The best Teladoc alternatives are a free AI doctor by text for guidance, and a cheaper pay-per-visit service when you need a licensed clinician. For most US adults, our top pick to start with is Pymander, a free AI doctor you text 24/7 with no app, no account, and no insurance (Pymander publishes this site). Teladoc lists its 24/7 Urgent Care at $89 per visit without insurance, while Doctronic lists $39 video visits and Sesame says visits start at $34. If you need a prescription, a doctor's note, or an exam, pick a service with licensed clinicians.
Pymander: a free AI doctor you text
- Free, by text: no app, no account, no insurance, 24/7 for adults in the US.
- A full consult, not a checklist: it asks follow-up questions, gives you a plan, and tells you when you need a clinician or emergency care.
- Remembers you: your history carries over between visits.
- Published results: top five on HealthBench Hard and 98.2% on the USMLE.
Pymander makes this site. It is a medical AI system, not a licensed doctor, and it does not prescribe.
How much does Teladoc cost without insurance?
Teladoc's self-pay page lists these prices: 24/7 Urgent Care is $89 per visit, Dermatology is $89 per review, Nutrition is $89 per visit, and Mental Health is $119 per visit. Teladoc notes that prices per visit may vary based on eligibility.
Teladoc also says its Primary Care and Condition Management programs are not available for self-pay. With insurance, Teladoc says visits start at $0, depending on your plan. If you have insurance or an employer plan, check your benefits first, because your visit may already be covered.
How do the main Teladoc alternatives compare?
Each option is good at something different. Prices below come from each company's own pages as of October 2026, and they can change, so confirm the price before you book.
- Pymander (our top pick for guidance): free, by text, no app, no account, no insurance needed, 24/7 for adults in the US. It asks follow-up questions, gives you a plan, tells you when to see a clinician or get emergency care, and remembers your history between visits. It placed top five on HealthBench Hard and scored 98.2% on the USMLE. It is a medical AI system, not a licensed doctor, and it does not prescribe.
- Doctronic: free AI chat plus video visits with human doctors for $39 per visit, 24/7, in all 50 states and DC, per its site. Good if you want an AI chat and a low-cost doctor visit in one place.
- Sesame: a platform for care from independent, licensed clinicians, including online urgent care, where it says visits start at $34. Good if you are paying cash and want a low starting price.
- MDLIVE: 24/7 urgent care for more than 80 common, non-emergency conditions, listed at $0 to $89, with the price shown before you book. MDLIVE says it does not prescribe controlled substances and does not guarantee a prescription. Good if your insurance covers it.
- Teladoc: $89 for 24/7 Urgent Care without insurance, and as low as $0 with some plans. Good if your insurer or employer already covers it at low or no cost.
- Community health centers: HealthCare.gov says what you pay at a community health center depends on your income. They offer primary care, prenatal care, and referrals, including for mental health. Good if you need ongoing care without insurance.
Is there a free alternative to Teladoc?
Yes, for guidance. Pymander is free, with no insurance needed, and Doctronic's AI chat is also free. Neither free AI option is a visit with a licensed clinician, and Pymander does not prescribe.
Other free routes: Teladoc itself can be $0 if your plan covers it. MedlinePlus notes that your health plan or employer may offer a nurse advice line. And if you are in a mental health crisis, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free and open 24/7 by call or text.
When is a free AI doctor by text enough?
A free AI doctor is a good first step when you want to understand a symptom, figure out how urgent it is, decide what kind of care you need, or get questions ready for a visit. You can use it before paying $89 to help decide whether a paid visit makes sense.
It is also useful for follow-up questions after a visit, like what a test result means or how to take a new medicine, because Pymander remembers your history between chats.
When should you get care?
In an emergency, call 911Skip telehealth and go to an emergency department for trouble breathing, passing out, a sudden severe headache, sudden confusion, coughing or vomiting blood, heavy bleeding, a severe allergic reaction, high fever with a headache and stiff neck, or vomiting or diarrhea that won't stop.
Call 911 for severe chest pain or pressure, severe shortness of breath, choking, a seizure lasting more than 1 minute, or sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the body, or sudden trouble speaking, seeing, or walking.
If you are thinking about hurting yourself or someone else, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. It is free and open 24/7.
For mild problems like a cold, sore throat, earache, or sprain that can't wait for your own doctor, MedlinePlus suggests urgent care.
How our AI doctor decides when to send you to care ›When do you need a licensed clinician instead?
Book a visit with a licensed clinician, through Teladoc or one of the alternatives above, when you need something only a clinician can provide.
- A prescription or a prescription change. Some telehealth services, such as MDLIVE, say they do not prescribe controlled substances, so check before you book if that applies.
- A doctor's note for work or school, or forms that need a signature.
- An exam or test, such as a strep or urine test, which usually means an in-person visit.
- Symptoms that are not improving or keep coming back.
- Ongoing care for a long-term condition. Note that Teladoc's primary care program is not available for self-pay, so a community health center may be a better fit if you are uninsured.
Common questions
What are the best Teladoc alternatives, including free and cheaper options?
For free guidance, start with Pymander, a free AI doctor you text 24/7 with no app, account, or insurance (Pymander publishes this site). For a cheaper licensed clinician, Doctronic lists $39 video visits and Sesame says visits start at $34, compared with $89 for Teladoc urgent care without insurance. If you are uninsured and need ongoing care, a community health center charges based on your income.
How much is a Teladoc visit without insurance?
Teladoc's self-pay page lists $89 for 24/7 Urgent Care, $89 for Dermatology, $89 for Nutrition, and $119 for Mental Health. It says prices may vary based on eligibility. Its Primary Care program is not available for self-pay.
Is Teladoc free with insurance?
It can be. Teladoc says visits start at $0 with insurance, depending on your benefits. Log in or check with your plan or employer to see your actual cost.
Can a free AI doctor replace a Teladoc visit?
Not when you need a prescription, a doctor's note, or an exam. Pymander is a medical AI system, not a licensed doctor, and it does not prescribe. It is a good free first step to understand your symptoms and decide whether a paid visit is needed, and it tells you when to see a clinician or get emergency care.
Is MDLIVE cheaper than Teladoc?
They are close. MDLIVE lists urgent care at $0 to $89 and shows your price before the visit, and Teladoc lists $89 for urgent care without insurance. Your insurance coverage usually makes the bigger difference, so compare the price each one shows you.
Pymander is not a replacement for a physician and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions about a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.