Novi vs TMates: Which GLP-1 Provider Is Better?
By Iacob Pastina, Independent Researcher
Novi and TMates are tied at 7.8/10. Novi is more affordable at $133/mo vs $158/mo. Choose Novi for cash-pay patients who want compounded semaglutide or tirzepa. Choose TMates for users who want flexible pricing across compounded glp-1s (me.
A side-by-side comparison of Novi and TMates covering pricing, scores, medication types, insurance, and more to help you decide.
Novi
#14 of 46Telehealth platform for compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide with month-to-month billing, six named clinicians on staff, and a 3-minute pre-approval quiz. Novi emphasizes 'all-in transparent' pricing — medication, supplies, unlimited clinician check-ins, dose adjustments, and weight-loss coaching are bundled with no add-on fees. Standard pricing is $174/mo semaglutide and $283/mo tirzepatide; promotional pricing on the offer landing drops to $99-$133/mo semaglutide and $149-$166/mo tirzepatide with $200 off advertised.
Visit NoviTMates
#16 of 46Telemedicine platform offering two distinct archetypes: compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide with medication included (commitment pricing $158-$249/mo), and a clinical-service-only path to brand-name Wegovy/Zepbound at $99/mo where the prescription is sent to the patient's pharmacy. Phentermine also available. 2026 expansion added brand-name FDA-approved options.
Visit TMates| Feature | Novi | TMates |
|---|---|---|
| Our Score | 7.8/10 | 7.8/10 |
| Starting Price | $133/mo | $158/mo |
| Medication Type | Compounded | Both |
| Insurance Accepted | No | Yes |
| Best For | Cash-pay patients who want compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide on a no-commitment plan with named clinicians, unlimited check-ins, and aggressive promotional pricing as low as $99-$133/mo on the introductory offer | Users who want flexible pricing across compounded GLP-1s (medication included, $158-$249/mo with commitment discounts) and a cheap clinical-service-only path to brand Wegovy or Zepbound ($99/mo, patient fills at own pharmacy) |
| Ranking | #14 | #16 |
Pros & Cons Compared
Novi
Pros
- +Six disclosed clinicians on staff — Daniel Funsch MD, Michael Wasef MD, Takashi Nakamura MD plus three nurse practitioners (Hastings NP, Clements NP, Vergara DNP) — more named providers than most compounded-only platforms publish
- +Month-to-month billing with no minimum commitment — cancel before any renewal date with no early-termination penalty
- +Aggressive promotional pricing on the offer landing — $99-$133/mo compounded semaglutide and $149-$166/mo compounded tirzepatide with a $200 OFF intro discount
- +Unlimited clinician check-ins, dose adjustments, and weight-loss coaching included at no additional cost
- +Free 2-day shipping; same active ingredients as Wegovy/Ozempic and Mounjaro/Zepbound (semaglutide and tirzepatide respectively)
- +100,000+ patients claimed and editorial coverage in Bloomberg, Forbes, and WebMD provide third-party signal
Cons
- −Compounded-only — no FDA-approved Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, or Mounjaro through the platform; no Foundayo or oral GLP-1 formats
- −Founding year, headquarters city, and corporate ownership are not publicly disclosed
- −Promotional $99-$133 pricing applies to the introductory offer landing only — standard rate after any qualifying intro period is $174-$283/mo (verify the renewal rate before enrolling)
- −Once medication is dispensed/shipped, prescriptions cannot be returned or refunded — typical for compounded telehealth but worth understanding
- −Lab requirements before prescribing are not disclosed on public pages — unclear whether baseline bloodwork is required
- −Multiple landing pages (offer-v4, offer-v6-low) show different headline prices, which can create pricing confusion before checkout
TMates
Pros
- +Steep multi-month commitment discounts on compounded sema — $158/mo on 12-month plan ($1,900 upfront) vs $249/mo month-to-month
- +Clinical-service-only path to brand Wegovy and Zepbound at $99/mo — prescription goes to patient's pharmacy (you fill separately using insurance or cash)
- +Same price at all dose levels for compounded — no cost escalation as you titrate up
- +Phentermine available at $149/mo for patients who benefit from a different appetite-suppressant approach
Cons
- −Brand Wegovy/Zepbound $99/mo is CLINICAL SERVICE ONLY — medication cost is separate (paid at your pharmacy, which can be $1,000+/mo cash without insurance)
- −Best compounded pricing requires 6-12 month prepayment (upfront $1,050-$1,900)
- −90-second assessment quiz suggests convenience over clinical thoroughness compared to competitors with full medical intakes
- −Not affiliated with Novo Nordisk (Wegovy) or Eli Lilly (Zepbound) — TMates prescribes but does not dispense brand-name
Our Verdict
Novi and TMates are closely matched with identical scores of 7.8/10. If budget is your priority, Novi starts at $133/mo compared to TMates's $158/mo. TMates accepts insurance, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs. TMates offers both brand-name and compounded medications, giving you more flexibility. Choose Novi if you want: cash-pay patients who want compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide on a no-commitment plan with named clinicians, unlimited check-ins, and aggressive promotional pricing as low as $99-$133/mo on the introductory offer. Choose TMates if you want: users who want flexible pricing across compounded glp-1s (medication included, $158-$249/mo with commitment discounts) and a cheap clinical-service-only path to brand wegovy or zepbound ($99/mo, patient fills at own pharmacy).