Cost difference: Rula averages $15 copays with insurance while Amwell doesn't publicize its insurance copays — self-pay is $99 or less per session.
Network size: Rula offers access to 22,000 licensed providers across 180+ specialties, compared to Amwell's 2,200+ mental health professionals with fewer disclosed specialties.
Service flexibility: Rula provides both virtual and in-person therapy options with secure messaging, while Amwell is virtual-only with video and phone appointments.
Age coverage: Rula serves children as young as 5 for therapy and teens 13+ for psychiatry, whereas Amwell requires patients to be 10+ for therapy and 18+ for psychiatry services.
Insurance acceptance: Rula is in-network with 170 plans including Medicare Advantage and Medicaid, while Amwell accepts many plans but doesn't specify Medicare/Medicaid coverage for behavioral health.
If you're comparing Rula vs. Amwell for online therapy with insurance, the biggest differences come down to cost, provider network size, and how quickly you can start.
With one in five U.S. adults experiencing mental illness each year, finding the right mental health platform shouldn't feel like another barrier to care. When you're ready to start therapy or psychiatry, you need a service that actually works with your insurance, fits your schedule, and connects you with providers who understand your specific needs. The difference between platforms isn't just about features — it's about whether you can afford ongoing care and find someone you trust.
In this guide, we'll compare Rula and Amwell across the factors that matter most: cost with insurance, provider network size, appointment availability, and service options.
Rula vs. Amwell: Differences at a glance
Rula and Amwell are both telehealth platforms that connect you with licensed mental health professionals, but they take different approaches to cost, network size, and service delivery. Understanding these key differences helps you choose the platform that best fits your needs and budget.
Average cost per session:
Rula: $15 with insurance
Amwell: $99 or less with insurance (self-pay)
Number of providers:
Rula: 22,000 licensed providers
Amwell: 2,200+ mental health professionals
Modes of communication:
Rula: Video via Zoom, in-person therapy, secure messaging
Amwell: Video and phone appointments only
Services offered:
Rula: Individual therapy (ages 5+), couples therapy, family therapy, psychiatry (ages 13+)
Amwell: Individual therapy (ages 10+), couples therapy, psychiatry (ages 18+)
Insurance acceptance:
Rula: In-network with 170 plans including Medicare Advantage and Medicaid
Amwell: Accepts many plans but Medicare/Medicaid acceptance not specified
States covered:
Rula: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Amwell: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Number of specialties offered:
Rula: 180+ clinical specialties and modalities
Amwell: Number not disclosed
Inclusivity and patient focus:
Rula: 51% BIPOC providers, 40+ languages, detailed identity filters
Amwell: LGBTQ+ counseling listed, diversity metrics not disclosed
Virtual-only or virtual + in-person availability:
Rula: Both virtual and in-person options
Amwell: Virtual-only
The care you need, when you need it
Learn how Rula can support your mental health journey
Rula at a glance
Rula is a mental health platform that connects you with licensed therapists and psychiatric providers covered by your insurance. The platform focuses on making quality care both accessible and affordable, with appointments often available as soon as tomorrow. Rula serves a wide age range, offering therapy for people 5 and older and psychiatry for those 13 and up, combining telehealth convenience with the option for in-person sessions.
"Rula was the only way I was able to find a therapist. Everywhere else I was running into barriers. At a time when I was really struggling, finding help seemed impossible. Rula made it possible," says a Rula patient.
You can schedule an appointment in as little as three minutes and receive a personalized cost estimate before your first session, with typical copays around $15. With over 22,000 licensed providers offering more than 180 clinical specialties, you can filter by specialty, gender, ethnicity, and other factors to find a provider who understands your specific needs across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Amwell at a glance
Amwell is an established telehealth platform founded in 2006 that provides digital healthcare services, including behavioral health. The platform connects you with psychologists, counselors, and psychiatrists for scheduled video or phone appointments. Amwell operates as a virtual-only service with no in-person therapy options, offering individual therapy for people 10 and up and psychiatry services for adults 18 and older.
