Apps and online care
ACT Coach vs Headspace
They differ on 8 of 10 things we check. No winner here: the better one is the one that fits what you need and how you'd pay.
ACT Coach
If you're doing ACT with a therapist, ACT Coach gives you exercises, mindfulness audio and logs to practise between sessions.
Headspace
You pick short guided meditations, courses on stress, anxiety or sleep, sleepcasts and focus music, and do a few minutes a day on your phone.
Where they differ
- Good for
- ACT Coach: People already in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with a therapist; Veterans and service members using ACT for depression, anxiety or PTSD
- Headspace: Beginners who want structured, short guided meditations; People dealing with everyday stress or trouble winding down for sleep
- Probably not for
- ACT Coach: Anyone in crisis: call or text 988 (veterans press 1)
- Headspace: Anyone in crisis or thinking about suicide: call or text 988
- Cost
- ACT Coach: Free
- Headspace: $69.99/year or $12.99/month
- How you pay
- ACT Coach: Free
- Headspace: I'll pay myself
- Where
- ACT Coach: iPhone, Android
- Headspace: iPhone, Android, Web
- Research
- ACT Coach: Early research
- Headspace: Strong research support
- Privacy
- ACT Coach: Grade A+
- Headspace: Grade C
- Sells your data
- ACT Coach: No
- Headspace: Yes
The same for both: kind of help (an app i use on my own), hipaa (no).
In crisis or thinking about suicide? In the US, call or text 988. This page is information from our reviews, not medical advice.