Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Strive Pharmacy vs EllieMD
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.
Strive Pharmacy
Patients whose OWN clinic already prescribes through Strive — not for shoppers looking to start a new GLP-1 prescription directly.
Visit Strive PharmacyEllieMD
Shoppers specifically interested in a microdosing protocol with a named compounding pharmacy, not full-dose treatment.
Visit EllieMDThe verdict
Strive Pharmacy takes it, leading the Cost-Efficiency Index 53 to 52. Strive Pharmacy is a 503A/503B compounding pharmacy that primarily serves OTHER healthcare providers and clinics — not a direct-to-consumer telehealth site. EllieMD still earns a C — Shoppers specifically interested in a microdosing protocol with a named compounding pharmacy, not full-dose treatment.
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 Strive Pharmacy.
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 | Strive Pharmacy | EllieMD |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 53/100 | 52/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | Not disclosed | $229/mo (microdose tier, compounded) |
| Tirzepatide / mo | Not disclosed | $239/mo (microdose tier, compounded) |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | — | $2,748 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | — | $2,868 |
| Coverage | All 50 states | Coverage not published |
| Oral / sublingual | No | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Yes |
| Rank here | #381 | #387 |
Strive Pharmacy
53/100Where the value is
- Is a real, named 503A/503B compounding pharmacy rather than an anonymous telehealth brand
- Transparent about being provider-facing first: the site does not pretend to be a consumer GLP-1 shopping destination
The tradeoffs
- Not a direct-to-consumer option at all — there is no way for a new patient to get a semaglutide or tirzepatide prescription by visiting strivepharmacy.com; you need an existing prescriber relationship with a clinic that already partners with Strive
- No consumer pricing for any GLP-1 product exists anywhere on the site
EllieMD
52/100Where the value is
- Names its compounding pharmacy — Clover, a 503A facility — unlike most competitors in this batch that only say 'a licensed U.S. pharmacy'
- Explicitly states 'No hidden membership, shipping, or consultation fees' for the microdose program
- All 50 states served per the site's own claim
The tradeoffs
- The ONLY GLP-1 pricing published anywhere on the site is for the microdose program — a shopper wanting typical-dose semaglutide or tirzepatide will find no price before completing the intake process
- Microdose pricing requires a 12-week (84-day) minimum commitment; no month-to-month option was found
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.