Always confirm costs with your healthcare facility and/or insurance coverage
GoodRx promises prescription savings without the insurance drama — but what does it really cost to use? Is it actually free, or are you paying in ways you didn’t notice?
Let’s break it down, wallet-style.
💡 Quick Answer:
GoodRx Option |
Cost |
What You Get |
|---|---|---|
GoodRx (Free) |
$0 |
Discount coupons for meds |
GoodRx Gold (Individual) |
$9.99/month |
Bigger savings, more pharmacies |
GoodRx Gold (Family) |
$19.99/month |
Covers up to 6 people |
GoodRx Care |
Starts at $19 |
Telehealth visits (non-insurance) |
🤔 Wait — So What’s the Catch?
GoodRx says it’s free. Technically true. But let’s break down what you’re really dealing with:
Feature |
Free GoodRx |
GoodRx Gold |
|---|---|---|
Prescription Discounts |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes (often deeper) |
Accepted Pharmacies |
✅ Wide Network |
✅ Wider, includes more independents |
Savings on Brand-Name Drugs |
⚠️ Limited |
✅ Slightly better |
Multiple User Profiles |
❌ No |
✅ Up to 6 (family plan) |
Monthly Fee |
$0 |
$9.99 or $19.99 |
Telehealth Access (GoodRx Care) |
❌ No |
✅ Separate, starts at $19/visit |
Pro Tip: Use the free version to test your local pharmacy’s prices first. Only upgrade to Gold if you’re filling prescriptions monthly and want predictable savings.
💸 Real-World Example: Free vs. Gold
Medication |
Retail Price |
GoodRx Free |
GoodRx Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 30 tabs |
$47.50 |
$9.60 |
$5.40 |
Sertraline (Zoloft) 30 tabs |
$22.00 |
$6.40 |
$4.00 |
Albuterol Inhaler |
$60.00 |
$29.00 |
$21.50 |
Lisinopril 30 tabs |
$14.00 |
$5.20 |
$2.90 |
➡️ If you’re saving more than $10/month in meds, Gold pays for itself.
🏥 What About Insurance?
Here’s the weird part: GoodRx sometimes beats your insurance copay.
Scenario |
GoodRx May Help? |
|---|---|
High-deductible plan |
✅ Definitely |
No insurance |
✅ Huge benefit |
Meds not covered |
✅ Lifesaver |
Already have $5 copay |
❌ Not worth it |
Using mail-order |
❌ GoodRx doesn’t apply |
🔐 Privacy & Data? Let’s Be Honest.
GoodRx makes money from:
- Ads
- Referral fees from pharmacies
- Data monetization (yes, really)
They’ve gotten heat in the past for sharing user info with advertisers. Just something to keep in mind if you’re signing up and handing over personal health info.
💭 Final Thoughts: Is It Worth Paying for?
If you’re filling one or more prescriptions monthly and not using insurance, GoodRx Gold is absolutely worth testing — especially the family plan.
But if you’re an occasional user?
Stick with the free version and price shop like a pro. No need to subscribe to yet another monthly service unless it actually nets you savings.
🔚 Bottom Line
- Free GoodRx = $0 and decent savings
- GoodRx Gold = $9.99–$19.99/month, better discounts for frequent users
- Check pricing before every fill — prices change constantly
- Insurance doesn’t always beat GoodRx, especially with high deductibles
- And yeah — read the privacy policy. They’re not a charity.
