Content
Lose some, win some
Reviewed by Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA
Written by Vanessa Gibbs
Published 12/17/2024
Updated 07/08/2025
Hims versus WeightWatchers — which should you choose?
If you’re looking for online weight loss medication and support, you’ve got a decision to make. Both Hims and WeightWatchers help people lose weight, but they offer access to different medications and services — and they have different prices and subscription plans.
Below, we’ll cover what Hims and WeightWatchers offer, how they work, and what they cost.
Quick disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or an endorsement of one brand over another.
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Want the facts up front? You’ve got ’em. Here’s a side-by-side comparison of what Hims and WeightWatchers offer.
Hims | WeightWatchers | |
---|---|---|
Weight loss medications | Weight loss injections:
Weight loss medication kits can include a combination of:
Anti-nausea medication:
| GLP-1 injections:
Weight loss pills:
|
How to get treatment |
|
|
Comprehensive treatment programs | At no extra cost, you’ll get access to:
| Included in the price of membership (GLP-1s cost extra):
|
Cost |
|
|
*Compounded semaglutide is a compounded product and has not been approved by the FDA. The FDA does not review compounded products for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
**Oral medication kits are compounded drugs and have not been FDA-approved. FDA does not evaluate compounded drugs for safety, effectivness, or quality. Actual price to customer will depend on product and subscription plan purchased.
***FSA/HSA eligibility and coverage vary by plan provider.
Actual price to customer will depend on product and subscription plan purchased.
You don’t need to schedule an in-person visit with a doctor to get a prescription for weight loss medications. Hims and WeightWatchers both offer access to holistic weight loss programs. Through these platforms, healthcare providers can prescribe weight loss medications to those who qualify.
Here are the medications available through each platform.
Hims offers access to GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist injections or oral weight loss pills.
GLP-1 weight loss injections available through Hims include:
Compounded semaglutide. Compounded versions of semaglutide use the same active compound as Ozempic and Wegovy®, but are not FDA-approved products. These formulations are produced by licensed pharmacies but haven’t gone through the FDA’s review process.
Wegovy®. Wegovy® contains the active ingredient semaglutide and is FDA-approved for weight loss in those with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more or 27 or more with a weight-related health condition. It’s a weekly injection that targets areas of the brain to help you regulate your appetite and eat less.
Ozempic. Ozempic is FDA-approved for blood sugar control in those with type 2 diabetes. It’s often prescribed off-label for weight loss and contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy®, just at a lower dose. It’s also a once-weekly injection that works by suppressing appetite, slowing digestion, and making you feel fuller.
Generic liraglutide. Liraglutide is the active ingredient in Saxenda® and Victoza®. Victoza is FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and Saxenda is FDA-approved for the treatment of obesity. Generic liraglutide is administered as a once-daily injection, and like many medications on this list, it works, in part, by regulating hunger and fullness levels.
Zepbound. Zepbound (tirzepatide) functions similarly to GLP-1 drugs but also targets another receptor, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP). It’s also administered as a once-weekly injection.
Mounjaro. Mounjaro (tirzepatide) contains the same active ingredient as Zepbound but it’s FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes. It’s sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss.
In addition to GLP-1s, Hims also offers access to personalized oral weight loss medication kits, starting as low as $69 a month for a 10-month plan.
Your kit may include some combination of the following medications, depending on what your provider determines is the best fit:
Bupropion. Bupropion is an antidepressant that can be prescribed off-label in combination with other medications to help support weight loss.
Metformin. Metformin is FDA-approved as a diabetes drug and sometimes prescribed off-label for weight loss. The daily pill can suppress appetite and promote insulin sensitivity.
Topiramate. Topiramate (or the brand-name version, Topamax®) is an antiseizure drug that’s prescribed off-label for weight loss. It suppresses appetite, which can make you feel fuller for longer
Naltrexone. Naltrexone reduces cravings for alcohol and opioids.
Hims takes a personalized approach to healthcare. You’ll partner with licensed providers trained in weight management to develop a plan that works for you — and evolves with you as you progress along your weight loss journey.
A provider may start you on a low dose of medication and slowly increase it over time to help your body adjust. Your care team will be there for you to help you manage any potential side effects like nausea.
