Platform comparisons
ScalerMD vs. OpenLoop vs. Telegra
A practical guide to clinical infrastructure, platform control, and the work of launching a telehealth brand.
5 min read
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Our recommendation
Best Choice
ScalerMD
Our pick for founders who want a coordinated launch and a path to growth.
- One coordinated launch. Website setup, clinical and pharmacy connections, payments, and patient communications in one plan.
- Clear starting costs. The platform starts at $1,000 per month with no onboarding fee.
- A defined implementation plan. A 14-day sprint begins at contract signing and covers planning, connection, and testing, subject to external approvals.
- Built to scale after launch. CRM, email/SMS, lead pipelines, and retention workflows connect to the platform; managed campaign execution is available separately.
This is ScalerMD’s recommendation from a commercial perspective, based on public offerings rather than independent testing. Usage, partner fees, managed marketing, and advertising spend may be separate.[6][7]
Side by side
Compare what matters.
Ten criteria. Three partners. A clearer view of cost and who owns the work.
Swipe across to compare all three partners.
| What matters | ScalerMD | OpenLoop | Telegra |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting monthly platform fee | Starts at $1,000/monthVendor-stated[6] | Public starting price not listedConfirm scope[1] | $2,999/month for PlusVendor-stated[5] |
| Onboarding fee | $0 onboarding feeVendor-stated[6] | Public onboarding fee not listedConfirm scope[1] | $5,000 for PlusVendor-stated[5] |
| Website & brand setup | Website configured within the launch planVendor-stated[6] | Website and brand builder in LaunchpadVendor-stated[1] | Bring your website and brandVendor-stated[5] |
| Patient portal | Patient portal included in public offeringVendor-stated[6] | Patient portal included in public offeringVendor-stated[1] | Patient portal included in public offeringVendor-stated[4][5] |
| Access to clinical providers | Provider access describedVendor-stated[6] | Provider access describedVendor-stated[1] | Provider access describedVendor-stated[4][5] |
| Licensing & credentialing services | Standalone service not establishedConfirm scope[6] | Dedicated services describedVendor-stated[3] | Standalone service not establishedConfirm scope[4][5] |
| Processor ownership & data exit | Client owns core brand, data, and growth assetsVendor-stated[6] | Confirm ownership and export termsConfirm scope[1] | Client-owned processor; exports on requestVendor-stated[5] |
| Advertised launch timeline | 14-day implementation sprintVendor-stated[6] | Infrastructure in as little as a dayVendor-stated[1] | 21-day onboarding; two to three weeksVendor-stated[5] |
| Patient communications | Patient communications describedVendor-stated[6] | Patient communications describedVendor-stated[1] | Patient communications describedVendor-stated[5] |
| Hands-on marketing execution | Managed marketing available separatelyVendor-stated[6][7] | Confirm agency-style executionConfirm scope[1][2] | Confirm agency-style executionConfirm scope[5] |
Vendor-stated = described in public materials. Our analysis = editorial interpretation. Confirm scope = not established in reviewed pages; it may still be available. No independent testing.
Read comparison notes & sources
Starting monthly platform fee
ScalerMD. ScalerMD’s platform starts at $1,000 per month. Managed marketing, advertising spend, clinical, pharmacy, payment, usage, and custom-scope costs may be separate. ScalerMD platform overview
OpenLoop. The reviewed Launchpad page does not publish a starting platform fee. Request a written quote with recurring and usage costs separated. OpenLoop Launchpad
Telegra. Telegra publishes its Plus plan at $2,999 per month before onboarding, usage, and partner costs. Telegra pricing and FAQs
Ask before signing: What is the minimum recurring platform fee before usage and partner costs?
Onboarding fee
ScalerMD. ScalerMD does not charge an onboarding fee on its current starting offer. Confirm any custom development or third-party costs in the proposal. ScalerMD platform overview
OpenLoop. The reviewed Launchpad page does not publish a standard onboarding fee. Request all one-time fees in writing. OpenLoop Launchpad
Telegra. Telegra publishes a $5,000 Plus onboarding fee, with an installment option of three $1,750 payments. Telegra pricing and FAQs
Ask before signing: Which one-time implementation, integration, or onboarding charges apply?
Website & brand setup
ScalerMD. ScalerMD includes website setup and built-in ecommerce within its no-fee onboarding and implementation sprint. Confirm custom-development boundaries in the proposal. ScalerMD platform overview
OpenLoop. Launchpad describes generating a branded website and intake flow around selected programs. Confirm customization and implementation support. OpenLoop Launchpad
Telegra. Telegra’s FAQ says the client brings the website and brand while Telegra provides the commerce and clinical systems behind them. Telegra pricing and FAQs
Ask before signing: Who builds our public website, and what must we supply?
