Rula is direct-to-patient; Spring Health is primarily employer-sponsored. Rula lets anyone sign up and use insurance directly, while Spring Health access typically requires enrollment through your company's benefits program or other employee assistance programs.
Rula offers transparent pricing; Spring Health costs vary. Rula provides upfront cost estimates before booking (averaging $15/session with insurance), whereas Spring Health pricing depends on your employer plan and isn't publicly listed.
Insurance coverage differs significantly. Rula accepts 100+ insurance plans including Medicare and some Medicaid; Spring Health works with fewer insurers and doesn't accept Medicare or Medicaid.
Spring Health offers more service types beyond therapy. Spring Health includes coaching, care navigation, digital tools, and specialty programs, while Rula focuses specifically on therapy and psychiatry services.
Both provide fast access to diverse provider networks. Rula has 21,000+ providers with next-day availability; Spring Health offers appointments within 24–48 hours and operates in 200+ countries internationally.
Deciding on a mental health platform shouldn't add stress to an already challenging time. With so many options available, understanding what each one actually offers, and whether it fits your specific situation, can make the difference between getting the support you need and getting stuck in another frustrating search. If you're ready to find care, comparing platforms upfront can help you choose the best online therapy for your needs.
Rula and Spring Health are two leading platforms connecting people with therapy and psychiatry, but they work in fundamentally different ways. In this guide, we'll offer online therapy comparisons for Rula and Spring Health, including their features, costs, insurance coverage, and unique strengths so you can make a confident choice about your mental healthcare.
Rula vs. Spring Health: Differences at a glance
Here’s a quick look at how Rula and Spring Health compare on the most important features and how easy it is to find a therapist on each platform.
Average cost per session:
Rula: Typically $15 per session with insurance; self-pay rates start at $150 for therapy
Spring Health: Varies by employer benefit or insurance plan; often marketed as low as $0 for employer-sponsored coverage; specific self-pay rates are not published
Number of providers:
Rula: 21,000+ licensed providers
Spring Health: Total provider count is not published
Modes of communication:
Rula: Live video telehealth, secure messaging between visits, and in-person therapy appointments
Spring Health: Virtual and in-person sessions, with availability depending on your location
Services offered:
Rula: Individual, couples, family, child, and teen therapy online, plus psychiatry and medication management
Spring Health: Therapy, medication management, coaching, care navigation, self-guided digital resources, and specialty care programs
Insurance acceptance:
Rula: In-network with over 100 insurance plans, Medicare in select states, and some Managed Medicaid plans
Spring Health: In-network with some major insurance plans but primarily accessed through employer benefits; doesn't accept Medicare or Medicaid
States covered:
Rula: All 50 states and Washington, D.C., for both therapy and psychiatry
Spring Health: All 50 states and over 200 countries internationally
Number of specialties offered:
Rula: Over 180 clinical specialties and modalities
Spring Health: 11 listed specialty areas covering over 50 clinical conditions
Inclusivity and patient focus:
Rula: 51% of providers identify as BIPOC; 40+ languages spoken, and filters by gender, ethnicity, age, and faith are available
Spring Health: 47% of providers identify as BIPOC, 100+ languages are spoken, and the platform offers LGBTQ+-affirming care and a neurodiversity hub
Virtual-only or virtual + in-person availability:
Rula: Offers virtual appointments via Zoom and in-person sessions at provider offices nationwide
Spring Health: Offers both virtual and in-person sessions, but in-person availability varies by location
Rula at a glance
Rula is a comprehensive behavioral health platform built on a simple mission: to make mental healthcare work for everyone. It connects patients directly to a network of over 21,000 licensed therapists and psychiatric providers, making it easy to find high-quality care that’s covered by insurance. You can schedule appointments for therapy (for ages 5+) and psychiatry (for ages 13+) via live video or in person at a provider’s office. With availability in all 50 states and D.C., you can often find an appointment as soon as the next day.
