Every comparison site claims to be unbiased. We publish exactly how we evaluate, score, and rank. If our methodology is flawed, we want you to tell us.
Why We Built This
The GLP-1 comparison space has a transparency problem. Most ranking sites fall into one of three categories: providers ranking themselves (and conveniently coming in first), pure affiliate sites ranking by commission payout, or media sites recycling press releases without hands-on evaluation.
Compare GLP-1 exists to be the independent alternative. We earn affiliate commission — we're transparent about that. But our rankings are driven by the methodology described on this page, not by payout rates.
Our Five Evaluation Criteria
| Criterion | Weight | What We Measure |
|---|---|---|
| Total Monthly Cost | 30% | All-in price: consultation + medication + shipping + medical oversight. No advertised price — actual total. |
| Pharmacy Quality | 25% | 503B vs. 503A designation, PCAB accreditation, batch testing, FDA compliance history. |
| Medical Oversight | 20% | Titration protocol, provider response time, follow-up frequency, lab monitoring. |
| Format & Options | 15% | Delivery formats (injectable, oral, sublingual), medication options (semaglutide, tirzepatide), dose flexibility. |
| Patient Experience | 10% | Enrollment ease, shipping speed, platform usability, cancellation policy, support quality. |
How We Calculate Total Monthly Cost
This is our most important metric, and the one where we differ most from other comparison sites. We don't use advertised pricing. We calculate the total amount a patient will actually pay each month at a therapeutic dose, including:
Medication cost at therapeutic dose (not starting dose). Consultation or medical oversight fees. Mandatory membership or platform fees. Shipping and handling. Supplies (syringes, alcohol swabs). Any required lab work.
If a provider advertises "$99/month" but charges a $79 membership, $15 shipping, and $49 quarterly consultation, we list them at their real cost — approximately $212/month — not $99.
How We Evaluate Pharmacy Quality
Not all compounding pharmacies are equivalent. We grade on a scale that accounts for:
Regulatory designation. 503B outsourcing facilities (FDA-registered, cGMP-compliant, batch-tested) score higher than 503A compounding pharmacies (state-regulated, USP <797>, sample-tested). Both are legal. The quality assurance standards differ.
Accreditation. PCAB (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) accreditation is voluntary and indicates commitment to higher standards. PCAB-accredited pharmacies score higher.
Compliance history. We check FDA warning letters, state board actions, and public enforcement records. Any significant compliance issues reduce a provider's pharmacy quality score.
How We Evaluate Medical Oversight
We assess whether a provider's medical model supports long-term treatment success or is optimized primarily for enrollment:
Titration protocol. Does the provider have a structured titration schedule with check-ins at each dose increase? Or is it a generic timeline with no follow-up?
Response time. When a patient messages with a medical question, how quickly does a licensed provider respond? We target under 24 hours for non-urgent queries.
Lab monitoring. Does the provider order or recommend baseline and periodic labs? Responsible GLP-1 prescribing includes metabolic panel, A1C, and liver function monitoring.
How We Handle Affiliate Revenue
Transparency section — because every comparison site should have one:
We earn affiliate commission from providers featured on this site. When you click a provider link and enroll, we receive a payment. This is how we fund our research and keep the site free.
Commission rates do not influence rankings. A provider paying $350 per referral will rank below a provider paying $175 if the lower-paying provider scores higher on our five criteria. We've structured our business model to sustain on volume — we don't need to push the highest-paying option to stay profitable.
We feature providers we'd recommend to family. If a provider offers a high commission but scores poorly on pharmacy quality or medical oversight, we don't feature them. Revenue doesn't override patient safety.
What We Don't Evaluate
To maintain scope and accuracy, we don't evaluate:
Brand-name insurance coverage. Insurance formularies vary too widely by plan, employer, and state. We can't meaningfully rank "ease of insurance approval" as a universal criterion.
Individual patient outcomes. Weight loss results vary by person. We evaluate the treatment program, not the average patient result — because the program (provider quality, dose management, medical support) is what's within anyone's control.
Patient reviews at scale. Online reviews are gameable. We read them for qualitative insights but don't use review scores as a formal ranking input.
How to Use Our Ratings
Our rankings reflect what we believe is the best option for the average patient in each category. Your situation may differ. Use our verdicts as a starting point, then filter by your specific priorities — budget, medication preference, format, or medical support needs.
If you think we've gotten something wrong, we want to hear about it. Contact us with evidence and we'll investigate and update our rankings if warranted.
Last updated: March 2026. We re-evaluate quarterly.