Provider vs. provider
Talkspace vs. PlushCare (2026): Which Online Therapy and Medication Service Fits?
Talkspace vs. PlushCare compared — therapy plans vs. per-session pricing, insurance and copays, psychiatry vs. primary care prescribing, teens and couples, and which to choose.
Featured provider · Affiliate link
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 Talkspace for dedicated mental health care — messaging therapy, psychiatry, teens and couples; choose PlushCare if you want per-session video therapy alongside a primary care doctor for your wider health.
Talkspace vs. PlushCare: side by side
| Talkspace | PlushCare | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of service | Online therapy and psychiatry | Online therapy and primary care |
| Pricing | Self-pay therapy $69/week (messaging), $99/week (video + messaging) or $109/week (adds workshops). Couples $109/week. Psychiatry $299 initial evaluation, $175 per follow-up. | Therapy $169 per session. Doctor visits $129 without insurance, plus a membership of $19.99/month or $149/year. |
| Insurance | In network with plans covering 100+ million Americans, including select Aetna, Cigna, Optum, Anthem, Premera, Medicare and TRICARE plans. Average copay $10 for therapy and $15 for psychiatry; many members pay $0. EAP, HSA and FSA accepted. | 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) | Yes (non-controlled medications, where clinically appropriate) |
| Ages served | Adults 18+; teens 13–17 with parental consent (therapy only) | Adults 18+ for therapy |
| Services | Individual therapy (adults); Teen therapy (ages 13–17, with parental consent); Couples therapy; Psychiatry and medication management (adults); Text, audio and video messaging plus live 30-minute video sessions; Therapist-led workshops (on the top plan) | Individual online therapy (adults); Online primary care and urgent care visits; Mental health medication through PlushCare physicians; Prescriptions sent to your local pharmacy |
| Availability | Online across the US; you are matched with a provider licensed in your state. | Doctors licensed in all 50 states; you see a therapist licensed in your state. Availability of specific services varies by state. |
| Links | Visit Talkspace (opens in a new tab)Read our Talkspace review | Visit PlushCare (opens in a new tab)Read our PlushCare review |
- Type of service
- Online therapy and psychiatry
- Pricing
- Self-pay therapy $69/week (messaging), $99/week (video + messaging) or $109/week (adds workshops). Couples $109/week. Psychiatry $299 initial evaluation, $175 per follow-up.
- Insurance
- In network with plans covering 100+ million Americans, including select Aetna, Cigna, Optum, Anthem, Premera, Medicare and TRICARE plans. Average copay $10 for therapy and $15 for psychiatry; many members pay $0. EAP, HSA and FSA accepted.
- Prescribes medication
- Yes (non-controlled medications, where clinically appropriate)
- Ages served
- Adults 18+; teens 13–17 with parental consent (therapy only)
- Services
- Individual therapy (adults); Teen therapy (ages 13–17, with parental consent); Couples therapy; Psychiatry and medication management (adults); Text, audio and video messaging plus live 30-minute video sessions; Therapist-led workshops (on the top plan)
- Availability
- Online across the US; you are matched with a provider licensed in your state.
- 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.
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
Talkspace and PlushCare are two of the few online services that can give you both therapy and a prescription — and both accept insurance. The difference is focus. Talkspace is a mental health specialist, with messaging-based therapy and a psychiatry service. PlushCare is an online medical practice that offers video therapy alongside primary care doctors.
The short answer
- Talkspace suits people who want dedicated mental health care, messaging with a therapist, or teen and couples therapy.
- PlushCare suits people who want per-session video therapy and a doctor who can also handle their general health.
Cost and insurance
| Talkspace | PlushCare | |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy (self-pay) | $69–$109 per week | $169 per session |
| Prescriber visit (self-pay) | $299 first psychiatry visit; $175 per follow-up | $129 per doctor visit, plus $19.99/month or $149/year membership |
| Insurance | Plans covering 100+ million Americans, incl. Medicare and TRICARE; avg. $10 therapy copay | Many plans; most in-network patients pay $30 or less per doctor visit |
For weekly therapy without insurance, Talkspace costs less. For occasional prescription visits without insurance, PlushCare’s doctor visits cost less than Talkspace psychiatry.
Who prescribes
Talkspace medication management is handled by psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners — specialists in mental health medication. PlushCare prescriptions come from physicians (primary care), who commonly prescribe first-line medications such as SSRIs. For straightforward depression or anxiety, either can work; for more complex needs, a psychiatric specialist may be preferable. Neither prescribes controlled substances.
Therapy format
Talkspace combines messaging (text, audio, video) with live video sessions of 30 minutes on self-pay plans. PlushCare offers scheduled one-to-one video sessions, paid per session. Talkspace also offers teen (13–17) and couples therapy; PlushCare therapy is for individual adults only.
Our verdict
For focused mental health care — especially with messaging, teens or couples — choose Talkspace. For per-session therapy combined with an all-round online doctor, choose PlushCare. If both are in network for you, compare your copays: they are often the deciding factor.
Neither is for emergencies. If you need help now, call or text 988 in the US, or see Get Help Now.
Which should you choose?
Choose Talkspace if…
- You want messaging with a therapist between sessions.
- You want a psychiatric clinician (psychiatrist or psychiatric NP) rather than a primary care doctor managing your medication.
- You have Medicare or TRICARE.
- You want teen or couples therapy.
Choose PlushCare if…
- You want traditional per-session video therapy with no subscription.
- You’d like a primary care doctor for other health needs as well as mental health.
- You have insurance PlushCare accepts but Talkspace doesn’t.
- You need quick, same-day doctor visits for prescriptions and refills.
Read the full reviews
- Talkspace ReviewAn online therapy and psychiatry service that is in network with plans covering 100+ million Americans, including Medicare and TRICARE. Self-pay therapy costs $69–$109 a week; psychiatry prescribes non-controlled medication.
- 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.
More provider comparisons
- Talkspace vs. BetterHelpThe two biggest online therapy services, compared on price, insurance, session length, psychiatry, teens and couples, and privacy — with a clear answer on which to choose.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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, Talkspace or PlushCare?
Who is better for medication, Talkspace or PlushCare?
Do Talkspace or PlushCare offer couples therapy?
References
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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