Tirzepatide, semaglutide or liraglutide? Up to 22.5% vs about 15% vs 5-8% trial weight loss, plus dosing, cost from $49/month and who each GLP-1 suits best.
Last updated September 15, 2026
Reviewed for medical accuracy by Francheska Capistrano, RMT, MPH · Medical Content Reviewer
Clinically checked Checked · Author: Top Weight Loss Research Team · Our review process
Key points
Tirzepatide produces the most weight loss, semaglutide is the most established, and liraglutide is a gentler fallback. Those three, sold as Mounjaro/Zepbound, Ozempic/Wegovy and Saxenda, account for most GLP-1 weight loss prescriptions.
They differ in how they work, how much weight people lose and what they cost. For background, see how GLP-1 medications work.
The two providers our editors recommend first, with the same checked prices and scores used in our full ranking.
Exceptional
Treatments offered
Compounded semaglutide injection (GLP-1) · Compounded tirzepatide injection (GLP-1 + GIP) · Online doctor review and prescription · Dose changes through the patient portal
Starting price
$79$69/month
*Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
from $69/month
embody prescribes compounded semaglutide at $69/mo and tirzepatide at $119/mo online, ships in 1-2 days, and requires no insurance. Trustpilot: 3.8 from 9,604 reviews.
Read full embody review
Exceptional
Treatments offered
Compounded semaglutide injection (GLP-1) · Compounded tirzepatide injection (GLP-1 + GIP) · Brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy · Once-weekly injection schedule
Starting price
$199$89/month
*Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.
from $89/month
altRx sells compounded semaglutide from $89/month and tirzepatide from $149/month at a flat price per dose, plus brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy. Self-pay, no insurance needed.
Read full altRx reviewYes. Tirzepatide led to up to 22.5% body-weight loss in the SURMOUNT trials, the highest of the three.
It is a dual agonist, acting on GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which gives it a broader metabolic effect. Tirzepatide is sold as Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight loss.
See our Zepbound vs Wegovy comparison.
The cheapest published plans, sorted from lowest price, with the terms listed under every price.
For some people. Liraglutide, sold as Saxenda, was the first GLP-1 approved specifically for weight loss.
Its results are smaller, about 5-8% of body weight in the SCALE trial, and it is injected daily rather than weekly. It is prescribed less often today but remains an option for patients who do not respond well to other GLP-1s.
GLP-1 medication is prescription-only: a licensed clinician has to decide it is appropriate, and it is not a fit for everyone. Side effects are possible, and they tend to show up in the first few weeks while your body adapts.
Results are usually best when the medication is paired with simple daily habits, such as balanced meals and regular movement.
For both safety and lasting progress, pick a provider that screens you properly before prescribing and keeps following up once treatment starts.
Which weight loss provider fits you best?
Our ranking compares the leading providers on price, clinical support and medication choices.
How Do GLP-1 Medications Work for Weight Loss?
GLP-1 drugs copy a gut hormone that signals fullness. How semaglutide and tirzepatide cut appetite, steady blood sugar and drove 15-22.5% trial weight loss.
ScienceMenopause Weight Gain: Causes and What Helps
Why weight shifts to the middle around menopause, what actually helps, where GLP-1s fit (trial loss of ~15-22.5%) and what hormone therapy can and can't do.
ScienceDoes Ozempic Cause Hair Loss? Causes and Recovery (2026)
Hair shedding on Ozempic, Wegovy or Zepbound is usually telogen effluvium triggered by fast weight loss and is typically temporary. Why it happens and what helps.
Can You Get Ozempic Without a Doctor? (2026)
Fastest Weight Loss Medication: Realistic Timeline
Side-by-side comparisons with checked prices, the ones readers rely on most when choosing.
The medication facts on this page rest on FDA guidance and peer-reviewed clinical trials, while prices and plan terms come from what each provider publishes. Use this page as general information, not medical advice, and speak with a licensed clinician before you start any weight loss treatment.
