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Key takeaways
Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil) are erectile dysfunction medications that cost between $15 and $108 per pill.
Cialis is typically more affordable than Viagra per pill, but each drug is prescribed and taken differently.
Seek medical advice from your healthcare provider to determine which of these treatments would be best for you.
Cialis (tadalafil) and Viagra (sildenafil) are prescription medications in the same class of drugs that treat symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED). They’re also both approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help with symptoms of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), high blood pressure due to narrowing in the blood vessels in the lungs. Cialis and Viagra both have generic versions, tadalafil and sildenafil, respectively. The brand-name ED medications have a significant price difference to consider. We’ll compare the cost of Cialis and Viagra, with and without insurance, and how you can save on your prescription.
Cialis vs. Viagra cost without insurance
The price of Cialis and Viagra without insurance can vary by pharmacy, location, and prescription. However, the cost of Cialis is generally lower than that of Viagra by a considerable amount.
How much does Cialis cost without insurance?
The average price of Cialis (tadalafil) is $435 for 30, 5 mg tablets without insurance, which comes out to about $15 per 5 mg pill. This retail price can vary by pharmacy, location, and the details of your prescription.
In comparison, generic tadalafil costs an average of $333 for 30, 5 mg tablets without insurance or discounts. That amounts to about $11 per pill.
How much does Viagra cost without insurance?
The average retail price of Viagra is $1,075 for 10, 100 mg tablets without insurance. This price can vary by pharmacy and location. The per-pill cost of Viagra comes out to $108 per pill, about seven times more expensive than a pill of brand-name Cialis.
In comparison, generic sildenafil without insurance costs about $457 for 10, 100 mg tablets.
Cialis vs. Viagra cost comparison |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug | Average price without insurance | Average price with a SingleCare discount | How to save |
| Cialis (tadalafil) | $436 for 30, 5 mg tablets | $11 for 30, 5 mg tablets of generic tadalafil at Kroger or Harris Teeter | Get coupon |
| Viagra (sildenafil) | $1,075 for 10, 100 mg tablets | $12 for 10, 100 mg tablets of generic sildenafil at Kroger or Harris Teeter | Get coupon |
Does insurance cover Cialis?
“Bluntly, brand-name coverage is poor for most patients,” says Justin Houman, MD, urologist at Tower Urology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Insurance plans generally don’t cover Cialis for ED, but may offer coverage if it’s prescribed for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, an enlarged prostate). “Cialis and Viagra are rarely covered for ED because most insurers classify it as a lifestyle indication. Coverage for PAH or BPH indications is generally better,” he shares.
Coverage varies highly by individual plan, and coverage may only be offered for generic Cialis, tadalafil. Patients may also need to go through extra steps to get coverage for Cialis, such as step therapy or prior authorization.
Does Medicare cover Cialis?
Medicare may cover certain treatments for erectile dysfunction, but it doesn’t cover Cialis when prescribed for ED specifically. There are ways to get coverage with the right documentation, and Medicare Extra Help programs may help cover some of the costs of Cialis as well.
Does Medicaid cover Cialis?
Similar to Medicare, Medicaid plans don’t typically cover Cialis for ED. Certain plans, however, may cover tadalafil for its other approved indications, such as PAH.
Does insurance cover Viagra?
Similar to Cialis, Viagra isn’t typically covered as a drug for ED. Coverage will vary by individual plan and may need extra steps to get approved coverage. Generic Viagra, sildenafil, may be covered under certain plans as a treatment for PAH.
Does Medicare cover Viagra?
Medicare doesn’t cover Viagra for ED, but it may cover other services like exams, diagnostic tests, and surgical treatments for ED.
Does Medicaid cover Viagra?
Medicaid doesn’t typically cover Viagra for ED, but some plans may cover sildenafil for PAH.
Which is better: Cialis or Viagra?
Though Cialis is more affordable than Viagra, the two drugs are prescribed in different ways and for different reasons. Sanjay Razdan, MD, urologist and professor and chairman of the International Robotic Institute for Prostate Cancer in Miami, Florida, says, “The choice of dose and medication depends on patient factors, including frequency of sexual activity, underlying health conditions, and tolerance. For example, Cialis (tadalafil) may be used daily at lower doses for more spontaneous activity or at higher doses as needed, while Viagra (sildenafil) is typically taken on demand.”
Cialis is approved by the FDA to treat ED, BPH, and PAH, while Viagra is approved to treat ED and PAH. For ED, Cialis can be taken daily or as needed, and Viagra can be taken as needed. For PAH, Cialis is taken once daily, and Viagra is taken three times a day.
Ultimately, the best and most affordable treatment for you can be determined by working with your healthcare provider to consider your health history and coverage.
How to save on Cialis or Viagra
Though insurance coverage for Cialis and Viagra is limited, there are still ways to save on the cost of your prescription. One way is to use SingleCare coupons, which can reduce the cost of ED medication significantly. SingleCare coupons are free to get and easy to use at many retail pharmacies. To get one, search for your prescription on the SingleCare website or app and select the pharmacy you want to use it at. Show your coupon to the pharmacist when you check out to save.
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You can also get your prescription in bulk or look into prescription assistance programs like Medicare Extra Help. Healthcare professionals may recommend switching to generic medications to save. “Generic is just as good. FDA-approved generics are bioequivalent: same molecule, same effect. There is no clinical reason to pay for the brand name,” Dr. Houman says.
Bottom line: Is Cialis or Viagra more affordable?
Between the two ED treatments, Cialis is generally more affordable than Viagra. However, it’s important to know that these medications are recommended for different purposes, and talking to your healthcare provider can help determine which one is best for you. “Cost and access have improved significantly with generic options, but patients should still be guided toward appropriate dosing and expectations to avoid misuse or disappointment with treatment,” Dr. Razdan says.
In addition to cost, healthcare providers can help you consider your health conditions, medical history, and other drug interactions to recommend the best long-term treatment for you. “Plan ahead,” Dr. Houman says. “These medications are long-term for most men. Build the cost into your healthcare budget and revisit pricing annually; the generic market continues to get more competitive,” he advises.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of May. 6, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Tadalafil tablet, DailyMed (2025)
- Sildenafil tablet, DailyMed (2025)
- NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) 2026, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (2026)
- NYRx, the New York Medicaid Pharmacy Program [PDF], New York State Department of Health (2026)
- Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.
- Evidence-based: Our content is sourced from reputable U.S.-based healthcare professionals and peer-reviewed research.
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