Need a mental health boost on the go? Explore AI-powered therapy with these best free AI therapy apps. Be it busting stress or promoting mindfulness, these apps employ the strength of AI to enhance your mental health, all handily available on your mobile device.
And if you prefer sticking to traditional approach, you can also check out our article about free physical therapy apps.
Deepen: AI Therapy, Counseling
The first app on our list attracted me with its calm green colour scheme and visually appealing layout, which is how I suppose apps that focus on mental health should look.
Described as the ultimate Mental Health Companion, this app has been designed as a tool that allows you to chat about whatever’s bothering you with an AI buddy. Apparently, the principles used by the app are grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy principles.
The platform lets you track your mood, dive into your emotions, and gain some serious insights from the chat sessions. Whether you’re dealing with the blues, mood swings, or just need some self-help, Deepen Therapy claims to have your back. As for my experience, I sensed I had to vent after dealing with some mundane issues – and indeed, I felt calmer after chatting with the bot for a while.
In terms of practical use, I should note the straightforward onboarding and a smooth transition into your first conversation. The tone of the bot is pretty personalized, and it does not sound mechanical.
As for the interface, it’s pretty user-friendly, and I have already mentioned the nice green colour palette. The app is lightweight and doesn’t hog up your phone’s memory.
Price-wise, there’s a free plan, so you can dip your toes without committing. Plus, there are some extra features with a subscription, but I haven’t explored that territory yet.
So overall, not sure about the long-term goals, but my brief experience with this app was rather enjoyable, and the ease of use is certainly an advantage.
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Wysa: Anxiety, therapy chatbot
The second app I wanted to check out also looks nice, personalised with a cute little bird; plus, it’s much more popular than the first one I reviewed, and I had to figure out for myself if it’s indeed that helpful.
The app that promises to serve as your personal “cheer me up” buddy and well-being tracker. With daily spiritual meditations, it aims to improve your mental health. Moreover, it offers additional features such as mood tracking, sleep stories, breathing exercises, and journaling prompts.
Additionally, it offers tools for finding optimism and reframing your thoughts using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques, Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and meditation – so it’s all research-based.
Much like with its predecessor, I enjoyed my little chats with the bot. My only minor criticism is that at times I felt like it was a bit off-topic. However, nothing that a little conversation training couldn’t improve.
The interface of the app is user-friendly and looks nice with its light pastels and easy navigation. In my case, it consistently delivered without any major glitches or crashes. The app won’t occupy too much of your memory.
While it’s free, there are some premium features that require a paid subscription.
In terms of popularity, this app has gathered a strong user base an
d has received positive feedback – and after trying it out, I’d say this is largely deserved.
Elomia: AI Therapy Chat
Elomia is the next AI therapy app that looked promising enough as a virtual counsellor. From what I understand, it was trained on actual sessions between therapists and clients, so conversing with it might provide an experience akin to speaking with a qualified professional
I could share my thoughts with Elomia, ask questions, and receive some guidance. Additionally, it includes mental health and wellness activities for good measure. They mention it can assist with anxiety, depressions, work burnout, and other issues typical for the contemporary life.
The app looks nice and minimalistic, and I appreciated the dark theme. Conversing with the chatbot it a straightforward process. Plus, it includes handy graphs and summaries to help visualise your mental health journey. Of course, it promises complete anonymity.
As I tested out the free trial version of the app, I thought it seemed to understand me quite well. However, once I began the paid subscription, I realized it did not comprehend my words or situations as accurately as first expected. So, I must admit the functionality seemed to fluctuate more than provide consistent help.
Customer service is another issue: automated emails promise a response in 7 minutes, whereas in reality, days go by, and you’re still waiting.
So, overall, Elomia was a bit of a mixed bag, in my view. It’s not useless, as chatting about minor issues felt quite helpful; yet it’s definitely not perfect.
Youper – CBT Therapy Chatbot
This is another app that is supposed to help with managing anxiety, improving mood, and building stronger relationships through interactive exercises. The app acts like a personal counsellor that utilises Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques and offers advice.
I have found this app to be quite helpful in my daily life. Plus, I noticed that many users and reputable sources like health magazines have shared positive feedback on their experiences. While I realise that no digital tool can replace in-person counselling, this tool is handy for quick tips or alternative perspectives during challenging times.
More precisely, it provides several cognitive behavioural therapy exercises, such as breathing exercises, mood tracking, guided meditations, and journaling. Like similar apps, in addition to the exercises, the app allows to monitor your progress over time.
Visually, I find the app’s interface intuitive and pleasing to the eyes. Extra tools like mood tracking, sleep monitoring, and a smart assistant aid the experience.
You can visualise your data and progress with neat graphs and reports. I also like the colour palette that is calm and peaceful. It was just a tad challenging to get used to the app’s functionality at first, but I figured it out quickly.
The free app offers extra content and features if you pay for them. Still, you get plenty to work with using just the standard version.
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Lea – therapy chatbot
This app suggests programs and exercises based on the latest techniques used by therapists worldwide. Traditionally, it relies upon AI-powered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT). You can actually select the therapy approach you want it to be using in chatting with you.
In addition, it offers an opportunity to get some advice from a real-life qualified therapist directly within the app – for some extra cash, naturally. The therapists also employ behavioural methods in trying to aid you. So it’s all science-based, yet also promising to be helpful in a fun and engaging manner.
As for its popularity, the app does not seem to be quite popular overall, however, it has a decent user base and positive reviews.
Technically, the app is reliable and stable. Using it was a convenient and pleasant experience. The app has a clean layout and it’s easy to navigate through the different features.
I also found it pretty useful, with its nuanced comments and an ability to stay focused. There are also additional features and perks, such as personalized programs and exercises tailored to your specific needs.
While the app is free, there are some paid features available, offering a few flexible options depending on your requirements.
Meomind – Listen to therapy
This app is slightly different to the previous ones I reviewed. It offers a range of therapy sessions that you can listen to, including mindfulness, meditation, anxiety management, and more. Hit play, and you can listen to these sessions whenever you want.
With a vast library of recorded sessions, you can choose the one that suits your needs. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, stress, or simply need some relaxation, there is something for you.
The anonymity this app offers is also a plus: you can listen to therapy sessions without the fear of judgment or exposing your vulnerabilities to someone else. Of course, while it can be beneficial and support your mental well-being, it should not replace the guidance and expertise of a licensed therapist.
Functionality-wise, the app itself is quite robust, with no major issues, and runs smoothly. The interface is simple and intuitive, making it easy to navigate and find the sessions you need. There’s an option to visualise and track your progress, too.
One downside to consider is that the app may occupy a significant amount of your phone’s memory.
Some of the features may be limited to paying users. There is a subscription option that gives you access to premium content and additional benefits. The app may also display ads from time to time.
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Online Therapy, Emotional help
Online therapy app by ifeel combines therapy and mindfulness tools. Its special feature is that it only takes one minute a day to look after your emotional health with this app. You can track your emotions, receive personalized exercises, or even start therapy with one of their psychologists.
In particular, it’s helpful for employees seeking to overcome the stress, and companies wishing to support their workers.
There are also other features and resources: tests, stats, meditations, articles, mindfulness activities, and exercises. The tool allows to track your mental health progress and check your scores on different categories from relationships to personal development.
The platform is full of features but easy to use. The layout is pretty comprehensive and does not feel cluttered. Once you’re assigned a therapist, you’ll have access to an “online therapy room” that’s open 24/7 and completely private. Plus, the app has a calming colour palette and everything is well-organized.
However, the app is quite heavyweight, so bear that in mind and consider the amount of free memory on your phone.
