Overview
- Products: AlterMe provides a saliva-based DNA test and smart ring to track fitness, sleep, and activity.
- Cost: Pricing starts at $89 for the DNA report, with subscription plans ranging from $99–$199 down plus monthly fees of $66–$112.
- Reports: Reports cover 13 traits using 60 genetic variants, offering basic wellness and fitness insights.
- Raw data access: Limited raw genetic data is provided.
- Privacy: Basic privacy protections; DNA samples are destroyed after testing, but the platform does not appear to be HIPAA-compliant.
- Alternatives: SelfDecode offers a more advanced, scientifically validated platform with ancestry-adjusted polygenic risk scoring and over 1,500 comprehensive reports.
AlterMe Pros and Cons
Pros
- Tracks fitness, sleep, and activity via smart ring
- Provides general wellness guidance and coaching support
Cons
- Analyzes only 60 genetic variants across 13 traits, limiting predictive value
- No polygenic risk scoring; insights are descriptive rather than actionable
- High subscription costs
- Technical issues reported with wearable devices
- Reported difficulty canceling subscriptions and inconsistent customer support
- Basic privacy protections; not HIPAA-compliant or intended for clinical use
- Recommendations lack depth and personalization for meaningful health guidance
About AlterMe
AlterMe is a consumer-focused genetic testing company that provides wellness-oriented DNA analysis and reports. The company positions itself as a tool for individuals seeking to better understand their health, fitness, and lifestyle potential through genetics.
Review of AlterMe Products & Services
AlterMe provides a direct-to-consumer DNA test marketed as a wellness tool rather than a clinically validated health service. Customers receive a saliva collection kit, which is processed in a partner lab, and the results are delivered through an online platform and mobile app.
The process involves two main steps:
- Customers take a custom DNA test analyzing 60 polymorphisms across 13 key traits related to health, fitness, and wellness. The analysis is limited to specific SNPs, and the company emphasizes privacy by not sequencing the whole genome.
- Users track daily biometrics with the AlterMe smart ring, including heart rate variability, sleep patterns, and activity levels. Data is used to provide personalized wellness recommendations and guidance for stress management and recovery.
The scope of AlterMe’s analysis is highly limited. The company’s reports are based on just 60 genetic polymorphisms spread across only 13 key traits, covering areas such as diet, fitness, sleep, and general wellness tendencies.
While this may provide surface-level insights, it falls far short of modern standards in genetics, where meaningful predictions require the analysis of hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of variants.
Critically, AlterMe does not use polygenic risk scoring (PRS), which is the current gold standard for genetic risk prediction in complex traits and conditions. Instead, the platform relies on isolated single-variant associations, which are rarely predictive on their own.
This means that the reports are descriptive rather than predictive, and users may see that a single SNP is “linked” to a trait, but without the broader genomic context, these findings lack reliability and real-world applicability.
The app experience is designed for accessibility, with simple explanations and generalized recommendations. However, these suggestions are not tailored to the individual’s complete genetic profile.
Overall, AlterMe’s product and services offer a simplified entry point for consumers curious about genetics, but the extremely narrow scope of analysis and lack of PRS prevent the platform from providing accurate, actionable, or predictive health insights.
AlterMe Accuracy: SNP vs PRS vs Advanced PRS
AlterMe’s reports are based on an extremely limited dataset of just 60 genetic polymorphisms across 13 traits. Each of these variants explains only a very small fraction of overall genetic influence, and complex outcomes such as weight, sleep, or cardiovascular risk are shaped by thousands or even millions of variants working together. Looking at such a small number of SNPs oversimplifies the science and produces results that are descriptive rather than predictive.
In genetics, the way to move beyond this limitation is through polygenic risk scoring (PRS), which combines the influence of hundreds of thousands of variants into a single score. PRS provides a far more accurate and predictive picture of genetic predisposition, especially for complex conditions.
Even more advanced models incorporate ancestry adjustments and AI-driven algorithms, which ensure that risk estimates are reliable across different populations and account for the intricate interplay of genes and environment. These methods are validated in peer-reviewed studies and have become the modern standard for predictive genomics. Read more here.
By comparison, AlterMe’s reliance on 60 SNPs without PRS or ancestry adjustment leaves its results highly limited and prone to misinterpretation. While the reports may provide some surface-level educational value, they cannot offer accurate or actionable insights. In practice, this means users may be left with generic information that does little to guide meaningful decisions about their health.
This is why advanced ancestry-adjusted polygenic risk scoring using AI is important, such as what is used by SelfDecode, PromicsEdge, and OmicsEdge. See this paper. Validation of this kind proves that an algorithm can be reproduced across a variety of ancestries.
