GoodRx Review
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June 30, 2025
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Prescription drug costs continue to skyrocket, leaving many seniors struggling to afford essential medications. With millions of seniors unable to afford their prescription medications,1 finding reliable discount options has become crucial. After extensively testing GoodRx alongside other discount services, our team found it consistently delivers substantial savings while offering the most comprehensive features in the prescription discount space. Here’s our detailed analysis of how GoodRx compares to alternatives and whether it’s worth using for your medication needs.
For comprehensive information about prescription savings options, visit our guide to the best prescription discount cards for seniors.
Key Findings
- GoodRx offers the most intuitive mobile app with features like automatic spell-check, pill identification, and pharmacy directions, making it ideal for seniors who want hassle-free prescription savings.
- While not always the cheapest, GoodRx consistently offers solid discounts (up to 80% free, up to 90% with Gold membership) and provides transparent pricing comparisons across the largest pharmacy network.
- Unlike single-feature competitors, GoodRx combines prescription discounts with telehealth services, medication management tools, and the option to upgrade for additional savings, making it the most comprehensive solution for seniors managing multiple medications.
GoodRx Pros and Cons
GoodRx Pros
- Free to use: The free GoodRx discount card helps you save on prescriptions at more than 70,000 pharmacies in the United States.
- Handy smartphone app: You can download the free GoodRx mobile app, browse prescriptions, and compare prices without signing up or entering your personal information. You also don’t need to print coupons; simply show the mobile app to your pharmacist.
- Comprehensive pharmacy network: With over 70,000 participating locations, GoodRx offers broader coverage than competitors like SingleCare (35,000 pharmacies) and ScriptSave WellRx (65,000 pharmacies).
- Smart features for seniors: Unlike basic discount cards, GoodRx includes helpful tools like pill identification, automatic spell-check for medication names, and refill reminders, features our team found particularly valuable for older adults managing multiple prescriptions.
- Premium upgrade option: GoodRx Gold provides additional savings up to 90% for $9.99 monthly (individual) or $19.99 (family), which our research showed often pays for itself with just one prescription fill.
GoodRx Cons
- Physical card delivery time: After signing up for the free discount card, you’ll get a notice saying the physical card will arrive within four weeks. If you don’t want to wait that long, you can print and use your temporary virtual GoodRx card.
- Frequent upgrade prompts: While using the free version of GoodRx, you’ll constantly receive pop-ups suggesting you upgrade to GoodRx Gold, the company’s paid version, which can become annoying over time.
- Not always the cheapest option: In our price comparisons, we found that services like BuzzRx and SingleCare occasionally offer lower prices on specific medications, though GoodRx’s broader feature set often compensates for slightly higher costs.
How Does GoodRx Work?
With prescription drug costs continuing to rise—research shows seniors spend an average of $1,986 annually on prescription drugs2—discount services like GoodRx have become essential tools for managing healthcare expenses. Nearly 23% of seniors report difficulty affording their prescription medications3, making these services increasingly vital for fixed-income households. GoodRx negotiates directly with pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers to secure discounted rates, then passes those savings to consumers through free coupons and membership programs.
During our research, we found GoodRx’s process remarkably straightforward: search for your medication, select a nearby pharmacy, and show the coupon (digital or printed) to your pharmacist. The service bypasses insurance entirely, often delivering better prices than traditional copays, especially for generic medications.
Our team was particularly impressed with GoodRx’s transparency in showing exactly how much you’ll save compared to retail prices. This feature helps seniors make informed decisions about where to fill their prescriptions.
How Much Does GoodRx Cost?
GoodRx is free to use for basic prescription discounts. No sign-up is required to browse prescriptions and find free GoodRx coupons using its desktop or mobile app (with a prescription from a doctor). For additional savings and features, you can upgrade to GoodRx Gold at $9.99 monthly for individuals or $19.99 monthly for up to five family members, including pets.
During our testing, we found the Gold membership often pays for itself with a single prescription fill, particularly for more expensive medications. The chart below shows the real pricing we encountered during our evaluation:
Prescription Costs With GoodRx*
| Pharmacy | No coverage | GoodRx discount card | GoodRx Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVS Pharmacy | $55 | $34 | $28.72 |
| Costco | $13 | $8 | $3.93 |
| Vons Pharmacy | $66 | $9.77 | $3.93 |
*Prices reflect the cost of Escitalopram, the generic form of Lexapro.
GoodRx Gold Benefits
If you want to save up to 90% on your prescriptions and access additional features, GoodRx Gold offers substantial value. You can start a free 30-day trial and cancel any time for a full refund, a policy our team tested and confirmed works smoothly.
Overall, we found that drugs were usually 10% cheaper with a GoodRx Gold subscription compared to the traditional model. Depending on how many prescriptions you need, this membership might easily pay for itself.
