Mental Health & Therapy
The Best Online Therapy That Takes Insurance
We ranked the best online therapy services that bill insurance, on how easily you match with an in-network therapist, copay clarity, and therapist quality.
Quick answer
Grow Therapy (4.3/5) is our top-rated mental health provider, best overall, starting at Insurance copay (often under $40). Headway (4.1/5) is our Best for In-Network Matching pick.
Most subscription therapy apps are cash-pay, but a different set of services is built specifically to bill your insurance, matching you with an in-network licensed therapist so you pay only a copay. These networks can make therapy dramatically cheaper than a flat weekly subscription, if you know which ones to use and how to check coverage.
We evaluated each service on how easily it matches you with an in-network therapist, how clearly it shows your expected copay, therapist quality, and scheduling speed. None of the rankings below are paid placements.
Pick by what matters to you
The right choice depends on your priority. Here is the standout for each.
Our top pick overall, 4.3/5 on the rubric.
Lowest PriceBest value for the money, from Insurance copay.
Most ClinicalStrong clinical quality, 4.7/5.
Best for Multiple ProductsOne provider for several needs, not just this one.
Best for InsuranceTakes insurance (Commercial, Medicaid, Medicare).
At a glance
| # | Service | Best for | Rating | From | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grow Therapy | Best Overall | ★★★★★4.3 | Insurance copay (often under $40) | Visit |
| 2 | Headway | Best for In-Network Matching | ★★★★★4.1 | Insurance copay | Visit |
| 3 | Alma | Best for Therapist Quality | ★★★★★4.0 | Insurance copay | Visit |
| 4 | Rula | Best for Fast Scheduling | ★★★★★4.1 | Insurance copay (self-pay from $150/session) | Visit |
| 5 | Talkiatry | Best for Psychiatry and Medication | ★★★★★4.2 | Insurance copay | Visit |
| 6 | Brightside Health | Best for Depression and Anxiety | ★★★★★4.1 | Insurance copay, or $95/mo psychiatry | Visit |
Grow Therapy
Affordable in-network therapy and psychiatry
Pros
- ✓Large network of roughly 23,000 providers
- ✓In-network with plans covering 180M-plus Americans
- ✓Low average copays and pay-after-visit model
Cons
- ✕Self-pay options vary widely by provider
- ✕Newer company still scaling quality controls
- ✕Not all providers are in-network
Our verdict: Strongest pick for finding low-cost, insurance-covered care fast.
Visit Grow Therapy →Headway
In-network therapy and psychiatry nationwide
Pros
- ✓Insurance-first model lowers out-of-pocket cost
- ✓Shows estimated cost before booking
- ✓Large nationwide network across all 50 states
Cons
- ✕Requires an accepted in-network insurance plan
- ✕Marketplace model means quality varies by provider
- ✕Limited recourse for self-pay patients
Our verdict: Strong pick if you want affordable in-network therapy or psychiatry.
Visit Headway →Alma
Find in-network therapists, simplified
Pros
- ✓Available in all 50 states with 8,000-plus therapists
- ✓Supports both insurance and self-pay clients
- ✓Filter by specialty and identity
Cons
- ✕Care quality varies across independent providers
- ✕Insurance acceptance depends on the therapist
- ✕Less centralized oversight than a single practice
Our verdict: Good directory for matching with an in-network independent therapist.
Visit Alma →Rula
Insurance-covered therapy and psychiatry nationwide
Pros
- ✓Covered therapy in all 50 states plus D.C.
- ✓Large network of 10,000-plus providers
- ✓Accepts most major insurers
Cons
- ✕Psychiatry available in fewer states than therapy
- ✕Formerly Path, brand still establishing recognition
- ✕Self-pay rates higher than insurance copays
Our verdict: A solid insurance-first network with deep provider choice and family options.
Visit Rula →Talkiatry
In-network online psychiatry
Pros
- ✓In-network with major insurers
- ✓Board-certified psychiatrists
- ✓Real medication management
Cons
- ✕Insurance required for best price
- ✕Not for one-off visits
Our verdict: Best in-network online psychiatry and ADHD care.
Visit Talkiatry →Brightside Health
Depression and anxiety care, all 50 states
Pros
- ✓In-network with major insurers and some Medicare/Medicaid
- ✓Available in all 50 states plus D.C.
- ✓Measurement-based care with crisis-risk monitoring
Cons
- ✕Cannot prescribe controlled substances such as ADHD stimulants
- ✕Self-pay therapy is costly versus peers
- ✕Narrower focus on depression and anxiety
Our verdict: Strong, clinically focused choice for medication-led depression and anxiety care.
Visit Brightside Health →How we ranked insurance-based therapy services
We favored services that accept a broad range of plans, verify your benefits up front, and show your likely copay before you book, then match you quickly with a well-vetted, licensed therapist. Narrow plan acceptance or hidden fees counted against a service.
Therapy networks vs subscription apps
Insurance networks like Grow Therapy, Headway, and Alma help independent therapists bill your plan, so you pay a copay rather than a flat subscription. Subscription apps can be simpler but are usually cash-pay and cost more over time. If you have mental-health coverage, a network is almost always the cheaper route.
What to look for
- Confirmation that the service accepts your specific plan
- An up-front estimate of your copay before the first session
- A large enough therapist network to match your needs
- Psychiatry and medication management if you need prescriptions
- Clear policy on cost if a therapist turns out to be out of network
The bottom line
Grow Therapy is the most complete insurance-based option and our overall pick, with Headway close behind for in-network matching and Alma strong on therapist quality. If you also need medication, Talkiatry is the best insurance-first psychiatry option, and Brightside is the standout for structured depression and anxiety care.
Frequently asked questions
Does online therapy take insurance?+
Some services do. Networks like Grow Therapy, Headway, and Alma are built to bill insurance so you pay a copay, while many subscription apps are cash-pay. Always verify that the service accepts your specific plan before booking.
How much is online therapy with insurance?+
With in-network coverage, a session typically costs a copay of $0 to $50, though your exact copay depends on your plan and some Headway or psychiatry visits can run higher. That compares with roughly $65 to $100 a week for a cash-pay subscription. Confirm your benefits before the first session.
What if my therapist is out of network?+
You may pay the full session rate or a higher share of the cost. Good services check your benefits and match you with in-network therapists up front, and some can provide a superbill you submit for partial out-of-network reimbursement.