Hims vs Ro for GLP-1 Weight Loss: Cost, Dosing, and What You Actually Get

Updated May 2, 2026

Hims and Ro are the two biggest names in U.S. telehealth weight loss. Both offer GLP-1 medications, both promise faster access than traditional clinics, and both have spent millions in advertising convincing you they're the obvious choice. So which one actually gives you the best value in 2026?

The short answer: Hims is cheaper at the entry tier, Ro has a wider medication selection at higher tiers, and neither is the absolute cheapest option on the market. We'll walk through what each one really costs, what's included in the monthly fee, and where smaller competitors like Yucca Health, Sprout Health, and Strut Health beat both on price.

Quick Comparison: Hims vs Ro at a Glance

Pricing and details below reflect publicly listed information as of early 2026; both providers update their pricing and formularies regularly, so verify before subscribing.

Hims Weight Loss Program: Deep Dive

Hims (technically "Hims & Hers" since the 2020 brand merge) entered the weight loss space in 2024 and quickly became one of the most aggressively priced compounded GLP-1 channels. Their pitch is simple: a $79/month entry tier that's hard for most other telehealth services to match.

Hims pricing tiers

• $79/mo: Oral compounded semaglutide kit. Includes the medication and provider oversight; lab work is sometimes required and may be billed separately.
• $199/mo and up: Branded injectable GLP-1s, typically Wegovy or Zepbound depending on availability and insurance status.
• Add-ons: Lab work, supplements, and accelerator programs are often offered as upsells during onboarding.

What medications does Hims prescribe?

The $79 tier is compounded semaglutide in oral form — a different formulation from injectable Wegovy or Ozempic. Compounded oral semaglutide is generally less potent dose-for-dose than injectable semaglutide, so weight-loss expectations should be calibrated accordingly. Hims also offers compounded injectable semaglutide and branded injectables, but these are not always available in every state and may be priced higher than the headline number suggests.

Hims pros

• Lowest entry-tier pricing among the major national telehealth brands
• Polished app, fast onboarding, and a clean prescriber-messaging interface
• Same-account access to other Hims services (mental health, primary care, hair, etc.)

Hims cons

• Tirzepatide selection is more limited than Ro's
• The $79 oral tier is compounded, not the same as brand Wegovy or Rybelsus
• Aggressive upsells during onboarding can push monthly cost higher than advertised

Ro Weight Loss Program: Deep Dive

Ro (formerly Roman) was one of the first national telehealth brands to launch a dedicated weight-loss product called the Body Program. They built it around a more medical-grade pitch — provider visits, body composition tracking, and a wider medication menu — than Hims' marketing-heavy approach.

Ro Body Program pricing

• $149/mo (first month): Compounded semaglutide injectable, introductory pricing.
• $299/mo and up: Tirzepatide (compounded or brand depending on availability).
• $449/mo: Higher-dose injectable tiers and certain brand-name formulations.

What medications does Ro prescribe?

Ro's Body Program covers both semaglutide and tirzepatide, with compounded options at the lower tiers and brand-name medications (Wegovy, Zepbound, sometimes Mounjaro for diabetes diagnoses) at higher tiers. Compared to Hims, Ro has historically been quicker to add tirzepatide as a default option rather than a workaround.

Ro pros

• Wider medication menu, including reliable tirzepatide access
• More medically-oriented onboarding with body composition and lab requirements
• Quarterly check-ins built into higher tiers

Ro cons

• Higher entry price than Hims ($149 vs $79)
• The $149 introductory rate jumps after the first month; budget for $200–$299/mo ongoing
• Lab requirements add friction for users who just want fast medication access

Head-to-Head: Where Each One Wins

Cost

Hims wins on the absolute cheapest tier. The $79/mo oral compounded semaglutide is the lowest you'll find from a major national telehealth brand. But the compounded oral form is also less potent than injectable semaglutide, so you may need higher doses or more time to see results, which can change the value calculation. At the injectable tier ($199/mo Hims vs $149/mo Ro first month), Ro is briefly cheaper before normalizing higher.

