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Quick verdict
PlushCare is the better pick for most patients on overall scoring. PlushCare is a primary-care telehealth platform that happens to prescribe GLP-1s, not a GLP-1 specialist. That distinction makes it the strongest pick for the insured and the most expensive for everyone else.
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
| PlushCare | Shed | |
|---|---|---|
| Starts from | $19.99/mo (+ med separate) | $149/mo (incl. medication) |
| Monthly cost gap | Shed is $299/mo cheaper than PlushCare | |
| Lock-in | Month-to-month | Prepaid plan |
| Time to prescription | 1 day | 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.
| PlushCare | Shed | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing transparency | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Cancellation terms | 7/10 | 6/10 |
| Onboarding experience | 9/10 | 7/10 |
| Medication options | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Member reviews | 6.8/10 | 8/10 |
When to choose PlushCare
Best for insurance-covered branded
Patients with commercial insurance that covers Wegovy or Zepbound. PlushCare's PCPs handle prior authorization paperwork well.
PlushCare wins on cancellation terms, onboarding experience on the dimensional scoring. The caveat: Cash-pay patients comparing on monthly cost. The membership + visit fees + cash medication math is rarely competitive against specialists.
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, member reviews and runs $299/mo cheaper than PlushCare at the entry tier ($249 vs $548). Over a year that's $3,588 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 $548 for PlushCare. That's $299 a month or $3,588a 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 $897 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
PlushCare (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, PlushCare's easier cancellation is the safer trial.
FAQ
Is PlushCare cheaper than Shed?
Can I switch from PlushCare 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