GoodRx vs. GoodRx Gold Comparison
| GoodRx | GoodRx Gold |
|---|---|
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Our Experience Using GoodRx
Our team spent several months testing GoodRx across different scenarios, and we were consistently impressed with its user-friendly design and reliable savings. When we downloaded the app, we appreciated the option to browse without creating an account, perfect for seniors who prefer to explore before committing to any registration process.
Accessibility Tip: GoodRx also allows users to print coupons from its website, which is especially useful for seniors who don’t use smartphones or prefer paper over digital apps.
Searching for Medications
We found GoodRx’s search functionality superior to competitors in several key ways. When testing medication searches, the app automatically suggested popular prescriptions like Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Zoloft (sertraline), which saved time compared to typing out full medication names. This feature proved especially helpful for our team members who occasionally struggled with spelling complex drug names.
During one test, we deliberately misspelled Omeprazole (generic Prilosec) as “Omoprixole,” and GoodRx’s intelligent search immediately provided the correct spelling and medication options, a feature we didn’t find as robust in other services like BuzzRx or SingleCare.
When we selected our medication details (brand, form, dosage, quantity) and searched nearby pharmacies, the price differences were striking. For 30 capsules of 40 mg Omeprazole, we found prices ranging from $4.21 with GoodRx Gold at Costco to $15 at Walmart. The ability to save these searches and add them to our iPhone Wallet made the process seamless for repeat visits.
FYI: Always check GoodRx prices even if you have insurance. During our testing, we frequently found GoodRx discounts beat insurance copays, especially for generic medications. For example, a $25 insurance copay for omeprazole dropped to just $7.70 with a free GoodRx coupon.
Pharmacy Location Features
One of GoodRx’s standout features during our testing was its comprehensive pharmacy location tool. When we searched for Sildenafil (generic Revatio) in the Los Angeles area, we discovered a CVS Pharmacy just 0.2 miles away selling it for $26.25 with a free GoodRx coupon, while a Costco a few miles further offered the same prescription for $12.99.
This location-based pricing transparency helped our team understand that driving a few extra miles could result in significant savings—something we didn’t find as clearly displayed in competing apps. The integration with maps and the ability to call pharmacies directly from the app made comparison shopping remarkably efficient.
Medication Management Tools
Beyond basic discounts, our team was impressed with GoodRx’s medication management features that specifically benefit seniors managing multiple prescriptions:
- Refill Reminders: We set up refill reminders for several medications and found them reliably helpful for keeping up with prescription schedules. This feature alone could prevent costly gaps in medication adherence.
- Pill Identifier: GoodRx’s Pill Identifier proved invaluable during our testing. When we tested it with loose pills (simulating a common scenario for seniors), the tool accurately identified medications based on markings, shape, and color. Searching for “I white tablet” provided relevant suggestions, including common medications, eliminating dangerous guesswork.
- Price Alerts: We set price alerts for frequently used medications and received timely notifications when prices changed by more than 10%, helping us optimize our prescription timing and pharmacy choices.
For more comprehensive medication management strategies, read our guide to medication management for seniors.
GoodRx vs. the Competition
After testing GoodRx alongside major competitors, we found distinct advantages and disadvantages compared to other prescription discount services. Here’s how GoodRx stacks up against the three main alternatives:
GoodRx vs. SingleCare
SingleCare offers a more streamlined experience but lacks GoodRx’s comprehensive features. Our testing revealed:
- Pricing: SingleCare occasionally beats GoodRx on specific medications. We found atorvastatin 40mg for $8.25 vs. GoodRx’s $7.68. However, GoodRx’s Gold membership consistently provided the lowest prices overall. For generic medications like hydrocodone 10mg, SingleCare charged $26.97 compared to GoodRx’s $24.28, showing GoodRx’s competitive edge on commonly prescribed drugs.
- Pharmacy Network: GoodRx’s 70,000+ pharmacies significantly outpaces SingleCare’s 35,000, providing more options in rural or underserved areas. This difference becomes crucial for seniors with limited transportation options or those living in smaller communities.
- Features: GoodRx offers superior medication management tools, pill identification, and telehealth services that SingleCare lacks. While SingleCare provides home delivery through GeniusRx partnership, GoodRx’s comprehensive approach provides better value despite occasionally higher individual prescription costs.
- User Experience: SingleCare’s interface is simpler but less feature-rich. Seniors who prefer straightforward functionality without extra bells and whistles may appreciate SingleCare’s minimalist approach, while those managing multiple medications benefit more from GoodRx’s comprehensive tools.
- Bottom Line: Choose SingleCare if you want the simplest possible discount experience with occasional better pricing on specific medications. Choose GoodRx if you manage multiple medications, value comprehensive features, or need reliable access to pharmacies nationwide.
For a detailed comparison, see our GoodRx vs. SingleCare analysis.
