# Zoe vs InnerBuddies: Which Gut Health Score Gives You the Better Insight? Gut health is increasingly recognized as a foundation for digestion, immunity and even mental well-being. Two commonly referenced metrics are the Zoe Gut Health Score and the InnerBuddies Gut Microbiome Index. Both derive insight from stool-based microbial profiling, but they emphasize different data streams and user experiences. This article compares their methods, depth of information, and practical value for someone seeking to understand their microbiome. ## How the scores are derived Zoe analyzes stool samples using DNA sequencing to identify bacterial species and relative abundances, then synthesizes that information into a Gut Health Score that reflects diversity, balance and markers tied to gut integrity and inflammation. Zoe also offers optional blood markers and integrates meal- and symptom-tracking to connect dietary choices to microbiome responses. InnerBuddies centers its Gut Microbiome Index on detailed microbial genetic analysis and categorizes findings into dimensions such as digestion, metabolism and immune-related signals. The InnerBuddies Gut Microbiome Health Index (GMHI) draws on intellectual property from academic work and aims to map specific strains and diversity measures to functional outcomes. For more on sequencing and methodology, see the discussion of full-length 16S rRNA sequencing used in many microbiome analyses. ## Data depth and interpretability Zoe’s combined stool and optional blood approach can provide a broader physiological picture by linking systemic markers (like inflammation) to gut composition. Its reporting tends to highlight which foods and meal patterns correlate with better or worse microbial responses over time. InnerBuddies emphasizes granular microbiome profiling and segments results into actionable domains (digestion, metabolism, immune). Reports often highlight specific taxa and suggest dietary adjustments, prebiotic or probiotic considerations based on the individual’s profile. InnerBuddies also documents analytical considerations such as stool biomarkers—see an explanatory note on zonulin and calprotectin testing at Zonulin & calprotectin explained. ## Personalization and behavior-guided feedback Zoe integrates meal tracking and repeated assessments to refine recommendations as the microbiome changes, which can be useful for monitoring diet-driven shifts. InnerBuddies focuses on a personalized blueprint derived from the microbiome signature and user-reported diet data, producing targeted suggestions for promoting ecological balance in the gut. ## User experience and access Both services use at-home stool collection kits and deliver results through online dashboards. Zoe’s platform is built around continuous tracking and dynamic feedback, while InnerBuddies presents a concentrated microbiome profile with clear sections linking microbial patterns to health-relevant functions. For those exploring product options, a test product listing is sometimes shown on vendor pages such as InnerBuddies microbiome test. ## Choosing based on goals If your objective is a combined physiological snapshot that connects blood markers and diet-responsive patterns with microbial data, the Zoe approach may be more informative. If you want a focused, taxonomy-driven microbiome index with explicit mappings to digestion, metabolism and immune-related features, an InnerBuddies-style report provides a detailed microbial blueprint. For a direct comparison and context about how each platform frames results, see this external overview: [Zoe vs InnerBuddies comparison](https://www.innerbuddies.com/blogs/gut-health/zoe-vs-innerbuddies-which-gut-health-score-offers-better-insight). Both approaches can inform evidence-based decisions about diet and lifestyle; the better fit depends on whether you prioritize integrated physiological markers and longitudinal tracking or a deep, microbiome-centric profile.