Woebot vs Wysa vs ILTY: Honest Comparison 2026
If you're looking for an AI mental health app, you've probably come across Woebot, Wysa, and maybe ILTY. They all promise AI-powered mental health support, but they're actually quite different in approach, strengths, and limitations.
Here's an honest comparison to help you decide which might work for you. And yes, we're biased, we make ILTY. But we'll try to be fair.
The Quick Summary
| Feature | Woebot | Wysa | ILTY | |---------|--------|------|------| | Approach | Structured CBT | CBT + human coaching option | Conversational AI with personalities | | Conversation style | Scripted/decision tree | Mix of scripted and AI | Free-flowing AI conversation | | Pricing | Free (basic), Premium varies | Free (basic), $99/year premium | Free (beta), subscription coming | | Best for | Structured self-help | Anxiety/depression with coaching option | Processing in the moment | | Research backing | Published RCTs | Published studies | In development | | Available on | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS (Android coming) |
Woebot: The Structured CBT Coach
What It Does
Woebot is built around Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It teaches CBT concepts through a chatbot interface with structured exercises, mood tracking, and daily check-ins. The conversation style is largely scripted with decision-tree logic.
Strengths
Strong research foundation. Woebot has published randomized controlled trials showing reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms. For an AI tool, this is meaningful.
Educational value. If you want to learn CBT concepts, cognitive distortions, and structured exercises, Woebot delivers this content well.
Consistency. Because it's largely scripted, you know what you're getting. The experience is predictable and reliable.
Affordable. Basic features are free, making it accessible.
Limitations
Scripted feel. Many users report that Woebot feels like navigating a menu rather than having a conversation. The responses are often predetermined rather than generated to your specific situation.
Limited depth. Complex emotional situations often don't fit into the structured exercise format. If you're processing something nuanced, the fixed options can feel constraining.
Repetitive over time. Once you've been through the exercises a few times, the content can feel stale.
No crisis handling. Like most AI tools, Woebot redirects to crisis resources but doesn't engage with crisis content directly.
Who It's Best For
People who want structured CBT education, appreciate predictable interactions, and benefit from daily check-ins and exercises. Works well as a learning tool for CBT concepts.
Wysa: The AI Plus Human Hybrid
What It Does
Wysa combines AI chat with optional access to human coaches (at additional cost). The AI side offers CBT-based exercises, mood tracking, and conversational support. Human coaches provide additional personalized guidance.
Strengths
Human option. For people who want more than AI alone but less than full therapy, the human coaching tier fills a useful gap.
Wide range of tools. Wysa offers many exercises: breathing, meditation, journaling prompts, cognitive restructuring exercises. Lots to explore.
Anxiety and depression focus. Research and development have specifically targeted these conditions.
Global accessibility. Available in multiple countries with relevant crisis resources.
Limitations
AI still feels scripted. While more conversational than Woebot, the AI component still relies heavily on predetermined responses and exercise prompts.
Cost for full value. The human coaching that distinguishes Wysa requires premium subscription, which can be expensive for ongoing use.
Jack of all trades. The breadth of tools means depth on any one thing can be limited.
Coaching isn't therapy. The human coaches are not licensed therapists, which matters for some users.
Who It's Best For
People who want a variety of mental health tools in one app, those interested in occasional human support without committing to full therapy, and users dealing with anxiety or depression specifically.
ILTY: The Conversational Companion
What It Does
ILTY (that's us) takes a different approach: genuinely conversational AI with distinct personalities. Instead of scripted exercises, you have actual conversations that adapt to what you're processing. Each conversation ends with actionable to-dos, and mood tracking happens naturally through your conversations.
Strengths
Actually conversational. Unlike decision-tree chatbots, ILTY generates responses specific to what you're saying. The conversation flows naturally rather than through menus.
Multiple personalities. Different companions for different needs: one for gentle processing, one for honest reality checks, one for productive problem-solving. You choose based on what you need in the moment.
Actionable outcomes. Every conversation ends with concrete next steps, not just feelings processed but actions to take.
2am availability. Designed for when you need to process something right now, whether that's midnight anxiety or a difficult conversation you just had.
Privacy-first. We don't sell data, don't train on your conversations, and don't show ads.
Limitations
Newer. We don't have the published research that Woebot has yet. We're building it, but it takes time.
Beta stage. Still refining the product based on user feedback. Some features are in development.
iOS only (for now). Android is coming, but if you're on Android, you'll need to wait.
Not structured. If you want a guided CBT program with exercises, that's not our focus. We're about conversation, not curriculum.
Who It's Best For
People who want to talk through what they're feeling in the moment, those who've found scripted apps too rigid, users who value privacy, and those who want different approaches for different emotional states.
Key Differences Explained
Conversation Style
This is the biggest differentiator:
- Woebot uses a decision-tree model. You select from options, and it responds based on your selection. Structured and predictable.
- Wysa mixes some generated responses with exercise prompts. More flexible than Woebot but still heavily structured.
- ILTY generates responses to your specific input. No predetermined conversation paths. This creates more natural dialogue but less predictable content.
Therapeutic Approach
- Woebot is explicitly CBT-focused, teaching you the framework through the app.
- Wysa incorporates CBT along with mindfulness and other modalities.
- ILTY isn't tied to one therapeutic framework. Different companions use different approaches: empathetic listening, Socratic questioning, practical problem-solving. The focus is on the conversation helping, not on teaching a specific method.
Privacy and Data
All three apps handle sensitive data, so this matters:
- Woebot collects usage data and may use it to improve the product. Privacy policy is standard for the industry.
- Wysa similarly collects data for product improvement. Offers some data control options.
- ILTY doesn't use conversations to train AI models, doesn't sell data, and is building toward HIPAA compliance. Privacy is a core value, not just a policy.
Research Backing
- Woebot has the strongest research portfolio with published RCTs.
- Wysa has published studies showing positive outcomes.
- ILTY is earlier stage with research in development.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Woebot if:
- You want to learn CBT concepts
- You prefer structured, predictable interactions
- Published research matters most to you
- You want something free and established
Choose Wysa if:
- You want a variety of tools in one app
- You might want occasional human coaching
- You're dealing specifically with anxiety or depression
- You like having many features to explore
Choose ILTY if:
- You want genuine conversation, not menus
- You need different approaches for different moments
- Processing in real-time matters (like at 2am)
- Privacy is a top priority
- Actionable outcomes are important to you
The Honest Take
All three apps have value. The "best" one depends on what you're looking for.
If you want education and structure, Woebot excels. If you want variety and optional human support, Wysa delivers. If you want actual conversation that adapts to you, that's what we built ILTY for.
Try the free versions of each. See which feels right. The one that helps is the one you'll actually use.
Disclosure: We make ILTY, so we're obviously not neutral. We've tried to represent Woebot and Wysa fairly based on their public features and our experience, but our perspective is inherently biased. Do your own research.
Related Reading
- AI Therapy Apps in 2026: What's Real vs. Hype: The landscape of AI mental health tools.
- The Complete Guide to AI Mental Health Apps: Everything you need to know about choosing an AI tool.
- Join the ILTY Beta: Try ILTY free during our beta period.
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