Cost of AlterMe
AlterMe offers a DNA Fitness & Health Report priced at $89, which provides a limited analysis of select genetic traits.
The company also offers two main subscription tiers, both of which include a combination of hardware, digital services, and wellness programs:
- AlterMe Basic: $99 down payment plus $66 per month for 36 months.
- AlterMe Pro: $199 down payment plus $112 per month for 36 months.
AlterMe Privacy & Security
AlterMe collects personal, genetic, and biometric data to provide its fitness and wellness services. Data is stored securely, and DNA samples are destroyed after testing. Users can request deletion of their information.
However, AlterMe is not HIPAA-compliant, and its services are not intended for clinical use. Genetic and personal data are used for personalization within the platform, but the company does not offer the same regulatory protections as clinical or medical-grade genetic testing services.
AlterMe Reviews
Customer feedback for AlterMe is mixed, averaging around 3 out of 5 stars on Consumer Affairs. Many users appreciate the convenience of combining DNA testing with wearable tracking and find the app interface simple and engaging. Some also report positive experiences with features like sleep tracking, nutrition guidance, and coaching support.
However, the majority of negative reviews highlight recurring issues. Common complaints include the high cost of subscriptions, generic DNA insights based on a very limited number of markers, and aggressive sales tactics that tie results to upselling higher-priced packages. Users frequently mention technical problems with the wearable devices, difficulty canceling subscriptions, and inconsistent customer support.
Overall, while AlterMe appeals to consumers looking for an all-in-one fitness and wellness platform, many customers feel the service does not deliver the level of personalization, reliability, or value that is promised.
Alternatives to AlterMe
For users seeking a more advanced and scientifically validated genetic testing platform, SelfDecode offers a compelling alternative. Unlike AlterMe, which relies on a limited set of 60 SNPs across 13 traits, SelfDecode analyzes millions of genetic variants, providing insights that are both predictive and actionable.
The platform uses ancestry-adjusted polygenic risk scoring to generate advanced predictions for complex traits and conditions, a methodology validated in a Nature journal publication and six additional peer-reviewed studies.
Recommendations from SelfDecode integrate genetics, symptoms, conditions, labs, and millions of variants using advanced AI algorithms, allowing for a level of personalization that far surpasses simpler wellness-focused platforms. SelfDecode also incorporates multiomics, analyzing blood tests alongside genetic data to provide a comprehensive picture of health.
Reports are extensive and high-quality, covering over 1,500 traits and health topics. Privacy and security are strict, with full HIPAA and GDPR compliance, reflecting the platform’s clinical-grade data protection. The depth, accuracy, and comprehensiveness of SelfDecode are the result of a $25 million investment in technology and scientific validation, in contrast to AlterMe’s smaller-scale, consumer-focused build.
The difference between AlterMe and SelfDecode is clear. AlterMe provides a convenient introduction to wellness and fitness-oriented genetic insights but is limited to descriptive results without predictive power.
SelfDecode, by contrast, delivers scientifically validated predictions, personalized recommendations, and multi-layered analyses, making it the superior choice for individuals seeking reliable, actionable, and deeply personalized health guidance.
| Feature | AlterMe | SelfDecode |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic Analysis | 60 SNPs | 200M SNPs |
| Predictive Power | No polygenic risk scoring | Ancestry-adjusted polygenic risk scoring |
| Validation | None | 6 peer-reviewed studies, including a Nature journal |
| Multiomics | N/A | Integrates blood tests, symptoms, labs, and genetics |
| Reports | Limited wellness & fitness insights | 1,500 comprehensive reports |
| Privacy & Security | Basic privacy, not HIPAA-compliant | HIPAA & GDPR-compliant |
| Personalized Recommendations | Limited to fitness insights | 20,000+ personalized, evidence-based recommendations |
AlterMe Review Summary
AlterMe offers a beginner-friendly approach to DNA testing, combining a saliva-based test with a smart ring to track fitness, sleep, and activity. While the app is easy to use and provides general wellness guidance, the analysis is limited to 60 SNPs across 13 traits, without polygenic risk scoring or ancestry adjustments. Insights are descriptive rather than predictive, and recommendations lack depth.
Subscriptions are costly, and some users report technical issues, cancellation difficulties, and inconsistent support. Privacy protections are basic, and the service is not HIPAA-compliant or intended for clinical use.
For those seeking accurate, actionable, and deeply personalized health insights, SelfDecode provides a superior alternative. It analyzes millions of variants, integrates multiomics data, uses ancestry-adjusted polygenic risk scoring validated in top-tier journals, and delivers over 1,500 comprehensive reports with personalized recommendations.
