Provider vs. Provider
BetterHelp vs. Sesame
A weekly therapy subscription versus a cash-price marketplace for therapy, psychiatry and refills. How BetterHelp and Sesame compare on cost, choice of clinician and medication.
Updated Sep 2026
Compare
Head-to-head comparisons of the online mental health services we review — cost, insurance, medication, who each one suits and which to choose.
We compare facts, not scores. Some links may earn us a commission; this never affects our conclusions.Affiliate disclosure
Head to head
A weekly therapy subscription versus a cash-price marketplace for therapy, psychiatry and refills. How BetterHelp and Sesame compare on cost, choice of clinician and medication.
Updated Sep 2026
Both offer online therapy and psychiatry with non-controlled prescriptions. The difference is how you pay — Talkspace through insurance or a weekly plan, Sesame per visit at an upfront cash price.
Updated Sep 2026
BetterHelp is a weekly talk-therapy subscription; PlushCare offers per-session video therapy plus online doctors who can prescribe. Here’s how they compare on price, insurance and medication.
Updated Sep 2026
Both take insurance and can prescribe non-controlled medication. Talkspace is a mental-health specialist with messaging therapy and psychiatry; PlushCare is a medical practice with per-session video therapy.
Updated Sep 2026
Both offer online therapy and non-controlled prescriptions by video. PlushCare takes insurance; Sesame shows upfront cash prices and lets you choose your clinician.
Updated Sep 2026
BetterHelp provides talk therapy but can’t prescribe; Lemonaid prescribes depression and anxiety medication but doesn’t offer therapy. How to decide — and why many people use both.
Updated Sep 2026
Both can prescribe non-controlled medication for depression and anxiety. Talkspace adds therapy and takes insurance; Lemonaid is a low flat monthly price for medication only.
Updated Sep 2026
Two low-cost, no-insurance ways to get non-controlled mental health medication online. Sesame’s $79 plan lets you pick your prescriber; Lemonaid’s $95 plan includes delivery and a $25 first month.
Updated Sep 2026
Both can prescribe non-controlled depression and anxiety medication online. PlushCare takes insurance and offers therapy; Lemonaid is a flat $95-a-month medication plan with delivery.
Updated Sep 2026
Talkspace offers first-line care — therapy and psychiatry, often covered by insurance. Better U offers off-label at-home ketamine for treatment-resistant symptoms, self-pay. Here’s who each is for.
Updated Sep 2026
BetterHelp offers first-line talk therapy by subscription; Better U offers off-label at-home ketamine for depression, anxiety or PTSD that hasn’t responded to standard treatment.
Updated Sep 2026
Sesame offers pay-per-visit therapy and psychiatry with non-controlled prescriptions; Better U offers off-label at-home ketamine for treatment-resistant symptoms. Both are self-pay.
Updated Sep 2026
PlushCare offers insurance-covered video therapy and doctor visits with non-controlled prescriptions; Better U offers self-pay, off-label at-home ketamine for treatment-resistant symptoms.
Updated Sep 2026
Lemonaid prescribes first-line medications such as SSRIs for $95 a month; Better U offers off-label at-home ketamine for depression that hasn’t responded to standard treatment.
Updated Sep 2026
Find a pair
Pick any two services we review.
Want the full picture on one service? Read our provider reviews or the best online therapy guide.