By Calvin Field, founder of MindTrace. Last updated 6 November 2026.
Quick answer: There's no single best mental health app. The right one depends on what you need. For CBT self-help, look at Clarity or the free MindShift CBT. For meditation and sleep, Headspace, Calm or Insight Timer. For mood and symptom tracking, Daylio or Bearable. For AI-guided support, Wysa. If you're in therapy and want to capture thoughts between sessions and arrive prepared, a thought tracker such as MindTrace or a therapy journal such as Ponderwell fits best. Whatever you choose, an app works best alongside professional care, not instead of it.
Disclosure: we make MindTrace. We've included it because this guide is about apps people use for their mental health, and we've tried to be fair to every app listed. Every competitor detail below was checked on 6 November 2026 against that app's US Apple App Store listing. Prices and features change and can differ by country, so check the store page before you choose.
Key takeaways
Pick an app by the job you need it to do: CBT practice, calm and sleep, tracking, support, or preparing for therapy.
Several good options are free or have a free tier, including MindShift CBT and Insight Timer.
Most apps haven't been tested in clinical trials, so be wary of big claims and read the privacy details.
No app is a crisis service. If you're struggling, contact a professional or a helpline.
Many people use two apps together, for example one for calm and one for tracking thoughts.
What are the best mental health apps in 2026?
Here's a side-by-side view of the apps in this guide, grouped by what each does best. Price models are taken from each app's US App Store listing on 6 November 2026.
App | Best for | Price model (US App Store) |
MindTrace | Capturing thoughts by text or voice and reading a summary before therapy | 7-day free trial, then monthly or annual |
Ponderwell | A therapy journal with a prep sheet for sessions | Free tier; optional subscription or lifetime purchase |
Clarity | Guided CBT reframing and a thought diary | Free; optional Pro Mode subscription |
MindShift CBT | Free CBT tools for anxiety | Free, no subscriptions |
Wysa | AI-guided support with CBT and DBT-inspired tools | Free; optional premium tiers |
Headspace | Guided meditation and sleep | Subscription with a free trial |
Calm | Sleep stories, relaxation and mindfulness | Some features free; optional subscription |
Insight Timer | A large free meditation library | Free; optional subscription |
Daylio | Quick mood and activity tracking | Free; optional upgrade |
Bearable | Tracking mood alongside symptoms, sleep and medication | Free; optional upgrade |
Finch | Gentle self-care habits with a virtual pet | Free; optional upgrade |
How did we choose these apps?
We started from the apps that come up most often when people ask for the best mental health apps, then grouped them by the job they do. Each app had to be available on iPhone, still actively listed, and clear about what it offers. We checked every competitor's features, price model and privacy statements against its App Store listing. We left out apps that have been discontinued, and we haven't scored apps on clinical effectiveness, because that isn't something we can measure.
We also kept in mind the guidance from health organisations. The US National Institute of Mental Health notes there are no review boards or widely accepted rules for judging mental health apps, and suggests asking a trusted health care provider for a recommendation. Mental Health America suggests looking at three things: whether the app is credible, how it handles privacy, and whether it's easy and engaging enough to keep using.
Which mental health apps are best for people in therapy?
If you're seeing a therapist, the most useful app is often the one that helps you bring the week into the room. Many people forget what they wanted to say by the time a session starts, so look for fast capture and an easy way to review.
MindTrace: best for capturing thoughts and preparing for sessions
MindTrace is a CBT-inspired thought tracker for iOS and Android. You capture a thought in the moment, by text or voice, so you don't have to remember it later. Over time, charts and graphs show patterns in what you've logged, and before your next session you can read an AI summary of your recent thoughts. It's designed to support therapy, not replace it. It focuses on capture and review rather than guided programmes or meditation, so some people pair it with a calm or sleep app.
Ponderwell: best therapy journal with a prep sheet
Ponderwell's listing describes it as a private companion for therapy, designed by a psychologist. It includes mood check-ins, prompts to gather thoughts before a session and reflect after it, a session agenda, goals and homework, and a Prep Sheet you can share as a PDF. Its listing says everything stays on your device, with no account and no AI. It has a free tier, with optional paid features after a 10-day trial.
