SkinnyRx vs TMates: Which GLP-1 Provider Is Better?
By Iacob Pastina, Independent Researcher
TMates beats SkinnyRx overall, scoring 7.8/10 vs 7.3/10. TMates is more affordable at $158/mo vs $199/mo. Choose SkinnyRx for users who want flexibility in compounded glp-1 medication fo. Choose TMates for users who want commitment-discount pricing on compounded glp.
A side-by-side look at SkinnyRx and TMates to help you decide. We compare them on:
- •Starting price per month
- •Our overall score, out of 10
- •Medication type, brand-name or compounded
- •Whether they accept insurance
- •Who each one is best for
SkinnyRx
#35 of 53Direct-to-consumer telehealth platform offering compounded GLP-1 medications across five formats, injectable and sublingual semaglutide, semaglutide tablets, and tirzepatide as either injectable or tablets. Operated by Lean Rx, Inc. (Sacramento, CA). Compounded only, does not prescribe brand-name Wegovy/Zepbound/Ozempic/Mounjaro. Cash-pay only with HSA/FSA accepted; does not bill insurance. 4,100+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.8 stars.
Visit SkinnyRxTMates
#14 of 53Telemedicine 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 | SkinnyRx | TMates |
|---|---|---|
| Our Score | 7.3/10 | 7.8/10 |
| Starting Price | $199/mo | $158/mo |
| Medication Type | Compounded | Both |
| Insurance Accepted | No | Yes |
| Best For | Users who want flexibility in compounded GLP-1 medication format (injectable, sublingual, or tablet) at a mid-tier price point | Users who want commitment-discount pricing on compounded GLP-1s ($158-$249/mo, medication included) or a $99/mo clinical path to brand Wegovy or Zepbound filled at their own pharmacy |
| Watch out for | No brand-name FDA-approved options (Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Mounjaro), so patients who want or need an FDA-approved finished product should buy elsewhere | The $99/mo Wegovy/Zepbound tier is the clinical service only. Medication is billed separately at your pharmacy (can be $1,000+/mo cash without insurance). Choose this tier when your insurance covers the drug itself. |
| Ranking | #35 | #14 |
| Get started | Visit SkinnyRx | Visit TMates |
Pros & Cons Compared
SkinnyRx
Pros
- +Five medication formats, the broadest compounded-GLP-1 menu in DTC telehealth, including the rare oral tirzepatide tablet that almost no competitor offers
- +$199/mo entry price for both injectable and sublingual semaglutide is competitive in the mid-tier compounded segment
- +Fast onboarding: 5-10 minute online questionnaire, physician review in 24-48 hours, medication delivered in 3-7 business days with temperature-controlled shipping
- +4,100+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.8 stars, among the strongest aggregate social-proof signals in the GLP-1 telehealth category
Cons
- −No brand-name FDA-approved options (Wegovy, Zepbound, Ozempic, Mounjaro), so patients who want or need an FDA-approved finished product should buy elsewhere
- −Light public disclosure: founders, executive team, medical director, and specific compounding-pharmacy partners are not named on the public site, ask support before enrolling if provenance matters to you
- −Cash-pay only, does not bill commercial insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. HSA/FSA payments are accepted, which is the main way to soften the cost.
- −Independent reviews flag inconsistent customer-service responsiveness, a real consideration since titration support and dose adjustments run through chat
TMates
Pros
- +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)
- +Steep multi-month commitment discounts on compounded sema, $158/mo on 12-month plan ($1,900 upfront) vs $249/mo month-to-month
- +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
- −The $99/mo Wegovy/Zepbound tier is the clinical service only. Medication is billed separately at your pharmacy (can be $1,000+/mo cash without insurance). Choose this tier when your insurance covers the drug itself.
- −The best compounded rates require prepayment: $1,050 upfront for 6 months, $1,900 for 12. Start at $249 month-to-month if you want to test fit first.
- −The intake is a 90-second quiz. Fast, but lighter screening than competitors with full medical intakes. Better suited to patients who already know GLP-1 basics.
- −TMates prescribes brand-name but does not dispense it, and is not affiliated with Novo Nordisk (Wegovy) or Eli Lilly (Zepbound). Your own pharmacy fills the Rx.
Our Verdict
TMates edges out SkinnyRx with a score of 7.8/10 vs 7.3/10. If budget is your priority, TMates starts at $158/mo compared to SkinnyRx's $199/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 SkinnyRx if you want: users who want flexibility in compounded glp-1 medication format (injectable, sublingual, or tablet) at a mid-tier price point. Choose TMates if you want: users who want commitment-discount pricing on compounded glp-1s ($158-$249/mo, medication included) or a $99/mo clinical path to brand wegovy or zepbound filled at their own pharmacy.
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