To use Amwell, you browse provider profiles showing their education and experience, select a provider, and schedule an appointment. Therapy appointments depend on provider availability, while psychiatry appointments typically have a wait time of 14 days or less. With a network of more than 350 mental health professionals, Amwell provides nationwide coverage with self-pay rates of $99 or less for therapy.
Clinical outcomes and how we compare
Clinical outcomes and evidence-based approaches show whether a platform delivers effective care that helps people make real progress. Measurable improvements in symptoms demonstrate the quality and impact of mental healthcare services.
Rula provides specific data showing clear clinical effectiveness and patient satisfaction:
93% of people felt better about their symptoms after receiving care through Rula.
Clinical outcomes are more than 10% better than those of other national groups.
Patients typically report improvement after just three sessions.
94% of clients find a provider they feel comfortable with and who listens with respect.
98% find a provider that meets their unique preferences.
Amwell focuses on satisfaction ratings rather than symptom-based outcomes:
97% of therapy clients said they were very or extremely satisfied with their therapist
Average provider rating of 4.9 out of 5 for therapy sessions
Client satisfaction with psychiatry services rated 4.9 out of 5
Cost and insurance coverage
Because therapy is often covered by insurance, choosing a platform that works with your plan matters. Rula is in-network with more than 170 insurance plans, including Medicare Advantage and Medicaid in many states. Amwell accepts many insurance plans but doesn't explicitly state whether it accepts Medicare or Medicaid for behavioral health services.
Insurance plans accepted
Insurance accepted by therapists on Rula:
*Actual cost may vary based on your insurance benefits and deductible. Rula provides patients with a personalized cost estimate prior to the first appointment.
Insurance accepted by providers on Amwell:
Aetna
Anthem
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Health Alliance Plan
UnitedHealthcare
Kaiser Permanente (select plans)
And more
Amwell doesn't specify Medicare or Medicaid acceptance. Coverage varies significantly by plan, and you must enter your insurance information to determine eligibility.
Out-of-pocket costs (with insurance)
With Rula, your typical copay is about $15 per session when using insurance. You receive a personalized cost estimate before your first appointment, so you know exactly what to expect based on your specific plan and deductible.
Amwell doesn't disclose an average copay cost, so patients must verify coverage with Amwell prior to their first appointment to determine exact out-of-pocket expenses.
HSA/FSA eligibility
Rula accepts health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) cards directly for payment, making it easy to use pre-tax health funds. You can also submit receipts for reimbursement from your accounts.
Amwell accepts HSA and FSA payments, too, but you should confirm with your insurance to ensure your service will be covered.
Self-pay pricing
For those paying without insurance, the cost structures differ significantly between platforms.
Rula self-pay rates:
$150 for an individual therapy session
$165 for a couples therapy session
$225 for an initial psychiatry session
$175 for a follow-up psychiatry session
Amwell self-pay rates:
$99 or less for a therapy appointment
$199 for an initial psychiatry visit
$95 for a follow-up psychiatry visit
Mental health services offered
The range of services a platform offers determines whether it can meet your specific needs as they evolve. If you're unsure whether you need therapy or psychiatry, understanding how each platform handles both can help you decide.
Treatment approaches offered by Rula
Rula's large provider network offers extensive therapeutic approaches and specialties to address diverse mental health needs.
Most common approaches
Emotionally focused therapy) (EFT)
Behavioral therapy
Cognitive processing therapy) (CPT)
Collaborative assessment and management of suicidality) (CAMS)
Moral reconation therapy) (MRT)
Solution-focused brief therapy) (SFBT)
Insight-oriented
Complicated grief therapy) (CGT)
Relationship-based
Internal family systems) (IFS)
Parent-child interaction therapy) (PCIT)
Experiential therapy
Humanistic therapy
Rula also provides medication management through licensed psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) for people ages 13 and older. This integrated approach allows coordination between your therapist and psychiatric provider when needed. Rula's licensed providers offer over 180 clinical specialties, ensuring you can find care tailored to your specific situation.
