Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Shapely vs Zeuss
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.
Shapely
Cost-first shoppers who want insured patients in CA, FL, NY, or TX who want help navigating coverage for branded GLP-1s.
Visit ShapelyZeuss
Patients already stable on a maintenance GLP-1 dose who want to pay per fill instead of a subscription.
Visit ZeussThe verdict
Shapely takes it, leading the Cost-Efficiency Index 64 to 63. Shapely is primarily an insurance-navigation platform for branded GLP-1s, layering a separate monthly membership fee on top of medication cost. Zeuss still earns a C — Patients already stable on a maintenance GLP-1 dose who want to pay per fill instead of a subscription.
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 Shapely.
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 | Shapely | Zeuss |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 64/100 | 63/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $99/mo (plus a separate fee, compounded) | $125/mo (starting dose, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $166/mo (plus a separate fee, compounded) | $175/mo (starting dose, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $1,188 | $1,500 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $1,992 | $2,100 |
| Coverage | 4 states | Coverage not published |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Yes | Yes |
| Rank here | #182 | #186 |
Shapely
64/100Where the value is
- Named, credentialed founder (Dr. Justin Zaghi, Harvard-trained, board-certified obesity medicine)
- Genuine insurance-navigation service across 8 major payers, potentially large savings if covered
- Both cash-pay compounded and insurance-covered branded pathways offered
The tradeoffs
- Live in only 4 states (CA, FL, NY, TX) despite a '50-state expansion' announcement
- Separate membership fee stacks on top of medication cost, and its headline prices ($9 first month, $49/mo promo) are not the real ongoing rate ($99/mo)
Zeuss
63/100Where the value is
- Genuinely no-subscription billing confirmed in its own FAQ ('no recurring charges or automatic refills') — patients pay per order, not a locked recurring plan
- LegitScript certified, with the badge and verification link displayed on the homepage
- States it 'partners exclusively with 503A and 503B state-licensed compounding pharmacies'
The tradeoffs
- Both $125 and $175 are 'starting at' prices with no disclosed dose (mg) or confirmation the price holds at higher/titrated doses
- No compounding pharmacy is named, only 'licensed partner pharmacy'
Regulatory note: the FDA issued a warning letter to Zeuss LLC dba Zeuss in February 2026. We still list and link to Zeuss; you should know the letter is on the public record before you decide.
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.