Noom vs. Ro: What’s the difference in GLP-1 medications, pricing, and care?

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should not be relied upon for professional medical advice. Consult your clinician about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

As more telehealth platforms roll out GLP-1 weight loss programs, it’s natural to ask: How do I choose the right one? Some platforms focus on speed and prescription access, while others pair medication with behavioral guidance, nutrition tools, and coaching. 

The real difference often shows up after you start treatment—because what happens beyond the prescription is what determines whether results last or fade.

Both Noom and Ro offer access to GLP-1 medications and make it easy to get started, but the experience inside each program is very different.

Noom blends medical care with behavior change, using psychology, coaching, and daily lessons to help people build sustainable habits to lose weight and keep it off. Ro emphasizes convenient access to clinicians and prescriptions, focusing primarily on medication management and medical oversight, with less emphasis on long-term habit support.

Below, we’ll compare Noom and Ro and the GLP-1 options they offer in 2026. You’ll see how each program handles medication, care, and long-term support. Whether you value convenience or a more comprehensive, habit-based framework for lasting change, understanding these differences can help you choose the approach that fits your needs.

Noom vs. Ro: Different approaches to weight loss

With GLP-1 medications becoming a major part of modern weight management, many people are turning to digital programs for accessible, expert-guided care. Both Noom and Ro offer pathways to prescription treatment, but their approaches differ in important ways.

• Noom has been helping people build healthier habits since 2008, with more than 15 years of experience in behavior-based weight management. Noom Med offers multiple medication pathways, including:
  • Traditional full-dose GLP-1 prescriptions
  • Microdose for low-dose titration support
  • Telehealth access to branded medications 

Every pathway is integrated with Noom’s core strength: evidence-based behavior change. Members receive personalized lessons, mindset tools, and coaching designed to help them understand how medication, habits, and psychology work together to create lasting results. The result is one of the most comprehensive GLP-1 programs available today.

• Ro (formerly Roman) launched in 2017 as a telehealth company and expanded into weight-loss care in 2023 with the Ro Body Program. It focuses on accessibility and convenience, offering online evaluations with licensed providers and medication management. While the program offers medical oversight, it includes fewer structured tools for habit change or ongoing coaching compared to platforms centered on psychology and lifestyle change.

And this distinction matters. Sustainable weight loss typically requires more than prescriptions alone. Noom’s approach to weight loss is grounded in psychology and supported by extensive clinical research. More than 40 peer-reviewed studies have featured or evaluated Noom’s methods, demonstrating that cognitive tools and structured habit change lead to better long-term outcomes.

By connecting prescription therapy with evidence-based behavior change and daily support, Noom helps people not only lose weight but maintain their results long after treatment ends.¹

Noom vs. Ro: Program features compared

Both Noom and Ro provide access to GLP-1 medications for eligible people, but the programs differ in structure, guidance, and ongoing support.

Feature	Noom2	Ro
Medication access	GLP-1 (full dose), Microdose GLP-1 & metformin	GLP-1
Access to a clinician	Licensed clinician access plus access to coaches for daily guidance, motivation, and accountability.	Licensed clinician oversight with messaging support and health coaching included in the Body membership.
Side-effect management	Care Team available plus GLP-1 Companion, with personalized strategies. Microdose option available, designed for lower and slower titration, adaptable to your response.	Automated side-effect check-ins, guidance messaging, and on-call nurse escalation; provider-guided dose adjustments.
Medication tracking	Log doses, side effects, and share updates automatically with the Care Team.	Weight tracking & dose logging in app.
Nutrition & recipes	Library of thousands of recipes, color-coded food system, AI food tracker, and protein-focused tools.	Habit curriculum with basic nutrition guidance from a provider.
Lessons	Psychology-based behavior change program with daily habit lessons.	Step-by-step online curriculum covering nutrition, sleep, mindset, and movement.
Fitness & muscle support	On-demand classes (yoga, HIIT, strength, Pilates) plus Muscle Defense™ tools to help preserve lean muscle during weight loss.	General exercise guidance; no dedicated fitness class platform.

Noom vs. Ro: Weight loss medication options

Both Noom and Ro provide a path to getting GLP-1 medications for people who clinically qualify. The key differences are in the types of medications offered, dosing flexibility, and how much behavioral support accompanies treatment.

