10 Cheapest Online Therapy & Psychiatry Services of October 2026
Quick answer
As of October 2026, the cheapest online mental health service we track is Headspace (from $5.83/mo, Headspace App (meditation, sleep, Ebb AI companion)), followed by Sunnyside (from $8.25/mo) and Talkiatry (from $20/mo). Across the 21 providers we compared, starting prices run $5.83–$500/mo (median $95).
- Lowest price1Headspace
- From $5.83/mo for Headspace App (meditation, sleep, Ebb AI companion)
- Offer: 7-day free trial; $69.99/yr works out to $5.83/mo
- Therapy in all 50 states, in-network with 45+ plans; most insured members pay $0-35 per session and see an…
6.9Good - 2Sunnyside
- From $8.25/mo for Sunnyside App (Basic / Cutback Coach)
- Offer: 15-day free trial; billed annually ($99 or $298/yr)
- Low-cost entry point: habit app with human text coaching at $99/year, 15-day free trial and a 30-day…
6.7Good - 3Talkiatry
- From $20/mo for Psychiatric Evaluation & Medication Management
- Offer: Insurance copay per visit; no cash-pay option
- Board-certified psychiatrists (not only NPs) with 60-minute adult and 75-minute child/teen intake visits
6.9Good - 4Hims & HersNames Its Pharmacy
- From $49/mo for Anxiety / Depression Treatment
- Offer: $49/mo billed quarterly
- Price includes provider visits and shipping
7.9Very Good - 5Klarity Health
- From $51/mo for ADHD Initial Evaluation
- Low advertised entry price ($49 self-pay, $51 for ADHD initial visit) with broad insurance acceptance (400+…
5.5Fair - 6GoodRx
- From $59/mo for Anxiety and Depression Visit (one-off, priced per visit)
- Offer: $59 per visit, or $19 with a Companion membership at $14.99/mo
- Per-visit care from $39–70 with no membership, or $19 a visit with the $14.99/mo Companion membership
7.3Good - 7Kick HealthNames Its Pharmacy
- From $59/mo for Performance Beta-Blocker Program
- Offer: $99 initial consult
- Price includes provider visits and shipping
7.3Good - 8Cerebral
- From $60/mo for Medication Only
- Offer: $180 billed every three months, an average of $60/mo; prescription costs included when using their pharmacy…
- Price includes provider visits and shipping
6.0Fair - 9Nurx
- From $69/mo for Mental Health (Medication Management)
- Offer: $59 one-off initial consultation, then $69/mo care fee; medication is separate at about $25/mo cash. No…
- Price includes provider visits and shipping
7.0Good - 10Sesame Care
- From $79/mo for Mental Health Rx Subscription
- Offer: Same-day video visits, unlimited messaging and refills included
- No subscription required — pay-per-visit model
7.4Good
Side-by-side comparison
| # | Provider | Score | From | Intro offer | Labs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headspace | 6.9 | $5.83/mo | Yes | — |
| 2 | Sunnyside | 6.7 | $8.25/mo | Yes | — |
| 3 | Talkiatry | 6.9 | $20/mo | Yes | — |
| 4 | Hims & Hers | 7.9 | $49/mo | Yes | — |
| 5 | Klarity Health | 5.5 | $51/mo | — | — |
| 6 | GoodRx | 7.3 | $59/mo | Yes | — |
| 7 | Kick Health | 7.3 | $59/mo | Yes | — |
| 8 | Cerebral | 6.0 | $60/mo | Yes | — |
| 9 | Nurx | 7.0 | $69/mo | Yes | — |
| 10 | Sesame Care | 7.4 | $79/mo | Yes | — |
Starting prices as listed on each provider's site, checked Oct 9, 2026. Prices can change with dose, plan length and promotions.
Key numbers
- 21 providers compared
- Lowest starting price: $5.83/mo
- Median starting price: $95/mo
- 0 of 21 include lab work in at least one plan
- 14 of 21 have an intro offer or first-month discount
How we ranked these
Ordered by the lowest starting price we verified on each provider's own website. Prices we couldn't verify are left out. Ties go to the provider with the higher overall score. Read the full methodology
What to look for
Therapy vs. medication management — know which you need
Medication-only plans are much cheaper than therapy bundles. If you mainly need an SSRI refill managed, don't pay for weekly therapy sessions you won't use — and vice versa.
Prescriber standards for controlled substances
Reputable platforms are conservative about stimulants and benzodiazepines via telehealth. A platform that seems eager to prescribe controlled medication quickly is a red flag, not a convenience.
Therapist matching and switching
The evidence is clear that therapist fit drives outcomes. Check how easy it is to switch therapists and whether you choose from profiles or get assigned.
Session format honesty
'Messaging therapy' plans vary from genuine asynchronous care to templated check-ins. If you want live sessions, confirm how many video sessions per month the price actually includes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best online mental health service?
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Headspace ranks #1 on this list with a score of 6.9/10 and plans from $5.83/mo. Scores weigh trust and safety, value, patient experience, product range and reputation.
What is the cheapest online mental health service?
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Of the providers on this list, Headspace has the lowest starting price at $5.83/mo (Headspace App (meditation, sleep, Ebb AI companion)). Starting prices often rise with dose or after an intro period, so compare the ongoing price too.
How much does an online mental health service cost?
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Across the 21 providers we compared, starting prices range from $5.83 to $500 per month, with a median of $95. 14 of them run an intro offer or first-month discount.
How are these providers ranked?
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This list is ordered by the lowest verified starting price we found on each provider's own site; ties go to the higher-scoring provider. Prices we couldn't verify are left out.
Can online psychiatrists prescribe antidepressants?
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Yes. SSRIs, SNRIs, and most other non-controlled psychiatric medications can be prescribed via telehealth after an evaluation with a licensed prescriber. Controlled substances like Adderall and Xanax face much stricter federal and platform-level rules, and many reputable platforms don't prescribe them remotely at all.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person?
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For common conditions like anxiety and depression, research consistently finds video-based therapy roughly comparable to in-person care. The bigger variable is therapist quality and fit — which is why we weight platforms on matching flexibility and clinician credentials rather than the video format itself.
Why is there such a price range across mental health platforms?
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The main drivers are what's bundled (medication management only vs. therapy plus medication), session frequency, and whether sessions are live video or messaging-based. Comparing 'price per live session hour plus medication management' is the cleanest way to compare plans.
What happened with telehealth ADHD prescribing?
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During the pandemic, some platforms prescribed stimulants aggressively under relaxed rules, drawing DOJ and DEA scrutiny — and at least one major platform overhauled its leadership and protocols as a result. The industry has since tightened significantly. We factor regulatory history directly into our trust scores.