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At-home STD tests offer a private and convenient way to screen for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The best tests use CLIA-certified labs and can identify a wide range of STIs.
- Best overall: LetsGetChecked Standard 5 | Skip to Review
- Best subscription service: Everlywell Syphilis Test | Skip to Review
- Best for insurance coverage: Nurx STI Testing | Skip to Review
- Best for comprehensive testing: myLAB Box Total Box | Skip to Review
- Best HIV STI test: OraQuick In-Home HIV Test | Skip to Review
- Best full panel test: STDCheck 10 test panel | Skip to review
Medical News Today’s methodology
MNT chooses at-home tests that meet the following criteria:
- Laboratories: Where possible, MNT will choose companies that process test samples in
CLIA-certified labs. - Budget: MNT chooses at-home tests that are suitable for a wide range of budgets.
- Privacy: MNT includes companies that offer robust and transparent privacy measures, such as data protection and discreet packaging.
- Test result speed: MNT selects companies that inform customers when they will receive their test results and whether they will receive them via email, app, or phone.
- Further support: MNT will indicate whether a company offers further support, such as a follow-up phone consultation with a doctor to discuss test results.
Below, we look at five of the best STI tests people can order and complete at home.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
All quotes are provided by Medical News Today Editor, Lois Zoppi, who received a free herpes test from LetsGetChecked to review.
Best overall: LetsGetChecked Standard 5
- Price: $149 for a one-time purchase, discounts of between $104–126 available with a subscription
- Type of test: finger-prick and urine sample
- STIs it tests for: chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV (I, II, and P24 antigen), syphilis, and trichomoniasis
- Results time: 2–5 business days
- Offers medication prescriptions: yes
- Follow-up care available: yes
- Offers insurance coverage: no
LetsGetChecked offers a range of multiple STI tests in collaboration with CLIA-certified laboratories. This test can identify the five most common STIs, making it a good option for those who want to regularly check up on their sexual health. LetsGetChecked states it is its most popular STI test.
The service provides a self-collection testing method, meaning individuals collect their sample at home and return it on the same day.
Those who require regular STI testing may purchase a 3-, 6- or 12-month subscription plan, which offers discounts of $104.30, $119.20, and $126.65, respectively.
People generally receive their results within 2–5 days. They may also contact a company nurse at any time if they wish to discuss their results and treatment.
LetsGetChecked offers prescriptions for medication, but the cost of this service is not included in the test price.
LetsGetChecked sells a range of at-home testing kits for STIs and other health concerns.
“I would recommend this product to MNT readers. It’s an easily-accessible way to take tests that provide insight into your health. The ordering and testing process is very easy and relatively pain-free, and results come quickly. LetsGetChecked tests could be a great option for people who find it hard to get health tests done due to location or price, although they may be unsuitable for people on a very tight budget.” — Lois Zoppi, MNT Editor
Learn more about LetsGetChecked.
Use code HEALTHLINE30 for 30% off.
Pros
- The test is simple to complete, and results are ready quickly.
- Medication is available at no extra cost.
- Consultations with healthcare professionals are available.
Cons
- The test is expensive.
- Finger-prick tests can be a little painful and cause bruising.
Best subscription service: Everlywell Syphilis Test
- Price: $69 for a one-time purchase, between $51–58 with a subscription
- Type of test: finger-prick blood test
- STIs it tests for: syphilis
- Results time: 1–2 business days
- Offers medication prescriptions: no
- Follow-up care available: yes
- Offers insurance coverage: no
Everlywell offers a finger-prick sample collection, providing individuals with all the tools they need to take the test at home.
After mailing the sample to one of the company’s CLIA-certified testing facilities, people receive their results on the company’s website.
If a person requires regular testing, they could subscribe to a monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual subscription, which provides savings of 25, 20, or 15% respectively.
Everlywell tests reportedly feature 99% accuracy, and if an individual receives a positive result, a physician may contact them to discuss the next steps.
Everlywell sells a range of at-home testing kits for STIs and other health concerns.
Pros
- Subscriptions offer discounts on tests.
- A subscription is convenient for someone needing regular testing.
- A person can complete the test at home.
- There is follow-up care available in some cases.
