Is there anything similar to Zoe? Exploring Personalized Nutrition Alternatives

October 29, 2025 •

4 min read

The market for personalized nutrition is projected to reach over USD 10 billion by 2034, driven by a growing desire for data-driven wellness solutions. While Zoe has become a prominent name, many ask, 'Is there anything similar to Zoe?' to find programs that align better with their specific health goals, budget, or preferred testing methods. This article explores the landscape of personalized nutrition, comparing prominent alternatives to Zoe's unique approach.

Quick Summary

A comparison of popular personalized nutrition programs like Viome, Levels, and Metabolic Balance against Zoe. It covers their distinct testing methodologies, including gut microbiome analysis, continuous glucose monitoring, and blood markers. It also evaluates their costs, user experience, and the level of personalized guidance offered to help consumers find the best fit for their health objectives.

Key Points

Viome: Viome uses mRNA sequencing to analyze gut, oral, and cellular health, offering a broader health overview compared to Zoe's focus on metabolism and gut health.
Levels Health: This program uses continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to provide real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices affect metabolic health, making it an excellent alternative for focusing specifically on blood sugar responses.
Metabolic Balance: For a structured, professionally-guided plan based on blood tests, Metabolic Balance offers a path to balancing hormones and metabolism with significant one-on-one coaching.
Budget-Friendly Apps: For a less expensive, data-driven approach, apps like MyFitnessPal and Noom allow users to track food and build healthier habits without invasive testing.
Nutritional Therapy: One-on-one consultation with a registered dietitian offers a highly personalized and supported experience based on a holistic view of your health, not just lab results.
Differences in Technology: Key differences between programs like Zoe and Viome lie in their testing technology—Zoe uses shotgun metagenomics and CGM, while Viome uses metatranscriptomics to analyze gene expression.
Consider Your Needs: The best alternative depends on your goals (metabolism, gut health, weight loss), budget, and how much data versus coaching you prefer in your nutrition journey.

Understanding the Landscape of Personalized Nutrition

Personalized nutrition has moved beyond one-size-fits-all dietary advice, with companies leveraging advanced technologies to offer custom recommendations. Zoe is one of the most recognized players, combining comprehensive testing—including gut microbiome, blood fat, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)—with an app-based coaching platform. However, its high cost and specific methodologies mean it may not be the ideal solution for everyone. Fortunately, the market offers a range of alternatives that cater to different needs and budgets, from deep biomarker analysis to guided coaching.

Leading Competitors to Zoe

Viome

Viome is a prominent direct-to-consumer health and longevity company that takes a different approach to biological analysis than Zoe.

Methodology: Viome analyzes microbial and human gene expression (mRNA) using metatranscriptomic sequencing of stool, blood, and saliva samples. This provides a broader view of biological activity, including oral and cellular health, beyond just the gut microbiome.
Insights: Users receive up to 50 health scores across areas like inflammation and heart health. The program recommends specific foods to "enjoy," "minimize," or "avoid".
Offerings: Viome also offers personalized supplement formulas based on test results, delivered monthly.
Target Audience: Individuals who are highly data-driven and want a comprehensive, full-body health profile, not just focused on metabolism or gut health alone.

Levels

Levels focuses specifically on metabolic health and the use of continuous glucose monitoring.

Methodology: The program provides continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to track blood sugar responses to food, exercise, and stress in real-time.
Insights: The Levels app analyzes CGM data to provide personalized insights and help users stabilize glucose levels.
Offerings: Levels offers an app that provides real-time feedback and analysis. Users can also add blood tests for broader metabolic health insights.
Target Audience: Those concerned primarily with metabolic health, weight management, and energy levels, and who are willing to wear a CGM to collect data.

Metabolic Balance

This program uses extensive bloodwork to create a highly personalized nutrition plan.

Methodology: Metabolic Balance requires a blood test measuring up to 36 different markers. This data, combined with a user's health history, is used to generate a detailed meal plan.
Insights: The personalized plan focuses on balancing hormones and metabolism, recommending specific whole foods without calorie counting.
Offerings: The program is divided into four phases and involves direct coaching from a certified practitioner.
Target Audience: People seeking a structured, science-based program with one-on-one coaching to address hormonal imbalances, metabolic issues, or significant weight loss goals.

