How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Teladoc is the best online doctor app for insured users who want fast general visits across all 50 states.
- MDLive suits after-hours urgent visits, with broad insurance and employer coverage.
- Amwell is best for therapy and psychiatry alongside urgent care.
- Doctor on Demand combines video doctor visits with mental health care in one app.
- K Health and GoodRx Care are the cheapest cash-pay options for simple visits.
- Sesame suits uninsured patients who want upfront, provider-set prices.
- PlushCare is best for ongoing primary care with a dedicated doctor.
- Online visits do not replace emergency care. Chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke signs, or major bleeding need 911 or an emergency room.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Teladoc | Fast general visits, broad insurance | $75 per visit | No |
 MDLive | After-hours urgent visits | $82 per visit | No |
 Amwell | Urgent care plus therapy and psychiatry | $79 per visit | No |
 Doctor on Demand | Video visits plus mental health | $89 per visit | No |
 K Health | Low-cost AI-assisted visits | $29 per visit | No |
 GoodRx Care | Budget simple visits | $19 per visit | No |
 Sesame | Upfront cash-pay pricing | $29 per visit | No |
 PlushCare | Ongoing primary care | $99 per visit | No |
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The best online doctor apps
Starting price$75 per visit
Free planNo
Teladoc is the largest telehealth platform in the US, and it is the safer default for general care. It accepts more than 200 commercial plans, connects you in often under ten minutes, and covers urgent care, primary care, mental health, and dermatology in one app across all 50 states. Many employer plans include Teladoc at a $0 copay, which makes it free at the point of care for those users.
The trade off is continuity and cash price. You usually get the next available clinician rather than a dedicated doctor, and cash-pay general visits run around $75 to $89 depending on the source. For insured users who want breadth and speed, Teladoc is hard to beat.
What we like- Largest US platform
- Visits often under 10 minutes
- Covers urgent, primary, mental health, and dermatology
Watch out for- Cash price is higher than budget apps
- No dedicated doctor
- Prices vary by plan
Starting price$82 per visit
Free planNo
MDLive covers urgent care, primary care, dermatology, and behavioral health, with many commercial health plans and employers. It suits after-hours needs, when your regular doctor office is closed and an urgent care trip would cost far more. Cash-pay general visits run around $82 to $85, while specialty and mental health visits cost more.
The limits are continuity and price spread. Like Teladoc, MDLive is built for on-demand visits rather than a long-term doctor relationship, and the price depends on visit type. For insured users who need a doctor at night or on weekends, MDLive is a strong pick.
What we like- Strong after-hours coverage
- Works with many plans and employers
- Broad specialties
Watch out for- Cash price is mid-range
- Limited ongoing care
- Visit type changes the price
Starting price$79 per visit
Free planNo
Amwell matches Teladoc on general urgent care but goes deeper on behavioral health. Its therapists and psychiatrists can prescribe in many states, including some controlled substances, which is rare in telehealth. It accepts many major insurers, and it integrates with hospital systems, which helps when a virtual visit needs an in-person follow-up.
The trade off is cash cost. Urgent care without insurance starts around $79, and initial psychiatry can reach the high $200s. For users whose priority is serious mental health care with medication management, Amwell is the stronger home.
What we like- Strong mental health depth
- Accepts many major insurers
- Hospital system integrations
Watch out for- Cash urgent care is pricier than budget apps
- Psychiatry can reach the high $200s
- Wait times vary
Starting price$89 per visit
Free planNo
Doctor on Demand offers video visits with physicians plus therapy and psychiatry in one app. It accepts many major plans, and it suits users who want physical and mental health care from a single service. Cash-pay general visits run around $89 to $99, with therapy sessions priced higher by length.
The limits are price spread and continuity. Published cash prices differ across sources, so check the current price before you book, and you generally see the next available clinician rather than one dedicated doctor. For users who want one app for body and mind, Doctor on Demand is a good fit.
What we like- Video physician visits
- Integrated mental health
- Broad insurance acceptance
Watch out for- Cash price varies by source
- Therapy sessions cost more
- No dedicated doctor by default
Starting price$29 per visit
Free planNo
K Health pairs an AI-assisted symptom check with a clinician visit, which keeps the price low. Visits run around $29 to $35, or about $49 per month on a plan, and same-day appointments are common. It suits simple issues such as colds, rashes, and refills where a fast answer matters more than a long-term doctor relationship.
