Is GoodRx a Scam?

If you’re thinking of using GoodRx, you need to know whether it’s safe. Is GoodRx a scam? 

Below, we explain whether GoodRx is a scam and discuss some steps you can take to improve your safety when using this drug discount coupon platform. 

What Is GoodRx?

GoodRx is a digital health platform and prescription savings service. 

It allows people to compare pharmacy prices and download coupons that can lower the cash price of medications by up to 80%.

The company began in 2011 when Doug Hirsch, Scott Marlette, and Trevor Bezdek built a website to show price differences among local pharmacies.

Over time, GoodRx added mobile apps, telehealth visits, and a premium membership (GoodRx Gold). 

It now partners with more than 70,000 pharmacies and markets itself as a comprehensive healthcare platform. It’s a public company.

Is GoodRx a Scam?

No, GoodRx is not a scam. It’s a legitimate company that offers prescription discount coupons and telehealth services. 

The platform has been reviewed by several third-party publications.

For example, a 2023 NerdWallet guide explains that GoodRx can save up to 80% on prescriptions at over 70,000 pharmacies, but cannot be used with insurance. The article warns that prices fluctuate and that independent pharmacies may not accept prescription discount cards. 

User reviews of GoodRx are mixed at the time of writing:

• 4.1 out of 5.0 stars (from over 2,000 reviews) on Trustpilot.
• 2.5 out of 5.0 stars (from over 600 reviews) on Sitejabber. 
• 1.57 out of 5.0 stars (from over 200 reviews) on Better Business Bureau.

Positive reviews highlight the service’s speed, ease of use, and great prices.

Negative reviews note that many pharmacies don’t accept GoodRx and that there’s no guarantee of virtual doctor visits. Some also cite refund issues and poor customer service. 

On online forums and social media sites, people report varying experiences.

Many people report saving money through using GoodRx.

One person says:

“Yes! It was cheaper to use it rather than insurance for a very important medication! Its so easy. And like someone else said it could be cheaper at a different pharmacy that you dont normally use just ask the doctor to send script there.”

Others report discrepancies between quoted prices and the final cost at the pharmacy.

One user writes:

“I have simular issue with GoodRx pricing. Every time I search for the med price, it shows a cheaper price in CVS and tells me to show the coupon to the pharmacist. When I come to the pharmacy with the coupon, they enter the coupon details in the system and tell me that price provided by GoodRx is not correct and I need to pay more?”

It’s important to note that GoodRx prices are estimates. The pharmacy has the final say, and prices can change by the time you arrive at the counter.

GoodRx is Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited and holds an A+ BBB rating. BBB ratings reflect how the BBB believes a company interacts with its customers.  

The company has received 242 total complaints in the last three years, with 56 of the complaints closed in the past 12 months. 

Complaints center around unauthorized charges, failed cancellations, delayed or missing refunds, pricing discrepancies, and inadequate medical service.

GoodRx regulatory actions and lawsuits

In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice filed a complaint against GoodRx, alleging that the company shared millions of users’ personally identifiable information (including prescription details and sensitive health conditions) to third‑party advertisers without user consent. 

The complaint noted that GoodRx displayed a “HIPAA Secure” seal even though it is not a covered entity and did not notify users about the disclosure.

GoodRx has denied wrongdoing but agreed to a $1.5 million penalty and to obtain user consent before sharing data for advertising. 

GoodRx’s data‑sharing practices prompted a consolidated class action that was settled for $25 million in December 2024. 

GoodRx security

In its privacy policy, GoodRx briefly mentions its security measures.

It says that it uses “commercially reasonable efforts” to stop an unauthorized third-party from accessing your data.

Good Rx privacy

GoodRx describes in its privacy policy the kind of data it collects, why, and with whom it shares it.

It may collect the following personal information:

• Personal identifier and other information: Name, email address, postal address, phone number, date of birth, a government identification number, username, and password.
• Commercial information: Purchase and usage history, preferences around goods and services, demographics, interests, insurance information, payment and account information, and communications with GoodRx.
• Prescription information: Prescription, pharmacy, healthcare provider information, and insurance. 
• Device and online activity information: IP address, location, browser/device information, pages viewed, ads interacted with, and app/website usage.
• Profile inferences: Interests or characteristics inferred from your activity.
• Professional information (for healthcare providers): NPI, specialty, and credentials.

