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Head-to-head · AI Mental Health Chatbots

Dr. Riya by Mindtalk vs CBT without a Therapist: Helpy

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Dr. Riya by Mindtalk #6 in AI Mental Health Chatbots 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Mindtalk
CBT without a Therapist: Helpy #8 in AI Mental Health Chatbots 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Helpy

Dr. Riya by Mindtalk leads on 1 check, CBT without a Therapist: Helpy on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDr. Riya by Mindtalk · 8.6/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresDr. Riya by Mindtalk · 4 of 5

Dr. Riya by Mindtalk scores higher on our rubric for ai mental health chatbots: 8.6 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

Dr. Riya by Mindtalk offers human escalation; CBT without a Therapist: Helpy doesn't.

Dr. Riya by Mindtalk is the better fit for individuals wanting free AI plus human support. CBT without a Therapist: Helpy is the better fit for users wanting low-cost structured CBT exercises.

  • Dr. Riya by Mindtalk fits best

    Individuals wanting free AI plus human support

  • CBT without a Therapist: Helpy fits best

    Users wanting low-cost structured CBT exercises

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Side by side

Feature Dr. Riya by Mindtalk 8.6/10 Visit ↗ CBT without a Therapist: Helpy 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.4
Ranking #6 in AI Mental Health Chatbots #8 in AI Mental Health Chatbots
Best for Individuals wanting free AI plus human support Users wanting low-cost structured CBT exercises
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $29 one-time
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email Email
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Dr. Riya by Mindtalk 4/5 · CBT without a Therapist: Helpy 3/5
Guided exercises ✓ ✓
Behavioral coaching Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Human escalation ✓ (best) —
Crisis resources ✓ ✓
Conversation memory ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Access platforms web, iOS, Android web, ios, android
Our review
Pros
  • Explains screening results in plain language
  • Connects users with Mindtalk human specialists
  • Available on web, iOS, and Android
  • Free plan includes unlimited thought journaling and a full exercise library
  • $29 Full Access provides unlimited conversations and lifetime access
  • Available on web, iOS and Android with crisis-resource routing
Cons
  • Not a therapist, doctor, or diagnostic tool
  • Not intended as emergency or crisis support
  • Paid clinician sessions are separate
  • Free users receive limited AI chat replies
  • No human escalation for crisis conversations
  • Positioned as self-help, not therapy or medical care
Our verdict

Dr. Riya by Mindtalk is a free AI mental health guide for individuals who want structured support between appointments or while deciding what kind of help to seek. It explains screening results in plain language, suggests guided journeys…

Read the review →

CBT without a Therapist: Helpy is a self-help platform for people working independently on anxiety, stress, sleep, panic symptoms and emotional well-being. It combines an AI assistant with a thought journal, cognitive-distortion analysis,…

Read the review →
  1. Dr. Riya by MindtalkAI Mental Health Chatbots 8.6Free plan
  2. CBT without a Therapist: HelpyAI Mental Health Chatbots 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Dr. Riya by Mindtalk — where it wins

    • Explains screening results in plain language
    • Connects users with Mindtalk human specialists
    • Available on web, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Not a therapist, doctor, or diagnostic tool
    • Not intended as emergency or crisis support
    • Paid clinician sessions are separate
  • CBT without a Therapist: Helpy — where it wins

    • Free plan includes unlimited thought journaling and a full exercise library
    • $29 Full Access provides unlimited conversations and lifetime access
    • Available on web, iOS and Android with crisis-resource routing

    Where it doesn't

    • Free users receive limited AI chat replies
    • No human escalation for crisis conversations
    • Positioned as self-help, not therapy or medical care
  • Dr. Riya by Mindtalk8.6/10 · Free plan

    Free AI guidance with human-specialist pathways and crisis resources.

    Visit MindtalkFull verdict →
  • CBT without a Therapist: Helpy8.4/10 · Free plan

    A low-cost CBT self-help app with structured exercises, journaling and crisis routing.

    Visit HelpyFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update