Best Online Veterinarians

Vetster is the best online veterinarian with a marketplace-based approach

By

Ashley Knierim

Updated on 10/16/25

Reviewed by

Nelva J. Bryant

Fact checked by

Nadia Baloch

Collage of a veterinarian listening to a dog's heart on a colorful background — Credit:
Spruce Pets / Amelia Manley

In This Article

Final Verdict
Compare Veterinarians
FAQ
Methodology

Online veterinarians provide a convenient and virtual alternative to traditional in-person visits for your pet. In recent years, numerous telemedicine-based vet care providers have launched, offering 24/7 access with options to chat or schedule video appointments with veterinary professionals.

While an online telehealth session is still no substitute for a face-to-face appointment with your vet, these services are a great way to get fast answers to questions about your pet’s diet, behavioral issues, and other health concerns—especially if you’re not sure whether or not to take your furry friend in for a physical exam. Wondering where to begin? Check out our picks for the best online veterinarians below.

Best Overall: Vetster
Best With Brick and Mortar: Banfield Vet Chat
Best Budget-Friendly Option: PetCoach
Best Subscription: Whisker Docs

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Best Overall: Vetster

Credit:
Vetster

Key Specs
- Services: 24/7 on-demand vet appointments, prescription service (only available in some U.S. states), wellness plan
- Unique Features: Curated collection of pet telehealth news and resources
- Cost: Starting at $50, but pricing will vary by vet and location
Why We Chose It

Vetster uses a marketplace-based approach to virtually connect you with vet care professionals in your area.
Pros

Ability to choose between vets and vet techs

Emphasis on finding medical professionals near you

Profiles and review systems add confidence
Cons

Some areas have fewer vet options
Overview

Vetster’s approach to telehealth may remind some people of Rover, the enormously popular app for finding pet sitters. The site allows users to search for veterinary professionals in their area and make telehealth appointments with the push of a button.

Unlike most other online vet services, Vetster lets you choose from vet techs as well as veterinary doctors, giving you more control over pricing depending on the urgency or need for the appointment.

Vetster’s interface is easy to use, and it’s usually possible to make an appointment for the same day. We also love that users on the medical professional side fill out profile details listing their professional designations, key areas of interest, and whether they can consult on certain issues.
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Best With Brick and Mortar: Banfield Vet Chat

Credit:
Banfield Vet Chat

Key Specs
- Services: Virtual office visit, 24/7 live vet chat, nutritional coaching session
- Unique features: Price estimator tool
- Cost: Wellness plans can start at $36.95 per month for dogs and $29.95 per month for cats, depending on age, breed, location, and other factors
Why We Chose It

Banfield Pet Hospital is an established veterinary care provider with over 1,000 locations across the country.
Pros

24/7 vet access

Well-designed app

Continuity between in-person and digital experiences
Cons

Must enroll in wellness plan

Text-only chat
Overview

With locations in every state, Banfield Pet Hospital is one of the nation’s most popular vet care providers. If your furry friend is already a patient at one of its brick-and-mortar locations, you can complement their in-person care with the Vet Chat feature on the Banfield app. This tool provides around-the-clock access to a real vet, simplifying the question of whether or not to rush to urgent care after your dog eats a bag of cheese puffs.

Vet Chat is easy to use, with a text-based interface that’s also accessible on the Banfield website. The ability to use the same service for online advice and real-world visits is also a major plus, creating consistency for your pet’s care plan.

The only real drawback is that even if you’re already a Banfield patient, you must enroll in the company’s Optimum Wellness Plan in order to use the Vet Chat service. Visit Banfield's website for an estimated pricing calculator; monthly costs vary based on your pet’s species, age, location, and whether they are spayed or neutered.
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Best Affordable: PetCoach

Credit:
PetCoach

Key Specs
- Services: Online consultation and expert forum
- Unique features: Ask a Vet, Educational Center, healthy pet weight calculator
- Cost: $20 live chat consult; $5 per question submitted to forum
Why We Chose It

PetCoach is a great resource with a huge amount of free content around veterinary health as well as an easy-to-use “Ask a Vet” feature.
Pros

More affordable than other telehealth services

Often publishes questions asked by users (with responses from vets)

Available as an app
Cons

Some services are buried in the site

Content pages not organized by pet type
Overview

Traditional vet care can be pricey, and telehealth services for your pet can often be as well. For a more affordable option, check out PetCoach, an online and app-based provider that lets users submit questions to a vet whenever they like, or arrange for a private telehealth appointment.

We love that PetCoach publishes a vast amount of content around a variety of veterinary care topics, including many of the questions and responses submitted by the app’s users.

