The Spacex first stage never got into orbit. It went higher than Blue Origin’s rocket, and is larger, but they are pretty much equivalent. It is the dragon capsule from Spacex that goes into orbit and docks with the space station.
The Falcon 9 first stage did not go up and, yes, it did not go into orbit, but it did go down range a number of miles before returning. That’s much more difficult that going straight up and down - not equivalent.
Watch when he brings the second stage of Falcon 9 back and the Dragon capsule from LEO. What will you say then?