Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with any of the apps mentioned in this article. None of the links below are affiliate links—we don’t earn anything if you decide to download or sign up. We’re just here to help you find what works.
You don’t have to scroll far these days before you’re hit with ads for “life-changing” wellness tools, with most features usually not accessible unless you avail the premium version after your 7-day trial period ends.
But when you’re already struggling with mental health issues, the cost of these self-help apps could add more worries and even amplify your anxiety. Here’s a hill I’m willing to die on: mental health apps should be free and accessible for use by everyone!
We scoured the thousands of options available in both Google Play and the App Store for the best (and free, of course) mental health apps that wouldn’t cost you a dime—there’d be occasional ads, but that’s something we can’t entirely avoid, y’know.
So, without further ado, here are 5 free mental health apps that respect your privacy, are thoughtfully designed, and are actually effective in providing the help that you need. If you’ve ever wished for a pocket therapist or a kind nudge in the right direction, this list is for you.
1. Finch: Your Mental Health Adventure Buddy
Best for:
Building self-care habits, motivation through gamification, anxiety management
Available on:
iOS, Android
With over 10 million downloads and a well-deserved 5-star rating on Google Play, Finch lets you into a cozy little world where your self-care fuels your virtual pet’s growth.
In this app, you get a pet bird—your “Finch,” which you can name, by the way—and you help it grow by completing personalized goals like journaling, drinking water, or simply taking deep breaths.
What sets Finch apart is how gently it nudges you into better habits. Don’t feel like flossing? Well, do it anyway so you can earn coins to buy your bird a new outfit. While this may sound silly, it definitely works because the app turns small wins into something you can visually track and emotionally connect with.
You’ll also get daily check-ins, breathing exercises, and mood-tracking features that build self-awareness over time. The app adjusts to your pace and doesn’t penalize you for falling behind. That makes Finch feel more like a supportive friend than a strict life coach.
For people who struggle with executive dysfunction—a condition that makes planning, organizing, and completing tasks more difficult—Finch offers a creative and fun way to care for yourself. It’s also helpful for those dealing with anxiety or the weight of the daily mental load.
It gamifies healing, which is exactly what we, burnout adults, need.
Yes, Finch does have a premium version, but honestly, with all the features you’d need are already accessible without paying.
Key Features:
- Customizable self-care goals that help your pet grow
- Daily mood check-ins and journal prompts
- Breathing and reflection exercises
- Built-in rewards system for habit completion
- Adapts to your emotional needs over time
2. Insight Timer: Meditation with a Personal Touch
Best for:
Stress relief, sleep, beginner to advanced meditation
Available on:
iOS, Android, Web
If you’ve tried meditation but struggled to stick with it, Insight Timer may be your breakthrough app. The app is accessible and inclusive in every sense: it’s free, offers thousands of guided meditations in over 50 languages, and includes content across a range of belief systems, from scientific and secular to spiritual and religious.
It’s no surprise that more than 30 million people use this app, at least according to Insight Timer’s data.
The app also provides a personalized approach. When you first open the app, it asks about your experience level, goals (like anxiety reduction or better sleep), and how long you have to meditate. Based on that, it curates a meditation path tailored just for you.
Furthermore, Insight Timer is community-driven. You can join live sessions hosted by licensed psychologists, mindfulness teachers, and spiritual coaches. You’ll find support whether you’ve got two minutes or twenty. And if you’re someone who prefers structure, you’ll love their themed programs for topics like managing grief or building emotional resilience.
Insight Timer proves that meditation doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. It’s thoughtful, beginner-friendly, and refreshingly non-preachy.
Key Features:
- 130,000+ free guided meditations and music tracks
- Personalized meditation recommendations based on your goals
- Themed courses on anxiety, grief, sleep, and focus
- Live sessions hosted by real mindfulness teachers
- Community groups and progress tracking
3. FreeCBT: A Practical Tool for Rewiring Your Thinking
Best for:
Challenging negative thoughts, CBT beginners, anxiety, and mood regulation
Available on:
iOS, Android
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most evidence-based approaches to managing anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts. But professional CBT isn’t always accessible.
FreeCBT is a free app that bridges that gap, offering a digital “front door” to real therapy practices you can use on your terms. The app walks you through the core elements of CBT in four simple steps:
Step 1: Write down your negative thought
Start by capturing the thought as it occurs—this is your “automatic negative thought.”