For more options in this category, see our comparison of the best apps to use between therapy sessions.
Which are the best CBT apps?
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy in the US) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and actions. If you're new to it, our guide to what CBT is is a good starting point.
Clarity: best for guided CBT reframing
Clarity, listed as Clarity: CBT Self Help Journal, helps you reframe thoughts using CBT, with guided journals, mood and activity check-ins, an AI chatbot and a wellness library. Its listing says journal entries are stored on your phone by default. It's free, with an optional Pro Mode subscription. Its listing is clear that it's a self-help and educational tool, not a substitute for therapy.
MindShift CBT: best free CBT app for anxiety
MindShift CBT's listing describes it as always free, with no subscriptions or hidden costs. It offers a thought journal, a fear ladder for facing worries step by step, daily check-ins, guided meditations and a community forum. It's a strong choice if anxiety is your main focus and cost matters.
If you'd like to practise CBT skills on paper first, our guides to cognitive distortions and thought tracking walk through the basics.
Which app is best for AI mental health support?
Wysa: best for AI-guided support with CBT tools
Wysa's listing describes an AI chatbot alongside CBT and DBT-inspired self-help tools, mindfulness exercises, and optional paid access to a human coach. It says your identity stays anonymous and conversations are privacy protected. The listing also says Wysa doesn't offer diagnosis or treatment advice, and asks people in crisis to contact a doctor or emergency services.
AI chat can feel supportive, but it isn't a therapist. If you use one, keep your expectations realistic and tell your therapist or doctor if you're relying on it a lot.
Which are the best apps for meditation and sleep?
Headspace: best for building a meditation habit
Headspace offers hundreds of guided meditations, sleep tools, mindful movement and an AI companion. Its US listing also offers access to licensed therapists and mental health coaches. It's free to download, with a subscription and a free trial.
Calm: best for sleep and relaxation
Calm is known for Sleep Stories, sleep sounds, breathing exercises and multi-day mindfulness programmes, plus a daily mood and mindful minutes tracker. Its listing says some programmes and features are free forever, with the rest in an optional subscription.
Insight Timer: best free meditation library
Insight Timer offers a large free library of guided meditations, breathwork, sleep music and movement sessions, plus community groups. An optional subscription adds courses and offline listening.
Which are the best mood tracker apps?
Daylio: best for quick mood tracking
Daylio lets you log your mood and activities with a few taps, then see statistics, charts and a Year in Pixels view. Its listing says your data is stored locally on your phone, with optional backups. It's free, with an optional upgrade.
Bearable: best for tracking mood alongside symptoms
Bearable tracks mood together with symptoms, sleep, medication and more, and looks for correlations between them. Its listing says your health data is encrypted, that you can export or delete it at any time, and that it will never sell your data. It's free, with an optional upgrade.
Mood trackers show how you felt. If you also want to understand what you were thinking, a thought tracker adds that layer. Our guide to spotting patterns in your thinking explains the difference.
Which app is best for gentle self-care habits?
Finch: best for small daily self-care goals
Finch turns self-care into caring for a virtual pet. You set small goals, journal, try breathing exercises and track your mood. It's free, with an optional upgrade. It suits people who find structured programmes too much on a hard day.
Are mental health apps safe and private?
Many are useful, but it pays to be careful. Most apps haven't been tested in clinical trials, so treat big claims with caution. NIMH points out that it doesn't develop or endorse any apps, so be wary of apps that suggest otherwise. Mental Health America suggests checking each app's privacy policy, and if you're unsure how secure an app is, avoiding entering identifiable information.
Before you sign up, check:
Privacy: read the App Privacy section of the store listing and the privacy policy. Look for where data is stored, whether it's shared or sold, and whether you can delete it.
Claims: words like 'clinically proven' should come with details you can check.
Crisis support: does the app tell you what to do if you feel unsafe? No app is an emergency service.
Cost: check what's free, how long any trial lasts, and how to cancel.
Fit: try it for a few days. If it feels like a chore, you won't keep using it.
Are there NHS-approved mental health apps?
