Henry Meds vs Ro: Which Telehealth Platform Wins in 2026?
Henry Meds and Ro represent the two ends of the telehealth GLP-1 spectrum: Henry leans into compounded pricing flexibility and a deep ED/TRT formulary; Ro is the household-name brand-name GLP-1 leader with one of the largest insurance-navigation operations in the category.
Henry Meds
Affordable subscription telehealth with one of the largest compounded formularies in the industry.
Ro
Mainstream telehealth giant with FDA-approved GLP-1s, an insurance concierge, and prepay savings.
| Attribute | Henry Meds | Ro |
|---|---|---|
| Program Fee | Included in monthly plan | From $74/mo (membership) |
| Medication From | From $129/mo | Medication priced via insurance or cash |
| Editor Score | 4.6 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Primary Category | GLP-1 Weight Loss | GLP-1 Weight Loss |
| FDA Brand-Name Access | KYZATREX | Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound |
| Compounded Options | 9 compounds | 2 compounds |
| Adjacent Categories | GLP-1 Weight Loss, TRT & Men's Hormones, Women's Health & HRT, Erectile Dysfunction | GLP-1 Weight Loss, Erectile Dysfunction, Hair Loss, Skincare, Primary Care |
What the Studies Actually Show
Pricing reflects publicly listed self-pay rates as of 2026. Insurance acceptance varies by employer plan and pharmacy benefit manager; Ro publishes a coverage tool but cannot guarantee approval. Compounded GLP-1 availability is subject to FDA shortage list status and may change.
| Endpoint | Henry Meds | Ro |
|---|---|---|
| Mean weight loss for the underlying medications (pivotal Phase 3 trials)1,2 | Compounded semaglutide tracks branded semaglutide (Wegovy) at −14.9% over 68 weeks at the 2.4 mg dose Compounded semaglutide has not itself been studied in randomized trials; efficacy is inferred from the active ingredient. The FDA does not formally approve compounded products, so quality depends on the 503A or 503B pharmacy that produces them. | Brand-name Wegovy −14.9%; brand-name Zepbound −20.9% (15 mg) at 72 weeks |
| GI side effects (per FDA prescribing information)3,4 | Same active ingredient profile: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation in ≥10% of users | Same active ingredient profile: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation in ≥10% of users |
| Cardiovascular outcomes evidence (semaglutide 2.4 mg)5 | SELECT trial showed 20% MACE risk reduction in adults with established CV disease and overweight/obesity | Same |
The Verdict
Choose Henry Meds for compounded GLP-1 access at lower out-of-pocket cost and the deepest ED/TRT formulary. Choose Ro if insurance coverage for FDA-approved Wegovy or Zepbound is a priority, or if you value the breadth of conditions a single platform can manage.
- STEP 1 Trial — NEJM 2021 · Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med 2021;384:989–1002.
- SURMOUNT-1 Trial — NEJM 2022 · Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med 2022;387:205–216.
- FDA Prescribing Information — Wegovy (semaglutide) · WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection, for subcutaneous use. U.S. Food and Drug Administration prescribing information.
- FDA Prescribing Information — Zepbound (tirzepatide) · ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) injection, for subcutaneous use. U.S. Food and Drug Administration prescribing information.
- SELECT Trial — NEJM 2023 · Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes. N Engl J Med 2023;389:2221–2232.
RxNotebook is an editorial publication. Citations point to peer-reviewed journals, FDA labeling, and clinical society guidelines. We are not affiliated with the studies cited above. This page is for general information and is not medical advice.