Patient portal
ScalerMD. ScalerMD lists EMR and patient portal connections. Confirm the selected partner and configuration for your program. ScalerMD platform overview
OpenLoop. Launchpad lists a patient portal and patient communications. This comparison does not evaluate usability or feature parity. OpenLoop Launchpad
Telegra. Telegra lists a white-label patient portal. This comparison does not evaluate usability or feature parity. Telegra platform; Telegra pricing and FAQs
Ask before signing: Can we walk through the complete patient experience before signing?
Access to clinical providers
ScalerMD. ScalerMD describes connecting licensed provider access and clinical workflows. The selected clinical partner and scope matter. ScalerMD platform overview
OpenLoop. OpenLoop describes a licensed clinician network supporting care under the client’s brand. Verify program-specific coverage. OpenLoop Launchpad
Telegra. Telegra describes provider coverage and synchronous and asynchronous care. Verify availability for the proposed program. Telegra platform; Telegra pricing and FAQs
Ask before signing: Which entity provides care, and which states and treatments are covered?
Licensing & credentialing services
ScalerMD. The reviewed overview describes provider access and compliance support. It does not establish a standalone service to license a client’s own clinicians. ScalerMD platform overview
OpenLoop. OpenLoop publishes a separate licensing and credentialing offering, including ongoing monitoring and payer enrollment. OpenLoop licensing and credentialing
Telegra. The reviewed platform and plan pages describe a provider network but do not establish a standalone service to license a client’s own clinicians. Ask Telegra directly. Telegra platform; Telegra pricing and FAQs
Ask before signing: Does the contract cover licensing our own clinicians, or only access to your network?
Processor ownership & data exit
ScalerMD. ScalerMD states that the client owns its domain, website code and content, merchant account, patient data, CRM contacts, advertising accounts, and creative. The agreement should document export and transition procedures. ScalerMD platform overview
OpenLoop. The reviewed Launchpad page does not establish payment-account ownership or a contractual export process. Request written terms. OpenLoop Launchpad
Telegra. Telegra’s pricing FAQs state clients own their payment processor and can request exports of platform data. Verify export scope, format, and timing in the agreement. Telegra pricing and FAQs
Ask before signing: What do we own outright, what can we export, and how long does an exit take?
Advertised launch timeline
ScalerMD. ScalerMD targets launch within 14 days beginning at contract signing. External clinical, compliance, merchant, or partner approvals may affect final go-live. ScalerMD platform overview
OpenLoop. Launchpad advertises rapid infrastructure availability. This is not an independently measured end-to-end launch time or a guarantee for every service. OpenLoop Launchpad
Telegra. The plan table lists 21 days. The FAQ describes two to three weeks, with website readiness and LegitScript approval affecting timing. Telegra pricing and FAQs
Ask before signing: When does the clock start, and which approvals or client dependencies can delay launch?
Patient communications
ScalerMD. ScalerMD includes CRM, email/SMS, lead pipelines, and retention workflows. Managed campaign execution is separately scoped. ScalerMD platform overview
OpenLoop. Launchpad lists patient communications. Confirm channels, message types, campaign execution, and fees. OpenLoop Launchpad
Telegra. Telegra lists white-label SMS and email. Confirm message volumes and responsibility for campaign content. Telegra pricing and FAQs
Ask before signing: Which message types, channels, volumes, and ongoing campaign work are included?
Hands-on marketing execution
ScalerMD. ScalerMD connects ecommerce and patient operations with CRM, email/SMS, lead pipelines, and retention capabilities. Managed marketing services and advertising spend are separately scoped. ScalerMD platform overview; Brenton Way services
OpenLoop. The reviewed Launchpad and practice-management pages do not establish ongoing paid-media buying and creative production as included services. Confirm custom options. OpenLoop Launchpad; OpenLoop practice management
Telegra. The reviewed plan page includes messaging and attribution integrations, but does not establish ongoing paid-media buying and creative production as included services. Telegra pricing and FAQs
Ask before signing: Who actually manages paid media, produces creative, and runs lifecycle campaigns after launch?
What does each telehealth partner offer?
