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Quick verdict
LifeMD is the better pick for most patients on overall scoring. Mature publicly-traded telehealth with rare direct-supply deals from both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Membership is $75 the first month then $149/mo ongoing. The Wegovy pill is $149/mo at starter doses and $299/mo at full doses. Steady-state total runs about $448/mo (starter months about $298, first month $224). Wegovy injection runs higher and Zepbound vials from $349. Insurance navigation included. Opt-in money-back guarantee: stay enrolled 12 months and lose at least 10% body weight, or you're eligible for a refund per posted terms.
That said, Shed wins on specific dimensions. 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.
Side-by-side
| LifeMD | Shed | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts from | $448/mo (+ med separate) | $149/mo (incl. medication) |
| Monthly cost gap | Shed is $49/mo cheaper than LifeMD | |
| Lock-in | Month-to-month | Prepaid plan |
| Time to prescription | 2 days | 3 days |
| Consultation type | Async | 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.
| LifeMD | Shed | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Cancellation terms | 7.5/10 | 6/10 |
| Onboarding experience | 8.5/10 | 7/10 |
| Medication options | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Member reviews | 8.2/10 | 8/10 |
When to choose LifeMD
Best for insurance plus lifestyle support
Mainstream patients who want insurance navigation plus the option to cash-pay for branded GLP-1 at near-NovoCare/LillyDirect rates without leaving the platform.
LifeMD wins on pricing transparency, cancellation terms, onboarding experience, medication options, member reviews on the dimensional scoring. The caveat: Patients chasing the absolute cheapest compounded option or wanting a pure cash-only flat rate. Note also: Publicly traded NASDAQ:LFMD with formal pharmaceutical supply agreements
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 tied dimensions and runs $49/mo cheaper than LifeMD at the entry tier ($249 vs $298). Over a year that's $588 you keep. 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
Shed is the cheaper monthly: $249 all-in vs $298 for LifeMD. That's $49 a month or $588a 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 $147 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
LifeMD (month-to-month) and Shed (prepaid plan) sit at different cancellation tiers. If you're first-time on a GLP-1 and unsure how you'll tolerate it, LifeMD's easier cancellation is the safer trial.
FAQ
Is LifeMD cheaper than Shed?
Can I switch from LifeMD 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
