1st Optimal vs FormidableMD
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 →
FormidableMD
Best for: Florida patients wanting dose-based GLP-1 pricing, no membership
Visit FormidableMD →1st Optimal and FormidableMD 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 $169/mo, and FormidableMD edges ahead overall (7.1 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.
FormidableMD
Dose-tiered: 1mg $169, 2mg $189, 5mg $209, 10mg $269/mo. Compounded or FDA-approved options. Separate $199 initial consult + $99 follow-up visits
Dose-tiered: 10mg $199, 20mg $239, 30mg $279, 40mg $319/mo. Compounded or FDA-approved. Plus $199 initial consult + $99 follow-ups
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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
FormidableMD
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Included
Provider visits
Billed separately
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
FormidableMD
7.1/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | FormidableMD |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ✓$99/mo | $169/mo |
| Features | ✓8 features | 6 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 1 |
| 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 FormidableMD
FormidableMD is a physician-led, cash-pay telehealth practice based in Florida offering GLP-1 weight-loss treatment — semaglutide and tirzepatide in both FDA-approved and compounded forms, plus oral options — alongside peptides, HRT/TRT, urgent care, labs, and nutrition coaching. There is no membership or commitment: patients pay $199 for the initial consultation and $99 per follow-up, with medication priced by dose (semaglutide from $169/mo, tirzepatide from $199/mo). Compounded medications are sourced from 503A pharmacies, and visits are FSA/HSA eligible.
Read our full FormidableMD 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
FormidableMD
What we like
- Transparent, published dose-by-dose pricing for semaglutide ($169-$269/mo) and tirzepatide ($199-$319/mo) with no membership or commitment
- Offers both FDA-approved and compounded GLP-1s (plus oral options) from 503A pharmacies, with a real provider at every visit
- Boutique physician-led model bundling labs, peptides, HRT/TRT and urgent care; FSA/HSA eligible
Watch-outs
- Florida-focused telehealth — availability outside FL is not advertised, so out-of-state access is uncertain
- Medication cost is on top of a $199 initial consultation and $99 follow-up visits (pay-per-visit, not an all-in monthly price)
- The 503A compounding pharmacy partner is not named on the site
Our Verdict
FormidableMD edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.1/10 and is particularly strong for Florida patients wanting dose-based GLP-1 pricing, no membership. 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 FormidableMD if…
You want Florida patients wanting dose-based GLP-1 pricing, no membership and a starting price around $169/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 FormidableMD: 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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