Which is Better, Viome or Zoe? A Comprehensive Gut Health Comparison

October 5, 2025 •

4 min read

According to research published by ZOE scientists, individual metabolic and microbial responses to the same foods can vary dramatically. When considering which is better, Viome or Zoe, consumers need to evaluate differences in testing technology, data analysis, and overall program structure to determine the right service for their unique health goals.

Quick Summary

This comparison evaluates Viome and Zoe by detailing their distinct testing technologies—Viome's RNA sequencing versus Zoe's DNA analysis and metabolic testing. It contrasts their personalized recommendations, user experience, and subscription models, offering a clear guide to help you choose between them.

Key Points

Technology Differences: Viome uses RNA sequencing to see what microbes are active, whereas Zoe uses DNA sequencing and metabolic testing to see which microbes are present and how your body responds to food.
Holistic vs. Focused: Viome offers broader insights into cellular, oral, and gut health, while Zoe focuses specifically on optimizing metabolic and gut responses through diet.
Recommendations: Viome's AI generates custom food lists and optional personalized supplements. Zoe provides food scores and a comprehensive, app-based nutrition program.
Membership Structure: Viome allows for one-time test purchases, with subscription options for products. Zoe requires an ongoing membership to access the full program and insights.
Actionable Insights: Users find Viome's deep data potentially overwhelming and advice sometimes vague, whereas Zoe's program is often praised for being actionable, despite the intensive logging.
FDA Approval: Viome's technology is FDA-approved as a breakthrough device for oral and throat cancer screening, a unique feature not offered by Zoe.

Viome vs. Zoe: A Side-by-Side Comparison

The at-home health and wellness market has exploded, with Viome and Zoe emerging as leaders in personalized nutrition. Both companies promise to decode your body's inner workings to provide actionable dietary advice, but they use different scientific approaches and offer distinct user experiences. Understanding these differences is crucial for making an informed decision about which service best aligns with your wellness objectives.

Technology and Testing Methodology

Viome's Approach: Metatranscriptomics (RNA)

Viome utilizes advanced metatranscriptomic sequencing, which analyzes the messenger RNA (mRNA) from your gut microbiome, as well as your human cells and mitochondria. Instead of just identifying which microorganisms are present, this method reveals what your microbes are doing—their active functions and metabolic pathways. Viome offers different test packages, including the Full Body Intelligence test, which uses stool, blood, and saliva samples to analyze the gut, cellular, and oral microbiomes. This comprehensive data is then processed by Viome's proprietary AI to generate health scores and personalized recommendations.

Zoe's Approach: Shotgun Metagenomics (DNA) and Metabolic Testing

Zoe combines deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing of your gut microbiome with metabolic testing using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) and a blood fat test. The DNA sequencing identifies the specific species of microbes living in your gut, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. The metabolic tests provide real-time data on how your body responds to blood sugar and fat after eating specific foods. Zoe leverages data from its large-scale PREDICT studies to link specific microbes to health markers, defining certain microbial species as "good" or "bad".

User Experience and Recommendations

Viome User Experience

Viome's output is highly data-driven, providing users with a comprehensive report featuring numerous health scores for everything from gut health to cellular energy. Recommendations include personalized lists of foods to enjoy, minimize, or avoid, categorized by their potential impact. A key feature is the option to purchase custom-formulated probiotics and supplements based on your results, aimed at restoring balance to your gut and cellular functions. Some users, however, have found the extensive data and reports overwhelming, and the recommendations occasionally vague or difficult to implement without additional guidance.

Zoe User Experience

Zoe’s program is centered around its mobile app, which translates complex scientific findings into an easy-to-follow, personalized nutrition program. The app provides individual food scores and meal-planning tools, making it straightforward to build healthier habits. Zoe's ethos focuses on eating more nutrient-dense whole foods rather than restriction, and the app offers meal-timing advice based on metabolic responses. While many users appreciate the clear guidance and actionable insights, the daily meal logging required by the app can be exhausting for some.

