Ro vs Hims vs Henry Meds: Which GLP-1 Provider Is Best?

Ro vs Hims vs Henry Meds: Which GLP-1 Provider Is Best?

April 2026 Update: Key changes: Hims has exited compounding and is now fully branded-only as an authorized Novo distributor. Ro continues offering compounded semaglutide alongside branded options. Henry Meds remains compounding-focused. Orforglipron ($149/mo, FDA approval expected April 2026) and Zepbound ($299/mo LillyDirect) are reshaping the pricing landscape. Medicare Bridge ($50/mo on branded medications) is expected July 1, 2026. See our Switching Between GLP-1 Medications Guide for transition help.

Ro, Hims, and Henry Meds remain the three most-searched GLP-1 telehealth providers in 2026 — but the competitive landscape has diverged sharply. The Novo Nordisk-Hims settlement (March 9) means Hims is exiting compounding and now operates as a branded Wegovy distributor; the full transition is expected by mid-2026. Ro continues to offer compounded semaglutide alongside branded options. Henry Meds remains compounding-focused at the lowest price point.

Note: Hims is in the process of exiting compounding (expected complete by mid-2026). This comparison reflects the diverging business models — brand-only (Hims, in transition) vs. compounded + brand (Ro) vs. compounded-only (Henry Meds). Orforglipron's anticipated approval ($149/mo branded oral GLP-1) will further reshape this calculus once available.

This is a head-to-head-to-head comparison based on our independent research. We don't accept payment from any of these providers. If you're asking "ro vs hims vs henry meds which is best" or "cheapest GLP-1 telehealth," the answer depends on whether you want brand or compounded, and what insurance you have.

Editorial Independence Note: Telehealth Ally does not accept payment from providers for placement or ranking. All pricing and assessments are independently researched. See our editorial policy for details.

Pricing Disclaimer: Prices shown are as of late April 2026 and may change. Hims pricing is in transition — confirm current pricing directly with each provider before enrolling.

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What Changed in Early 2026

The GLP-1 telehealth landscape is transforming in 2026. Key developments to date:

1. Hims Exits Compounding (April 2026): After settling with Novo Nordisk on March 9, Hims completed its transition to branded-only. Hims is now an authorized Novo Nordisk distributor selling FDA-approved Wegovy (injectable and oral). No compounded semaglutide is available through Hims. Full analysis

2. Orforglipron FDA Approval Expected (April 2026): The first oral GLP-1 from Eli Lilly is expected to be available at $149/month pending FDA approval — the same price as Ro's compounded semaglutide, but FDA-approved. Once approved, this would change the cost-safety calculus for patients. Full guide

3. Medicare Bridge Program Expected (July 1, 2026): Medicare is scheduled to cover GLP-1s for obesity at a $50/month copay cap. For Medicare-eligible patients, this would make branded medications cheaper than compounded. Full guide

4. FDA Enforcement Intensifies: 30+ warning letters issued in early 2026. Compounding pharmacies face sustained regulatory pressure. Full tracker

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The Quick Summary

	Ro	Hims	Henry Meds
Best for	Broadest menu (compounded + brand)	Brand-only safety + Novo deal	Lowest compounded price
Compounded semaglutide	$149/mo	❌ No longer offered	$119/mo
Brand-name GLP-1s	Wegovy, Zepbound, Oral Wegovy	Wegovy (injectable + oral, via Novo), Zepbound	Not available
Oral option	Oral Wegovy (brand, $149/mo → $199/mo Apr 15)	Oral Wegovy (via Novo deal)	No
Compounded tirzepatide	No	No	Yes ($349/mo)
Insurance support	Yes	Yes	No
Consultation model	Async	Async	Async
Model	Hybrid (compounded + brand)	Brand-only (Novo distributor)	Compounded-only

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How do Ro, Hims, and Henry Meds compare on price?

Price is the top question. Here's what each provider actually charges — not "starting at" ranges.

Compounded Semaglutide (Injectable)

Provider	Monthly Cost	Notes
Henry Meds	$119/mo	All-inclusive. No dose-based increases.
Ro	$149/mo	$45 additional for first month (one-time).
Hims	$199/mo	Winding down through Q2 2026. New patients may receive branded Wegovy instead.

Henry Meds is the cheapest at $119/mo — that's $80/mo less than Hims and $30/mo less than Ro. Over a year, that's $960 saved vs. Hims and $360 saved vs. Ro (after accounting for Ro's $45 first-month fee).

Important: Hims' compounded semaglutide availability is shrinking. If you're choosing a provider specifically for compounded semaglutide, Ro and Henry Meds are more stable options as of late April 2026.

Compounded Tirzepatide (Injectable)

Provider	Monthly Cost	Notes
Henry Meds	$349/mo	Only one of the three to offer it.
Ro	Not available	—
Hims	Not available	—

If you specifically want compounded tirzepatide, Henry Meds is your only option among these three.