ScalerMD: one coordinated launch
ScalerMD configures the website, connects clinical and pharmacy partners, sets up payments and communications, and tests the patient journey. Growth services through Brenton Way can extend that work into acquisition, creative, and retention. The advantage for a lean team is having these responsibilities coordinated from the start.[6][7]
View full-size 
One connected launch plan
- Website
- Portal
- Clinicians
- Pharmacy
- Payments
- Compliance
OpenLoop: clinical and operational breadth
OpenLoop’s Launchpad combines a branded website, patient portal, clinician access, communications, and pharmacy fulfillment. Separate services include practice management, licensing, and credentialing. It is worth considering when clinical scale or administrative capacity is your main gap.[1][2][3]
View full-size Telegra: commerce and platform control
Telegra connects intake, checkout, care, messaging, and fulfillment. Its public plans describe API access, client-owned payment processing, and data exports on request. Pro adds a branded mobile app and bring-your-own-pharmacy options. The client generally supplies the website and brand.[4][5]
View full-size Who owns the work after launch?
A functioning platform still needs people to run campaigns, create content, improve conversion, and manage follow-up. Patient messaging and analytics tools alone do not establish who does that work.
This is where ScalerMD’s approach is especially useful: CRM, email/SMS, lead pipelines, and retention capabilities connect to ecommerce and patient operations. Managed paid media, creative, content, and campaign execution are available as a separate service, and advertising spend is separate. Define both scopes in the proposal.[6][7]
The patient journey
- 01Acquisition
- 02Conversion
- 03Care
- 04Retention
Feedback from retention informs acquisition.
If you already have a capable web and marketing team, OpenLoop or Telegra may cover the infrastructure gap. Their public pages do not establish every custom service available, so ask directly about ongoing execution.[1][5]
How quickly can you launch?
The advertised timelines measure different scopes:
- ScalerMD: a 14-day implementation plan beginning at contract signing and covering planning, connection, and testing.[6]
- OpenLoop: Launchpad infrastructure in as little as a day.[1]
- Telegra: 21-day onboarding in its plan table; two to three weeks in its FAQ.[5]
The implementation sequence
- Days 1–3Plan
- Days 4–10Connect
- Days 11–14Test
These are vendor-stated targets, not measured delivery results. Confirm when the clock starts and how approvals, content readiness, and integrations affect your launch.
What should you confirm before choosing?
Use the proposal to settle four questions:
- Responsibility: who builds, operates, and supports each part of the patient journey?
- Ownership: which accounts, data, domains, and creative assets stay with you?
- Total cost: what sits outside platform fees—usage, custom work, media, or managed services?
- Readiness: which clinical, compliance, and partner approvals must be complete?
Our perspective
When ScalerMD is the right fit.
For founders who want a coordinated launch and a clear path to growth, ScalerMD is our pick. Its approach brings website setup, clinical and technology connections, and access to marketing support into one plan. That makes it a strong fit for lean teams that want hands-on execution as they build their telehealth business.[6][7]
Book a consultation with ScalerMD to discuss your launch goals, the services you need, and the right scope for your business.
Behind the research
Sources & methodology
Sources reviewed
Based on public vendor materials and ScalerMD’s current published offer, not independent product or delivery-time testing. The same ten criteria cover cost, technology, clinical operations, ownership, launch, and growth. Recommendations reflect ScalerMD’s commercial perspective. Missing public information does not mean a service is unavailable.
- OpenLoop Launchpad
Technology, branded websites, communications, fulfillment, and advertised launch timing.
- OpenLoop practice management
Administrative support, practice operations, and related services.
Back to:OpenLoop overview - OpenLoop licensing and credentialing
Licensing, credentialing, and provider support.
Back to:OpenLoop overview - Telegra platform
White-label commerce and patient operations.
Back to:Telegra overview - Telegra pricing and FAQs
Plans, mobile app, ownership terms, API access, and onboarding timelines.
- ScalerMD platform overview
Launch scope, integrations, marketing support, and the 14-day implementation plan.
- Brenton Way services
Growth marketing, creative, content, and acquisition services.
Published . Updated .
Expanded author attribution and professional references; improved article navigation, comparison readability, and responsive presentation. The source-review date is unchanged.
Suggest a correctionWho’s behind this article
Jonathan Saeidian is the founder of Brenton Way, Bridge, and Growth Virality. At Brenton Way, he leads growth strategy spanning paid media, SEO, content, conversion optimization, and analytics for brands in health, beauty, and e-commerce. His ScalerMD Research articles examine telehealth platforms through a business and growth lens: how technology choices, launch responsibilities, and acquisition workflows fit together for founders and operators.