1st Optimal vs Actin
An in-depth comparison of two leading GLP-1 Providers
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1st Optimal
Best for: GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program
Visit 1st Optimal →
1st Optimal and Actin are both GLP-1 Providers competing for the same patients, but they make different trade-offs on price, coverage, and what's included. In our scoring, 1st Optimal starts lower at $99/mo versus $169/mo, and Actin edges ahead overall (7.0 vs 6.7 out of 10). Below we break down pricing, what each plan covers, the six-dimension score, pros and cons, and exactly who should pick which.
Pricing
1st Optimal
Care membership only — the GLP-1 medication is billed separately and is not priced.
Actin
Month-to-month. Actin prints all three cadences on the product page: 1-Month $169, 3-Month $143, 6-Month $116, flat at every dose.
ADDED 2026-08-15 — we had no tirzepatide row although Actin sells it. Ladder on the product page: 1-Month $269, 3-Month $209, 6-Month $166, flat at every dose.
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What’s included
1st Optimal
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Not disclosed
Provider visits
Included
Shipping
Included
Lab work
Not disclosed
Coaching
Included
Actin
Inclusions not disclosed.
Score breakdown
Both providers are scored on the same six-dimension framework. The gradient bar marks the stronger side on each dimension.
1st Optimal
6.7/10
Actin
7.0/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Actin |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ✓$99/mo | $169/mo |
| Features | ✓8 features | 3 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Compounded | — | ✓ Yes |
| Brand Name | ✓ Yes | — |
| FSA/HSA Accepted | — | — |
| FDA Warnings | None | None |
About 1st Optimal
1st Optimal is a Michigan-based telehealth and functional-medicine platform offering GLP-1 weight loss medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, as once-weekly injections or daily oral tablets. Its model pairs prescription GLP-1 therapy with at-home lab testing, blood-work interpretation, unlimited coaching, and personalized protocols framed around long-term weight loss and longevity. Care is delivered virtually by credentialed providers, and treatments ship to the home with no long-term contracts. The site does not publish monthly pricing or a state list.
Read our full 1st Optimal review →About Actin
Actin sells compounded semaglutide at $169/month and compounded tirzepatide at $269/month month-to-month, falling to $116 and $166 on a six-month plan, flat at every dose with no membership fee. It also offers a GLP-1 microdose at $149/month alongside longevity, sexual-wellness and hair treatments, and states plainly that it is not a compounding pharmacy itself.
Read our full Actin review →Pros & Cons
1st Optimal
What we like
- Offers both semaglutide and tirzepatide with injectable and oral formats
- Functional-medicine approach with at-home labs and blood-work interpretation
- Unlimited coaching and ongoing support included
- No long-term contracts
- Board-certified doctors and nurse practitioners referenced
Watch-outs
- No public monthly pricing disclosed
- No published state availability list
- Compounded vs branded sourcing not clarified on site
- Pricing only revealed after quiz or consultation
Actin
What we like
- Semaglutide paired with B12 for added energy support
- Transparent pricing — exact cost shown upfront with no hidden fees
- Competitive pricing from $116/mo on the 6-month plan ($169/mo month-to-month)
Watch-outs
- Semaglutide only — no tirzepatide or liraglutide
- No visible LegitScript or PCAB accreditation
- States served not disclosed
- Broad platform spanning hormones, sexual wellness, and hair health
Our Verdict
Actin edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.0/10 and is particularly strong for affordable compounded semaglutide with B12 enhancement. 1st Optimal remains a solid alternative, especially if you're looking for GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Choose 1st Optimal if…
You want GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program and a starting price around $99/mo.
Choose Actin if…
You want affordable compounded semaglutide with B12 enhancement and a starting price around $169/mo.
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Found
Mainstream telehealth GLP-1 access
From $99/mo
Get started →Breeze Meds
Compounded GLP-1 access with named prescribers and 4-pharmacy network
From $199/mo
Get started →Telos Rx
Needle-free, microdosed compounded GLP-1 with lab-monitored care
From $99/mo
Get started →1st Optimal vs Actin: FAQ
Key terms, explained
New to GLP-1s? Tap any term for a quick, plain-English definition.
- Semaglutide · Drugs and brands
- Tirzepatide · Drugs and brands
- Compounded GLP-1 · Pharmacy and drug forms
- 503A pharmacy · Pharmacy and drug forms
- PCAB accreditation · Pharmacy and drug forms
- Prior authorization (PA) · Insurance and regulatory
- Off-label use · Insurance and regulatory
- FDA Drug Shortage List · Insurance and regulatory
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