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

Choosing a mental health platform for online therapy can feel more complicated than it should be. When you're comparing services like BetterHelp and Headway, the differences in pricing models, insurance acceptance, and available treatment options can make it hard to know where to start.

These two platforms take distinctly different approaches to connecting you with care. BetterHelp functions as a subscription service offering virtual therapy sessions, while Headway helps you find providers who accept your insurance for both telehealth and in-person visits. This guide walks through how each one works — including what they cost, what services they provide, and what limitations to keep in mind — so you can make an informed decision.

You might also consider Rula when exploring your options. Rula connects you with 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.

BetterHelp vs. Headway: Differences at a glance

BetterHelp is a subscription-based virtual therapy platform, while Headway is an insurance-focused directory that helps you find a therapist in-network for both virtual and in-person care. Here's how they compare across the most important factors:

Average cost per session:

• BetterHelp: About $23 copay with insurance (or $70 to $100 per week via subscription plan)

• Headway: $0 to $35 per session with insurance

Number of providers:

• BetterHelp: 35,000 therapists

• Headway: 60,000+ licensed providers

Modes of communication:

• BetterHelp: In-app messaging, live chat, phone, and video sessions (virtual-only platform)

• Headway: Browser-based video telehealth and in-person sessions available

Services offered:

• BetterHelp: Individual therapy only (couples therapy available through sister company Regain; teen counseling through Teen Counseling); no medication management or psychiatric services

• Headway: Individual, couples, family, and child/adolescent therapy, plus medication management with psychiatrists and prescribers

Insurance acceptance:

• BetterHelp: Limited insurance acceptance that varies by plan and location

• Headway: In-network with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield (select states), Cigna, Oscar, Oxford, United Healthcare, Optum affiliates, and select Medicare plans

States covered:

• BetterHelp: All 50 states and Washington, D.C., plus international availability

• Headway: All 50 states and Washington, D.C. (U.S. only)

Number of specialties offered:

• BetterHelp: 20+ clinical specialties

• Headway: 25+ specialties

Inclusivity and patient focus:

• BetterHelp: Teen services available through sister site; doesn't explicitly detail LGBTQ-affirming programs or cultural competency standards

• Headway: Services in 57+ languages, cultural competency pilot program, LGBTQIA+ specialty category

Virtual-only or virtual + in-person availability:

• BetterHelp: Virtual-only platform

• Headway: Both virtual and in-person sessions available

BetterHelp at a glance

BetterHelp is a subscription-based online therapy platform founded in 2013 and owned by Teladoc Health. It provides personalized therapy in a convenient online format for adults over 18, with teen therapy available through its sister site, Teen Counseling. The subscription costs $70 to $100 per week and includes one live session per week via audio, chat, or video, plus unlimited messaging with your therapist and access to platform features like webinars and classes.

The matching process begins with an online intake questionnaire about your needs and preferences. Most patients get matched with a provider within 24-48 hours. You can browse therapists by specialization and change providers at any time for no additional cost. The platform is available as an app and website and includes tools like a digital journal, goal tracking, and worksheets to support your progress between sessions.

Headway at a glance

Headway is a platform designed to help you find and book in-network mental healthcare, founded in 2019. Its mission is to build a new mental healthcare system by creating a national network of over 60,000 providers who accept insurance. Headway supports both virtual (browser-based telehealth) and in-person appointments, but new users must have an active, accepted insurance plan to sign up and book appointments.

To find a provider, you enter your insurance information and use filters to set your preferences, then book directly from a provider's profile. The average wait time for a first appointment is 4.9 days for talk therapy and 3.8 days for medication management. With insurance, sessions typically cost between $0 and $35, depending on your plan.

Rula at a glance

If you're interested in other alternatives, Rula is another option worth considering. Rula is a mental health platform founded in 2019 that helps people find licensed therapists covered by insurance and schedule care online. It supports both telehealth appointments via live video (Zoom) and in-person therapy appointments at provider offices, with care available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Unlike a subscription model, Rula supports both insurance and self-pay options, and it confirms your estimated per-session cost before your first appointment.

