Skip to main content

    Prescription Delivery Apps

    Six options to skip the pharmacy line. Some bill your insurance, some are cheaper than insurance.

    Watch out for discount-card cold callers

    Real GoodRx, Cost Plus, Amazon, and OptumRx will NEVER call you out of the blue and ask for your Medicare number, Social Security, or bank account to "send your discount card." Hang up. Real discount cards are free and you sign up for them yourself on the website. If a caller pressures you, that is a scam.

    Amazon Pharmacy

    Insurance copay OR cash price (often 40-80% off)

    Best for: Prime members. Free 2-day delivery on most prescriptions in the US.

    Pros

    • +Free 2-day delivery for Prime members; same-day in some cities.
    • +Shows insurance AND cash price side-by-side at checkout.
    • +RxPass: 60 common generics for a flat 5 dollars/month for Prime members.
    • +Pharmacist chat 24/7.

    Cons

    • −No retail pickup option — delivery only.
    • −Controlled substances have stricter shipping rules.
    Visit / sign up

    Cost Plus Drug Co. (Mark Cuban)

    Manufacturer cost + 15% markup + 5 dollars pharmacy fee

    Best for: Anyone paying cash for generic medications. Often the cheapest in the country.

    Pros

    • +Radical price transparency — every drug shows the math.
    • +Generics like atorvastatin, metformin, lisinopril for a few dollars a month.
    • +Mail order with flat shipping.
    • +No insurance games, no surprise charges.

    Cons

    • −Limited brand-name selection.
    • −Cannot bill most insurance — pay cash.
    • −Mail only, no pickup.
    Visit / sign up

    GoodRx

    Free discount card; GoodRx Gold 9.99 dollars/month

    Best for: Picking up at a local pharmacy (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart) at a discount.

    Pros

    • +Compare prices at every pharmacy near you in seconds.
    • +Free coupon — show the code at the counter, save 30-80%.
    • +Works at 70,000+ US pharmacies.

    Cons

    • −Cannot combine with insurance — pick one or the other.
    • −Prices change weekly.
    Visit / sign up

    Always price-check 3 ways

    For any new prescription, check (1) your insurance copay, (2) the GoodRx cash price, and (3) the Cost Plus Drugs price. Whichever is lowest wins. For maintenance drugs you take every month, a 90-day mail-order fill through OptumRx or Amazon Pharmacy is almost always cheapest of all.

    Related

    Medication Reminder Setup

    Never miss a dose.

    Medicare Plan Chooser

    Pick a plan with good Rx coverage.

    Doctor Portal Setup

    Request refills online.

    Quick Tip: ask your doctor to write 90-day prescriptions instead of 30-day. It cuts the price and the hassle by two-thirds.