1st Optimal vs MEDVi
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 →
MEDVi
Best for: switching between compounded and brand-name GLP-1 through one provider
Visit MEDVi →1st Optimal and MEDVi 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 $249/mo, and MEDVi 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.
MEDVi
$299 is the locked-in refill price; $179 first-month 'SUMMER Sale' on the main and affiliate-landing funnels; a $149 first-month variant runs on the ?page=multi3 funnel. Affiliate landing (?page=multi) shows $179.
Flat 'Starting at $249' — no intro discount shown.
$99 Membership + Medication Cost — medication cost not published (varies/insurance may reimburse). 'Availability is subject to change.'
$99 Membership + Medication Cost — medication cost not published. COMPOUNDED tirzepatide ($349 in our current entry) is no longer published anywhere on glp1.medvi.org, home.medvi.org, or the intake flow (0 mentions) — treat as discontinued/not published, do not carry the $349 row forward.
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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
MEDVi
What the monthly price covers
Medication
Included
Provider visits
Included
Shipping
Included
Lab work
Not disclosed
Coaching
Included
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
MEDVi
7.1/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | MEDVi |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ✓$99/mo | $249/mo |
| Features | ✓8 features | 7 features |
| States Available | Not disclosed | 48 |
| Compounded | — | ✓ Yes |
| Brand Name | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| FSA/HSA Accepted | — | — |
| FDA Warnings | ✓None | 1 warning |
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 MEDVi
MEDVi is a telehealth weight-loss platform offering compounded GLP-1 injections and tablets (semaglutide) as well as brand-name Wegovy and Zepbound through licensed US pharmacies. Medical treatment is delivered by OpenLoop Health clinicians and CareGLP Affiliated P.C.s.
Read our full MEDVi 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
MEDVi
What we like
- Both compounded and brand-name (Wegovy, Zepbound) GLP-1 options in one platform
- Oral tablet and injectable formats
- Named US pharmacy partners (Triad Rx, Precision Medicine, RedRock Pharmacy, Beaker Pharmacy & Compounding)
- Clinical oversight through OpenLoop Health provider network and CareGLP Affiliated P.C.s
- Direct-to-home shipping with 24/7 support
Watch-outs
- Refill price for compounded GLP-1 injection ($299) steps up significantly from $179 first-month offer
- Not available in Mississippi or North Dakota (telehealth regulation constraints)
- Alabama and California patients can only receive injectable formats, not tablets, per state law
- Kansas, Indiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and West Virginia require a synchronous provider visit before prescribing
- No LegitScript or PCAB certification disclosed on the site
Our Verdict
MEDVi edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 7.1/10 and is particularly strong for switching between compounded and brand-name GLP-1 through one provider. 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 MEDVi if…
You want switching between compounded and brand-name GLP-1 through one provider and a starting price around $249/mo.
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Get started →1st Optimal vs MEDVi: 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.