The need for mental health tools isn’t niche anymore—about 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience a mental illness each year, and 1 in 6 youth (6–17) experience a mental health disorder annually. National Institute of Mental HealthNAMI

AI is everywhere right now, but not every “AI for mental health” app deserves your home screen. I spent the last couple of weeks living with seven of the most talked-about options. Journaling daily, running check-ins, and stress-testing their “smart” features to see which ones actually help you feel better.

Below, you’ll find hands-on mini-reviews for each app with links, store ratings, who it’s for, real-world impressions, pricing, and a “worth it?” verdict. Then I rank all seven on price, UI/UX, features, value, and mission.

Rosebud

Website · iOS
Rating & reviews: 4.73★ (5,311 ratings) · Trusted by 50K+ users
Who it’s for: Reflective journalers who want empathetic AI prompts and trend insights.

What it’s like to use: Rosebud feels like texting a thoughtful friend who actually remembers what you wrote yesterday. The app leans into structured prompts and conversation-style journaling; voice entries are shockingly good and support many languages. I liked how the AI nudged me to connect dots between entries without turning preachy.

Features that matter: Mood tracking, pattern recognition, and weekly summaries unlock after a few days of consistent use, surfacing triggers and themes. The “Bloom” long-term memory (paid) starts referencing older entries in context, which makes reflections feel… lived-in.

Ease of use & polish: Minimal, calm UI with quick Face/Touch ID lock. It’s not trying to be a therapist, and that’s the point—it’s a journaling accelerator. If you’re already journaling, Rosebud upgrades the habit; if you’re not, it lowers the friction to start.

Pricing: Monthly $12.99; Annual $107.99 ($8.99/mo).

Worth it? 4.2/5 — Premium feels a bit pricey, but the journaling experience is genuinely elevated.

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Clarity (CBT Self-Help Journal)

Website · iOS
Rating & reviews: 4.8★ (26,000 ratings) · Trusted by 2M+ users
Who it’s for: Anyone curious about CBT who wants structured, repeatable tools.

What it’s like to use: Clarity (formerly CBT Thought Diary) is the “starter kit” I wish I had in college. Thought records walk you step-by-step through cognitive distortions and reframes. After a few entries, the Insights tab starts plotting useful patterns—what mood shows up after certain activities, which thoughts spiral you out, etc.

Features that matter: Beyond thought work, you get guided journals, assessments (on iOS), meditations, and even short “Crash Courses” for things like impostor syndrome. Streaks and check-ins provide just enough gamification to keep you coming back without feeling like homework.

Ease of use & polish: Clean blue-white UI, snappy flows, and a friendly “Today’s Plan.” It’s approachable for CBT beginners and efficient for folks who just need a quick cognitive tune-up on a rough day.

Pricing: Monthly $9.99; Annual $59.99 ($4.99/mo).

Worth it? 4.4/5 — Great CBT toolbox for the price, especially on iOS where features are deepest.

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Brightn (AI Wellness Plans)

Website · iOS
Rating & reviews: 5.0★ (40 reviews) · Trusted by 10,000+ users
Who it’s for: Anyone who wants one hub for journaling, mood/stress tracking, habit building, and practical weekly plans—without a premium price tag.

What it’s like to use: Brightn doesn’t just ask “how are you?”—it gives you a plan. The Daily Essentials are quick and sticky (think fast mood check-ins and lightweight prompts), and the app rolls those into weekly and monthly insights across Health, Wealth, and Purpose. I’d write at night, wake up to a couple of bite-size, realistic suggestions, and actually do them. It’s progress without the pressure.

Features that matter:

• AI-powered journaling (text/voice/photo) with therapy-style reflections
  
  
• Mood & stress tracking with clear visual trends
  
  
• Gratitude prompts and habit streaks + rewards to keep momentum
  
  
• A practical learning feed that favors action over fluff
  
  
• Medication track & support: smart reminders and space to log adherence and side effects—super helpful if you’re building consistency or coordinating care
  
  
• Admin dashboard for schools & workplaces: makes rollout simple, with privacy-conscious, aggregate insights and resources to support communities at scale
  
  
• Web app in the works so students, staff, and families can access Brightn from any browser
  
  

The story & the vibe: Brightn’s mission runs straight through founder Jeff Johnston (Living Undeterred). Jeff lost his son Seth and his wife Prudence—and he’s been honest about wishing a tool like this existed for them. The name “Brightn” comes from his granddaughter, Seth’s daughter, a reminder that this isn’t just an app; it’s a promise to make support accessible, stigma-free, and human. That shows up in the tone: compassionate, forward-looking, and relentlessly focused on small wins that add up.

Pricing: Monthly $6.95; Annual $66.99 ($5.58/mo)

Worth it? 4.8/5 — Affordable, full-stack, and mission-driven. Brightn feels like the easiest “yes” for everyday mental wellness—and the roadmap (meds support + web app + org tools) makes it even stronger.

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Earkick — Self-Care AI Coach

Website · iOS
Rating & reviews: 4.8★ (3.1K ratings) · Trusted by 250K+ users
Who it’s for: Privacy-first users who want ultra-fast emotional check-ins with zero friction.

What it’s like to use: Earkick greets you with a charming panda and a radical stance: no account, no tracking, no stored personal data. It’s the fastest app in this list to go from “I feel off” to “here’s something that helps.” Three-second text/voice/video check-ins, instant feedback, done.

