Apps and online care
What's Up? vs Headspace
They differ on 9 of 10 things we check. No winner here: the better one is the one that fits what you need and how you'd pay.
What's Up?
You download What's Up?
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
- What's Up?: People who want free CBT and ACT tools without a subscription or ads; Quick grounding during anxious moments
- Headspace: Beginners who want structured, short guided meditations; People dealing with everyday stress or trouble winding down for sleep
- Probably not for
- What's Up?: Anyone in crisis: call or text 988
- Headspace: Anyone in crisis or thinking about suicide: call or text 988
- Cost
- What's Up?: Free
- Headspace: $69.99/year or $12.99/month
- How you pay
- What's Up?: Free
- Headspace: I'll pay myself
- Where
- What's Up?: iPhone, Android
- Headspace: iPhone, Android, Web
- Research
- What's Up?: Early research
- Headspace: Strong research support
- Privacy
- What's Up?: Grade B
- Headspace: Grade C
- Sells your data
- What's Up?: No
- Headspace: Yes
- HIPAA
- What's Up?: Not stated
- Headspace: No
The same for both: kind of help (an app i use on my own).
In crisis or thinking about suicide? In the US, call or text 988. This page is information from our reviews, not medical advice.