In England, NHS Talking Therapies services can offer digitally enabled therapies, delivered online with support from a therapist. NHS England says assessment criteria have been developed so that these meet the required standards. They're offered through an NHS Talking Therapies service rather than downloaded on your own, so the best route is to self-refer or ask your GP.
In Canada, Quebec's Réseau québécois de la télésanté points people to AppSanteMentale.ca, a selection of apps assessed against a long list of quality criteria, and reminds readers that apps are no substitute for professional care. Elsewhere in Canada, see our guide to what to do while you wait for therapy. In the US, ask your doctor or therapist which apps they're comfortable with.
Can a mental health app replace therapy?
No. Apps can help you practise skills, notice patterns and feel calmer, but they can't assess you, adjust to what you need in the moment, or support you through a crisis the way a professional can. We cover this in more detail in apps vs therapy. If you're in therapy, the best use of an app is often to make sessions more productive, for example by preparing for your next session with notes from the week.
How do I choose the right mental health app?
Start with the problem you want help with, then match it to a type of app:
If you want to... | Look for | Apps in this guide |
Remember what to say in therapy | A thought tracker or therapy journal | MindTrace, Ponderwell |
Learn and practise CBT skills | Guided CBT tools and thought records | Clarity, MindShift CBT |
Feel calmer or sleep better | Meditation, breathing and sleep content | Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer |
See how your mood changes | Quick mood logging and charts | Daylio, Bearable |
Talk things through at any hour | AI-guided support with self-help tools | Wysa |
Build small daily habits | Goals, streaks and gentle prompts | Finch |
Example: Sam is in therapy for anxiety and often forgets what happened during the week. Sam uses Insight Timer for a short breathing exercise before bed, and a thought tracker to note anxious thoughts as they happen, by voice when typing feels like too much. Before each session, Sam reads back the week's entries and picks two moments to talk about. One app helps Sam feel calmer, the other makes sessions more focused. (This is an illustration, not a real person.)
If you'd like to start without an app, our guide to tracking negative thoughts in the moment shows how to do it in a notebook or notes app.
How MindTrace helps
MindTrace is a CBT-inspired thought tracker for iOS and Android, built for people in therapy, people who've finished therapy, and anyone curious about their thought patterns. Capture a thought in the moment by text or voice, see patterns in charts and graphs over time, and read an AI summary before your next therapy session. It supports therapy and doesn't replace it. There's a 7-day free trial, then monthly or annual plans.
Try MindTrace free for 7 days
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free mental health app?
It depends on what you need. MindShift CBT's listing says it's always free, with no subscriptions, which makes it a good free CBT option for anxiety. Insight Timer has a large free meditation library. Daylio, Bearable, Finch and Clarity are free to download with optional upgrades.
What is the best mental health app for anxiety?
For CBT-based anxiety tools, MindShift CBT and Clarity are good places to start. For calming techniques like breathing and meditation, try Headspace, Calm or Insight Timer. If anxious thoughts are hard to remember by the time you see your therapist, a thought tracker like MindTrace can help you capture them.
Do therapists recommend mental health apps?
Some therapists suggest apps for practice and tracking between sessions, but it's best to ask yours. NIMH suggests asking a trusted health care provider for a recommendation, and telling your therapist what you use helps them fit it into your treatment.
Are AI mental health apps safe?
They can be helpful for reflection and practising skills, but they aren't therapists. Check the privacy details, look for clear crisis guidance, and be cautious of big claims. If you're struggling or feel unsafe, contact a professional or a helpline rather than relying on an app.
Which app should I use alongside therapy?
Choose one that helps you bring the week into your sessions. A thought tracker like MindTrace or a therapy journal like Ponderwell helps you capture what happens between appointments and arrive prepared. Our guide to the best apps to use between therapy sessions compares more options.
Can a mental health app replace therapy?
No. Apps can support your wellbeing and help you practise skills, but they can't replace an assessment, a treatment plan or support from a professional, especially in a crisis.
MindTrace is not a crisis service and doesn't replace professional care. If you're in crisis or worried about your safety, call or text 988 in Canada or the US, call 999 or Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK, or contact your local emergency services.