Cons
- Some people may not like taking a finger prick sample.
- Finger-prick tests can cause bruising.
- A person must go to a doctor to get treatment.
Best for insurance coverage: Nurx STI Testing
- Price: $150–220 without insurance, $44.50 with insurance
- Type of tests: finger prick, oral, vaginal, or rectal swab, urine
- STIs it tests for: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis C, trichomoniasis
- Results time: 7 business days
- Offers medication prescriptions: yes
- Follow-up care available: yes
- Offers insurance coverage: yes
Nurx offers a range of screenings, including these three at-home tests for STIs:
- Basics Covered Kit: This tests urine and finger-prick blood samples for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. This test costs $150 without insurance, and $44.50 with insurance, plus a $29.50 service fee.
- Healthy V Kit: This test involves taking a vaginal swab, a throat swab, and a finger-prick blood sample for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. This costs $190 without insurance and $44.50 with insurance, plus a $29.50 service fee.
- Full Control Kit: This tests a urine sample, a throat swab, a rectal swab, and a finger-prick blood sample for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and hepatitis C. This costs $220 without insurance, and $44.50 with insurance, plus a $29.50 service fee.
The company says its labs have accreditations and approvals from CAP and CLIA, and that it protects personal and health information according to the statutes of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).
One advantage of choosing Nurx is that the company allows payments from insurance plans. While this lowers the cost of the test kit, there is also an additional $29.50 service fee for every kit. The service fee is $14.50 for those without insurance.
To buy a test, a person must fill out a health history questionnaire on the Nurx app or website. Next, the person selects their kit, with or without advice from the Nurx medical team.
Once the kit arrives, the person takes their samples, packages them in the prepaid envelope, and drops them in the mail. The company says it provides results within 7 business days.
Nurx does not offer free medical consultations. The company charges $15 for unlimited messaging with the medical team about test results.
Pros
- People with positive test results can get prescription medication.
- There is a range of tests available.
- Nurx offers unlimited messaging with the medical team.
- The company accepts insurance.
- There is a significant discount for people with health insurance.
Cons
- There is an approximate $14–30 service fee added on top of each test kit price.
- The results turnaround is longer compared with other companies.
- People using insurance may get another bill for copays and additional costs.
- Medical consultation cost $15.
Best for comprehensive STI testing: myLAB Box Total Box
- Price: $369 for a one-time purchase, $399 with the HPV test included, or $322.10 with a subscription for testing every 6 months
- Type of test: finger prick, oral swab, and urine
- STIs it tests for: chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, HIV I and II, herpes simplex 2, syphilis, trichomoniasis, mycoplasma genitalium, optional HPV test
- Results time: 2–5 business days
- Offers medication prescriptions: yes
- Follow-up care available: yes
- Offers insurance coverage: no
The most comprehensive STI testing kit from myLAB BOX is called the Total Box. It involves testing blood, saliva, and urine samples for 14 STIs.
The company states the labs involved have Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) and CLIA qualifications.
Using FDA-approved technology, the test screens for:
- chlamydia (genital, throat, and rectal)
- gonorrhea (genital, throat, and rectal)
- hepatitis C
- HIV types I and II
- syphilis
- trichomoniasis
- mycoplasma genitalium
People over 30 also have the option of testing for human papillomavirus (HPV). This test costs $20 extra.
The company says that providing the samples takes 5 minutes and that results are available on a secure online platform within 2–5 days. It also offers free consultations with certified physicians to anyone with a positive result.
myLAB BOX sells a range of at-home testing kits for STIs and other health concerns.
Learn more about myLAB Box here.
Pros
- It tests for a very wide range of STIs
- Testing is quick.
- People with positive results can get a free health consultation.
- People can get prescription medication during their free health consultation.
- The test uses FDA-approved technology.
Cons
- The HPV test costs extra.
- It is an expensive test.
- There is one subscription option available.
- People have to do three types of sample collection.
Best HIV STI test: OraQuick In-Home HIV Test
- Price: $38.99
- Type of test: oral swab
- STIs it tests for: HIV
- Results time: 20 minutes
- Offers medication prescriptions: no
- Follow-up care available: yes
- Offers insurance coverage: no
OraQuick offers an at-home HIV test kit that only detects antibodies after 3 months of exposure to the virus.
