BetterHelp vs Colmerry: The Most Commonly Used Online Therapy Platforms

Online therapy has changed quite a bit over the years. What once seemed unusual has become another way for people to connect with licensed mental health professionals without having to travel to an office for every appointment.

Two names you may come across while researching online therapy are BetterHelp and Calmerry.

Both platforms provide access to licensed mental health professionals online, but they are not identical. Their pricing, live session structure, messaging options and additional tools differ, so it is worth looking beyond the name of the service before deciding which platform may better fit your needs.

This comparison is intended to help explain some of those differences. Therapy is personal, and the platform that works well for one person may not necessarily be the best fit for someone else.

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What Is BetterHelp?

BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that connects members with licensed mental health professionals.

Instead of traveling to a traditional office, members can communicate with their therapist remotely. BetterHelp subscriptions currently include a weekly live therapy session along with therapist messaging and additional resources such as journal prompts, support groups and habit tracking tools.

One of the reasons a service like this may appeal to people is convenience. Being able to attend therapy from home can eliminate travel time and make appointments easier to fit around work, family and other responsibilities.

What Is Calmerry?

Calmerry is another online therapy platform connecting clients with licensed mental health professionals.

Calmerry offers several subscription structures, which is one of the bigger differences between these two services.

Depending on the plan selected, members can choose messaging therapy, live video therapy or a combination of messaging and video sessions.

The platform also includes additional tools such as guided journaling, a mood tracker, educational resources and personalized therapy plans.

BetterHelp vs Calmerry: How Do They Work?

The basic idea behind both platforms is similar.

You begin by providing information about yourself, what you are looking for and your preferences. That information is then used to help connect you with an available therapist.

From there, therapy takes place online rather than requiring regular visits to a physical office.

However, the way each company packages that access is different.

BetterHelp Includes Weekly Live Therapy

BetterHelp currently structures its standard subscription around one live therapy session each week.

Members also have access to messaging with their therapist between sessions and additional platform resources.

For someone who wants regular live conversations with a therapist, having the weekly session included in the subscription may make the service easier to understand.

BetterHelp says its subscription generally costs between $70 and $100 per week in the United States, although the actual amount can vary based on factors such as location, therapist availability, preferences and promotions.

Calmerry Offers Several Types of Plans

Calmerry takes a somewhat different approach.

Its plans allow members to choose how much messaging and live video access they want.

At the time of this update, Calmerry lists a messaging plan starting at $49.50 per week when billed monthly. The company also offers plans that combine unlimited messaging with live video sessions.

Calmerry’s live video sessions are generally 30 minutes long.

This structure may appeal to someone who prefers messaging or who wants to select the number of live sessions included in the subscription.

How Messaging Works

Messaging is an important part of both online therapy platforms, but it should not necessarily be viewed as an instant chat service.

With Calmerry’s messaging plans, members can send unlimited text messages and the licensed counselor responds five days per week.

BetterHelp also includes therapist messaging with its subscriptions.

For some people, writing thoughts down can be helpful because it gives them time to think about what they want to say before sending it.

Others may strongly prefer having a conversation in real time.

That is one reason I would think about your preferred communication style before choosing any online therapy service.

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What About the Therapists?

This is obviously one of the most important questions.

Both platforms state that they work with licensed mental health professionals.

Calmerry says its network includes professionals such as clinical psychologists, licensed marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers and licensed professional counselors.

The right credentials can depend on the type of professional and the state where the therapist practices.

But credentials are only part of finding the right therapist.

Personality, communication style, experience and whether you feel comfortable talking openly with someone can matter too.

Can You Change Therapists?

Sometimes the first therapist simply is not the right fit.

That does not necessarily mean online therapy itself isn’t going to work for you.

Calmerry currently offers therapist switching without an additional charge. BetterHelp also allows members to request a different therapist.

I think this is an important feature because therapy is an extremely personal experience. You need to feel comfortable communicating with the person on the other side of the screen.

BetterHelp Pricing

BetterHelp currently says subscriptions generally cost approximately $70 to $100 per week in the United States.

That works out to roughly $260 to $400 per month, although the actual price can vary.

BetterHelp also says some financial aid and promotional discounts may be available for qualifying users.

Insurance availability is another area that has changed over time. BetterHelp currently states that it accepts some major insurance plans, but availability and coverage depend on the state, plan, provider network and other factors.

Because these details can change, I would check BetterHelp’s current pricing information before subscribing rather than relying on an older review.

Calmerry Pricing

Calmerry currently offers several subscription options.

The messaging plan starts at approximately $49.50 per week when billed monthly. Plans that include live video sessions cost more depending on how many sessions are included.

For example, Calmerry currently offers options combining unlimited messaging with two or four 30 minute live video sessions per month.

There is also a video focused option for people who prefer live sessions without ongoing messaging therapy.

Calmerry states that it does not work directly with insurance companies. However, members can request a receipt that may be used to seek reimbursement from their insurance provider.

You can check Calmerry’s current pricing page for the latest plans before signing up.

What Additional Tools Are Available?

Online therapy platforms increasingly offer more than appointments and messaging.

BetterHelp currently includes resources such as journal prompts, support groups and habit tracking tools as part of its subscription.

Calmerry includes a mood tracker, guided journaling, a library of educational resources and a personalized therapy plan with its subscriptions.

Calmerry also makes some of its self help tools available without an active therapy subscription.

These extras probably should not be the main reason you choose a therapy platform, but they can be useful between sessions.

Convenience Is One of the Biggest Advantages

For me, one of the easiest advantages to understand about online therapy is convenience.

You do not have to drive across town, find parking, sit in a waiting room and then drive home.

That can be especially helpful for people balancing work, parenting and other responsibilities.

It can also make professional support more accessible to people who do not live close to many local providers.

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Online Therapy Is Not the Right Choice for Every Situation

Convenience does not mean online therapy is appropriate for every person or every mental health situation.

Someone who needs emergency mental health assistance should not wait for a message from an online therapist.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger in the United States, call 911. People experiencing a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Online therapy platforms also generally are not substitutes for medical services that require an in person evaluation or medication management unless the particular service explicitly provides those services.

Which Platform Is Better?

I don’t think there is one answer that applies to everybody.

If you want a subscription built around a weekly live therapy session along with messaging and other resources, BetterHelp may be worth considering.

If you prefer having several plan choices and want the option of messaging only, video only or a combination of the two, Calmerry’s structure may appeal to you more.

Cost can also play a role, particularly because Calmerry’s messaging only option currently starts below BetterHelp’s typical weekly subscription range.

But I would not choose a therapist simply because one platform costs less.

The quality of the therapist match and whether the service provides the type of support you need are much more important considerations.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Online Therapy Platform

Before signing up, think about how you actually want to communicate.

Do you prefer video conversations or writing messages?

How frequently do you want live sessions?

What can you realistically afford each month?

Does your insurance provide any coverage?

Can you easily change therapists if the first match doesn’t feel right?

And most importantly, does the platform offer professionals who are licensed to provide the type of support you are seeking?

BetterHelp and Calmerry Give People Different Options

BetterHelp and Calmerry both bring therapy into a format that can be accessed from home, but they approach subscriptions differently.

BetterHelp currently centers its membership around weekly live therapy plus messaging and additional resources.

Calmerry provides more separation between messaging and video, allowing members to choose among several plan combinations.

Neither approach is automatically better.

The better choice comes down to your communication preferences, budget, therapist availability and the kind of support you are looking for.

And because pricing and service features can change, always check the companies’ current information before subscribing rather than relying solely on an older comparison article.

Important: This article is for general informational purposes and is not medical advice or a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment or emergency mental health services.