If there’s one drawback, it’s that the site can be difficult to navigate, with few filters to separate content by pet type or condition (and tracking down vet profiles to set up consultations is also surprisingly tricky). However, the app is well-designed and generally easier to use.
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Best Subscription: whiskerDocs

Credit:
Whisker Docs

Key Specs
- Services: 24/7 chat, phone, and text messaging
- Unique features: Health library
- Cost: $16.99 per month or $129.99 per year subscriptions; $39.99 per call or live chat consultation; $4.99 per email consultation
Why We Chose It

whiskerDocs offers a convenient monthly subscription so you can have access to vet professionals anytime you need.
Pros

Offers a subscription service if you frequently need vet care

Options for single visits without a subscription

24/7 access to a vet
Cons

No ability to get a prescription
Overview

If you find yourself constantly coming up with questions for your vet, a subscription-based service like whiskerDocs may be a great option. This web-based veterinary service connects you to a vet or a vet tech via email, phone, or chat and is available 24/7. If your question is not urgent, you can opt for an email response, but it will take about four hours to hear back.

whiskerDocs can answer questions and give guidance about your pet’s health, but it cannot prescribe medicine. It has options for both subscriptions and one-time visits. Plans are based on a single pet, but you can add additional pets for a discount. Basically, whiskerDocs is a great choice for anyone who wants 24/7 access to a vet for a single price.

Final Verdict

While online vet appointments are not a substitute for in-person visits, they are an effective way to quickly answer questions and decide if an immediate visit to the vet is necessary.

When it comes to the best online veterinarians out there, Vetster comes up on top. It offers 24/7 access to certified medical professionals with a user-friendly site that makes booking a virtual consultation quick and easy. Plus, it gives you the option to consult with a veterinarian doctor or a vet tech, depending on the urgency of your visit and your budget. But if you're looking for a more affordable option or one that's subscription-based, there are also PetCoach and whiskerDocs, respectively.

Compare the Best Online Veterinarians

Veterinarian	Services	Unique Features	Cost
Best Overall: Vetster	24/7 on-demand vet appointments, prescription service (only available in some US states), wellness plan	Curated collection of pet telehealth news and resources	Starting at $50, but pricing will vary by vet and location.
Best With Brick and Mortar: Banfield Vet Chat	Virtual office visit, 24/7 live vet chat, nutritional coaching session	Price estimator tool	Wellness plans start at $36.95/month for dogs and $29.95/ month for cats
Best Budget-Friendly Option: PetCoach	Online consultation and expert forum	Ask a Vet, educational center, healthy pet weight calculator	$20 live chat consult; $5/question submitted to forum
Best Subscription: whiskerDocs	24/7 chat, phone, and text messaging	Health library	$16.99/month or $129.99/year subscriptions; $39.99 call or live chat consultations; $4.99 email consultations

FAQ

How much does a vet video visit cost?

Online technology has made it much easier to access a vet anytime you need it. Chatting with a veterinarian online or by video can help answer pressing questions and determine whether you need to take your pet to your local vet. Prices for online visits range based on the service but expect to pay between $30 and $60 for a visit. Some services offer subscriptions so you can pay a single monthly or yearly fee for unlimited access to a professional.
Can I get pet prescriptions online?

Some online vets do offer prescriptions, but not all states allow them so it is important to research your state's regulations. If you visit an in-person vet, you can often ask them to send a prescription to an online pet pharmacy such as Chewy.com or 1-800-PetMeds to have it filled and delivered to your door. This can sometimes be cheaper than buying directly through your local veterinarian’s office.
What states allow online vet prescriptions?

To determine the VCPR laws of every U.S. state—including whether online vet prescriptions are permitted—refer to the interactive map provided by the Veterinary Virtual Care Association.
How do I know if my pet needs to see a vet?

Any change in your pet’s behavior should be evaluated. If your pet is sleeping more than normal, not eating, or acting unusual, it’s important to get them the right care. You know your pet best, so if you recognize something is off, you should call your vet. Sometimes, minor concerns can be addressed via an online veterinarian, but emergencies should always be dealt with in person.
Is a virtual vet worth it?

If you're unable to get to the vet's office and you're not dealing with a medical emergency, a virtual vet visit can be a great option. It's a convenient way to receive a professional consultation and get advice on any pet health questions you may have. To make the most of a virtual visit, make sure to investigate the veterinarian first, especially regarding which services are offered and for how much.

Methodology

It can be difficult to determine what distinguishes one online veterinarian service from another, and some have websites that are low on key information (or seem more interested in pushing dog treats or other extras). We chose online vets who simplified the process of finding and connecting with a qualified medical professional, with the highest marks going to services that had a great user experience.

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