By Calvin Field, founder of MindTrace. Last updated 6 November 2026.
Quick answer: There's no single best mental health app. The right one depends on what you need. For CBT self-help, look at Clarity or the free MindShift CBT. For meditation and sleep, Headspace, Calm or Insight Timer. For mood and symptom tracking, Daylio or Bearable. For AI-guided support, Wysa. If you're in therapy and want to capture thoughts between sessions and arrive prepared, a thought tracker such as MindTrace or a therapy journal such as Ponderwell fits best. Whatever you choose, an app works best alongside professional care, not instead of it.
Disclosure: we make MindTrace. We've included it because this guide is about apps people use for their mental health, and we've tried to be fair to every app listed. Every competitor detail below was checked on 6 November 2026 against that app's US Apple App Store listing. Prices and features change and can differ by country, so check the store page before you choose.
Key takeaways
Pick an app by the job you need it to do: CBT practice, calm and sleep, tracking, support, or preparing for therapy.
Several good options are free or have a free tier, including MindShift CBT and Insight Timer.
Most apps haven't been tested in clinical trials, so be wary of big claims and read the privacy details.
No app is a crisis service. If you're struggling, contact a professional or a helpline.
Many people use two apps together, for example one for calm and one for tracking thoughts.
What are the best mental health apps in 2026?
Here's a side-by-side view of the apps in this guide, grouped by what each does best. Price models are taken from each app's US App Store listing on 6 November 2026.
App | Best for | Price model (US App Store) |
MindTrace | Capturing thoughts by text or voice and reading a summary before therapy | 7-day free trial, then monthly or annual |
Ponderwell | A therapy journal with a prep sheet for sessions | Free tier; optional subscription or lifetime purchase |
Clarity | Guided CBT reframing and a thought diary | Free; optional Pro Mode subscription |
MindShift CBT | Free CBT tools for anxiety | Free, no subscriptions |
Wysa | AI-guided support with CBT and DBT-inspired tools | Free; optional premium tiers |
Headspace | Guided meditation and sleep | Subscription with a free trial |
Calm | Sleep stories, relaxation and mindfulness | Some features free; optional subscription |
Insight Timer | A large free meditation library | Free; optional subscription |
Daylio | Quick mood and activity tracking | Free; optional upgrade |
Bearable | Tracking mood alongside symptoms, sleep and medication | Free; optional upgrade |
Finch | Gentle self-care habits with a virtual pet | Free; optional upgrade |
How did we choose these apps?
We started from the apps that come up most often when people ask for the best mental health apps, then grouped them by the job they do. Each app had to be available on iPhone, still actively listed, and clear about what it offers. We checked every competitor's features, price model and privacy statements against its App Store listing. We left out apps that have been discontinued, and we haven't scored apps on clinical effectiveness, because that isn't something we can measure.
We also kept in mind the guidance from health organisations. The US National Institute of Mental Health notes there are no review boards or widely accepted rules for judging mental health apps, and suggests asking a trusted health care provider for a recommendation. Mental Health America suggests looking at three things: whether the app is credible, how it handles privacy, and whether it's easy and engaging enough to keep using.
Which mental health apps are best for people in therapy?
If you're seeing a therapist, the most useful app is often the one that helps you bring the week into the room. Many people forget what they wanted to say by the time a session starts, so look for fast capture and an easy way to review.
MindTrace: best for capturing thoughts and preparing for sessions
MindTrace is a CBT-inspired thought tracker for iOS and Android. You capture a thought in the moment, by text or voice, so you don't have to remember it later. Over time, charts and graphs show patterns in what you've logged, and before your next session you can read an AI summary of your recent thoughts. It's designed to support therapy, not replace it. It focuses on capture and review rather than guided programmes or meditation, so some people pair it with a calm or sleep app.
Ponderwell: best therapy journal with a prep sheet
Ponderwell's listing describes it as a private companion for therapy, designed by a psychologist. It includes mood check-ins, prompts to gather thoughts before a session and reflect after it, a session agenda, goals and homework, and a Prep Sheet you can share as a PDF. Its listing says everything stays on your device, with no account and no AI. It has a free tier, with optional paid features after a 10-day trial.