The trade off is scope. Insurance acceptance is limited, with some employer partnerships, and K Health does not offer ongoing primary care. For uninsured users with a simple issue, K Health is one of the cheapest real options.
What we like- Very low visit price
- AI triage speeds the visit
- Same-day appointments
Watch out for- Limited insurance acceptance
- No ongoing primary care
- Text-first experience
Starting price$19 per visit
Free planNo
GoodRx Care is the budget pick. Visits run about $19 with a Gold membership and about $39 to $70 without one, depending on the condition, and the service pairs visits with prescription discount coupons. It suits simple, well-defined issues where you know what you need and want the lowest price.
The limits are scope and billing. GoodRx Care does not bill insurance, and it covers simpler conditions rather than complex or ongoing care. For a straightforward visit at the lowest price, it is hard to beat.
What we like- Lowest visit price on this list
- Pairs with prescription discounts
- Simple signup
Watch out for- Cash-pay only
- No insurance billing
- Limited to simpler conditions
Starting price$29 per visit
Free planNo
Sesame is a marketplace where providers list their own prices upfront, so you see the exact cost before you book. Visits start around $29 and vary by provider and specialty, covering primary care, specialists, mental health, and labs. It suits uninsured patients who want price transparency and choice of provider.
The trade off is that Sesame does not bill insurance, and prices vary from provider to provider, so comparison shopping is part of the experience. There is no ongoing care program. For cash-pay patients who want to pick a provider at a known price, Sesame is the best marketplace option.
What we like- Prices listed upfront per provider
- Wide specialty range
- No insurance needed
Watch out for- Self-pay only
- Price varies by provider
- No ongoing care program
Starting price$99 per visit
Free planNo
PlushCare is built for ongoing primary care rather than one-off urgent visits. You can see the same doctor over time, manage chronic conditions, and get refills for stable conditions, with many major plans accepted. Visits run around $99 to $129 cash-pay, and a yearly membership option lowers the per-visit cost for frequent users.
The trade off is price. PlushCare costs more per visit than budget apps, and membership adds a yearly fee. For users who want a real primary care relationship online, PlushCare is the best pick on this list.
What we like- Dedicated doctor option
- Ongoing care and refills
- Accepts many major plans
Watch out for- Higher visit price
- Membership adds cost
- Limited same-day depth in some states
How we chose
We compared visit price, insurance acceptance, specialty range, wait times, and continuity of care. Tools that only cover one-off urgent visits scored lower than tools that also offer ongoing care. We favored tools with upfront pricing and noted where published prices conflict across sources. We did not test any tool hands-on, and prices here reflect published list prices that vendors change often.
Buying guide: what to check before you pay
Start with insurance. An in-network visit often costs a copay that is far lower than the cash price, so check the app against your plan first. Next, match the visit type to the app. Simple issues suit budget apps, while mental health or ongoing care suit Amwell or PlushCare. Check state licensing too, since clinicians must be licensed in your state, and some services do not cover every state for every visit type. Ask about prescriptions before you book, since controlled substances have strict telehealth rules and some apps do not prescribe them at all. Finally, know the emergency line. Telehealth cannot treat chest pain, stroke signs, severe bleeding, or trouble breathing. Those need 911 or an emergency room, not an app. If you are unsure whether a symptom is urgent, err on the side of in-person or emergency care rather than waiting for a video visit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an online doctor visit cost without insurance?
Cash-pay general visits run about $19 to $129 depending on the app. GoodRx Care and K Health are cheapest, while PlushCare and Doctor on Demand cost more. Insurance copays are often lower than cash prices.
Can an online doctor prescribe medicine?
Yes, licensed clinicians on these apps can prescribe many common medicines, including refills for stable conditions. Controlled substances have strict rules, and some apps do not prescribe them. Prescriptions always need a licensed clinician, and some conditions need an in-person exam first.
Is telehealth as good as an in-person visit?
For simple issues such as colds, rashes, and refills, telehealth works well. For hands-on exams, imaging, labs, or emergencies, in-person care is better. A good telehealth app refers you to in-person care when the visit needs it.
Do online doctor apps take insurance?
Most do, except cash-pay services such as GoodRx Care and Sesame. Teladoc, MDLive, Amwell, Doctor on Demand, and PlushCare accept many major plans. Check your plan before you book.
When should I skip telehealth and call 911?
Call 911 for chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke signs such as face droop or slurred speech, major trauma, or severe bleeding. Telehealth cannot treat emergencies.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.