Mild gastrointestinal (GI) side effects are common when starting weight loss medications. For example, 30 percent of people who take metformin and 44 percent of people who take Wegovy® experience some GI issues. Fortunately, these side effects are usually temporary and resolve as your body adjusts to the medication.
A provider may recommend prescription anti-nausea medication, like ondansetron (generic for Zofran). If prescribed, you can take it as directed to ease nausea and help you stick with your plan. You may be eligible for ondansetron at no additional cost.
And if something’s not working for you? Through the Hims platform, you can message your care team anytime to discuss medication dosing or switching medications — all at no added cost.
WeightWatchers offers access to GLP-1s and oral weight loss medications.
Its GLP-1 injections include:
Ozempic
Wegovy®
Mounjaro
Zepbound
WeightWatchers oral medications include:
Naltrexone
Metformin
Rybelsus
Bupropion
Weight loss medications are most effective when used alongside lifestyle changes, like dietary adjustments and exercise. Both Hims and WeightWatchers offer access to additional services to help you start and stick to healthy habits that promote weight loss and support weight management.
Through Hims, everything is included in the price of your medication, no matter which treatment plan you follow. But with WeightWatchers, you’ll be charged a monthly membership fee on top of the cost of your GLP-1s.
Here’s what’s on offer.
Hims has a comprehensive and free app with behavioral change tools and educational content that can provide you with extra support alongside your prescription
You’ll get:
Daily protein recommendations to help maintain muscle mass while taking medication
Daily activity goals to achieve regular movement while taking medication
Dynamic protocols to help improve nutrition, movement, and sleep-based habits for sustained weight loss
100+ healthy recipes and meal plans developed with nutritionists.
Nutrition tips tailored to your eating profile (like whether you’re a stress eater or tend to eat out of habit)
Sleep and mindset techniques developed by psychologists to support overall wellness
On the Hims app, you can also purchase nutritious meal replacement bars and shakes. These doctor-recommended bars and shakes are packed with protein and designed to support people taking weight loss medications.
They can make nutritious eating quicker and easier while adding more protein to your diet. Adding extra protein to your diet can help you retain muscle mass as you lose fat.
They may also help you:
Feel full longer
Eat a consistent amount of calories each day
Get more protein and essential nutrients
Easily get more protein, without a lot of preparation or cooking
The WeightWatchers app has behavioral change tools and educational content to help you hit your weight loss goals. But the key tenet of WeightWatchers has always been their point tracking system, which you can use to keep track of your caloric intake.
You can expect:
Trackers for your weight, food, and activity
Nutrition plans, recipes, and guidance on what to order from restaurant menus
A points system to track your food intake and make nutritious choices
Virtual nutrition and exercise workshops
An online support community
This is all available on the WeightWatchers app.
Now that you know what’s included, it’s time to talk numbers. Here’s how Hims and WeightWatchers compare in terms of price.
Hims has a straightforward pricing plan with no hidden costs or extra fees.
Personalized oral medication kits available through Hims start at just $69 a month, for a 10-month plan, paid up front in full.
Hims offers access to compounded semaglutide starting at $199 per month with a 12-month plan, paid upfront in full. You can also explore 1-, 4-, or 6-month options to find the plan that best suits your lifestyle and goals.
There are also a few subscription model options available — typically, the longer the subscription plan, the more affordable the medication.
The initial assessment is free, and ongoing access to providers, dose adjustments, and access to the Hims app are all included in the up front cost.
You don’t need insurance to access Hims weight loss treatment, but if you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you should be able to use these pretax dollars to lower the cost of your medication (but plans may vary). When using FSA/HSA funds, people save an average of 30 percent.*
*FSA/HSA eligibility and coverage vary by plan provider. Actual savings depend on your tax rate.
To access WeightWatchers medications online, you’ll need to pay for an initial consultation with a healthcare provider. The nonrefundable consultation costs $49.
If you decide to move forward, you’ll pay a monthly membership fee, which ranges from $74 to $149, depending on your subscription length.
Some oral weight loss medications are included in the membership fee. But GLP-1 medications like Wegovy®, Ozempic®, or Mounjaro® cost extra and prices can vary widely. WeightWatchers doesn’t share the cost of most of the GLP-1s they offer.
WeightWatchers offers support to help you apply for insurance reimbursement, but many plans still do not cover these medications.
