1st Optimal vs Better MedSpa
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 →
Better MedSpa
Best for: physician-led GLP-1 weight loss with in-person or telehealth options
Visit Better MedSpa →1st Optimal and Better MedSpa 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 at $99/mo, and both land at 6.7/10 overall. 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.
Better MedSpa
Pricing not publicly listed.
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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
Better MedSpa
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Billed separately
Provider visits
Not disclosed
Shipping
Not disclosed
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
Better MedSpa
6.7/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Better MedSpa |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $99/mo | — |
| Features | ✓8 features | 7 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 1 |
| Compounded | — | — |
| 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 Better MedSpa
Better MedSpa is a physician-led Chicago (Lincoln Park) practice offering medical weight loss and body contouring, with telehealth across Illinois. It prescribes GLP-1 medications including semaglutide and tirzepatide (oral and injectable) plus liraglutide as a daily injectable, delivered to patients' doors statewide. Care is overseen by medical director Dr. Brett Brechner, DO. The practice blends in-person services at its Lincoln Park location with Illinois-wide telehealth. Pricing is not published online and formulation is not specified, so confirm cost and details with the clinic.
Read our full Better MedSpa 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
Better MedSpa
What we like
- Broad menu: semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide
- Both oral and injectable formulations offered
- Physician-led; medical director Dr. Brett Brechner, DO
- Both in-person Chicago visits and statewide telehealth
- Doorstep delivery throughout Illinois
Watch-outs
- Telehealth limited to Illinois only
- No pricing published online
- Compounded vs brand formulation not specified
- Med-spa positioning blends weight loss with aesthetics
Our Verdict
Both 1st Optimal and Better MedSpa score equally well overall — the right choice depends on your priorities.
Choose 1st Optimal if…
You want GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program and a starting price around $99/mo.
Choose Better MedSpa if…
You want physician-led GLP-1 weight loss with in-person or telehealth options.
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Maximus
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From $199.99/mo
Get started →Sesame Care
Brand-name GLP-1s at cash prices, no compounding
From $25/mo
Get started →Try Ageless
Lowest-tier compounded GLP-1 in injection, troche and sublingual forms
From $119/mo
Get started →1st Optimal vs Better MedSpa: 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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