BetterHelp vs. Sesame

Cross-comparison of costs, results, and reviews.

Online therapy offers people the opportunity to get remote treatment for any mental illness or disorder they suffer from, all from the comfort of their homes. Online therapy platforms offer access to numerous therapists that can help with treating conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, anger, grief, OCD, etc. Below, Consumer Opinion Guide cross-compares two of the top rated online therapy platforms – BetterHelp vs. Sesame.

WINNER

Pricing

Min $60

Min $80

Affordability

Diverse Treatments

Licensed Therapists

Confidentiality

Messaging Options

Free Trial

Easy Sign-up

Review Rating

4.7

4.6

Educational Resources

Get Started

WINNER

Pricing

Min $60

Affordability

Diverse Treatments

Licensed Therapists

Confidentiality

Messaging Options

Free Trial

Easy Sign-up

Review Rating

4.7

Educational Resources

Get Started

WINNER

Pricing

Min $80

Affordability

Diverse Treatments

Licensed Therapists

Confidentiality

Messaging Options

Free Trial

Easy Sign-up

Review Rating

4.6

Educational Resources

Get Started

*At time of publishing.

The Verdict - Sesame is the choice of Consumer Opinion Guide

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BetterHelp

3.7

What does BetterHelp offer?

BetterHelp is one of the largest online platforms for online therapy. They are a bridge between people who need help and professionally certified therapists. One of the best things about BetterHelp is the fact that you can talk with your therapist anytime – anywhere. You can talk with them via chat, phone, or video. Also, BetterHelp does its best to connect you with a therapist that is the best match for your needs. You can talk with a therapist whenever it suits you, and choose any time that fits your schedule. BetterHelp is an affordable, easy, and efficient way to find a therapist to whom you can talk to.

What makes BetterHelp different than any other service is the number of therapists that you can choose from, the price, and accessibility. If we are being honest and real, in today’s world people simply do not have time to go back and forth and sit in an office to talk with their therapist. Sometimes you might not feel up to it and a lot of people feel much more comfortable in familiar surroundings when they talk about some serious problems. And BetterHelp as an online platform recognizes all the issues that people might have.

PROS

Multiple Communication Channels

24/7 Remote Access to Therapists

Smart Patient-Therapist Matching System

Easy Scheduling

Licensed Therapists

Different Types of Therapies

CONS

No Prescriptions Available

In-Office Visits Not Available

Staff

If you are worried are the therapist is properly verified you should know that BetterHelp requires every therapist to provide a proper license, documentation, and proof of identity. After that, they check all those information and every therapist goes through a video evaluation.  Also, you can see all those details at every moment in the profile of every therapist.

Of course, it is important to note that if you are in an urgent situation or having thoughts about hurting yourself or you have been advised to attend psychiatric care – BetterHelp is NOT the right fit for you. In those situations, you need to look for professional face-to-face care.

Cost

When it comes to the price, BetterHelp is a really affordable option. There are no hidden fees or unpleasant surprises. Betterhelp is very transparent and the price goes from $60-90 on weekly basis. The cost is charged monthly, and you can cancel it at any time. It is important to know that charging starts from the moment you start talking with your therapist.

Summary

BetterHelp is a truly unique online platform that gives you a top-notch service that you can access from anywhere. It is easy to use, intuitive, and safe. Your privacy is completely protected, although you can stay completely anonymous. BetterHelp offers a great number of licensed therapists at an affordable rate. It is much more affordable and comfortable than going to face-to-face sessions. The best part is that you can cancel at any time, and you are not obligated to use the platform any longer than you need or want. BetterHelp is a great way to get help from a professional certified therapist in the comfort of your home for a rather affordable price.

VS

Sesame

4.6

What does Sesame offer?

Sesame is an online medical marketplace that matches patients with medical professionals who practice telemedicine as well as in-person doctor visits. Established in 2019, Sesame Care experienced rapid growth and has since been voted “America’s #1 Telehealth Company 2021” by Healthline. Patients have the ability to compare appointment prices and the credentials of each physician before choosing their preferred doctor.

