01OurRitualBest Overall
Live relationship sessions, 40 minutes
- Attend together or separately
- Plus self-paced tools and an AI guide
9.70ExcellentEditorial score
Editor’s pick
Updated on
Best Online Couples Therapy & Marriage Counseling
- Couples & relationship support
- 4 services compared
#1 Best Overall
Live relationship sessions, 40 minutes
9.70
Visit Site
Couples plan, $109 a week
9.50
Visit Site
Insured couples video sessions
9.30
Visit Site02Talkspace
Couples plan, $109 a week
- Message a shared therapist
- Up to four video sessions a month
9.50ExcellentEditorial score
03Rula
Insured couples video sessions
- $165 a session without insurance
- Often booked for the next day
9.30GreatEditorial score
04Sesame
Book one couples session
- See the price before you book
- Pick your own therapist
9.10GreatEditorial score
How We RankEvery service uses licensed clinicians.Prices and coverage come from each provider’s published information.Commercial relationships never decide inclusion or order.Not for emergencies: call or text 988.
About OurRitual: it describes its service as an alternative to traditional couples therapy, not couples therapy itself. It offers live sessions with relationship Experts plus self-paced tools. Talkspace, Rula and Sesame offer sessions with licensed therapists. Check each service’s credentials before you book.
How to Choose the Best Online Couples Therapy
The best online couples therapy gives both partners a format you will both use and a price you can sustain. This online couples therapy comparison covers four options for married, unmarried and long-distance couples: three with licensed therapists, and OurRitual, a relationship-support program that says it is not couples therapy.
Some partners also want their own sessions. For individual counseling, see the best online therapy services, or affordable online therapy if cost is the main concern.
Marriage Counseling Online: How the Options Differ
OurRitual combines 40-minute live sessions with a matched relationship Expert, which you can attend together or separately, with self-paced video lessons and an AI guide between sessions. It describes itself as an alternative to traditional couples therapy, and its Experts’ listed credentials include LMFT, LMHC, LPC and MSW.
Talkspace runs a couples plan in which both partners message one shared therapist and join live video sessions. Rula offers live video couples and family sessions and bills insurance where it applies. Sesame lets you book a single couples session with a therapist you choose.
Video sessions mean partners can join from different places, which suits long-distance couples and busy schedules.
Online Marriage Counseling Without a Subscription
Sesame and Rula both charge per session, so there is no weekly plan to cancel. That suits couples who want to try one session, or who want premarital counseling over a set number of visits. Talkspace and OurRitual sell plans, so check the billing terms before you sign up.
Where Online Care Works Well
- Communication problems and recurring conflict
- Partners who live apart or travel often
- Sessions planned around two schedules
- Premarital counseling before a big commitment
Limits to Know
- Not suitable where there is abuse or fear of a partner
- Not a crisis service
- Insurance often does not cover couples counseling
- Both partners need to take part for it to work
What to Look For
- Therapy or support program: Decide whether you want licensed couples therapy or a structured relationship program. OurRitual says it is not traditional couples therapy.
- Clinician credentials: Ask who you will see and what their license is, and whether it covers your state.
- Format: Decide whether you want live video sessions, messaging or self-paced lessons.
- Price: Compare the weekly or per-session cost for the two of you together, and ask for the price if it is not listed.
- Insurance: Ask your plan whether couples sessions are covered. Many are not.
How Much Does Online Couples Therapy Cost?
Online couples counseling costs depend on whether you subscribe or pay per session:
Weekly Subscription
$109 a week
Talkspace couples plan, with messaging and up to four 30-minute video sessions a month.
Per Session
$165 a session
Rula couples or family sessions without insurance. Sesame prices are set by each therapist.
Plan
See OurRitual
OurRitual sells flexible plans that include a matching call. Its site does not list a price, so confirm it before you sign up.
Our Top-Rated Online Couples Program
OurRitual is first on this page for couples who want a structured program: live 40-minute sessions with a relationship Expert, together or separately, plus self-paced lessons. It describes itself as an alternative to traditional couples therapy, so if you want licensed couples therapy, compare Talkspace for messaging and video on a weekly plan, Rula for insured live video and Sesame for single sessions with no subscription.
Our #1 Pick: Start Today
Featured Provider
Live relationship sessions, 40 minutes
- Attend together or separately
- Plus self-paced tools and an AI guide
9.70ExcellentEditorial score
Editor’s pick
Compare More Care Options
Couples Therapy: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best online couples therapy?
We list OurRitual first for a structured relationship program with live sessions and self-paced tools, followed by Talkspace for messaging-based couples therapy, Rula for insured video sessions and Sesame for single sessions. OurRitual says it is not traditional couples therapy.
How much does online couples therapy cost?
Talkspace’s couples plan is $109 a week. Rula charges $165 a couples session without insurance. Sesame prices are set by each therapist and shown before you book. OurRitual sells plans but does not list prices on its site.
Does insurance cover online couples counseling?
Sometimes. Many plans do not cover couples counseling, though Rula bills insurance where it applies. OurRitual does not mention insurance on its site, so ask before you sign up.
Does online marriage counseling work for long-distance couples?
Yes. Video sessions let each partner join from a different location, provided the clinician is licensed where you live.
Is OurRitual couples therapy?
OurRitual describes its service as an alternative to traditional couples therapy. It combines live sessions with Experts, whose listed credentials include LMFT, LMHC, LPC and MSW, with self-paced digital tools. If you want licensed couples therapy, compare Talkspace, Rula and Sesame.
What should I do if I am in crisis?
The services on this page are not for emergencies. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or call 911. See our Get Help Now page for more resources.
How We Rank Services
Clinician Credentials
We check that clinicians are licensed and that their credentials can be verified.
Transparent Pricing
Clear prices, billing frequency and cancellation terms. We look at total cost, not just the headline rate.
Scope of Care
What each service does and does not provide, from talk therapy to prescribing, and how it handles crisis.
Privacy & Access
How your data is handled, how quickly you can start and whether insurance is accepted.
Medical Disclaimer
The information on ExploreMentalHealth is provided for educational and comparison purposes only. It is not medical advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Some links on this page may earn us a commission, which never affects our conclusions. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 in the US, or visit Get Help Now.