"I’ve found my entire experience with Rula to be helpful and positive. It’s changed my life for the better.” — Rula patient
Getting started is straightforward. After you share some basic details, Rula provides a curated list of in-network providers who match your needs. From there, you can filter by specialty, gender, ethnicity, and more to find the right fit. Rula handles the complicated parts, like verifying your insurance and giving you a personalized cost estimate _before_ your first appointment, so you can focus on feeling better.
Spring Health at a glance
Spring Health is a comprehensive mental health solution that is primarily offered as a benefit through employers and health plans. The platform is built around an approach called “Precision Mental Healthcare,” which uses a proprietary assessment and matching technology to connect members to the right care from the start. Spring Health offers a wide range of services, including therapy, medication management, coaching, one-on-one care navigation, and specialized programs for conditions like substance use and trauma.
Because it’s designed as an employer benefit, access to Spring Health typically begins by activating your membership through your company. For those without employer coverage, a direct-to-consumer option called Connect by Spring Health is also available.
The care you need, when you need it
Learn how Rula can support your mental health journey
Clinical outcomes and how we compare
Clinical outcomes and evidence-based approaches are critical for determining if a mental health platform delivers real, measurable improvement for its patients. Both Rula and Spring Health track their performance, but they use different methods and report on different metrics.
Rula clinical outcomes Rula measures success by tracking both clinical improvement and the strength of the patient-provider connection. According to platform data, 93% of patients experience symptom relief, 94% report feeling comfortable and at ease with their provider, and 98% were connected with a provider who matched their specific needs and preferences — outcomes that surpass national benchmarks by more than 10%.
Spring Health clinical outcomes Spring Health has invested heavily in clinical research, with results published in peer-reviewed journals like JAMA Network Open. One study of nearly 53,000 patients found that 92.3% of participants reliably improved or recovered from depression or anxiety, with 61.7% reaching remission. The platform also reports a 9.4 out of 10 average member satisfaction rate with providers.
Cost and insurance coverage
Rula is in-network with more than 100 insurance plans. Spring Health is also in-network with many major insurance plans, but is primarily designed to be used as an employer-sponsored benefit. Learn more about the key insurance coverage differences below.
Insurance plans accepted
Rula:
*Actual cost may vary based on your insurance benefits and deductible. Rula will provide you with a personalized cost estimate prior to your first appointment.
Spring Health is in-network with several plans, but its primary access point is through employer benefits. Published in-network plans include:
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Independence Blue Cross (IBX)
St. Luke's Health Plan
The platform doesn't work with Medicare nor Medicaid plans.
Out-of-pocket costs (with insurance)
With Rula, patients using insurance typically pay an average of $15 per session. The exact amount depends on your specific insurance benefits and deductible, but Rula provides a personalized cost estimate before you book your first appointment, ensuring there are no surprises.
For Spring Health, costs are often covered by an employer, with the platform marketing care as low as $0 for those with sponsored benefits. If you use your own insurance, standard deductibles, copays, and other cost-sharing will apply based on your plan.
HSA/FSA eligibility
Both Rula and Spring Health make it easy to use pre-tax dollars for your mental health. You can use your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) card to pay for out-of-pocket expenses on either platform. Rula allows you to enter your HSA/FSA card as a payment method or submit receipts for reimbursement.
Self-pay pricing
Rula self-pay rates:
$150 for an individual therapy session
$165 for a couples therapy session
$225 for an initial psychiatry session
$175 for a follow-up psychiatry session
Spring Health doesn't publish its self-pay prices. The platform states that its providers accept out-of-pocket payments, but you will need to inquire directly to understand the cost if you're not using an employer benefit or in-network insurance.
Mental health services offered
The range of services a platform offers is important because everyone’s journey is different. Whether you need talk therapy, medication management, or specialized care for a specific condition, it’s crucial to find a platform that provides the right kind of support for you.
