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Head-to-head · AI Symptom Checker Apps

healthdirect Symptom Checker vs Buoy Health

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score healthdirect Symptom Checker #2 in AI Symptom Checker Apps 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit healthdirect
Buoy Health #6 in AI Symptom Checker Apps 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Buoy Health

healthdirect Symptom Checker 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 scorehealthdirect Symptom Checker · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featureshealthdirect Symptom Checker · 3 of 3

healthdirect Symptom Checker scores higher on our rubric for ai symptom checker apps: 9.2 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

On symptom input, Buoy Health gives you Both where healthdirect Symptom Checker offers Guided. healthdirect Symptom Checker offers mobile app; Buoy Health doesn't.

healthdirect Symptom Checker is the better fit for australian users seeking localized triage. Buoy Health is the better fit for users who prefer conversational web triage.

  • healthdirect Symptom Checker fits best

    Australian users seeking localized triage

  • 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 healthdirect Symptom Checker 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Buoy Health 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.2
Ranking #2 in AI Symptom Checker Apps #6 in AI Symptom Checker Apps
Best for Australian users seeking localized triage 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
Features healthdirect Symptom Checker 3/3 · Buoy Health 2/3
Web access ✓ ✓
Mobile app ✓ (best) —
Follow-up questions ✓ ✓
Specs
Symptom input Guided Both
Care guidance Both Both
Age coverage Not checked yet All_ages
Our review
Pros
  • Guided interview asks follow-up questions about symptoms and background.
  • Care guidance ranges from self-care to emergency care or calling triple zero.
  • Service Finder links users to local services and online bookings.
  • Adaptive follow-up questions help narrow symptom information.
  • Explains possible causes and symptom severity.
  • Provides personalized care recommendations and next steps.
Cons
  • Designed for people located in Australia, not a general international audience.
  • Provides triage guidance, not a diagnosis or replacement for professional care.
  • Recommendations depend on details users provide during the interview.
  • 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

For people in Australia who want help deciding what to do about symptoms, healthdirect Symptom Checker provides a self-guided triage interview. It is free and available on the web, iOS and Android. Users enter symptoms, current conditions,…

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. healthdirect Symptom CheckerAI Symptom Checker Apps 9.2Free plan
  2. Buoy HealthAI Symptom Checker Apps 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • healthdirect Symptom Checker — where it wins

    • Guided interview asks follow-up questions about symptoms and background.
    • Care guidance ranges from self-care to emergency care or calling triple zero.
    • Service Finder links users to local services and online bookings.

    Where it doesn't

    • Designed for people located in Australia, not a general international audience.
    • Provides triage guidance, not a diagnosis or replacement for professional care.
    • Recommendations depend on details users provide during the interview.

  • 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.

healthdirect Symptom Checker vs Buoy Health: questions

Which is better for AI symptom checker apps, healthdirect Symptom Checker or Buoy Health?

healthdirect Symptom Checker scores higher on our rubric for ai symptom checker apps: 9.2 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

How do healthdirect Symptom Checker and Buoy Health compare?

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

Do healthdirect Symptom Checker and Buoy Health have a free plan?

healthdirect Symptom Checker: 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