Provider vs. provider
Sesame vs. Lemonaid Health (2026): Cheapest Online Prescriptions for Depression and Anxiety
Sesame vs. Lemonaid Health compared — $79 vs. $95 monthly medication plans, first-month costs, which medications and conditions each covers, age limits, therapy options and which to choose.
Our bottom line
Choose Lemonaid for a simple, delivered depression-and-anxiety medication plan with a $25 first month; choose Sesame if you want to pick your prescriber, need care outside Lemonaid’s age range or conditions, or want therapy too.
Sesame vs. Lemonaid Health: side by side
| Sesame | Lemonaid Health | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of service | Online therapy, psychiatry and prescriptions | Online medication management |
| Pricing | Each provider sets an upfront cash price you see before booking. Mental health visits from about $34; psychiatrist appointments average about $132 for 45 minutes. Mental Health Rx subscription $79/month. | $95 per month for ongoing care, $25 for the first month; cancel anytime. Medication delivery included. |
| Insurance | Does not bill insurance. HSA and FSA accepted. Your pharmacy may still run insurance for the medication itself. | 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 for mental health care (Sesame also lists separate pediatric visits) | Adults 25–64 (Lemonaid advises people under 25 or 64 and older to see a doctor in person) |
| Services | Online therapy sessions with a licensed therapist; Online couples therapy sessions; Online psychiatry consults with psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners; Mental health consults and prescription refill visits with primary care providers; Mental Health Rx subscription for ongoing medication care; In-person mental health consults in some areas | 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, with providers listed by state. Sesame says psychiatrists are not available in every state. | Online across the US; availability of specific services varies by state. |
| Links | Visit Sesame (opens in a new tab)Read our Sesame review | Visit Lemonaid Health (opens in a new tab)Read our Lemonaid Health review |
- Type of service
- Online therapy, psychiatry and prescriptions
- Pricing
- Each provider sets an upfront cash price you see before booking. Mental health visits from about $34; psychiatrist appointments average about $132 for 45 minutes. Mental Health Rx subscription $79/month.
- Insurance
- Does not bill insurance. HSA and FSA accepted. Your pharmacy may still run insurance for the medication itself.
- Prescribes medication
- Yes (non-controlled medications, where clinically appropriate)
- Ages served
- Adults for mental health care (Sesame also lists separate pediatric visits)
- Services
- Online therapy sessions with a licensed therapist; Online couples therapy sessions; Online psychiatry consults with psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners; Mental health consults and prescription refill visits with primary care providers; Mental Health Rx subscription for ongoing medication care; In-person mental health consults in some areas
- Availability
- Online across the US, with providers listed by state. Sesame says psychiatrists are not available in every 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
Sesame and Lemonaid Health are two of the most affordable ways to get mental health medication online without insurance. Both prescribe only non-controlled medications, and both charge a flat monthly fee for ongoing care. The differences are in what’s included, who you see, and who is eligible.
The short answer
- Lemonaid is the simpler choice for adults 25–64 who want depression or anxiety medication delivered.
- Sesame is more flexible: you choose your prescriber, it covers more conditions and ages, and it also offers therapy.
Price and what’s included
| Sesame Mental Health Rx | Lemonaid Health | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $79 | $95 ($25 first month) |
| Medication | Paid separately at your pharmacy | Delivery included |
| Visits | Same-day video visits with a provider you choose, plus messaging | Assessment, video visit, and ongoing message/phone/video check-ins |
| Pay-per-visit option | Yes, from about $34 | No |
| Insurance | Doesn’t bill insurance; HSA/FSA accepted | Direct pay |
Conditions and eligibility
Lemonaid focuses on depression, anxiety, insomnia and seasonal affective disorder, and advises in-person care for people under 25 or 64 and older, among other exclusions. Sesame providers list care for anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia, performance anxiety, non-stimulant ADHD treatment and bipolar disorder, and Sesame doesn’t apply Lemonaid’s age window for adults.
Neither service prescribes controlled substances such as stimulants or benzodiazepines.
Therapy
Only Sesame offers therapy, including couples sessions, booked per visit. If you use Lemonaid and want therapy, you’d add a separate service — see BetterHelp vs. Lemonaid.
Our verdict
For a straightforward, delivered medication plan for depression or anxiety, Lemonaid is excellent value — especially with the $25 first month. For more choice of prescriber, a broader range of conditions, or therapy on the same site, choose Sesame.
Neither is for emergencies. If you need help now, call or text 988 in the US or call 911 — see Get Help Now.
Which should you choose?
Choose Sesame if…
- You want to choose your own prescriber from profiles and reviews.
- You need care for conditions beyond depression and anxiety, such as PTSD or non-stimulant ADHD treatment.
- You’re under 25 or 64 and older.
- You’d like to book therapy or couples therapy on the same site.
Choose Lemonaid Health if…
- You’re aged 25 to 64 and want medication for depression or anxiety.
- You want medication delivered to your door as part of the price.
- You like a $25 first month to try the service.
Read the full reviews
- Sesame Care ReviewA cash-price healthcare marketplace where you book therapists, psychiatric clinicians and doctors directly. Mental health visits start around $34, and ongoing medication care costs $79 a month. No insurance needed; no controlled substances.
- 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. SesameA 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.
- Talkspace vs. SesameBoth 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.
- 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.
- PlushCare vs. LemonaidBoth 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.
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
Which is cheaper, Sesame or Lemonaid?
Do Sesame or Lemonaid take insurance?
Can I get therapy from Sesame or Lemonaid?
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