Below is our comprehensive review of our favorite alternatives for teams with under 1,000 employees, designed to help you make an informed decision for your organization.

Choosing Valuable & Affordable Mental Health Benefits

Employee mental health benefits are becoming increasingly popular, yet, it’s hard to sift through all of the different options. Lyra is one of the most popular options but it’s built as an enterprise solution which means unaffordable prices for small and midsize businesses. Below is our review of our favorite alternatives for teams with under 1,000 employees.

Before diving in, here are the key variables to consider:

🎯 Team Size - If you have fewer than 1,000 employees, look for benefits with usage-based rates and no restrictive headcount minimums.

👥 Diverse Provider Network - Ensure you're providing a solution for your entire workforce, not just a select few.

📱 Digital Inferface - Employees want easy-to-use digital interfaces. Avoid platforms requiring phone calls or complex navigation.

🎨 Personalized Care - Mental health is personal. Cookie-cutter solutions won't effectively help your workforce.

🔒 Data Privacy - Many programs sell user data. Always verify how employee information is protected and used.

Need help?

Interested in learning more about the current state of workplace mental health & how to support your team?

1. Headspace

In October 2021, Ginger & Headspace combined forces to offer mental health services for employers. This platform now offers both chat-based solutions and mindfulness meditation.

✅ Pros

• Chat-based behavioral health coaching

• Mindfulness meditations available

• 24/7 care with coaches (not therapists)

❌ Cons

• Subscription rates (no usage-based pricing)

• Online only - no in-person options

• Free alternatives easily available elsewhere

• Lower efficacy than traditional therapy

2. Modern Health

Modern Health offers assessments and stress management support with a network of coaches and therapists.

✅ Pros

• Real, live providers for face-to-face sessions)

❌ Cons

• High subscription rates (needs 1,000+ employees)

• Coaching ≠ Therapy (less qualified providers)

• Lack of available therapists

• Online only

• Headcount minimums

3. Spring Health

Spring Health provides mental health solutions for employers and health plans.

✅ Pros

• Real, live providers for face-to-face sessions

• Both telehealth and in-person options

❌ Cons

• High subscription rates

• No provider choice independence

• Overwhelming resources and hoops to jump through

• Headcount minimums

4. Samata Health

Samata Health is designed specifically as a great alternative to Lyra Health, Modern Health, and Spring Health for growing teams.

✅ Why Teams Love Samata

• Usage-based rates: Only pay for sessions used

• Expert therapists: Licensed professionals, not coaches

• Flexible options: Telehealth & in-person sessions

• No waitlists: Immediate access to providers

• High engagement: 21% vs. 2-4% industry average

• Continuity of care: No cut-offs after employer sessions

• Works for small teams: As few as 20 employees

• Data privacy: Never sells user data

⚠️ Considerations

• No chat-therapy options (though HIPAA-compliant messaging available)