Ro, Hims, and GobyMeds represent three fundamentally different approaches to GLP-1 telehealth. Hims is now brand-name only after settling with Novo Nordisk. Ro offers brand-name at self-pay pricing plus a membership model. GobyMeds is compounded-only at the market's lowest price. Here's how they actually compare.
What Happened to Hims
If you're reading articles from 2024-early 2025 comparing Hims' compounded semaglutide, that's outdated. In February 2026, Hims launched a $49 compounded oral semaglutide pill. Novo Nordisk immediately sued. On March 9, 2026, Hims settled and agreed to exit compounded semaglutide entirely. By mid-2026, Hims is a branded-only platform — an authorized distribution channel for Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly products.
The Real Comparison
| Category | GobyMeds | Ro | Hims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Compounded only | Brand-name + membership | Brand-name only |
| Sema injectable | $99/mo | $199-349 + membership | $299/mo |
| Sema oral | N/A | $149-299 via Wegovy pill | $249/mo (oral Wegovy) |
| Tirzepatide | $133/mo | Zepbound available | $399/mo (Zepbound) |
| Membership fee | None | $74-149/mo on top | None |
| All-in monthly (sema) | $99 | $273-498 | $299 |
| 12-month cost (sema) | $1,188 | $3,276-5,976 | $3,588 |
| Insurance billing | ❌ Cash-pay only | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Savings card eligible | ❌ N/A | ✅ $0-25/mo possible | ✅ $0-25/mo possible |
| Labs required | Per provider | Not required | Not required |
| Consultation type | Telehealth | Async or video | Async only — no video |
| FDA-approved meds | ❌ Compounded | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| LegitScript | ✅ Certified | N/A (brand-name) | N/A (brand-name) |
When Each Provider Wins
GobyMeds wins: budget-conscious, cash-pay patients
At $99/month all-in with no membership fees, GobyMeds is the cheapest legitimate GLP-1 option available. If you're paying out-of-pocket and maximizing savings is the priority, nothing on the market beats it. The tirzepatide option at $133/month is similarly unmatched.
Ro wins: insured patients who want brand-name
If you have commercial insurance that covers Wegovy or Zepbound, Ro's platform handles prior authorization and integrates with manufacturer savings cards. With insurance + savings card, your monthly cost could be $0-25 — cheaper than GobyMeds. But without insurance, Ro's pricing ($199-349 medication + $74-149 membership) makes it one of the most expensive options.
Hims wins: insured patients who want simplicity
Hims' async-only, no-video, no-labs model is the fastest pathway to a prescription. If speed and convenience matter more than clinical rigor, and your insurance covers the medication, Hims gets you there with minimal friction. But at $249-399/month cash-pay with no compounded option, it's a poor value for uninsured patients.
Clinical Quality Comparison
Hims uses async-only consultations with no required labs — the lowest clinical bar among major GLP-1 telehealth platforms. Ro offers both async and video options but also doesn't mandate labs. GobyMeds includes a telehealth consultation and defers to provider judgment on lab requirements.
None of these platforms offer the clinical depth of obesity medicine specialty practices. If comprehensive clinical oversight is your priority, consider Found Health (board-certified obesity medicine physicians), Direct Meds (dedicated nurse support), or a brick-and-mortar weight management clinic.
The Brand-Name Alternative You're Missing
Both Ro and Hims compete on brand-name access — but neither offers the best brand-name deal. The Wegovy oral tablet through NovoCare is $149/month for starter doses (no membership required). Foundayo through LillyDirect is $149/month at the lowest dose. Both are cheaper than Hims' $249-299/month and avoid Ro's membership fee entirely.
If you want FDA-approved medication without the telehealth markup, going directly to the manufacturer's self-pay program may be the best move.