Mental health apps are great tools for managing stress and anxiety and improving overall well-being. Calm, Daylio Journal, Headspace, and Talkspace were our top picks, but several others came close.
Whether you’re looking to practice meditation, improve your sleep, or seek therapy, these apps offer accessible and convenient ways to support your mental health.
Our top winners
Best for Sleep: Calm
Calm is our top pick for improving sleep, with its extensive library of sleep stories, guided meditations, and calming music. It can help you create a relaxing bedtime routine that eases you into a restful sleep. With content specifically designed to reduce anxiety and promote tranquility, Calm has earned high ratings for helping users achieve better sleep quality.
Best for Gratitude: Daylio Journal
Daylio Journal is the go-to app for practicing gratitude, thanks to its simple and intuitive mood-tracking and journaling features. You can log your mood, activities, and moments of thankfulness, helping you to foster more gratitude in your daily life.
Best for Meditation: Headspace
Headspace is often considered the best meditation app, particularly for beginners, due to its user-friendly interface and range of guided meditation sessions. The app offers everything from short, daily meditations to more in-depth courses on stress management, mindfulness, and relaxation.
Best for Therapy: Talkspace
Talkspace is widely recognized as the best app for therapy, offering access to licensed therapists through text, audio, and video messaging. What sets Talkspace apart is its convenience and flexibility, allowing users to engage in therapy sessions from the comfort of their homes.
Our favorite mental health and wellness apps
Calm
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Excellent for meditation and relaxation – A wide variety of sleep stories, meditations, and calming music – User-friendly interface | – Can be expensive without a subscription – Not all content is available in the free version |
Subscription required: Yes
Cost: Free with in-app purchases; Premium subscription costs $69.99/year
Free trial: 7 days
Features: Meditation sessions, sleep stories, breathing exercises, relaxing music, and daily reminders
Why we chose it:
Calm is widely regarded as the best app for meditation and relaxation. With an extensive library of guided meditations, calming music, and sleep stories narrated by well-known voices, it helps users manage stress, anxiety, and insomnia. The soothing design and daily reminders encourage regular practice, making it a top choice for anyone looking to incorporate mindfulness into their daily routine.
Headspace
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Great for beginners new to meditation – Wide range of topics covered, including stress, sleep, and focus – Engaging and straightforward teaching style | – Limited content in the free version – The subscription can be pricey for some users |
Subscription required: Yes
Cost: Free with in-app purchases; Premium subscription costs $69.99/year
Free trial: 7 days
Features: Guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, sleep sounds, focus music, and mental health resources
Why we chose it:
Headspace is perfect for those new to meditation and mindfulness. The app offers a structured path to learning meditation, starting with the basics and gradually moving on to more advanced techniques. The friendly, approachable teaching style, combined with a broad range of topics, makes it a fantastic resource for mental wellness.
Daylio Journal
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Simple and intuitive mood tracking – Helps identify patterns in emotions and behaviors – Customizable entries to track activities, moods, and notes | – Limited features in the free version – Lack of integration with other apps |
Subscription required: Yes
Cost: Free with in-app purchases; Premium subscription costs $2.99/month or $23.99/year
Free trial: 7 days
Features: Mood tracking, activity logs, statistics, goals, and backup options
Why we chose it:
Daylio is a mood-tracking app that allows users to record their emotions and activities daily. By tracking mood patterns, users can gain insight into their mental health and identify triggers for negative emotions. It’s an excellent tool for self-reflection and personal growth.
Bliss
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Focuses on gratitude and positive psychology exercises – Encourages a positive mindset – Easy-to-follow exercises and journaling prompts | – Interface may feel outdated to some users – Limited customization options |
Subscription required: No
Cost: Free
Free trial: No
Features: Gratitude exercises, positive psychology practices, journaling prompts, and mood tracking
Why we chose it:
Bliss is an app that encourages users to focus on gratitude and positive thinking. Through a series of guided exercises, Bliss helps users shift their mindset toward positivity, promoting overall mental well-being. It’s a simple yet effective tool for anyone looking to practice gratitude regularly.
Talkspace
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Access to licensed therapists via text, audio, and video – Convenient and accessible mental health support – Personalized treatment plans | – Expensive compared to other mental health apps – Requires a subscription for full access |
Subscription required: Yes
Cost: Starting at $65/week
Free trial: No
Features: Text, audio, and video therapy sessions, licensed therapists, and personalized treatment plans
Why we chose it:
Talkspace is a leading therapy app that connects users with licensed therapists through text, audio, or video sessions. It provides a convenient way to access professional mental health support without needing in-person visits. The personalized treatment plans and ease of access make it a valuable resource for those seeking therapy.
Sanvello
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Comprehensive mental health support – Offers cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) tools – Tracks mood, health habits, and goals | – Limited content in the free version – Some features require a subscription |
Subscription required: Yes
Cost: Free with in-app purchases; Premium subscription costs $8.99/month
Free trial: 7 days
Features: Mood tracking, guided journeys, CBT tools, and meditation
Why we chose it:
Sanvello offers a holistic approach to mental health, combining mood tracking, guided journeys, and cognitive-behavioral therapy tools. It’s designed to help users manage stress, anxiety, and depression by providing practical tools and resources. The app’s comprehensive features make it a great all-in-one solution for mental wellness.
Happify
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Scientifically-backed activities for happiness and stress reduction – Interactive and engaging format – Focuses on positive psychology | – Can feel repetitive over time – Some activities require a subscription |
Subscription required: Yes
Cost: Free with in-app purchases; Premium subscription costs $14.95/month
Free trial: 7 days
Features: Games, activities, guided meditations, and mood tracking
Why we chose it:
Happify uses positive psychology to help users reduce stress and build resilience. Through games, activities, and guided meditations, Happify promotes happiness and emotional well-being. It’s an interactive and engaging way to improve mental health and develop a positive outlook on life.
Other apps to consider
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Access to mental health communities and resources – Connects users with supportive communities – Offers a platform for self-expression | – Can contribute to social media fatigue – May lead to comparison and negative self-image |
Subscription required: No
Cost: Free
Free trial: No
Features: Social networking, mental health communities, and creative expression
Why we like it:
While Instagram is primarily a social media platform, it does offer access to mental health communities and resources. Users can follow accounts dedicated to mental wellness, connect with others facing similar challenges, and find inspiration for self-care and positive mental health practices.
YouTube
| What we love | Things to consider |
| – Free access to a vast library of mental health content – Includes guided meditations, therapy sessions, and wellness tips – User-driven content allows for diverse perspectives | – Quality of content varies – Requires self-discipline to avoid distractions |
Subscription required: No
Cost: Free with ads; YouTube Premium costs $11.99/month
Free trial: 1 month
Features: Videos on meditation, therapy, mental health tips, and wellness practices
Why we like it:
YouTube offers an extensive collection of mental health resources, from guided meditations to therapy sessions and wellness tips. The platform’s user-driven content allows for a wide range of perspectives and practices, making it a valuable tool for exploring different approaches to mental wellness. However, the quality of content can vary, so it’s essential to choose reliable sources.
Bottom line
Taking care of your mental health can feel overwhelming, but the right tools can make all the difference. With so many mental health apps available, it’s easier than ever to find support tailored to your needs, whether improving sleep, practicing gratitude, meditating, or seeking therapy. These apps offer accessible and effective ways to enhance your well-being, making it easier to prioritize your mental health every day.
