Stella vs Ash AI
Companion vs Therapy, Available vs Beta
Ash AI is a well-funded therapy AI still in beta. Stella is an affordable anxiety companion you can use today. Here's how to choose.
Stella
Voice-first anxiety companion available now. Positioned as a supportive friend, not therapy. Remembers your triggers and patterns.
Ash AI
"First AI designed for mental health" by Slingshot AI. Therapy-focused with $93M in funding. Voice + text support. Finds patterns and generates insights.
The Key Difference
Ash AI positions itself as therapy—clinical, comprehensive, designed for mental health. It's backed by $93M and free during beta, but you're on a waitlist and "free" won't last.
Stella is a companion—not therapy, not clinical, just someone to talk to about anxiety. Voice-first, affordable at $9.99/mo, and available right now.
"Ash is therapy you wait for. Stella is the friend who picks up at 3am."
See why anxiety sufferers switched to Stella
Get Early AccessWhen to Choose Each
"I need anxiety support now, not in 3 months"
→ Stella
Download today, start talking tonight. No waitlist, no delays. $9.99/mo and you're in.
→ Ash AI
Join waitlist for beta access. No timeline on when you'll get in.
"I want something affordable long-term"
→ Stella
$9.99/mo, transparent pricing. No surprises. You know what you're paying.
→ Ash AI
Free now during beta. $93M funding means eventual subscription is coming—price TBD.
"I specifically struggle with anxiety"
→ Stella
Built specifically for anxiety. Remembers your triggers, patterns, what helps during spirals.
→ Ash AI
General mental health focus. Covers anxiety but not specialized for it.
"I prefer talking over typing"
→ Stella
Voice-first by design. Just talk, Stella listens and responds. Primary interface.
→ Ash AI
Voice + text available. Both options supported equally.
"I want something that feels like therapy"
→ Stella
Positioned as a companion, not therapy. More friend than clinician.
→ Ash AI
"First AI designed for mental health." Therapy framing, clinical approach, pattern analysis.
"I'm okay waiting for the best-funded option"
→ Stella
Bootstrapped indie product. Less funding, more focus on anxiety niche.
→ Ash AI
$93M in funding. Big team, big vision. Join waitlist and wait for access.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
The Honest Take
Ash AI has massive funding ($93M) and is free during beta. That's attractive—but "free" won't last forever, and you might wait months for access.
Stella is $9.99/mo and available today. It's bootstrapped, anxiety-focused, and positioned as a companion (not therapy). Less clinical, more conversational.
The real question: Do you want therapy-framing with a waitlist, or anxiety support you can start using tonight?
If Ash's eventual pricing lands at $20-30/mo (typical for VC-funded mental health apps), Stella's $9.99 stays affordable. If Ash stays cheap, great—more options for everyone.