Convenience

Roughly tied. Both have polished mobile apps, fast onboarding (under 30 minutes typically), and 2–5 day shipping. Hims has a slight edge on app polish; Ro has a slight edge on the medical messaging experience.

Medical oversight

Ro wins. The Body Program has historically required more rigorous lab work and offers more frequent provider check-ins. Hims' onboarding is faster but lighter; if you have multiple comorbidities or want closer medical supervision, Ro's setup is the better fit.

Flexibility

Both are month-to-month with no contracts. Cancellation is straightforward on both platforms (online, no phone calls). Switching medications mid-program is easier on Ro because of the wider formulary; Hims may require a tier upgrade or new prescription if you want to move from oral to injectable.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Hims and Ro spend the most on advertising, which is part of why they're priced where they are. Several smaller telehealth providers offer comparable or better pricing on compounded GLP-1s. Three to know about:

• Strut Health — Oral compounded semaglutide from $99/mo with auto-refill. The cheapest oral option after Hims, with injectable upgrades available.
• Yucca Health — Compounded semaglutide from $175/mo first month, tirzepatide from $258/mo. No live video visit required, which speeds up onboarding considerably.
• Sprout Health — Compounded semaglutide from $199/mo, tirzepatide from $249/mo, with no hidden fees or upsells.

None of these names will be on a billboard, but their pricing is competitive and we list current rates for all three on the main comparison tool so you can compare side-by-side without juggling tabs.

How to Choose the Right Provider

Pick the path that matches your priority:

• Lowest cost overall: Strut Health ($99/mo oral) or Hims ($79/mo oral). Both are compounded semaglutide. Compare every sub-$200/month GLP-1 option for context.
• Best for tirzepatide: Ro Body Program at $299/mo, or Yucca Health at $258/mo. See our tirzepatide vs semaglutide cost breakdown for which is right for you.
• Brand-name Wegovy or Zepbound: Both Hims and Ro offer them, but pricing is closer to retail and insurance is the cheapest path. Check our cheapest Wegovy guide if you don't have coverage.
• You have commercial insurance: Skip telehealth entirely if your plan covers Wegovy or Zepbound — manufacturer savings cards drop copay to $25/month. Our savings card guide walks through every program.
• You're on Medicare: Telehealth providers cannot bill Medicare for GLP-1 weight-loss meds. Wait for the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program launching July 2026 or use TrumpRx as a self-pay bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hims or Ro cheaper for GLP-1 medications?

Hims is cheaper at the entry tier ($79/mo for oral compounded semaglutide vs Ro's $149/mo first-month rate on compounded semaglutide). For tirzepatide, Ro starts around $299/mo while Hims focuses on its branded injectable tier at $199/mo. The cheapest path on either platform is the compounded oral or low-dose injectable; brand-name medications cost meaningfully more on both.

Can I get tirzepatide from Hims or Ro?

Ro offers tirzepatide as part of its Body Program, with starting prices around $299/mo as of early 2026. Hims has historically focused on semaglutide-based protocols and brand-name injectables; tirzepatide availability through Hims is more limited and varies by state. Always confirm current medication availability during the consultation, since both providers update their formularies frequently.

Do Hims and Ro use compounded or brand-name medications?

Both offer compounded semaglutide as their lowest-cost tier and brand-name medications at higher tiers. Hims' $79/mo oral kits are compounded; their $199/mo+ injectables include brand-name options. Ro's $149/mo first-month rate is compounded semaglutide; brand Wegovy and Zepbound are available at significantly higher prices that often require insurance to be affordable. We cover the broader compounded-vs-brand tradeoff in our compounded semaglutide vs brand Wegovy guide.

What happens if I want to switch from Hims to Ro (or vice versa)?

You can switch at any time, but the new provider will typically require a fresh consultation, often new lab work, and your dose may restart depending on how much time has passed since your last fill. Cancel the old subscription before starting the new one to avoid double charges. Both providers have month-to-month billing, so there's no contractual lock-in to break. See our guide to switching GLP-1 medications for the cost implications of switching not just providers but also drug class.