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We examined telehealth and over-the-counter services to find the best birth control online. We included services based on budget, preferences, and age restrictions. Learn about our favorites here.
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A quick look at the 6 best services for birth control online
Best overall: Nurx Birth Control | Skip to review
Nurx Birth Control
Skip to review
Best for affordable contraceptive pills: Hers Birth Control | Skip to review
Hers Birth Control
Skip to review
Best for emergency contraception: Wisp Birth Control | Skip to review
Wisp Birth Control
Skip to review
Best birth control for teenagers: Twentyeight Health Birth Control | Skip to review
Twentyeight Health Birth Control
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Best for free or low-cost birth control: Planned Parenthood Direct | Skip to review
Planned Parenthood Direct
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Best OTC birth control: Opill Daily Oral Contraceptive | Skip to review
Opill Daily Oral Contraceptive
Skip to review
Our picks for the best online birth control providers
Medical News Today has tested some of the products below. Reviewers may have received some products from the manufacturers for free, which does not influence their review. All opinions are the reviewers’ own.
Nurx Birth Control
Accepts insurance: yes
Cost: from $15 without insurance, plus a $30 virtual consultation fee
Delivery time: 2 to 3 days
Options offered: pill, ring, patch, shot, emergency contraception
GET STARTED WITH NURX
*Price may vary.
Unlike many online services, Nurx accepts insurance. This means you could get birth control for free, making this option the most cost-effective.
However, even if you do not have insurance, Nurx offers affordable birth control options starting at $15.
Nurx offers a wide range of birth control options, making it suitable for almost everyone:
daily birth control pills, starting at $15 without insurance
birth control pills
the patch, which you must replace weekly, starting at $50 without insurance
patch
the ring, which you must replace monthly, starting at $150 without insurance
The company also offers the morning-after pill, starting at $45 without insurance.
morning-after pill
Nurx requires you to take a medical questionnaire. Depending on how you answer the questions, the healthcare professional who reviews the form will suggest one of the birth control options the service offers.
Another advantage of Nurx is that it offers automatic refills. There is no need to worry about running out of birth control, disrupting your sex life, or experiencing worsening symptoms of acne or premenstrual syndrome with this option.
acne
premenstrual syndrome
Read our in-depth Nurx review.
Nurx review
“I would recommend Nurx. It’s a great, convenient way to get my birth control prescription. I initially signed up when I ran out of prescription refills and didn’t have time to go to my regular doctor before I ran out of pills.”
“Within a matter of days, they had shipped a 3-month supply of pills directly to my home. After the initial consultation fee, it was free of charge with my insurance (although they’ve since added a $3 per month service fee) and much easier than visiting the doctor and getting my medication from the pharmacy.”
— Sydney Hanan, Healthline Associate Director of Commerce SEO
“I would recommend Nurx. It’s a great, convenient way to get my birth control prescription. I initially signed up when I ran out of prescription refills and didn’t have time to go to my regular doctor before I ran out of pills.”
“Within a matter of days, they had shipped a 3-month supply of pills directly to my home. After the initial consultation fee, it was free of charge with my insurance (although they’ve since added a $3 per month service fee) and much easier than visiting the doctor and getting my medication from the pharmacy.”
— Sydney Hanan, Healthline Associate Director of Commerce SEO
insurance coverage may be available
different options for birth control
free shipping
not available in all U.S. states
some reviewers claimed customer care team was not helpful
initial consultation is not free
insurance coverage may be available
different options for birth control
free shipping
not available in all U.S. states
some reviewers claimed customer care team was not helpful
initial consultation is not free
Location availability: available in the United States (except Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming)
Returns: no returns on prescription medication
Shipping: free shipping
Location availability: available in the United States (except Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming)
Returns: no returns on prescription medication
Shipping: free shipping
Hers Birth Control
Accepts insurance: no
Cost: from $12 per month, virtual consultation fee included
Delivery time: 2 to 3 days
Options offered: pills (generic brands), condoms
GET STARTED WITH HERS
*Price may vary.
Hers exclusively offers birth control pills, which may be more suitable if you prefer contraception that you can stop taking at any time.
You can choose between the combination or progesterone-only pill. The progesterone-only pills from Hers may be the best choice if a healthcare professional has advised combination pills are not suitable or if you intend to take the pill continuously.
Hers offers 13 generic pills, including one progesterone-only option. The healthcare professionals on the platform may recommend certain pills depending on your main area of concern, such as experiencing menstrual headaches.
menstrual headaches
Plans start at $12 per month, making this option more affordable for many.
However, Hers does not accept insurance. If you prefer not to use your or your family’s health insurance plans, you may consider this an advantage. However, if you want to use your insurance, you may want to use other retailers instead.