Although headquartered in NYC, Sesame offers coverage across the US, employing over 10 thousand medical practitioners that have since helped over 100,000 patients. The platform allows doctors to charge their own price per appointment, lowering the overall expenses by as much as 60% by cutting out the middleman between patients and physicians. With Sesame, the platform users get clear care that involves just you, your doctor, and one upfront price.

PROS

Best for On-Demand Meetings

Vetted & Board-Certified Physicians

Therapists Can Give Prescriptions

Offers Face-to-Face Sessions

20% Discount on First Booking

CONS

Pay Per Meet Only

No Mobile App

Limited Number of Therapists

Staff

Often defined as America’s superstore for finding doctors and specialists, Sesame employs only highly qualified, vetted, and board-certified doctors, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare providers. Everyone must provide licensures and other credentials in order to be eligible to join the Sesame platform. And as a result, patients have the option to examine the background of each medical practitioner before choosing to schedule an appointment with them.

Cost

Sesame definitely falls among some of the most affordable telehealth platforms on the market. Of course, prices vary from doctor to doctor, based on the location of the patient. However, our research has shown that 15-minute appointments start from as low as $25 and go as high as $300 for 60-minute meetings. By cutting out the middleman between doctors and patients and allowing for direct payments, Sesame saves you up to 60% on healthcare fees.

Summary

With its transparent direct-to-patient care, Sesame makes a place for itself among telemedicine platforms. The platform offers patients a choice of doctors based on their locations and the symptoms/procedures they are interested in. All medical practitioners are vetted and board-certified, with experience and background information that patients can see on the platform. Each doctor has an appointment fee, which patients pay upfront. All in all, a telehealth company that offers peace of mind to patients that want to solve their medical emergencies without having to leave the comfort of their homes, and at one of the most affordable rates available.

FAQ

Which is more affordable - BetterHelp or Sesame Care?

Sesame saves patients up to 60% by taking out the middlemen, but it is still not as affordable as other online therapy platforms such as BetterHelp.

What are the main differences between BetterHelp and Sesame Care?

The largest difference is that while BetterHelp is a platform specialized for online therapy treatments, Sesame is a telemedicine platform that covers over 80 medical specialties. And while BetterHelp only offers remote sessions, Sesame also offers in-person appointments. BetterHelp offers free trials and payment plans while Sesame only offers up-front payments per session.

What are the main similarities between BetterHelp and Sesame Care?

Both of these platforms use carefully vetted and licensed medical practitioners that customers can choose. BetterHelp and Sesame both use a wide range of treatment options that can help with a variety of mental disorders.

What makes Sesame Care stand out?

Sesame is a full-service telemedicine service provider, covering various healthcare needs beyond online therapy. The platform is easy to use, and all appointments can be canceled or rescheduled without any charges. Sesame does not require membership fees. Customers pay for appointments/sessions upfront. Sesame has a database of over 10,000 doctors with over 80 specialties. Unlike other online therapy companies, Sesame also offers in-person appointments with prescriptions and free shipping of medicine.

What makes BetterHelp stand out?

BetterHelp offers live video and chat sessions with therapists, making the entire experience more personal, much like texting or talking with a friend that is always available to respond. Additionally, BetterHelp hosts groupings that can multiple patients deal with similar issues by discussing them inside a live interactive group seminar setting.

The Verdict - Sesame is the choice of Consumer Opinion Guide

After taking a closer look at both BetterHelp and Sesame, the Consumer Opinion Guide team has established that Sesame has more to offer to site visitors. BetterHelp might be the more affordable option but Sesame is more straightforward and easier to use and can offer assistance with other conditions beyond mental ones.

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Our Evaluation Process

Consumer Opinion Guide is not a government agency. The research we do is based on reviews that come from verified users just like yourself. The companies we review may pay us to be featured on our website and included in our research, as well as compensate us when you follow a link, call a number, or fill out a form on our website. We may use our own reviews as well as third-party reviews to establish the star rating for all the companies on our website. Our team constantly works on monitoring new reviews and incorporating them into the overall rating of all the businesses listed on our website. Our content is intended to be used for general information purposes only.