Everlywell vs imaware: What’s the Best Home Testing Option for You?

Whether you choose to buy an at-home health test from imaware or from Everlywell, you can enjoy knowing that you’re participating in an exciting new industry, one that’s improving access to healthcare data for all Americans.

Simply order the test you want online, take a finger prick blood sample at home and mail it back. Soon after, your physician-reviewed results will be available in a secure online portal.

Not sure whether imaware or Everlywell will serve you best? Our apples-to-apples imaware vs. Everlywell comparison can help you choose.

What is imaware?

imaware offers at-home testing kits to help patients identify health conditions, from diabetes to cardiovascular issues. imaware’s kits are designed by medical professionals who are experts in their fields — and in many cases, world-renowned experts.

A board-certified physician reviews each test result and offers personalized recommendations. imaware sends results within days, letting patients take charge of their health without delay.

At-home tests available from imaware

imaware offers tests to screen for heart conditions, digestive disorders, diabetes, hormone imbalances and more. Tests include:

What is Everlywell?

Everlywell has been been marketing online blood tests since 2015,¹ and is more widely known than imaware.

Like imaware, Everlywell offers at-home testing kits. They offer a wide range of options, including tests for STDs, fertility health and Lyme disease.

Most of Everlywell’s kits rely on a few drops of blood, urine or saliva. Just like imaware, the results are reviewed by a board-certified physician and returned as a digital report.

At-home tests available from Everlywell

Here are some of the tests offered by Everlywell:

imaware vs. Everlywell: testing kit comparison

Whether you purchase from imaware or Everlywell, you can expect to receive a reliable product from a respected and certified company. But there are some differences in the details.

Cost

At-home testing kits range from about $49 to $299, depending on the test. For example, tests that measure many different markers in the blood are pricier than those that look at just one.

Generally, imaware tests are either less expensive or more comprehensive than Everlywell’s. For example, imaware’s Heart Health test costs $89, while Everlywell’s Heart Health tests costs $99. Both tests measure the same six key heart health indicators, including cholesterol and triglycerides, but imaware’s test throws in glucose as well. 

Similarly, although imaware’s Prediabetes/Diabetes Screening Test ($79) is more expensive than Everlywell’s HbA1C Test ($49), it looks at three times as many inputs.

imaware’s Men’s and Women’s Health & Wellness kits ($169) are also priced well below Everlywell’s equivalents ($199), and assess nearly double the amount of biomarkers. That said, the women’s and men’s health panels from each company look at different things, so you should read up or talk to your healthcare professional to figure out which test is best for you.

While imaware is generally easier on the wallet, occasionally Everlywell’s tests are the more affordable option. For example, Everlywell’s Vitamin D test is $30 less than imaware’s.

Accuracy

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Both companies offer at least a 95% accuracy rate for tests like celiac disease and COVID-19, pretty close to the accuracy rate for conventional testing options. 

One area where imaware is the clear winner is its food allergy tests. 

imaware’s food allergy panel looks for IgE antibodies, which can accurately predict specific food allergies. 

Everlywell’s food allergy tests, however, look for IgG antibodies, a method the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology recommends against:

“Due to the lack of evidence to support its use, many organizations, including the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology² and the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology³ have recommended against using IgG testing to diagnose food allergies or food intolerances [or] sensitivities.”⁴

Lab certification

Both Everlywell and imaware use labs accredited by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). This national organization ensures that each accredited laboratory uses up-to-date lab testing methods and technology.

All of the labs used by imaware and most of those used by Everlywell are also certified by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). The CAP upholds its labs to the highest standards in the country. It routinely inspects its accredited laboratories to make sure they meet stringent safety and precision requirements.

Customers can feel confident knowing these home testing companies use the same CLIA- and CAP-certified labs that their doctors’ offices use.

What's included in the kits

Both imaware and Everlywell offer many types of tests that you can take from your kitchen table. Kits come with everything you need, including prepaid return labels so you can send your sample to the lab the same day you test.

