1st Optimal vs TMates
An in-depth comparison of two leading GLP-1 Providers
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1st Optimal
Best for: Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program
Visit 1st Optimal →
TMates
Best for: nationwide compounded GLP-1 availability including Puerto Rico
Visit TMates →1st Optimal and TMates 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, TMates starts at $249/mo, and TMates edges ahead overall (6.9 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.
TMates
Verbatim ladder: 1 Month $249 / 3 Months $217/mo Save 13% $650 / 6 Months $175/mo Save 30% $1050 / 12 Months $158/mo Save 37% $1900. Injectable or Oral, same price. Includes medication and ongoing support; free shipping; cancel anytime. UNCHANGED vs providers.json pricing rows; providers.json description field's '$199/mo' is stale.
Verbatim ladder: 1 Month $297 / 3 Months $267/mo Save 10% $800 / 6 Months $217/mo Save 27% $1299 / 12 Months $167/mo Save 44% $1999. Injectable or Oral, same price. UNCHANGED vs providers.json.
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What’s included
1st Optimal
Inclusions not disclosed.
TMates
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
TMates
6.9/10
Value25%
Effectiveness25%
User Experience15%
Trust & Safety15%
Accessibility10%
Support10%
Features & Coverage
| Feature | 1st Optimal | TMates |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | — | $249/mo |
| Features | ✓8 features | 4 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 TMates
TMates is a Miami-based telehealth platform offering compounded semaglutide ($249/mo) and tirzepatide ($297/mo) across all 50 states plus Puerto Rico, operating on a messaging-first model with independent licensed prescribers and third-party compounding pharmacies.
Read our full TMates 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
TMates
What we like
- All-inclusive monthly price covers medication, consults, nutrition coaching, and 24/7 support — no separate membership fee
- Available in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and other US territories
- Both compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide offered
- Fast stated turnaround — 2–3 days from intake to delivery
Watch-outs
- No third-party pharmacy accreditation (no LegitScript, PCAB, ACHC, or NABP)
- BBB rating of B+ (not accredited) with complaints centered on billing and cancellation
- Trustpilot reports of partial refunds and difficulty reaching support
- Compounded only — no FDA-approved Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, or Mounjaro
- Pharmacy partners not named; routes medical and dispensing to third parties
- Also sells testosterone and other wellness products — not GLP-1-focused
- Lowest per-month prices require prepaying for 6- or 12-month plans ($1,050-$1,999 upfront)
Our Verdict
TMates edges out 1st Optimal with a higher overall score of 6.9/10 and is particularly strong for nationwide compounded GLP-1 availability including Puerto Rico. 1st Optimal remains a solid alternative, especially if you're looking for Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Choose 1st Optimal if…
You want Patients wanting GLP-1 therapy within a lab-driven functional-medicine program.
Choose TMates if…
You want nationwide compounded GLP-1 availability including Puerto Rico and a starting price around $249/mo.
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Get started →1st Optimal vs TMates: 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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