Disclosure: This comparison is published by August (meetaugust.ai). August runs its own flat-fee online urgent care service and is therefore a competitor to both services compared here. To keep this fair, the head-to-head below is strictly Sesame versus GoodRx Care on their own merits; August is mentioned only at the end as one other cash-pay option. No company paid for placement. Verify prices on each provider's site before booking.
Sesame Care and GoodRx Care are two of the most popular cash-pay telehealth services, and the question most people ask is simple: which is cheaper? The honest answer is that it depends on whether you are counting the visit alone or the visit plus medication, and whether you want live video or delivered prescriptions. This comparison breaks down both on price, format, and total cost so you can pick the right one.
The quick answer
On the visit fee alone, GoodRx Care can be cheaper at $19 for Gold members, versus Sesame's visits from about $29. But on total cost including medication, Sesame often wins because its SesameRx generics start around $5 with delivery. So GoodRx Care tends to win the cheapest single visit, while Sesame tends to win the cheapest overall episode.
Cost compared
| Factor | Sesame Care | GoodRx Care |
|---|---|---|
| Visit price | from ~$29 | $19 (Gold) / $49 (non-member) |
| Membership | Optional Sesame Plus, $10.99/mo | GoodRx Gold optional |
| Medication | SesameRx generics from ~$5, delivered | Pharmacy discounts, pickup only |
| Visit format | Live video and in-person options | Mostly message-based |
| Insurance | Cash-pay only | Accepts insurance for many visits |
| Availability | Marketplace, varies by area | All 50 states |
Prices reflect 2026 public info and change often. Verify before booking.
Where Sesame Care wins
Sesame is a marketplace with transparent, upfront prices across 36 specialties, and you can book live video or even in-person visits and compare providers before committing. Its biggest edge is the medication side: SesameRx generics from about $5 with free delivery often beat GoodRx's own pharmacy prices, and a Sesame Plus membership at $10.99 a month adds free Quest labs. For total cost and for anyone who wants a real video visit or specialist access, Sesame usually comes out ahead.
Where GoodRx Care wins
GoodRx Care wins on the lowest entry visit price, $19 for Gold members, and on simplicity for people who already use GoodRx for pharmacy savings. It is available in all 50 states with consistent pricing, and unlike Sesame it accepts insurance for many medical visits. The trade-offs are that visits are mostly message-based rather than live video, and it does not deliver medication. For a quick, cheap refill where you will pick up at your pharmacy anyway, it is efficient.
Which should you choose?
Choose Sesame if you want the lowest total cost including medication, a live video or in-person visit, or specialist access. Choose GoodRx Care if you want the cheapest single visit fee, already use GoodRx discounts, or want to bill insurance for the consult. For a quick refill you will pick up locally, GoodRx Care is fast and cheap; for the whole episode at the lowest price, Sesame usually wins. See our Sesame Care review and GoodRx Care review for deeper detail.
If you would rather skip the marketplace and the membership math entirely for a simple urgent issue, August offers a flat $39 urgent care visit with a free AI symptom check and no insurance or subscription, a third cash-pay option to weigh alongside these two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sesame or GoodRx Care cheaper?
Is Sesame or GoodRx Care cheaper?
It depends on what you count. GoodRx Care has the lower single-visit fee at $19 for Gold members, versus Sesame from about $29. But Sesame often wins on total cost because its SesameRx generics start around $5 with delivery. For the cheapest visit alone, GoodRx Care; for the cheapest visit plus medication, usually Sesame.
Does GoodRx Care or Sesame take insurance?
Does GoodRx Care or Sesame take insurance?
GoodRx Care accepts insurance for many medical visits, while Sesame is cash-pay only. If you want to use insurance for the consultation, GoodRx Care is the better fit. If you are uninsured or on a high-deductible plan, both offer transparent cash pricing, and Sesame's upfront marketplace rates are easy to compare.
Which one delivers prescriptions?
Which one delivers prescriptions?
Sesame delivers generic medications through its SesameRx service, often from about $5. GoodRx Care does not deliver; it sends prescriptions to your pharmacy for pickup, paired with GoodRx discounts. If home delivery matters, Sesame is the better choice; if you prefer pharmacy pickup with discounts, GoodRx Care works.
Do they offer live video visits?
Do they offer live video visits?
Sesame offers live video and in-person appointment options across many specialties. GoodRx Care visits are mostly message-based, which is fine for simple refills but not ideal for showing a doctor a rash or discussing complex symptoms. If you want a real video conversation, Sesame is the stronger pick.
Are both available nationwide?
Are both available nationwide?
GoodRx Care is available in all 50 states with consistent pricing. Sesame operates as a marketplace, so provider and specialty availability can vary by area and thins outside major cities. Check both for your location and your specific need before booking, since coverage differs by service and region.