Treatment approaches offered by Amwell
Amwell's network offers evidence-based care for common mental health conditions.
Common therapy modalities:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Motivational interviewing
Clinical specialties include:
Anxiety and anxiety disorders
Bipolar disorder
Bereavement and grief
Depression
Insomnia and sleep issues
Life transitions
LGBTQ+ counseling
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Panic attacks
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and trauma
Social anxiety
Stress management
Medication management is available through board-certified psychiatrists for adults 18 and older only. Amwell providers cannot prescribe controlled substances via telehealth, which may require coordination with your primary care physician for certain medications.
Inclusivity and specialized care
Finding a provider you trust and feel comfortable with is essential for effective therapy. Cultural competency, shared identity, and specialized expertise significantly impact your therapeutic relationship and outcomes.
Rula inclusivity and specialization overview
Rula prioritizes helping every person find a provider who truly understands them through diverse representation and detailed matching tools.
Licensure types: The network includes licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), licensed professional counselors (LPCs), psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs).
Specializations offered: With over 180 specialties, you can find experts in areas ranging from child therapy and trauma to eating disorders and relationship counseling.
Languages available: Providers represent 40+ languages, ensuring you can receive care in the language you're most comfortable speaking.
Inclusivity factors: 51% of Rula's provider network identifies as BIPOC, reflecting the platform's commitment to diverse representation. You can filter providers by gender, ethnicity, age, faith, and other identity factors to find someone who shares your background or worldview.
Amwell inclusivity and specialization overview
Amwell offers specialized care with less transparency around provider diversity and cultural competency programs.
Licensure types: The network includes psychologists, social workers, and board-certified psychiatrists who are licensed physicians.
Specializations offered: Amwell lists common specialties like anxiety, depression, and stress management, and explicitly offers LGBTQ+ counseling and therapy for children and teens ages 10-17 with parental consent.
Languages available: Amwell doesn't publicly disclose the number of languages spoken by its providers or specific language availability.
Inclusivity factors: While Amwell lists LGBTQ+ counseling as a specialty, it doesn't provide data on provider diversity such as BIPOC representation. The matching process is self-directed, where you review provider profiles to find a good fit based on their listed education and experience.
The care you need, when you need it
Learn how Rula can support your mental health journey
Platform availability and access
Access barriers like long wait times, limited scheduling options, or inflexible formats can prevent you from getting help when you need it. Understanding how each platform handles scheduling, communication, and appointment logistics helps ensure you can actually use the service.
How access works with Rula
Rula removes common barriers to care through a system designed for speed, flexibility, and choice.
States served: Therapy, psychiatry, and in-person care are available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Matching process: Rula uses a curated approach where you share your needs and insurance details, then receive a list of in-network providers. You can filter by specialty, identity factors, and other preferences to find the right match.
Session formats: You can choose between live video appointments via Zoom or in-person sessions at provider offices. Secure messaging through the patient portal is available for communication between sessions.
Scheduling: You can schedule an appointment in as little as three minutes, with availability often as soon as tomorrow and guaranteed within three days.
App/portal experience: Rula uses a secure, web-based patient portal accessible on any computer, tablet, or mobile device for scheduling, messaging, and managing your care.
How access works with Amwell
Amwell provides access through a traditional telehealth model with emphasis on its mobile app experience.
States served: Services are available nationwide in all 50 states, operating only within the United States.
Matching process: The process is user-directed, where you browse provider profiles and select a clinician based on their education, experience, and approach.
Session formats: Care is delivered through video or phone appointments only, with no in-person options or between-session messaging features.
Scheduling: All care is by scheduled appointment, with psychiatry appointments typically available within 14 days. The platform offers day, night, and weekend availability.