For more options in this category, see our comparison of the best apps to use between therapy sessions.
Which are the best CBT apps?
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy, or cognitive behavioral therapy in the US) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and actions. If you're new to it, our guide to what CBT is is a good starting point.
Clarity: best for guided CBT reframing
Clarity, listed as Clarity: CBT Self Help Journal, helps you reframe thoughts using CBT, with guided journals, mood and activity check-ins, an AI chatbot and a wellness library. Its listing says journal entries are stored on your phone by default. It's free, with an optional Pro Mode subscription. Its listing is clear that it's a self-help and educational tool, not a substitute for therapy.
MindShift CBT: best free CBT app for anxiety
MindShift CBT's listing describes it as always free, with no subscriptions or hidden costs. It offers a thought journal, a fear ladder for facing worries step by step, daily check-ins, guided meditations and a community forum. It's a strong choice if anxiety is your main focus and cost matters.
If you'd like to practise CBT skills on paper first, our guides to cognitive distortions and thought tracking walk through the basics.
Which app is best for AI mental health support?
Wysa: best for AI-guided support with CBT tools
Wysa's listing describes an AI chatbot alongside CBT and DBT-inspired self-help tools, mindfulness exercises, and optional paid access to a human coach. It says your identity stays anonymous and conversations are privacy protected. The listing also says Wysa doesn't offer diagnosis or treatment advice, and asks people in crisis to contact a doctor or emergency services.
AI chat can feel supportive, but it isn't a therapist. If you use one, keep your expectations realistic and tell your therapist or doctor if you're relying on it a lot.
Which are the best apps for meditation and sleep?
Headspace: best for building a meditation habit
Headspace offers hundreds of guided meditations, sleep tools, mindful movement and an AI companion. Its US listing also offers access to licensed therapists and mental health coaches. It's free to download, with a subscription and a free trial.
Calm: best for sleep and relaxation
Calm is known for Sleep Stories, sleep sounds, breathing exercises and multi-day mindfulness programmes, plus a daily mood and mindful minutes tracker. Its listing says some programmes and features are free forever, with the rest in an optional subscription.
Insight Timer: best free meditation library
Insight Timer offers a large free library of guided meditations, breathwork, sleep music and movement sessions, plus community groups. An optional subscription adds courses and offline listening.
Which are the best mood tracker apps?
Daylio: best for quick mood tracking
Daylio lets you log your mood and activities with a few taps, then see statistics, charts and a Year in Pixels view. Its listing says your data is stored locally on your phone, with optional backups. It's free, with an optional upgrade.
Bearable: best for tracking mood alongside symptoms
Bearable tracks mood together with symptoms, sleep, medication and more, and looks for correlations between them. Its listing says your health data is encrypted, that you can export or delete it at any time, and that it will never sell your data. It's free, with an optional upgrade.
Mood trackers show how you felt. If you also want to understand what you were thinking, a thought tracker adds that layer. Our guide to spotting patterns in your thinking explains the difference.
Which app is best for gentle self-care habits?
Finch: best for small daily self-care goals
Finch turns self-care into caring for a virtual pet. You set small goals, journal, try breathing exercises and track your mood. It's free, with an optional upgrade. It suits people who find structured programmes too much on a hard day.
Are mental health apps safe and private?
Many are useful, but it pays to be careful. Most apps haven't been tested in clinical trials, so treat big claims with caution. NIMH points out that it doesn't develop or endorse any apps, so be wary of apps that suggest otherwise. Mental Health America suggests checking each app's privacy policy, and if you're unsure how secure an app is, avoiding entering identifiable information.
Before you sign up, check:
Privacy: read the App Privacy section of the store listing and the privacy policy. Look for where data is stored, whether it's shared or sold, and whether you can delete it.
Claims: words like 'clinically proven' should come with details you can check.
Crisis support: does the app tell you what to do if you feel unsafe? No app is an emergency service.
Cost: check what's free, how long any trial lasts, and how to cancel.
Fit: try it for a few days. If it feels like a chore, you won't keep using it.
Are there NHS-approved mental health apps?
