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1st Optimal vs BetterMe Rx

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
BetterMe Rx logo

BetterMe Rx

7.7
★★★3.9/5

Best for: pharmacy transparency — six named compounding partners

Visit BetterMe Rx

1st Optimal and BetterMe Rx 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 $199/mo, and BetterMe Rx edges ahead overall (7.7 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.

BetterMe Rx

Compounded Semaglutide injectable (3-mo plan; sale $199/mo, reg $249/mo)Compounded
$199/mo
semaglutide

3-month plan $597 sale price (regular $747 = $249/mo). Headline $199/mo is sale-dependent.

Oral Compounded Semaglutide (3-mo plan; sale pricing)Compounded
$199/mo
semaglutide

Sale-dependent; oral price not individually re-fetched 2026-06-06 (sitewide sale applies).

Compounded Tirzepatide injectable (3-mo plan; sale $299/mo, reg $349/mo)Compounded
$299/mo
tirzepatide

3-month plan $897 sale price (regular $1,047 = $349/mo). Headline $299/mo is sale-dependent.

Oral Compounded Tirzepatide (3-mo plan; sale pricing)Compounded
$299/mo
tirzepatide

Sale-dependent; oral price not individually re-fetched 2026-06-06 (sitewide sale applies).

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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

BetterMe Rx

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

BetterMe Rx

7.7/10

Value25%

6.5A
vs
B
7.5

Effectiveness25%

7.0A
vs
B
7.5

User Experience15%

6.5A
vs
B
7.5

Trust & Safety15%

6.5A
vs
B
8.3

Accessibility10%

6.5A
vs
B
8.5

Support10%

7.4A
vs
B
7.0

Features & Coverage

Feature1st OptimalBetterMe Rx
Starting Price$99/mo$199/mo
Features8 features5 features
States AvailableNot disclosed50
Compounded✓ Yes
Brand Name✓ 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 BetterMe Rx

BetterMe Rx offers compounded semaglutide ($199/mo) and tirzepatide ($299/mo) in both injectable and oral daily tablet formats. LegitScript verified. All 50 states. Six named pharmacy partners with phone numbers — strongest pharmacy transparency in the dataset.

Read our full BetterMe Rx 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

BetterMe Rx

What we like

  • LegitScript verified
  • All 50 states coverage
  • Six named pharmacy partners with phone numbers — exceptional transparency
  • Both injectable and oral daily tablet formats for sema and tirz
  • Multi-month discounts (3-month and 6-month plans)
  • Affiliated with Telegra MD and Dr Telx telehealth networks

Watch-outs

  • No formal corporate entity name or address disclosed
  • Compounded only — no brand-name options
  • Broader platform (HRT, ED, NAD+, Sermorelin, skincare)
  • Headline $199/$299 are limited-time SALE prices; regular prices are $249/$349 per month

Our Verdict

Winner: BetterMe Rx

BetterMe Rx edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.7/10 and is particularly strong for pharmacy transparency — six named compounding partners. 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 BetterMe Rx if…

You want pharmacy transparency — six named compounding partners and a starting price around $199/mo.

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7.3

Sunlight

Compounded GLP-1 with unlimited telehealth visits and free shipping

7.4

MadeMed

Compounded GLP-1 in both injection and oral forms

8.3

Found

Mainstream telehealth GLP-1 access

1st Optimal vs BetterMe Rx: FAQ

1st Optimal is cheaper. Its lowest ongoing monthly cash price is $99/mo, compared with $199/mo for BetterMe Rx. We compare standing (not first-month promo) prices so the figures reflect what you'd actually pay month to month.
BetterMe Rx scores higher overall at 7.7/10 versus 6.7/10, and is particularly strong for pharmacy transparency — six named compounding partners. That said, 1st Optimal is a better fit if you want GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
BetterMe Rx lists availability in 50 states, while 1st Optimal's state list is not publicly listed.
Neither 1st Optimal nor BetterMe Rx 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 $199/mo at BetterMe Rx.

Key terms, explained

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

Or see the full category ranking.

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