Every option has its place.
Here's what each one does well.
We don't think Peer replaces therapy or crisis lines. We think it fills the gap between 2 a.m. and Tuesday at 3 p.m.
| Dimension | Peer | Therapy Apps | Crisis Hotlines | Forums | AI Chatbots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Response at 2 a.m. Can you reach a real human when the spiral hits hardest? | Under 4 min | Next appt | Variable wait | Hours/days | Instant |
“I'd tried two different apps and a therapist I couldn't afford — Peer was the first time I felt like I wasn't explaining myself from scratch.” | |||||
Lived experience Has the person responding actually been through something similar? | Always | Clinical only | Sometimes | Varies | |
Cost per month What does ongoing access actually cost? | $0 – $19 | $200 – $400 | Free | Free | $0 – $20 |
“My manager found Peer for our team. The utilization rate is 4× our old EAP. People actually use it because it doesn't feel clinical.” | |||||
Community continuity Do you build ongoing relationships, or start over every time? | Persistent bonds | 1:1 only | Loose threads | ||
Anonymity level Can you be honest without it following you? | Full pseudonym | Licensed record | Anonymous | Username only | Anonymous |
“I refer clients here between sessions. They come back to me with language for what they're feeling because they've been practicing it with people who get it.” | |||||
Matched to your situation Is the support tailored to your specific experience? | Algorithm + human | Specialty varies | Prompt-based | ||
Find Your People
Three questions. We'll match you with someone who's been there. No intake form. No waitlist.
For HR teams that want
benefits people actually use.
The average EAP utilization rate is 3–6%. Peer averages 24%, because people don't need to call a number — they open an app at midnight.
4×
Higher utilization than traditional EAP
$0
Per employee per month on Starter plan
< 4 min
Average response time, any hour
93%
Of users feel less isolated after first session
See How We Compare
to Your Current Plan
Download our one-page comparison: Peer vs. your EAP, vs. therapy-app stipends, vs. doing nothing. Includes utilization benchmarks and cost-per-engaged-employee calculations.
- Peer vs. Lyra, Spring Health, Calm
- Cost per engaged employee (not just enrolled)
- Utilization data from 50+ company pilots
- Implementation timeline: 2 days
Get the comparison PDF
Free. One page. No sales call required.
Referring a client?
Peer is designed to complement, not replace, therapy. We have a structured referral pathway for licensed therapists — your client maintains continuity with you while building peer support between sessions.
Built for 2 a.m.
Not for when you have time to schedule something.
Safe by design
Every peer is vetted for their lived experience and trained in active listening. We have crisis escalation protocols and licensed clinical oversight.
< 4 min
Response under 4 minutes
Median first-response time across all hours, all days. Not business hours. Not after a hold queue. When you reach out, someone answers.
Your story stays yours
Full pseudonymity. End-to-end encrypted messages. We don't sell data, we don't share with employers, we don't store session transcripts after 30 days.
12,400+
12,400+ active peers
Across grief, addiction recovery, burnout, chronic illness, and more. Enough breadth that we can match you specifically — not just generally.
“At 2:47 a.m. I opened Peer and typed something I'd never said out loud. Within three minutes someone wrote back: 'I know exactly what that feels like. I've been there. You're not alone tonight.'”
Anonymous
Grief support · Member since 2024