Rula offers individual therapy for children ages five and older, along with couples therapy, family therapy, and psychiatric care with medication management for patients 13 and up. Most insured patients pay around $15 per session, and the platform provides an estimated cost before booking.

The sign-up process is transparent: Rula verifies your insurance benefits upfront and lets you filter in-network providers across a network of 21,000+ clinicians spanning 180+ specialties and modalities, making it easier to find care that feels like the right fit.

Clinical outcomes and how they compare

Evidence-based care and measurable outcomes are essential indicators of effective mental health treatment. Both BetterHelp and Headway track clinical outcomes to monitor patient progress, though they report different types of data and transparency levels.

BetterHelp's care is rooted in evidence-based practice and monitored for results using clinically validated assessments. Based on published 2024 outcomes data, BetterHelp reports that 72% of clients experience a reduction in symptoms after receiving care, 69% achieve reliable improvement, and 62% reach symptom remission.

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.

It’s also worth noting that Rula reports consistently strong outcomes, including that 93% of patients report feeling better about their symptoms after receiving care through Rula, and 98% find a provider who meets their preferences.

Cost and insurance coverage

BetterHelp and Headway take fundamentally different approaches to cost and payment. BetterHelp operates primarily as a subscription service with limited insurance options, while Headway is built around using in-network insurance coverage, which significantly impacts out-of-pocket costs and accessibility.

Insurance plans accepted

BetterHelp works with select insurance carriers, but doesn't list specific networks on its website. Insurance availability is limited and depends on your plan and location.

Headway accepts most major insurance carriers:

• Aetna

• Blue Cross Blue Shield (in select states)

• Cigna

• Oscar

• Oxford

• United Healthcare

• Optum affiliates

• Select Medicare plans

You could also consider Rula if using insurance and understanding costs upfront are priorities for you. Rula is in-network with most major insurers, and patients typically pay around $15 per session when using plans like Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, or similar coverage, with benefits verified before the first appointment.

Out-of-pocket costs (with insurance)

BetterHelp works with major insurance carriers in 17 states, with approximate copays of $23 per session (if your insurance plan is expected). It's important to verify your coverage and exact out-of-pocket cost before your first session, as it can vary by the specific plan and location.

With an accepted insurance plan, out-of-pocket costs on Headway typically range from $0 to $35 per session. The platform calculates your expected cost based on your insurance information and displays it in your account before you book. Billing occurs after your session is complete, so you won't be charged until after you receive care.

HSA/FSA eligibility

Both platforms make it easy to use pre-tax funds for your mental healthcare:

• BetterHelp: Accepts both FSA and HSA cards directly for payment

• Headway: Accepts FSA/HSA cards for direct payment, or you can download invoices from your account and submit them to your FSA, HSA, or HRA plan for reimbursement

Self-pay pricing

BetterHelp's subscription costs $70 to $100 per week, which translates to $280 to $400 per month. This price includes one live session per week and unlimited messaging with your therapist. The platform also offers need-based financial aid to some patients, though it doesn't explicitly describe a sliding scale fee schedule.

Headway's model is built for insured patients, and new patients must have an active, accepted insurance plan to sign up and book appointments. Private pay is generally limited to existing patients whose provider offers it as an option.

Mental health services offered

The range of services a platform offers — from different therapy approaches to medication management — directly impacts whether it can meet your specific mental health needs. BetterHelp and Headway differ significantly in the breadth of their clinical services.

Treatment approaches offered by BetterHelp

BetterHelp focuses exclusively on talk therapy provided by licensed mental health professionals. The platform covers over 20 clinical specialties but doesn't offer psychiatric services or medication management.

Therapy modalities include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Mindfulness-based approaches (e.g., MBCT)

• Psychodynamic therapy

• Interpersonal therapy (IPT)

• Solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT)

• Motivational interviewing (MI)

• Exposure-based therapies for anxiety and OCD (e.g., ERP)

• Person-centered/humanistic therapy

• Attachment-based and narrative therapies

The platform does not offer access to psychiatrists or medication management.

Treatment approaches offered by Headway

Headway offers a more comprehensive range of services, including both therapy and psychiatry. The platform explicitly states it covers 25+ specialties and includes providers who can prescribe and manage medication.

