1st Optimal vs Alloy
An in-depth comparison of two leading GLP-1 Providers
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1st Optimal
Best for: Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program
Visit 1st Optimal →
Alloy
Best for: Menopause Society-certified care with the broadest GLP-1 formulary
Visit Alloy →1st Optimal and Alloy 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, Alloy starts at $169/mo, and Alloy edges ahead overall (7.5 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
Pricing not publicly listed.
Alloy
$70 medication + mandatory $99/mo Alloy Weight Care fee = $169/mo effective
$100 medication + mandatory $99/mo Alloy Weight Care fee = $199/mo effective
$115 medication + mandatory $99/mo Alloy Weight Care fee = $214/mo effective
$199-$499 medication + mandatory $99/mo Alloy Weight Care fee; $298/mo effective at the $199 starting dose
$299 medication + mandatory $99/mo Alloy Weight Care fee = $398/mo effective
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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
Alloy
7.5/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Alloy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | $169/mo |
| Features | 8 features | 8 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 Alloy
Alloy is a menopause-focused telehealth brand whose Weight Care program runs the broadest GLP-1 formulary in our catalog — brand Wegovy, brand Zepbound, oral Wegovy, plus compounded semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide. Every consulting doctor is certified by The Menopause Society. Pricing spans brand Wegovy from $199/mo to compounded liraglutide from $80/mo, with a $49 initial consult and a STARTGLP1 promo for $50 off the first month.
Read our full Alloy 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
Alloy
What we like
- Broadest GLP-1 formulary here: brand Wegovy and Zepbound, oral Wegovy, plus compounded semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide
- All consulting doctors are certified by The Menopause Society — a rare credential
- STARTGLP1 promo code takes $50 off the first month
- Spans the price range: compounded semaglutide from $70/mo, brand Wegovy from $199/mo (each plus the $99/mo Weight Care fee)
Watch-outs
- Menopause-focused — best for women in menopause or perimenopause, not men or younger patients
- A mandatory $99/mo Alloy Weight Care fee sits on top of every medication price (so the true minimum is ~$169/mo, not $70)
- Compounded semaglutide not available in AL, AR, CA, NV, LA, MS or DC
Our Verdict
Alloy edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.5/10 and is particularly strong for Menopause Society-certified care with the broadest GLP-1 formulary. 1st Optimal remains a solid alternative, especially if you're looking for Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Choose 1st Optimal if…
You want Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Choose Alloy if…
You want Menopause Society-certified care with the broadest GLP-1 formulary and a starting price around $169/mo.
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Get started →1st Optimal vs Alloy: 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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