1st Optimal vs Curve
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 →
Curve
Best for: LegitScript-certified compounded GLP-1 at flat per-dose pricing
Visit Curve →1st Optimal and Curve 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 $175/mo, and Curve 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.
Curve
Month-to-month; drops to $145/mo (quarterly), $120/mo (6-month), or $99/mo on annual prepay. All doses priced the same.
Month-to-month; drops to $199/mo (quarterly), $175/mo (6-month), or $135/mo on annual prepay. All doses priced the same.
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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
Curve
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
Curve
7.2/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Curve |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ✓$99/mo | $175/mo |
| Features | 8 features | 8 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 50 |
| Compounded | — | ✓ Yes |
| Brand Name | ✓ Yes | — |
| FSA/HSA Accepted | — | ✓ Yes |
| 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 Curve
Curve (Try Curve LLC) is a telehealth platform offering compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, prescribed by Beluga Health providers licensed in all 50 states and dispensed by VialsRx, a US 503A compounding pharmacy. Care is questionnaire-based with provider review within 24 hours—no video visit. Pricing is tiered by commitment: semaglutide $99–$175/mo and tirzepatide $135–$225/mo, each plan including the consultation, prescription, medication, and free expedited shipping with no membership. All doses cost the same. Insurance isn't accepted; HSA/FSA welcome. LegitScript-certified.
Read our full Curve 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
Curve
What we like
- Offers both compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, with every dose priced the same so cost does not rise as you titrate up.
- LegitScript-certified (seal #51079066) and names both its 503A compounding pharmacy, VialsRx, and its provider network, Beluga Health.
- Transparent tiered pricing with a real month-to-month option; consultation, medication, and free expedited shipping included, no membership.
- Available in all 50 states with same-day provider review; no insurance needed and HSA/FSA accepted.
Watch-outs
- Very new (2026 launch) with a thin track record; the site still shows a Webflow template credit and a leftover Cora reference in its Terms.
- The cheapest headline rates ($99 semaglutide / $135 tirzepatide) require a 12-month prepay; true month-to-month is $175 and $225.
- Both product pages currently display an out-of-stock status, so availability may be inconsistent.
- Compounded medications are not FDA-approved or therapeutically equivalent to Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, or Zepbound.
Our Verdict
Curve edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.2/10 and is particularly strong for LegitScript-certified compounded GLP-1 at flat per-dose pricing. 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 Curve if…
You want LegitScript-certified compounded GLP-1 at flat per-dose pricing and a starting price around $175/mo.
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Oral-lozenge compounded GLP-1 access
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Get started →1st Optimal vs Curve: 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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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.