Headway's common treatment types 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 has multiple provider types, including psychiatrists and PMHNPs, that can prescribe and manage medication.

Treatment approaches offered by Rula

Rula offers both therapy and psychiatry (medication management). Its network includes 21,000+ providers and spans 180+ clinical specialties and modalities, so patients can find care for a wide range of needs.

Common approaches used by Rula providers 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

With this range of modalities, Rula providers support care for concerns like anxiety, ADHD, autism, trauma and PTSD, and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Rula also supports care for substance use concerns, including addiction.

Inclusivity and specialized care

Finding a provider who understands your identity, background, and specific needs is crucial for building trust and making progress in therapy. This includes language access, cultural competency, specialized expertise, and representation across diverse communities.

BetterHelp inclusivity and specialization overview

BetterHelp maintains a large network of licensed therapists, and its intake questionnaire allows you to specify preferences for your therapist's background and characteristics.

Licensure types: BetterHelp's network includes licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and psychologists (PhD/PsyD). The platform doesn't include psychiatrists or other prescribing providers.

Specializations offered: Therapists treat a wide range of common mental health concerns, including depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, stress, ADHD, OCD, substance use, eating disorders, anger management, and parenting issues.

Languages available: Therapy may be available in other languages beyond English, but BetterHelp doesn't provide an explicit list of supported languages.

Inclusivity factors: BetterHelp offers LGBTQIA+ community counseling through a subsidiary (Pride Counseling) and allows you to request therapists from specific backgrounds during the matching process. Teen services are available through sister site Teen Counseling for ages 13 to 19.

Headway inclusivity and specialization overview

Headway emphasizes culturally competent care and offers several features to support diverse patient populations:

Licensure types: Headway's network of 60,000+ providers spans licensed therapists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, medical doctors, and doctors of osteopathic medicine.

Specializations offered: Headway's network covers more than 25 specialty areas, including support for addiction, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, grief and loss, maternal mental health, OCD, PTSD, and trauma.

Languages available: Headway providers offer care in over 57 languages.

Inclusivity factors: Headway has a dedicated LGBTQIA+ specialty category and is piloting a program with Violet to enhance cultural competence among its providers. The platform reports that its network includes a significant share of providers who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC).

Platform availability and access

How you access care — from finding a provider to scheduling sessions — shapes your entire therapy experience.

With Rula, you can verify your insurance in minutes, match with in-network providers for therapy or medication management, and schedule your first appointment often as soon as tomorrow. Rula handles provider matching and care coordination so you can focus on getting the support you need.

How access works with BetterHelp

BetterHelp provides broad access to care with a streamlined onboarding process and flexible ways to connect with a therapist:

States served: BetterHelp is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., with international availability in the UK, Australia, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Matching process: After completing an online questionnaire about your needs and preferences, you’re matched with a therapist. You can also browse therapists by specialization and availability, and you can switch therapists at any time at no additional cost.

Session formats: BetterHelp is a virtual-only platform offering multiple communication methods, including in-app messaging and live chat, phone, and video sessions.

Scheduling: Scheduling is flexible, with therapists setting their own hours. You can find availability for late-night, weekend, and holiday sessions.

App/portal experience: BetterHelp is available as both an app and website on Android and iOS. Platform tools include digital journal, goal and habit tracking, and worksheets. Your subscription includes access to group sessions, classes, and webinars.

How access works with Headway

Headway offers a self-directed experience focused on helping you find and book care with an in-network provider. It’s insurance-first, so you’ll verify your coverage and see your expected cost before scheduling. Here’s what accessing care with Headway looks like:

States served: Headway is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., but isn't available internationally.

Matching process: Enter your insurance details, then search the provider directory using filters for specialty, session type (virtual or in-person), and location. Headway’s support team can assist if you’d like help finding a provider. The average wait time for a first appointment is 4.9 days for therapy and 3.8 days for medication management.

Session formats: Headway offers a hybrid model with both virtual and in-person options.

Scheduling: You book appointments online based on provider availability. By default, you can't book a session within 48 hours.

App/portal experience: Headway doesn't have a dedicated mobile app and is accessed through a web browser.

