1st Optimal vs Kongo
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 →
Kongo
Best for: Low-cost compounded GLP-1 nationwide, no membership required
Visit Kongo →1st Optimal and Kongo 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, Kongo starts at $119/mo, and Kongo edges ahead overall (8.1 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
Pricing not publicly listed.
Kongo
$119/mo; provider visit, supplies, and free shipping always included; no membership fee. 3-month plans available.
$229/mo; provider, supplies, and free shipping always included; no membership. Also offers NAD+, sermorelin, glutathione.
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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
Kongo
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
Kongo
8.1/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | Kongo |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | $119/mo |
| Features | 8 features | 8 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 50 |
| 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 Kongo
Kongo (Kongo Health Inc.) is a transparent, no-membership telehealth platform offering compounded GLP-1 weight-loss medication in all 50 states: compounded semaglutide at $119/month and tirzepatide at $229/month, with the provider visit, supplies, and free shipping always included. A 4-minute intake (no video call) gets a licensed-provider decision within 24 hours; prescriptions are compounded by a licensed US pharmacy. Kongo also offers longevity treatments (NAD+, sermorelin). It carries verifiable LegitScript certification; compounded meds are not FDA-approved.
Read our full Kongo 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
Kongo
What we like
- Among the lowest compounded GLP-1 prices: semaglutide $119/month and tirzepatide $229/month
- Available in all 50 states with no membership fee, and provider, supplies, and free shipping always included
- Verifiable LegitScript certification (seal ID 45229340)
- Fast and simple: 4-minute intake with no video call and provider approval within 24 hours
- Also offers longevity treatments (NAD+, sermorelin, glutathione) if you want more than GLP-1
Watch-outs
- Compounded medications are not FDA-approved (the site discloses this) — not brand Wegovy, Ozempic, Zepbound, or Mounjaro
- The compounding pharmacy is described only as a 'licensed US pharmacy' and not named
- Newer brand; member testimonials are the main social proof
- Some verticals (Longevity, Intimacy) are still listed as 'coming soon'
Our Verdict
Kongo edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 8.1/10 and is particularly strong for Low-cost compounded GLP-1 nationwide, no membership required. 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.
Choose Kongo if…
You want Low-cost compounded GLP-1 nationwide, no membership required and a starting price around $119/mo.
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$99 first-month entry pricing on compounded GLP-1s
From $99/mo
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Compounded GLP-1/GIP combo on a yearly plan with free shipping
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Get started →1st Optimal vs Kongo: 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.