WellRx vs. GoodRx: Which Card Is Better?

Prescription drugs are getting more expensive. From March 2024 to March 2025, the Consumer Price Index showed that the cost of medical care services increased by 3 percent. That’s higher than the rate of inflation across all items, which is at 2.4 percent. Unfortunately, medication price increases affect many seniors, as 2024 data from the Centers for Disease Control suggests that 89 percent of U.S. adults 65 and older use prescription drugs. Not everyone can afford the drugs they need, especially if they have no prescription drug coverage or are food insecure, in poor health, or disabled.
That’s why many people are turning to prescription discount cards like WellRx and GoodRx. That all sounds well and good, pun intended, but which one offers better prices for your medications? In this comparison, we’ll show you exactly how much each service charges for some of the most common drugs, plus more information on the number of pharmacies available and extras.
GoodRx vs WellRx Comparison
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Editor's Ratings | ||
Monthly Price | Free | Free |
Coupon Format | Printed or Digital | Printed or Digital |
Participating Pharmacies | About 70,000 | About 65,000 |
Smartphone App | Yes | Yes |
Extra Features | Discounts on Telehealth and Lab Tests | Medication Reminders, Interaction Checker |
Contact |
*We recommend calling because providers can sometimes offer special deals or pricing. We make every effort to provide and maintain accurate information on our site. However, the businesses reviewed on our site may periodically change their pricing, equipment, and packages and there may be a lag between the time they make such changes and the time we become aware of such changes. If you identify any outdated or inaccurate information, please contact us here.
In the world of prescription discount cards, we’ve found WellRx and GoodRx are two of the more popular options. Both of these services offer free coupons for prescription medications at nationwide pharmacies; however, they differ slightly in terms of participating pharmacies, medication costs, and premium features.
Overall, our research indicated that GoodRx offered a wider range of participating pharmacies, while WellRx offered slightly lower prices across the board. Let’s take a closer look.
Pro Tip: To learn more about our favorite prescription discount cards, be sure to check out our guide to this year’s best prescription discount cards.
WellRx vs. GoodRx: Prices
If you’re looking for a prescription discount card, then price will most likely be the most important factor in your decision. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some commonly prescribed medications for older adults and their costs when using both WellRx and GoodRx.
As you can see, GoodRx beat WellRx’s prices every time due to their special deals with big box stores like Walmart and Sam’s Club. Prices are as low as $2 in some cases.
Medication and dosage | Lowest price with WellRx* | Lowest price with GoodRx* |
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Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen (5 mg; 30 tablets) | $10.30 | $2 |
Simvastatin (20 mg; 90 tablets) | $9.32 | $3.05 |
Lisinopril (20 mg; 90 tablets) | $9.70 | $3.39 |
Amlodipine besylate (10 mg; 30 tablets) | $9.10 | $2 |
Omeprazole (40 mg; 30 capsules) | $7.27 | $2 |
Azithromycin (250 mg; 6 tablets) | $9.02 | $1.91 |
Metformin (500 mg; 60 tablets) | $4 | $2 |
Hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg; 30 tablets) | $2.79 | $2 |
* Prices were taken from pharmacies in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Prices will vary depending on location.
When comparing drug prices, you should make sure you’re comparing the same dosage and quantity of medication. Also keep in mind that GoodRx offers a paid subscription service, GoodRx Gold, that costs $11.99 per month and includes even deeper discounts.
What If My Drug Isn’t Covered by Medicare?
If your medication isn’t on your Medicare Part D or Advantage plan’s formulary (also called a non-formulary drug), you’ll likely pay the full cost out of pocket. This is where GoodRx or WellRx can really help — they often provide substantial savings on drugs not covered by Medicare plans.
You should also speak with your doctor about formulary alternatives or appeal options, but in the meantime, a discount card may offer immediate savings.
WellRx vs. GoodRx: Participating Pharmacies
Unless you live in a major metropolitan area, then the number of pharmacies in your community may be limited. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure your chosen prescription discount card is compatible with pharmacies you use. Currently, you can use both GoodRx and WellRx in stores such as:
- CVS
- Rite Aid
- Walmart
- Walgreens
- Safeway
WellRx is also available at H-E-B and Fairview Pharmacy, while GoodRx is available at Albertsons, Costco, Kroger Pharmacy, and CVS pharmacies within Target stores.