Here’s how these options compare across both platforms:

Medication option3	Noom	Ro
GLP-1s	Starting at $149/month through Noom GLP-1Rx Program  Prescribable options include Ozempic®, Wegovy® (injectable and pill), Mounjaro®, Zepbound®, generic liraglutide, and more.	Offered through the Ro Body Program. Includes Wegovy® (injectable and pill), Zepbound®, Ozempic®, and Saxenda®. Options depend on eligibility and provider recommendation.
Microdose or gradual dosing	Starting at $99/month (medication included). Low doses designed to minimize side effects and improve tolerance.	Microdosing is not offered as a program option.
Oral medications	Starting at $69/month (medication included). Prescribable options include metformin.	Ro’s program doesn’t include a metformin option.

Note: Ozempic®, Mounjaro®, and meformin are not FDA-approved to treat obesity or for weight loss.

How to start GLP-1 treatment with Noom or Ro

Starting a weight-loss program with either Noom or Ro begins with a structured intake process to determine if you qualify for GLP-1 medications or other treatment options. Both make sign-up simple, but they differ in how much behavioral and clinical support is built into the program.

Step	Noom	Ro
Step 1 – Health questionnaire	Online intake collects medical history for eligibility. After signing up, your current prescriptions, lifestyle habits, and weight-loss goals will be assessed.	Complete an online visit outlining health history, weight goals, and current medications to help providers assess eligibility.
Step 2 – Clinician review	Licensed clinician reviews your intake to confirm safety and determine if GLP-1 medication is appropriate.	Consultation with a licensed provider to confirm suitability for GLP-1 therapy and discuss expectations, dosing, and possible side effects.
Step 3 – Prescription & delivery	Some medications are shipped directly for free; branded prescriptions can be filled at your choice of pharmacy (local or mail-order) or shipped through the manufacturer.	If prescribed, medications are delivered through Ro’s partner pharmacy network or picked up at a pharmacy.
Ongoing support	Access to coaching, a Care Team for medication and side-effect guidance, GLP-1 Companion, Muscle Defense™, daily lessons, tracking tools, a dedicated community, and thousands of recipes.	Access to nurse coaching, educational curriculum on nutrition, sleep, and exercise, regular provider check-ins, and automated side-effect follow-up.

Both programs simplify access to GLP-1 treatment, but only Noom blends clinical care with behavior-change coaching for long-term success. Ro centers on medical convenience and guided GLP-1 care supported by nurse coaching and insurance assistance—without providing key tools for lifestyle support that help make weight-loss results last.

Noom vs. Ro: Pricing and insurance

When comparing the cost of weight loss programs like Noom and Ro, it’s not just about the monthly fee—it’s about what’s included with the medication. Both offer access to GLP-1 therapy, but they package clinical support and behavior change tools differently, which can meaningfully change the value you get for your money.

Category	Noom	Ro
Starting price(taxes not included)	Noom Med Telehealth Program starts at $69 (doesn’t include medication). Oral medication plans start at $69 (includes metformin) Microdose GLP-1 plans start at $99 (includes medication)4 Full dose GLP-1 plans start at $1495 (includes medication)6	$45 for the first month, for membership (doesn’t include medication). Medication pricing varies.
Coaching & behavior tools	Included with Noom Med, which integrates GLP-1 care with daily lessons, psychology-based coaching, and tracking tools.	Included in Ro Body membership, offering nurse-led coaching, educational lessons, side-effect management, and provider messaging.

Note on insurance: For branded GLP-1s, prescriptions may be covered if filled at your pharmacy, depending on the insurance carrier. Ro includes an “insurance concierge” to help with prior authorization, though there are no guarantees. Some medication and service costs may qualify for FSA or HSA reimbursement, depending on your plan.

Noom vs. Ro: GLP-1 dosing and administration

Both companies prescribe GLP-1 weight-loss medications, but their approach to dosing, titration, and follow-up differs in structure and personalization.

