GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have become a major part of the weight-loss treatment landscape — but brand-name products like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound can cost over $1,000 a month without insurance. That’s driven a wave of telehealth platforms that connect patients with independent licensed providers who can evaluate them for compounded or brand-name GLP-1 therapy at a lower price point.
Below is a comparison of three of those platforms — Gala, NewSelf, and VivioMD — based on publicly available information as of mid-2026. This is general information to help you compare options, not medical advice. Pricing, availability, and program terms at any telehealth platform can change quickly, so always confirm current details directly on the company’s site before enrolling.
Gala
Gala GLP-1
- Women-focused care with hormone/midlife support alongside GLP-1
- Both compounded and branded (Ozempic) options
- No insurance needed; available in most of the states
- Flat pricing on many plans as dose increases
- Some plans require a longer (e.g., 12-month) commitment for best pricing
- Compounded medication not FDA-approved
NewSelf
NewSelf
- Flat “one price, any dose” model
- No separate membership fee
- LegitScript-certified with named provider/pharmacy partners
- Fast, cold-chain shipping
- Multi-month commitment typical; early cancellation fees possible
- Compounded medication not FDA-approved
VivioMD
VivioMD
- Injectable and oral tablet formats available
- Live provider consultations (not just questionnaire review)
- Named pharmacy partners for transparency
- Refund policy on program/consultation fees
- Higher starting price vs. flat-rate competitors
- VivioMD itself is a marketing/intake platform only – not the medical provider or pharmacy
Detailed Review
1. Gala
Gala is a telehealth platform reported to serve men and women that connects users with licensed U.S. providers who evaluate eligibility for compounded semaglutide, compounded tirzepatide, microdosing plans, or branded Ozempic. Alongside its core GLP-1 weight loss program, Gala also offers a separate women-focused hormone health track addressing perimenopause- and menopause-related symptoms. (“Microdosing” is a marketing term used by the platform, not a standardized medical category.)
How it works: Complete an online health assessment → a licensed provider reviews it and determines whether treatment is appropriate → if approved, medication ships from a licensed pharmacy.
Pricing: Compounded GLP-1/GIP plans are commonly advertised around $179/month in third-party reviews; a lower-dose microdosing option is typically listed below that. Some plans reportedly require a longer subscription term to lock in the advertised rate. Confirm current pricing and commitment terms at checkout.
Pros
- Open to both men and women, with an additional women-focused hormone health track available for those who want it
- Reportedly offers both compounded and branded (Ozempic) options, subject to eligibility
- No insurance required; reported to be broadly available, though state-by-state availability should be confirmed directly
- Flat pricing on many plans that doesn’t increase as dose increases
Cons
- Some pricing plans reportedly require a longer commitment (e.g., annual) to access the advertised rate
- Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are subject to different FDA oversight than approved drugs.
- No oral/needle-free GLP-1 option reported.
2. NewSelf
NewSelf is a telehealth platform centered on flat-rate pricing for compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, marketed under the promise of “one price, any dose.” Care is delivered through an independent, affiliated provider network, and NewSelf states that medications are dispensed through 503A compounding pharmacy partners.
How it works: Short online intake and health questionnaire → licensed provider review (video or asynchronous, depending on your state) → if prescribed, medication ships from a compounding pharmacy, commonly within a few business days per third-party reviews.
Pricing: Commonly advertised around $199/month for compounded semaglutide and $449/month for compounded tirzepatide, at any dose tier, with no separate membership fee reported. Treat these as reported/advertised figures and confirm current pricing directly.
Pros
- Flat pricing model regardless of dose – useful for predictable budgeting as you titrate up, if pricing holds as advertised
- No separate membership fee reported on top of medication cost
- NewSelf states it is LegitScript-certified and publishes information about its physician and pharmacy partners
- Fast, cold-chain shipping is a frequently cited strength in independent reviews
Cons
- Multi-month (commonly three-month) commitment is typical, since medication is often provided upfront; cancelling early can reportedly trigger fees
- Compounded medications are not FDA-approved and are subject to different FDA oversight than approved drugs.
