"Better Place" divided music critics, with some praising the piano ballad's simplicity and production, and others finding it underwhelming.

The sunlight would always look really golden and it would make me feel really hopeful about the day, even though things in my life weren't going great."

Platten's concept for "Better Place" developed following a phone call from her sister, Melanie, who announced her engagement to her then-boyfriend.

[7] Jon Levine handled the production of the track, in addition to playing the piano, electric keyboards, and bass instruments.

[9][10] It was officially released as the album's third single on April 4, 2016, when it was distributed to Hot AC radio stations for airplay.

"[18] Papadatos, writing for Digital Journal, claimed that the track should "be enjoyed for its beauty and simplicity",[12] while Clint Rhodes of The Herald-Standard declared it a "Well-crafted arrangement" that "give[s] prominence to the depth and genuineness of Platten's heartfelt messages disguised as delicious samples of pop delight".

[19] The Red and Black's Korstanje gave an extended opinion of this track and "Superman" while reviewing Wildfire and wrote: "These songs showcase Platten's technically imperfect, occasionally shaky vocals flawlessly, somehow working in her favor rather than harming her status as a singer/songwriter.

[20] The Young Folks's Brooke Pawling Stennett was even more disappointed, describing the song as a "last minute track".

[21] London Evening Standard's Rick Pearson panned "Better Place" and wrote, "this was music for the background not the spotlight".

[22] On the Adult Top 40 chart compiled by Billboard in the United States, Platten's single debuted at number 38 for the publication of April 23, 2016.

[27] The official video was directed by Matthew Stawski and produced by Austin Barbera, Missy Galanida, and Isaac Rice, with cameo appearances by Liev Schreiber, Mira Sorvino, Jennifer Garner, Steve Buscemi and Bryce Dallas Howard.

[28] It opens with an annotation reading, "For her 'Better Place' music video, Rachel wanted to conduct a social experiment with her fans".

The singer spoke about Scigliano: "[she] gave me my first starring role in a play, and inspired me, and made me love the stage.