Step 2: Label the cognitive distortion
Choose a cognitive distortion that best fits the thought you’re having (e.g., catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, overgeneralizing). There are in-app explanations of each distortion type to help you label correctly.
Step 3: Challenge the thought using structured prompts
Answer guided questions like: “Is this true?” “What’s the evidence?” or “Are there other ways to see this?” This helps you evaluate and question the thought.
Step 4: Change the thought
Reframe it into a more balanced, realistic alternative (e.g., “This was one event—not a pattern.”). Then note how you feel afterward.
That’s it. Simple.
Whenever negative thoughts arise, repeat the process: identify, label, challenge, change. Over time, it becomes easier and more automatic.
Transparency is also vital. FreeCBT is upfront about what data it collects (minimal) and why. In a world where many apps harvest your personal info, this one keeps your mental health journey just that—yours. If you’re looking for practical tools backed by psychology, FreeCBT is a goldmine.
Key Features:
- Structured CBT journaling for identifying distortions
- Printable “thought record” sheets for real-time use
- Educational explanations of CBT principles
- Clear and transparent data privacy practices
- Daily reminders to build thought-challenging habits
4. Daylio: The Mood Tracker You’ll Actually Use
Best for:
Mood tracking, self-awareness, building emotional insight
Available on:
iOS, Android
Given an average of 4.8 stars from 54.6 thousand reviews, Daylio is like a journal, a mood tracker, and a self-care dashboard all in one. But what makes it unique is its flexibility. You can log your mood with just a tap or go deeper with notes, photos, or even voice memos (Android only for now).
It’s quick, intuitive, and doesn’t pressure you to write a novel every day.
Daylio helps you see patterns in your emotional world. You can track habits, moods, and daily activities, then view graphs and trends over time. In addition, you can also set custom self-care goals like “journal for 5 minutes” or “go for a 10-minute walk” and track your progress.
The app gives you the power to design your own wellbeing roadmap, one that evolves as you do. For those who want privacy, Daylio offers a PIN-lock feature and makes it clear that your data isn’t shared or uploaded to their servers.
Key Features:
- Tap-based mood and activity logging
- Diary entries with photo, text, or voice memos (Android)
- Habit and goal tracking with progress charts
- PIN-lock and strong data privacy policies
- Custom reminders and streak-building features
5. Forest: Stay Focused by Growing Trees (Literally)
Best for: Focus, productivity, phone-free sessions
Available on: iOS, Android, Chrome Extension
If your brain loves distractions and hates to-do lists, Forest might be the productivity hack you didn’t know you needed. This app is a visual, gamified experience that rewards your focus with something tangible: a growing digital tree.
Start a focus session by choosing how long you want to stay off your phone (say, 25 minutes), then set the timer and go do your thing. It doesn’t matter if it’s deep work, studying, journaling, or simply getting some screen break; the point is that you’re focusing on accomplishing a task.
At its core, Forest is a Pomodoro-style focus timer wrapped in a feel-good, eco-themed shell. The longer you focus, the more trees you grow, eventually building your own little forest. It’s instant gratification for your brain, minus the doomscrolling.
What makes Forest even better is that it partners with Trees for the Future, a tree-planting organization. As of writing, Forest has planted over 2.1 million trees across the globe thanks to the support of users.
Forest’s minimalist interface and nature-inspired visuals also reduce screen anxiety. There are no overwhelming charts or blinking buttons, just calming design and soft reminders that staying present is a form of self-care, too. If you’re tired of apps that turn your to-do list into a guilt trip, Forest keeps it chill and motivating without pushing you to do more, more, more.
Key Features:
- Pomodoro-style focus timer with visual tree growth
- Kill distractions by locking your phone during sessions
- Earn coins to plant real trees through a global charity partnership
- View stats on focus trends and productivity patterns
Can Free Mental Health Apps Really Help?
Yes, but only if you pick the right ones. While no app can replace professional therapy, these free mental health apps act like digital companions, helping you build habits, track moods, calm anxiety, and reflect on your inner world.
The key is consistency and finding the tools that actually make you feel supported, not overwhelmed.
What sets these apps apart is that they meet you where you are. They’re designed for real people with real lives and real struggles. Of course, the goal isn’t to rely on apps forever. The best ones simply teach you how to better understand yourself.
So if you’re looking for the best free mental health apps, this list is your launchpad. Try a couple of them. Set small goals and don’t overthink it. Your mental health is worth the download.
