Here’s a concise, up-to-date comparison of InstantScripts, Updoc and Medmate (Australia) so you can pick the one that best fits your needs.

Quick summary (one-line)

• InstantScripts — large, Wesfarmers‑owned online clinic focused on fast e‑scripts, broad pharmacy reach. (InstantScripts.com.au)
• Updoc — telehealth platform connecting patients to Partner Doctors for on‑demand consults, emphasises quick turnaround and 24/7 availability. (Updoc.com.au)
• Medmate — 24/7 telehealth and e‑scripts with phone/video consults; has been mentioned in media reporting about prescribing practice scrutiny for certain products. (Medmate.com.au)

Head‑to‑head: key differences

1. Ownership / size / trust signals

• InstantScripts: Owned by Wesfarmers (major ASX retail group) — positioned as a large, commercial online clinic. (InstantScripts.com.au)
• Updoc: Independent telehealth startup that has raised institutional investment and grown rapidly; markets itself as a Partner‑doctor platform. (theaustralian.com.au)
• Medmate: Independent telehealth provider; widely used but has appeared in reporting about specific prescribing practices that attracted regulatory attention. (Medmate.com.au)

2. Services offered

• All three: telehealth consults, online medical certificates, electronic prescriptions (e‑scripts) and pathology referrals where appropriate. (InstantScripts.com.au)

3. Availability & speed

• InstantScripts: Markets 24/7 service and rapid access; many consults handled quickly. (InstantScripts.com.au)
• Updoc: Claims 24/7 Partner Doctors and same‑day / minutes to hours turnaround for many requests. (Updoc.com.au)
• Medmate: 24/7 telephone and video consults within minutes; immediate SMS/email delivery of outcomes. (Medmate.com.au)

4. Pricing & payment

• Each charges a per‑consult fee (amounts can vary by service and promotions). Pricing changes frequently — check each site for current fees (InstantScripts, Updoc, Medmate list fees on their sites). Because prices and promotions change, verify on their sites before booking. (InstantScripts.com.au)

5. Pharmacy integration / script fulfilment

• InstantScripts: States it works with a large network of pharmacies across Australia and supports e‑prescribing. (InstantScripts.com.au)
• Updoc & Medmate: Issue e‑scripts delivered to your device (SMS/email) and can be filled at pharmacies that accept e‑scripts; specifics may vary by pharmacy. (Updoc.com.au)

6. Scope for repeat/long scripts & clinical limitations

• Telehealth platforms commonly limit certain repeat quantities and controlled prescriptions; some users report limits (e.g., shorter durations or no repeats) depending on medication and clinical assessment. If you need long‑term repeats or complex care, your regular GP may be preferable. (User reviews and reporting note such limits for some services.) (au.Trustpilot.com)

7. Safety, regulation & criticisms

• All use Australian‑registered clinicians (AHPRA) and claim compliance with e‑prescribing standards, but telehealth prescribing has drawn regulatory scrutiny in some areas (examples: media coverage re: data concerns for InstantScripts and TGA probes of some telehealth prescribing models including mentions of Medmate‑related services). If privacy or treatment continuity with your regular GP is important, factor that in. (InstantScripts.com.au)

8. User experience / reviews

• Mixed reviews for all platforms: many users praise convenience and speed; some report issues (wait times, limited repeat scripts, variable doctor thoroughness). Check recent reviews for the service you plan to use. (au.Trustpilot.com)

Which to choose (practical guidance)

• Convenience & big‑brand backing: InstantScripts (Wesfarmers) — good for simple, quick e‑scripts and straightforward needs. (InstantScripts.com.au)
• Fast on‑demand consults and broader telehealth features: Updoc — emphasises Partner Doctors and rapid turnaround. Good for urgent minor issues and certificates. (Updoc.com.au)
• Phone/video consults and pathology/referrals in same flow: Medmate — good if you prefer video/phone and want integrated referrals, but be aware of reported regulatory scrutiny in certain prescribing areas. (Medmate.com.au)

Short checklist before you book

• Is your medication suitable for online prescribing? (chronic/controlled meds often need GP continuity) (au.Trustpilot.com)
• Do you need repeats or a long supply? Check the platform’s policy and tell the doctor. (au.Trustpilot.com)
• Confirm price and whether Medicare rebate applies (most private online consults do not attract a Medicare rebate unless otherwise stated). Check each site. (Updoc.com.au)
• If concerned about data privacy or continuity of care, consider asking how your records are stored and whether they can be shared with your regular GP. (theguardian.com)

If you’d like, I can:

• Pull up the current consult fees and exact service pages for each (InstantScripts, Updoc, Medmate) and show them side‑by‑side (prices change frequently, so I’ll fetch live info).