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Best Online Psychiatry Services

  • Licensed clinicians only
  • 6 services compared
#1 Best Overall

In-network psychiatrists

9.50
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Psychiatry from a $15 average copay

9.30
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Insured psychiatry by video

9.10
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01TalkiatryBest Overall

In-network psychiatrists

  • About $30 a visit with insurance
  • Appointments within days
9.50ExcellentEditorial score
Visit SiteRead our Talkiatry review
Editor’s pick · Reviewed November 2026

In-network psychiatrists

Our #1 pick · About $30 a visit with insurance

Visit Site
How We RankEvery service uses licensed clinicians.Prices and coverage come from each provider’s published information.Commercial relationships never decide inclusion or order.Not for emergencies: call or text 988.

How to Choose the Best Online Psychiatry Service

The best online psychiatry services pair you with a clinician who can evaluate you, make a diagnosis and manage medication by video. This online psychiatry comparison covers six telepsychiatry services we have reviewed, with their costs, insurance and prescribing limits.

Psychiatry and therapy often work best together. If you also want regular sessions, see the best online therapy platforms. For a single condition, compare online ADHD treatment providers, online anxiety treatment or online depression treatment.

Psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners and Doctors

Talkiatry is a psychiatry practice staffed by psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. Talkspace and Rula offer psychiatry next to therapy. Sesame lists psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners at cash prices. PlushCare and Lemonaid Health use physicians and other medical clinicians, not psychiatrists, for common anxiety and depression medication.

If you are comparing Talkiatry alternatives, the main trade-off is insurance against price transparency: Talkiatry bills insurance but publishes no self-pay rate, while Sesame shows a cash price up front.

What Online Psychiatrists Can and Cannot Prescribe

Every service here can prescribe after an online psychiatric evaluation, and a prescription is never guaranteed. Talkspace, Sesame, PlushCare and Lemonaid Health do not prescribe controlled substances such as stimulants or benzodiazepines. Rula follows state rules, and Talkiatry does not state a policy, so ask before you book.

Where Online Care Works Well

  • A psychiatric evaluation without a long wait for a local psychiatrist
  • Ongoing medication management by video
  • Psychiatry services accepting new patients, often within days
  • Treating anxiety and depression alongside therapy

Limits to Know

  • Not suitable for a crisis or emergency
  • Controlled substances are generally not prescribed online
  • Psychiatrists are not available in every state
  • A visit does not guarantee a prescription

What to Look For

  • Who you will see: Check whether the clinician is a psychiatrist, a psychiatric nurse practitioner or a physician.
  • Insurance: An online psychiatrist that accepts insurance usually costs far less. Confirm your plan is in network.
  • Self-pay price: Look for transparent pricing for both the first evaluation and follow-up visits.
  • Prescribing limits: Ask about controlled medication before you book if it matters to you.
  • Follow-up care: Medication management needs regular check-ins. Check how they are booked and billed.

How Much Does an Online Psychiatrist Cost?

Online psychiatry pricing depends mostly on whether you use insurance:

With Insurance

$15–$30 a visit

Talkspace averages a $15 psychiatry copay. Talkiatry says most patients pay around $30 a visit.

Self-Pay Evaluation

$132–$299

About $132 on average for a 45-minute psychiatrist visit on Sesame, $225 at Rula and $299 at Talkspace.

Monthly Plan

$79–$95 a month

Sesame Mental Health Rx is $79 a month. Lemonaid Health is $95 a month, $25 for the first.

Our Top-Rated Online Psychiatry Service

Talkiatry is our top pick for online psychiatry with insurance: psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners who can diagnose and manage medication, in network with major insurers, with most patients reporting around $30 a visit (Talkiatry-reported). It is available in 45 states plus Washington, D.C. and publishes no self-pay rate. Talkspace is second if you want therapy and psychiatry on one account, with Medicare and TRICARE coverage. Without insurance, Sesame is the more affordable online psychiatrist option.

Our #1 Pick: Start Today

Featured Provider

In-network psychiatrists

  • About $30 a visit with insurance
  • Appointments within days
9.50ExcellentEditorial score
Visit Site
Editor’s pick · Reviewed November 2026

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Still Deciding?

Compare every service we have reviewed side by side.

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Online Psychiatry: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best online psychiatry service?

We rank Talkiatry first for psychiatrist-led care with insurance, Talkspace for therapy and psychiatry on one account, Rula for low copays and Sesame for people without insurance. The best fit depends on your insurance and the medication you may need.

How much does an online psychiatrist cost without insurance?

Self-pay psychiatrist visits average about $132 for 45 minutes on Sesame. Rula charges $225 for the first visit and $175 for follow-ups, and Talkspace charges $299 and $175. Talkiatry does not publish self-pay rates.

Which online psychiatrists accept insurance?

Talkspace, Rula, Talkiatry and PlushCare accept insurance. Talkspace is in network with select Medicare and TRICARE plans. Sesame and Lemonaid Health are direct-pay.

Can an online psychiatrist prescribe medication?

Yes, after an evaluation, and only when clinically appropriate. Most online services do not prescribe controlled substances such as ADHD stimulants or benzodiazepines.

Is online medication management covered by insurance?

Often. In-network plans usually cover psychiatric medication management visits with a copay. Check with both the service and your insurer before your first appointment.

What should I do if I am in crisis?

The services on this page are not for emergencies. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or call 911. See our Get Help Now page for more resources.

How We Rank Services

Clinician Credentials

We check that clinicians are licensed and that their credentials can be verified.

Transparent Pricing

Clear prices, billing frequency and cancellation terms. We look at total cost, not just the headline rate.

Scope of Care

What each service does and does not provide, from talk therapy to prescribing, and how it handles crisis.

Privacy & Access

How your data is handled, how quickly you can start and whether insurance is accepted.

Read our full methodology

ExploreMentalHealth Editorial Team

Independent provider research and comparison

See our affiliate disclosure

Last Updated
November 6, 2026

Medical Disclaimer

The information on ExploreMentalHealth is provided for educational and comparison purposes only. It is not medical advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Some links on this page may earn us a commission, which never affects our conclusions. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 in the US, or visit Get Help Now.