You need to see a doctor, but can't find the time to make it happen — or maybe you're in a location that makes it difficult. Sound familiar? Depending on the issue, telemedicine may be the answer or at least an interim solution for non-emergency concerns.
With telemedicine apps, you can receive remote healthcare services from a doctor — without stepping foot in their office. We searched for the best telemedicine apps ranked high in user ratings, quality, and overall reliability.
iPhone rating: 4.7 stars
Android rating: 3.3 stars
Price: Free
Connect to medical and pediatric doctors and access behavioral health therapy services and psychiatry whenever you need it. MDLIVE offers fast, easy, convenient access to a doctor for non-emergency issues when your primary care physician isn't available. Average wait times are under 15 minutes to consult with a state-licensed and board-certified physician.
iPhone rating: 4.9 stars
Android rating: 4.7 stars
Price: Free
With a $25 doctor consultation and free, fast delivery from the Lemonaid Pharmacy, this app offers a simple way to get a diagnosis and treatment. Just select a service and answer basic health questions. Pay your fee, and you'll get a doctor review within two hours or an immediate video consultation.
iPhone rating: 4.8 stars
Android rating: 4.5 stars
Price: Free
LiveHealth brings qualified doctors to you whenever you need them. Just sign up, log in, and choose the right doctor for your needs. Doctors using the app provide care for everything from the flu and bronchitis to allergies, skin infections, and much more. The app also features licensed therapists, lactation consultants, registered dietitians, and other professionals.
iPhone rating: 4.8 stars
Android rating: 4.7 stars
Price: Free
Use this app on your smartphone or tablet to connect with a licensed, board-certified healthcare provider for just $49 per visit, with insurance accepted. Get a diagnosis and treatment plan, even a doctor's note, all without a visit to an office.
iPhone rating: 4.9 stars
Android rating: 4.8 stars
Price: Free
With PlushCare, you can get prescriptions and treatment for a variety of ongoing and non-emergency conditions. Choose an appointment time, plug in any insurance information, and get connected to a doctor — simply and efficiently.
iPhone rating: 4.9 stars
Android rating: 4.7 stars
Price: Free
Get face to face with a doctor, psychiatrist, or psychologist whether you have insurance or not. The app's providers are licensed physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists, and they can treat hundreds of issues online through video. Your doctor will take your history and symptoms, perform an exam, and recommend treatment.
iPhone rating: 4.7 stars
Android rating: 4.3 stars
Price: Free
Amwell offers quality medical care on demand. You can schedule appointments, often with next-day availability. Before insurance, Amwell services vary between $69 or less for urgent care — up to $200 for an online psychiatry visit.
iPhone rating: 4.8 stars
Android rating: 4.2 stars
Price: Free
For those in the U.K., the Babylon app gives you access to NHS healthcare and appointments with qualified general practitioners. Speak to a GP around the clock and on weekends when you need advice or to get a diagnosis via video or phone appointments. Prescriptions can also be sent directly to your local pharmacy for collection within an hour. Babylon also has a symptom checker that analyzes millions of symptoms in seconds.
iPhone rating: 4.2 stars
Android rating: 3.4 stars
Price: Free
Talkspace is a convenient, affordable, and effective way to work toward improving your mental health. This subscription service lets you send unlimited text, audio, picture, or video messages at any time to your therapist. You'll hear back at least once per day, five days a week. You can also choose to add live video sessions.
iPhone rating: 4.5 stars
Android rating: 4.4 stars
Price: Free
Maple is a healthcare app for fast, convenient, around-the-clock access to licensed doctors in Canada. Just request a consultation with a physician, and you'll immediately be connected to a doctor through live chat or video on the app's secure platform. Get a diagnosis, prescription, sick note, or medical advice in minutes.
If you want to nominate an app for this list, email us at nominations@healthline.com.
Jessica Timmons has been a freelance writer since 2007. She writes, edits, and consults for a great group of steady accounts and the occasional one-off project, all while juggling the busy lives of her four kids with her ever-accommodating husband. She loves weight lifting, really great lattes, and family time.