Treatment approaches offered by Rula
Rula’s network of licensed providers is trained in a variety of evidence-based therapeutic approaches and can treat over 180 clinical specialties. If you want to get started with therapy online, you can explore the following modalities through Rula:
Most common approaches
Behavioral therapy
Experiential therapy
Humanistic therapy
In addition to therapy, Rula offers medication management through licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) for people ages 13 and older. You can seek psychiatric care as a standalone service or combine it with therapy to create a comprehensive treatment plan.
Treatment approaches offered by Spring Health
Spring Health also provides a broad range of mental health and wellbeing services, often coordinated through its Care Navigators.
Common therapy approaches:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
EMDR
Motivational interviewing
Specialized treatment areas:
ADHD and Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Anxiety and mood disorders
Eating disorders
LGBTQ+ identity
PTSD and trauma
Substance use disorders
Spring Health also offers coaching, one-on-one care navigation with clinical experts, on-demand digital resources for mindfulness and stress management, and specialty care programs for conditions like severe depression and substance use.
Medication management is available through psychiatrists and PMHNPs. However, it's not available as a standalone service; members must first complete the platform’s clinical assessment to access psychiatric care.
Inclusivity and specialized care
Finding a provider who understands your lived experience is essential for building trust and making progress in therapy. Both Rula and Spring Health are committed to building diverse provider networks and helping you connect with someone who truly gets you. Here's how they compare below.
Rula inclusivity and specialization overview
Licensure types: Rula’s network of over 21,000 providers includes licensed therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs).
Specializations offered: Providers on the Rula platform offer expertise in over 180 clinical specialties, with dedicated programs for child therapy (ages 5+) and teen therapy online.
Languages available: Rula’s network can provide care in over 40 languages, and you can filter for your preferred language during the matching process.
Inclusivity factors: 51% of Rula’s provider network identifies as BIPOC. The platform’s filters allow you to find a provider based on gender, ethnicity, age, and faith, ensuring you can connect with someone who shares a similar background or worldview.
Spring Health inclusivity and specialization overview
Licensure types: Spring Health’s multidisciplinary team includes therapists, psychiatrists, PMHNPs, coaches, and clinical care navigators for coordinated support.
Specializations offered: The platform treats over 50 clinical conditions across 11 specialty areas, including neurodivergent-affirming care, military/veteran support, and dedicated programs for high-acuity conditions.
Languages available: Spring Health’s global network speaks over 100 languages and dialects, delivering culturally responsive care in more than 200 countries.
Inclusivity factors: 47% of Spring Health’s provider network identifies as BIPOC. The platform offers LGBTQ+-affirming care with providers trained in gender-affirming mental health and has a dedicated experience for teens ages 13 to 17.
The care you need, when you need it
Learn how Rula can support your mental health journey
Platform availability and access
How quickly you can get an appointment and how easily you can manage your care are crucial factors. Both platforms are designed for fast access, but they differ in their geographic reach and the tools they provide.
How access works with Rula
States served: Rula offers both therapy and psychiatry services in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including North Carolina, Michigan, and California.
Matching process: After providing your insurance and care preferences, you get a curated list of providers to browse. You can filter by specialty, availability, identity, and more to find the perfect match before booking. If your first choice isn’t a fit, Rula will help you switch.
Session formats: Rula offers the flexibility of both live video appointments and in-person therapy sessions across the country. This allows you to choose the format that feels most comfortable and convenient for you.
Scheduling: You can schedule an appointment in as little as three minutes. Appointments are often available as soon as the next day.
App/portal experience: You can manage your care through Rula's secure patient portal, which is accessible from any web browser on your computer, tablet, or phone. The portal allows you to schedule appointments and send them secure messages.
How access works with Spring Health
States served: Spring Health is available in all 50 states and has an international presence in over 200 countries.
Matching process: The process starts with a three to five-minute online assessment. Based on your results, you receive a personalized care plan and a curated list of providers. You can also meet with a Care Navigator for guidance at any point in your journey.
Session formats: Spring Health offers both virtual and in-person sessions. However, in-person availability is dependent on your location and may not be available in all areas.
