

• Capital Blue Cross and Capital Health Plan

• MVP Healthcare

• United Healthcare

• UPMC Health Plan

Note that Amwell does not accept Medicare or Medicaid.

Headway works with most major insurance carriers:

• Aetna

• Blue Cross Blue Shield (in select states)

• Cigna

• Oscar

• Oxford

• United Healthcare

• Optum affiliates

• Select Medicare plans

Rula is in-network with most major insurance plans, including Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Optum Behavioral Health, and Oscar. Rula also works with select Medicare and Medicaid plans in certain states and with certain insurers, and shows you an estimated out-of-pocket cost before your first appointment.

Out-of-pocket costs (with insurance)

Your out-of-pocket expenses with Amwell vary based on your insurance plan's copay, coinsurance, and deductible. Since Amwell maintains in-network status with numerous major health plans, virtual mental health services are frequently covered benefits. It's important to confirm your exact costs with your insurance carrier before scheduling your first session.

Headway offers session costs as low as $0, with typical ranges of $15 to $35 per session for plans like Aetna. Exact costs vary based on your insurance plan, location, session length, and provider. Headway verifies benefits and shows expected out-of-pocket costs in your account and confirmation emails before billing, which occurs after each session.

HSA/FSA eligibility

Amwell accepts HSA and FSA cards for payment, allowing you to use pre-tax dollars for therapy and psychiatry services. Headway also supports HSA and FSA payments through two methods. You can add your FSA or HSA debit card as your payment method, or you can download Headway invoices and submit them to your plan for reimbursement.

Self-pay pricing

Amwell self-pay rates:

• Therapy: $99 or less per session

• Psychiatry: $199 for initial visit, $95 for follow-up visits

Headway primarily serves patients with insurance coverage, requiring new users to have active, accepted insurance to create an account and schedule appointments. Self-pay options are typically only available to current patients if their individual provider chooses to offer that arrangement. Because rates are determined by each provider independently, Headway doesn't list standardized self-pay pricing.

Mental health services offered

The range of treatment approaches and therapeutic modalities a platform offers directly impacts whether you can find care that matches your specific mental health needs and preferences. Both Amwell and Headway provide access to evidence-based therapies, though they differ in how comprehensively they detail available approaches.

Treatment approaches offered by Amwell

Amwell provides access to multiple treatment options designed to support a range of mental health concerns.

Therapy modalities available through Amwell include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Motivational interviewing

Areas of clinical focus include:

• Anxiety and anxiety disorders

• Bipolar disorder

• Depression

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Psychiatry services for medication management are offered to adults 18 and older, though Amwell providers are unable to prescribe controlled substances through telehealth.

Treatment approaches offered by Headway

Headway provides access to a broad spectrum of mental health services, covering both therapy and psychiatry. The platform reports offering care across 25+ specialty areas and includes providers credentialed to prescribe and oversee medication.

Treatment modalities available through Headway include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

• Strength-based therapy

• Trauma-focused CBT

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Emotion-focused therapy (EFT)

• Attachment-based family therapy

• Cognitive behavioral family therapy

• Gottman Method

• Integrative behavioral couple therapy (IBCT)

• Multidimensional family therapy

• Psychodynamic therapy

• Narrative therapy

• Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)

• Motivational interviewing

Headway's network includes psychiatrists and psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) who are licensed to prescribe and manage medication.

Treatment approaches offered by Rula

Rula connects patients with licensed providers across 180+ clinical specialties and modalities, with therapy available for children ages 5 and up and psychiatry (medication management) available for people 13 and older.

Common approaches used by providers on Rula include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT))

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Trauma-focused therapy, including EMDR and prolonged exposure

• Internal family systems (IFS)) and attachment-based approaches

• Couples and family therapies, such as the Gottman Method and emotionally focused therapy (EFT))

• Mindfulness-based and somatic therapies

Rula patients can find support for concerns like anxiety, ADHD, autism, trauma and PTSD, OCD, substance use issues and addiction, and relationship and family needs through family therapy.

Inclusivity and specialized care

Finding a provider who understands your identity, background, and lived experience can make a significant difference in the quality and effectiveness of your care. Both platforms recognize the importance of cultural competency and inclusive care, though they approach it differently. Amwell uses structured training programs, while Headway relies on network diversity and provider choice.

Amwell inclusivity and specialization overview

Licensure types: Amwell's network includes licensed therapists, board-certified psychiatrists, and other behavioral health clinicians.

Specializations offered: Providers specialize in treating anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD and trauma, OCD, grief and bereavement, life transitions, insomnia, panic attacks, social anxiety, and stress management. The platform also offers specialized LGBTQ+ counseling and services for children and adolescents ages 10 to 17.

Languages available: Amwell does not publish specific information about the number of languages available across its provider network.

Inclusivity factors: Amwell is explicitly LGBTQ+ affirming, with providers trained through the Fenway Institute on best practices for caring for LGBTQIA+ populations. Therapy is available for children starting at age 10 with parental consent, and providers are experienced in treating adolescents.

Headway inclusivity and specialization overview

Licensure types: Headway's network of over 60,000 providers includes therapists, psychiatrists, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners, MDs, and DOs who can provide talk therapy and medication management.

Specializations offered: The platform covers over 20 specialties including addiction, anxiety and depression, bipolar disorder, couples and family therapy, grief and loss, LGBTQIA+ care, maternal mental health, OCD, and PTSD and trauma. Providers also offer child and adolescent therapy, with services available for patients ranging from age 3 to 80+.

Languages available: Headway providers offer services in over 57 languages, making care accessible to diverse communities.

Inclusivity factors: Headway actively addresses barriers to finding culturally competent care through a partnership with Violet to upskill cultural competency in providers. The network includes significant BIPOC representation, and the platform offers directory filtering for LGBTQIA+ specialty care.

