Top Telemedicine Apps Worldwide – A Detailed List

Telehealth usage has increased lately in the COVID-19 pandemic, as consumers and healthcare providers have found various ways to access and deliver healthcare services safely. 

In April 2020, comprehensive telehealth usage for outpatient care and office visits was 78 times more than in Feb’2020, as reported by McKinsey & Company. 

Post-pandemic, a report revealed that about 74% of patients were satisfied and happy with their telemedicine experience, and around 76% are expected to utilize telemedicine further. 

We can say telemedicine is not going anywhere. It’s going to stay here for a long time.

Seeking services from a healthcare provider has never been easier. Thanks to telemedicine, which makes virtual visits a quick, highly accessible, and efficient form of care that you can accomplish using your app. 

But how can we choose the best telemedicine app?

This post will put forward the top telemedicine apps worldwide according to ratings, cost, pros, cons, and much more. 

What Are Telemedicine Apps?

One of the best ways to access healthcare appointments with psychiatrists, nurses, and doctors is on the internet using a computer or phone. These appointments with healthcare experts are usually video calls through a platform or app, such as email support, online chat messaging, and telephone calls.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined telemedicine as follows – “The delivery of health care services, where distance is a critical factor, by all health care professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information for the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and injuries, research and evaluation, and for the continuing education of health care providers, all in the interests of advancing the health of individuals and their communities.”

Well, this new concept of telemedicine has not emerged to put aside the trend of clinic visits to a doctor. Instead, the innovators want to improve routine healthcare programs. 

Telemedicine can be used to

• Communicate with a healthcare provider and check if they need to seek a physical appointment. 
• Renew or request specific prescriptions for medications.
• Access various mental health services, like therapy and more.

Related Post: Telemedicine App Development

Types of Telemedicine

The telemedicine sector arrives with various apps like education, patient care, administration, public health, and research. Every below category (types of telemedicine) plays an essential role in complete healthcare and, when used properly, can provide real benefits for both patients and healthcare providers. 

1. Real-time Telemedicine

Also known as live telemedicine, real-time telemedicine eases doctor-patient visits anywhere, anytime. Live telemedicine encloses two-way communications (including phone consultations and video conferencing) that facilitate real-time communication between patients and healthcare providers. 

One can conduct various tests via real-time telemedicine, like essential visual examinations, medical history assessments, and ophthalmic and psychiatric evaluation tests. 

2. “Store-and-Forward” Practices

In this category of telemedicine, there’s no physician-patient interaction or presence of any of these parties together. The patient details are passed via electronic media to the provider in the form of biosignals or medical images, who reviews it at their convenience and offers expert advice. 

The patient’s well-arranged and clear history and clinical background, primarily in electronic form and images, are included for the physician’s ease. This telemedicine category is helpful in the medical diagnostic fields of radiology, pathology, and dermatology. 

The chief disadvantage of this category is that the healthcare provider can’t get the patient’s medical history directly from the patient or conduct any physical treatment. Instead, physicians need to rely on the information they receive in electronic form. 

3. Remote Patient Monitoring

This telemedicine category includes patient monitoring remotely using multiple technological devices. It’s primarily beneficial for chronic follow-up conditions like asthma, diabetes, and heart disease. 

The results appear to be the same as traditional physician-patient meets. It may be cost-effective and saves the patients from traveling long to the healthcare providers suffering from health issues for routine checkups. 

Other remote patient monitoring apps include home-based nocturnal dialysis, joint disease management, and more.

Telemedicine Market Stats

• In 2020, the telemedicine market increased to about $60.9 billion and is likely to grow by 18.2% until 2027. 
• In 2020, this market revenue in North America reached $36.6 billion because of surging requirements to reduce the rising healthcare costs. 
• By 2028, the telemedicine segment revenue will likely grow by $33,373.8 million as doctors progressively use telemedicine services in hospital settings for specialist consultation. 
• In 2022, the global Telemedicine Market size was recorded at $12,893.8 million, which is expected to boost by 2028 and catch up with $33,373.8 million. 
• The worldwide Telemedicine Market is likely to have a fantastic CAGR of approximately 17.2% by 2028. 
• By 2027, the telehospital segment revenue will likely reach $121.6 billion because of these services’ increasing adoption and use.

Source 1 and Source 2.