GoodRx vs. ScriptSave WellRx
ScriptSave WellRx focuses on family-friendly features and additional wellness tools. Our comparison found:
- Pricing: WellRx often provides steeper discounts. We found hydrocodone 10mg for $5.58 vs. GoodRx’s $24.28, representing significant savings for pain management medications. However, these savings varied significantly by medication and location. For atorvastatin 40mg, WellRx charged $15.42 compared to GoodRx’s $7.68, showing inconsistent pricing advantages.
- Unique Features: WellRx’s Grocery Guidance feature and “Ask a Pharmacist” tool provide value beyond prescription discounts, helping seniors make healthier food choices and get medication advice. However, GoodRx’s telehealth services and more robust app functionality appealed more to our senior users who preferred comprehensive digital health management.
- Family Benefits: WellRx allows one card for the entire family (including pets) without separate registrations, making it ideal for seniors managing medications for spouses or caring for grandchildren. GoodRx requires individual accounts but offers more personalized features.
- Membership Options: Unlike GoodRx Gold, WellRx doesn’t offer a premium tier, limiting maximum savings potential for frequent prescription users. This means seniors with multiple monthly prescriptions may hit a savings ceiling with WellRx.
- Pharmacy Network: WellRx’s 65,000 pharmacies falls between SingleCare and GoodRx, offering good coverage but not quite matching GoodRx’s comprehensive reach.
- Bottom Line: Choose WellRx if you’re managing medications for multiple family members, value nutrition guidance, or prefer the simplicity of one card for everyone. Choose GoodRx if you want maximum savings potential through premium membership, need the largest pharmacy network, or prefer sophisticated medication management tools.
See our detailed GoodRx vs. WellRx comparison for more insights.
GoodRx vs. BuzzRx
BuzzRx emerged as GoodRx’s strongest price competitor during our testing:
- Pricing: BuzzRx users report average savings of 75% with some generics reaching 90% off, slightly ahead of GoodRx’s standard offerings. BuzzRx consistently offered competitive pricing during our testing. However, GoodRx Gold matched or exceeded these savings in most categories, particularly for seniors filling multiple prescriptions monthly.
- Charitable Component: BuzzRx donates to charities like Make-A-Wish with each prescription filled, adding social impact value that appeals to socially conscious seniors. Over $8.5 million has been donated to date, with $6 million specifically supporting Make-A-Wish. GoodRx doesn’t offer this philanthropic feature, which may matter to seniors who want their prescription purchases to benefit others.
- Technology and Features: GoodRx’s app sophistication, spell-check, pill identification, and integrated telehealth services significantly surpass BuzzRx’s basic discount functionality. BuzzRx offers prescription refill reminders and price comparisons but lacks the comprehensive medication management tools that benefit seniors with complex regimens.
- Network Size: GoodRx works at roughly 70,000 pharmacies, while BuzzRx works at 60,000. While the advantage is clearly with GoodRx here, we noticed no coverage gap areas in our research. Practically, either option has ample pharmacies in just about every region.
- Stability and Reliability: User reviews suggest BuzzRx maintains more stable pricing without sudden price jumps compared to some competitors. This consistency can be valuable for seniors on fixed budgets who need predictable medication costs.
- User Experience: BuzzRx offers a more straightforward interface focused primarily on discounts, while GoodRx provides a more comprehensive health management platform. Seniors comfortable with basic smartphone use may prefer BuzzRx’s straightforward approach, while those wanting integrated health services benefit more from GoodRx’s ecosystem.
- Bottom Line: Choose BuzzRx if maximum discounts and charitable giving are your priorities, you prefer stable pricing, or you want the simplest discount experience possible. Choose GoodRx if you need comprehensive medication management features, telehealth access, or premium savings options through Gold membership.
- Network Size: Both services work at 60,000+ pharmacies, making availability comparable nationwide.
Can GoodRx Be Used With Medicare?
You cannot use GoodRx with Medicare simultaneously, but you can use GoodRx as an alternative when it offers better pricing. During our Medicare testing, we found several scenarios where GoodRx provided superior value:
- Coverage gaps: When Medicare doesn’t cover specific medications.
- Deductible periods: Before meeting the annual Medicare deductibles.
- Cost comparisons: When GoodRx prices beat Medicare copays.
Our team recommends asking your pharmacist to compare Medicare copays with GoodRx pricing before each fill. We frequently found GoodRx offered better deals, especially for generic medications not well-covered by Medicare Part D plans.
Tip for Medicare Beneficiaries:
Using GoodRx instead of your Medicare Part D plan means those purchases won’t count toward your True Out-of-Pocket (TrOOP) costs. This could delay reaching catastrophic coverage or your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
Before relying solely on discount cards, check if you qualify for Medicare’s Extra Help program, which may reduce your copays to as little as $4 per prescription.
