Mentis- Free and useful: Mentis daily check-in with Mimi, Wysa's AI chat, Insight Timer's meditation library.
- Free trial, then paid: Headspace, Calm.
- Free human support: Tele-MANAS 14416, 24×7.
What's free in each app
| App | Free | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Mentis | Download, daily check-in with Mimi, mood as weather | Some plans and features (subscription; current offer shown in the app) |
| Wysa | Unlimited AI chat (per store listing) | Premium tools; coaching sessions |
| Insight Timer | Large free meditation library | Courses (Member Plus) |
| Headspace | Trial and some free content | Full library (subscription) |
| Calm | Trial and some free content | Full library, Daily Calm (Premium) |
| Amaha | Some self-care tools | Therapy and psychiatry sessions |
From official sites and store listings, November 2026. Offers change often.
Free help that isn't an app
Tele-MANAS 14416
Free, 24×7, in Indian languages. Trained counsellors, with referral to specialists when needed.
Government hospitals
Psychiatry OPDs at district hospitals and medical colleges, at low cost.
College counselling
Many colleges and universities have free counselling cells for students.
Employee assistance
Many Indian employers offer free confidential counselling (EAP). Ask HR.
Getting the most from a free app
Free tools work best when used daily, even briefly. Pick one: a two-minute check-in each morning, a worry window each evening, or five minutes of breathing. Our free box breathing timer and journal prompts need no app at all.
Mentis's free check-in takes about two minutes: Mimi asks a few questions and your mood shows up as weather for Sleep, Social, Work and Lifestyle. After a few days, you start to see patterns — which is often where change starts.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a completely free mental health app?
Insight Timer's core meditation library is free. Mentis's daily check-in with Mimi is free, as is Wysa's AI chat per its store listing. Full structured programs in most apps are paid.
Is there free counselling in India?
Yes. Tele-MANAS (14416 or 1-800-891-4416) is the Government of India's free, 24×7 mental health helpline in many Indian languages. Government hospitals also offer low-cost psychiatry OPDs. KIRAN (1800-599-0019) was an earlier national helpline; Tele-MANAS is the current service.
Are free apps safe for my data?
Read the privacy policy, check whether you can use the app as a guest, and see whether you can delete your data. Avoid sharing details you wouldn't want stored.