Amwell vs Cerebral
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top telehealth platforms picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Amwell
Ranked #2 of 15 in this directory
Virtual care connecting patients with doctors and therapists
Cerebral
Ranked #6 of 15 in this directory
Online psychiatry and therapy for anxiety and depression
Our pick: Amwell. Our editors rank Amwell higher overall in Telehealth Platforms — but Cerebral can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Amwell | Cerebral | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Primary Care | Mental Health |
| Editorial rank | #2 of 15 | #6 of 15 |
Strengths
Amwell
- ✓Deep partnerships with major health systems and insurance carriers
- ✓Psychiatry and therapy services available alongside primary care
- ✓Insurance integration means many visits are covered at copay rates
- ✓Health system partnerships allow access to your existing medical records
Cerebral
- ✓Subscription includes prescriber visits, medication delivery, and optional therapy
- ✓Works with most major insurance plans to reduce out-of-pocket costs
- ✓Handles prior authorizations for medications on your behalf
- ✓Focus on anxiety, depression, and insomnia — the most common mental health conditions
Watch out for
Amwell
- !Availability depends heavily on your insurance and location
- !Direct-to-consumer pricing is higher without insurance
- !App experience can feel clinical and less user-friendly than competitors
- !Specialist availability varies significantly by region
Cerebral
- !Past regulatory scrutiny around prescribing practices has affected reputation
- !Cancellation process has drawn complaints from some subscribers
- !Not suitable for severe mental health conditions requiring in-person care
Best use cases
Amwell
- →Use your employer's insurance to see a primary care doctor for $25 copay via video
- →Get a psychiatric evaluation and medication management through monthly virtual visits
- →Connect with a therapist for cognitive behavioral therapy sessions from home
Cerebral
- →Person with anxiety or depression wanting online psychiatry with medication management
- →Patient needing medications delivered to their door with prescriber oversight
- →Individual wanting to combine therapy and psychiatry in one subscription platform
About each tool
Amwell
Amwell provides virtual healthcare visits with board-certified physicians, psychiatrists, and therapists through video and phone consultations. The platform partners with major health systems and insurance carriers to offer integrated telehealth experiences. Amwell's technology also powers telehealth programs for hospitals and health plans, giving it deep infrastructure in the healthcare system beyond direct-to-consumer services.
Cerebral
Cerebral offers online psychiatry and therapy services with a focus on anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The subscription model includes monthly prescriber visits, medication delivery, and optional therapy sessions. Cerebral handles prior authorizations and works with most major insurance plans to minimize out-of-pocket costs for ongoing mental health care.
Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
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