Comparison
Best Online Psychiatry Services — What to Compare
An independent guide to online psychiatry services — how they work, prescribing rules, costs, insurance and what to check before choosing one.
How online psychiatry services work
Most services begin with an intake and a video evaluation with a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner. If medication is appropriate, prescriptions are sent to a pharmacy, followed by regular check-ins. Some services also offer therapy.
What to look for
- Prescriber credentials — psychiatrists (MD/DO) or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNP) licensed in your state.
- A thorough evaluation rather than a brief questionnaire.
- Follow-up and monitoring, including side effects and lab tests where needed.
- Transparent pricing for evaluations, follow-ups and any membership fees.
- Clear policies on controlled substances, refills and urgent concerns.
- Referral pathways to in-person care when needed.
Who may need a different level of care
People with severe symptoms, recent suicidal behavior, psychosis, or complex medical conditions may need in-person psychiatric care. If you are in immediate danger, see Get Help Now.
Side-by-side comparison
| Service | May suit | Pricing | Insurance | Medication | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonaid Health | Medication management for depression and anxiety | $95 per month for ongoing care, $25 for the first month; cancel anytime. Medication delivery included. | Direct-pay; insurance is not required. | Available | Read review |
| PlushCare | Doctor-led medication management with insurance | Therapy $169 per session. Doctor visits $129 without insurance, plus a membership of $19.99/month or $149/year. | Accepts many insurance plans. PlushCare says most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less per doctor visit. FSA/HSA receipts provided for therapy. | Available | Read review |
- May suit
- Medication management for depression and anxiety
- Pricing
- $95 per month for ongoing care, $25 for the first month; cancel anytime. Medication delivery included.
- Insurance
- Direct-pay; insurance is not required.
- Medication
- Available
- May suit
- Doctor-led medication management with insurance
- Pricing
- Therapy $169 per session. Doctor visits $129 without insurance, plus a membership of $19.99/month or $149/year.
- Insurance
- Accepts many insurance plans. PlushCare says most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less per doctor visit. FSA/HSA receipts provided for therapy.
- Medication
- Available
Prices and coverage change often. Always confirm current details with the provider.
How we evaluate services
Every service in our comparisons is assessed against the same criteria. Commercial relationships never change our criteria, our findings or the order in which services appear. Full methodology.
Clinician credentials
Are clinicians licensed, and can you verify their credentials and the jurisdictions they practice in?
Evidence-based care
Does the service offer approaches with research support, and does it measure progress?
Pricing transparency
Are total costs, billing frequency and cancellation terms clear before you sign up?
Insurance and affordability
Does it accept insurance, provide superbills, or offer lower-cost options?
Privacy and data practices
How is health information stored and shared? Is any data used for advertising?
Safety and crisis policy
Does the service screen for risk, explain what happens in a crisis and refer to higher levels of care when needed?
Access and fit
How quickly can you start, can you choose or switch clinicians, and are formats (video, phone, messaging) suitable?
When to seek professional help
Consider talking with a doctor or licensed mental health professional if symptomslast for more than two weeks, keep coming back, or make it harder to manage work, school, relationships or daily tasks. You don’t need to wait until things feel severe — getting support early often makes things easier.
If you’re thinking about harming yourself or are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).Crisis resources in other countries.
Explore care optionsFrequently asked questions
Can an online psychiatrist prescribe ADHD medication?
Is online psychiatry covered by insurance?
References
We rely on government health agencies, professional medical organizations, peer-reviewed research and academic institutions. Read our sourcing standards.
About this article
Written by
ExploreMentalHealth Editorial Team
Our editors research and write every article using government health agencies, professional medical organizations and peer-reviewed research, following our published editorial standards.
- First published
- September 19, 2026
- Last updated
- September 25, 2026
- Last medically reviewed
- Review pending