Benefits of Telemedicine App

• The healthcare facility is available to rural or underserved patients without traveling to the hospital. 
• Aged patients and people suffering from chronic illness can get regular check-ups and monitoring via telemedicine apps. 
• One can perform drug monitoring and dose management on the telephone also. 
• You can save your travel time and the treatment cost.
• Telemedicine apps enable health education by permitting health workers and students to examine and listen to healthcare specialists in their respective fields. 
• The availability of case presentations and educational material through teleconferencing and webcasts will make medical teaching achievable. 
• Online medical websites, journals, and electronic search engines offer the latest research news to keep health professionals updated. 
• Experts can also discuss complex cases with each other. 
• Telemedicine apps facilitate patients to take part in decision-making.
• Computerized databases available on telemedicine apps, specifically in primary care settings, permit healthcare specialists to access patients’ records if needed for multidisciplinary collaboration. 
• These may enhance the patient’s treatment.
• Patients are offered home-based dialysis options through video link supervision. 
• You can overcome the infection transmission risk between the patients and care professionals or between the patients.  

Top Telemedicine Applications in the USA

1. K Health

iPhone Rating: 4.7 / Android Rating: 4.1

Using this app, you can chat with a doctor directly from your phone for an entire day and even at night. There’s no need to take an appointment or any waiting room. 

The user needs to pay $29 per month for an unlimited membership, and it doesn’t charge any extra or hidden charges. This app allows you to get the best quality health care from healthcare experts and treatment remotely. 

On this app, 300+ doctors can deliver complete care virtually, anytime. Also, you will get assistance managing chronic issues, meeting your lifestyle targets, or easing your medical plan. 

Insurance: Not needed 

Cost to download: Free

Pros 

• You can chat with your experts at a reasonable price. 
• The user can reap the benefit of the COVID-19 screening tool.
• This app offers prescriptions for lab tests or medications.
• The user gets the symptom checker.
• It also saves medical history. 

Cons

• The users will have to wait a long time to connect and get virtual treatment from a doctor.
• The paid membership of this app is expensive. 

2. Doctor on Demand

iPhone Rating: 4.9 / Android Rating: 4.9

This app lets users connect with a doctor face-to-face, a psychologist, or a psychiatrist through video on their iPad or iPhone. It also works with or without insurance and is available at a low cost through various major health plans. The users will always see their cost upfront and will not get any hidden or surprise bill to post their visit. 

The health providers of this app are board-certified, licensed, and US-based. With 4.9 out of 5 ratings, this app’s psychologists, psychiatrists, and physicians are well-experienced across various specialties. 

Insurance: Works with or without

Cost to download: Free

Pros

• This app offers customer service round-the-clock. 
• The users can avail of services with and without insurance
• You can get prescriptions for lab work and medications.
• The users can get treatment for various issues, like depression and cholesterol. 

Cons

• If you need mental health from the app’s psychiatrist, you can’t get any controlled resolution from these doctors. 
• Customer service is also not good. 

3. Teladoc

iPhone Rating: 4.8 / Android Rating: 4.6

Teladoc app offers the best healthcare services, embracing mental health, virtual primary care, dermatology, expert medical advice, and routine care in fifty states via app, web, or phone. 

This app includes various board-certified healthcare providers, therapists, dermatologists, licensed nurses, leading specialists, and nutritionists who can diagnose and advise treatment and offer prescription medication for various medical problems. 

Insurance: Works with and without 

Cost to download: Free

Pros

• The service is available 24/7/365. 
• The doctor’s visit is not restricted to any fixed amount of time. 
• Prescriptions can be sent to the local pharmacy. 

Cons

• Some users have faced treatment refusal from doctors, even if it lies in the list of treatments they can offer.
• The patients are charged for the healthcare services they are not offered. 
• Generally, doctors don’t listen and sometimes argue with patients (as they have reviewed on the app).

Related Post: List of Top Telemedicine Apps and Telemedicine Websites in India

4. MDLive

iPhone Rating: 4.7 / Android Rating: 4.6

The doctors of the MDLive app are board-certified and state-licensed, holding about 15+ years of experience. This app has two National Committee for Quality Assurance certifications and is recognized by the American Telemedicine Association. 

MDLive doctors are caring, friendly, proficient, and compassionate in offering virtual medical consultations. People usually recommend this app to their families and friends for virtual doctor’s visits. 

