Choose Headway if you have commercial insurance and want traditional, hour-long sessions with an experienced private-practice therapist for just your copay. Choose Talkspace if you want messaging between sessions, integrated psychiatry, Original Medicare coverage, teen or couples therapy, or you are paying out of pocket.
Headway and Talkspace both let you use insurance for therapy, but they work in completely different ways. Headway is a directory of independent therapists who bill your insurance. Talkspace is a subscription platform with its own network, messaging, and psychiatry. Here is how to choose.
Side by side
| App | Best for | Price (annual) | Rating | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headway | Private-practice therapists, copay only | Typically $20-$50/session | 8.2 | Web + in-person |
| Talkspace | Messaging, psychiatry, Medicare | ~$10 avg copay or $69-$109/wk | 8.4 | iOS, Android, Web |
How they work
Headway lists independent, licensed therapists and psychiatric prescribers who accept insurance, with more than 70,000 credentialed providers reported in 2026. You choose a provider, book, and pay your share after each session. There is no subscription and no platform fee. Therapy happens in scheduled sessions, by video or in person.
Talkspace is a subscription platform. You’re matched with a therapist and can message them between scheduled live sessions. It also offers psychiatry, teen therapy for ages 13 to 17, and couples therapy.
Cost with insurance
Headway: Headway says most clients pay $20 to $50 per session with insurance, compared with standard out-of-pocket rates of $100 to $300.
Talkspace: Talkspace says the average copay is about $10, and many members pay nothing.
With either, if you haven’t met your deductible, you may pay more until you do.
Winner: Talkspace, slightly, on average cost per session.
Cost without insurance
Headway is built for insurance. Some providers offer private pay through Headway at rates they set, commonly $100 to $200 a session, but not all do.
Talkspace costs $69 a week for messaging, $99 a week for live sessions plus messaging, or $109 a week with workshops.
Winner: Talkspace, since it is designed for out-of-pocket users as well as insured ones.
Insurance coverage, Medicare, and Medicaid
Headway works with major commercial insurers, select Medicare Advantage plans nationally, and select Medicaid managed care plans in some states. It does not handle out-of-network care. Since July 2026, your therapist must be credentialed in the state where you are when a telehealth session happens.
Talkspace accepts most major commercial plans, Medicare, and TRICARE. It does not accept Medicaid.
Winner: Talkspace for Original Medicare and TRICARE; Headway for Medicaid, where your state and plan are covered.
Sessions and support between them
Headway providers typically offer full 60-minute sessions, by video or in person. There is no ongoing therapy by message.
Talkspace live sessions are typically 30 minutes, with messaging in between on most plans.
Winner: Headway for depth in each session; Talkspace for contact between sessions.
Medication
Headway lists psychiatrists and nurse practitioners who bill your insurance, and some can prescribe controlled medications such as ADHD stimulants where state law allows.
Talkspace offers psychiatry at $299 for an evaluation and $175 per follow-up out of pocket, or your copay with insurance.
If you may need a controlled medication, confirm with any prescriber before booking. See our best brain training apps for ADHD guide for context on ADHD care.
Fees and fine print
Headway: cancellation fees are set by each provider and shown in your reminder emails, and Headway says it can’t waive them. You’re charged after each session, and you’ll need a payment method on file even if insurance covers everything.
Talkspace: plans renew automatically, so cancel before your renewal date if you’re stopping. Check whether your plan covers the tier you choose.
Which should you choose?
Choose Headway if you have commercial insurance, want an experienced therapist for full-length sessions, prefer in-person options, or may need a prescriber who handles controlled medications.
Choose Talkspace if you want to message your therapist between sessions, have Original Medicare or TRICARE, need teen or couples therapy through one platform, or are paying out of pocket.
Also consider: Alma, which works like Headway but adds a free 15-minute consultation and sliding-scale options for out-of-network clients, and Rula, which accepts Medicare everywhere and Medicaid in select states.
Common questions
Is Headway cheaper than Talkspace? Usually not by much. Talkspace averages about $10 a session with insurance; most Headway clients pay $20 to $50.
Does Headway take Medicare? Only select Medicare Advantage plans. Talkspace accepts Medicare.
Does Talkspace take Medicaid? No. Headway accepts select Medicaid managed care plans in some states.
Which has longer sessions? Headway, where full 60-minute sessions are typical. Talkspace live sessions are usually 30 minutes.
Can I see a therapist in person? Often with Headway, depending on your area. Talkspace is online only.
The bottom line
Headway is the better choice for insured people who want a traditional, hour-long therapy relationship with an experienced clinician. Talkspace is better if you value messaging, need Original Medicare or TRICARE coverage, want teen or couples options, or are paying out of pocket.
For more, see our Headway review, Talkspace review, and best online therapy that takes insurance.
One important note: if you are in crisis or considering harming yourself, please reach out now. In the US, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Immediate human support is available.