Empirical Health vs Ulta Lab Tests
Empirical Health scores higher overall (8.6 vs 8.4).
By Julian Caraulani · prices checked
Quick verdict
Our pick between the two: Empirical Health
Empirical Health scores 8.6/10 against 8.4 for Ulta Lab Tests, ahead on price and clinical care. Ulta Lab Tests can still be the better fit: it is best for people who know which tests they want and want the lowest single-test prices at Quest.
Side by side
| Empirical Health | Ulta Lab Tests | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | $190/yr (one-time payment) | Not published |
| Our score | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 |
| Treatments | Longevity memberships | Lab test orders |
| Medication in price | Not stated | Not stated |
| Drugs dispensed | Not stated | Not stated |
| Labs | Not stated | Not stated |
| Membership | Not stated | Not stated |
| Insurance | No; self-pay | No; self-pay |
| States | Not confirmed: no state list found on its own site (2026-10-31) | 46 states (not NY, NJ, RI, HI), per its own site (2026-10-31) |
| Cancellation | $190 panel is a one-time payment. Subscriptions auto-renew unless cancelled before period end by contacting Empirical; account closes at end of billing period. Refund policy for the panel not found. | Cancel before specimen collection; full refund or credit in 0 to 60 days, none after 18 months or once collected. |
| FDA warning letters | None found (October 31, 2026) | None found (October 31, 2026) |
| Trustpilot | 3.5/5 (3 reviews) | 4.6/5 (153 reviews) |
| Best for | Heart-focused testers who want ApoB and Lp(a) with a doctor-written report for one payment. | People who know which tests they want and want the lowest single-test prices at Quest. |
| Prices checked | 2026-10-31 | 2026-10-31 |
Empirical Health: a closer look
Heart-focused panel of 100+ items at Quest or BioReference, with a physician-interpreted report. We searched the FDA warning-letter database on October 31, 2026 and found no letter naming Empirical Health.
In its favour
- One-time payment, no auto-renewing membership for the panel
- ApoB and Lp(a) included
- Publishes its NY and NJ price
To weigh
- Doctor video visit and care plan only in the $399 program; the $190 panel gets a physician-interpreted report.
- Biomarker count includes calculated ratios and risk scores.
- Medical services in 'over 30 states' with no published exclusion list.
- Only 3 Trustpilot reviews; little independent feedback.
Ulta Lab Tests: a closer look
Discount lab-test store using Quest; low single-test prices, no membership. We searched the FDA warning-letter database on October 31, 2026 and found no letter naming Ulta Lab Tests.
In its favour
- Low single-test prices on core markers
- No membership
- HSA cards accepted
To weigh
- A $12.95 standard draw fee is added at checkout on every collection (more at some sites), so list prices are not all-in.
- Hawaii health regulator issued notices of violation (Jan 2026) over Ulta-affiliated collection sites operating without an authorized order.
- Lab partner not named on Ulta's own FAQ/about pages.
- Physician review of results not described; FAQ only recommends sharing results with your doctor.
Which should you choose?
Choose Empirical Health
Best for heart-focused testers who want ApoB and Lp(a) with a doctor-written report for one payment. Its lowest all-in plan is $190/yr (one-time payment).
Check Empirical Health's priceChoose Ulta Lab Tests
Best for people who know which tests they want and want the lowest single-test prices at Quest.
Check Ulta Lab Tests's priceEmpirical Health vs Ulta Lab Tests: questions people ask
Which is better, Empirical Health or Ulta Lab Tests?
On our published score Empirical Health rates 8.6 and Ulta Lab Tests rates 8.4. Empirical Health is best for heart-focused testers who want ApoB and Lp(a) with a doctor-written report for one payment; Ulta Lab Tests is best for people who know which tests they want and want the lowest single-test prices at Quest.
Do Empirical Health and Ulta Lab Tests offer the same treatments?
Empirical Health: Longevity memberships. Ulta Lab Tests: Lab test orders.
Does either include the medication in the price?
Empirical Health: not stated. Ulta Lab Tests: not stated.
Blood Test Watchdog compares testing services. It is not medical advice, does not interpret results and does not publish reference ranges as advice. Talk to a licensed clinician about which tests you need and what your results mean. Partner links may earn us a commission; our score never depends on it. Compare other programs.