1st Optimal vs Apex MD
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 →Apex MD
Best for: nationwide access to compounded glp-1 with unlimited visits and labs included
Visit Apex MD →1st Optimal and Apex MD 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 $299/mo, and Apex MD edges ahead overall (7.2 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.
Apex MD
weekly injection, includes NAD/B-12/L-Carnitine, month-to-month
weekly injection, month-to-month
daily oral
daily oral
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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
Apex MD
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Included
Provider visits
Included
Shipping
Included
Lab work
Not disclosed
Coaching
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
Apex MD
7.2/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Apex MD |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ✓$99/mo | $299/mo |
| Features | 8 features | 8 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 51 |
| 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 Apex MD
Apex MD is a US virtual telemedicine platform licensed in all 50 states that prescribes compounded GLP-1 medications for weight loss. Weekly injections are 299 dollars per month for compounded semaglutide and 399 dollars per month for compounded tirzepatide; daily oral versions are 349 dollars per month for semaglutide and 419 dollars per month for tirzepatide. Compounds are formulated with added NAD, B-12 and L-Carnitine. Plans include unlimited provider visits and Labcorp labs at no extra fee, with medication delivery typically in under four business days. GLP-1 microdosing is also offered.
Read our full Apex MD 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
Apex MD
What we like
- Licensed in all 50 states
- Unlimited provider visits and Labcorp labs included in the plan
- Both semaglutide and tirzepatide, injectable or oral
- Medication delivery typically in under four business days
Watch-outs
- Compounds bundle NAD, B-12 and L-Carnitine rather than a single-ingredient GLP-1
- Does not publicly name its compounding pharmacy or list an accreditation seal
Our Verdict
Apex MD edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.2/10 and is particularly strong for nationwide access to compounded glp-1 with unlimited visits and labs included. 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 Apex MD if…
You want nationwide access to compounded glp-1 with unlimited visits and labs included and a starting price around $299/mo.
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YourEra
$99 first-month entry pricing on compounded GLP-1s
From $149/mo
Get started →Gala
Compounded GLP-1/GIP combo on a yearly plan with free shipping
From $149/mo
Get started →Found
Mainstream telehealth GLP-1 access
From $99/mo
Get started →1st Optimal vs Apex MD: 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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