Stride Gut health

Optimal Biome

An at-home stool test analysing your gut microbiome, covering bacterial diversity, digestive markers and gut-brain-related pathways. Suits people wanting a detailed one-off look at gut bacteria balance.

  • At-home test
  • Subscription available
Sample
Stool
Collection
At-home stool sample, posted to the lab
Results in
20–25 days
Doctor reviewed
No

Test specifications

Provider
Stride
Sample type
stool
Collection method
at-home stool sample, posted to the lab
Turnaround time
20–25 days
At-home test
Yes
Doctor reviewed
No
Gender focus
Both

About this test

This test analyses a stool sample you collect at home, looking at the balance and diversity of gut bacteria involved in digestion, immune function and metabolism. Stride's description references species such as Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus and mentions markers connected to gut-brain signalling, though it does not state the exact number of bacterial markers measured.

Because Stride does not publish a marker count for this analysis, it is not possible to properly assess its clinical depth, which is why it scores low on that measure. There are no comparable microbiome tests in our data, so no price or depth comparison can be made against competitors.

It scores reasonably for clarity given Stride sets out the collection method, sample type and what the report covers, though not the specific markers or report format. Collection convenience is middling: the stool sample itself is easy to take at home, but the 20 to 25 day turnaround is slower than most other tests we track. It scores in the middle for results and follow-up, reflecting the included consultation against results that are not doctor-reviewed.

Who is it for?

This suits people who want a one-off, detailed look at their gut bacteria without committing to a supplement bundle, and who are comfortable waiting up to 25 days for results. Stride also offers a subscription option that repeats the test every 6 months at a reduced £259.35 per test, which may suit people who want to track changes over time rather than test once.

If you want the test paired with a daily probiotic supplement, Stride's Gut Stack bundles the same underlying test with three months of its GS-01 supplement for £259.35.

How it works

You collect a stool sample at home using Stride's kit and post it to the lab, where Stride states it is analysed using shotgun sequencing. Results are returned in around 20 to 25 working days. A one-to-one consultation is included in the price, though results are not reviewed by a doctor and Stride does not describe the report format in detail.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Detailed stool-based microbiome analysis covering digestion, immune and metabolic markers.
  • No needle involved, sample collected entirely at home.
  • Subscription option reduces the repeat-test price to £259.35.
  • Includes a one-to-one consultation with a Stride expert.

Cons

  • Turnaround of 20 to 25 days is slower than most other tests we track.
  • Stride does not state how many bacterial markers or species are analysed.
  • Results are not reviewed by a doctor.
  • At £399 for a one-off test, with no comparable tests in our data to check value.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Stride's standalone gut microbiome test
Editorial confidence: 8.0/10

Optimal Biome is Stride's standalone at-home stool test for gut microbiome analysis, priced at £399 for a one-off test or £259.35 on a repeat subscription. Stride does not state how many bacterial markers or species are measured, and there are no comparable tests in the data to check whether the price is good value. Turnaround is 20 to 25 days, slower than most other tests we track.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 7.0/10

    The listing publishes a detailed description, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state the biomarkers measured, what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 3.5/10

    The provider does not state how many biomarkers are measured, so depth cannot be assessed.

  • Collection convenience 7.0/10

    A stool sample you take at home, no needle; results in around 25 days, slower than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 6.0/10

    A one-to-one consultation is included in the price, though results are not doctor-reviewed; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 7.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.7 from 148 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS accredited labs); trading 22+ years.

  • Value for money 6.0/10

    £399.00; no comparable tests to benchmark against yet.

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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