DirectLabs review
DirectLabs has offered direct-access lab testing since 1985 — among the oldest in the category. You order online with no doctor's visit, give a sample at a Quest location, and view results in its secure portal in 24–48 hours. Its draw is genuinely low individual test prices (chlamydia + gonorrhea at $89). The downsides are an old-fashioned website and almost no third-party review trail, so it's harder to judge service quality. Here's our full review.
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- Our rating
- 3.6/5
- cheap singles; dated experience
- Results
- 24–48 hrs
- MyDLS secure portal
- Lab network
- 3,000+
- Quest centers
- Chlamydia + gonorrhea
- $89
- individual tests
Our verdict
Is DirectLabs worth it?
DirectLabs is a no-frills veteran. It's been ordering tests through Quest since 1985, is BBB A+ accredited, and has some of the lowest individual STD test prices around — $89 for chlamydia + gonorrhea, $79 for herpes 1 & 2. Self-pay keeps results off your insurance, and HSA/FSA is accepted. But two things hold it back: the website is widely described as dated and clunky, and it has almost no Trustpilot presence (a single review), so real-world service quality is hard to gauge. There's also no consult or treatment on a positive. If you want cheap à la carte tests and don't mind a dated experience, it works — but better-reviewed services exist at similar prices.
Check prices at DirectLabsThe full review
DirectLabs in depth
Our hands-on take on what DirectLabs gets right, where it falls short, and how it stacks up.
The oldest name here, for better and worse
DirectLabs has been ordering tests through Quest since 1985 — the longest track record of any lab reseller in this roundup — and carries a BBB A+ accreditation. The accuracy is exactly what you'd expect, since samples run on Quest's clinical-grade assays. The problem is everything around the test: the website is widely flagged as dated and clunky, and the service has almost no Trustpilot footprint (a single review), so unlike better-known rivals there's little recent real-world signal to judge how the experience actually goes.
Cheap à la carte, with caveats
The real draw is price. Individual tests are among the lowest anywhere — $89 for chlamydia + gonorrhea, $79 for herpes 1 & 2, $49 for HSV-2 alone — and results post to the secure MyDLS portal in 24–48 business hours. But DirectLabs is Quest-only with no Labcorp option, and direct-access ordering isn't available in MD, NJ, NY or RI. For nearly identical pricing with stronger reviews and a choice of Quest or Labcorp, the Walk-In Lab review is the natural comparison.
Who should pick it (and who shouldn't)
DirectLabs works if you want the lowest à la carte price, trust a long-established vendor, and don't mind a dated interface. Skip it if you lean on recent reviews to choose, want a polished modern flow, or need treatment on a positive — there's no consult, so you'd see your own provider. If a modern, STD-focused experience matters more, STDcheck is purpose-built; our provider reviews rank the full field.
How it scores
DirectLabs rated by category
We score every service on the things that actually matter, then weight them into one overall rating.
Overall · out of 5
Accuracy
4.8/5Runs through Quest — clinical-grade assays.
Single-test value
4.4/5Among the cheapest à la carte prices ($89 chlamydia + gonorrhea, $79 herpes).
Speed
4.3/5Results in 24–48 business hours via the MyDLS portal.
Track record
4.0/5Operating since 1985 with a BBB A+ accreditation.
Experience
2.8/5Dated, hard-to-navigate website widely flagged by reviewers.
Trust signals
2.6/5Almost no Trustpilot footprint (one review), so service quality is hard to verify.
Is it right for you?
Who DirectLabs is — and isn't — for
Choose DirectLabs if…
- You want the lowest price on individual STD tests
- You're comfortable with Quest as your lab
- You want fast results (24–48 hours)
- You value a long-established, BBB-accredited vendor
- You don't mind a dated website
Look elsewhere if…
- You want a polished, modern ordering experience
- You rely on lots of recent reviews to choose a service
- You want a consult or treatment on a positive
- You live in MD, NJ, NY or RI (not available there)
The honest take
DirectLabs pros & cons
Pros
- Some of the lowest individual STD test prices (chlamydia + gonorrhea $89)
- Operating since 1985 — the longest track record here — and BBB A+ accredited
- Quest network with 3,000+ locations; 24–48-hour results
- Self-pay keeps results off your insurance; HSA/FSA accepted
- Results stored in the secure MyDLS online account
Cons
- Website is dated and hard to navigate
- Almost no Trustpilot presence (one review) — service quality hard to gauge
- No consult or prescription on a positive — see your own provider
- Quest only — no Labcorp option
- Not available in MD, NJ, NY or RI; self-pay only
Step by step
How DirectLabs works
-
1
Order online
Browse tests at store.directlabs.com and order — no doctor visit needed; DirectLabs supplies the requisition.
-
2
Get your lab order
Print or receive your requisition form.
-
3
Visit Quest
Go to any Quest patient service center for a blood draw and/or urine sample.
