Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Heros Health vs Open Water Rx
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.
Heros Health
Cost-first shoppers who want compounded GLP-1s with a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Visit Heros HealthOpen Water Rx
Cost-first shoppers who want all-inclusive compounded GLP-1 pricing from four named 503A pharmacies, if you qualify for the promo codes.
Visit Open Water RxThe verdict
Heros Health and Open Water Rx tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 53/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with Heros Health (ranked #373, a hair above #379) — Cost-first shoppers who want compounded GLP-1s with a 90-day money-back guarantee. But Open Water Rx 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 Heros Health.
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 | Heros Health | Open Water Rx |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 53/100 | 53/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $199/mo (compounded) | $199/mo (promotional rate, plus a separate fee, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $199/mo (compounded) | $339/mo (compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $2,388 | $2,388 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $2,388 | $4,068 |
| Coverage | Coverage not published | Coverage not published |
| Oral / sublingual | No | Yes |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #373 | #379 |
Heros Health
53/100Where the value is
- Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide on a flat program price, not tiered by dose
- Transparent pricing: $149 first month, then $199/mo (or $165/mo on the 3-month plan)
- 90-day money-back guarantee on GLP-1 treatment
The tradeoffs
- Compounded GLP-1s are not FDA-approved finished products
- Specific 503A pharmacy partner is not named publicly
Open Water Rx
53/100Where the value is
- Names four specific 503A compounding pharmacies (RedRock, HealthWarehouse, Precision Compounding, Triad Rx) — most competitors disclose zero
- Pricing is genuinely all-inclusive — clinician review, medication, and shipping bundled with no separate visit fee
- LegitScript certification seals displayed
The tradeoffs
- The lower, more prominent $159/$219 figures depend on promo codes (SEMASUMMER, FOUNDER) stacked on top of stated $199/$339 standing prices — unclear whether these codes are permanent
- A '12-Week Plan' at $169/month strongly implies a multi-month prepay requirement, but the page never states the actual upfront total
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.