Amwell vs MDLive
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
MDLive
Ranked #3 of 15 in this directory
Virtual healthcare backed by Evernorth and Cigna
Our pick: Amwell. Our editors rank Amwell higher overall in Telehealth Platforms — but MDLive can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Amwell | MDLive | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Primary Care | Primary Care |
| Editorial rank | #2 of 15 | #3 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
MDLive
- ✓Backed by Cigna/Evernorth with deep insurance network integration
- ✓24/7 urgent care availability with short wait times
- ✓Dermatology consultations with photo upload and async review
- ✓Behavioral health services including psychiatry and therapy
- ✓Often available at $0 copay for Cigna members
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
MDLive
- !Best value is limited to Cigna and Evernorth network members
- !Provider continuity can be inconsistent across visits
- !Non-insurance pricing is less competitive than newer platforms
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
MDLive
- →Use your Cigna insurance for a $0 copay urgent care visit for a UTI or pink eye
- →Upload skin photos for an asynchronous dermatology consultation within 24 hours
- →Schedule ongoing therapy sessions with a licensed behavioral health provider
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.
MDLive
MDLive, now part of Evernorth (Cigna's health services division), provides virtual urgent care, primary care, dermatology, and behavioral health services. The acquisition by Cigna has expanded MDLive's reach through one of the largest health insurance networks in the country. Board-certified doctors are available 24/7 for urgent care consultations with an average wait time under 15 minutes.
Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
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