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BetterHelp vs Sesame Care: Which Is Better?

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

Our Verdict

Sesame Care scores higher overall in our independent evaluation (74/100 vs 54.5/100), leading on trust & safety, value, 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.

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74

Pay-per-visit marketplace connecting patients with licensed providers — no subscriptions, transparent per-visit pricing.

Visit Sesame Care

Score Breakdown

DimensionBetterHelpSesame Care
Overall Score54.5/10074/100 ✓
Trust & Safety30%45/10075/100 ✓
Value25%58/10080/100 ✓
Experience20%70/10070/100
Product Range15%50/10070/100 ✓
Reputation10%50/10070/100 ✓

At a Glance

Founded20132019
HeadquartersMountain View, CANew York, NY
Publicly tradedYes (TDOC)No
Treatment categories16
Treatments listed17
Starting price$280/mo$11/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.

CategoryBetterHelpSesame Care
Mental Health$280–$400
Online Therapy (messaging, chat, phone, video)
$45–$99
Mental Health Visit (one-off, priced per session)

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 →

Sesame Care

+No subscription required — pay-per-visit model
+Transparent pricing shown before booking
+Wide range of specialties available
−No integrated pharmacy
−Less continuity of care than subscriptions
−Provider quality varies in marketplace model
Read the full Sesame Care review →

BetterHelp vs Sesame Care — FAQ

Is BetterHelp better than Sesame Care?

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Sesame Care scores higher overall in our independent evaluation (74/100 vs 54.5/100), leading on trust & safety, value, product range, reputation.

Is BetterHelp or Sesame Care cheaper?

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Sesame Care has the lower starting price (from $11/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 Sesame Care both offer?

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Both platforms treat Mental Health. BetterHelp covers 1 treatment category total and Sesame Care covers 6.

Still deciding?

BetterHelp alternativesSesame Care alternativesTake the Match Quiz