If you are dealing with a skin condition — acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, anti-aging — you no longer need to wait 3 months for a dermatologist appointment. Online dermatology platforms connect you with licensed providers who can evaluate your skin, prescribe medications, and ship treatments to your door.
But the platforms are not interchangeable. Some specialize in acne and cosmetic concerns. Others handle a broader range of medical dermatology conditions. Pricing models differ significantly, and some accept insurance while others do not. Here is how the major platforms compare in 2026.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Best For | Monthly Cost | Insurance | Conditions Treated | Provider Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curology | Acne + custom formula | $22.95–$49.95 | No | Acne, anti-aging, rosacea | NPs, PAs, dermatologists |
| Apostrophe | Prescription acne + medical derm | $25–$75+ | No (FSA/HSA accepted) | Acne, rosacea, melasma, anti-aging, eczema | Board-certified dermatologists |
| Nurx | Budget-friendly acne care | $20–$40 | Yes (some plans) | Acne, anti-aging | NPs, PAs |
| MDLIVE / Teladoc | Insurance-covered derm consults | $0–$75 copay | Yes (most plans) | Full medical dermatology | Board-certified dermatologists |
| DermatologistOnCall | Serious medical derm conditions | $75–$95 per visit | Yes (some plans) | Full medical dermatology including psoriasis, skin cancer screening | Board-certified dermatologists |
| Hims/Hers | Simple acne + anti-aging | $25–$50 | No | Acne, anti-aging | Licensed prescribers |
Curology: Best Custom Formula for Acne
Curology pioneered the custom compounded formula model for acne treatment. After submitting photos and a questionnaire, a provider creates a personalized mix of active ingredients tailored to your skin. Common ingredients include tretinoin, azelaic acid, clindamycin, niacinamide, and tranexamic acid.
Strengths
- Custom formulation: Your treatment is mixed to order based on your specific concerns, which eliminates the trial-and-error of buying individual products
- Affordable: $22.95/month for the formula only, $49.95/month for the full skincare set
- Subscription convenience: Ships monthly, easy to adjust or cancel
- Good for mild-to-moderate acne, rosacea, and anti-aging
Limitations
- Providers are mostly NPs and PAs, not board-certified dermatologists. For simple acne, this is fine. For complex skin conditions, you may want a dermatologist.
- Limited scope: Curology focuses on acne, rosacea, and anti-aging. It does not treat psoriasis, eczema flares, suspicious moles, or other medical dermatology conditions.
- No insurance accepted: Everything is self-pay.
- Oral medications: Curology can prescribe oral medications like spironolactone, but its primary model is topical custom formulas.
Apostrophe: Best Board-Certified Dermatologist Access
Apostrophe differentiates itself by using only board-certified dermatologists for evaluations. The platform handles acne, rosacea, melasma, eczema, and anti-aging through asynchronous consultations (you submit photos, a dermatologist reviews and prescribes).
Strengths
- Board-certified dermatologists: Every consultation is reviewed by a derm, not a mid-level provider
- Broader treatment scope: Prescribes oral medications (isotretinoin for severe acne, spironolactone, doxycycline), topicals, and custom formulas
- Higher-strength prescriptions: Willing to prescribe tretinoin, isotretinoin, and other prescription-strength medications that some platforms avoid
- FSA/HSA accepted: While insurance is not accepted, you can use pre-tax health spending accounts
Limitations
- Higher cost: Initial consultation is $25, but medication costs can push monthly expenses to $75+ depending on what is prescribed
- No insurance billing: All costs are out-of-pocket
- Asynchronous only: No live video visits. For some patients, this feels impersonal.
- Does not treat all conditions: While broader than Curology, Apostrophe does not handle complex medical dermatology like biologic management for psoriasis
Nurx: Budget-Friendly with Insurance Options
Nurx started as a birth control platform but expanded into dermatology. It offers acne and anti-aging treatments at competitive prices with some insurance acceptance.
Strengths
- Low cost: Treatments start at $20/month
- Insurance accepted: Some plans cover consultations, reducing out-of-pocket costs
- Simple user experience: Easy onboarding with photo-based assessment
Limitations
- Narrow scope: Primarily acne and basic anti-aging
- Provider quality varies: NPs and PAs, not dermatologists
- Limited medication options: Does not prescribe isotretinoin or manage complex conditions
MDLIVE / Teladoc: Best for Insurance-Covered Visits
If your health insurance covers telehealth dermatology, MDLIVE and Teladoc are likely your most cost-effective options. These platforms function as virtual dermatology offices — you book an appointment, see a board-certified dermatologist via video, and receive prescriptions sent to your regular pharmacy (where you use your insurance for the medication).
Strengths
- Insurance coverage: Most major insurance plans cover dermatology visits through these platforms. Your cost is typically your normal specialist copay ($25–$75).
- Full medical dermatology: These dermatologists can evaluate suspicious moles, manage psoriasis, diagnose rashes, and prescribe the full range of medications including biologics (with appropriate referrals)
- Board-certified dermatologists: Live video consultations with licensed specialists
- Prescriptions go to your pharmacy: You use your insurance pharmacy benefit for medications, which can significantly reduce costs
Limitations
- Availability: Appointment slots can be limited. Wait times of 1–2 weeks are common in some areas.
- No custom formulas: These platforms prescribe standard medications, not custom-compounded products like Curology
- Without insurance, visits are expensive: $95–$200 per visit without coverage
How to Choose the Right Platform
For Acne
If your acne is mild to moderate and you want a convenient, affordable solution: Curology or Nurx. If your acne is moderate to severe and you may need oral medications or isotretinoin: Apostrophe or an insurance-covered platform like MDLIVE.
For Medical Dermatology (Psoriasis, Eczema, Rashes)
Go with MDLIVE, Teladoc, or DermatologistOnCall. These conditions often require prescription medications that should be billed through insurance, and may need follow-up visits and lab monitoring that cosmetic platforms do not support.
For Anti-Aging
Any platform works for basic retinoid prescriptions. Apostrophe offers the most sophisticated anti-aging prescriptions (higher-strength tretinoin, custom formulas with tranexamic acid and hydroquinone). Curology is the most affordable option for a tretinoin-based routine.
For Budget-Conscious Patients
If you have insurance: MDLIVE or Teladoc for the visit, then fill prescriptions at your pharmacy with insurance. If you are self-pay: Nurx or Curology for the lowest monthly cost.
What Online Dermatology Cannot Do
Online platforms have real limitations:
- Skin biopsies: If a mole or lesion needs to be biopsied, you need an in-person visit
- Skin cancer diagnosis: Online platforms can flag suspicious lesions and recommend in-person evaluation, but definitive diagnosis requires histopathology from a biopsy
- Procedures: Cryotherapy, cortisone injections, and excisions require in-office visits
- Complex biologic management: While a dermatologist can prescribe biologics for psoriasis or eczema online, infusion-based treatments (Remicade) and injection training for self-administered biologics may require in-person setup
Bottom Line
Online dermatology is not a replacement for in-person care in every situation, but for acne, rosacea, eczema maintenance, anti-aging, and routine medication management, it is often faster, cheaper, and more convenient than a traditional dermatology office. Choose based on your specific condition, your budget, and whether you have insurance that covers telehealth dermatology.
For more on specific skin condition treatments, see our psoriasis treatment guide and eczema treatment comparison.