Head-to-head · Cost-Efficiency Index
Vital Step vs Enhanced
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.
Vital Step
Shoppers who want a GLP-1 tablet option in any state and are willing to finish the intake to see the real monthly price before paying.
Visit Vital StepEnhanced
Shoppers who want a low starting price on compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide and are comfortable confirming the dose-level price after checkout.
Visit EnhancedThe verdict
Vital Step and Enhanced tie on the Cost-Efficiency Index at 65/100, so neither wins outright on the numbers, so choose on fit. Vital Step: Shoppers who want a GLP-1 tablet option in any state and are willing to finish the intake to see the real monthly price before paying. Enhanced: Shoppers who want a low starting price on compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide and are comfortable confirming the dose-level price after 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 Vital Step.
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 | Vital Step | Enhanced |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-Efficiency Index | 65/100 | 65/100 |
| Semaglutide / mo | $161/moLowest advertised rate, compounded; the plan behind it and the regular monthly price appear only after the intake | $89/moStarting price, compounded |
| Tirzepatide / mo | $198/moLowest advertised rate, compounded; the regular monthly price appears only after the intake | $129/moStarting price, compounded |
| Semaglutide / yr (modeled) | $1,932 | $1,068 |
| Tirzepatide / yr (modeled) | $2,376 | $1,548 |
| Coverage | All 50 states | Not published |
| Oral / sublingual | Yes | No |
| Brand-name access | Compounded only | Compounded only |
| Rank here | #212 | #213 |
Vital Step
65/100Where the value is
- Semaglutide and tirzepatide both come as weekly injections or daily dissolving tablets
- Publishes a list of all 50 states it ships to
- Free expedited delivery and round-the-clock support, with side-effect questions and dose adjustments included
The tradeoffs
- Only "as low as" figures are published; the plan length behind $161 and $198 and the regular month-to-month price are shown only after the intake
- No refunds at all: the refund policy says all fees and charges are non-refundable, in whole or in part
Enhanced
65/100Where the value is
- Starting prices are on the product pages before checkout: semaglutide from $89 a month, tirzepatide from $129
- The monthly price includes the medication, clinician review and follow-ups
- Microdose plans start at $59 a month for semaglutide and $79 for tirzepatide
The tradeoffs
- Both prices are "starting at" figures, and the price at higher doses isn't published
- No list of the states it serves; its terms point to the partner telehealth platform for that
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.