Platform availability and access

How quickly you can access care, how easily you can find the right provider, and what formats are available for sessions all play crucial roles in whether a platform will work for your lifestyle and needs. Amwell and Headway differ significantly in their access models. Amwell offers virtual-only care with a curated network, while Headway provides both telehealth and in-person options through a larger, searchable provider directory.

Rula is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., offering scheduled, appointment-based care through live video (Zoom) and in-person therapy with eligible providers, with appointments commonly available as soon as tomorrow.

How access works with Amwell

• States served: Amwell operates across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., but doesn't provide services internationally.

• Matching process: You can browse provider profiles that detail their education, clinical experience, and therapeutic approach, then select a provider who aligns with your needs.

• Session formats: Sessions are conducted through scheduled appointments using HIPAA-compliant video or phone. Secure messaging is also available for communication between appointments.

• Scheduling: Appointments can be booked during daytime, evening, and weekend hours. Therapy wait times are typically four days or less, while psychiatry appointments are generally accessible within 14 days.

• App/portal experience: You can access Amwell through a web browser or mobile app, which includes features for assessments, tracking your progress, scheduling appointments, and messaging your provider.

How access works with Headway

States served: Headway provides mental health services across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., making it accessible to patients throughout the United States.

Matching process: To get started with Headway, you can enter your insurance information into the platform. You can search through the provider directory using a variety of filters, including clinical specialty areas, preferred session type, and geographic location.

Session formats: Headway operates using a hybrid care model, which means you have the flexibility to choose between virtual telehealth sessions or in-person appointments, depending on what works best for your schedule.

Scheduling: Appointments are booked directly online through the platform based on each provider's real-time availability. You can typically expect to wait an average of 4.9 days for your first therapy appointment and 3.8 days for an initial medication management session with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner.

App/portal experience: Unlike some other telehealth platforms, Headway doesn't offer a standalone mobile app. Instead, all platform features, including browsing providers, booking appointments, and accessing session links, are managed through a web browser.

What each platform does best

Understanding what each platform does best can help you make an informed choice based on your priorities. Think about whether you prefer straightforward, flat-rate pricing or insurance-verified costs, whether virtual-only care suits your needs or you'd benefit from in-person options, and how much weight you place on factors like provider network size and appointment availability.

Amwell excels when you need:

• Transparent, flat-rate pricing that's easy to understand upfront ($99 or less for therapy, $199 for an initial psychiatry visit, and $95 for follow-ups)

• LGBTQ+ affirming care with specialized training

• 24/7/365 availability with day, night, and weekend scheduling

• A mobile app for convenient access to appointments

• Self-pay options if you do not have insurance or prefer not to use it

• Integrated progress tracking tools and digital assessments

Headway excels when you need:

• A large provider network of over 60,000 providers with more choice

• Both telehealth and in-person appointment options

• An insurance-first model with upfront cost verification, offering sessions as low as $0 to $35

• Medicare or Medicaid coverage, as select plans are accepted

• Services in one of 57+ languages

• Between-session messaging through a dedicated portal

Summary: Is Amwell or Headway right for you?

Amwell and Headway offer different paths to mental healthcare. Amwell provides virtual-only care with transparent flat-rate pricing and specialized LGBTQ+ training, though it doesn't accept Medicare or Medicaid. Headway operates as an insurance-first platform with a large provider network, accepts select Medicare and Medicaid plans, and offers both telehealth and in-person options — though new clients must have active insurance to sign up.

Amwell may be the better fit for people who value predictable costs, prefer virtual-only care, and want a platform with clear evidence-based approaches. Headway tends to work well for people who need the flexibility of in-person appointments, want access to a larger provider network, or require Medicare or Medicaid coverage.

Rula is also worth considering for people who want insurance-based care with the option of therapy or psychiatry through a single platform. Rula supports therapy for ages 5+ and psychiatry for ages 13+ across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with sessions held via live video on Zoom and in-person therapy. Patients receive an upfront cost estimate before their first appointment, and appointments are often available as soon as tomorrow.

FAQs

Does Amwell or Headway accept insurance?

Both platforms accept insurance, but their coverage differs. Headway operates as an insurance-first platform with a large network of providers accepting most major commercial plans, plus select Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Amwell partners with major commercial insurance providers but does not accept Medicare or Medicaid.

How much does Amwell cost compared to Headway?

Amwell offers transparent self-pay rates: $99 or less per therapy session and $199 for an initial psychiatry visit. The platform doesn't publish average insurance copays. Headway session costs typically range from $0 to $35 depending on your insurance plan, location, and provider. Both platforms display expected out-of-pocket costs before booking.

Does Amwell or Headway offer in-person therapy?

Headway offers both telehealth and in-person therapy options across its provider network. Amwell is virtual-only, with all sessions delivered via video or phone. People who want the option of face-to-face appointments will find Headway the more flexible choice.

Why choose Rula for quality of care?

Rula emphasizes measurable outcomes alongside access, with 93% of patients reporting they feel better about their symptoms after receiving care through the platform. Its nationwide network of 21,000+ licensed providers spans 180+ clinical specialties and modalities, offering therapy and psychiatry (medication management) through virtual appointments on Zoom and in-person therapy. Rula is in-network with most major insurance plans, with typical insured costs around $15 per session.

Find care with Rula

Choosing between mental health platforms is an important decision—one that can shape not just your experience, but your progress. If you're ready to move forward, Rula makes it straightforward to find care that works with your insurance and fits your life. You can verify your benefits in minutes, browse providers who match your preferences and clinical needs, see your estimated costs upfront, and often book your first appointment as soon as tomorrow.

When you're ready to take the next step, Rula is here to help you get there.