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Head-to-head · AI Symptom Checker Apps

NHS 111 online vs Buoy Health

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score NHS 111 online #1 in AI Symptom Checker Apps 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit NHS 111
Buoy Health #6 in AI Symptom Checker Apps 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Buoy Health

NHS 111 online 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 scoreNHS 111 online · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresNHS 111 online · 3 of 3

NHS 111 online scores higher on our rubric for ai symptom checker apps: 9.3 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

On symptom input, Buoy Health gives you Both where NHS 111 online offers Guided. On age coverage, Buoy Health gives you All_ages where NHS 111 online offers Children. NHS 111 online offers mobile app; Buoy Health doesn't.

NHS 111 online is the better fit for people aged 5+ in England seeking urgent care guidance. Buoy Health is the better fit for users who prefer conversational web triage.

  • NHS 111 online fits best

    People aged 5+ in England seeking urgent care guidance

  • Buoy Health fits best

    Users who prefer conversational web triage

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Side by side

Feature NHS 111 online 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Buoy Health 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.2
Ranking #1 in AI Symptom Checker Apps #6 in AI Symptom Checker Apps
Best for People aged 5+ in England seeking urgent care guidance 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 Email, Docs · 24/7 Email
Features NHS 111 online 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 Children All_ages
Our review
Pros
  • Free access on the web and through the NHS App
  • Guided questions lead to self-care or care-service guidance
  • May offer a nurse callback with a timeframe
  • Adaptive follow-up questions help narrow symptom information.
  • Explains possible causes and symptom severity.
  • Provides personalized care recommendations and next steps.
Cons
  • Assesses one main symptom at a time
  • Provides guidance, not a diagnosis
  • For people under 5, another NHS 111 route is needed
  • 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 aged 5 and over in England who need urgent advice for a non-life-threatening situation, NHS 111 online offers a guided symptom assessment. Users choose the main symptom they are concerned about and answer questions; the service…

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. NHS 111 onlineAI Symptom Checker Apps 9.3Free plan
  2. Buoy HealthAI Symptom Checker Apps 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • NHS 111 online — where it wins

    • Free access on the web and through the NHS App
    • Guided questions lead to self-care or care-service guidance
    • May offer a nurse callback with a timeframe

    Where it doesn't

    • Assesses one main symptom at a time
    • Provides guidance, not a diagnosis
    • For people under 5, another NHS 111 route is needed

  • 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.

NHS 111 online vs Buoy Health: questions

Which is better for AI symptom checker apps, NHS 111 online or Buoy Health?

NHS 111 online scores higher on our rubric for ai symptom checker apps: 9.3 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

How do NHS 111 online and Buoy Health compare?

Of the 4 checks we put side by side, NHS 111 online leads on 1, Buoy Health on none, and 3 are level. Mobile app only on NHS 111 online.

Do NHS 111 online and Buoy Health have a free plan?

NHS 111 online: 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