Dosing Approach	Noom	Ro
Microdose GLP-1Rx program*	Starts below the standard dose, it is designed for lower and slower SmartDose titration, adaptable to user response; increased gradually as tolerated.	Not offered as a dedicated program. Ro begins treatment using the standard starting dose approved for each GLP-1, with gradual provider-supervised dose increases.
Full-dose GLP-1Rx program*	SmartDose titration protocol with a clinician available to answer any questions; dosing adjusted based on progress and side-effect tolerance.	Follows FDA-approved titration schedules for each medication. Dose escalation is personalized based on response and side-effect profile.
Follow-up support	Care Team guidance and ongoing side-effect tracking through the GLP-1 Companion.	Automated side-effect check-in program with nurse escalation for serious cases, plus unlimited provider messaging and scheduled video follow-ups.

Individual results vary. Meds & personalization based on clinical need. 

Noom vs. Ro: Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Choosing the right weight loss program comes down to how much support you want beyond medication. Both Noom and Ro provide access to GLP-1 treatments, but they differ in how they help you build sustainable habits for lasting results. Below are common questions that can help clarify what sets each program apart.

Is Noom’s behavior-change program important if I’m taking a GLP-1?

Yes—behavioral support is a key factor in maintaining weight loss with or without medication. While GLP-1s can help users lose 15 to 20% of their body weight, research shows that long-term success depends on daily habits, mindset, and lifestyle changes.

With Noom Med, you’ll gain access to Noom’s clinically recognized behavior-change program at no extra cost — a program that helps members achieve up to 48% more weight loss compared to using medication alone.

What happens after I stop taking GLP-1 medication?

GLP-1 medication can help a person lose weight, but it is just one piece of the journey towards health and long-term wellbeing. For many people, the transition off the medication or to lower maintenance dosing is also important. What kind of support will you have if you stop or reduce the use of GLP-1 medication?

• With Noom, your journey doesn’t end when the prescription does. Noom offers daily lessons after GLP-1 medication ends or is reduced if you move to another Noom plan, like Noom Weight. This post-medication support helps you preserve habits, adjust to appetite changes, and avoid rebound weight gain.
• Ro provides ongoing medical monitoring and follow-up visits for as long as you’re subscribed. 

Noom vs. Ro: How to choose the best program for you

GLP-1 medications have reshaped modern weight management, but medication alone isn’t enough. Your long-term success depends on the system around the drug: education, coaching, and habit support.

Noom: Behavior meets biology 

• Combines psychology-backed coaching with multiple GLP-1 prescription options. 
• Offers microdose GLP-1 programs, starting at low doses, designed for slow titration to improve tolerance.
• Includes daily habit lessons, food tracking, and interactive progress tools designed to strengthen long-term habits.
• Provides access to a dedicated Care Team for medication guidance and side-effect management.
• Backed by over 15 years of clinical research and expertise in sustainable, behavior-driven weight management.

Ro: Convenience and clinical access

• Focuses on medical accessibility with a streamlined, fully virtual process for prescription GLP-1s.
  
• Membership includes ongoing communication with licensed providers, nurse-led coaching, and an insurance concierge for cost support.
  
• Provides gradual dose escalation and automated side-effect monitoring for safer treatment continuity.
  

If your goal is to build lasting habits and maintain results long term, Noom offers a more comprehensive framework that extends beyond the prescription—combining GLP-1 treatment with education, coaching, and structured behavioral support. Find the right program for you. 

1.  Individual results may vary. Long-term outcomes depend on ongoing engagement and individual factors.
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2. Disclaimer: Medication availability depends on a licensed clinician’s evaluation and prescription. Eligibility is based on individual health history and medical guidelines.
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3.  Disclaimer: Medication availability depends on a licensed clinician’s evaluation and prescription. Eligibility is based on individual health history and medical guidelines.
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4. The compounded semaglutide products provided by Noom are not reviewed by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or quality. Novo Nordisk Inc. is the only company in the United States with FDA-approved products containing semaglutide, identified under the trade names Rybelsus®, Ozempic®, and Wegovy®. Not available in all 50 US states.
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5.  Initial 3-week subscription and 4 weeks of medication covered by Noom GLP-1^Rx Programs. Final pricing depends on program selection. Noom GLP-1^Rx Program involves a healthy diet, exercise, support, and additional features depending on program selection. 
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6.  The compounded semaglutide products provided by Noom are not reviewed by FDA for safety, efficacy, or quality. Novo Nordisk Inc. is the only company in the United States with FDA-approved products containing semaglutide, identified under the trade names Rybelsus®, Ozempic®, and Wegovy®. Not available in all 50 US states.
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