What are the important differences between telehealth and in-person care?
Which telehealth company is best?
Top 10 telehealth companies
How telehealth companies compare
How to choose telehealth companies
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Telehealth is a simple way to get care from home. In 2025, many platforms offer virtual visits for health needs. This guide compares the top telehealth companies based on their services, focus areas, and user feedback.
Klarity Health connects you with licensed providers for mental health, weight loss, and more—no memberships, no hidden costs.
Also called telemedicine, a telehealth service allows you to see a licensed healthcare provider online without visiting an office in person. You can access telehealth services online using your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Telehealth services let you safely send messages to your healthcare provider and speak to your provider either using video or over the phone. You can also track your healthcare information with technology, so you can share information with your primary care provider if needed.
What are the important differences between telehealth and in-person care?
There are many important differences between telehealth and in-person care, including:
Access. One of the biggest differences is that telehealth gives people more access to healthcare because they can visit healthcare providers from the comfort of their own homes. In-person care can be difficult to access for many people, particularly people who live far away or have difficulty getting to a hospital or healthcare facility.
Scheduling. Another important difference is that telehealth usually provides more flexible scheduling than in-person care does.
Costs. Telehealth is often a more cost-effective option for many people. It decreases travel costs and tends to reduce overall healthcare expenses. In-person care is usually more expensive when it comes to in-person medical services, facility fees, and travel.
Which telehealth company is best?
Klarity Health is one of the best telehealth companies out there. The company is available in all 50 states. While it doesn’t accept health insurance plans, you can get free consultations with some telehealth providers.
Find a telehealth provider on Klarity Health in as little as 24 hours. Find telehealth care for your specific needs and situation, whether you have trouble sleeping, you want to lose weight, or you need mental health treatment for anxiety, depression, or ADHD.
Klarity Health provides more than 500 telehealth specialties and over 500 healthcare providers. The telehealth company has also served more than 80,000 people and facilitated over 500,000 telehealth visits.
Top 10 telehealth companies
Here are the top 10 telehealth companies, as well as their benefits and drawbacks:
Klarity Health
Klarity Health is a national healthcare marketplace platform that pairs people with licensed and board-certified healthcare providers. These healthcare providers specialize in mental health services, weight loss treatment, therapy, primary and preventative healthcare,and more. Klarity Health offers flexible and personalized telehealth care with consultations that cost as little as $0. You can find a healthcare provider on Klarity Health in as little as 24 hours.*
Pros
Health savings account (HSA)/flexible spending account (FSA) eligible
Offers provider messaging 24 x 7
Healthcare providers can prescribe you medication, including controlled substances, if medically appropriate after a careful evaluation
You can usually find same-day appointments
You’re able to filter healthcare providers by specialty, price, and more
Operates in all 50 states
Accepting various insurances
Cons
Healthcare services can be unavailable in some states
In-person visits can be necessary for some medications
Free consultations available with select providers only.
Get a free consultation
And find an affordable, caring provider for all your healthcare needs
Free consultations available with select providers only.
Teladoc
Teladoc is a comprehensive telehealth company that offers primary care, psychiatric, and mental health services. The company provides next-day or same-day availability in many states. It’s available nationally and covered by most commercial health insurance plans. Teladoc also makes it simple to quickly find and see a healthcare provider. The platform’s overall design and intake process are excellent.
Pros
Video and phone options
A comprehensive platform that’s designed to treat specific symptoms and concerns
Multiple healthcare providers to choose from
Next-day or same-day appointment availability
Most major health insurance plans are accepted
Cons
Medication management is limited
Not a suitable option for severe mental health cases or disorders
There are no options to message your healthcare provider between appointments
The out-of-pocket costs are expensive
Sesame Care
Sesame Care is a telehealth marketplace that connects people with specialists, nurse practitioners, and primary care doctors for both telehealth care and in-person care. The healthcare company is available in all 50 states, but the telehealth provider availability depends on your location. Sesame Care doesn’t accept any health insurance plans, so it’s meant for uninsured people or people with high-deductible health insurance plans. The telehealth costs vary, depending on the specific service and provider.
Pros
Accepts FSA and HSA payments
Provides cash discounts through the Sesame Plus program
It’s easy to switch to a new healthcare provider
You can filter healthcare providers by reviews, availability, language, gender, and price
Cons
The website can sometimes be glitchy and difficult to use
Healthcare provider availability varies, depending on your state or location
The costs vary, depending on the service or provider
Providers can’t prescribe any controlled substances
Doesn’t accept any health insurance plans
PlushCare
PlushCare is a telehealth platform that provides same-day appointments for mental health care, urgent care, and primary care. The telehealth company accepts many of the major health insurance plans. You can also opt to sign up for the company’s monthly membership for $19.99 per month or $99 for an annual plan, and the membership’s first month is free. Telehealth services are available in all 50 states, which makes it easy to access telehealth no matter where you are.
