We’ve selected these apps based on their quality, user reviews, and overall reliability as a source of support for people living with depression. If you want to nominate an app for this list, email us at nominations@healthline.com.
If you’re living with depression, there are a variety of treatment options available to improve your mood and quality of life, from psychotherapy to prescription medications.
But in today’s high-tech world, many people are turning to mobile health apps as an additional source of support. While apps may not replace professional care, they can provide additional tools that can help you manage your depression.
Whether it’s learning more about your moods or connecting to others for support, we’ve gathered the best depression apps of the year to practice self-care on the go.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression, reach out to your doctor for support and treatment options. There are numerous forms of support available to you. Check out our mental health resources page for more help.
Depression CBT Self-Help Guide
Android rating: ★★★★✩
Price: Free
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a cornerstone of depression treatment. With this app, you can learn more about CBT and how it can help you cope with depression. This app also includes a screen test to assist you in measuring the severity of your depression. Use the tracking feature to keep tabs on positive thoughts and moods, and practice guided meditations designed specifically for people with depression.
Positive Thinking
Android rating: ★★★★✩
Price: Free
Leverage the power of positive thinking to improve your overall mental health. This app offers positive quotes to help you keep your mind focused on positive thoughts. An in-app tool also lets you program the positive messages to appear on your phone any time of day — the perfect pick-me-up!
Operation Reach Out
iTunes rating: Not yet rated
Android rating: ★★★★✩
Price: Free
Many veterans and people in the military deal with depression that can interfere with their quality of life. Operation Reach Out is designed specifically for veterans and includes links to hotlines for support, as well as videos on the benefits of getting help for depression. This is also a great app if you’re looking for resources to help a loved one who you think may be dealing with depression or suicidal thoughts.
MoodKit
iPhone rating: ★★★★★
Price: $6.99
Whenever you’re in a bad mood, you can use MoodKit to try to get out of that funk. With more than 200 mood improvement activities, a journal and thought tracker, and help to modify distressing thoughts, this app is designed to help you feel better. It’s designed by mental health experts and regularly praised for being a useful app to benefit people with depression.
Fight Depression Naturally
Android rating: ★★★★★
Price: Free
Many people look to complement their depression treatment or avoid medications with natural remedies. Fight Depression Naturally helps you by providing a variety of tools for healthier eating, journaling, and sleep improvement. Check out yoga techniques, inspirational quotes, and nature sounds — all aimed at helping users manage their depression using natural techniques.
Daylio
Android rating: ★★★★★
Price: Free
Daylio is a micro-diary app that lets you keep track of your moods without having to write down your feelings. Just select videos and icons that correspond with your mood to track how your feelings ebb and flow. You can also use the journaling tool to jot down notes, but if you’re looking for a simple and quick way to keep tabs on your feelings, this app makes it easy.
TalkLife
iPhone rating: ★★★★★
Android rating: ★★★★★
Price: Free
People living with depression and other mental health conditions do well when they have the support of others. TalkLife is an online community for people looking for support. You can post anonymously if you wish, and chat back and forth with others. Whether you need support or want to help others, this app gives users a safe place to connect about depression.
Lantern Health
iPhone rating: ★★★✩✩
Price: Free with trial
CBT and mindfulness are two tools that can support people with depression. Lantern members get a personal coach they can message at any time. Plus, the app features CBT basics to teach users about changing their thoughts to improve their lives. Sign up for daily practices to deal with depression, and improve your quality of life with the tools and support you’ll find in this app. For full access, Lantern Health is $49.99 per month, which they say may be covered by your insurance.
Depression Anxiety Stress Test
Android rating: ★★★★✩
Price: Free
Want to get a feel for your depression or anxiety levels in the moment? Take this assessment to find out your Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS) status. It will help you visualize your current state, including levels of irritability or impatience. Once you know your assessment, you can take steps to improve your mood and track your feelings over time.
What’s Up?
Android rating: ★★★★✩
Price: Free
Identifying your feelings can go a long way to helping you deal with depression and other mental health conditions — or just improve your overall mental health. This app draws upon principles of CBT and acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) to help people improve their internal dialogue. The Get Grounded page has more than 100 different questions that can assist you in determining what you’re feeling, while the Thinking Patterns page gives users tools to stop negative self-talk.
MoodMission
iPhone rating: Not yet rated
Android rating: ★★★★✩
Price: Free
When your stress and anxiety levels are high, it’s vital to stop and recognize it — then use mental health tools to pinpoint your feelings. Once you know what you’re dealing with, it can be easier to deploy the best coping method. This app will give you your mood mission, which can motivate you to use therapeutic techniques to boost your mood and reactions.
Pacifica for Stress and Anxiety
iPhone rating: ★★★★★
Android rating: ★★★★✩
Price: Free
The Pacifica app brings together a range of mental health tools that are ideal for anyone, even if your condition is severe. It includes guided mindful meditation programs, a journaling space, and a mood and health tracker. The tools are aimed at helping you recognize your feelings and taking positive steps so you don’t get caught up in your emotions. Once you learn better coping mechanisms, you can react better when anxious feelings arise. Full access requires a paid subscription.
Happify
iPhone rating: ★★★★★
Android rating: ★★★★✩
Price: Free
Feeling worried or stressed? Or maybe it’s something more severe? This app aims to give users an instant lift with activities and games to elevate your happiness level. It also includes guided meditations and personalized programs. The visual charts let you track your progress so you can get a sense of how you’re doing overall, based on evidence-based interventions. For even more, Happify Pro is available as a monthly paid subscription.
iCBT
iPhone rating: ★★★★✩
Price: $5.99
One of the most effective tools for dealing with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions is behavioral therapy. The iCBT app brings you therapy at your fingertips, letting you identify feelings and look at better ways to frame those emotions. The voice-enabled app helps you move past negative thoughts and use CBT to improve your overall well-being.
MoodTools
iPhone rating: ★★★★✩
Android rating: ★★★★✩
Price: Free
Arm yourself with the tools needed to combat negative thoughts and depression. From guided meditations to journaling, this app enables users to identify and monitor their moods and find healthy ways to cope with negative emotions. Watch videos with useful tips to learn more about coping with depression. There’s also a suicide assessment so you can get help when emotions become overwhelming.