Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Rx.com 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.
Rx.com
Someone who will judge it by the plan card rather than the banner, and who values no auto-renewal and a named pharmacy over the lowest sticker.
Visit Rx.comStaveMD
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
Rx.com and StaveMD tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 77/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers, so choose on fit. Rx.com: Someone who will judge it by the plan card rather than the banner, and who values no auto-renewal and a named pharmacy over the lowest sticker. 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 Rx.com.
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 | Rx.com | StaveMD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 77/100 | 77/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $175/moMonth-to-month; $165 on three months and $146 on six | $199/moStarting price, compounded injection or dissolving tablet |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $285/moMonth-to-month; $265 on three months and $259 on six | $249/moStarting price, compounded |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $2,100 | $2,388 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $3,420 | $2,988 |
| Coverage | 49 states on its plan page; its own banner says all 50 | All 50 states and D.C. |
| Oral / sublingual | No | Yes |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #55 | #57 |
Rx.com
77/100Where the value is
- "No automatic renewals" is printed under the plan card itself rather than buried in the terms
- Names Manifest Pharmacy in Greer, South Carolina with a full street address, and MD Integrations as the provider network, on the same page as the price
- One flat price at every dose from 2.5 mg to 15 mg, with the provider visit, injection supplies and cold shipping stated as included
The tradeoffs
- The advertised "$146/mo FOR LIFE" is a six-month prepay on semaglutide; month-to-month tirzepatide is $285
- The plan page says 49 states served while the banner on the same site says all 50
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.