4-way comparison
Ozempic vs Rybelsus vs Wegovy vs Saxenda
Side-by-side breakdown of all four — efficacy, cost, regulatory status, mechanism, and who each option fits best.
Side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | Ozempic | Rybelsus | Wegovy | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLP1Zoom editorial score | 5.8/10 | 5.8/10 | 8.9/10 | 7.2/10 |
| Generic name | semaglutide | semaglutide | semaglutide | liraglutide |
| Drug class | — | — | — | — |
| Regulatory status | FDA approved | FDA approved | FDA approved | FDA approved |
| Manufacturer | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk | Novo Nordisk |
| Mechanism | — | — | — | — |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection | Subcutaneous injection | Subcutaneous injection | Subcutaneous injection |
| Avg retail price | $968/mo | $968/mo | $1349/mo | $1349/mo |
| Without insurance | $968–$1100/mo | $850–$1100/mo | $1349–$1500/mo | $1100–$1500/mo |
| Savings card max | $25/mo | $10/mo | $0/mo | $25/mo |
| Shortage status | not_listed | resolved | not_listed | resolved |
Affiliate-disclosed
Top picks from this comparison
Compare verified telehealth providers offering each of these GLP-1s — public pricing, eligibility, and FDA status side-by-side.
FAQ
What is the difference between Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, and Saxenda?
Ozempic (semaglutide), Rybelsus (semaglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide), Saxenda (liraglutide) are GLP-1 medications used for weight management or type 2 diabetes. Key differences: Ozempic is FDA-approved; Rybelsus is FDA-approved; Wegovy is FDA-approved; Saxenda is FDA-approved.
Which is most effective for weight loss among the four?
Effectiveness varies by individual. In clinical trials, tirzepatide-based drugs (Mounjaro, Zepbound) produced ~20-22% average body-weight loss vs ~13-15% for semaglutide-based (Ozempic, Wegovy). Daily liraglutide (Saxenda, Victoza) produced about 6-8% on average. Discuss with your prescriber.
Which is cheapest?
Cash retail price: Ozempic $968/mo · Rybelsus $968/mo · Wegovy $1349/mo · Saxenda $1349/mo. Compounded versions through telehealth typically run 50-80% less when legally available.
Can I switch between these four medications?
Yes — switching is clinically common, usually driven by side-effect tolerance, weight-loss plateau, insurance coverage changes, or supply issues. Most prescribers restart at the new drug's starting dose rather than dose-matching, because cross-drug equivalence is not 1:1 — particularly when switching between GLP-1-only (semaglutide, liraglutide) and GIP/GLP-1 dual-agonist (tirzepatide).
See per-drug deep dives: Ozempic review · Rybelsus review · Wegovy review · Saxenda review
Drill down to 3-way comparisons
Narrow it down to three for a tighter side-by-side.