How we make money & how we score: Some links on this page are affiliate links — if you start a program through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Right now our paid partners are SHED and Oak Weight Loss. Our editorial scores are set on fixed criteria (cost transparency, medication type, provider access, brand trust, regulatory durability) and are not influenced by who pays us — which is why our paid partners do not top this ranking. This is educational content, not medical advice.
The short answer
There's no single "best" provider — it depends on what you care about most:
- Best overall (brand-name): Ro
- Best for using insurance: PlushCare
- Best for coaching: WeightWatchers (Sequence)
- Compounded + coaching (our partner): SHED
The most important rule: compare the all-in cost (membership + medication + labs), not the headline price.
At a glance
| Provider | Medication | Our score | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ro (Ro Body) FDA-approved brand | FDA-approved brand-name (Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic); helps with insurance where possible | 8.5/10 | Best overall — brand-name simplicity |
| Hims & Hers FDA-approved brand | Weight-loss medication options vary by eligibility and current program terms; verify whether a quoted option is FDA-approved or compounded | 8.0/10 | Best big-brand experience |
| PlushCare FDA-approved brand | FDA-approved brand-name; insurance-forward | 8.0/10 | Best for using insurance |
| WeightWatchers (Sequence) FDA-approved brand | FDA-approved brand-name GLP-1s + structured coaching | 7.5/10 | Best for coaching + behavior change |
| SHED Compounded | Compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide (drops, lozenges) OR brand-name Wegovy/Zepbound | 7.0/10 | Best for coaching + compounded options |
| Oak Weight Loss Compounded | Compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide, cash-pay; confirm the exact prescribed product and fulfillment terms | 6.8/10 | Compounded cash-pay option — price not verified |
The providers, in detail
Ro (Ro Body)
8.5/10
our score
The safe default. Ro is an established brand that prescribes FDA-approved GLP-1s, so it is unaffected by the compounding crackdown. Best pick if you want a trusted, straightforward experience with brand-name medication.
- Medication
- FDA-approved brand-name (Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic); helps with insurance where possible
- Availability
- Nationwide (most states)
- Cost
- Membership is advertised at $39 for the first month, then $74–$149/month depending on plan. Medication is a separate charge; official cash-pay starting prices vary by product and eligibility.
- Official price source · Checked 2026-07-28 · Official public pricing page; starting prices are not a guaranteed all-in patient cost.
Pros
- Well-established, trusted telehealth brand
- FDA-approved brand-name medication — no compounding regulatory risk
- Relatively transparent membership pricing
Cons
- Medication cost is separate and can be significant without insurance
- Brand-name meds are pricier than compounded alternatives were
Hims & Hers
8.0/10
our score
A large, well-resourced telehealth brand. It may suit readers who value a polished online experience, but the medication type, plan term, and recurring all-in cost should be confirmed before enrollment.
- Medication
- Weight-loss medication options vary by eligibility and current program terms; verify whether a quoted option is FDA-approved or compounded
- Availability
- Nationwide (most states)
- Cost (not independently verified)
- Current all-in pricing was not independently verified from a stable public price page. Confirm the plan term, medication, dose, and recurring charge directly before enrolling.
- Official public pricing could not be independently verified on 2026-07-28; confirm every cost before enrolling.
Pros
- Large, publicly-traded, recognizable brand
- Polished app and support experience
- Publishes program information through its official website
Cons
- Availability and eligibility vary
- Medication type and recurring all-in price require confirmation
PlushCare
8.0/10
our score
The pick if you have insurance and want help getting your GLP-1 covered. PlushCare uses licensed physicians and focuses on brand-name medication through insurance rather than cash-pay compounded drugs.
- Medication
- FDA-approved brand-name; insurance-forward
- Availability
- Nationwide (most states)
- Cost
- Official page advertises $19.99 membership with the first month free, an initial visit of $129 without insurance, or an in-network copay (often $30 or less). Medication and lab costs are separate.
- Official price source · Checked 2026-07-28 · Official public page verifies membership/visit components, not medication cost.
Pros
- Insurance-friendly — designed to help cover brand-name medication
- Real primary-care doctors (part of Accolade)
- FDA-approved medication — no compounding risk
Cons
- Best value depends on your insurance actually covering GLP-1s
- Not the cheapest cash-pay route
WeightWatchers (Sequence)
7.5/10
our score
Best if you want the medication and the lifestyle support around it. WeightWatchers acquired Sequence and pairs GLP-1 access with its coaching program — a fit for people who want structure, not just a script.
