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Head-to-head · AI Symptom Checker Apps

Ada Health vs Buoy Health

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Ada Health #4 in AI Symptom Checker Apps 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Ada Health
Buoy Health #6 in AI Symptom Checker Apps 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Buoy Health

Ada Health leads on 1 check, Buoy Health on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAda Health · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresAda Health · 3 of 3

Ada Health scores higher on our rubric for ai symptom checker apps: 8.4 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

On symptom input, Buoy Health gives you Both where Ada Health offers Guided. On care guidance, Buoy Health gives you Both where Ada Health offers Urgency. Ada Health offers mobile app; Buoy Health doesn't.

Ada Health is the better fit for people seeking free, guided symptom assessment. Buoy Health is the better fit for users who prefer conversational web triage.

  • Ada Health fits best

    People seeking free, guided symptom assessment

  • Buoy Health fits best

    Users who prefer conversational web triage

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Ada Health 8.4/10 Visit ↗ Buoy Health 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.2
Ranking #4 in AI Symptom Checker Apps #6 in AI Symptom Checker Apps
Best for People seeking free, guided symptom assessment Users who prefer conversational web triage
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Tickets Email
Built for Solo Solo
Features Ada Health 3/3 · Buoy Health 2/3
Web access ✓ ✓
Mobile app ✓ (best) —
Follow-up questions ✓ ✓
Specs
Symptom input Guided Both
Care guidance Urgency Both
Age coverage Not checked yet All_ages
Our review
Pros
  • Uses follow-up questions, demographics and risk factors in assessments
  • Reports possible causes and their likelihood
  • Offers safety-netting guidance on when to seek medical support
  • Adaptive follow-up questions help narrow symptom information.
  • Explains possible causes and symptom severity.
  • Provides personalized care recommendations and next steps.
Cons
  • An assessment is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional advice
  • Mobile app availability varies by country
  • Support is limited to tickets
  • Available on the web, with no mobile app.
  • Not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis.
  • Terms exclude infants under age 2 and services are not directed to children under 13.
Our verdict

Ada Health offers a free symptom assessment service for people who want to explore possible explanations for symptoms before deciding on next steps. Users describe symptoms and answer follow-up questions; the system applies probabilistic…

Read the review →

Buoy Health is a free, web-based AI symptom checker for people seeking help understanding symptoms and deciding what to do next. Users enter symptoms, select suggested related terms, and answer follow-up questions that adapt to their…

Read the review →
  1. Ada HealthAI Symptom Checker Apps 8.4Free plan
  2. Buoy HealthAI Symptom Checker Apps 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Ada Health — where it wins

    • Uses follow-up questions, demographics and risk factors in assessments
    • Reports possible causes and their likelihood
    • Offers safety-netting guidance on when to seek medical support

    Where it doesn't

    • An assessment is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional advice
    • Mobile app availability varies by country
    • Support is limited to tickets

  • Buoy Health — where it wins

    • Adaptive follow-up questions help narrow symptom information.
    • Explains possible causes and symptom severity.
    • Provides personalized care recommendations and next steps.

    Where it doesn't

    • Available on the web, with no mobile app.
    • Not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis.
    • Terms exclude infants under age 2 and services are not directed to children under 13.

Ada Health vs Buoy Health: questions

Which is better for AI symptom checker apps, Ada Health or Buoy Health?

Ada Health scores higher on our rubric for ai symptom checker apps: 8.4 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

How do Ada Health and Buoy Health compare?

Of the 4 checks we put side by side, Ada Health leads on 1, Buoy Health on none, and 3 are level. Mobile app only on Ada Health.

Do Ada Health and Buoy Health have a free plan?

Ada Health: Yes. Buoy Health: Yes.

More comparisons

All AI symptom checker apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update