Wysa vs Ash
Wysa is a structured, anonymous AI chat with CBT-style exercises and a free core; Ash is an open-ended AI for mental health conversations with paid unlimited access.
Key differences
- Free use: Wysa's core chat is free; Ash lists paid "Unlimited access" plans and doesn't state whether a free tier remains.
- Price: Wysa Premium is $74.99/year or $19.99/month; Ash is $169.99/year or $19.99/month (US App Store).
- Style: Wysa leans on exercises and techniques; Ash focuses on conversation, memory and weekly insights.
- Human help: Wysa sells guided support with human coaches; Ash is AI-only.
- AI training: Ash says transcripts aren't used for training unless you opt in, with broader policy caveats; Wysa's position wasn't on the pages we checked.
Side by side
| Wysa | Ash | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, the core AI chat is free and anonymous. | Free to download; the US App Store lists "Unlimited access" subscriptions. Whether a free tier remains isn't stated on the pages we checked. |
| Pricing | Premium: $74.99/year or $19.99/month on the US App Store (other price points listed). Guided support with human coaches costs extra (e.g. $79.99/month). | Unlimited access: $19.99/month or $169.99/year on the US App Store (other price points listed). |
| Platforms | iOS, Android | iOS |
| AI features | AI chatbot for the emotions you express; Guided exercises for coping skills; Optional human coaching (paid) | Text and voice conversations; Remembers your stories, preferences and progress; Weekly personalized insights; Builds a program toward your goals |
| Used to train AI? | unknown (not stated on the pages we checked) | Possibly. Ash's privacy page says transcripts aren't used to train or improve Ash unless you opt in, but the policy also allows using conversation and platform data to improve the platform, including model training. |
| Privacy | Anonymous use (per vendor) | Conversation data stored encrypted; policy says team members can't access it under normal operations; Says transcripts aren't used to train Ash unless you opt in |
| Best for | Structured self-help exercises with a free, anonymous AI chat. | Open-ended, supportive conversation about everyday stress and relationships (not a substitute for therapy). |
| Last verified | Oct 16, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 |
We don't declare a winner: the right choice depends on budget, platform and how you feel about AI processing your data. All facts link to sources on each app's page.