Insurance: Offers insurance plans

Cost to download: Free

Pros

• Patients can reap the benefit of virtual visits anytime, even on holidays.
• Short-term prescription refills.
• Patients can use this app to get mental health support from licensed psychiatrists and therapists. 
• MDLive offers dermatology services also. 
• It offers the best treatment for 50+ non-emergency conditions. 

Cons

• Sometimes, patients need to wait for a long time to get virtual healthcare. 
• Users are not pleased with customer service sometimes. 

iPhone Rating: 4.9 / Android Rating: 4.2

5. Lemonaid

At Lemonaid, the team of doctors offers everyone the best healthcare services at affordable prices, even if they don’t have health insurance. They are charged the same price as an insured patient is charged. But, they are asked to take health insurance at just a small cost of $25. 

On Lemonaid, users can get popular prescription drugs at low prices. So, what else can anyone get? 

You can meet an online health coach, doctor, or nurse practitioner feeling comfortable at home. The prescription medications are packed carefully with convenient and fast shipping. 

Insurance: No health insurance is needed

Cost to download: Free

Pros

• Lemonaid can be used easily on websites and apps.
• It offers highly competitive pricing.
• The professionals on this app are highly-qualified and experienced.
• It also has a mail-order pharmacy. 

Cons 

• It may be one of the best telemedicine apps in the USA, but it can’t replace traditional long-term medical care. 
• Certain medical conditions still need patients to go to doctors in person to get treated. 
• As you are not meeting a professional healthcare provider in person, there is more risk of missing something. 

6. LiveHealth

iPhone Rating: 4.9 / Android Rating: 4.5

Using this telemedicine app, you can get virtual visits to licensed therapists, board-certified doctors, registered dieticians, lactation consultants, and more by joining live video on your tablet, smartphone, or computer. 

It’s a convenient and easy way to get the healthcare you need at work or home. The doctors on the LiveHealth app can access your health condition and give you a treatment plan to feel better soon. You just need to download the app and sign up to start. 

Insurance: Not available

Cost to download: Free

Pros

• Using this telemedicine app, you can talk to a board-certified psychiatrist, licensed therapist, board-certified doctor, customer support agent, or licensed psychologist anytime. 
• Moreover, you can sync your Apple Health information and share it with doctors during virtual visits. 
• Users can access LiveHealth Online with their mobile device or an iOS or Android computer. 
• Using this app, you can access the select LiveHealth Online doctors well-trained to offer an affirming and safe room for LGBTQ+ people. 

Cons

• The users can just access LiveHealth Online in the US.
• You may have to wait up to two weeks to meet a psychiatrist. 
• On LiveHealth Online, you can complete DMV forms, disability reports, service dog requests, insurance requests, or FMLA. 

7. PlushCare

iPhone Rating: 4.9 / Android Rating: 4.7

This telemedicine application is new and has already been preferred for its trusted reputation. Patients are using this app to get treatment from well-experienced doctors at the leading fifty medical schools in the country. It works with major insurers, also.

This healthcare app has a helpful chat feature that allows users to ask their medical questions to doctors and other medical staff on this app. The questions to ask and messages are unlimited on this app. This feature is best for you if you have to write various questions before or after your doctor’s appointments. 

Insurance: Works for the insured; if you don’t have one, you will be asked to pay for insurance. 

Cost to download: Free

Pros

• This app allows you to message and ask queries unlimitedly with the medical staff. 
• The users can work with the leading insurers.

Cons 

• The cost of an uninsured visit is high.
• This app offers its medical and healthcare services only in the U.S.

iPhone Rating: 4.9 / Android Rating: 4.4

8. Amwell

Amwell is an online medical service that provides on-demand doctor visits using its mobile app or website. It accepts various major health insurances, including United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, etc. 

This medical care app offers breastfeeding support, psychiatry services, nutrition counseling, and therapy. Once the patient is enrolled, the doctors are available 24*7, and they can even schedule an easy appointment or see the doctors there, usually within minutes. 

Insurance: Required for urgent care visits only. Works with top insurance providers. 

Cost to download: Free

Pros 

• This app schedule visits 24/7 as per your availability.
• The top-quality and secure streaming makes interactions with patients more manageable. 
• The healthcare providers on this app can send prescriptions to patients’ nearby pharmacies. 
• Enrollment is simple on this app.
• The costs are generally lower than actual visits. 
• Patients can choose any healthcare professional their choice.

