Empirical Health vs Vitals Vault
Vitals Vault is cheaper to start ($99 vs $190 per year, lowest published plans). Vitals Vault scores higher overall (9.2 vs 8.6).
By Julian Caraulani · prices checked
Quick verdict
Our pick between the two: Vitals Vault
Vitals Vault scores 9.2/10 against 8.6 for Empirical Health, ahead on clinical care and access. Empirical Health can still be the better fit: it is best for heart-focused testers who want ApoB and Lp(a) with a doctor-written report for one payment.
Side by side
| Empirical Health | Vitals Vault | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | $190/yr (one-time payment) | $99/yr (one-off, no subscription) |
| Our score | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 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, HI, RI), per its own site (2026-11-07) |
| 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. | Full refund before sample collection; generally none after collection unless the lab fails. |
| Trustpilot | 3.5/5 (3 reviews) | 4/5 (3 reviews) |
| Best for | Heart-focused testers who want ApoB and Lp(a) with a doctor-written report for one payment. | People who want a one-time Quest panel with all fees in one price. |
| Prices checked | 2026-11-06 | 2026-11-07 |
Empirical Health: a closer look
Heart-focused panel of 100+ items at Quest or BioReference, with a physician-interpreted report.
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.
Vitals Vault: a closer look
One-time panels drawn at Quest with no subscription; physician order, draw fee and report are in the price.
In its favour
- Lowest cost per measured marker we track on its $99 panel
- Physician order and draw fee in the price
- No subscription or auto-renewal
- A licensed clinician reviews every result, per its page
To weigh
- Not sold in NY, NJ, HI or RI
- Its counts of 120+, 140+ and 160+ include calculated values; we count 66, 73 and 86 measured markers
- In-lab draw at Quest only
- ApoB is not in the $99 panel; Lp(a) and insulin are only in the $399 panel
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 Vitals Vault
Best for people who want a one-time Quest panel with all fees in one price. Its lowest all-in plan is $99/yr (one-off, no subscription).
Check Vitals Vault's priceEmpirical Health vs Vitals Vault: questions people ask
Is Empirical Health or Vitals Vault cheaper?
Vitals Vault starts lower at $99 per year versus $190 at Empirical Health, comparing each program's lowest all-in plan.
Which is better, Empirical Health or Vitals Vault?
On our published score Empirical Health rates 8.6 and Vitals Vault rates 9.2. Empirical Health is best for heart-focused testers who want ApoB and Lp(a) with a doctor-written report for one payment; Vitals Vault is best for people who want a one-time Quest panel with all fees in one price.
Do Empirical Health and Vitals Vault offer the same treatments?
Empirical Health: Longevity memberships. Vitals Vault: Lab test orders.
Does either include the medication in the price?
Empirical Health: not stated. Vitals Vault: 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. Compare other programs.