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1st Optimal vs Alloy

An in-depth comparison of two leading GLP-1 Providers

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By Eli Marsden · Founding Editor
Editorially reviewed & fact-checked against primary sources · How we verify contentLast reviewed
1st Optimal logo

1st Optimal

6.7
★★★☆☆3.4/5

Best for: GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program

Visit 1st Optimal
VS
Alloy logo

Alloy

7.5
★★★3.8/5

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, 1st Optimal starts lower at $99/mo versus $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

Weight Loss Care membership — medication not includedBrand-name
$99/mo
semaglutide

Care membership only — the GLP-1 medication is billed separately and is not priced.

Alloy

Compounded semaglutide + Weight Care feeCompounded
$169/mo
semaglutide

$70 medication + mandatory $99/mo Alloy Weight Care fee = $169/mo effective

Compounded tirzepatide + Weight Care feeCompounded
$199/mo
tirzepatide

$100 medication + mandatory $99/mo Alloy Weight Care fee = $199/mo effective

Compounded liraglutide + Weight Care feeCompounded
$214/mo
liraglutide

$115 medication + mandatory $99/mo Alloy Weight Care fee = $214/mo effective

Brand Wegovy + Weight Care fee (starting)Brand-name
$298/mo
Wegovy

$199-$499 medication + mandatory $99/mo Alloy Weight Care fee; $298/mo effective at the $199 starting dose

Brand Zepbound + Weight Care fee (starting)Brand-name
$398/mo
Zepbound

$299 medication + mandatory $99/mo Alloy Weight Care fee = $398/mo effective

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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

Alloy

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

Overall

Alloy

7.5/10

Value25%

6.5A
vs
B
7.5

Effectiveness25%

7.0A
vs
B
7.5

User Experience15%

6.5A
vs
B
7.0

Trust & Safety15%

6.5A
vs
B
7.8

Accessibility10%

6.5A
vs
B
7.5

Support10%

7.4A
vs
B
7.9

Features & Coverage

Feature1st OptimalAlloy
Starting Price$99/mo$169/mo
Features8 features8 features
States AvailableNot disclosedNot disclosed
Compounded✓ Yes
Brand Name✓ Yes✓ Yes
FSA/HSA Accepted
FDA WarningsNoneNone

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

Winner: Alloy

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 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 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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8.3

Found

Mainstream telehealth GLP-1 access

7.1

Bodybuilding Health+

Fitness-brand compounded GLP-1 with hormone and performance programs

7.4

Brightmeds

Compounded or brand GLP-1 bundled with TRT and peptides for men

1st Optimal vs Alloy: FAQ

1st Optimal is cheaper. Its lowest ongoing monthly cash price is $99/mo, compared with $169/mo for Alloy. We compare standing (not first-month promo) prices so the figures reflect what you'd actually pay month to month.
Alloy scores higher overall at 7.5/10 versus 6.7/10, and is particularly strong for Menopause Society-certified care with the broadest GLP-1 formulary. That said, 1st Optimal is a better fit if you want GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Neither 1st Optimal nor Alloy publicly lists its exact state availability. Most national GLP-1 telehealth providers operate in the majority of states — confirm your state is covered during sign-up.
Neither 1st Optimal nor Alloy is currently an affiliate partner, so we earn no commission from either. We rank all providers editorially using the same six-dimension framework and disclose any commercial relationships.
For Semaglutide, 1st Optimal is cheaper at $99/mo versus $169/mo at Alloy.

Key terms, explained

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Continue exploring 1st Optimal and Alloy head-to-heads in the same category.

Or see the full category ranking.

Wegovy®, Ozempic®, and Rybelsus® are trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S. Mounjaro® and Zepbound® are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. All other product names and trademarks referenced on this page belong to their respective owners. WeightLossRankings.org is not affiliated with any pharmaceutical manufacturer. See trademark disclaimer.