Ash and Wysa are AI chat apps you talk to. Symplia is a private journal, mood tracker and therapy support app you write in. As of October 2026, Ash suits people who want a chat that remembers earlier conversations, Wysa suits people who want an AI chat built around self-help techniques, and Symplia suits people in therapy who want to track patterns and prepare for sessions. None of them replace a licensed professional.
Details below come from each app's official site or app store listing, checked in October 2026. Features, prices and availability change often, so confirm before you subscribe.
The short version
- Ash: AI chat by voice or text, with memory across conversations and weekly insights.
- Wysa: AI chat using self-help techniques inspired by CBT and DBT, plus meditation, with optional paid guidance from a professional.
- Symplia: journal, mood check-ins, Session Prep and a shareable therapist report. It does not chat back like a bot.
The first question is not which is best. It is whether you want to talk to something or write and notice patterns.
Ash
Ash is made by Slingshot AI and describes itself as AI for mental health. Its site says you can talk or text at any hour, that it remembers your stories, preferences and progress so conversations pick up where you left off, and that it sends weekly insights linking current concerns to earlier ones. It is available on iOS and as a web app. The site says plainly that Ash is not designed to be used in a crisis and points people to a crisis line.
- Suits best: people who want an AI that builds on what they said before.
- Check availability: STAT reported that Slingshot withdrew Ash from the UK from January 23, 2026, so confirm it works where you live.
- Check pricing: the App Store lists several in-app purchase options rather than one price, so read the checkout screen.
Wysa
Wysa's App Store listing describes an AI chatbot for everyday wellbeing, such as low mood, stress, anxiety and sleep, drawing on self-help techniques inspired by CBT and DBT plus meditation. The same listing says Wysa does not offer diagnostic measurements or treatment advice and tells people in crisis to seek medical help. Its site says it is for adults 18 and over and is not meant for crises. Paid tiers add more tools, including optional guidance from a professional.
- Suits best: people who want a low-pressure chat with structured exercises, available at any hour.
- Check pricing: the listing shows several different subscription and add-on prices, and prices vary by country. Check the in-app screen before you pay.
Symplia
Symplia is a private mental health app for tracking, journaling, reflection and therapy support. You can free-write, use prompts, speak entries with Voice Journal, write Unsent Letters and explore Thinking Traps. Mood check-ins with context feed Year in Pixels, and AI-assisted insights help you notice recurring themes without diagnosing anything.
For therapy, there is Session Prep, Therapy Work, a Letter to Therapist, a monthly progress report PDF and a shareable therapist report where you choose what to share.
- Suits best: people in therapy, or planning to start, who want the week between sessions to be usable in the room.
- Limits: it does not hold a conversation. It is a web app at app.symplia.app for now, with iOS and Android coming soon.
How they compare on what matters
Conversation or reflection
Ash and Wysa respond to you. Symplia gives you a place to put thoughts down and see them over time. Many people find writing slows things down in a helpful way, while others prefer to talk. Neither is wrong.
Memory and continuity
Ash says it remembers across conversations. Symplia keeps your entries and mood history so you can review patterns, and its insights draw on what you have written. Wysa's listing does not highlight memory, so check how it handles it if that matters to you.
Connection to therapy
Chat apps usually run separately from your sessions. Symplia is built around them, which is the main reason to choose it. For more on the category, see what a therapy companion app is and how to share mental health notes with your therapist.
Cost
Symplia's pricing is on the pricing page: Weekly is $4.99 with no trial, Monthly is $12.99 and Annual is $79, with a 7-day free trial on Monthly and Annual. Every plan includes every feature. For Ash and Wysa, check the current store listing, and read our guide to trial and cancellation terms.
Can you use more than one?
Yes, since they do different jobs. Some people use a chat app for in-the-moment support and a journal for reflection. If two apps feel like too much, start with the one that matches your main need. If Woebot was your starting point, see best Woebot alternatives in 2026.
When to get support
All three are self-help tools. They are not therapy, they cannot diagnose, and they are not emergency services. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, contact your local emergency services or a crisis line in your country right away. If you are struggling for a while, a licensed professional can offer care that an app cannot.
Where Symplia fits
Symplia works best alongside therapy or other support. It helps you notice patterns, find words for your week and show up to sessions prepared.
Try Symplia free at app.symplia.app. Monthly and Annual plans include a 7-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ash better than Wysa?
It depends on what you want. Ash says it remembers earlier conversations and sends weekly insights, while Wysa offers structured self-help exercises and optional paid guidance. Try each before paying.
Is Symplia an AI chatbot like Ash or Wysa?
No. Symplia is a journal, mood tracker and therapy support app. It has AI-assisted insights that help you notice recurring themes, but it does not chat like a therapist and does not diagnose.
Do Ash or Wysa replace therapy?
No. Wysa's listing says it does not offer diagnosis or treatment advice, and Ash's site says it is not designed for crisis use. A licensed professional is the right route for treatment.
Is Ash available in the UK?
STAT reported that Slingshot withdrew Ash from the UK from January 23, 2026. Check the current App Store listing or Ash's site for your country.
How much does Symplia cost?
Weekly is $4.99 with no trial, Monthly is $12.99 and Annual is $79, with a 7-day free trial on Monthly and Annual. Prices are in USD.
Which is best if I am already in therapy?
Symplia is built for that, since it helps you prepare for sessions and share what you choose with your therapist. You can still use a chat app alongside it.