Cons

• On this app, telehealth services are exhausting if linked with other types of remote communication. 
• Certain healthcare services on this app, like getting a second recommendation, are not covered under health insurance.
• The treatment is covered by a chosen number of employers and health insurance plans. 
• Some users may face technical issues, specifically if there’s a weak internet connection. 
• If the patients are not insured, they need to pay for that. 

9. Talkspace

iPhone Rating: 4.7 / Android Rating: 4.1

One of the most affordable and convenient ways to make your mental health better is Talkspace. Using this app, you can comfortably find the licensed therapist in your space via your device, audio, video, and message via text. 

You can even put forward your therapy preferences and choose the one meeting your choices in your state. Also, you can send unlimited text, picture, video, or audio messages any time, anywhere, and get a revert at least a day and five days a week. 

Insurance: Not Available

Cost to download: Free

Pros

• Users can switch therapists at no extra cost whenever they want to.
• Talkspace will meet your preferences for licensed therapists near you in your state.
• You can discuss it with your therapist if you have a mobile device or computer and an internet connection. 
• This platform encrypts your communication and provides a password-secured login system to keep your data confidential. 

Cons

• Medicaid and Medicare don’t cover the Talkspace services.
• Talkspace’s pricing details are not available until the user signs up.
• Some may find the service costly, specifically if you don’t have any health insurance.
• This app ensures anonymity by removing the user’s name, but some may not find it comfortable. 
• Live sessions of therapists are available just at higher-priced plans. 

10. BCBSM Online

iPhone Rating: 4.9 / Android Rating: 4.6 

This telemedicine app assists you see your doctor virtually for Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) health plan’s Michigan members. It permits you to handle essential health requirements when you can’t reach the doctor’s office.  

You can connect with doctors for mental and physical services and request care even for your child. 

Insurance: People with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan healthcare coverage and costs depend on your plan.

Cost to download: Free 

Pros

• This app is free.
• You can seek doctors for your mental and physical health services and request care for your kids too. 
• It has nationwide coverage.
• It has a massive network of healthcare providers. 
• You can choose from various Medicare insurance options.
• Also, you can reap the advantage of the Blue365 discount program. 

Cons 

• This app is confined to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan members.
• Each BCBS plan is different.
• This app has earned average quality ratings.

11. Spruce

iPhone Rating: 4.8 / Android Rating: 4.8

It’s a communication platform between patients and doctors and doesn’t offer standard telemedicine services. This app gives patients and healthcare professionals a dashboard for keeping medical needs on top, even if they can’t meet doctors at their offices. Typically, the clinic or doctor invites their patients to join the platform. 

Spruce, a telemedicine app in the USA, safeguards patients’ medical details following HIPAA laws with secure audio, text messaging, and video tools. Also, it provides the users ease in filling out the health questionnaires or sending the prewritten message templates to spot various medical requirements without the need to leave their homes. 

Insurance: The costs rely on the patient’s insurance and doctor’s fees.

Cost to download: Free

Pros

• The app lets users stay connected with their medical providers to address various medical questions without reaching the offices. 
• Besides, you can fill out the questionnaires also using the app. 
• This app is HIPAA compliant and easy to use.
• It’s affordable and reliable, and customer support service is also as expected.
• You can easily navigate through the system.
• People are using Spruce to catch up with various healthcare practices. 

Cons

• This telemedicine app doesn’t offer traditional telehealth services.
• The users need a mobile phone to use the features; the app doesn’t work for laptops or desktops for direct calls. 
• Some functions are challenging to implement, like rerecording personal messages, and blocking unwanted contact numbers even if they have been mentioned in the customer guide. 

12. BetterHelp

iPhone Rating: 4.7 / Android Rating: 4.6

Insurance: Medicare, Medicaid, or Health insurance, generally, these don’t cover the therapy cost from BetterHelp. 

Cost to download: Free

Pros

• The app users get an unlimited messaging opportunities with their therapist.
• You can easily navigate the app and site. 
• You can easily change therapists.
• The app users will find such therapy services more reasonable than in-person therapy. 
• People can also try the service for free for a week. 
• It’s available in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Cons

• Your insurance might not cover BetterHelp’s costs.
• The users can’t control the therapists they choose for conducting their therapies; however, they can switch when needed. 
• Users may find it tough to use if they don’t have constant access to internet services or any private area for conducting therapy sessions.

