Empirical Health vs Maximus
Maximus is cheaper to start ($99.99 vs $190 per year, lowest published plans). Empirical Health scores higher overall (8.6 vs 7.9).
By Julian Caraulani · prices checked
Quick verdict
Our pick between the two: Empirical Health
Empirical Health scores 8.6/10 against 7.9 for Maximus, ahead on price and clinical care. Maximus can still be the better fit: it is best for men already in Maximus care who want its yearly panel.
Side by side
| Empirical Health | Maximus | |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | $190/yr (one-time payment) | $99.99/yr (one-off kit) |
| Our score | 8.6/10 | 7.9/10 |
| Treatments | Longevity memberships | Longevity memberships, Hormone panels |
| 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) | 47 states (not RI, NY, NJ), 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. | Annual auto-renewing subscription; add-ons do not renew. Cancellation method not stated on labs page. |
| FDA warning letters | None found (October 31, 2026) | Letter on record |
| Trustpilot | 3.5/5 (3 reviews) | 4.4/5 (1,104 reviews) |
| Best for | Heart-focused testers who want ApoB and Lp(a) with a doctor-written report for one payment. | Men already in Maximus care who want its yearly panel. |
| Prices checked | 2026-10-31 | 2026-10-31 |
Price by treatment
The lowest all-in plan each publishes for the treatments both offer, with the page we read it on.
| Treatment | Empirical Health | Maximus |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity memberships | $190/yr (one-time payment) source, 2026-10-31 | $199.99/yr (yearly, auto-renews) source, 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.
Maximus: a closer look
Testosterone clinic's yearly lab panels; Optimal and Maximal, with many calculated scores. The FDA has sent Maximus a warning letter: The FDA warned Maximus on June 8, 2026 about false or misleading website claims for compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide. The letter does not concern lab testing.
In its favour
- Low yearly price for the Optimal panel
- Includes free testosterone and estradiol
- At-home testosterone kit with no subscription
To weigh
- No physician review of comprehensive panel results.
- Metric counts are padded with calculated ratios; Optimal's ApoB is estimated by formula, not measured.
- Lab company not named.
- Renewal wording conflicts between the Maximal card and the FAQ.
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 Maximus
Best for men already in Maximus care who want its yearly panel. Its lowest all-in plan is $99.99/yr (one-off kit).
Check Maximus's priceEmpirical Health vs Maximus: questions people ask
Is Empirical Health or Maximus cheaper?
Maximus starts lower at $99.99 per year versus $190 at Empirical Health, comparing each program's lowest all-in plan.
Which is better, Empirical Health or Maximus?
On our published score Empirical Health rates 8.6 and Maximus rates 7.9. Empirical Health is best for heart-focused testers who want ApoB and Lp(a) with a doctor-written report for one payment; Maximus is best for men already in Maximus care who want its yearly panel.
Do Empirical Health and Maximus offer the same treatments?
Empirical Health: Longevity memberships. Maximus: Longevity memberships, Hormone panels.
Does either include the medication in the price?
Empirical Health: not stated. Maximus: 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.