SkinnyRx vs. Ro for GLP-1 Weight Loss: Medication Options, Pricing, and Support Compared

Dr. Sajad Zalzala

Medically Reviewed

Dr. Sajad Zalzala, MD

Board-certified Family Medicine Physician

Written by Angela Myers

Published: September 26, 2026 • 8 Min Read
Couple having a video consultation with a healthcare provider on a smartphone.

Photo Credit: urbazon / iStock

SkinnyRx and Ro are two popular weight loss programs. Both companies connect individuals to qualified healthcare providers who can determine eligibility and write prescriptions for weight loss medications when appropriate.

If you're deciding between SkinnyRx and Ro, there are differences to consider in the time it takes to learn if you’re eligible, the medications offered, and program resources.

Continue reading for a side-by-side comparison of the two programs. By the end, you should understand which program’s pricing, medication options, and more may work for you.

Disclaimer: This comparison is published by SkinnyRx. We drew competitor information from publicly available sources and verified it as of [September 26, 2026]. Pricing, availability, and program details are subject to change and may not reflect current offerings.

SkinnyRx vs. Ro at a Glance

Here are a few main differences between the two weight loss programs:

  • Medications offered: SkinnyRx and Ro offer injectable and oral weight loss drugs.
  • Getting treatment: After filling out an intake form, a healthcare provider affiliated with SkinnyRx determines if you’re eligible within 24 hours. They then ship the first dose within two business days. Ro has a similar intake form, and a Ro-affiliated healthcare provider determines eligibility within two days. Ro then ships medication within a week or two weeks, depending on if someone is paying via self-pay or insurance.
  • Program resources: SkinnyRx offers an app and treatment plan that encompasses nutrition, fitness, sleep, and lifestyle habits that support weight loss. They also offer telehealth appointments and support from healthcare providers. Ro provides support from clinicians and some resources on lifestyle changes and weight tracking.
  • Clinician support: SkinnyRx offers unlimited messaging and the ability to book virtual appointments with healthcare providers. Ro offers unlimited messaging with healthcare providers.
  • Cost: SkinnyRx has one monthly subscription payment. The exact cost depends on the medication prescribed. Ro has a membership fee as well as the monthly cost for the medication. The latter can vary depending on the medication prescribed and insurance coverage.

Feature

SkinnyRx

Ro

Focus of company

Weight loss only

Offers support for skin health, sexual health, fertility, hair loss, and weight loss

Medications offered

Injections and oral tablets

Injections and oral/pill options

Clinician support

Via chat or telehealth calls

Usually via chat

Cost

One subscription fee

Membership cost plus price of medication

Time to decide on eligibility

Within 24 hours

Within 2 days

Completely virtual?

Yes

Sometimes requires in-person metabolic testing at a nearby lab

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What SkinnyRx Offers for Weight Loss

SkinnyRx is a virtual healthcare company that specializes in weight loss. This service includes:

  • Access to weight loss medications
  • Clinician check-ins via chat or a virtual call
  • Asynchronous or synchronous support from healthcare providers
  • Tools to track progress
  • Resources to help with the medication’s side effects and lifestyle changes that support weight loss

Their program offers a comprehensive patient portal, as well as an app that offers support resources, such as a meal plan tool and a log to track weight loss progress over time.

What Ro Offers for Weight Loss

Ro is a virtual healthcare company that offers support for fertility, hair loss, sexual health, skin, and weight loss. They offer weight loss medications as part of their Ro body membership, which includes:

  • Access to GLP-1 medications
  • Asynchronous check-ins with a healthcare provider affiliated with Ro
  • Provider messaging as needed
  • Help with navigating insurance coverage
  • Tools to track progress
  • Resources to help with weight management and managing side effects

Their program is available to those who are starting a weight loss medication, as well as people who have been on one but are looking to switch providers.

Medication Options and Formats

There are two types of weight loss drugs to be aware of:

  • Injections: This form is a self-injection that delivers the medication to the bloodstream. Most injectable GLP-1s are taken once a week, making them a suitable option for people who struggle to take daily medications.
  • Oral medications: Tablets or pills that are taken once a day. These medications are a good option for those who aren’t comfortable self-injecting a medication.

Both SkinnyRx and Ro offer both medication types. A healthcare provider can help determine the appropriate one for your medical needs, lifestyle, and preferences.

SkinnyRx vs. Ro: Pricing Structure and Payment Options

SkinnyRx is a subscription service with one monthly charge. This charge includes the medication, clinician support, shipping, and access to a holistic program that covers nutrition, fitness, and sleep. They also offer resources on managing medication side effects and dose changes.

The first-month price depends on the type of medication prescribed. Injectables are typically $99 for the first month. Oral tablets are $149-$199 for the first month.

SkinnyRx does not accept insurance, though they do accept payments from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) accounts. These let you use pre-tax dollars on applicable healthcare services, reducing taxable income.