Generally, GoodRx claims to work at over 70,000 pharmacies, while WellRx claims over 65,000 pharmacies. In most cases, either of these two options should offer you discounts at one or more local pharmacies.
Since both services cost nothing to use, there’s no harm in checking out your prescribed medications on each one before choosing which coupon to use.
What If I Have Medicare?
While WellRx and GoodRx can’t be used with your Medicare Part D or Advantage plan at the same time, you can choose to use a discount card instead of your insurance when it offers a better price. For example, if your drug isn’t covered, or you haven’t met your deductible, the out-of-pocket discount price may be lower.
However, be aware that if you use a discount card instead of your Medicare coverage, the cost won’t count toward your Part D deductible or annual out-of-pocket limit.
Did You Know? Medication errors account for a number of injuries each year. One way to combat medication errors, according to the National Library Medicine, is to use products like automated medication dispensers, which lessen the likelihood of user error.
WellRx vs. GoodRx: Extra Features
Although the main draw of using a prescription discount card is saving money, both WellRx and GoodRx offer additional features that might sway your decision.
WellRx: Extra Features
Both services offer companion smartphone apps, but WellRx differentiates their app with a Medicine Chest feature. In addition to giving you reminders for refills, this tool will also keep track of the drugs you’re taking and alert you of any potentially harmful interactions. While your doctor should have already given you this information, we still appreciate this feature.
WellRx also has a pill identifier. By entering the information on the exterior of your medications, you can identify any pills and see their usage.
GoodRx: Extra Features
In addition to discounts on prescription medications, GoodRx offers a membership program with benefits that include:
- Lower prescription prices: GoodRx claims its Gold members can save up to $3,961 per year, although actual savings vary widely based on medication needs and usage.
- Lower telehealth prices: Normally, GoodRx’s telehealth visits cost $59.99 each, but with Gold membership, telehealth visits are only $21.99.
- Better customer support: Gold members have a dedicated customer support team, shorter hold times, and extended hours.
- Free home delivery: Members get eligible prescriptions shipped to their homes for free.
The cost is $11.99 a month for an individual or $19.99 a month for up to five people.
Bottom Line
GoodRx and WellRx offer nearly identical services. Both prescription discount cards:
- Cannot be used in tandem with insurance or Medicare
- Cost nothing to use
- Can be used at thousands of pharmacies nationwide
- Help you keep track of your medications
- Can cover pet medications
That said, our research suggests that GoodRx offers greater discounts on medications, more pharmacies nationwide, and a subscription-based model that can lower costs even further.
Luckily, since both options are free, there’s no harm in checking medication prices at pharmacies in your area. You could even use WellRx for one medication and GoodRx for another. If you want to learn more, read our GoodRx review. Or compare GoodRx to SingleCare, another popular prescription discount service.
To learn more about medical supplies and services plus senior discounts, be sure to check out our helpful guides:
Methodology
Comparing prescription discount cards is simple. We focus on three key criteria:
- Prices: Obviously, the point of prescription discount cards is to save you money, so we compare pricing on the most common medications prescribed to seniors.
- Participating pharmacies: We look at the number of participating pharmacies nationwide as well as the major pharmacy brands.
- Extra features: Finally, some services offer extras such as telehealth or home delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is better, GoodRx or WellRx?
In our research, GoodRx offered greater discounts on a majority of prescription medications; it also is available at more pharmacies across the U.S. compared to WellRx. However, these results will vary based on your location and the specific drugs you need.
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Do WellRx and GoodRx cost money to use?
No, WellRx and GoodRx do not cost money to use: They’re both free. However, GoodRx offers a premium service, GoodRx Gold, that costs $11.99 per month and includes higher prescription discounts and cheaper telehealth visits, among other benefits.
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Which has more participating pharmacies, GoodRx or WellRx?
GoodRx has more participating pharmacies compared to WellRx, over 70,000 versus around 65,000.
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Are GoodRx and WellRx the same?
No, GoodRx and WellRx are not the same, although they have similar names. They are entirely separate companies. GoodRx is an independently owned business founded in 2011, while WellRx is a product of the Medical Security Card Company, LLC, a company formed in 1994.