Brand-Name Medications

Medication	Ro	Hims	Henry Meds
Wegovy (injectable)	Insurance-dependent	Via Novo deal (pricing TBD)	Not available
Zepbound (injectable)	$399/mo	$399/mo	Not available
Oral Wegovy (pill)	$149/mo → ~$199 (Apr 15)	Not yet available	Not available

Ro has the broadest brand-name lineup. The Novo-Hims deal will give Hims direct Wegovy supply, but pricing has not been finalized — industry estimates suggest $250-$350/month for cash-pay patients.

Notable: Ro currently offers oral Wegovy (the FDA-approved semaglutide pill) at $149/mo — rising to ~$199/mo on April 15. If you want to avoid injections and prefer a brand-name product, this is worth discussing with your Ro prescriber.

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What GLP-1 medications does each provider offer?

Medication	Ro	Hims	Henry Meds
Compounded semaglutide (injectable)	✅	⚠️ Winding down	✅
Compounded tirzepatide (injectable)	❌	❌	✅
Compounded oral semaglutide	❌	⚠️ Winding down	❌
Brand Wegovy (injectable)	✅	✅ (via Novo deal)	❌
Brand Oral Wegovy (pill)	✅	❌	❌
Brand Zepbound (tirzepatide)	✅	✅	❌

Key differences:

• Ro has the broadest medication menu — compounded semaglutide, brand-name Wegovy (injectable and oral), and Zepbound. Most options, most flexibility.
• Hims is in transition. The Novo Nordisk deal gives them direct branded Wegovy supply, but compounded options are winding down. By mid-2026, Hims will likely be branded-only.
• Henry Meds is compounded-only — but offers both semaglutide and tirzepatide. Unaffected by the Novo-Hims settlement.

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How does each GLP-1 provider work?

Ro

1. Complete an online health questionnaire.
2. A licensed provider reviews your information (typically within 24 hours).
3. If approved, choose your medication and shipping starts.
4. Unlimited async messaging with your provider.
5. Insurance navigation available — Ro will help with prior authorizations for brand-name medications.

Standout feature: Ro's insurance navigation team helps patients get brand-name coverage, which can reduce costs to $0-$25/month for those with qualifying insurance. They also offer the broadest medication menu, including oral Wegovy.

Hims

1. Complete an online health assessment.
2. A licensed provider reviews your information (typically within 24 hours).
3. If approved, medication ships to your door with free shipping.
4. Unlimited async messaging with your provider.
5. Novo Nordisk partnership provides direct branded Wegovy supply.

Standout feature: The Novo Nordisk deal gives Hims a direct supply relationship for branded Wegovy, which may provide more reliable availability than other providers. However, this also means losing the cost advantage of compounded medications.

Henry Meds

1. Complete an online health questionnaire.
2. A licensed provider reviews your information (typically within 24 hours — many patients report same-day approval).
3. Medication ships with free shipping.
4. Async messaging with your care team.

Standout feature: Henry Meds offers the fastest reported onboarding among the three, the lowest price on compounded semaglutide ($119/mo), and is the only one of the three offering compounded tirzepatide. Their model is unaffected by the Novo-Hims settlement.

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What clinical protocols does each GLP-1 provider follow?

Factor	Ro	Hims	Henry Meds
Medical history review	Detailed questionnaire	Detailed questionnaire	Detailed questionnaire
BMI requirement	30+ (or 27+ with comorbidity)	30+ (or 27+ with comorbidity)	30+ (or 27+ with comorbidity)
Lab work required	Not required upfront; may be ordered	Not required upfront	Not required upfront
Titration schedule	Standard (0.25mg → 0.5mg → 1mg → ...)	Standard	Standard
Follow-up cadence	Monthly check-ins via messaging	Monthly check-ins via messaging	Monthly check-ins via messaging
Refusal rate	Reported: moderate	Reported: moderate	Reported: moderate-low

All three follow standard semaglutide titration protocols. None require lab work upfront, though Ro is more likely to order labs during treatment if clinical questions arise. All three will deny prescriptions for patients with contraindications (personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, active pancreatitis, etc.).

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Pros and Cons

Ro

Pros:

• Insurance navigation — can significantly reduce cost for eligible patients
• Broadest medication menu including oral Wegovy and compounded semaglutide
• Well-established platform with strong track record
• Most stable option — not affected by Novo-Hims settlement

Cons:

• $45 first-month fee adds to initial cost
• $149/mo for compounded semaglutide is middle-of-pack, not cheapest
• No compounded tirzepatide option

Hims

Pros:

• Novo Nordisk direct supply deal for branded Wegovy
• Brand-name access for Wegovy and Zepbound
• Established brand with large user base
• Insurance support available

Cons:

• Compounded semaglutide winding down — $199/mo while it lasts, then transition to branded pricing (likely higher)
• Compounded oral semaglutide also phasing out
• Pricing uncertainty during transition period
• No compounded tirzepatide

Henry Meds

Pros:

• Cheapest compounded semaglutide at $119/mo — unchanged
• Only provider (of these three) with compounded tirzepatide
• All-inclusive pricing — no dose increases, no hidden fees
• Fastest reported onboarding
• Unaffected by Novo-Hims settlement

Cons:

• No brand-name medications at all
• No insurance navigation or support
• Compounded-only means additional regulatory considerations
• Smaller platform with shorter track record

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Which should you choose: Ro, Hims, or Henry Meds?

