BetterHelp offers real therapy with licensed professionals. ILTY offers AI conversation support. These are different tools—here's how to think about when each makes sense.
ILTY is not a replacement for therapy. We need to be clear about this. If you're dealing with clinical depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, suicidal thoughts, or any serious mental health condition, you need professional help.
BetterHelp provides actual licensed therapists. ILTY provides AI conversation. These are fundamentally different things with different appropriate uses.
This comparison isn't "which is better"—it's "which is right for what situation."
BetterHelp launched in 2013 and is one of the largest online therapy platforms. It connects you with licensed therapists for text messaging, live chat, phone calls, and video sessions.
The platform has faced some legitimate criticism: high costs, variable therapist quality, and a 2023 FTC settlement over sharing health data with advertisers. That said, it does provide access to real, licensed mental health professionals.
For people who can't easily access traditional in-person therapy—due to location, schedule, or mobility—BetterHelp provides a genuine alternative. The question is whether the cost and experience work for you.
ILTY is an AI companion for mental health conversations. It's not therapy—it's supportive conversation for everyday mental health needs.
ILTY works well for processing stress, talking through decisions, working through anxious thoughts, or just having someone to talk to when you're going through something. It's available 24/7 at no cost (during beta).
What ILTY cannot do: diagnose conditions, provide clinical treatment, prescribe or advise on medication, or replace the nuanced expertise of a trained therapist.
Therapy once a week for clinical treatment and skill-building. AI support in between for processing daily experiences and talking through things as they come up.
This isn't about replacing therapy—it's about having support available for the 166 hours per week when you're not in a therapy session.
BetterHelp
Licensed human therapists—psychologists, clinical social workers, licensed counselors.
ILTY
AI companions built for mental health conversations.
Better for: BetterHelp for human expertise; ILTY for 24/7 availability
BetterHelp
Scheduled sessions (video/phone) + asynchronous messaging. Therapist responds within their schedule.
ILTY
Instant, 24/7. No scheduling, no waiting.
Better for: ILTY
BetterHelp
$300-400/month. Doesn't accept insurance (though may provide receipts for reimbursement).
ILTY
Free during beta.
Better for: ILTY (significantly)
BetterHelp
Real therapeutic relationship. Can treat clinical conditions. Continuity over time.
ILTY
Supportive conversations. Not clinical treatment. No ongoing relationship memory (yet).
Better for: BetterHelp for clinical needs
BetterHelp
Appropriate for depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, and other clinical conditions (with right therapist match).
ILTY
Not appropriate as primary treatment for serious conditions. Supplemental support only.
Better for: BetterHelp
BetterHelp
Has faced scrutiny—FTC settlement over data sharing with advertisers. HIPAA-compliant but history of concerns.
ILTY
Doesn't sell data, doesn't show ads, doesn't use conversations for training.
Better for: ILTY (though both take security seriously now)
BetterHelp
Varies significantly. Some excellent therapists, some not. Matching can require multiple tries.
ILTY
Consistent experience. AI doesn't have good or bad days.
Better for: Depends on luck with BetterHelp; consistent with ILTY
BetterHelp
Cannot prescribe medication directly. Some integration with psychiatric services.
ILTY
Cannot and does not address medication.
Better for: Neither (see a psychiatrist for medication)
Let's be honest about the economics. BetterHelp costs $300-400 per month. For many people, that's simply not affordable.
This creates a mental health access problem. People who could benefit from support can't afford professional help. AI tools like ILTY can help fill that gap—not as a replacement for therapy, but as support that's actually accessible.
If you can afford therapy and need clinical treatment, get therapy. If cost is a barrier and your needs are sub-clinical, AI support is better than nothing—and can be genuinely helpful.
Ideal world: everyone who needs therapy can access it. Reality: accessible AI support is better than inaccessible human therapy.
No. ILTY is not a replacement for therapy, and we're clear about that. For serious mental health conditions, professional treatment is essential. ILTY is for everyday emotional support—the moments when you need to talk through something but don't need (or can't access) a therapist.
Yes. BetterHelp connects you with licensed therapists (psychologists, counselors, social workers) for real therapy sessions via text, phone, or video. The therapists are real, credentialed professionals.
BetterHelp charges $300-400/month because you're paying for access to licensed human professionals. Therapists need to be paid. ILTY is AI-only, which dramatically reduces costs but also means you're not talking to a human.
Yes, many people do. Use BetterHelp for actual therapy sessions. Use ILTY between sessions when something comes up and you need to talk through it before your next appointment.
If you need professional therapy, pursue that. If you need accessible support for everyday mental health, ILTY is here.