Once a doctor has approved the form, you can order one or more months of pills. The company also offers recurring refills, which may be more convenient if you plan to take the pill for a longer period.
Learn more by reading our in-depth review of Hers.
in-depth review of Hers
free medical consultation
no need for insurance
free shipping
24-hour response time from doctors
no insurance coverage available
medications can be out of stock
reported issues with customer service
free medical consultation
no need for insurance
free shipping
24-hour response time from doctors
no insurance coverage available
medications can be out of stock
reported issues with customer service
Location availability: available in the United States (Alaska and Hawaii included)
Returns: no returns on prescription medication
Shipping: free shipping
Location availability: available in the United States (Alaska and Hawaii included)
Returns: no returns on prescription medication
Shipping: free shipping
Wisp Birth Control
Cost: from $12, no subscription or consultation fee
Delivery time: 3 to 5 days, or pick up at your local pharmacy
Options offered: pill, ring, patch
GET STARTED WITH WISP
*Price may vary.
Wisp offers birth control pills, the ring, the patch, and emergency contraception. While it does not accept insurance, some types of birth control are less expensive than its competitors.
This service offers:
daily combination birth control pills, starting at $15
generic birth control rings, starting at $22
birth control patches, starting at $12
generic plan B or ella emergency contraception, starting at $18
ella
One of the reasons we love Wisp is that it does not charge a consultation fee. Additionally, it either delivers birth control directly to your house or your chosen pharmacy, making it a suitable choice if you do not want others in your household to know you are taking contraception.
Like many other services, Wisp also offers automatic refills for peace of mind.
Read our in-depth review of Wisp.
review of Wisp
free online consultation
automatic refills
offers treatment for cold sores, genital herpes, yeast infections, and others
free shipping to all U.S. states
has a discount page for promo codes
limited to the U.S.
does not accept insurance but accepts flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) payments
free online consultation
automatic refills
offers treatment for cold sores, genital herpes, yeast infections, and others
free shipping to all U.S. states
has a discount page for promo codes
limited to the U.S.
does not accept insurance but accepts flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA) payments
Location availability: available in the United States (Alaska and Hawaii included)
Shipping: free shipping
Price: $5.00
Location availability: available in the United States (Alaska and Hawaii included)
Shipping: free shipping
Price: $5.00
Twentyeight Health Birth Control
Accepts insurance: yes
Cost: from $18 without insurance
Delivery time: 3 to 5 days
Options offered: pill, patch, ring, shot, the morning after pill, internal condoms (FC2)
GET STARTED WITH TWENTYEIGHT HEALTH
*Price may vary.
Twentyeight Health is our top pick for younger teens. This service offers birth control to people as young as 13 without requiring parental consent, making it a suitable choice for young people who wish to take control of their reproductive ability.
The service accepts insurance but is also suitable for most budgets if you do not have insurance coverage or would rather not use your family plan.
This company also offers a wide range of hormonal and nonhormonal contraceptives, including:
daily birth control pills, starting at $18 without insurance
birth control patches, starting at $300 quarterly without insurance
birth control rings, starting at $130 without insurance
birth control shots, starting at $126 quarterly without insurance
Twentyeight Health supplies the morning-after pill and internal condoms. You will only be able to order these when purchasing birth control. The morning-after pill costs $30 without insurance. However, the company will only offer internal condoms if you purchase birth control with your insurance.
internal condoms
You must fill out an online questionnaire before calling or messaging Twentyeight’s doctors directly. There is a $26 annual fee for ongoing care.
The company offers free and discreet shipping, which takes around 5 business days. However, Twentyeight only ships to 32 states.
free, discreet shipping
insurance coverage
various birth control options
available for teenagers
unavailable in all U.S. states
no returns or refunds
free, discreet shipping
insurance coverage
various birth control options
available for teenagers
unavailable in all U.S. states
no returns or refunds
Location availability: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming
Returns: no returns or refunds
Shipping: free shipping
Price: $0.00
Location availability: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming
Returns: no returns or refunds
Shipping: free shipping
Price: $0.00
Planned Parenthood Direct
Accepts insurance: no
Cost: from $20, no subscription or consultation fee
Delivery time: no information available
Options offered: pill, patch, and ring
GET STARTED WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD
*Price may vary.
Planned Parenthood is a reproductive healthcare advocacy group. It is our top pick for free or low cost birth control, especially if you do not have insurance. However, it is important to note that the cost of birth control may vary by state.
This brand’s app, Planned Parenthood Direct, aims to make ordering birth control easier. It may suit you if you cannot easily speak with a doctor in person to get birth control or pick it up from a pharmacy.
Planned Parenthood Direct allows you to get the birth control pill sent to your homes and the pill, patch, and ring to a pharmacy.
