Shed starts at $149/mo (all-in, includes medication); DirectMeds at $179/mo (all-in, includes medication). Both prescribe GLP-1 medication — Shed offers compounded semaglutide & tirzepatide, DirectMeds compounded semaglutide & tirzepatide. Here's how they compare on price, medications, support and transparency.
Bottom line: Shed wins
Shed wins on our rubric, 8.5/10 to 8.0/10. It leads most on support. Choose DirectMeds instead if you prefer DirectMeds — legitscript-certified, with a sublingual option and next-day shipping.
Round by round
We scored both programs on the four factors in our methodology — value, support, medications and transparency. Shed takes 1, DirectMeds takes 1, with 2 even. Here's how each shook out.
Value
What you get for the price — not just the lowest sticker. A premium program that includes FDA-approved medication, insurance help and real support can be good value. Evenly matched at about 7.8.
Support
Real clinician access, coaching and follow-up — video visits and a care team score higher than async-only. Shed scores 9.0 to 7.2 — clearly ahead.
Medications
Medication options and legitimacy — FDA-approved branded (Wegovy, Zepbound) rates above compounded-only, and breadth and flexibility add points. Evenly matched at about 9.0.
Transparency
How clearly and publicly pricing, terms and availability are stated — plus track record and any regulatory red flags. DirectMeds scores 8.0 to 7.8 — just ahead.
Where they differ most
The clearest daylight is in support, where Shed leads 9.0 to 7.2. On price, Shed starts lower ($149 vs $179 per month).
Pricing: Shed vs DirectMeds
Shed has the lower advertised starting price — $149/mo vs $179/mo for DirectMeds. But read the fine print: Shed is all-in, includes medication and DirectMeds is all-in, includes medication, and the cheapest rates often need a prepaid multi-month plan — so compare the real all-in cost at your maintenance dose, not the headline. We unpack how these plans are structured in how much compounded semaglutide costs.
Shed: Intro/platform rate; semaglutide injection commonly from $199/mo, dose-tiered; ~2-month minimum (as of Sep 2026, glpchart.com). DirectMeds: Sublingual/oral semaglutide; injectable semaglutide ~$297/mo, tirzepatide ~$399/mo (as of Sep 2026, clearmetabolic.com).
The specs, side by side
| Shed | DirectMeds | |
|---|---|---|
| Editor rating | 8.5/10 · Great | 8.0/10 · Very good |
| Starting price | $149/mo | $179/mo |
| Pricing | All-in, includes medication | All-in, includes medication |
| Medications | Compounded semaglutide & tirzepatide | Compounded semaglutide & tirzepatide |
| Medication form | Injection, drops or lozenge | Injection or sublingual |
| Visit type | Async questionnaire | Async, reviewed within ~6h |
| Insurance | Cash-pay | Cash-pay (HSA/FSA) |
| Availability | All 50 states | ~45 states |
Which should you pick?
Choose DirectMeds if…
You prefer DirectMeds — legitscript-certified, with a sublingual option and next-day shipping.
View DirectMeds plans →Common questions
Is Shed better than DirectMeds?
In our scoring Shed comes out ahead — 8.5/10 to 8.0/10, leading on support. It's our pick for most people; DirectMeds is the better choice if you prefer DirectMeds — legitscript-certified, with a sublingual option and next-day shipping.
Which is cheaper, Shed or DirectMeds?
Shed has the lower advertised starting price — $149/mo vs $179/mo for DirectMeds. But read the fine print: Shed is all-in, includes medication and DirectMeds is all-in, includes medication, and the cheapest rates often need a prepaid multi-month plan — so compare the real all-in cost at your maintenance dose, not the headline.
Do Shed and DirectMeds prescribe the same medications?
Shed offers compounded semaglutide & tirzepatide (injection, drops or lozenge); DirectMeds offers compounded semaglutide & tirzepatide (injection or sublingual). On breadth of options, Shed scores higher. Compounded GLP-1s aren't FDA-approved finished products, and availability shifts — confirm current options with each provider.
Which gives you more support, Shed or DirectMeds?
Shed scores higher on support — real clinician access, coaching and follow-up. For visits, Shed is async questionnaire and DirectMeds is async, reviewed within ~6h.
Are Shed and DirectMeds legit?
Both require a licensed clinician to review your intake before prescribing. Confirm each provider's credentials, state availability (Shed: all 50 states; DirectMeds: ~45 states) and current pricing before you sign up — and note that compounded medications aren't FDA-approved.
Can I switch between Shed and DirectMeds?
Generally yes — neither locks you into a long contract, though the lowest prices often require a prepaid plan. Never stop or change a GLP-1 medication without talking to your clinician first.
Both programs are scored with the same independent methodology. We may earn a commission from either provider — it changes nothing about the scores or the verdict. Prices are advertised starting rates as of October 2026; confirm current pricing with each provider. Nothing here is medical advice.