This is the only at-home oral HIV test with
The test kit includes a test stick that people use to swab their upper and lower gums. They then insert this into the test tube and read the result within 20–40 minutes.
People can order multiple packs at once for a discount.
OraQuick does not sell tests for other STIs.
Pros
- The test is FDA approved.
- Results can be ready within 20 minutes.
- An oral swab is less invasive than a blood or urine test.
- Bulk orders are eligible for discounts.
- It is an affordable test.
Cons
- The test cannot detect HIV until 3 months after exposure.
- Standard shipping can take up to 10 days.
- Expedited shipping costs between $20–25.
Best full panel test: STDCheck 10 test panel
- Price: from $139
- Type of test: urine and blood sample
- STIs it tests for: HIV, herpes, hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis
- Results time: 1–2 days
- Offers medication prescriptions: yes
- Follow-up care available: yes
- Offers insurance coverage: no
People can get a full panel STD test kit that tests for 10 STIs:
- HIV type 1 and type 2
- herpes 1 and 2
- hepatitis A, B, and C
- chlamydia
- gonorrhea
- syphilis
The company states that it offers FDA-approved tests and works with CLIA-certified labs. Its medical team is available 24/7, so individuals who wish to ask questions can get in touch any time they want.
Results are available within 2 days. Those who get a positive result can talk with an STDcheck doctor who may offer a prescription for $95.
The 10 test panel is available for $139, but the price increases to $259 for persons who want to add the HIV RNA Early Detection. This tests for HIV 9-11 days after exposure.
Pros
- The test is FDA-approved.
- The labs are CLIA-certified.
- Medical consultations are available for persons with a positive result.
Cons
- Prescriptions cost $95 per person, which can be expensive for some.
- People cannot get insurance coverage.
The table below compares the STI test kit brands listed above. The prices listed in this table are for one-time purchases without insurance.
| Price range | Follow-up care? | Prescription medication? | Subscriptions? | Result timeline | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LetsGetChecked | $149 | yes | yes | yes | 2–5 days |
| Everlywell | $69 | yes | no | yes | 1–2 days |
| OraQuick | $38.99 | yes | no | no | 20–40 minutes |
| myLAB Box | $369–399 | yes | yes | yes | 2–5 days |
| Nurx | $150–220 plus a $14.50 service fee | yes | yes | no | 7 days |
| STDCheck | from $139 | yes | yes | no | 1–2 days |
Some advantages and disadvantages of at-home STI tests, compared with lab tests, include:
Pros
- They offer greater privacy.
- They provide speedy results turnarounds and convenience.
- They can come in discreet packaging.
- They can test for multiple STIs.
- People can test regularly with STI test subscriptions.
- People can get prescription medication sent to their home.
- People can get medical consultations included in their purchase.
Cons
- There can be potential delays in sending and receiving samples.
- Medical consultations may only be available to those with positive results.
- Some people may find results difficult to interpret.
- There may be a delay in getting treatment.
- People may not feel comfortable doing a test themselves.
- There is a risk of errors during sample collection.
- They can be expensive for those without insurance.
After receiving their test kit from an online provider, people can take the STI test with all the tools the company provides. This may include needles or lancets, swabs, collection tubes, alcohol wipes, bandaids, and a prepaid envelope, among others.
An individual might need to take a blood or urine sample, or a rectal, oral, or vaginal swab, depending on the STI test. They can then return their sample to a testing center through the mail.
Typically, companies will ask people to take and return their samples on the same day.
The company will then test the sample — usually at a CLIA-certified lab — and send a person’s results through a secure online portal. People can then discuss their results with the company’s medical team or a healthcare professional of their choice.
People should not make health decisions based on the results of an at-home test without first consulting a doctor.
The
The accuracy of these tests may depend on the sample collection method, how quickly a person ships their sample back, and the lab that tests the sample.
The
However, not all online testing companies have received CLIA certification. Therefore, a person should look for this certification when buying tests to verify their accuracy and quality.
Healthcare insurance providers, including Medicare and Medicaid, typically cover some or all of the cost of STI testing. However, there are several places where a person may receive free or low cost STI screening.