Pros
Accepts many commercial health insurance plans
You can select your healthcare provider based on your particular preferences and situation
There are short wait times to meet with healthcare providers
Cons
There are a limited number of healthcare providers available
You need to sign up for a monthly membership if you want to get all the telehealth services provided
MDLive
MDLive is a telehealth platform for online mental health and medical care. You can usually speak to a medical healthcare provider within an hour of signing up for the platform for any medical issues or concerns you have. The company also offers both psychiatry and therapy services to adults and children 10 years and older. For psychiatric care or psychotherapy, you might need to wait about a week. MDLive accepts most major health insurance plans.
Pros
You can choose between live video or phone appointments
Accepts many of the major health insurance plans
You can schedule appointments in as little as 24 hours or less
Provides many healthcare services, including medical visits, therapy, and psychiatry
Cons
There are no bundles or discounts available for psychiatry and therapy services
There are no options to text your healthcare provider
Providers can’t prescribe any controlled substances
Therapy and psychiatry aren’t available to kids under 10 years of age
Amwell
Amwell is a telehealth platform that provides online healthcare services through live video. The company accepts many of the major health insurance plans, and the platform is very easy and intuitive to use. There are many services available on the platform, including cognitive behavioral therapy, chronic care management, nutrition counseling, and women’s health services. You can also typically find a healthcare provider in as little as 24 hours.
Pros
Menopause, prenatal, and postpartum counseling is available on the platform
You can pay for each appointment if needed
Therapy is available for children who are at least 10 years of age
You can choose your own healthcare provider from a directory of providers
Psychiatric medications and therapy are available
Cons
There’s no discount or bundle for participating in more than 1 service on the platform
The company doesn’t automatically match a healthcare provider for you
You can’t text your healthcare providers
Psychiatry is only available for people who are at least 18 years of age
Doctor On Demand
Doctor on Demand is a telehealth company that offers primary care doctors, urgent care providers, psychiatrists, and therapists, all in one app or platform. You can also find healthcare providers with either next-day or same-day availability. The platform is available in all 50 states, and it accepts many of the major health insurance plans. Unfortunately, Doctor on Demand has high costs, with medical visits starting at $99 without health insurance. There’s also no way to message your healthcare provider between appointments.
Pros
The company accepts some commercial health insurance plans
The Doctor on Demand mobile app is simple and intuitive to use
There are usually next-day appointments available
The company is available in all 50 states
Cons
There is a strict time limit for therapy sessions
The customer service experience is poor
Expensive, particularly for ongoing medical or mental health care
No option to message your healthcare provider between sessions
Hims & Hers
Hims & Hers is a telehealth company that’s divided into two platforms: Hims for men’s health services and Hers for women’s health services. The company provides an affordable, easy, and convenient way to get medications if medically appropriate. Hims & Hers does lack the face-to-face communication with healthcare providers that many other telehealth companies offer through phone or video. It’s a good option for people who are already on a preferred medication or people who can’t access healthcare on other telehealth platforms.
Pros
It’s available in all 50 states
Offers provider messaging 24 hours per day, 7 days a week
You can have your medications delivered to your home for no additional fee
There are few barriers to receiving your medication
Affordable cash-pay
Cons
Doesn’t offer therapy services
Doesn’t accept any health insurance plans
There are no formal follow-up appointments
There’s not much oversight of medication prescription services
LiveHealth Online
LiveHealth Online is a telehealth platform that offers psychiatry, therapy, and urgent care services in all 50 states. Psychiatry services are available for adults aged 18 and up, while therapy is available for adults and children aged 10 years and older. LiveHealth Online accepts some health insurance plans, including Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, Empire Blue Cross, and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Pros
Accepts some health insurance plans
Lower cash-pay costs
The mobile app is free, easy, and intuitive to use
There is flexible scheduling available, including weekend sessions
You can pay for each session individually
There are no subscription fees
Cons
There’s no couples therapy available
LiveHealth Online providers aren’t able to prescribe controlled substances
The healthcare provider profiles on the platform are too short and don’t provide enough detail
LiveHealth Online doesn’t accept many health insurance plans
American TelePhysicians
American TelePhysicians is a telehealth platform that offers many different specialty services. These services include cardiology, critical care, pulmonology, endocrinology, hospitalists, infectious diseases, nephrology, neurology, psychiatry, sleep medicine, diabetes, and rheumatology. American TelePhysicians accepts many of the major health insurance plans and is available in more than 35 states.