- Medication
- FDA-approved brand-name GLP-1s + structured coaching
- Availability
- Nationwide (most states)
- Cost
- Med+ advertises $25 for the first month on a 12-month plan, then $74/month for the remainder. Medication is billed separately; official self-pay starting prices vary by product and eligibility.
- Official price source · Checked 2026-07-28 · Official US page; first-month promotion requires a 12-month plan and medication costs extra.
Pros
- Pairs medication with proven behavioral coaching
- Established, trusted consumer brand
- Good for building sustainable habits alongside the medication
Cons
- More expensive than medication-only providers
- Overkill if you just want a prescription
SHED
7.0/10
our score
Our current affiliate partner (disclosed). SHED bundles coaching, an app, and provider access, and offers both compounded and brand-name options. We rank it fairly on the merits — it scores below the brand-name providers because compounded medication carries regulatory uncertainty, not because of our partnership.
- Medication
- Compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide (drops, lozenges) OR brand-name Wegovy/Zepbound
- Availability
- Nationwide (most states)
- Cost
- GLP-1 injections are advertised from $199/month, including medication and supplies, member support, and free shipping. Final eligibility, medication, dose, and price depend on clinical review.
- Official price source · Checked 2026-07-28 · Official public product page; the advertised starting price is not a named-drug or dose guarantee.
Pros
- Health coaching and app included, not just a prescription
- Offers both compounded and brand-name paths
- Unlimited provider visits in the membership
Cons
- Compounded medication is NOT FDA-approved (see disclosure) and its availability is now restricted
- Compounded-drug regulatory landscape is changing — brand-name is the safer long-term path
Compounded-medication note: Compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide is not FDA-approved and is not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality. It is not a generic or the same as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound. Availability is now restricted since the FDA declared the shortages resolved.
Oak Weight Loss
6.8/10
our score
A second affiliate partner of ours (disclosed). Oak offers a cash-pay telehealth route involving compounded GLP-1 medication. We keep it below brand-name facilitators because compounded drugs are not FDA-approved and current all-in pricing has not been independently verified — not because of our partnership.
- Medication
- Compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide, cash-pay; confirm the exact prescribed product and fulfillment terms
- Availability
- Confirm availability in your state before purchase
- Cost (not independently verified)
- Current public all-in pricing was not independently verified. Confirm the medication, dose, plan duration, renewal amount, consult/lab fees, and shipping charge inside the signup flow before committing.
- Official public pricing could not be independently verified on 2026-07-28; confirm every cost before enrolling.
Pros
- Cash-pay telehealth option
- Home-delivery model
- Online signup flow
Cons
- Compounded medication is NOT FDA-approved (see disclosure) and availability is now restricted
- Public all-in pricing was not verified — check the full recurring charge in the funnel
- Support and follow-up details require confirmation before purchase
Compounded-medication note: Compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide is not FDA-approved and is not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality. It is not a generic or the same as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound. Availability is now restricted since the FDA declared the shortages resolved.
How we scored these providers
Every provider is scored on the same five criteria, weighted equally: cost transparency, medication type (FDA-approved brand vs compounded), provider access & support, brand trust, and regulatory durability. Compounded providers score lower on durability because the compounding landscape is changing — not because of anything to do with our affiliate relationships. Both of our paid partners (SHED and Oak) are compounded providers, so neither tops the ranking, for exactly this reason. See our editorial policy for how we keep money and rankings separate.
Frequently asked questions
Which GLP-1 telehealth provider is best?
There is no single "best" — it depends on your priority. For a trusted brand-name experience, Ro rates highest in our scoring. For using insurance, PlushCare. For coaching, WeightWatchers. Our affiliate partner SHED offers compounded and brand-name options with coaching. We score providers on transparent criteria, not on which ones pay us.
Is compounded semaglutide the same as Ozempic or Wegovy?
No. Compounded semaglutide is NOT FDA-approved and is not reviewed by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or quality. It is not a generic version of, or the same as, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound. Since the FDA declared the shortages resolved, availability of compounded versions is restricted. Discuss options with a licensed provider.
How much does a GLP-1 actually cost through telehealth?
Watch the all-in cost, not the headline membership price. Most providers charge a monthly membership AND the medication separately, and some also require labs. A "$149/month" plan can cost much more once the medication is added. Always confirm the full cost — membership + medication + any labs — before signing up.
Do these providers take insurance?
It varies. Insurance-forward providers like PlushCare work to get brand-name GLP-1s covered, which can dramatically lower your cost if your plan covers them. Cash-pay providers are simpler but you pay full price. Whether a GLP-1 is right for you and covered is a decision for you, your provider, and your insurer.
Sources & further reading
This article draws on peer-reviewed research and official health agencies. We link to primary sources so you can read the evidence yourself.