What each platform does best

Comparing where each platform stands out can help you make a more informed, intentional decision about your care. If cost transparency, provider network size, or insurance acceptance matters most to you, understanding each platform’s strengths can guide you toward the right fit.

BetterHelp strengths:

• Multiple communication methods: Offers messaging, live chat, phone, and video sessions for maximum flexibility in how you connect with your therapist

• Unlimited between-session messaging: Allows you to communicate with your therapist outside of scheduled appointments

• Flexible scheduling: Therapists offer wide availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays

• No insurance required: Access care without needing to navigate insurance networks

• Broad geographic availability: Available in all 50 states and internationally

• Additional platform tools: Digital journal, worksheets, goal tracking, and group sessions included in subscription

• Subscription predictability: Fixed weekly or monthly cost with one session plus messaging included

Headway strengths:

• In-network insurance coverage: Works with major carriers for significantly lower out-of-pocket costs

• Medication management available: Provides access to psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and other prescribers

• Larger provider network: Over 60,000 licensed providers including prescribing providers

• In-person option: Offers both virtual and in-person sessions, not limited to virtual-only care

• Broader service types: Supports individual, couples, family, and child/adolescent therapy on one platform

• Pay-per-session model: Only pay for sessions you attend, with no subscription commitment

Summary: Is BetterHelp or Headway right for you?

BetterHelp may be a good fit if you want subscription-based virtual therapy with flexible communication options, including messaging between sessions. It can work well if you don’t plan to use insurance, prefer predictable weekly pricing, or need access outside the U.S. However, it doesn’t offer in-person care or medication management.

Headway may be the better choice if you want to use insurance and see your cost upfront before booking. It connects you with in-network providers for both therapy and psychiatry, with options for virtual or in-person care. You’ll need active insurance coverage to get started, and services are limited to the U.S.

Another option worth considering is Rula. Rula brings therapy and psychiatry together on one platform, offering virtual and in-person care through a nationwide network of in-network providers. It works with most major insurance plans and provides upfront cost estimates before your first appointment. For many people using insurance, sessions average around $15, making it an accessible choice for ongoing, integrated mental healthcare.

FAQs

How do costs compare between BetterHelp and Headway?

BetterHelp uses a weekly subscription model, with self-pay costs typically ranging from $70–$100 per week. The subscription includes one live session per week plus unlimited messaging, but insurance coverage is limited.

Headway uses a pay-per-session model and is designed for people using insurance. With in-network coverage, copays commonly range from $0–$35 per session, depending on your plan. Headway does not offer a self-pay option for uninsured patients.

How does getting started differ between BetterHelp and Headway?

BetterHelp uses a questionnaire-based matching system. You answer questions about your needs and preferences, and you’re matched with a licensed therapist. You can begin messaging right away and schedule live sessions once matched.

Headway uses a browse-and-book approach. You enter your insurance information, filter providers by specialty, session type, and availability, and book directly from a clinician’s profile. There’s no subscription — you schedule appointments individually based on provider availability.

What insurance plans do BetterHelp and Headway accept, and how do you verify coverage before your first session?

BetterHelp primarily operates on a self-pay subscription model and has limited insurance partnerships. If insurance is available in your area, you can check eligibility during sign-up.

Headway is insurance-focused and works with many major plans, including Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and others (availability varies by state). You verify your insurance details up front and can see your estimated out-of-pocket cost before booking your first appointment.

Why choose Rula for quality of care?

Rula puts measurable outcomes at the center of care, with 93% of patients reporting they feel better about their symptoms after receiving care through Rula—alongside a nationwide network of 21,000+ providers across 180+ clinical specialties and modalities. Rula combines therapy and psychiatry (medication management) with both virtual (Zoom) and in-person appointments, and it’s in-network with many major insurance plans; many patients pay about $15 per session, with an upfront cost estimate before the first visit.

Find care with Rula

Choosing the right mental health platform matters, as it shapes your experience and your progress. If you're ready to move forward with care that accepts your insurance, Rula makes it straightforward to get started. You can verify your coverage in minutes, browse providers who match your specific needs and preferences, and see your estimated costs upfront before booking.

When you're ready to take the next step, Rula is here to help you find care that works.