-
4
View results
Results post to your secure MyDLS account within 24–48 business hours.
What it costs
DirectLabs pricing
Self-pay; HSA/FSA accepted. Individual tests are the value play; a comprehensive STD panel is also available (confirm the current price on the site).
| Test | Price |
|---|---|
| Chlamydia & Gonorrhea (RNA) | $89 |
| Herpes (HSV-1 & HSV-2) | $79 |
| HSV-2 only | $49 |
| Hepatitis B / Hepatitis C (antibody) | $54–$59 |
| Trichomoniasis (RNA) | $114 |
Screens for
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Herpes HSV-1
- Herpes HSV-2
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- Trichomoniasis
- HIV
- Syphilis
Before you buy
DirectLabs: the fine print
- Sample collection
- Blood draw and/or urine at a Quest center
- Insurance & payment
- Self-pay; HSA/FSA accepted
- Doctor consult
- No consult or prescription — take a positive to your own provider
- Privacy
- HIPAA-compliant; secure MyDLS account; results not shared with insurers
Good to Know
DirectLabs review FAQs
Common questions about DirectLabs — cost, accuracy, results and how it works.
Is DirectLabs legitimate?
Yes. DirectLabs has operated since 1985, runs tests through Quest, and is BBB A+ accredited. Its main weakness isn't legitimacy but a dated website and a very thin recent-review trail.
How much does DirectLabs cost?
Individual tests are competitively priced — chlamydia + gonorrhea $89, herpes 1 & 2 $79, HSV-2 alone $49. A comprehensive STD panel is also available (confirm the current price on the site). It's self-pay, with HSA/FSA accepted.
Which lab does DirectLabs use?
Quest Diagnostics, with 3,000+ patient service centers. There's no Labcorp option, so if you prefer Labcorp, try Walk-In Lab or HealthLabs.
How fast are results?
Most results post in 24–48 business hours to your secure MyDLS online account.
Does DirectLabs treat positives?
No — it's testing only, with no bundled consult or prescription. You'd take a positive result to your own provider or a telehealth service.
Is it available in my state?
It covers most of the country, but direct-access testing isn't available in Maryland, New Jersey, New York or Rhode Island.
Editorial standards
Medically reviewed · Updated
Reviewed by Jordan Vance, Lead Reviews Editor · Independent testing & product reviews
Evaluates at-home and lab STD-testing services hands-on against a fixed rubric — accuracy & lab credentials, price, privacy, turnaround and support — and discloses every affiliate relationship. Reviews are editorial, not medical advice; clinical claims are checked by our medical team.
3 Sources
Provider
- DirectLabs — STD testing store https://store.directlabs.com/
- DirectLabs — official site https://www.directlabs.com/
Clinical guidance
- CDC — STI screening recommendations https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/screening-recommendations.htm
See how we review STD testing services — the categories we score, how we verify pricing, and why our affiliate links never change a rating.
Compare
How DirectLabs compares
DirectLabs versus the other STD testing services we've reviewed, side by side.
| Service | Our rating | Type | Results | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DirectLabsThis review | 3.6 | Lab visit | 24–48 business hours via the MyDLS portal | Cheap individual tests | You're here |
| MISTR | 4.5 | Clinic & treat | Provider-coordinated; medication ships after labs clear | Free PrEP & DoxyPEP, no in-person visit | Read review |
| LetsGetChecked | 4.3 | At-home kit | 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample | Best overall at-home kit | Read review |
| STDcheck | 4.3 | Lab visit | 1–2 days (secure online portal) | Fastest results & widest lab network | Read review |
| Priority STD Testing | 4.2 | Lab visit | 24–72 hours via secure online portal | Same-day testing with treatment | Read review |
| Q Care Plus | 4.2 | Clinic & treat | Provider-coordinated; first scripts/kits shipped after the visit | PrEP with built-in STI testing & treatment | Read review |
| Visby Medical | 4.2 | At-home kit | About 30 minutes, read in the app | Fastest at-home result (30 min) | Read review |
| Walk-In Lab | 4.2 | Lab visit | 1–2 days (single tests); 3–5 days (panels) | Widest test catalog & lab choice | Read review |
| HealthLabs | 4.1 | Lab visit | 1–3 days (HIV RNA early detection 2–4 days) | Price match & broadest panels | Read review |
| Labcorp | 4.1 | Lab + at-home | 1–4 days (lab) or 15–30 minutes (at-home rapid kits) | Big-lab testing, in person or at home | Read review |
| CVS MinuteClinic | 4.0 | Clinic & treat | Rapid for some tests in-clinic; send-out lab results typically a few days | In-person evaluate & treat | Read review |
| FOLX Health | 4.0 | Clinic & treat | Up to about 5 business days for Quest lab results | LGBTQ+-affirming sexual health | Read review |
| myLAB Box | 4.0 | At-home kit | 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample | Widest at-home panel & couples kits | Read review |
| Personalabs | 4.0 | Lab visit | 24–48 hours via secure online portal | Physician-backed ordering | Read review |
| Quest Diagnostics | 4.0 | Lab + at-home | 2–5 days via the MyQuest app/portal | The national lab itself | Read review |
| Sesame | 4.0 | Lab visit | Often under 24 hours from collection | Transparent cash-pay labs | Read review |
