8 Best Online Therapy Services for Video, Messaging, and Support

BetterHelp is the largest online therapy service in this list, and its main strength is speed and choice. After a short questionnaire, most people are matched with a licensed therapist quickly, and sessions can happen by video, phone, or live chat, with messaging between sessions. If the first match does not feel right, switching to another therapist is straightforward. Pricing for self-pay members ranges from $70 to $100 per week, based on location, preferences, therapist availability, and discounts, and some members may now use insurance with copays as low as $15 where eligible. The catch is that cost and insurance availability vary, so your exact price only becomes clear during signup. BetterHelp also does not replace in-person care for every need, and it is not suited to urgent crisis care. For general therapy with flexible formats, it is a solid first option.

Talkspace pairs messaging therapy with live video sessions, which suits people who want to write to a therapist between appointments rather than waiting a full week to talk. Plans range from messaging-focused options to plans with regular live sessions, and the service accepts many insurance plans, with copays that vary by plan. Self-pay prices start around $69 per week and rise with more live sessions, so check the plan that matches how often you want to meet live. Psychiatry services are available for medication needs, though availability varies by state. The main limit is pace: messaging therapy feels slower than a weekly video call for some people, and the fit still depends on the individual therapist. For insurance users who like messaging, Talkspace is a strong pick.

Brightside Health is built for people whose main concerns are anxiety and depression, and who may need both therapy and medication. Plans can bundle therapy sessions with medication management, and providers can adjust treatment as symptoms change. The service accepts many insurance plans, and self-pay plans are priced by the type of care chosen. That focus is both a strength and a limit. If your needs sit outside anxiety and depression care, a broader platform may fit better. Brightside also uses a structured care model, which suits people who like clear plans and progress tracking, but may feel less open-ended than traditional weekly therapy. For combined care in one place, it is one of the clearest options.

Grow Therapy works differently from subscription platforms: you browse therapists in your state, check which insurance plans they accept, and book sessions that are billed per session rather than as a weekly subscription. That model suits people who already have insurance and want to keep the copay model they know from in-person care. The service is known for broad insurance acceptance, which can make therapy far cheaper than self-pay subscription prices for covered members. Without insurance, you will need to check the self-pay rate for your chosen therapist, since there is no single published price. Availability also varies by state and therapist. If insurance is your starting point, Grow Therapy is the first place to check.

Cerebral offers therapy, medication management, or both, with video sessions and messaging support. That combined model suits people who want one team handling both sides of care, rather than coordinating a separate therapist and prescriber. The service accepts select insurance plans, and self-pay plans are priced by the level of care. Prices vary a lot because a medication-only plan, a therapy plan, and a combined plan are different products, so compare the plan that matches your needs rather than the headline price. Medication rules also vary by state and by condition, and not every need can be handled online. For people who want therapy plus medication in one account, Cerebral is worth comparing with Brightside.

Online-Therapy.com is built around cognitive behavioural therapy tools, not just live sessions. Members get worksheets, a journal, activity plans, and yoga and meditation resources alongside video, voice, or messaging sessions with a therapist. That structured toolkit suits people who like homework and exercises between sessions. Starting prices are lower than the largest subscription platforms, which helps self-pay users on a budget. The service does not accept insurance, so members pay out of pocket and may need to seek reimbursement on their own. The therapist network is also smaller than BetterHelp or Talkspace, which can affect matching speed in some areas. For self-guided CBT work plus therapist support, it is a good value option.

Calmerry offers online therapy by video, chat, voice, and messaging at a lower starting price than several larger platforms. The signup process is short, matching is based on your stated needs and preferences, and you can message your therapist between live sessions. For self-pay users who want a straightforward service without insurance paperwork, the price point is appealing. The main limits are insurance and scale. Calmerry does not accept insurance, so the full cost sits with the member, and therapist availability can vary by area and specialism. Check the plan that includes the session frequency you want, since lower-priced plans may include fewer live sessions. For budget-conscious self-pay therapy, Calmerry is a practical choice.

Amwell suits people who want therapy without a subscription. You book and pay for each video or phone session, which works well for occasional support or for trying therapy before committing to a weekly plan. The service accepts many insurance plans, which can bring the per-session cost down sharply for covered members. Without insurance, the per-session price is higher than the weekly subscription equivalent on other platforms, so regular weekly users may pay more over a month. Amwell also focuses on live sessions rather than ongoing messaging therapy, which suits people who prefer a scheduled conversation. If you want flexibility without a monthly commitment, Amwell is the clearest pay-per-session option here.