Alma vs. BetterHelp: Comparing Online Therapy Options

Alma vs. BetterHelp for finding a therapist

In some ways, finding a therapist is easier than ever because there are so many ways to search for a provider. At the same time, all of these options can be overwhelming. It’s hard to determine which online platform is best to find a therapist specializing in the topics and challenges you wish to explore.

Alma and BetterHelp are two popular platforms to help you. Though they may seem similar, they ultimately work quite differently, especially when it comes to learning about your therapist matches, paying for therapy and accessing your provider. In general, Alma may be more affordable if you have insurance, while BetterHelp may be best if you want to be able to reach your therapist outside of sessions.

Want to know more? Below is a quick overview of the key features of each, followed by a detailed discussion of how the platforms compare.

Size of provider network

When looking for a therapist, most people are at least a little picky. You may want to see someone of a certain race, gender, or sexuality, and also want that person to have experience with certain specialities. A bigger network of providers makes it more likely that you’ll match up with a therapist who meets all of your criteria.

Size of provider network: How do Alma and BetterHelp compare?

Currently, Alma has more than 21,000 providers and BetterHelp has more than 30,000 providers. Both platforms have providers in all 50 states, however, BetterHelp also has some international providers. This means that, in general, searching on BetterHelp may turn up more results than Alma does, depending on where you’re looking.

Provider search

Different platforms offer different experiences to search for providers. Some let you take the reins, offering filters to narrow down your selection. Others guide you through a series of questions and use your responses to generate a list of therapists who best fit your needs. Some people prefer these guided searches, as they can make the process feel more personalized.

Provider search: How do Alma and BetterHelp compare?

Alma offers two ways to search for a therapist: You can either opt to “browse the directory” or select “help me find care”.

Someone who prefers to try different filter options and check out more profiles may prefer the browsing option. You simply choose the type of therapy (individual, couples, family, child and adolescent, or medication management), your insurance, where you live, and if you desire virtual, in-person, or both types of sessions. Once you have your list of results, you can filter further by provider identity, speciality, therapeutic approach, and more.

With the “help me find care” option, Alma guides you through a series of questions about your goals and your preferences around therapeutic approach and a therapist’s background to narrow down your options within the Alma therapist community.

One helpful feature is the descriptions of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive and behavioral therapy, insight-based therapy, and humanistic therapy. There is also an “I’m not sure yet” option. These details may be helpful for someone new to therapy or even someone who has seen a therapist before but isn’t familiar with all of the different approaches.

Answering the guided questions takes about five minutes. When you’re done, you receive a list of a few dozen therapists who are a match for you.

BetterHelp only offers one way to search for a therapist. To get started, you answer a relatively long questionnaire about your background, symptoms, what you would like your therapist to specialize in, and your expectations and preferences around therapy. The reason for all these questions is twofold: BetterHelp uses your answers to match you with a therapist and to collect details about your symptoms to share with your therapist so they can start building your treatment plan.

The BetterHelp questionnaire focuses on treatment goals without directly connecting them to specific therapeutic approaches. It also asks about mental health symptoms you might be struggling with. Near the end, there’s an open text box where you can share more about what you’re going through and what you’re seeking to accomplish through therapy.

The questionnaire takes around 10 minutes to complete, or longer if you’re being very detailed. At the end, you’re asked to create an account. Once you do, you see a page that explains how BetterHelp works: It uses AI to match you with a therapist who fits your responses, and you’ll receive your therapist match within a few hours or a few days.

Provider profiles

Seeing a list of therapists who match your criteria is a big step closer to getting the care you seek. Now you get the chance to see people’s faces, learn more about them, and determine who you think you jibe with.

Provider profiles: How do Alma and BetterHelp compare?

Therapists in Alma’s database have profiles with Q&As and descriptive information, including specializations and training backgrounds, to help you learn more about them and what to expect in a session with them.

BetterHelp doesn’t provide profiles of their therapists. When you’re matched with a BetterHelp provider, you’re prompted to create an account to begin communicating with your therapist.

Depending on how overwhelmed you feel by the therapist search process, being matched with one therapist could be a positive experience. But if you’re someone who prefers browsing through options and learning more about a therapist before choosing one, Alma provides a better experience.

Consultations

A consultation, frequently offered at no cost, is a chance to meet with a therapist to see if you’re comfortable with them before paying for a full session. Taking the time to meet with several therapists can be worthwhile, as it allows you to weigh your options and choose the one that suits you best.

Consultations: How do Alma and BetterHelp compare?

With Alma, you can request a consultation with a therapist from within their profile. Most Alma providers offer this 15-minute call at no cost.

BetterHelp doesn’t offer consultations. Instead, once you complete the questionnaire, you receive an email with a therapist match a few hours to a few days later. If you feel that your therapist isn’t a good fit for you, you can request to be matched with another therapist.