Learn more about where to receive STI testing.
Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood is no longer eligible for federal funding through the Title X program. The organization can only offer free or low cost STI testing if it receives funding from the location state. Due to this, a person must call or otherwise contact their local center to check whether it offers affordable testing.
Community clinics and city health centers
A person’s local community clinic or city health center may offer free or low cost STI testing. These clinics may provide a mix of walk-ins or appointments.
Find a local community health clinic on the government HealthCare website.
Additionally, the CDC offers a database where people can find centers that offer free or low cost STI testing and vaccinations. People can search via their ZIP code or state.
Student health centers
Student health centers may offer low cost STI screening for students enrolled in local colleges.
A person can find their student health center through their college website or by contacting their college unions.
LGBTQ+ community centers
People who consider themselves part of the LGBTQIA+ community may prefer to visit an LGBTQIA+ community center.
These centers may be able to provide people with information on where to find low cost healthcare with an LGBTQIA+-friendly healthcare professional.
Find a local LGBTQ+ community center on the LGBT Centers website.
The CDC mentions that STI tests may be beneficial for people who may have an
- sexually active people
- those that do not use barrier methods of birth control, such as condoms
- pregnant people
The CDC also states that taking an STI test during pregnancy may help prevent complications.
It is important to note that STIs do not always cause symptoms. However, people may wish to take a test if they experience:
- genital rash
- abdominal pain
- fever
- itchiness and redness around the genital area
- unusual discharge
- sores or warts in the genital area
Individuals may wish to take a test if they believe they have had exposure to an STI.
Some people may prefer to get tests done in person. This may be a more suitable option for people who do not feel comfortable collecting a sample themselves. Others may not want to have an STI test sent to their home.
Below, we list some of the best in-person STI testing options.
- QuestDirect: This company may be best suited to pregnant people, as it offers a pregnancy STI test that can identify seven STIs. Results are available within 2–5 days, and follow-up care and medication are available.
- STDCheck: This company also sells panel tests. People can choose from a 9- or 10-panel test. It also provides an early HIV detection test, which can detect HIV 11 days after exposure. People can get their results within 2 days, and follow-up consultations are available.
Some people may feel nervous talking about their STI results and may not know which questions to ask. Below are some examples that may help people have a discussion with a healthcare professional about their results.
- Will the STI have any short- or long-term effects on my body?
- Are there ways of managing any side effects of the STI?
- Is there any treatment for the STI?
- Do I need to take any medication, and how long must I take it if I do?
- Does the medication cause any side effects?
- How long will I have to wait before I can have sex without transmitting the infection?
- How do I reduce my risk of contracting an infection in the future?
- Are any local centers or organizations providing free or low-cost condoms?
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about at-home STI tests.
Where can I get free STI testing?
Free or heavily discounted STI testing may be available in the U.S. People can search the CDC database to find free tests nearby.
Certain foundations and nonprofit organizations also provide free testing. For example, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation offers this in over 28 locations nationwide.
What happens if the result comes back positive?
If a person gets a positive result from an STI test, the next step is to receive medical advice. A doctor can suggest a treatment plan to alleviate any symptoms and prevent the infection from passing to others.
A healthcare professional can also provide guidance about any other sexual health concerns and describe ways of reducing the risk of getting or passing on STIs.
How do at-home STD tests protect privacy?
This depends on the testing company’s security and privacy measures, including HIPAA compliance. Some use internet encryption and discreet packaging and destroy samples and data after the test is complete and the person has seen their results.
As an STI test can easily link back to a person through their DNA, using a reputable service that protects personal information and healthcare data is crucial.
What do home STD tests test for?
STD tests are available as single tests or multi tests. This means they test for a single STI, such as HIV, syphilis, or gonorrhea, or multiple tests.
People can check the type of sample required and how long it takes to receive results. Some may also consider opting for a subscription if they must get tested frequently.
An at-home STI test may be suitable for people who need convenient, discreet STI testing. Various companies offer test bundles, consultations, and retests, and the results are generally available within a few days.
Follow the company’s instructions carefully to increase the likelihood of an accurate result.