Cost and Membership

Viome's Pricing Model

Viome offers a more flexible model with one-time purchases for their testing kits, with prices varying based on the level of intelligence (Gut, Health, or Full Body). The custom supplements and biotics are offered as a separate monthly subscription. This allows users to re-test at their own pace and choose if they want to subscribe to ongoing product delivery.

Zoe's Pricing Model

Zoe operates on a membership model, requiring a subscription to access test results, the app, and the nutrition program. The initial purchase includes the test kit, which was once quite extensive with CGM and blood tests, but has been streamlined. The ongoing monthly membership fee is required to continue receiving the personalized guidance and app features. This structure is ideal for those who prefer an all-inclusive, long-term program rather than a one-off report.

Viome vs. Zoe Comparison Table


Feature	Viome	Zoe
Core Technology	Metatranscriptomics (RNA sequencing) to measure microbial activity	Shotgun Metagenomics (DNA sequencing) + metabolic testing (CGM/Blood)
Sample Type	Stool (Gut), Stool + Blood (Health), Stool + Blood + Saliva (Full Body)	Stool, initial Blood Fat Test, and optional CGM
Output	Numerical health scores, food lists (avoid, minimize, enjoy, superfoods), optional custom supplements	Food scores, weekly nutrition program, bug clusters, personalized recipes via app
Focus	Holistic: Gut, cellular, oral health; longevity, immunity	Gut and metabolic health; food response optimization
Program Model	One-time test purchase with optional subscription for supplements	Membership required for access to results and program
Data Access	Does not provide raw data for user analysis	May not provide raw data; primarily app-based
Customer Feedback	Mixed; can be vague, but custom products are a strong point	Largely positive on insights, but app use can be demanding

Conclusion: Which Gut Health Test Is Right for You?

Choosing between Viome and Zoe ultimately depends on your health priorities and preferred approach. For those interested in the deepest possible dive into their body's active biological functions—including cellular and oral health—and who prefer the option of custom supplements, Viome is the stronger choice. Its metatranscriptomic technology offers a detailed snapshot of what is actively happening inside you. However, some users may find the volume of data overwhelming and the recommendations less practical.

If your primary goal is to understand your metabolic responses to specific foods, improve your diet with an easy-to-use app, and receive insights backed by large-scale research studies, Zoe is the more suitable option. The app-centric membership model provides continuous guidance, but it requires a commitment to a subscription and may feel more restrictive for some. In short, Viome offers a detailed biochemical blueprint with optional personalized products, while Zoe provides a structured, app-guided nutrition program focused on metabolic and gut health optimization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Viome's Full Body Intelligence test includes analysis of your cellular and oral health in addition to the gut microbiome, making its overall scope broader. Zoe's test is comprehensive for understanding your gut and metabolic response, but does not include cellular analysis in the same way.

The technology serves different purposes. Viome's RNA sequencing reveals the activity of microbes, providing insight into what they are actively producing. Zoe's DNA sequencing identifies the presence of different microbial species. Neither is definitively 'better'; it depends on whether you prioritize functional insights (Viome) or species identification combined with metabolic data (Zoe).

Initially, the Zoe program included a CGM and blood fat test. However, more recent updates have streamlined the process, allowing their predictive algorithm to forecast your metabolic response without these additional tests for many users.

Zoe's program, with its focus on metabolic responses to food and an app-guided nutrition plan, is particularly well-suited for weight management. Many participants have reported significant improvements in weight and metabolic health following the Zoe program.

Yes, a core part of the Viome service is the option to order custom-formulated supplements and probiotics based on your test results. This provides a direct, personalized solution that Zoe does not offer.

Not necessarily. While Viome offers one-time test purchases, Zoe requires a subscription membership for program access. Over the long term, Zoe's recurring membership fees could accumulate to be more expensive than Viome's test plus an optional supplement subscription.

No, neither Viome nor Zoe are intended to provide a medical diagnosis. They are educational tools for personalized wellness and should not replace consultation with a healthcare professional, especially if you have chronic digestive issues.