App/portal experience: Amwell has a dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android that you can use for scheduling and attending appointments.
What each platform does best
Understanding what each platform does best helps you choose based on what's most important for your mental health journey. Your decision should reflect your specific priorities, whether that means finding affordable care, accessing a wide range of providers, getting appointments quickly, or meeting particular clinical needs.
Rula excels when you need:
Affordable ongoing care with insurance coverage
Fast access to appointments (as soon as tomorrow)
Both virtual and in-person therapy options
Care for children as young as 5 years old
A large, diverse provider network
Extensive clinical specialties
Amwell excels when you need:
Lower self-pay rates if paying out-of-pocket
A dedicated mobile app for appointments
Phone appointment options in addition to video
An established telehealth platform with nearly two decades of operation
High satisfaction ratings from existing users
Summary: Is Rula or Amwell right for you?
Rula and Amwell represent different approaches to mental healthcare access. Rula operates as an insurance-first platform with a vast network of over 22,000 providers, offering both virtual and in-person care with typical copays around $15. Amwell is a virtual-only telehealth platform with a smaller network of 2,200+ professionals and higher costs for insured patients.
Rula's broader age eligibility, extensive provider filtering options, and comprehensive insurance acceptance make it particularly strong for families and individuals seeking personalized, affordable care. While Amwell's lower self-pay rates and mobile app may appeal to some users, Rula's significantly larger network, diverse provider representation, and insurance-centric approach provide more comprehensive access for most people seeking ongoing mental healthcare.
Consider these questions when deciding:
Do you plan to use insurance, and what's your budget for copays?
Do you want the flexibility of both virtual and in-person appointments?
How quickly do you need to see a provider?
Are you seeking care for a child or teen, and what age requirements apply?
Is it important to find a provider who shares your identity or background?
Do you need extensive specialty options or medication management services?
Rula FAQs
Are therapists on Rula in-network with insurance, and how much do people typically pay per session?
Yes, therapists on the Rula platform are in-network with most major insurance plans. Rula patients typically pay $15 per session, although your individual cost may vary based on your insurance benefits and deductible — Rula will work with your insurance to confirm your estimated per session cost before your first appointment.
What insurance plans does Rula accept?
Rula accepts commercial plans from most major insurance carriers including Aetna, Anthem, most Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield plans, Cigna, Kaiser (by referral), Optum, Oscar, and United Healthcare. Rula also accepts some Medicare Advantage plans in and coverage varies by state.
What are Rula's cash rates for therapy and psychiatry if I'm not using insurance?
Rula offers a cash rate of $150 per session for individual therapy and $165 per session for families or couples. The cash rate for psychiatry sessions is $225 for an initial 60-minute intake session and $175 for 30-minute follow-up sessions, and you can also use your HSA or FSA to cover out-of-pocket expenses.
How soon can I meet with a provider on the Rula platform for a live video therapy session?
Providers in Rula's network are available to meet via live video as soon as tomorrow. You can explore providers and book your first session in minutes.
What ages can I (or my child/teen) receive therapy or medication management through Rula?
The Rula network of therapists is able to treat children, teens, and adults ages 5 and up. For psychiatry and medication management, providers are able to serve patients ages 13 and older.
Find care with Rula
Choosing between mental health platforms matters because the right fit can make the difference between getting started and staying stuck. With Rula, you can verify your insurance in minutes, browse providers who match your specific needs and preferences, and see your estimated costs upfront — no surprises. Appointments are often available as soon as tomorrow, so you can move from deciding to doing without the usual delays.
When you're ready to take the next step, Rula is here to make it straightforward.
Rula Health
Rula’s editorial process
Rula’s editorial team is on a mission to make science-backed mental health insights accessible and practical for every person seeking to better understand or improve mental wellness.
Members of Rula’s clinical leadership team and other expert providers contribute to all published content, offering guidance on themes and insights based on their firsthand experience in the field. Every piece of content is thoroughly reviewed by a clinician before publishing.