To get birth control, you must first download the app and make an account or continue as a guest. You must answer a basic health questionnaire. A clinician will review your answers and write the appropriate prescription.
The app is available on iOS and Android devices but only in some U.S. states. Planned Parenthood does not accept insurance besides Medicaid in Michigan, Minnesota, and Washington state.
iOS
Android
Your medication will arrive in a discreet package, which may suit those who would prefer their household do not know they are taking contraceptives.
birth control pill home deliveries available
free and low cost birth control
discreet shipping
various birth control options and brands
unavailable in all U.S. states
does not accept insurance
Medicaid does not cover birth control in all states
birth control pill home deliveries available
free and low cost birth control
discreet shipping
various birth control options and brands
unavailable in all U.S. states
does not accept insurance
Medicaid does not cover birth control in all states
Location availability: available in the United States (except Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, South Carolina, and West Virginia)
Returns: no returns or refunds
Shipping: shipping calculated at checkout
Price: $20.00
Location availability: available in the United States (except Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, South Carolina, and West Virginia)
Returns: no returns or refunds
Shipping: shipping calculated at checkout
Price: $20.00
Opill Daily Oral Contraceptive
Accepts insurance: yes
Cost: from $19.99 without insurance, no consultation or subscription fee
Delivery time: 3 to 5 business days
Options offered: pill
GET STARTED WITH OPILL
*Price may vary.
As of July 2023, the FDA approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill (norgestrel).
July 2023
Opill (norgestrel)
Opill is a progestin-only pill, which means you must take a tablet daily at the same time, without breaks, to protect against unintentional pregnancy. This pill also has the same side effects as other progestin-only birth control.
Opill stands out because you can get this pill without a prescription, either online or at your local CVS pharmacy. This makes the pill a suitable option if you do not have access to a doctor or if you are in one of the seven states that explicitly allow pharmacists to refuse to dispense contraception.
seven states
Laboratoire HRA Pharma manufactures Opill. You can buy a single pack (28 pills) for $19.99, a pack of three (84 pills) for $49.99, or a pack of six (168 pills) for around $89.99.
If you have CVS Caremark, you can get these pills for free out of pocket, but you will have to check your plan to make sure you are eligible. However, some FSA or HSA plans may also cover this medication.
Opill also has a Cost Assistance Program (CAP) for those with financial or insurance limitations. You can check the eligibility and apply for coverage on the Opill website.
Opill website
Like many other birth control providers, Opill offers automatic delivery. Once you sign up, it will ship the new pack of pills 14 days before your current one runs out to ensure you do not have a break in contraception.
available over the counter
no prescription necessary for this pill
available in all U.S. states
may be more expensive than other options
not all insurance providers will cover Opill
available over the counter
no prescription necessary for this pill
available in all U.S. states
may be more expensive than other options
not all insurance providers will cover Opill
Location availability: available in the United States
Returns: not eligible for returns
Shipping: free shipping
Location availability: available in the United States
Returns: not eligible for returns
Shipping: free shipping
Comparing the best online birth control providers
Below, we compare the best online birth control options for price, availability, and more.
Nurx
Hers
Wisp
Twentyeight Health
Planned Parenthood
Opill
How we chose the best options for birth control online
Medical News Today chooses online birth control providers based on the following criteria where possible:
Types of birth control: MNT chooses providers that offer a range of birth control options that suit most people’s needs.
Cost: MNT chooses providers that are suitable for a range of budgets. Some providers may also accept insurance.
Healthcare support: MNT chooses providers that have a healthcare professional available to discuss birth control options.
Customer service: MNT looks through third-party review sites to evaluate each provider’s customer service.
How to shop for the best birth control online
It is important to consider several factors when choosing which online service to use for birth control access, such as:
Type of birth control: If you are new to using contraception, you may wish to use a service that provides multiple forms of birth control, such as the pill, patch, and ring. A healthcare professional on the service’s platform can advise which method is best for your particular circumstance.
Insurance coverage: Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance companies must cover birth control. If your insurance policy covers the cost of birth control, it may be more cost-effective to use a service that accepts insurance, such as Nurx.
Age: Many services do not offer birth control to people under 18. If you are under 18, using services that cater to teens, such as Twentyeight Health, is important.
Subscriptions: Uninterrupted use of birth control is necessary to prevent unintentional pregnancy. If you are using birth control as contraception, you may wish to use a service that offers automatic deliveries to reduce the chances of a break in protection.
Delivery options: Some people may prefer that their household does not know they are on birth control. In these situations, it may be best to use a service that offers pick-up at a local pharmacy.
