Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Aspen vs NextMeds
Two GLP-1 programs on the bench, scored on the same six factors. Here's how their real cost of ownership compares — and which one we'd start with.
Aspen
Cost-first shoppers who want wanting one flat price regardless of whether treatment ends up being semaglutide or tirzepatide, if willing to commit to 3 months.
Visit AspenNextMeds
Shoppers who will call out and verify the exact price at checkout, given the site shows several different promo numbers at once.
Visit NextMedsThe verdict
Aspen and NextMeds tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 74/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with Aspen (ranked #57, a hair above #61) — Cost-first shoppers who want wanting one flat price regardless of whether treatment ends up being semaglutide or tirzepatide, if willing to commit to 3 months. But NextMeds is a genuine coin-flip alternative here.
Worth knowing either way: our overall #1 pick is CoreAge Rx (Cost-Efficiency Index 94/100 — the top of the ranking). See how it stacks up: CoreAge Rx vs Aspen.
Factor by factor
Both providers scored on our six Cost-Efficiency Index factors. The stronger side on each row is marked in teal.
Normalized Cost/Month
Price Transparency
Nationwide Access
Formulation Options
Clinical Oversight
Contract Flexibility
Pricing, coverage & formulary
The disclosed facts behind the scores. Lower price wins its row (teal).
| Spec | Aspen | NextMeds |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 74/100 | 74/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $179/mo (all doses, compounded) | $79/mo (starting dose, promotional rate, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $179/mo (all doses, compounded) | $129/mo (starting dose, promotional rate, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $2,148 | $948 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $2,148 | $1,548 |
| Coverage | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #57 | #61 |
Aspen
74/100Where the value is
- One transparent, dose-independent flat price ($179/mo) covers either the semaglutide or tirzepatide path, avoiding the tirzepatide surcharge most compounded competitors charge
- Price stated to be all-in: provider consultation, custom dosing, medication, and free delivery bundled with no listed add-on fees
- No insurance required, cash-pay simplicity
The tradeoffs
- The bold '$179/mo' headline omits its own fine-print condition — a 3-month commitment — visible only in small text directly beneath the price
- Almost nothing else is disclosed on the public site: no states-served list, no named medical director or prescriber, no named pharmacy, and no LegitScript certification found
NextMeds
74/100Where the value is
- Names a real, NPI-verifiable clinical group (Lion MD: Dr. Ana Lisa Carr, Dr. Kelly Tenbrink) rather than an anonymous provider network
- Names six real compounding pharmacies (Belmar, Strive, Epiq Scripts, Casa Pharma Rx, The Pharmacy Hub, Foothills) instead of one generic claim
- Claims and states 'We service all 50 states'
The tradeoffs
- The live site shows at least three different headline promo prices ($69/$79/$89 for semaglutide) concurrently or near-concurrently, with no clear single 'current' number — a real transparency problem
- Aggressive countdown-timer urgency tactics ('Price increases in...', 'OFFER ENDS AUGUST 10TH AT MIDNIGHT!') are used to pressure signup
Assume any provider we list may compensate us — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. It never changes the Cost-Efficiency Index. Pricing, states and verification reflect each provider's public disclosures at last review; prices change — confirm on the provider's site. Not medical advice. See our disclosure.