1st Optimal vs Aspen
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 →
Aspen
Best for: LegitScript-certified compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide with a named accredited pharmacy and flat dosing
Visit Aspen →1st Optimal and Aspen 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, Aspen starts at $279/mo, and Aspen edges ahead overall (7.6 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.
Aspen
Month-to-month rate (3-month minimum commitment, 3 months shipped upfront, no credit check); drops to $229/mo (3-mo), $209/mo (6-mo) or $179/mo on the 12-month prepay plan.
Aspen's "Most Prescribed" option; month-to-month rate drops to $329/mo (3-mo), $309/mo (6-mo) or $299/mo on the 12-month prepay plan. Same price at every dose.
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What’s included
1st Optimal
Inclusions not disclosed.
Aspen
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
Aspen
7.6/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Aspen |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | $279/mo |
| Features | 8 features | 8 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 51 |
| Compounded | — | ✓ Yes |
| Brand Name | — | — |
| 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 Aspen
Aspen (Aspen Health Systems LLC) is a LegitScript-certified telehealth clinic offering compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide as physician-chosen weekly injections, with flat pricing at every dose. Semaglutide is $279/mo and tirzepatide $399/mo month-to-month (less on prepay); even the monthly plan requires a 3-month commitment shipped upfront. Prescriptions are filled by Red Rock Compounding Pharmacy (NABP-accredited). Free expedited shipping, no insurance needed, and a money-back guarantee for patients who complete the 28-week program. Available in all 50 states and DC.
Read our full Aspen 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
Aspen
What we like
- LegitScript-certified with an independently verifiable seal (#50306023) and HIPAA compliance — a strong trust signal for a compounded-GLP-1 telehealth
- Names its dispensing pharmacy: Red Rock Compounding Pharmacy, LegitScript-certified and NABP-accredited, licensed in 49 states plus DC
- Flat pricing at every dose ("same price at every dose, no surprises") plus free expedited shipping, so your cost won't rise as you titrate up
- Competitive prepay rates — compounded semaglutide as low as $179/mo (12-mo) and tirzepatide $299/mo — with zero interest and no credit check
- Money-back guarantee for qualifying patients who complete the full 28-week program without losing weight; available in all 50 states + DC
Watch-outs
- Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide only — no brand-name Wegovy, Zepbound or Ozempic — and compounded GLP-1s aren't FDA-reviewed or approved
- Even the "monthly" plan requires a 3-month commitment with three months of medication shipped and billed upfront — limited month-to-month flexibility
- Standing month-to-month pricing is steep ($279 semaglutide, $399 tirzepatide); the lowest rates require 6- or 12-month prepay
- The provider chooses semaglutide vs tirzepatide for you, so you can't freely pick your own molecule
- Registered as Aspen Health Systems LLC at a Sheridan, WY address; async model with no routine video visit
Our Verdict
Aspen edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.6/10 and is particularly strong for LegitScript-certified compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide with a named accredited pharmacy and flat dosing. 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 Aspen if…
You want LegitScript-certified compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide with a named accredited pharmacy and flat dosing and a starting price around $279/mo.
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Care Bare Rx
LGBTQ+-inclusive compounded GLP-1 telehealth
From $199/mo
Get started →Enhance MD
Lab-monitored compounded GLP-1 with mandatory video visit
From $112/mo
Get started →MEDVi
Patients who want the option to switch between compounded and brand-name GLP-1 through one provider
From $99/mo
Get started →1st Optimal vs Aspen: 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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