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Short answer: there’s no single “best” — the right service depends on whether you need psychiatry (medication management and diagnosis), therapy, ADHD care, price/insurance coverage, and state availability. Below are reputable online psychiatry services (what they do well) plus quick tips for choosing.
Recommended services
- Teladoc Health — Large, established telehealth company with board-certified psychiatrists and broad insurance/employer network. Good if you want an insurer-friendly option and fast access.
- Amwell — Major telehealth platform that includes psychiatrists and integrated behavioral health; often used by health systems and insurers.
- Doctor On Demand — Strong behavioral-health offerings (psychiatrists + therapists), used by many employers/insurers and good for urgent or routine psychiatry visits.
- Brightside Health — Focused on depression and anxiety treatment with structured outcome tracking, evidence-based medication management and therapy options.
- Talkiatry — Telepsychiatry-focused service specializing in medication management with psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners; good if you want psychiatry-first care rather than general telehealth.
- PlushCare — Affordable, consumer-focused service with psychiatrists and primary-care physicians who provide ongoing med management; often easier to get routine follow-ups.
- Lemonaid Health — Lower-cost, straightforward medication management for depression/anxiety and some other conditions; good for simple, budget-friendly medication needs.
- Done (Done ADHD) — Specializes in ADHD evaluation and medication management; useful if you specifically need ADHD care.
- Hims & Hers (mental health part) — Consumer-oriented, convenient for medication management and therapy referrals for anxiety/depression; approachable interface and subscription options.
Note on therapy-only platforms: BetterHelp and Talkspace focus on therapy (licensed therapists) and generally do not provide psychiatry/prescriptions — you can combine them with a psychiatry service above if you need meds plus talk therapy.
How to choose
- Confirm provider type: psychiatrists (MD/DO) vs psychiatric nurse practitioners vs primary-care physicians. Psychiatrists have the highest specialization for complex cases.
- Licensing & state coverage: the provider must be licensed in your state — availability varies.
- Prescribing rules: many platforms limit or won’t prescribe controlled substances (stimulants, some benzodiazepines) via telemedicine — ask if you need ADHD stimulant prescriptions.
- Insurance & cost: check if the service is in-network with your plan or if they accept HSA/FSA; prices and subscription models vary widely.
- Integration with therapy: some services bundle therapy + psychiatry; others focus only on med management.
- Speed & continuity: check average wait times and whether you can see the same provider for follow-ups.
- Credentials & reviews: look for board certification, provider bios, and verified patient reviews.
Safety note If you are in crisis, actively suicidal, or psychotic, call emergency services or go to your nearest ER — telehealth is not appropriate for acute emergencies.
If you tell me your priorities (insurance or self-pay, need ADHD vs depression/anxiety, state you live in, desire for bundled therapy), I can narrow this to the 2–3 best fits for you.