Introduction

For this blog post, I explored several mental health and well-being apps. I selected some of the most popular and highly-rated ones from the Google Play Store, then spent time analyzing each. My goal was to understand how these apps approach mental health therapy and why they resonate with so many users, as evidenced by their high download numbers. I also wanted to assess whether I could see myself using any of them in my daily life.

Analysis

Addisca (4.8 ⭐, 10,000+ downloads)

Addisca is a mental training app that uses short videos featuring real people to explain its concepts. The app boasts a consistent art and design style, creating a cohesive experience. It offers small, structured lessons on mental health topics, presented as a journey where users must complete lessons in sequence. A helpful feature is the estimated completion time displayed for each lesson.

The lessons themselves include questions and end with a summary. Users earn badges as rewards and can customize their avatars. While some features are locked behind a paywall, the free content seemed reasonable. Overall, Addisca combines simplicity with a structured approach that feels engaging.

Betwixt (4.9 ⭐, 100,000+ downloads)

Betwixt stands out as an interactive story of self-discovery rather than a traditional mental health app. Although it isn’t explicitly designed as therapy, it tackles heavy themes related to mental health within its narrative, branding itself as an “epic adventure” to reduce stress and anxiety while promoting self-care. Importantly, the app clarifies that it isn’t a substitute for professional therapy.

I didn’t progress far into the story, as it requires a significant time commitment, but the text-based adventure is atmospheric, with moody visuals and immersive audio. Based on its high ratings and user comments, Betwixt seems capable of leaving a lasting impression. I’m intrigued enough to continue exploring the story in the future.

How We Feel (4.9 ⭐, 100,000+ downloads)

How We Feel is a mindfulness app that helps users track their emotions and identify patterns over time. Essentially, it functions as a well-being journal. The app has a minimal yet colorful art style featuring whimsical characters.

One aspect I appreciated was its transparent privacy policy, which explicitly states that it doesn’t send local information to external servers. The app divides emotions into four quadrants: high energy/unpleasant, high energy/pleasant, low energy/unpleasant, and low energy/pleasant. It prompts users to log their emotions several times daily, asking about their activities, location, companions, and feelings. This process helps users identify triggers for positive and negative moments in their lives.

How We Feel also offers short videos on mental health topics and an analysis section to view personal statistics. An optional feature allows users to share their emotions with friends. While I initially found the idea of sharing emotions uncomfortable, I can see how it might foster deeper connections. Thankfully, the app allows users to control what and when they share.

ME+ (4.7 ⭐, 10M+ downloads)

ME+ has a modern and youthful feel, likely appealing to a younger audience. Users start with a short quiz about themselves and then “sign” a self-commitment contract, encouraging personal accountability. The app features a playful art style, with a chicken mascot as its standout character.

ME+ offers to-do lists, premade content, and varying exercise lengths, some as short as a few minutes and others lasting up to 10 minutes. Completing tasks earns users badges and streaks, reinforcing motivation. However, the app’s aggressive marketing—emphasizing its reviews and download numbers—felt off-putting. Similarly, its monetization strategies detracted from an otherwise enjoyable experience.

VOS (4.6 ⭐, 1M+ downloads)

VOS felt like a clone of ME+, with slight differences in its art style. It didn’t hold my interest long, as the functionality and design were strikingly similar.

Wysa (4.6 ⭐, 1M+ downloads)

Wysa focuses on its chat feature, where users can talk with its penguin mascot about mental health topics. The chat includes interactive elements, like questions with multiple-choice answers, and the responses adapt to user inputs.

The app also includes exercises and a journey section for tracking progress. Notably, Wysa offers users the option to connect with a licensed therapist, making it a more holistic tool for those seeking professional support alongside self-guided help.

Conclusion

The immense popularity of mental health and well-being apps reflects a clear societal demand for accessible mental health resources. Many apps incorporate gamification features like badges, streaks, and rewards to enhance engagement. Another common thread across most apps is the use of playful art styles and charming mascots, which help make heavy topics more approachable.

Of all the apps I tried, How We Feel resonated with me the most. Its emphasis on daily reflection and emotional tracking felt impactful and easy to integrate into my routine. I could genuinely see myself using it in the future. Exploring these apps provided valuable insights into how technology can address complex themes in an approachable manner. This experience also reinforced the importance of designing mental health tools that balance accessibility with meaningful engagement.