More Accessible and DIY Alternatives

For those who find the cost or invasiveness of biomarker testing prohibitive, there are many app-based solutions that offer personalized features at a lower price point.

Noom: This app combines psychology-based coaching with meal logging and provides a color-coded food system to help users build healthier habits. It doesn't rely on lab testing, making it more accessible and less expensive than Zoe.
MyFitnessPal: A long-standing staple in nutrition tracking, MyFitnessPal is a powerful calorie and macro counting app. While it lacks biomarker-based personalization, it provides users with a vast food database, a barcode scanner, and logging tools to track intake.
Nutritional Therapy: Consulting a registered nutritional therapist offers a direct, hands-on, one-on-one approach. A therapist can create a bespoke plan based on your medical history, eating habits, and specific goals, with or without blood tests. This offers accountability and support that automated apps lack.

Zoe vs. The Alternatives: A Comparison Table


Feature	Zoe	Viome	Levels	Metabolic Balance	Other Apps (e.g., MyFitnessPal)
Personalization Basis	Gut microbiome, blood sugar, blood fat responses	Gut & oral microbiome, cellular health (mRNA)	Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)	Up to 36 blood markers, health history	User-inputted food and activity data
Key Technology	Shotgun metagenomics, CGM, blood spot	Metatranscriptomics (RNA sequencing)	Continuous Glucose Monitors	Blood testing, algorithmic plan	Manual logging, barcode scanner
Cost	High upfront cost ($294+) plus monthly subscription	High upfront cost ($250+) with subscription options	High upfront cost ($399+) with monthly fees	Varies, typically involves initial practitioner fees and blood tests	Low cost or free versions available
Primary Focus	Gut and metabolic health	Comprehensive microbiome and cellular health	Metabolic stability and glucose responses	Hormonal and metabolic balance via whole foods	Calorie and macro tracking
Coaching/Support	AI-driven app insights, chat support	AI-driven insights, personalized supplement options	Real-time app feedback	Direct, one-on-one support with a certified coach	Mostly self-guided, with some premium features

The Verdict: How to Choose

Choosing the right personalized nutrition plan hinges on several factors, including your budget, your desire for data, and your specific health goals. If you are deeply curious about your unique gut microbiome and its metabolic implications, and have the budget, Zoe or Viome might be appealing. If your primary concern is stabilizing blood sugar and optimizing energy, Levels offers a focused, CGM-based approach. For those who prefer a more traditional, human-centric approach guided by blood markers, Metabolic Balance provides comprehensive, one-on-one coaching.

For a more accessible and cost-effective entry into personalized nutrition, simple apps like MyFitnessPal allow for self-monitoring, while programs like Noom offer a more structured, habit-forming framework without advanced lab work. The best choice is one that empowers you to build sustainable, healthier habits based on the level of insight and support that suits your lifestyle.

Note: All personalized nutrition services, including Zoe, are not intended as medical advice and should not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.

Visit the official Zoe website for program details

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference lies in their testing technology. Zoe uses shotgun metagenomics and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to analyze your gut microbiome and metabolic responses. Viome uses metatranscriptomics (RNA sequencing) to analyze gene expression from the gut and oral microbiome, providing a broader view of cellular activity.

Yes, budget-friendly options include apps like MyFitnessPal for self-monitoring calories and macros or Noom, which uses a psychological approach to habit formation. While these do not use lab-based personalization, they provide a more accessible entry point into guided nutrition without the high cost of biomarker testing.

Levels Health is an excellent alternative that focuses on continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) to help you understand and manage your blood sugar responses to food, exercise, and stress in real-time.

No. Programs like Zoe and its alternatives are not intended to replace medical advice. They provide data and insights, but it's crucial to consult with a qualified healthcare provider or a registered dietitian, especially if you have an underlying health condition.

Working with a nutritional therapist offers a human-centric approach with one-on-one coaching and accountability. A therapist can provide a more holistic assessment by considering your full medical history, lifestyle, and preferences, which automated tech services may overlook.

Some programs, like Metabolic Balance, are designed for managing chronic conditions by balancing hormones and metabolism through blood markers and a personalized plan. However, it is essential to consult your doctor before starting any program, especially for chronic disease management.

Viome offers personalized supplements based on its metatranscriptomic testing. While this approach is data-driven, it's worth noting that the field of personalized supplementation is still developing. Some users report positive results, while others find the benefits unclear.