AutoSleep vs BetterHelp

AutoSleep is a sleep-tracking app for Apple Watch and iPhone that records sleep automatically in the background, without requiring the user to start or stop a session. It uses heart rate, motion, and (where available) blood oxygen and wrist temperature data to estimate sleep stages, sleep quality, and a running sleep debt total called the sleep bank. The app integrates with Apple Health and HomeKit, offers a smart alarm that wakes users during a lighter sleep phase, and includes an add-on companion app, AutoSnore, for snore detection. It is sold as a single one-time purchase on the App Store rather than a subscription, and processes data on-device rather than through a cloud account.

BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that matches users with licensed therapists from a network of over 31,000 providers, offering flexible communication through text, chat, audio, or video sessions. It supports issues ranging from depression and anxiety to relationships and trauma, and includes 150+ digital worksheets and weekly group seminars.

• One-time purchase price with no ongoing subscription fees
• Fully automatic tracking that does not require remembering to start or stop a sleep session
• Detailed metrics including sleep stages, SpO2, respiration rate, and wrist temperature on supported hardware
• On-device processing with no account or login required for basic use

• Wide selection of licensed therapists for flexible matching
• Multiple communication formats fit different comfort levels
• Access to group seminars adds value beyond 1:1 sessions
• Available entirely online without needing to visit an office

• Requires an Apple Watch for automatic tracking; iPhone-only use is far more limited
• Advanced metrics like SpO2 and respiration depend on specific newer Apple Watch models
• Interface and terminology (sleep bank, sleep debt) have a learning curve for new users

• Weekly cost can add up compared to insurance-covered in-person therapy
• Not designed for psychiatric medication management or crisis intervention
• Therapist quality and fit can vary, requiring some trial and error