Educational comparison only · Not medical advice · Scores are not for sale

GLP1 Ranked

RankingsRanking

Best FDA-approved GLP-1 drugs ranked (October 2026)

A first-pass ranking of FDA-approved semaglutide and tirzepatide options by label fit, evidence, and access—not personal medical advice.

Abstract ranked bars in clinical teal and rank gold, with no people or product logos.

Scorecards at a glance

  1. 1

    Zepbound

    9.0/10

    tirzepatide

  2. 2

    Wegovy

    8.8/10

    semaglutide

  3. 3

    Mounjaro

    8.4/10

    tirzepatide

  4. 4

    Ozempic

    8.2/10

    semaglutide

  5. 5

    Rybelsus

    7.4/10

    oral semaglutide

  6. 6

    Saxenda

    6.8/10

    liraglutide

Scores are editorial readings of public evidence and access, not endorsements. How we score.

Updated October 26, 2026. This is a v1 editorial ranking for FDA-approved products only. Scores follow our 100-point rubric (evidence/label, price transparency, access, safety path). Individual fit is a clinical decision.

Medical disclaimer: Educational comparison only—not medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change medication from this page. Ask a licensed clinician. These products carry boxed warnings about thyroid C-cell tumors in the prescribing information.

Quick list

Rank Product Main FDA framing (summary) Score
1 Zepbound (tirzepatide) Chronic weight management; OSA in adults with obesity 9.0
2 Wegovy (semaglutide) Chronic weight management; CV risk reduction; MASH (accelerated) per current label 8.8
3 Mounjaro (tirzepatide) Type 2 diabetes glycemic control (adults; pediatric expansions per label) 8.4
4 Ozempic (semaglutide) Type 2 diabetes; CV and kidney risk reduction per label 8.2
5 Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) Type 2 diabetes oral option 7.4
6 Saxenda (liraglutide) Daily weight-management GLP-1; older daily option 6.8

Scores are editorial, not endorsements. Off-label use is not ranked as a benefit.

A pile of empty orange prescription pill bottles
Photo by Haley Lawrence on Unsplash

1. Zepbound — 9.0/10

Why: Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist with a dedicated obesity label and an OSA indication in adults with obesity (Zepbound label PDF). Pivotal obesity evidence includes SURMOUNT-1 (PubMed 35658024, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04184622). Clear LillyDirect self-pay ladder improves access transparency versus many telehealth bundles.

Watch-outs: GI adverse reactions common; boxed warning; compounding look-alikes are not the approved drug.

2. Wegovy — 8.8/10

Why: Semaglutide 2.4 mg (and newer presentations on the current label) for weight management with additional labeled uses including CV risk reduction and accelerated-approval MASH language in the 2026 Wegovy label. STEP 1 weight-loss evidence: Wilding et al. (PubMed 33567185, NCT03548935). Strong NovoCare self-pay publication.

Watch-outs: Supply, prior auth, and dose escalation tolerability still drive real-world access.

3. Mounjaro — 8.4/10

Why: Same active ingredient class story as Zepbound but labeled for type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro label). Ranked here for diabetes-led readers comparing tirzepatide options.

Watch-outs: Weight loss may occur but obesity is not the same labeled pathway as Zepbound—clinician and payer treat them differently.

4. Ozempic — 8.2/10

Why: Widely known semaglutide pen for type 2 diabetes with CV and CKD-related labeled benefits (Ozempic label). Transparent Novo savings/self-pay pages.

Watch-outs: Using a diabetes drug solely for weight loss is an off-label clinical/payer issue—not something this ranking encourages.

5. Rybelsus — 7.4/10

Why: Oral semaglutide for type 2 diabetes when injections are a barrier (novopricing Rybelsus for list price context; confirm current label on DailyMed/FDA).

Watch-outs: Different efficacy/access profile than high-dose injectable obesity drugs; fasting/admin rules matter—see label.

6. Saxenda — 6.8/10

Why: Daily liraglutide 3 mg remains an FDA-approved obesity GLP-1 with published list price (novopricing Saxenda). Useful historical comparator.

Watch-outs: Daily injections; generally less weight-loss magnitude in modern comparisons than weekly incretin options—discuss with a clinician.

What we excluded on purpose

Unapproved compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide, research peptides, and overseas sellers. See FDA’s concerns with unapproved GLP-1 drugs.

For costs, see our GLP-1 cost and pricing guide. For living-with tips, see glp1userguide.com.

Living with side effects or protein goals? See glp1userguide.com.