Scheduling: Most members can book an appointment within 24 to 48 hours, with same-day appointments sometimes available.
App/portal experience: Spring Health has a mobile app where you can browse providers, manage your care, and access on-demand digital exercises. The platform also features progress tracking with regular check-ins to monitor your symptoms and goals.
What each platform does best
Understanding what each platform does best helps you choose the right fit based on your unique priorities. Rula and Spring Health each have distinct strengths that may align differently with your specific needs and situation.
Rula excels when:
You want a straightforward way to find a therapist or psychiatrist using your insurance
You value transparent, upfront pricing, with a cost estimate provided before you book
You need the option of in-person therapy sessions in addition to telehealth
You want to browse and select your own provider from a large network of over 21,000 professionals
You need care for a child (age 5+), or you’re seeking standalone psychiatry services
You have Medicare or a Managed Medicaid plan (in select states) and need a platform that accepts it
Spring Health excels when:
You have access to mental health benefits through your employer
You want a comprehensive ecosystem of services, including coaching, care navigation, and digital tools
You need international coverage for therapy
You value a data-driven approach with published clinical research and regular progress tracking
You prefer managing your care through a dedicated mobile app
Summary: Is Rula or Spring Health right for you?
The biggest difference between Rula and Spring Health is how you access care. Rula is a direct-to-patient platform built around making therapy and psychiatry accessible through insurance, with transparent self-pay rates for people without coverage. Spring Health is primarily an employer-sponsored benefit, offering a broader suite of services like coaching and work-life support within a corporate wellness ecosystem.
Rula may be the better fit for people who want to find and book a provider quickly, with an upfront cost estimate and the option for in-person therapy in some locations. Spring Health tends to work well for people whose employer offers it as a benefit and who value add-on services like coaching and care navigation alongside therapy.
FAQs
How much do Rula patients typically pay per session with insurance?
Rula patients typically pay $15 per session, though your individual cost may vary based on your insurance benefits and deductible. Rula will contact your insurance carrier and provide you with an estimate of your per session cost before your first appointment.
What are Rula's cash rates for therapy and psychiatry sessions if I'm not covered by insurance?
Rula offers a cash rate of $150 per session for individual therapy and $165 per session for families or couples. The cash rate for psychiatry sessions is $225 for an initial 60-minute intake session and $175 for 30-minute follow-up sessions, and you can use your HSA or FSA to cover out-of-pocket expenses.
What insurance plans does Rula accept?
Rula accepts commercial plans from most major insurance carriers including Aetna, Anthem, most Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield plans, Cigna, Kaiser (by referral), Optum, Oscar, and United Healthcare, which vary by state. They also accept some Medicare Advantage plans in California and select states, including Kaiser Southern California, Cedars-Sinai, PIH Health, Anthem Blue Cross of California Medicare Advantage, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia, and Carelon Behavioral Health.
How soon can I meet with a provider on Rula via live video?
You can meet with a provider in Rula's network via live video as soon as tomorrow. After verifying your insurance, you can browse available providers, filter by specialty and preferences, and book your first session in minutes. Sessions are held over Zoom, so you can attend from any private space with an internet connection. If you'd prefer in-person therapy, Rula also offers face-to-face appointments at provider offices.
Find care with Rula
Choosing between mental health platforms is more than comparing features: it's about finding care that will actually help you make progress. With Rula, getting started is straightforward. You can verify your insurance in minutes, browse providers who truly match your needs and preferences, and see your estimated costs upfront.
Most people can book their first appointment as soon as tomorrow, often for $15 per session with insurance. When you're ready to move forward with care that's designed to work for you, Rula is here to make it happen.
Rula Health
Rula’s editorial process
Rula’s editorial team is on a mission to make science-backed mental health insights accessible and practical for every person seeking to better understand or improve mental wellness.
Members of Rula’s clinical leadership team and other expert providers contribute to all published content, offering guidance on themes and insights based on their firsthand experience in the field. Every piece of content is thoroughly reviewed by a clinician before publishing.