- No brand-name medication option reported – compounded only
3. VivioMD
VivioMD is a marketing and intake platform – not a medical provider or a pharmacy – that connects users with independent, licensed telehealth providers (through its OpenLoop-affiliated clinical network) who evaluate eligibility for GLP-1 treatment. It offers both injectable and oral tablet formats, live (not just asynchronous) consultations, and names its compounding pharmacy partners directly on its site.
How it works: Online intake → live consultation with an independent licensed provider → if the provider determines treatment is appropriate, medication is dispensed through a named compounding pharmacy partner and shipped to you.
Pricing: Per VivioMD’s own site, GLP-1 injections start around $249–$299/month, oral tablets around $279–$299/month, dual GLP-1+GIP options are higher, and brand-name Ozempic is listed separately at roughly $1,299/month. Introductory discounts are commonly offered.
Pros
- Both injectable and oral (tablet) formats available — useful for people who want to avoid needles
- Live consultations with a provider rather than a questionnaire-only review
- Names its compounding pharmacy partners (RedRock, Health Warehouse, Precision Compounding, Triad Rx), which allows independent verification of licensing
- No long-term contract and no cancellation fee on the subscription itself, per VivioMD’s stated policy
Cons
- Higher starting price than some flat-rate competitors
- Separate from the no-cancellation-fee subscription policy, VivioMD’s money-back weight-loss guarantee has its own conditions: it requires 24 consecutive weeks of continuous program participation, and medication costs specifically are non-refundable — read the full terms before relying on it
How to Choose Between Them
| Gala | NewSelf | VivioMD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Open to men & women; add-on women’s hormone track | Flat-rate pricing focus | Format flexibility + live consults |
| Consultation | Provider review (video/async by state) | Provider review (video/async by state) | Live consultation |
| Formats | Injectable; branded Ozempic reported | Injectable only | Injectable and oral tablet |
| Reported starting price | ~$179/mo | ~$199/mo (semaglutide) | ~$249–299/mo |
A few due-diligence steps worth taking before enrolling with any GLP-1 telehealth platform:
- Confirm whether the medication offered is FDA-approved brand-name product or compounded, and understand what that distinction means for oversight and quality control
- Verify named pharmacy partners are currently licensed in good standing with their state pharmacy board
- Read the cancellation, refund, and commitment terms directly on the company’s site before you subscribe — advertised pricing and terms can change
- Confirm a licensed provider, not a questionnaire alone, is making the prescribing decision
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational and comparison purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, a treatment recommendation, or a guarantee of eligibility, safety, or results. It is not a substitute for a consultation with a qualified, licensed healthcare provider.
GLP-1 receptor agonist medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, are prescription drugs that can cause side effects, including gastrointestinal symptoms, gallbladder issues, and a boxed warning related to thyroid C-cell tumors observed in animal studies. Compounded versions are not FDA-approved and are subject to different FDA oversight than approved brand-name drugs, so dosing, storage, and pharmacy sourcing deserve careful review.
GLP-1 therapy may not be appropriate for everyone. A licensed clinician should review your full personal and family medical history before any treatment decision is made, especially if you have a history of MTC or MEN2.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have a history of pancreatitis, a current or past eating disorder, active cancer, or other significant medical conditions, may need extra caution or may not be good candidates. Some platforms may also be less suitable for people with type 1 diabetes, but that should be assessed individually by a licensed clinician.
If any of these apply to you, do not rely on marketing materials alone. Speak with a licensed healthcare provider about whether GLP-1 therapy is appropriate and what safer options may fit your medical history.
Regarding VivioMD specifically: VivioMD is a marketing and intake platform that connects users with independent licensed providers in its affiliated clinical network. VivioMD says clinical treatment is provided by OpenLoop Healthcare Partners P.C. and affiliated independent medical groups, while medications are dispensed by licensed pharmacy partners.
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