This difference may make Alma a better choice for people who prefer to choose their therapist and also feel certain that the provider is the “right” one before committing to seeing them.

Pricing

The cost of therapy can be an obstacle to getting care, and the price can range greatly. Some providers accept insurance and may only cost you a copay. Others may see clients on a sliding scale, meaning their rate varies depending on someone’s income—those who earn less pay less for a session. And other providers have a set rate, which can vary based on their location and experience.

Pricing: How do Alma and BetterHelp compare?

Alma helps people afford therapy by identifying therapists who accept their insurance plan. Ninety-nine percent of Alma providers accept insurance, and Alma accepts most major insurance plans. To see how much you’ll pay for sessions through Alma, the platform offers a handy cost calculator.

BetterHelp doesn’t accept insurance. Instead, therapy costs $65 to $100 per week, billed every four weeks, as of this publishing. You may be able to use FSA or HSA dollars to pay for BetterHelp through most programs.

If you don’t have insurance or you have a plan that requires you to meet a high deductible, BetterHelp could be more financially accessible than paying out-of-pocket for therapy through other channels, especially in person.

If you have insurance that covers therapy and your copay is less than $100 per session, Alma is likely to be more affordable for you. If you don’t have insurance, some therapists charge on a sliding scale, with the specific pricing at the discretion of the provider. You can find these providers by filtering for them when browsing the Alma directory.

Provider Access

As great as therapy sessions are, sometimes you need support outside of appointments. Luckily, some providers offer ways to communicate with them anytime you need them. Keep in mind, it’s also beneficial to have a support network of loved ones you can call upon in these situations. You don’t want to take advantage of your therapist’s time. Also, a common goal of therapy is to develop the tools you need to address issues yourself.

Provider Access: How do Alma and BetterHelp compare?

With Alma, you can choose to receive therapy in person or online. You may be able to communicate with your therapist in between sessions, but that’s up to your therapist's preferences.

One benefit of BetterHelp is the ability to chat with or message your therapist between sessions. You can also schedule a live chat with your therapist.

Alma vs. BetterHelp for finding a therapist: The bottom line

Overall, Alma makes it easy to find therapists who accept your insurance and gives you more control over choosing who you see. Its extensive directory has detailed therapist profiles that you can explore before booking a consultation, and you can search for free without inputting any personal information. Alms also provides an affordability calculator to help you estimate your costs.

Though BetterHelp selects your therapist for you, it wins out when it comes to contacting your provider. In addition to video and phone therapy sessions, you can schedule a live chat or, if you need help ASAP, message your therapist outside of sessions. Also, if you don’t have insurance coverage for therapy or have a plan with a high deductible or high copay for specialists, BetterHelp may be an affordable choice.

Both platforms provide a better experience than searching through your insurance. Ready to find a therapist who fits your needs? Get started with Alma.

Alma vs. BetterHelp: Clinician Platform Comparison

Alma and BetterHelp both make it easier for clinicians to treat clients while minimizing overhead and administrative tasks, but they have different business models. Alma is designed primarily to benefit its clinician members, offering premiere tools and programs, ranging from hassle-free insurance credentialing and billing, streamlined and secure clinical documentation, a supportive peer community, and more.

BetterHelp pays mental health providers by the hour and is focused on getting fast, affordable care for clients who are not using insurance.

Trying to decide between the two? Read on for a detailed comparison of Alma and BetterHelp for clinicians.

Working with Insurance

Accepting insurance not only supports increased access to mental health care — a cause many clinicians are deeply passionate about — it also makes it much easier for providers to fill and maintain their caseload. In support of patients, the insurance credentialing process verifies a provider's qualifications, education, and background, ensuring they’re equipped to see patients.

Working with Insurance: How do Alma & BetterHelp compare?

Alma accelerates the credentialing process to about 45 days, making it three times faster than applying directly to payers. It also simplifies multi-state credentialing, letting clinicians serve clients in every state in which they’re licensed.

BetterHelp does not accept insurance or help therapists get credentialed with insurance plans. It does, however, provide a way for clients who don’t have insurance or to access more available and affordable care.

Payouts

For clinicians paneled with insurance, there often seems to be no rhyme or reason for how long it takes plans to process payments. And if adjustments are required, you may be in store for multiple lengthy phone calls.

Payouts: How do Alma & BetterHelp compare?

From client eligibility checks, to management of claims submissions and adjustments, Alma makes it easier for clinicians to take insurance and get paid quickly and reliably. Payment is typically issued within two weeks of a session.

As an Alma member, clinicians can also choose to run a hybrid practice, where their caseload is composed of clients who use insurance as well as cash-pay clients.

BetterHelp pays clinicians weekly based on hours worked and according to a set rate structure.

Client intake process

The client intake process may seem minor, but it lays the foundation of the provider-client relationship. It enables clinicians to promptly familiarize themselves with the client’s health history, paving the way for a successful collaboration.