GoodRx can collect this information directly from you, automatically (via cookies, ad tracking, etc.), and from third parties (such as healthcare providers, pharmacies, and marketing and data partners). 

The company may combine data across sources and devices. 

It may also deidentify your data and disclose it. 

The company may use your data to create and manage accounts, communicate with you, and personalize content, pricing, and recommendations. Plus, to advertise and retarget you across platforms, analyze usage, improve services, and develop new products. Additionally, it may use your data to run surveys and analytics, detect fraud, ensure security, and comply with laws and legal requests. 

GoodRx may share your data with affiliates and subsidiaries, service providers, advertising and marketing partners, corporate transaction partners, law enforcement or regulators (when legally required), and others to protect rights, safety, or prevent fraud. 

SMS numbers used for GoodRx’s own messages are not shared for third-party marketing unless you explicitly opt in elsewhere.

GoodRx uses cookies and similar technologies for analytics and targeted advertising. You can manage cookies via the Cookie Preferences link.

It does not respond to “Do Not Track” signals, except where required under California law (GPC).

Depending on where you live, you may be able to:

• Access your data.
• Correct any inaccuracies.
• Opt out of data “sales” or targeted advertising. 
• Revoke consent where applicable. 
• Request deletion of your data.
• Appeal denied requests.

You can also unsubscribe from GoodRx emails, texts, and mail. 

GoodRx Care and ScriptDrop services involve healthcare providers who have their own Notices of Privacy Practices. Note that the general GoodRx privacy policy does not fully cover Protected Health Information handled by those providers.

The Common Sense Privacy Program, which rates websites’ privacy practices, gives GoodRx’s privacy policy a “Warning” rating. This means the policy “Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.”

Among the issues flagged are the sharing of personal information for third-party marketing, the display of personalized advertising, and the collection of data by third parties for their own purposes. 

So, Should You Use GoodRx?

Depends.

GoodRx can be a good fit if you pay cash for prescriptions, lack insurance, or want to compare prices quickly. People who are comfortable with their data being shared for marketing after consent and who check coupon prices before each refill may benefit from the discounts.

It may not be a good fit if you value consistent pricing, have insurance that covers your medications, or have privacy concerns.

How to Use GoodRx Safely and Privately 

• Don’t create a GoodRx account if possible. You can search drug prices and use coupons without logging in. Creating an account links prescriptions, searches, and coupons more directly to you.
• Be cautious with searches and inputs. Drug names, conditions, and pharmacy searches can be treated as health-related data, and free-text forms, surveys, and messages may collect sensitive health information.
• Limit location access. GoodRx may collect location data to find nearby pharmacies. Turn off location access in your phone settings unless you actively need it.
• Review and manage your cookie and ad preferences. GoodRx uses cookies, pixels, and SDKs for analytics and targeted advertising and may use health-related activity for ad personalization (depending on consent and state law). Use the “Cookie Preferences” link on the site and opt out of targeted advertising where available.
• Opt out of marketing you don’t want. You can unsubscribe from GoodRx marketing communication by using the link at the bottom of each marketing email, replying STOP to text messages, and requesting removal from their physical mailing list in writing. 
• Understand that pharmacies and insurers may share data. When you use a GoodRx coupon, pharmacies or pharmacy benefit managers may report transaction details back to GoodRx. This can include prescription-related information.
• Exercise your privacy rights. Depending on where you live, you may be able to access your data, delete your data, withdraw consent for certain uses, and opt out of targeted advertising or “data sales.”
• Be cautious with virtual care services. Services like GoodRx Care or ScriptDrop involve separate healthcare providers. Their Notices of Privacy Practices (HIPAA-related) apply, not just GoodRx’s policy. Make sure you read these providers’ privacy notices before sharing any medical details.
• Don’t assume “HIPAA protections” apply to everything. Much of GoodRx’s data collection happens outside HIPAA, especially for searches, coupons, etc.