Grow Therapy vs BetterHelp: Online Therapy Compared (2026)
Quick verdict
Grow Therapy accepts insurance, keeping out-of-pocket costs low for covered patients. BetterHelp is subscription-based without insurance, offering a flat monthly rate with unlimited messaging — better for patients without mental health benefits.
Grow Therapy vs BetterHelp at a Glance
| Grow Therapy | BetterHelp | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Insurance copay ($20–$60 typical); self-pay ~$100–$200/session | $60–$100/week (billed monthly); financial aid available |
| Insurance | Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare, Medicaid (select states) | Does not accept insurance |
| Specialties | Anxiety, depression, PTSD, trauma, couples therapy, teen therapy, ADHD, grief | Anxiety, depression, relationships, stress, grief, trauma, LGBTQ+ issues |
| States served | All 50 states | All 50 states (and international) |
| Wait time | Within 1–2 weeks | Usually within days |
| Best for | Patients with insurance who want therapy covered at their standard copay | Patients without insurance who want affordable therapy with unlimited text messaging |
Detailed Breakdown
Grow Therapy
Grow Therapy is a therapist marketplace that accepts most major insurance plans, allowing patients to see a licensed therapist at their standard copay. The platform handles all credentialing and billing, removing insurance complexity from the patient experience. Grow supports both virtual and in-person sessions across all 50 states and explicitly supports Medicaid and Tricare patients in eligible states. Therapists are independent licensed professionals with a wide range of specialties. Patients can filter by specialty, format, insurance, and location to find the right match.
Strengths
- +Insurance-covered therapy keeps costs at copay level
- +Accepts Medicaid and Tricare alongside commercial plans
- +Both virtual and in-person session options
- +Available in all 50 states
Weaknesses
- −No unlimited messaging between sessions
- −Therapist matching is patient-driven without algorithmic help
- −Self-pay rates higher than BetterHelp's subscription
BetterHelp
BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, offering a subscription-based model with unlimited text, audio, and video messaging with a licensed therapist. The monthly subscription covers weekly live sessions plus between-session messaging, giving patients ongoing access to their therapist without a per-session charge. BetterHelp does not accept insurance, making it best suited for patients paying out of pocket or using HSA/FSA funds. Financial aid is available for qualifying patients. The platform has a very large therapist network with fast matching, often within days.
Strengths
- +Unlimited between-session messaging included in subscription
- +Large therapist network with fast matching
- +Financial aid available for lower-income patients
- +International availability
Weaknesses
- −Does not accept insurance — full cost out of pocket
- −Subscription model continues even if usage varies
- −No in-person therapy options
Who Should Choose Each Provider?
Choose Grow Therapyif…
Grow Therapy is clearly the better choice if you have mental health insurance benefits. Using your insurance, a session with a Grow Therapy therapist may cost only your copay ($20–$60) compared to BetterHelp's $240–$400/month subscription.
Choose BetterHelpif…
BetterHelp is better if you don't have insurance or your insurance doesn't include mental health benefits. The subscription model with unlimited messaging can offer strong value for patients who benefit from frequent therapist contact between weekly sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Grow Therapy accept insurance but BetterHelp does not?＋
Can I message my therapist between sessions on Grow Therapy?＋
Is BetterHelp more affordable than Grow Therapy?＋
Which platform has a larger therapist network, Grow Therapy or BetterHelp?＋
Ready to Get Started?
Information on this page is for educational purposes and was last reviewed March 2026. Pricing, insurance acceptance, and availability may change — always verify directly with the provider before scheduling. VirtualCareFinder does not provide medical advice.