Pros
Can access your patient health records and actively participate in healthcare decisions
Can schedule virtual consultations whenever you want
Budget-friendly and accessible option for healthcare over in-person care
Accepts many major health insurance plans
Available in over 35 states
Cons
The platform is not very easy or intuitive to use
American TelePhysicians isn’t available in all 50 states
How telehealth companies compare
Telehealth company
States covered
Insurance acceptance
Base visit cost
Specialty services
Rating
Klarity Health
Available in all 50 states
Most health insurance accepted
Initial visits start at about $80, as low as $0 with insurance
Offers ADHD treatment, primary care, weight loss services, anxiety treatment, depression treatment, insomnia treatment, and more
5.0 stars
Teladoc
Available in all 50 states
Accepts many Medicare Advantage and Medicaid managed care plans, as well as many health insurance plans
General medical visits cost as low as $0 with insurance or $89 without insurance.
Offers mental health services, weight management services, diabetes management services, hypertension management services, and more
4.7 stars
Sesame Care
Available in all 50 states
Doesn’t accept health insurance
Doctor visits cost as little as $37 if you join Sesame Plus.
Offers weight loss services, allergists, COVID-19 care, dermatologists, infection care, mental health services, pediatrics, psychiatry, counseling, therapy, urgent care, and women’s health services
4.5 stars
PlushCare
Available in all 50 states
Accepts most Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Humana (non-Medicare), and Medi-Cal plans; doesn’t accept Medicare or Medicaid
$129 per visit without insurance, plus membership fee
Offers weight management, urgent care, pediatric care, chronic disease treatment, online therapy, and more
3.1 stars
MDLive
Available in all 50 states
Accepts most major insurances
Can cost as little as $0 with insurance
Offers urgent care, mental health services, dermatology, and more
1.9 stars
Amwell
Available in all 50 states
Accepts many major insurances
Medical visits can cost $67 or less, depending on your health insurance plan.
Offers cognitive behavioral therapy, chronic care management, nutrition counseling, women’s health services, and more
1.3 stars
Doctor On Demand
Available in all 50 states
Accepts many major insurances
Medical visits start at $99 without insurance
Offers urgent care, therapy, psychiatry, and more
1.3 stars
Hims & Hers
Available in all 50 states
Doesn’t accept health insurance
Consultations are free, but you must pay a monthly subscription, typically $75 to $200 per month.
Offers sexual health services, weight loss services, hair regrowth, mental health services, and more
3.1 stars
LiveHealth Online
Available in all 50 states
Accepts most Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, Empire Blue Cross, and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield plans
Costs $55 or less, depending on your insurance plan
Offers urgent care, allergy care, therapy, psychiatry, and more
1.1 stars
American TelePhysicians
Available in over 35 states
Accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Aetna, Florida Blue, Humana, MultiPlan, Cigna, wellcare, Molina Healthcare, Oscar, Tricare, United Healthcare, Ambetter Health, CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. and Sunshine Health
Pricing plans start at $199
Offers 12 specialty services, including cardiology, critical care, pulmonology, endocrinology, hospitalists, infectious diseases, nephrology, neurology, psychiatry, sleep medicine, diabetes, and rheumatology
3.7 stars
How to choose telehealth companies
There are many important factors to consider when choosing a telehealth company:
State availability. Many telehealth companies are available in all 50 states, but some of them are only available in certain states. Make sure a telehealth company is available in your state before choosing it.
Budget. It’s also crucial to think about your budget when choosing a telehealth company. Some telehealth companies have more expensive telehealth visits than others. If you don’t have health insurance or the company you choose doesn’t accept your insurance, factor your budget in when selecting a company.
Priority needs. Consider your priority needs and what you need to see a telehealth provider for. Some telehealth companies focus on urgent care, while others offer chronic disease management. Whether it’s weight management, mental health, or something else, think about your priority needs when choosing a company.
Insurance. If you have health insurance, choose a telehealth company that accepts your specific health insurance. If you don’t have health insurance or don’t care about using insurance, then you can choose a company that doesn’t accept health insurance plans, such as Klarity Health. You can find a licensed healthcare provider on Klarity Health in as little as 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions about top telehealth companies
What’s the difference between telehealth and telemedicine?
Is telehealth legit?
Who are the largest telehealth providers?
What is the best telehealth company with insurance?
How much is a telehealth visit without insurance?
Can telehealth prescribe Adderall?
Can telehealth prescribe Xanax?
Sources
How we reviewed this article
*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Controlled substances may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.