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1st Optimal vs Oak

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
Oak logo

Oak

8.1
★★★★4.1/5

Best for: compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide at a flat monthly price

Visit Oak

1st Optimal and Oak 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 $200/mo, and Oak 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

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.

Oak

Starting (flat across all dosages)Compounded
$200$133/mo
Save 34% right now
semaglutide

$200/month flat — one price at every dose, no subscription. Oak advertises 'from $119' but the terms behind it are quiz-gated and never published.

Starting (flat across all dosages)Compounded
$250$199/mo
Save 20% right now
tirzepatide

$250/month with $300 struck through, or $199 with code OAKSAVE200. Flat at every dose.

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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

Oak

What the monthly price covers

Medication

Included

Provider visits

Not disclosed

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

Overall

Oak

8.1/10

Value25%

6.5A
vs
B
9.0

Effectiveness25%

7.0A
vs
B
8.0

User Experience15%

6.5A
vs
B
8.0

Trust & Safety15%

6.5A
vs
B
7.3

Accessibility10%

6.5A
vs
B
7.5

Support10%

7.4A
vs
B
7.9

Features & Coverage

Feature1st OptimalOak
Starting Price$99/mo$200/mo
Features8 features4 features
States AvailableNot disclosedNot disclosed
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 Oak

Telehealth provider offering compounded GLP-1 medications (semaglutide and tirzepatide) operated by Oak Longevity Holdings Corp. with prescriptions issued through NVP Medical Group, P.A.

Read our full Oak 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

Oak

What we like

  • Both compounded semaglutide ($119/mo) and tirzepatide ($185/mo) on a single platform
  • $200-off new-patient offer advertised — final discounted price is shown after the intake quiz
  • LegitScript-certified pharmacy network
  • No video call required for initial approval; flat per-month pricing across all dose strengths

Watch-outs

  • Pharmacy partners are not publicly named on the marketing site (material gap for YMYL disclosure)
  • Operates in 45 states per Terms of Use, but the public state list is gated behind the signup intake
  • No brand-name Wegovy / Zepbound / Mounjaro / Ozempic available — compounded only
  • Fees are non-refundable per Terms of Use; binding arbitration under Delaware law

Our Verdict

Winner: Oak

Oak edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 8.1/10 and is particularly strong for compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide at a flat monthly price. 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 Oak if…

You want compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide at a flat monthly price and a starting price around $200/mo.

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7.4

Brightmeds

Compounded or brand GLP-1 bundled with TRT and peptides for men

6.4

Direct Meds

Listed for disclosure only — see its FDA warning and BBB complaints first

7.6

Maximus

Men seeking compounded GLP-1 alongside testosterone optimization

1st Optimal vs Oak: FAQ

1st Optimal is cheaper. Its lowest ongoing monthly cash price is $99/mo, compared with $200/mo for Oak. We compare standing (not first-month promo) prices so the figures reflect what you'd actually pay month to month.
Oak scores higher overall at 8.1/10 versus 6.7/10, and is particularly strong for compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide at a flat monthly price. That said, 1st Optimal is a better fit if you want GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Neither 1st Optimal nor Oak publicly lists its exact state availability. Most national GLP-1 telehealth providers operate in the majority of states — confirm your state is covered during sign-up.
Oak is an affiliate partner (we may earn a commission on sign-ups through our links); 1st Optimal is not. Either way, we rank providers editorially with the same scoring framework and disclose every partnership — being a partner does not buy a higher score.
For Semaglutide, 1st Optimal is cheaper at $99/mo versus $133/mo at Oak.

Key terms, explained

New to GLP-1s? Tap any term for a quick, plain-English definition.

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

Or see the full category ranking.

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