13. Zocdoc

iPhone Rating: 4.7 / Android Rating: 4.3

Zocdoc, a medical app, is helping millions of users worldwide who look for healthcare providers. You can find the best healthcare providers in and out of the network who are well-qualified and assist patients in becoming well. 

This telemedicine app aims to connect the doctors with the community they want to serve, to keep the users happy, healthy, and well cared for. 

The users can care for the healthcare providers near them and immediately book the appointments that work with their schedule. 

Besides, you can use the Zocdoc insurance checker and filter for the medical specialists who accept your medical care plan. Also, you can track your yearly checkups and handle your healthcare requirements. 

Insurance: You can scan your insurance card and find the doctors that match.

Cost to download: Free

Pros

• This app is free for eligible patients.
• It offers its users access to 50+ different providers. 
• You can avail of customer services 24/7.
• You can even look for local medical specialists.
• This app allows users to schedule video or in-person visits.
• The users can scan their insurance to find the covered doctors.

Cons

• The availability may be confined depending on the area where the app users live. 
• There’s no guarantee that you will get results from all types of doctors you are seeking for. 

Compliance Considerations for Telemedicine

To secure telemedicine solutions, you must pick the right security systems and technologies.

For example:

Web App Protection 

Internet-facing solutions demand strict protection against various external attacks. Therefore, it’s necessary to implement a Web Application Firewall that can offer protection against all external threats by restricting them and alerting the IT team when encountering bad requests. 

Intrusion Detection System (IDS)

A telemedicine solution needs to be developed with a robust IDS that constantly performs network monitoring for any malicious activity or policy violation. 

Log Management

This approach manages vast messaging logs that may help in auditing ahead. Such logs may record events based on apps, users, or systems.

Besides deploying these security systems, a HIPAA-compliant telemedicine app should offer a data encryption facility to safeguard data during transmission, need to hold end-to-end secure network connections, and more. 

A reliable technology partner can help you on this edge in the healthcare sector. 

Difference Between Telehealth and Telemedicine

Telehealth 

A broad term, Telehealth refers to the technology used to provide services to patients for medical specialists’ educational or administrative purposes. 

The Health Resources Services Administration defines telehealth as: “The use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration.”

Generally, the technologies used for telehealth incorporate wireless communication, streaming media, videoconferencing, the internet, and stored images. 

Telehealth is not restricted just to communicating with doctors. It could be pharmacists, nurses, or even social workers who use telehealth services for medical discussions. 

Such services can offer people social support, education, medication, and help diagnose any health issue. 

Telehealth also comprises non-clinical services, like training for administrative meetings, healthcare providers, and continued education. 

Examples of telehealth mediums are:

• A video-conferencing platform is used for endless education for healthcare experts. 
• A public health app alerts users about a disease outbreak in their areas. 

Telemedicine 

It’s a specific type of telehealth that directs the use of technology to deliver healthcare from a provider to a patient in a separate location.

Telemedicine aims to improve patient health by facilitating two-way real-time monitoring or communication. 

This service is beneficial, especially for people in rural regions, developing countries, and underserved communities. 

These populations suffered earlier as they didn’t have healthcare access. Also, it’s a fantastic option for patients with mobility issues or immunocompromised patients.

The technology required for a telemedicine visit to a doctor is a device or phone with a camera and internet. 

Examples of telemedicine would be:

• Physicians use a mobile application to treat their patients via video chats.
• A secure software system facilitates patients to send medical experts pictures of a swift diagnosis. 
• Remote monitoring of vital signs and activities of a patient 

Conclusion

If we look at the bright edge of the pandemic, we will know that it has welcomed new options for patients to connect with their providers. 

Relying on the condition of the patients, they don’t need to wait longer following the time-consuming, traditional process of booking an appointment, going to the doctor’s office, staying in a queue, and so forth. 

In the world of telemedicine apps, every user will get something they want: treatments, virtual visits to doctors, medication advice, and more. 

You can also try your luck in the healthcare industry looking to develop a telemedicine app. The market will not fall for quite a long as everyone seeks ease and comfort to meet their requirements, especially concerning healthcare services. 

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