| Ulta Lab Tests | 4.0 | Lab visit | 24–48 hours via secure online portal | Quest catalog breadth | Read review |
| Wisp | 4.0 | At-home kit | 3–5 days after the lab receives your sample | Test and treat in one place | Read review |
| Any Lab Test Now | 3.9 | Lab visit | 3–5 business days after collection | Walk-in storefront testing | Read review |
| PlushCare | 3.9 | Clinic & treat | 1–5 business days, with doctor follow-up | Virtual doctor visit + treatment | Read review |
| Private MD Labs | 3.9 | Lab visit | First results next day; complete results up to 7 business days | Low upfront cost & money-back | Read review |
| Request A Test | 3.8 | Lab visit | Typically 1–3 business days via a secure online account | Established low-cost lab ordering | Read review |
| Rapid STD Testing | 3.7 | Lab visit | 1–2 business days via secure online portal | Concierge testing with treatment | Read review |
| Everlywell | 3.6 | At-home kit | About 5–7 days after the lab receives your sample | Retail pickup & wellness range | Read review |
| Nurx | 3.5 | At-home kit | About 7 business days after the lab receives your sample | Billing insurance for an at-home kit | Read review |
DirectLabsThis review
3.6- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–48 business hours via the MyDLS portal
- Best for
- Cheap individual tests
MISTR
4.5- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Provider-coordinated; medication ships after labs clear
- Best for
- Free PrEP & DoxyPEP, no in-person visit
LetsGetChecked
4.3- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Best overall at-home kit
STDcheck
4.3- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–2 days (secure online portal)
- Best for
- Fastest results & widest lab network
Priority STD Testing
4.2- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–72 hours via secure online portal
- Best for
- Same-day testing with treatment
Q Care Plus
4.2- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Provider-coordinated; first scripts/kits shipped after the visit
- Best for
- PrEP with built-in STI testing & treatment
Visby Medical
4.2- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- About 30 minutes, read in the app
- Best for
- Fastest at-home result (30 min)
Walk-In Lab
4.2- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–2 days (single tests); 3–5 days (panels)
- Best for
- Widest test catalog & lab choice
HealthLabs
4.1- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–3 days (HIV RNA early detection 2–4 days)
- Best for
- Price match & broadest panels
Labcorp
4.1- Type
- Lab + at-home
- Results
- 1–4 days (lab) or 15–30 minutes (at-home rapid kits)
- Best for
- Big-lab testing, in person or at home
CVS MinuteClinic
4.0- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Rapid for some tests in-clinic; send-out lab results typically a few days
- Best for
- In-person evaluate & treat
FOLX Health
4.0- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- Up to about 5 business days for Quest lab results
- Best for
- LGBTQ+-affirming sexual health
myLAB Box
4.0- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- 2–5 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Widest at-home panel & couples kits
Personalabs
4.0- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–48 hours via secure online portal
- Best for
- Physician-backed ordering
Quest Diagnostics
4.0- Type
- Lab + at-home
- Results
- 2–5 days via the MyQuest app/portal
- Best for
- The national lab itself
Sesame
4.0- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- Often under 24 hours from collection
- Best for
- Transparent cash-pay labs
Ulta Lab Tests
4.0- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 24–48 hours via secure online portal
- Best for
- Quest catalog breadth
Wisp
4.0- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- 3–5 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Test and treat in one place
Any Lab Test Now
3.9- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 3–5 business days after collection
- Best for
- Walk-in storefront testing
PlushCare
3.9- Type
- Clinic & treat
- Results
- 1–5 business days, with doctor follow-up
- Best for
- Virtual doctor visit + treatment
Private MD Labs
3.9- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- First results next day; complete results up to 7 business days
- Best for
- Low upfront cost & money-back
Request A Test
3.8- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- Typically 1–3 business days via a secure online account
- Best for
- Established low-cost lab ordering
Rapid STD Testing
3.7- Type
- Lab visit
- Results
- 1–2 business days via secure online portal
- Best for
- Concierge testing with treatment
Everlywell
3.6- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- About 5–7 days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Retail pickup & wellness range
Nurx
3.5- Type
- At-home kit
- Results
- About 7 business days after the lab receives your sample
- Best for
- Billing insurance for an at-home kit
Top alternatives to DirectLabs
If DirectLabs isn't quite right, these are the closest options we'd point you to instead.
Want similar à la carte pricing with Quest OR Labcorp and stronger reviews? Walk-In Lab fits.
Want a modern, STD-focused experience with fast results? STDcheck is purpose-built.