Choose Ro if:

• You want the most options — compounded, brand-name, injectable, or oral
• You have insurance and want help navigating prior authorizations
• You want stability — Ro's model isn't changing
• You prefer a larger, more established platform

Choose Hims if:

• You want branded Wegovy through a direct Novo Nordisk supply relationship
• You have insurance that covers Wegovy (Hims' branded pathway may reduce your cost)
• You value brand recognition and are comfortable with the transition
• You're a current Hims patient and want to stay on platform during the branded shift

Choose Henry Meds if:

• Price is your top priority — $119/mo is the lowest among major providers
• You want compounded tirzepatide (not available from Ro or Hims)
• You want the simplest, fastest onboarding process
• You're comfortable with compounded medications and the associated regulatory landscape

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Cost Over Time

Here's what you'd pay over 6 and 12 months on compounded semaglutide (while still available):

Provider	6-Month Cost	12-Month Cost
Henry Meds	$714	$1,428
Ro	$939 ($45 + 6×$149)	$1,833
Hims	$1,194 (if compounded available)	Transitioning to branded — cost TBD

The gap is significant. Over a year, Henry Meds saves you $405 vs. Ro on compounded semaglutide. Hims' 12-month cost is now uncertain due to the branded transition.

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What About Walgreens?

Walgreens launched in-store GLP-1 clinics on February 26, 2026. At $49/visit with no subscription, it's a fundamentally different model worth considering — especially if you have insurance.

Factor	Telehealth (Ro/Hims/Henry)	Walgreens
Consultation	Online, async	In-person, $49/visit
Medication bundled	Yes (all-in monthly)	No (separate Rx cost)
Best for uninsured	Yes (compounded = cheaper)	No (brand Rx at list price)
Best for insured	Maybe	Yes ($49 visit + insurance copay)
Subscription required	Yes (monthly)	No

See our full Walgreens vs Ro vs Hims comparison for details.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ro or Hims cheaper for GLP-1?

Henry Meds is cheapest at $119/month for compounded semaglutide. Ro charges $149/month (plus a $45 first-month fee). Hims is transitioning to branded-only pricing, which will be higher. For "cheapest GLP-1 online" comparisons, Henry Meds currently wins on price.

Does Hims still offer compounded semaglutide?

As of April 2026, Hims is winding down compounded semaglutide following its Novo Nordisk partnership. New patients may receive branded Wegovy instead. Compounded semaglutide availability through Hims should be considered temporary.

Ro vs Hims vs Henry Meds — which is best for someone without insurance?

Henry Meds at $119/month is the lowest cash price. Ro at $149/month offers more medication options including oral Wegovy. Hims is moving toward branded pricing, which will be higher than both for cash-pay patients.

Which of these providers offers tirzepatide?

Henry Meds is the only one of these three offering compounded tirzepatide ($349/month). Ro and Hims offer brand Zepbound through insurance but not compounded. If compounded tirzepatide is your goal, Henry Meds is your only option among these three.

Is Henry Meds safe and legitimate?

Henry Meds is a licensed telehealth provider operating in multiple states with licensed prescribers. Their compounded semaglutide is the same regulatory category as other compounding providers — not FDA-approved as a finished product, but from licensed compounding pharmacies. See our full Henry Meds review for details.

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Our Assessment

The "best" provider now depends more than ever on your specific situation.

For lowest out-of-pocket cost on compounded semaglutide, Henry Meds wins at $119/mo — and their model is the most stable of the three right now.

For broadest medication access and flexibility, Ro is the strongest choice. Compounded, brand-name, injectable, oral — they have every option and aren't disrupted by the Novo-Hims settlement.

For branded Wegovy with a direct manufacturer relationship, Hims' Novo Nordisk deal positions them well — but pricing is uncertain and the transition means short-term disruption.

For patients with insurance, Ro's insurance navigation or Walgreens' $49 visit model may get you brand-name GLP-1s for less than any cash-pay telehealth option.

All three are legitimate telehealth operations with licensed prescribers. None trigger the red flags we've identified in lower-quality providers.

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Related Comparisons

• Hims vs Ro Weight Loss — Deeper two-way comparison
• Henry Meds vs Hims GLP-1 — Deeper two-way comparison
• eMed vs Ro GLP-1 — Premium tech-enabled care vs streamlined approach
• Ro vs Henry Meds for Semaglutide — Head-to-head pricing and medication comparison
• Walgreens vs Ro vs Hims GLP-1 — New in-person option
• GLP-1 Pricing Breakdown by Provider — All 10 providers compared
• Is Compounded Semaglutide Legal and Safe in 2026? — Regulatory context
• Novo-Hims Deal Explained — Full analysis of the settlement
• GLP-1 April 2026 Price Changes — All pricing shifts this month

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Pricing last verified: April 2026. We check provider pricing monthly and update this page when changes occur. Hims pricing is in transition — check directly with Hims for the most current options.