Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Lean Meds vs Sunlight
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.
Lean Meds
Cost-first shoppers who want a genuinely flat all-dose price and named pharmacies, and who will read the $49 headline as the annual plan it is.
Visit Lean MedsSunlight
Shoppers who want a low, flat monthly price for compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide and are sure they will go ahead once a clinician reviews them.
Visit SunlightThe verdict
Lean Meds and Sunlight tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 84/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers, so choose on fit. Lean Meds: Cost-first shoppers who want a genuinely flat all-dose price and named pharmacies, and who will read the $49 headline as the annual plan it is. Sunlight: Shoppers who want a low, flat monthly price for compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide and are sure they will go ahead once a clinician reviews them.
Worth knowing either way: CoreAge Rx is one of our partners and leads our leaderboard, where partners are listed first (Cost-Efficiency Index 94/100). See how it stacks up: CoreAge Rx vs Lean Meds.
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 | Lean Meds | Sunlight |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 84/100 | 84/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $79/moMonth-to-month, flat at every dose (the advertised $49 is the 12-month plan) | $88/moStarting price, flat monthly, compounded |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $109/moMonth-to-month, flat at every dose (the advertised $95 is the 12-month plan) | $157/moStarting price, flat monthly, compounded |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $948 | $1,056 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $1,308 | $1,884 |
| Coverage | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #21 | #22 |
Lean Meds
84/100Where the value is
- A flat rate at every dose on both molecules, stated as such, so the price does not climb as a provider titrates
- Names all four pharmacies in its network with addresses, phone numbers and websites, and states the 503A designation in the footer of every page
- The full four-rung ladder for each molecule is printed on one page, so a reader can see what a commitment actually saves
The tradeoffs
- The homepage sells "Starting at $49/mo — same price every month, first order and every order after"; $49 is the twelve-month semaglutide plan and the month-to-month rate is $79
- A homepage chip reads "No auto rebill" while the terms say the payment method is automatically charged at recurring intervals until you cancel
Sunlight
84/100Where the value is
- Its FAQ prices semaglutide from $88 and tirzepatide from $157 a month, with the prescription, unlimited clinician visits and shipping included and no membership fee
- Promises the same price every month with no increases as your dose changes
- Names its six partner pharmacies, including Belmar, Strive and Epiq Scripts, and its lead physicians with their NPI numbers
The tradeoffs
- Canceling after a clinician has reviewed your intake, history or monthly check-in triggers an $80 clinical fee
- No refund once a prescription has been sent to the pharmacy, and prescriptions renew automatically each month until you cancel
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.