Stella vs Ash AI
Emotional wellness AI vs therapy AI
Updated
Ash costs nothing to download, and its US App Store listing shows in-app purchases from $9.99 to $169.99 as of October 2026. Stella is your emotional wellness AI, $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year in the US.
Stella is not therapy and is not a substitute for professional care.
At a glance
Stella
Your emotional wellness AI, by voice or text. Not therapy.
$9.99 a month or $59.99 a year in the US
Ash AI
"AI for Mental Health", in its own words. Ash says it works by voice or text and finds patterns in what you share.
$9.99 to $169.99 in-app, US App Store, as of October 2026
What is the Ash app?
Ash is an AI app from Slingshot AI that you can talk to over voice and text. It calls itself "AI for Mental Health" in its US App Store name and on talktoash.com.
Its App Store listing describes "an AI built from the ground up for mental health and emotional support", and its website says "AI designed for mental health". Those are Ash's own words, and whether it suits you is your call.
Who makes Ash?
Slingshot AI makes Ash. Ash's US App Store listing and the talktoash.com footer both carry that name. In short:
- January 2024: Slingshot AI says it set out to build a foundation model for psychology.
- July 2025: Slingshot AI announced Ash's public launch, and described Ash as the first AI designed for therapy.
- October 2026: Ash's website says "AI designed for mental health", and its App Store name reads "AI for Mental Health".
How much does Ash AI cost?
Ash costs nothing to download, and its in-app purchases run from $9.99 to $169.99 as of October 2026. Its US App Store listing shows ten of them, all named Unlimited access, at these prices:
- $9.99
- $14.99
- $19.99 (four purchases)
- $44.99
- $169.99 (three purchases)
Before you buy, open the purchase screen in the app. It shows the price in your country, what each purchase includes and how it renews, and the price shown there is the one that counts.
How Ash works, in its own words
Ash says:
- It is available 24/7 over voice and text.
- It finds patterns in what you share and generates insights specific to you.
- Its website describes "24/7 emotional support that learns, grows & adapts."
The key difference
Ash calls itself "AI for Mental Health", and Slingshot AI's July 2025 announcement described it as the first AI designed for therapy.
Stella is your emotional wellness AI. Tell Stella what happened, or what you keep putting off, by voice or text. She keeps what you've told her in mind, tells you straight but kindly, and helps you find the words or choose a small step when you're ready. No streaks, nothing to log.
When to choose each
I want what Ash calls itself, "AI for Mental Health"
Stella
Your emotional wellness AI, not therapy. No patterns or insights: she keeps what you've told her in mind.
Ash AI (fits better)
Says it is built for mental health and emotional support, and that it finds patterns in what you share.
I want to say what happened and get a straight, kind reply
Stella (fits better)
Tell Stella what happened, or what you keep putting off. She tells you straight but kindly and helps you find the words or choose a small step.
Ash AI
Says it is available 24/7 over voice and text, and generates insights specific to you.
I'm in crisis
Stella
Stella is for adults and is not a crisis service. If you're in danger, call or text 988 in the US, or your local emergency number.
Ash AI
Its about page says it is not designed for use in a crisis, and directs anyone in crisis to professional help or a crisis line.
Not sure which to pick? Get a second take by text
Ash vs Stella, feature by feature
| Feature | Stella | Ash AI |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Your emotional wellness AI | Calls itself "AI for Mental Health" |
| How you talk | Voice or text | Voice and text |
| Availability | Available now | Says it is available 24/7 |
| Patterns and insights | None. Keeps what you've told her in mind. | Says it finds patterns and gives insights (fits better) |
| Price | $9.99/month or $59.99/year (US) | In-app purchases, $9.99 to $169.99 |
| Crisis | Not for someone in crisis | Says it is not designed for a crisis |
| Best for | Talking something through, by voice or text | "Mental health and emotional support", in its words |
Ash AI alternatives
Five apps are worth a look beside Ash: Wysa, Pi, ChatGPT, Replika and Stella. They differ in how you pay and what they say they are for. The order is not a ranking.
Stella
Your emotional wellness AI, made by StellaLabs, by voice or text. In the US she is $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year. She is not therapy and is not a substitute for professional care.
Compare: Wysa app cost and apps like WysaWysa
Describes itself as an "emotionally intelligent chatbot that uses AI". Its in-app purchases run from $4.99 to $144.99 on its US App Store listing, as of October 2026.