In England, NHS Talking Therapies services can offer digitally enabled therapies, delivered online with support from a therapist. NHS England says assessment criteria have been developed so that these meet the required standards. They're offered through an NHS Talking Therapies service rather than downloaded on your own, so the best route is to self-refer or ask your GP.
In Canada, Quebec's Réseau québécois de la télésanté points people to AppSanteMentale.ca, a selection of apps assessed against a long list of quality criteria, and reminds readers that apps are no substitute for professional care. Elsewhere in Canada, see our guide to what to do while you wait for therapy. In the US, ask your doctor or therapist which apps they're comfortable with.
Can a mental health app replace therapy?
No. Apps can help you practise skills, notice patterns and feel calmer, but they can't assess you, adjust to what you need in the moment, or support you through a crisis the way a professional can. We cover this in more detail in apps vs therapy. If you're in therapy, the best use of an app is often to make sessions more productive, for example by preparing for your next session with notes from the week.
How do I choose the right mental health app?
Start with the problem you want help with, then match it to a type of app:
If you want to... | Look for | Apps in this guide |
Remember what to say in therapy | A thought tracker or therapy journal | MindTrace, Ponderwell |
Learn and practise CBT skills | Guided CBT tools and thought records | Clarity, MindShift CBT |
Feel calmer or sleep better | Meditation, breathing and sleep content | Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer |
See how your mood changes | Quick mood logging and charts | Daylio, Bearable |
Talk things through at any hour | AI-guided support with self-help tools | Wysa |
Build small daily habits | Goals, streaks and gentle prompts | Finch |
Example: Sam is in therapy for anxiety and often forgets what happened during the week. Sam uses Insight Timer for a short breathing exercise before bed, and a thought tracker to note anxious thoughts as they happen, by voice when typing feels like too much. Before each session, Sam reads back the week's entries and picks two moments to talk about. One app helps Sam feel calmer, the other makes sessions more focused. (This is an illustration, not a real person.)
If you'd like to start without an app, our guide to tracking negative thoughts in the moment shows how to do it in a notebook or notes app.
How MindTrace helps
MindTrace is a CBT-inspired thought tracker for iOS and Android, built for people in therapy, people who've finished therapy, and anyone curious about their thought patterns. Capture a thought in the moment by text or voice, see patterns in charts and graphs over time, and read an AI summary before your next therapy session. It supports therapy and doesn't replace it. There's a 7-day free trial, then monthly or annual plans.
Try MindTrace free for 7 days
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free mental health app?
It depends on what you need. MindShift CBT's listing says it's always free, with no subscriptions, which makes it a good free CBT option for anxiety. Insight Timer has a large free meditation library. Daylio, Bearable, Finch and Clarity are free to download with optional upgrades.
What is the best mental health app for anxiety?
For CBT-based anxiety tools, MindShift CBT and Clarity are good places to start. For calming techniques like breathing and meditation, try Headspace, Calm or Insight Timer. If anxious thoughts are hard to remember by the time you see your therapist, a thought tracker like MindTrace can help you capture them.
Do therapists recommend mental health apps?
Some therapists suggest apps for practice and tracking between sessions, but it's best to ask yours. NIMH suggests asking a trusted health care provider for a recommendation, and telling your therapist what you use helps them fit it into your treatment.
Are AI mental health apps safe?
They can be helpful for reflection and practising skills, but they aren't therapists. Check the privacy details, look for clear crisis guidance, and be cautious of big claims. If you're struggling or feel unsafe, contact a professional or a helpline rather than relying on an app.
Which app should I use alongside therapy?
Choose one that helps you bring the week into your sessions. A thought tracker like MindTrace or a therapy journal like Ponderwell helps you capture what happens between appointments and arrive prepared. Our guide to the best apps to use between therapy sessions compares more options.
Can a mental health app replace therapy?
No. Apps can support your wellbeing and help you practise skills, but they can't replace an assessment, a treatment plan or support from a professional, especially in a crisis.
MindTrace is not a crisis service and doesn't replace professional care. If you're in crisis or worried about your safety, call or text 988 in Canada or the US, call 999 or Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK, or contact your local emergency services.
