Provider vs. provider
PlushCare vs. Lemonaid Health (2026): Online Doctor Visits or a Monthly Medication Plan?
PlushCare vs. Lemonaid Health compared — insurance vs. flat monthly pricing, prescribing, therapy, age limits and which is the better fit for depression and anxiety medication.
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BetterHelp
Talk to a licensed therapist from home — by message, chat, phone or video.
- 30,000+ licensed therapists
- From $70–$100/week
- 125+ insurance plans
Featured provider · Affiliate link
Sesame
Book online therapy or psychiatry at an upfront cash price — no insurance needed.
- Visits from about $34
- Same-day appointments
- Therapy, psychiatry & refills
Our bottom line
Choose PlushCare if you have insurance or want therapy and a doctor in one place; choose Lemonaid if you’re paying yourself and just want an affordable, delivered depression-and-anxiety medication plan.
PlushCare vs. Lemonaid Health: side by side
| PlushCare | Lemonaid Health | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of service | Online therapy and primary care | Online medication management |
| Pricing | Therapy $169 per session. Doctor visits $129 without insurance, plus a membership of $19.99/month or $149/year. | $95 per month for ongoing care, $25 for the first month; cancel anytime. Medication delivery included. |
| 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. | Direct-pay; insurance is not required. |
| Prescribes medication | Yes (non-controlled medications, where clinically appropriate) | Yes (non-controlled medications, where clinically appropriate) |
| Ages served | Adults 18+ for therapy | Adults 25–64 (Lemonaid advises people under 25 or 64 and older to see a doctor in person) |
| Services | Individual online therapy (adults); Online primary care and urgent care visits; Mental health medication through PlushCare physicians; Prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy | Online assessment and video visit with a clinician; Prescription medication for depression and anxiety; Ongoing check-ins by message, phone or video; Medication delivered to your door |
| Availability | Doctors licensed in all 50 states; you see a therapist licensed in your state. Availability of specific services varies by state. | Online across the US; availability of specific services varies by state. |
| Links | Visit PlushCare (opens in a new tab)Read our PlushCare review | Visit Lemonaid Health (opens in a new tab)Read our Lemonaid Health review |
- Type of service
- Online therapy and primary care
- 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.
- Prescribes medication
- Yes (non-controlled medications, where clinically appropriate)
- Ages served
- Adults 18+ for therapy
- Services
- Individual online therapy (adults); Online primary care and urgent care visits; Mental health medication through PlushCare physicians; Prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy
- Availability
- Doctors licensed in all 50 states; you see a therapist licensed in your state. Availability of specific services varies by state.
- Type of service
- Online medication management
- Pricing
- $95 per month for ongoing care, $25 for the first month; cancel anytime. Medication delivery included.
- Insurance
- Direct-pay; insurance is not required.
- Prescribes medication
- Yes (non-controlled medications, where clinically appropriate)
- Ages served
- Adults 25–64 (Lemonaid advises people under 25 or 64 and older to see a doctor in person)
- Services
- Online assessment and video visit with a clinician; Prescription medication for depression and anxiety; Ongoing check-ins by message, phone or video; Medication delivered to your door
- Availability
- Online across the US; availability of specific services varies by state.
Details last verified September 25, 2026. Prices and coverage change often — confirm current details with each provider. Links marked as affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.Learn more
PlushCare and Lemonaid Health can both prescribe common medications for depression and anxiety online. PlushCare is a full online medical practice that takes insurance and also offers therapy. Lemonaid is a focused, flat-price medication service.
The short answer
- PlushCare if you have insurance, want therapy too, or want one doctor for your wider health.
- Lemonaid if you’re paying yourself and just want medication, delivered, at a predictable price.
Cost
| PlushCare | Lemonaid Health | |
|---|---|---|
| Prescriber visits | $129 without insurance, plus $19.99/month or $149/year membership | Included in $95/month ($25 first month) |
| Medication | Sent to your local pharmacy (paid separately) | Delivered, included |
| Therapy | $169 per session | Not offered |
| Insurance | Many plans; most in-network patients pay $30 or less per doctor visit | Direct pay |
Prescribing and eligibility
Both prescribe non-controlled medications such as SSRIs and neither prescribes controlled substances. Lemonaid advises in-person care for people under 25 or 64 and older and for several higher-risk situations; PlushCare treats adults of all ages and can also manage other medical conditions alongside your mental health.
Our verdict
With insurance, or if you want therapy and a regular online doctor, PlushCare is the better fit. Without insurance, for medication alone, Lemonaid is simpler and usually cheaper.
If you’re in crisis, call or text 988 in the US or call 911. See Get Help Now.
Which should you choose?
Choose PlushCare if…
- You have insurance PlushCare accepts.
- You want therapy as well as medication.
- You’d like a primary care doctor for other health needs too.
- You’re outside Lemonaid’s 25–64 age range.
Choose Lemonaid Health if…
- You’re paying out of pocket and want a predictable $95 monthly price (with a $25 first month).
- You want medication delivered and unlimited check-ins included.
- You only need medication for mild to moderate depression or anxiety.
Read the full reviews
- PlushCare ReviewA telehealth practice offering video therapy for adults at $169 a session, plus online doctor visits that can prescribe non-controlled medication. Insurance accepted.
- Lemonaid Health ReviewAn online medical service that assesses depression and anxiety and prescribes non-controlled medication for $95 a month ($25 the first month). It does not provide talk therapy.
More provider comparisons
- BetterHelp vs. PlushCareBetterHelp 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.
- Talkspace vs. PlushCareBoth 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.
- PlushCare vs. SesameBoth offer online therapy and non-controlled prescriptions by video. PlushCare takes insurance; Sesame shows upfront cash prices and lets you choose your clinician.
- BetterHelp vs. LemonaidBetterHelp 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.
- Talkspace vs. LemonaidBoth 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.
- Sesame vs. LemonaidTwo 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.
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
Is Lemonaid cheaper than PlushCare?
Does PlushCare or Lemonaid offer therapy?
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 27, 2026
- Last updated
- September 27, 2026
- Last medically reviewed
- Review pending