What Does an AI Therapist Cost?
First, the honest correction: there is no such thing as an AI therapist. No AI can be a licensed therapist. What people mean is AI companion apps, and those typically run free to about $20 per month, versus $100 to $250 per session for therapy without insurance. Abby starts free, and when you want an actual therapist, Abby matches you with a licensed one for free.
The price landscape in one table
| Option | Typical cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Abby | First conversation free, then a monthly subscription with a 7 day free trial | Unlimited emotional support conversations, memory of your story, check-ins, free licensed therapist matching |
| General chatbots | Free to about $20/month | A general assistant. Not designed for emotional conversations |
| Other companion apps | Roughly $5 to $20/month, some annual plans | Varies widely. Check clinical input, privacy, and honesty about what the product is |
| In-person therapy, no insurance | $100 to $250 per session | Clinical care from a licensed professional |
| Online therapy platforms | Roughly $70 to $100 per week | Licensed therapists via video and messaging. Some take insurance |
| Therapy with insurance | Copays often $20 to $60 per session | Clinical care, subject to your plan and network |
Ballpark US figures as of late 2026. Every provider changes pricing; check current rates before deciding.
Why the price difference is so large
You are not paying for the same thing. A therapy session buys an hour of a licensed professional's training, attention, and clinical judgment. That hour can diagnose, treat, and carry real responsibility. No app can sell you that hour, whatever its marketing says.
A companion app buys something different: availability. The 2am conversation, the ten minute untangle before a meeting, the place you think out loud between the moments that matter. Comparing the two on price alone misses that they are different products for different jobs. We map the whole landscape in What Is AI Therapy? An Honest Guide.
What Abby costs, specifically
- Free forever: your first conversation (no credit card), licensed therapist matching, and the free tools.
- Subscription: unlimited conversations, memory, and check-ins, starting with a 7 day free trial. Current pricing is in the app, because it varies by plan and region and we would rather this page stay honest than stay convenient.
One thing we want to be plain about: the subscription is the business model. You pay with money, not with your data. For a product that hears your 2am thoughts, we think that is the only defensible arrangement.
When paying for therapy is the right answer
If you may be dealing with a diagnosable condition, trauma, or anything that affects your ability to function, the right spend is a licensed therapist, and cost has workable paths: insurance, sliding scale fees, community mental health centers, and university training clinics. Abby's free matching can factor your budget into finding someone. A companion app is not a cheaper substitute for care you actually need. In crisis, call or text 988, which is always free.
Common questions
Is there a completely free option?
Free tiers exist across the space, and Abby's first conversation is free. We wrote the honest breakdown in Is There a Free AI Therapist?
Is a companion app worth it if I already have a therapist?
Many people use both. Therapy is the clinical hour; a companion covers the everyday moments between sessions. Some people bring patterns Abby helped them notice into their next session.
Why doesn't this page list Abby's exact price?
Because pricing varies by plan and region and changes over time. The current price is always shown before your trial starts, and the trial is 7 days either way.
Find out what it is worth to you before you pay anything. Your first conversation is free.
Try Abby freeAbby is not a licensed therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist, and is not a substitute for professional care. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
