Home›Compare›BetterHelp vs Joyous

BetterHelp vs Joyous: Which Is Better?

Head-to-head comparison of BetterHelp and Joyous based on our independent scoring across trust, value, experience, product range, and reputation — plus real pricing for the treatments they both offer.

Our Verdict

Joyous scores higher overall in our independent evaluation (64/100 vs 54.5/100), leading on trust & safety, value, product range, reputation. BetterHelp comes out ahead on experience.

55
BetterHelp
Below Average

BetterHelp is Teladoc Health's online talk-therapy platform, matching users with licensed therapists for messaging, chat, phone and video sessions; it does not prescribe medication and operates under a 2023 FTC order over sharing health data with advertisers.

Visit BetterHelp
64
Joyous
Fair

The most affordable at-home ketamine provider, offering very-low-dose (microdose) sublingual ketamine for depression, anxiety, and PTSD at $129/month.

Visit Joyous

Score Breakdown

DimensionBetterHelpJoyous
Overall Score54.5/10064/100 ✓
Trust & Safety30%45/10060/100 ✓
Value25%58/10085/100 ✓
Experience20%70/100 ✓60/100
Product Range15%50/10055/100 ✓
Reputation10%50/10055/100 ✓

At a Glance

Founded20132021
HeadquartersMountain View, CAFoster City, CA
Publicly tradedYes (TDOC)No
Treatment categories11
Treatments listed12
Starting price$280/mo$129/mo

Pricing Where They Compete

Prices shown are based on our most recent research and may not reflect current pricing. Telehealth providers update their pricing frequently. Always verify pricing directly with the provider before purchasing.

CategoryBetterHelpJoyous
Mental Health$280–$400
Online Therapy (messaging, chat, phone, video)
$129
Commitment Plan (3-month minimum)

BetterHelp

+Large licensed-therapist network with messaging, live chat, phone and video in one membership
+Therapist switching is self-serve and frequently praised in reviews
+Weekly price range ($70–$100) published on the FAQ; insurance accepted in a growing number of states (average $23 copay)
−2023 FTC order: shared users' mental-health data with Facebook, Snapchat, Criteo and Pinterest for advertising despite privacy promises; paid $7.8M in consumer refunds
−No medication management: therapists cannot prescribe or formally diagnose
−Cash price of about $280–$400 per month is high relative to per-session pay-as-you-go therapy
Read the full BetterHelp review →

Joyous

+Most affordable at-home ketamine option at $129/mo — fraction of competitors' pricing
+Microdose approach: patients stay fully functional, no sitter required, compatible with SSRIs
+All-inclusive flat pricing: consultation, medication, provider access, portal, and check-ins bundled
−$400K privacy class action settlement (2025) for disclosing confidential customer data
−BBB C+ rating with 112 complaints — billing after cancellation is the top issue
−High provider turnover — patients rarely see the same clinician twice
Read the full Joyous review →

BetterHelp vs Joyous — FAQ

Is BetterHelp better than Joyous?

▾

Joyous scores higher overall in our independent evaluation (64/100 vs 54.5/100), leading on trust & safety, value, product range, reputation. BetterHelp comes out ahead on experience.

Is BetterHelp or Joyous cheaper?

▾

Joyous has the lower starting price (from $129/mo vs $280/mo for BetterHelp). Starting prices are for the cheapest treatment each offers — compare the specific treatment you need, and check what each price includes.

What do BetterHelp and Joyous both offer?

▾

Both platforms treat Mental Health. BetterHelp covers 1 treatment category total and Joyous covers 1.

Still deciding?

BetterHelp alternativesJoyous alternativesTake the Match Quiz