BetterHelp vs Talkspace: Which Is Better for Australians? (2025)

If you're looking for online therapy in Australia, BetterHelp and Talkspace are almost certainly the two names you've seen. Both are big, well-established platforms — but they're not the same.

We get asked this question a lot: "BetterHelp or Talkspace — which one should I actually use?"

The honest answer is: it depends. But we can help you figure out which is right for your situation.

BetterHelp vs Talkspace at a Glance

Pricing: BetterHelp vs Talkspace

Both platforms work on a weekly subscription model. Here's how they compare in Australian dollars:

Talkspace starts slightly cheaper at around $49 AUD/week for their messaging-only plan. That's about $196/month — marginally easier on the wallet.

BetterHelp starts at around $60 AUD/week but includes more — their messaging plan is genuinely unlimited, not the "5 messages a week" cap that some of Talkspace's lower tiers impose.

On the higher tiers with video sessions included, both platforms converge to similar price points — roughly $80-110 AUD/week depending on your plan.

Therapist Quality

Both platforms require therapists to be licensed in their respective countries. For Australian users, both claim to have Australian-licensed psychologists and therapists.

In practice:

• BetterHelp has a larger therapist network globally, which means more choice when you're being matched. You can also specify preferences for gender, specialty, and communication style.
• Talkspace has a slightly smaller network, which some users report leads to slower initial matching — but the therapists are generally reported as responsive.

Both platforms allow you to switch therapists at any time. BetterHelp's switching process is reportedly smoother.

Features That Matter

Messaging: BetterHelp wins here. Their "unlimited" messaging genuinely means you can message your therapist whenever — and they typically respond once or twice a day. Talkspace's lower tiers cap messages at 5 per month on some plans, which isn't truly unlimited.

Video sessions: Roughly equal. Both offer video on their mid-to-premium plans. BetterHelp gives you 4 video sessions per month on their top tier; Talkspace gives you 2 live video sessions per month on comparable plans.

Phone calls: BetterHelp is the only one of the two that offers live phone sessions. If you prefer talking over typing or video, this is a point in BetterHelp's favour.

The Affiliate Side

If you've found this site via one of our links, you should know: Carevues is an affiliate partner of both BetterHelp and Talkspace. We earn a commission when you sign up — but it doesn't change our reviews or recommendations.

Our honest view: BetterHelp's 40% recurring commission is significantly better for us as a publisher, but that also reflects the higher average subscription value on their platform. If you're a user, the extra features — unlimited messaging, phone sessions, more therapist choice — justify the slightly higher starting price.

Who Should Choose What?

Choose BetterHelp if:

• You want genuine unlimited messaging, not a capped plan
• You prefer to have the option for phone sessions
• You want more therapist choice during matching
• You're comfortable spending $60-100/week for more flexibility

Choose Talkspace if:

• Budget is your primary concern and you're comfortable on a text-only plan
• You've used Talkspace before and had a good experience
• You want the slightly lower entry price point

Our Verdict for Australians

BetterHelp wins for most people.

The combination of genuinely unlimited messaging, phone session options, and a larger therapist network makes it the more complete platform. The 40% price difference between the lowest tiers is real — but BetterHelp's base plan actually delivers more.

That said, if budget is genuinely tight and you're committed to a text-only approach, Talkspace is a legitimate option. Just make sure you read the plan details carefully so you're not surprised by message caps.