Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
LifeMD vs StackMD
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.
LifeMD
Cost-first shoppers who want insured shoppers chasing a low branded-GLP-1 copay, who understand the program fee and medication cost are billed separately.
Visit LifeMDStackMD
Shoppers price-scanning for the lowest advertised entry point, who should confirm true dose-adjusted cost before signing up.
Visit StackMDThe verdict
LifeMD and StackMD tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 60/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers. For most shoppers we'd start with LifeMD (ranked #252, a hair above #257) — Cost-first shoppers who want insured shoppers chasing a low branded-GLP-1 copay, who understand the program fee and medication cost are billed separately. But StackMD 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 LifeMD.
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 | LifeMD | StackMD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 60/100 | 60/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $298/mo (brand Wegovy) | Not disclosed |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $498/mo (brand Zepbound, plus a separate fee) | Not disclosed |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $3,576 | — |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $5,976 | — |
| Coverage | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Yes | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #252 | #257 |
LifeMD
60/100Where the value is
- LegitScript certified, publicly traded (NASDAQ: LFMD), with its own affiliated pharmacy processing up to 5,000 scripts/day
- Sells FDA-approved branded Wegovy and Zepbound rather than compounded copies, in both pill and pen formats for Wegovy
- Insured patients may pay as little as $0-25 per fill via manufacturer savings-card integration
The tradeoffs
- The program fee and the medication cost are billed completely separately, and both are labeled with overlapping $149 figures — a shopper reading either number alone will underestimate the real monthly cost by roughly half
- The advertised '$39 first month' is a one-time discount on the program fee only; the standing program fee is $149/month starting month two
StackMD
60/100Where the value is
- Low advertised entry price ($99/mo) for both semaglutide and tirzepatide
- Clear FDA-compounding disclaimer shown up front
- Distinct national telehealth brand (separate from the similarly-named Long Island clinic)
The tradeoffs
- Identical $99 headline for both drugs strongly suggests a lowest-dose teaser, not full treatment pricing
- No dose tiers, medical director, pharmacy name, states list, or LegitScript status could be confirmed
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.