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Brightside Health vs Sesame Care: Which Is Better?

Head-to-head comparison of Brightside Health and Sesame Care based on our independent scoring across trust, value, experience, product range, and reputation — plus real pricing for the treatments they both offer.

Our Verdict

Sesame Care scores higher overall in our independent evaluation (74/100 vs 67.3/100), leading on trust & safety, value, experience, reputation.

67

Brightside Health is a venture-backed online psychiatry and therapy platform using an AI-assisted prescribing tool, with limited, insurance-gated access to stimulant medications.

Visit Brightside Health
74

Pay-per-visit marketplace connecting patients with licensed providers — no subscriptions, transparent per-visit pricing.

Visit Sesame Care

Score Breakdown

DimensionBrightside HealthSesame Care
Overall Score67.3/10074/100 ✓
Trust & Safety30%68/10075/100 ✓
Value25%65/10080/100 ✓
Experience20%68/10070/100 ✓
Product Range15%70/10070/100
Reputation10%65/10070/100 ✓

At a Glance

Founded20172019
HeadquartersOakland, CANew York, NY
Publicly tradedNoNo
Treatment categories16
Treatments listed35
Starting price$95/mo$34/mo

Pricing Where They Compete

Prices shown are based on our most recent research and may not reflect current pricing. Telehealth providers update their pricing frequently. Always verify pricing directly with the provider before purchasing.

CategoryBrightside HealthSesame Care
Mental Health$95
Psychiatry Plan
$45–$99
Mental Health Visit

Brightside Health

+More conservative controlled-substance policy than most psychiatry peers — no benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, or gabapentin, and stimulants only for insured members in select states
+Accepts insurance in addition to self-pay, unlike several cash-only competitors
+Solid Trustpilot sentiment (4.0/5, 1,527 reviews) on clinical staff friendliness and attentiveness
−Prescribes Schedule II-V controlled substances via telehealth, which depends on DEA telemedicine flexibilities currently extended only through 2026-12-31 — a future rule change could disrupt care continuity
−Patients report unexpected costs and unclear insurance coverage after appointments
−Provider-matching can require multiple attempts before finding a suitable clinician
Read the full Brightside Health review →

Sesame Care

+No subscription required — pay-per-visit model
+Transparent pricing shown before booking
+Wide range of specialties available
−No integrated pharmacy
−Less continuity of care than subscriptions
−Provider quality varies in marketplace model
Read the full Sesame Care review →

Brightside Health vs Sesame Care — FAQ

Is Brightside Health better than Sesame Care?

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Sesame Care scores higher overall in our independent evaluation (74/100 vs 67.3/100), leading on trust & safety, value, experience, reputation.

Is Brightside Health or Sesame Care cheaper?

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Sesame Care has the lower starting price (from $34/mo vs $95/mo for Brightside Health). Starting prices are for the cheapest treatment each offers — compare the specific treatment you need, and check what each price includes.

What do Brightside Health and Sesame Care both offer?

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Both platforms treat Mental Health. Brightside Health covers 1 treatment category total and Sesame Care covers 6.

Still deciding?

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