Home›Compare›BetterHelp vs Oar Health

BetterHelp vs Oar Health: Which Is Better?

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

Our Verdict

Oar Health scores higher overall in our independent evaluation (68.4/100 vs 54.5/100), leading on trust & safety, value, experience, product range, reputation.

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
68

Oar Health is a cash-pay telehealth service prescribing generic naltrexone (plus a compounded fast-dissolving 'Clutch' mint) for alcohol use, at $99 per month billed quarterly.

Visit Oar Health

Score Breakdown

DimensionBetterHelpOar Health
Overall Score54.5/10068.4/100 ✓
Trust & Safety30%45/10070/100 ✓
Value25%58/10070/100 ✓
Experience20%70/10074/100 ✓
Product Range15%50/10055/100 ✓
Reputation10%50/10068/100 ✓

At a Glance

Founded2013—
HeadquartersMountain View, CA—
Publicly tradedYes (TDOC)No
Treatment categories11
Treatments listed12
Starting price$280/mo$99/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.

CategoryBetterHelpOar Health
Mental Health$280–$400
Online Therapy (messaging, chat, phone, video)
$99
Naltrexone for Alcohol (generic)

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 →

Oar Health

+Full pricing published up front: $50 initial consult, $297 per quarter only if prescribed, shipping included
+Names its dispensing pharmacies (Honeybee Health, Health Warehouse) and allows transfer to any pharmacy
+Strong review base: 4.6/5 on Trustpilot across 838 reviews, with few billing complaints
−Unavailable in 8 states plus DC (AR, DE, KS, MS, NM, RI, VT, WV)
−No insurance accepted; HSA/FSA only
−$50 consult fee is non-refundable even if no prescription is issued
Read the full Oar Health review →

BetterHelp vs Oar Health — FAQ

Is BetterHelp better than Oar Health?

▾

Oar Health scores higher overall in our independent evaluation (68.4/100 vs 54.5/100), leading on trust & safety, value, experience, product range, reputation.

Is BetterHelp or Oar Health cheaper?

▾

Oar Health has the lower starting price (from $99/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 Oar Health both offer?

▾

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

Still deciding?

BetterHelp alternativesOar Health alternativesTake the Match Quiz