| Feature | BetterHelp | Cerebral |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 | 2020 |
| Primary Service | Online therapy (human therapists) | Therapy + medication management |
| Pricing | $260-$400/month | $60-$365/month |
| Therapist Network | 34,000+ licensed therapists | Smaller network (size not disclosed) |
| Medication Prescribing | No | Yes — non-controlled substances only |
| Insurance Accepted | Limited | Yes — major US payers |
| Communication Modes | Text, live chat, phone, video | Video primarily |
| App Store Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Trustpilot | 4/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Privacy Concerns | FTC investigation concerns | $7M FTC settlement (2024) — shared data with Facebook |
| Availability | 200+ countries | USA only |
| Affiliate Commission | $40-$100 CPA | $12 per signup |
When to Choose BetterHelp
BetterHelp is the better choice if you need therapy only (no medication), want the largest possible therapist selection, prefer multiple communication modes (especially text messaging between sessions), or live outside the United States. The 34,000+ therapist network means you are more likely to find a good specialization match, and the free switching policy reduces the risk of a poor initial match.
BetterHelp's main advantage is flexibility. You can message your therapist anytime, switch between video and text, and access the service from 200+ countries. For users who find traditional therapy formats intimidating, the text-first option is genuinely valuable.
When to Choose Cerebral
Cerebral is the better choice if you need both therapy and medication management in one platform. The combined care team model (therapist + prescriber) eliminates the need to coordinate between separate providers. Insurance acceptance at major US payers can reduce costs to ~$30/copay per visit, making Cerebral potentially cheaper than BetterHelp for insured users.
However, Cerebral's $7M FTC settlement for sharing user health data with Facebook and other advertisers without consent is a serious concern for a mental health platform. Users should carefully review Cerebral's current privacy policy before sharing sensitive health information. Cerebral cannot prescribe controlled substances (no stimulants for ADHD, no benzodiazepines), which limits its psychiatric utility.
The Privacy Elephant in the Room
Both platforms have faced privacy scrutiny. Cerebral's case is more severe — the $7M FTC settlement (2024) confirmed that the company shared user health data, including information about mental health conditions, with Facebook, Google, and other advertising platforms without user consent. This is particularly egregious for a mental health platform where users share deeply personal information.
BetterHelp has faced its own FTC investigation concerns around therapist licensing across state lines and data handling practices, though no comparable settlement has been reached. Neither platform has a spotless privacy record.
Our Recommendation
For therapy only: Choose BetterHelp for its larger therapist network, multi-modal communication, and global availability.
For therapy + medication: Choose Cerebral if you accept the privacy trade-off and need integrated medication management, especially if you have insurance that Cerebral accepts.
For budget-conscious users: Consider Wysa ($8.33-$99.99/month) for AI-based emotional support with optional human coaching, or check if your insurance covers traditional in-network therapy at a lower cost than either platform.