Some visit links earn us a commission.
Quick verdict
Shed is the better pick for most patients on overall scoring. Shed offers compounded semaglutide starting at $149/mo on the monthly plan (care and shipping included, no separate membership), escalating by dose. Six and twelve-month plans reduce the per-month cost further. Branded Wegovy, Zepbound and Foundayo are also available.
That said, Calibrate wins on specific dimensions. Calibrate is a coaching and insurance-navigation program whose value proposition has weakened as direct-to-consumer pricing from Lilly and Novo undercut the 'we'll handle insurance for you' pitch. Cut its fee from $299 to $199 in 2026.
Side-by-side
| Calibrate | Shed | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts from | $224/mo (incl. medication) | $149/mo (incl. medication) |
| Monthly cost gap | Calibrate is $25/mo cheaper than Shed | |
| Lock-in | 3-mo minimum | Prepaid plan |
| Time to prescription | 14 days | 3 days |
| Consultation type | Live | Online |
| Affiliate network | Impact | - |
Score by dimension
Scores out of 10, equal-weighted across five dimensions. How we score. The winner of each dimension is highlighted.
| Calibrate | Shed | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Cancellation terms | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Onboarding experience | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Medication options | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Member reviews | 9.2/10 | 8/10 |
When to choose Calibrate
Best for committed behavioral coaching
Patients who specifically want behavioral coaching and have insurance that covers branded GLP-1s. Calibrate's clinicians and coaches handle prior authorization paperwork well.
Calibrate wins on member reviews and runs $25/mo cheaper than Shed at the entry tier ($224 vs $249). Over a year that's $300 you keep. The caveat: Cash-pay patients. With $597 upfront plus $199/mo plus medication separate, the all-in is rarely under $400/mo. Direct LillyDirect or NovoCare paths beat this on price. Note also: Restructured in 2024 amid demand declines
When to choose Shed
Best for all-in compounded with care included
Cash-pay patients who want an all-in compounded price with care included at a low entry price, and who are willing to commit to a longer plan for a lower monthly cost.
Shed wins on pricing transparency, onboarding experience on the dimensional scoring. The caveat: Patients who want the cheapest month-to-month compounded price at high doses, or who specifically want branded GLP-1s billed through insurance. Note also: Compounded GLP-1s are not FDA-approved and are made by a licensed pharmacy under a prescription.
If cost is your main filter
Calibrate is the cheaper monthly: $224 all-in vs $249 for Shed. That's $25 a month or $300a year. The 12-month math matters most if you're planning to maintain on GLP-1 long-term. If you're running a 3-month trial, the $75 delta is small against the cost of stopping early on the wrong dose. Insurance changes the picture: if either program runs prior auth and your plan covers Wegovy or Zepbound, branded with copay can beat both cash-pay totals.
If lock-in is your main filter
Calibrate (3-mo minimum) and Shed (prepaid plan) sit at different cancellation tiers. Read both cancellation policies directly before signing; the on-page summary covers the headline but not the deletion-of-account or refund-window edge cases.
FAQ
Is Calibrate cheaper than Shed?
Can I switch from Calibrate to Shed mid-treatment?
Which program has better member feedback?
Read the full reviews
All head-to-head comparisons → · Full chart → · Cost guide · Programs guide
