Ash

Ash is an AI mental health app that offers voice and text conversations for people working through everyday emotional challenges such as stress, relationships, work pressure and low mood. It is made by Slingshot AI, which trained its own model on psychology data instead of wrapping a general assistant, and it is designed with input from mental health specialists. Ash is a support tool, not a licensed therapist, and the company says plainly that it is not meant for crisis situations.

What is Ash used for?

People use Ash to talk things out when a friend or professional is not available, and to notice patterns in how they think and react over time.

• Talking out loud with Ash like a phone call, or texting it for private guidance
• Picking up conversations where they left off, since Ash remembers past chats
• Getting weekly insights that connect a current issue with something from months earlier
• Following suggested next steps when you are not sure where to start
• Reflecting on sleep, stress, conflict at home or work worries between therapy sessions

Who Ash is best for

Ash suits adults who want a judgment-free space to process feelings, people on a waiting list for therapy who want structured support in the meantime, and people in therapy who want help reflecting between sessions. It is not suitable for anyone in crisis, at risk of self-harm, or living with severe mental illness, who should contact emergency services, a crisis line or a licensed clinician.

Ash pricing

Ash was free to use when it launched publicly in 2025. As of October 2026 the App Store listing shows in-app purchases labeled unlimited access, with prices ranging from $9.99 to $169.99 depending on the billing period and offer, which suggests paid plans for heavier use. The website does not publish a pricing page, so check the subscription screen in the app for what is free and what costs money in your region.

Limitations to keep in mind

• Not a crisis service and not a substitute for a licensed therapist or psychiatrist
• Plan details and limits are only visible inside the app
• Sharing deeply personal information with any app carries privacy risk, so review the consumer health data notice
• AI can misread context, so treat its suggestions as prompts for reflection, not instructions

Ash vs alternatives

Healing Journey offers chats with several AI therapist personas focused on topics like anxiety and habits, which some people like for variety. Iris works over iMessage and RCS, so it suits people who prefer support inside their normal texting app. Pi is a free, warm general conversational AI that is good for casual talking but is not built specifically for mental health. Maia is the better choice for couples who want a shared space to work through conflict. Ash stands out for its psychology-specific model, voice mode and long-term memory.

Tips for getting started with Ash

Tell Ash in the first conversation what you want from it, such as handling work stress or preparing for hard conversations, so its guidance has a direction. Try voice mode at least once, since many users find speaking easier than typing about feelings. Read the weekly insight and push back if it gets something wrong, which helps it adjust. Save local crisis numbers in your phone separately, because Ash is not an emergency resource.

Ash FAQ

Is Ash free?

Ash launched as a free app, and as of October 2026 the App Store also lists paid unlimited access plans from $9.99, so check the app for current limits.

Is Ash a replacement for therapy?

No. Ash is an AI support tool for everyday emotional challenges. It is not a licensed therapist and is not designed for crises or severe mental illness.

Who makes the Ash app?

Ash is made by Slingshot AI, a company that trained its own psychology-focused AI model and launched Ash publicly in July 2025.

What is the best alternative to Ash?

Healing Journey is a close alternative with AI therapist personas, while Iris suits people who want support through iMessage or RCS text messages.