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BetterHelp vs MDLive

BetterHelp logo

BetterHelp

Software

Online therapy and counseling services

From
$50/week
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MDLive logo

MDLive

Software

On-demand telehealth and virtual doctor visits

From
$59/visit
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: BetterHelp pricing from $50-$90 per week billed every 4 weeks with location and therapist availability variations; MDLive visit prices vary widely by service and insurance, from $0 up to $89 for urgent care, $179 for an initial therapy appointment and $299 for an initial psychiatry appointment
  • They diverge on capability: BetterHelp covers Video Sessions, MDLive covers Video Consultations.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BetterHelp and MDLive actually diverge.

Attributes where BetterHelp and MDLive differ
AttributeBetterHelpMDLive
Starting price$50/week$59/visit
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Mobile
Founded20132002

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in BetterHelp

  • Video Sessions
  • Phone Sessions
  • Messaging
  • Journaling
  • Worksheets

Only in MDLive

  • Video Consultations
  • Mental Health Services
  • Psychiatry
  • Prescription Services
  • Urgent Care
  • Insurance
  • EHR Systems

Both cover

  • HIPAA
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support
  • Mobile support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

BetterHelp

  • Online therapy with licensed mental health professionalsnot MDLive
  • Flexible scheduling with messaging, video, phone, and live chat optionsnot MDLive
  • Access to 150+ worksheets and therapy support modulesnot MDLive
  • Weekly free group seminars with expert therapistsnot MDLive

MDLive

  • Insured patients wanting upfront-priced telehealth visits across urgent care, primary care, mental health and dermatologynot BetterHelp

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

BetterHelp

  • Pricing from $50-$90 per week billed every 4 weeks with location and therapist availability variations
  • Not suitable for minors or those under legal guardianship
  • Cannot provide official diagnoses, fulfill court orders, or prescribe medication
  • Requires reliable internet access; not appropriate for emergency or crisis situations

MDLive

  • Visit prices vary widely by service and insurance, from $0 up to $89 for urgent care, $179 for an initial therapy appointment and $299 for an initial psychiatry appointment
  • Follow-up mental health visits are billed at a flat rate before insurance: $140 for therapy and $159 for psychiatry
  • Not all insurance plans cover all MDLIVE services, so out-of-pocket cost depends on the specific plan

Pricing, plan by plan

BetterHelp

$50/week

No published plan breakdown. See the BetterHelp review.

MDLive

$59/visit
  • Primary Care Visit$59/visit
    • Board-certified doctors
    • 24/7 availability
    • Prescriptions

Which should you pick?

Choose BetterHelp if

  • You need video sessions.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want phone sessions.
BetterHelp review

Choose MDLive if

  • You need video consultations.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want mental health services.
MDLive review

Questions people ask

Is BetterHelp or MDLive better?
Neither clearly leads. BetterHelp starts at $50/week and MDLive at $59/visit, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BetterHelp or MDLive?
BetterHelp starts at $50/week and MDLive at $59/visit.
Does BetterHelp or MDLive run on more platforms?
BetterHelp runs on Web, iOS, Android. MDLive runs on Web, Mobile.
What is BetterHelp best used for?
BetterHelp is most often used for online therapy with licensed mental health professionals, flexible scheduling with messaging, video, phone, and live chat options, access to 150+ worksheets and therapy support modules, weekly free group seminars with expert therapists. Of those, online therapy with licensed mental health professionals and flexible scheduling with messaging, video, phone, and live chat options are not what MDLive is typically brought in for.
What can BetterHelp do that MDLive cannot?
BetterHelp covers Video Sessions, Phone Sessions, Messaging, Journaling. MDLive covers Video Consultations, Mental Health Services, Psychiatry, Prescription Services. Both handle HIPAA, Cloud deployment, Web support, Mobile support.
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