Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
PreventiveMD vs StaveMD
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.
PreventiveMD
Cost-first shoppers who want compounded GLP-1s from $83/mo all-in, with brand upgrade paths.
Visit PreventiveMDStaveMD
Shoppers who want an oral or injectable compounded GLP-1 with easy cancellation and are willing to confirm the plan price at checkout.
Visit StaveMDThe verdict
PreventiveMD and StaveMD tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 77/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers, so choose on fit. PreventiveMD: Cost-first shoppers who want compounded GLP-1s from $83/mo all-in, with brand upgrade paths. StaveMD: Shoppers who want an oral or injectable compounded GLP-1 with easy cancellation and are willing to confirm the plan price at checkout.
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 PreventiveMD.
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 | PreventiveMD | StaveMD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 77/100 | 77/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $83/moAs low as, term not published, all-in, compounded | $199/moStarting price, compounded injection or dissolving tablet |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $97/moAs low as, term not published, all-in, compounded | $249/moStarting price, compounded |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $996 | $2,388 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $1,164 | $2,988 |
| Coverage | 36 states | All 50 states and D.C. |
| Oral / sublingual | No | Yes |
| Brand-name access | Yes | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #53 | #57 |
PreventiveMD
77/100Where the value is
- Compounded semaglutide from $83/mo and tirzepatide from $97/mo, billed as one all-in monthly price
- Brand Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo (oral GLP-1) available on the same platform
- US-licensed provider reviews requests within 24 hours — no video visit required
The tradeoffs
- Both figures are 'as low as' rates and the qualifying term is not published anywhere — the checkout is gated, so whether $97 is month-to-month or a multi-month prepay cannot be established before signing up
- Brand-name routes are priced separately and do carry a fee: $49/mo membership plus medication from $149/mo for Foundayo and Wegovy, from $299/mo for Zepbound
StaveMD
77/100Where the value is
- Cancel any time from your account with no phone call or notice period, and request a refund for any month whose medication hasn't been ordered
- Offers compounded semaglutide as a weekly injection or a daily dissolving tablet, plus tirzepatide and a lower-dose microdose program from $179 a month
- Names its pharmacies, led by Red Rock Compounding Pharmacy in Utah, and its medical group, OpenLoop Healthcare Partners
The tradeoffs
- Every price is a "starting from" figure; the site says longer programs cost less per month and are billed upfront but doesn't print the price of each plan length
- The banner's "Start for $179/mo" is the microdose program, not the standard semaglutide or tirzepatide dose
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.