Short answerIn trials, Zepbound (tirzepatide) produced up to 22.5% average weight loss, compared with about 15% for Wegovy (semaglutide). Ozempic is the same semaglutide sold under its diabetes approval. Checked prices: brand Zepbound costs $1,249/month and Wegovy $1,579 at altRx, while compounded semaglutide starts at $49 and compounded tirzepatide at $89 through licensed telehealth.Prices checked on each provider’s website on October 16, 2026.
How are Zepbound, Wegovy and Ozempic different?
They are two molecules sold under three FDA labels.
- Zepbound is tirzepatide, FDA-approved for chronic weight management. It acts on two hormone receptors, GIP and GLP-1.
- Wegovy is semaglutide at weight-management doses, up to 2.4 mg.
- Ozempic is the same semaglutide, approved for type 2 diabetes at doses up to 2 mg. It is often prescribed off-label for weight loss, but the weight-loss approval belongs to Wegovy.
Our 2 favorite GLP-1 providers
The two providers our editors recommend first, with the same checked prices and scores used in our full ranking.
Our Most Popular
1
Exceptional
9.8out of 10
Semaglutide from $69/mo, delivered in 1-2 days
Refund if not approvedFree expedited shipping
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.
- Semaglutide $69/mo; tirzepatide $119/mo
- 5-minute questionnaire; doctor review usually within 24 hours
- Free 1-2 day shipping: cold-packed, tracked and insured
- No insurance, no clinic visits, cancel anytime
Pricing starts at
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 review2
Exceptional
9.7out of 10
Low-cost GLP-1 care: semaglutide from $89/mo
Clear, flat pricingNo insurance needed
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.
- Semaglutide from $89/mo; tirzepatide from $149/mo
- Brand-name Ozempic, Zepbound and Wegovy available
- Reviewed by a physician, PA or nurse practitioner
- Free shipping, arriving in about 5-7 days
Pricing starts at
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 reviewDoes Zepbound cause more weight loss than Wegovy?
On trial averages, yes. Tirzepatide produced up to 22.5% average body-weight loss in its trials at the top dose, compared with about 15% for semaglutide in Wegovy's main trial. Three caveats apply:
- Averages hide wide individual differences.
- Those trials did not test the two drugs against each other.
- Tolerability varies from person to person.
How much do Zepbound, Wegovy and Ozempic cost without insurance?
Verified cash prices, not estimates:
- Brand Zepbound: $1,249/month at altRx.
- Brand Wegovy: $1,579/month at altRx.
- Brand Ozempic: from $1,149/month.
- Zepbound KwikPens at ro: from $299 the first month, then $399-$449, plus membership.
Lowest-priced GLP-1 plans
The cheapest published plans, sorted from lowest price, with the terms listed under every price.
Are the side effects of Zepbound, Wegovy and Ozempic different?
Mostly no. All three share the GLP-1 class profile: digestive effects such as nausea, constipation and diarrhea dominate, especially around dose increases.
Trial dropout rates were broadly similar. The differences are personal: some people handle tirzepatide's dual action better, others do better on semaglutide.
Managing side effects works the same way for all three, through slow titration, eating habits and hydration, as covered in our side-effects guide. The rare but serious warnings (pancreatitis, thyroid C-cell warnings) apply across the whole class.
Is GLP-1 Treatment Right for You?
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.
Can you switch from Ozempic to Zepbound?
Yes, and many people do. The critical point that search results often get wrong: there is no mg-for-mg dose conversion between semaglutide and tirzepatide.
They are different molecules with separate dose ladders. A prescriber normally starts the new drug at or close to its own starting dose and adjusts based on response and tolerability.
Never convert doses yourself. If what you really want is to leave brand pricing rather than change molecules, that is a different move, covered in our guide to switching to compounded.
Should you choose Zepbound, Wegovy or Ozempic?
Match the drug to your situation:
- Highest average results and a brand budget: Zepbound leads the trial data.
- Insurance covers one of them: the covered drug usually wins on cost. Check your formulary first.
- Paying cash: compounded options at $49-$299/month change the whole calculation, which is why we start cash payers there. Compare them in our provider ranking.
- Diabetes plus weight goals: discuss the Ozempic or Mounjaro labels with your clinician.