Both Hims and WeightWatchers are telehealth companies offering online access to weight loss medications and care.
Here’s how they work.
The Hims process goes like this:
Online assessment. Complete an intake form, sharing information about your weight, current lifestyle, medical history, and health goals.
Provider evaluation. A licensed provider will review your responses to see if you’re eligible for treatment. There’s typically no need to book a call or video consultation, but it is required in a few states.
Medication prescription and treatment plan. If eligible, a provider will write you a prescription for weight loss medication, and you’ll get a personalized weight loss treatment plan.
Direct shipping. Your medication is shipped directly to your door, along with instructions and any injection supplies you may need — at no extra cost
Unlimited ongoing care. You’ll have 24/7 unlimited access to licensed healthcare providers who are trained in weight management via the app. You can ask questions, discuss medication side effects, or get tweaks to your prescription if needed.
WeightWatchers has a similar process. You’ll complete an online quiz and share information about your weight, lifestyle, and health history.
If you’re a good fit for weight loss medication, you’ll be asked to schedule a video consultation with a healthcare provider.
If medication is right for you, your provider will write you a prescription and get you started on a weight loss plan. You’ll also get access to the WeightWatchers app and 24/7 ongoing access to healthcare providers to ask questions and discuss your treatment.
Hims offers two-day shipping at no extra cost (shipping times not guaranteed). Your medication is delivered in discrete temperature-controlled packaging if needed to keep everything safe and stable.
WeightWatchers offers free, temperature-controlled shipping in one to three business days.
Clinical trials found that Wegovy® helped people lose up to 20 percent of their body weight over approximately 16 months.
As for oral weight loss treatment through Hims, customers lost weight within two months.*
*Based on self-reported data from approximately 1,986 Hims customers on a personalized treatment plan including oral medication kits, along with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. Customers reported their weight at their initial medical consultation and check-in approximately two months later.
Since it can help to hear from real people, here are a couple of testimonials from men on oral weight loss medication through Hims:
“I feel fantastic! I sleep great. I have lots of energy to keep up with my kids and focus at work. Currently, I am 43lbs down and will continue to use Hims for as long as I need. The biggest change I noticed is that it has completely changed my attitude towards food, I only eat what my body needs and I am able to stop after that.” — Josh
“The Hims app makes it easy to track which medications to take and gives great insight on what each medication does! The app allows me to have easy contact with my doctor whenever I need to and I have regular check-ins as well. There is also a great weight tracking system within the Hims app so I can see my progress.
“Since losing 40lbs since November I have gained so much self-confidence. Not only do I feel good mentally, I feel even better physically. Since losing weight, many of my stomach issues and cardiovascular problems lessened as well! Overall, my life changed for the better since joining Hims.” — Shawn
WeightWatchers members lose an average of 19.4 percent of their body weight in 12 months of treatment. It’s unclear which medication members are on.
The key takeaway: Hims offers access to a comprehensive weight loss treatment program, access to affordable weight loss medications, and no hidden fees. WeightWatchers charges extra consultation and membership fees and is not transparent about costs.
Here’s a final look at Hims versus WeightWatchers:
Medications. Hims offers access to personalized oral weight loss medication kits starting at $69 per month (with a 10-month plan, paid upfront in full). Hims also offers access to compounded semaglutide starting at $199 a month for a 12-month plan paid upfront in full. There are no membership fees or fees for the initial consultation, like there are with WeightWatchers.
The Hims app. The Hims app includes dynamic protocols and trackers to help improve nutrition, movement, and sleep habits for sustained weight loss, 100+ high-protein recipes developed with nutritionists, unlimited provider messaging, and more. Unlike WeightWatchers, Hims comprehensive weight loss program is included in the price of your medication.
How they work. Through Hims, you fill out an online assessment, and a licensed healthcare provider trained in weight management reviews your answers and prescribes medication, if it's right for you. Unlike WeightWatchers, there’s typically no need to schedule a video call unless required by your state and no fee for the initial consultation.
To get started with Hims — or to learn more about your options — take our free online assessment. You can get a personalized treatment plan and discover which weight loss medications might be appropriate for you.
Ozempic® and Wegovy® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Hims, Inc. is not affiliated with or endorsed by Novo Nordisk A/S.
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.