an alternative to HearMe: free, but not live

last updated september 29, 2026

HearMe is a paid app that connects you with a trained listener for a one-on-one text chat. they say it takes under three minutes, at any hour. it costs $7.99 a month or $69.99 a year after a free seven-day trial. veisund is free and works the other way around: you post under a handle, and members reply when they read it. whether HearMe is worth paying for depends on one question, which is whether you need someone right now.

HearMe and veisund, side by side

HearMeveisund
cost$7.99/month or $69.99/year USD, free 7-day trial. employers and health plans may give a promo codefree. no subscription, no ads
formatone-on-one real-time text chat with a listenerpost and reply to a community. not live chat
who respondstrained listeners: peers, and social work (MSW) interns supervised weekly by LCSWsother members who read your post
waitunder 3 minutes, 24/7, they sayreplies come when people read your post. the community is small, so that can take a while
same person againyou can request a dedicated chat with a listener you likedanyone can reply. you credit the reply that helped
what the other side seesyour first name and your first messagea handle you pick. an email makes the account and is never shown to other members. no real name, no phone number
age18+18+
crisis"not a crisis hotline". points to 988not a crisis service. 988 and Crisis Text Line in the app

what HearMe is, from its own pages

HearMe is a mobile and web app from Hear Me LLC. you choose a topic, log your mood, and get matched with a listener for a text chat. its FAQ describes listeners as "a diverse group of trained peers and social work interns". college students get matched with MSW interns of about their own age, and HearMe's internship page says those interns have weekly supervision by licensed clinical social workers. if you liked a listener, you can ask for a dedicated chat to reach them again. individuals pay $7.99 a month or $69.99 a year after a free seven-day trial. HearMe also sells to employers, Medicare and Medicaid plans, and some of those give out promo codes. checked on 2026-09-29 against the company's own pages. prices and terms change, so the links are in the sources for this page.

a detail on anonymity

HearMe says text chats are anonymous and listeners won't ask for your full name, address or contact details. it also says it shares two things with the listener: your first name and your first message. that's reasonable for a one-on-one chat, but it's worth knowing if you want to stay fully anonymous. on veisund, other members see the handle you picked and nothing else. the email that makes your account is never shown.

when HearMe is the better choice

if you need a person typing back to you in the next few minutes, HearMe is built for that and veisund isn't. a one-on-one chat with someone trained in active listening is a different experience from reading replies to a post, and for some nights it's the right one. being able to go back to the same listener matters too, and veisund has nothing like it. if your employer or health plan gives you a HearMe code, it may cost you nothing. HearMe isn't a crisis line either, so if you're in danger, call or text 988.

what veisund does differently

veisund is free. you post what's going on, and people who have been through something similar reply when they read it, so you get more than one perspective instead of one listener. the post stays, so you can come back to it, and when a reply helps you mark the post resolved and credit that reply. the community is still small, and replies can take a while, so it is not a substitute for live chat. veisund also has an evidence library: plain-language summaries of studies with the source and an evidence grade, and a lookup of what drug companies have paid your own doctor. it is not therapy and not a crisis service.

common questions

How much does HearMe cost?

HearMe lists $7.99 a month or $69.99 a year (USD), with a free seven-day trial. Some employers and health plans provide a promo code. Payments and cancellations go through the Apple or Google app store.

Who are HearMe listeners?

HearMe describes them as trained peers and social work interns. It says listeners get foundational training and ongoing workshops, and that MSW interns get weekly supervision by LCSWs. Listeners are not your therapist.

Is HearMe anonymous?

Mostly. HearMe says chats are anonymous and it does not share your identity. It does share your first name and initial message with the listener.

Is there a free alternative to HearMe?

veisund is free peer support with no paid tier. It is post and reply, not live one-on-one chat, so replies can take a while. If you need someone immediately and you're in crisis, call or text 988 or text HOME to 741741. Both are free.

How old do you need to be for HearMe?

18 or older, according to HearMe's FAQ and terms of use.

you don't have to go through this alone

free. anonymous. post any hour, and people who've been there reply. 🤍

get veisund — it's free

not sure whether what you need is a therapist or people? six questions, two minutes — no diagnosis, no email.