Client intake process: How do Alma & BetterHelp compare?

Alma makes client intake easy and fast by offering consent forms, standardized questionnaires, and PHQ-9 and GAD-7 assessments in one centralized platform. Providers can easily send these to new clients via Alma’s secure portal, ensuring a quick and seamless start for their treatment.

BetterHelp offers stock versions of intake forms that clinicians are able to customize or you can upload your own.

Treatment plans

Creating treatment plans is an essential task for therapists, but drafting them from scratch can be time-consuming and repetitive. This process often takes away valuable time that could be better spent with clients or growing your practice. Using treatment planners and templates can streamline your workflow, boosting both productivity and efficiency.

Treatment plans: How do Alma & BetterHelp compare?

Alma members can use Wiley Treatment Planners. These templatized, customizable options make treatment planning easier for clinicians. After identifying the presenting problems (or diagnoses), you can select different behaviors, goals, objectives, and interventions associated with that diagnosis.

To eliminate the need to navigate paperwork in more than one place, Wiley Treatment Planners are combined with progress notes and client intake within the Alma portal.

BetterHelp does not offer treatment plan templates or require specific documentation.

Clinical assessments

Clinical assessments equip providers with an objective tool to diagnose clients with troubling symptoms. They also offer a pathway for tracking how these symptoms change over time.

Clinical assessments: How do Alma & BetterHelp compare?

Providers want to ensure their clients are progressing, but all too often, they forget to consistently reassess patients whose symptoms have worsened. It’s not their fault; they’re simply overloaded and need an efficient way to check in on patients.

Alma addresses this by automating reassessments. Providers can choose the frequency of assessments, and if any results suggest heightened symptoms, clinicians are notified. The platform also offers a simple graph to track client progress over time.

Alma provides two digital assessments—PHQ-9 and GAD-7—that clinicians can email to new clients via their portal. These assessments help diagnose depression and anxiety and monitor symptom progression. Click here to learn more about Alma’s assessments.

BetterHelp currently doesn’t offer assessments to their members. If members wish to use these assessments, they need to source them and send them to clients themselves.

Support to grow your private practice

Joining an online therapy platform can bring new clients your way. To build your ideal caseload, it also helps to join a platform that takes steps to match you with clients who are the best fit for your skillset and practice goals.

Support: How do Alma & BetterHelp compare?

By featuring your detailed profile in Alma’s directory, you gain increased exposure, leading to more referrals. And because Alma offers nuanced filters that clients use to search for clinicians that meet their specific needs and preferences, those referrals are much more likely to be high quality. Alma’s marketing team also attracts new clients through social media, partnerships, and insurance directory placements.

BetterHelp provides clinicians with a steady stream of clients who can switch providers at any time.

Continuing Education

To ensure that mental health clinicians continue to stay up to date on best-practices and deepen or expand their expertise, most are required to take continuing education (CE) courses. Finding time to earn CEs can be challenging and many courses are expensive. Platforms like BetterHelp and Alma make it much easier for clinicians to earn CEUs.

Continuing Education: How do Alma & BetterHelp compare?

Alma’s Education Center — accredited by the APA, NASW, and NBCC boards — offers free continuing education to the majority of its members. On-demand and live courses are available on a range of theoretical orientations, presenting concerns, and client populations.

BetterHelp offers a Continuing Education Library that contracted clinicians can access at no added cost.

Clinician Community

Practicing solo can leave therapists searching Google for solutions, but the best guidance comes from those who truly understand your needs. Resources like forums and workshops give you direct access to experienced advice—all without leaving your office.

Clinician Community: How do Alma & BetterHelp compare?

Clinicians benefit from Alma’s exclusive member platform, where they can share resources, exchange referrals, and receive support from peers. Workshops with leading experts and interest groups on topics like ACT and culturally responsive care are also included.

BetterHelp doesn’t offer a formal community for clinicians.

Security

Offering HIPAA compliant telehealth and ensuring client paperwork is securely stored in a HIPAA-compliant manner is essential. It’s equally important for clinicians to have a simple and efficient solution for managing and transferring documentation.

Security: How do Alma & BetterHelp compare?

Alma’s telehealth platform is HIPAA-compliant and its EHR provides a secure place to keep all documentation about clients. It’s also simple to export any paperwork, should a clinician choose to leave Alma.

BetterHelp also offers a HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform, though it has struggled with data security issues in the past. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission alleged that Better Help had compromised consumer health information and used deception messaging around data privacy. BetterHelp paid $7.8 million to consumers as part of the settlement agreement.

Alma vs. BetterHelp as a platform for therapists: The bottom line

Both Alma and BetterHelp allow providers to streamline their practices and offload administrative burdens, giving them more time to focus on client care.

Alma’s comprehensive solution goes further, supporting providers with insurance acceptance, credentialing, practice growth, peer community engagement, and time-saving, cost-effective EHR tools.