Both companies also include a finger prick tool, called a lancet. If you’re squeamish about needles, it can be nice to know that it remains hidden in the device until after it’s done its work. Simply push the button and the lancet pricks your finger. Most patients find this less painful than a traditional blood draw from the arm.

Depending on the test, imaware kits come with a blood collection tube or dried blood spot collection card. Everlywell’s tests use one or a combination of dried blood spot collection cards, urine collection cards and saliva collection tubes. 

Results

Once you’ve sent back your kit, you can expect a fast turnaround from either company. imaware results are delivered within seven business days, while Everlywell promises results within five to seven.

Both companies offer easy-to-read results — see for yourself by viewing a sample report first. For imaware tests, simply click the ‘sample report’ button on each product page. For Everlywell, scroll down each product page for a sneak peak.

No matter which company you order from, you can rest assured that your results will be reviewed by an independent physician. This prevents rare computer-driven errors, and provides individualized advice on how to interpret your results. If your result suggests you need medical attention, both imaware and Everlywell reports will flag it.

Reviews

Reviews can be tricky, because people who have negative experiences are much likelier to share their feelings than people who have fantastic ones. No surprise then that both companies have some great reviews and a few not-so-great ones.

We looked at the reviews on the third-party review site Trustpilot, as it was the only independent review site we could find that included both companies.

imaware had 4.5/5 stars, based on 172 reviews.⁵ Positive reviews highlighted the convenience of the tests and the responsive customer service, with some saying the test led to an important diagnosis. Those who weren’t happy had trouble with the finger prick device or didn’t like that their test result described a high or low likelihood for a disease, rather than a conclusive answer. (It’s important to know that this is the same for the equivalent tests taken at a doctor’s office or clinic — they’re great for screening, but often a doctor’s visit and additional tests are needed for diagnosing).

Everlywell, meanwhile, had 2/5 stars, based on only 20 reviews on Trustpilot.⁶ Those who sent negative reviews were skeptical of the results and faced delays, while positive reviews highlighted Everlywell’s convenient and fast results.

imaware pros

imaware offers affordable options for patients who might be trying to get to the bottom of troubling symptoms. There’s no need to make a doctor’s appointment or go to a lab to get blood drawn. You can see the physician-reviewed results on a secure portal and read about what they mean for your current and future health.

Because all of imaware’s tests were developed in partnership with leading healthcare providers in a range of fields, the tests are designed to be actionable. While some testing companies measure markers that aren’t strongly connected to health conditions, imaware’s tests focus on the most important health indicators.

imaware cons

Compared to Everlywell, imaware doesn’t have the same range of tests just yet. You can’t get a Lyme disease or STD test from imaware, though you can test for prediabetes, thyroid disorders, celiac disease and more, and the menu of tests is always expanding.

In addition, some customers struggled with the lancet. It’s important to follow instructions for getting the best specimen, including massaging the finger beforehand.

Everlywell pros

Everlywell is a large home testing company with a wide range of saliva, blood and urine tests. The company offers helpful videos and resources to guide you through the process, and a secure portal for viewing results.

Like imaware, the company works with certified labs and offers physician-reviewed results. Results come back within a week.

Everlywell cons

Everlywell’s home tests are often pricier than imaware's. While some of its test panels look at different biomarkers, it’s worth comparing before you buy to see if imaware may offer a better price.

Summary

Both imaware and Everlywell offer convenient and physician-reviewed home tests from certified labs. While imaware is often more affordable, it doesn’t have quite the same range of options as Everlywell.

Generally, the accuracy of home tests is high, on par with what you can expect from the traditional doctor’s office blood draw. That said, it’s a good idea to read the reviews for the specific test you’re ordering, as at-home testing is usually a step towards diagnosis.

Many patients find home tests to be a hassle-free experience, one that can provide peace of mind or inspire an important ‘aha’ health moment. If you’re wondering about your own risks or bothered by particular symptoms, you may find a test that’s ideal for you.