Features that matter: Mood/anxiety tracking, a panic-button grounding tool, bite-size CBT and breathing drills, soundscapes, and weekly progress summaries. It’s a tight toolkit—less curriculum, more do this now and feel better.

Ease of use & polish: Pastel UI, big friendly actions, and it never overwhelms. The trade-off: content depth isn’t as broad as others, and premium can add up if you’re using it long term.

Pricing: Monthly $14.99; Annual $89.99 ($7.49/mo, 7-day trial)

Worth it? 4.5/5 — Lightning-quick relief with best-in-class privacy; pricier, but focused.

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Flourish — 24/7 Wellness Buddy

Website · iOS
Rating & reviews: 5.0★ (200 ratings) · Trusted by thousands
Who it’s for: Users who want a science-heavy, therapist-approved feel without clinic vibes.

What it’s like to use: Flourish pairs you with Sunnie, a warm, practical AI buddy that blends CBT/DBT/ACT and positive psychology. It’s methodical in the best way: quick mood checks, a suggested practice (breathwork, imagery, journaling), and a nudge to reflect—then it moves on with your day.

Features that matter: Habit tools (Pomodoro, goals, reminders, affirmations), community challenges, and a Flourish Score to visualize changes over time. The research receipts—RCTs and university collaborations—give it credibility that casual users (and campus programs) will appreciate.

Ease of use & polish: Clean, bright UI with clear next steps. It’s less “infinite content library” and more “just-in-time coaching,” which I loved on busy days.

Pricing: $9.99/month

Worth it? 4.6/5 — Thoughtful, research-rooted, and balanced. Strong long-term companion.

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AI Mindset Coach: DailyPeak

iOS
Rating & reviews: 5.0★ (24 reviews) · Trusted by thousands
Who it’s for: Morning-routine people who want identity-based nudges and simple momentum.

What it’s like to use: DailyPeak is a crisp, minimal “start your day on purpose” app. Every morning I’d open it, get one concise lesson or reflection, and then a value-aligned action—nothing bloated, nothing loud. It’s more mindset hygiene than mental-health toolkit.

Features that matter: “Journeys” for deeper themes, Daily Steps to keep you aligned, quick meditations, a Pulse Score to show your consistency, plus a quote/poem of the day for a spark. It’s focused—by design.

Ease of use & polish: Extremely easy, lightweight, and low-distraction. But it won’t replace a journaling or CBT app; think of it as the pre-coffee tune-up that keeps you centered.

Pricing: Monthly $6.99; Yearly $59.90.

Worth it? 3.9/5 — Lovely minimalist coach for alignment, but narrower scope than the rest.

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Youper — AI Mental Health

Website · iOS
Rating & reviews: 4.8★ (15K ratings) · Trusted by 3M+ users
Who it’s for: Data-minded users who want CBT chat, symptom scales, and exportable progress.

What it’s like to use: Youper is the veteran here. It opens with a quick mental-health evaluation, then moves into short CBT-style conversations that help you reframe thoughts on the go. It’s practical and clinical without feeling sterile.

Features that matter: Built-in PHQ-9 and GAD-7 tracking, a solid dashboard of mood trends, and an option to share reports with a clinician. The library leans structured vs. “chatty companion,” which makes it a dependable add-on to therapy—or a bridge while you wait.

Ease of use & polish: Clear flows and reliable guidance. It’s not the flashiest UX in the lineup, but it earns trust with consistency and evidence.

Pricing: Annual $69.99 (~$5.83/mo). (Monthly plans vary by region.)

Worth it? 4.1/5 — Evidence-informed and balanced; excellent if you want validated scales baked in.

Final Verdict: The Leaderboard

After living with all seven, here’s how they shake out on price, UI/UX, features, value, and mission (overall score out of 5):

1. Brightn — 4.8/5
   Why: Best blend of price, breadth (journaling + mood + habits + learning), and a mission that actually shows up in the product. Friendly, modern UX; tons of mileage per dollar.
   
   
2. Flourish — 4.6/5
   Why: Research-rooted with a calm, coaching vibe. Strong habit tools and clear progress visuals. Great balance of science and usability.
   
   
3. Earkick — 4.5/5
   Why: Fastest path from “I’m spiraling” to “I’m grounded,” with top-tier privacy. Feature scope is tighter and pricing higher, but it nails the immediate-relief use case.
   
   
4. Clarity — 4.4/5
   Why: The cleanest CBT self-help kit. Super approachable, great insights, fair annual price—especially strong on iOS.
   
   
5. Rosebud — 4.2/5
   Why: Beautiful journaling experience with meaningful AI reflections. Annual feels a bit premium, but the writing flow is A+.
   
   
6. Youper — 4.1/5
   Why: Clinically grounded with built-in PHQ-9/GAD-7 and shareable reports. Less glossy UI, but dependable and useful—especially alongside therapy.
   
   
7. DailyPeak — 3.9/5
   Why: Minimal, motivating morning coach. Great for alignment; limited if you need deeper mental-health tooling.
   
   

The takeaway: If you want a single, affordable hub to build a daily wellness rhythm, Brightn is the easiest “yes.” If you value research and structure, Flourish and Clarity shine. Need private, rapid grounding? Earkick. Prefer data and clinical scales? Youper. Love expressive journaling? Rosebud. And if you just want a calm nudge to start each day on purpose, DailyPeak is a vibe.

Stats sources: 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year; 1 in 6 youth (6–17) experience a mental health disorder annually. National Institute of Mental HealthNAMI

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