Compare: Pi AI alternatives and what happened to PiPi
Its US App Store listing describes a personal intelligence partner that can help you talk through a difficult topic. It costs nothing to download and shows no in-app purchases as of October 2026.
Compare: Venting to ChatGPTChatGPT
Its US App Store listing offers Advanced Voice Mode, with in-app purchases from $4.00 to $500.00 as of October 2026. OpenAI's Help Center says ChatGPT Plus costs $20 per month, billed monthly.
Compare: Replika alternativesReplika
Describes itself as an AI companion available 24/7 by text, voice calls and video. Its US App Store listing shows in-app purchases from $0.99 to $89.99 as of October 2026.
The honest take
If you want what Ash calls itself, "AI for Mental Health", Ash is the one to look at, and its own pages show what each purchase includes. Stella is for talking something through, by voice or text. She is not therapy and is not a substitute for professional care. She is for adults, not for romance or roleplay, and not for someone in crisis.
You can use both, and if Ash fits you better, good: more options for everyone. For a wider view, see our guide to mental health apps and what each is for.
How we made this comparison
StellaLabs makes Stella. Every statement here about another app comes from that company's own App Store listing, website or help pages (or an archived copy), or a regulator's public release, or, where the page says so, Apple's search results or whether a site loads, as of . Prices change, so check the listing before you buy; we did not test the other apps.
Sources (10)
- Ash on the US App Store (opens in a new tab)
- Ash website (opens in a new tab)
- Ash about page (opens in a new tab)
- Slingshot AI website (opens in a new tab)
- Slingshot AI press page (opens in a new tab)
- Wysa on the US App Store (opens in a new tab)
- Pi on the US App Store (opens in a new tab)
- ChatGPT on the US App Store (opens in a new tab)
- OpenAI Help Center: What is ChatGPT Plus? (archived) (opens in a new tab)
- Replika on the US App Store (opens in a new tab)
Questions about Stella and Ash AI
What is Ash AI?
Ash is an AI app made by Slingshot AI. It calls itself "AI for Mental Health" in its US App Store name and on talktoash.com, and its listing describes it as "an AI built from the ground up for mental health and emotional support".
How much does Ash AI cost?
Ash costs nothing to download, and its in-app purchases run from $9.99 to $169.99 on its US App Store listing as of October 2026. All are named Unlimited access. Open the purchase screen in the app to see what each includes and how it renews.
Who makes Ash AI?
Slingshot AI makes Ash, according to its US App Store listing and talktoash.com. Slingshot AI's press page lists Ash's public launch in July 2025.
Is Ash available by voice?
Yes, according to Ash. Its US App Store listing says Ash is available 24/7 over voice and text. Stella is also available by voice or text.
Is Ash for someone in a crisis?
Ash's about page says Ash is not designed for use in a crisis, and it directs anyone in crisis to professional help or a crisis line. Stella is not for someone in crisis either.
What is Stella?
Stella is your emotional wellness AI. Tell Stella what happened, or what you keep putting off, by voice or text. She keeps what you've told her in mind, tells you straight but kindly, and helps you find the words or choose a small step when you're ready. No streaks, nothing to log.
How much does Stella cost?
In the US, Stella is $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year. The App Store shows your local price and renewal terms before you buy.
Is Stella therapy?
No. Stella is not therapy and is not a substitute for professional care.
Tell Stella what happened.
Even the part you're still figuring out. Download the app or send her a text. The app is free to download; a subscription is required to keep using it.
Stella is not therapy and is not a substitute for professional care.
Keep comparing
Other tools people weigh against Stella when they are deciding the same thing.
- Wysa app cost and apps like WysaWhat the Wysa app is and what its in-app purchases cost on the US App Store as of Oct 2026, plus apps like Wysa and how Stella compares.
- Pi AI alternatives and what happened to PiWhat Inflection AI said about Pi in 2023 and 2024, Pi's US App Store price and whether it is still available as of Oct 2026, and Pi AI alternatives.
- Venting to ChatGPTWhat ChatGPT offers and what it costs as of Oct 2026, per its US App Store listing and OpenAI's help pages, and where Stella fits for talking it through.
- How much BetterHelp costsBetterHelp's FAQ says $70 to $100 per week without insurance as of Oct 2026. Insurance, Talkspace, and where Stella fits: she is not therapy.
Read next
Two situations people bring to Stella, written up in full.