For more information about Medicare prescription coverage, read our comprehensive Medicare guide.
Can GoodRx Be Used With Insurance?
As with Medicare, you cannot combine GoodRx discounts with insurance, but you can choose whichever option provides better pricing. Our testing revealed that GoodRx often beats insurance copays, particularly for:
- Generic medications with high copays
- Medications not covered by your formulary
- High-deductible health plan periods
- Medications in higher insurance tiers
We recommend checking your insurance copay and GoodRx pricing before each prescription is filled. Many seniors discover significant savings by using GoodRx instead of insurance for certain medications. Since less than 1% of people ages 65 and older lack any type of insurance coverage,4 we assume that, in most cases, users will be choosing between GoodRx or their healthcare coverage.
Learn more about prescription coverage options, in our Medigap prescription drugs guide.
Compare GoodRx to Other Brands
Final Thoughts on GoodRx
After extensive testing across multiple scenarios, our team found GoodRx offers the most well-rounded prescription discount experience for seniors. While it may not always provide the absolute lowest price for every medication, its combination of reliable savings, user-friendly technology, comprehensive pharmacy network, and additional health services makes it our top recommendation for most users.
We were particularly impressed with GoodRx’s thoughtful design for older adults, large fonts, intuitive navigation, helpful spell-check, and pill identification features that acknowledge seniors’ real challenges when managing medications. The telehealth integration through GoodRx Care adds extra value for those seeking convenient medical consultations.
For seniors managing multiple medications or those who value comprehensive digital health tools, GoodRx Gold’s $9.99 monthly fee often pays for itself with a single prescription while providing peace of mind through enhanced savings and premium features.
We would recommend GoodRx if you want
- Comprehensive prescription management: GoodRx combines discount pricing with medication reminders, pill identification, and price alerts, perfect for seniors managing complex medication regimens.
- Reliable technology designed for seniors: The app’s user-friendly interface, large fonts, and intelligent features like spell-check make it accessible for older adults who may struggle with other discount services.
- Flexible savings options: Choose between free basic discounts or upgrade to Gold for maximum savings, with the flexibility to cancel anytime.
- Integrated healthcare services: Access telehealth consultations through GoodRx Care, making it a one-stop solution for prescription and basic medical needs.
We wouldn’t recommend GoodRx if you want
- Always the absolute lowest prices: Competitors like BuzzRx or SingleCare occasionally offer better deals on specific medications, though GoodRx’s overall value proposition typically compensates for slightly higher individual prescription costs.
- Charitable giving component: Unlike BuzzRx, GoodRx doesn’t donate to charities with each prescription fill, which may matter to socially conscious consumers.
Explore more prescription savings options, in our guide to senior prescription discounts.
GoodRx Frequently Asked Questions
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Is GoodRx considered insurance?
No, GoodRx is not insurance. The savings and discounts you receive are based on negotiated pharmacy retail prices. Use GoodRx in place of insurance coverage when it offers better pricing for your prescriptions. During our testing, we found this happened frequently with generic medications.
However, note that purchases made using GoodRx do not count toward your insurance deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
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Is GoodRx free?
Yes, GoodRx basic services are completely free and easy to use. There’s no registration required for basic price comparisons, though creating an account enables additional features like price alerts and prescription tracking.
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What pharmacies accept GoodRx coupons?
GoodRx is accepted at over 70,000 pharmacies nationwide, including most major chains like Walgreens, Walmart, Costco, CVS Pharmacy, Rite Aid, Target, Safeway, and thousands of independent pharmacies.
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How much can I really save with GoodRx?
Our testing found savings typically range from 30-80% off retail prices, with Gold members often achieving 80-90% discounts. Average annual savings for regular users exceed $800, though individual results vary by medication and location.
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Should I choose GoodRx Gold?
If you fill prescriptions monthly or have expensive medications, Gold often pays for itself with a single prescription. We recommend trying the free 30-day trial to evaluate savings potential with your specific medications.
Methodology
Our GoodRx review is based on extensive hands-on testing conducted by our team over several months. We evaluated GoodRx across multiple criteria to provide seniors with accurate, practical information for making informed prescription discount decisions.
Our team tested prescription discount amounts across over 50 common senior medications, evaluating mobile app functionality and ease of use specifically for older adults. We assessed customer service responsiveness and quality through multiple interactions while testing pharmacy network accessibility in urban, suburban, and rural areas across different states. Our evaluation included comprehensive feature comparisons with major competitors, including SingleCare, ScriptSave WellRx, and BuzzRx, and we tested the Gold membership through actual trial memberships.
We conducted real prescription price comparisons at multiple pharmacy chains, performing usability testing with seniors aged 65-85 with varying technology comfort levels. Our team completed direct feature comparisons across competing platforms, tested customer service interactions via phone and app support channels, and tracked pricing over six months to assess discount stability and reliability.