Ro charges two separate monthly fees. The first is the membership fee, which could be as low as $39 for the first month. After the first month, it could be as low as $74 if someone chooses to prepay for a year. The second charge is for the medication itself.

Unlike other virtual weight loss programs, Ro accepts insurance. They also offer assistance with any insurance paperwork.

Ro and SkinnyRx only charge applicable fees if someone is eligible for treatment. If a healthcare provider decides that you aren’t an appropriate candidate, neither company will charge you.

100,000+ Patients Chose SkinnyRx

100,000+ Patients Chose SkinnyRx

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SkinnyRx vs. Ro: Clinician Access and Ongoing Support

With both Ro and SkinnyRx, the journey starts with filling out a short intake form. This asks questions about your health and weight loss goals. A clinician then reviews the answers and determines if a weight loss medication is appropriate. If suitable, they’ll determine the optimal medication type for your goals.

Neither program requires an in-office doctor’s visit. Ro-affiliated providers, however, may ask members to get a metabolic test at a nearby laboratory or via an at-home blood test, depending on the state. The cost of either is included in the membership fee.

Once a medication is prescribed, both programs offer a way to message the prescribing provider for regular check-ins. They also come with an app that can help track results and offer resources on diet and exercise habits that support weight loss.

SkinnyRx’s app also offers insight on sleep health, which is crucial since there’s a relationship between time asleep and quality of sleep and weight gain.

SkinnyRx vs. Ro: Shipping, Refills, and Program Features

SkinnyRx ships their medications quickly. Here’s what their timeline looks like:

  • Within 24 hours of filling out the intake form: A provider communicates if you’re eligible
  • Within 2 days: Your first dose is shipped with tracking information emailed to you
  • When renewals come up: A message goes out to have you fill out a short check-in form to get your next dose

Ro’s timeline looks like:

  • 2 days after filling out the intake form: Hear from the provider if you’re eligible
  • 1 week later: The first dose arrives if using cash pay
  • 2 weeks later: The first dose arrives if using insurance

What to Confirm Before Starting GLP-1 Weight Loss Care

Before starting any weight loss program, there are a few features to look out for:

  • Variety of medications: Weight loss programs that offer a variety of drugs, including oral and injectable options, can better support a wider array of patient preferences, health needs, and medication allergies.
  • Price: Look at the pricing structure and how it may work for your budget. Check to make sure there are no hidden fees.
  • Clinician support: Weight loss medications are prescription drugs, that means a qualified provider must prescribe them. Many patients find ongoing support from a healthcare provider is useful too.
  • Lifestyle support: Nutrition, physical activity, and other lifestyle changes support the effects of weight loss medications. When possible, choose a program that offers resources to help implement any changes.

Bottom Line

SkinnyRx and Ro both provide virtual access to GLP-1 weight loss treatment, but their programs work differently in practice. SkinnyRx uses one monthly fee that includes medication and offers a faster average timeline for receiving the first dose, while Ro charges separately for membership and medication and may offer insurance coverage for medication.

Both provide clinician support and digital resources for lifestyle changes. Which approach makes more sense depends on your budget, insurance needs, and preferences for treatment and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

Both SkinnyRx and Ro have weight loss programs that include virtual consultations with healthcare providers, access to multiple types of weight loss medications, and digital tools to help track progress. SkinnyRx’s programs come with some distinct features, such as a faster average time to get the first dose.


Ro offers multiple GLP-1 medications for weight loss. They offer both injections and oral medications, as well as virtual support from healthcare providers who prescribe the appropriate medication for each patient.


SkinnyRx provides multiple GLP-1 medications. They offer both injectable and oral options. The company pairs people up with a healthcare provider who can prescribe the appropriate medication and offer ongoing support.


SkinnyRx and Ro operate as membership services. For SkinnyRx, there is one monthly fee that  includes the cost of the medication, whereas Ro has two separate charges: one for the membership, the other for the medication.


SkinnyRx does not take insurance, though they do accept payments from HSA/FSA accounts. The Ro membership fee is not covered by insurance, but the cost of medication might be. They offer help navigating the insurance approval process to their members.


Before starting an online GLP-1 weight loss program, confirm the payment structure, how consultations with a healthcare provider work, and if there are multiple weight loss medications available. Last but not least, weight loss medications are intended to be taken alongside healthy lifestyle habits. A program that offers a digital tracking tool or other resources on diet, fitness, and lifestyle may be more suitable.

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Angela Myers

By Angela Myers

Contributing Author

Angela Myers is a freelance health writer covering weight management, healthy aging, and nutrition. Her work has appeared in AARP, Well+Good, and Forbes, among others. Before starting her writing career, she conducted award-winning research on how to improve sexual violence prevention courses on college campuses. That research sparked a passion for health communication, and she's been writing about making healthcare accessible and inclusive ever since.