People who are minors can purchase birth control in several states without limitations. The definition of a minor sometimes varies. If you are in the United States, it is important to check local guidelines.
who are minors
check local guidelines
It is always important to make sure that the service you use requires a healthcare professional to review the suitability of any birth control choice. Checking with a doctor is important because some health conditions, such as high blood pressure, can increase the risk of complications when you take a hormonal form of birth control, such as the pill.
increase the risk of complications
pill
What types of birth control can you buy online?
You can buy over 100 types of birth control online. However, this does not include devices such as intrauterine devices or implants. This is because a doctor must insert or implant these devices.
Many providers ship birth control in unmarked packaging, which may be advantageous to teenagers and others who would prefer their households not to know they take birth control.
However, you will need a prescription from a healthcare professional before you can order birth control. Many telehealth platforms offer a consultation with a doctor who can prescribe a suitable form of birth control.
The types of birth control you can buy online include:
Birth control pills: All types of birth control pills are available online from a range of brands. This includes hormonal and nonhormonal options.
Vaginal ring: You can insert the vaginal ring, such as NuvaRing, yourself. You typically leave it in for 21 days and have a 7-day break before inserting a new one.
NuvaRing
Birth control shot: You can get the Depo-Provera shot online. This is an injection that you can administer yourself every 12 weeks.
Depo-Provera
How to get free birth control
You may be able to access free birth control from nonprofit family planning centers or public health clinics. These places usually require an in-person visit. You may be able to access free birth control from Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood
Plus, under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans must cover Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved birth control. These include:
include
barrier methods, such as condoms and diaphragms
condoms
diaphragms
hormonal methods, such as the pill
implantable methods, such as the intrauterine device
intrauterine device
emergency contraception, such as Plan B
Plan B
sterilization procedures, such as tubal litigation
tubal litigation
However, insurance does not have to cover medications that can cause abortions or male sterilization procedures, such as vasectomies.
vasectomies
Learn more about free birth control.
free birth control
When to consult a doctor about birth control options
Anyone with questions about birth control may wish to speak with a healthcare professional.
It is especially important for people with certain health conditions and risk factors for health issues to consult a professional before choosing a type of birth control. For example, smoking or having high blood pressure may increase the risk of complications related to some forms of birth control.
increase the risk of complications
It is also important to speak with a doctor about stopping birth control safely and restarting it. This may apply before and after you become pregnant. Certain factors, such as breastfeeding or chestfeeding, can affect which medications are safe after giving birth.
Learn more about the long-term side effects of birth control.
long-term side effects of birth control
Frequently asked questions about ordering birth control online
Yes, a person can get birth control online without visiting a gynecologist. Most online birth control providers require some medical consultation, but this tends to involve filling out an online form. Several online companies, such as Hers and Lemonaid, can provide prescription services in every U.S. state. In some states, people who classify as minors can use online services to purchase birth control and get a prescription without restrictions. However, it is important to check local legislation.
gynecologist
who classify as minors
local legislation
It is advisable to bring any questions about birth control to a healthcare professional and have annual health visits. At these consultations, a doctor can provide preventive care and testing to help maintain a person’s overall health.
annual health visits
Yes, a person can get birth control online without visiting a gynecologist. Most online birth control providers require some medical consultation, but this tends to involve filling out an online form. Several online companies, such as Hers and Lemonaid, can provide prescription services in every U.S. state. In some states, people who classify as minors can use online services to purchase birth control and get a prescription without restrictions. However, it is important to check local legislation.
gynecologist
who classify as minors
local legislation
It is advisable to bring any questions about birth control to a healthcare professional and have annual health visits. At these consultations, a doctor can provide preventive care and testing to help maintain a person’s overall health.
annual health visits
Nurx sells legitimate FDA-approved birth control and states it complies with the same regulations as a person’s usual doctor. Its medical professionals will only prescribe a medication if they think it is necessary.
Nurx sells legitimate FDA-approved birth control and states it complies with the same regulations as a person’s usual doctor. Its medical professionals will only prescribe a medication if they think it is necessary.
You can get the pill, patch, shot, ring, and morning-after pill online.
You can get the pill, patch, shot, ring, and morning-after pill online.
Yes, people can schedule an appointment with a doctor on a telehealth service, such as Nurx or Hers, to get birth control online.
Yes, people can schedule an appointment with a doctor on a telehealth service, such as Nurx or Hers, to get birth control online.
Summary
The best birth control online comes from reputable brands that require a prescription before ordering. Nurx, Hims, Wisp, and other popular brands offer various birth control options at more affordable prices for a range of ages.
Ordering birth control online can be safe and convenient, but it may cost a little more than filling a prescription at a pharmacy or clinic.
Before they send out medication, most online retailers require medical consultation. These online consultations should not replace visits to a doctor. If you have questions about birth control, you may wish to contact a healthcare professional.
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