Free vs. Paid STD Testing: What To Expect

STD testing options are abundant, but there are pros and cons to where you choose to get STD tested. Many people want to know what happens during STD testing, so we break it down depending on where you go. Below is a breakdown of what you can expect when you get an STD test at a free or income-based clinic, and what you can expect when you get STD testing through STDcheck.com. 

Paid vs. Free STD Testing

A comparison of our paid STD testing services versus free STD testing services:
STDcheck.com STD TestingFree Clinic STD Testing
No discussing symptoms or how you may have contracted an STD; just a quick sample-taking.Meeting with a doctor; awkward, uncomfortable and likely personal discussion.
Appointments are not needed; just a quick 5-10 minute lab visit.Drop-in hours; 2-3 hour wait times.
Receive your results in 1-2 days.Results received in 1-2 weeks.
More than 4,000 labs across the country. Limited locations.
Most labs are open Monday through Saturday; from 7:30 a.m. - 4 or 5 p.m.Hours and days of operation vary.
Free doctor consultation via phone.Doctor consultation in-office.
Easy, essentially painless blood or urine sample.Uncomfortable, invasive (and often painful) swabbing.
Test results are posted privately in your secure online account.Results are delivered via a phone call.
These labs test for many things, so others will not know the reason you are there.These clinics often only test for STDs, so everyone knows why you are there.
Tests start as low as $24.Testing is based on income and welfare eligibility.
We offer affordable HIV testing.You may have to pay based on a sliding pay scale.

infographic that displays the advantages of paid STD testing and the disadvantages of free STD testing

Paid STD testing can additionally provide a lot of resources for your specific location. We provide city specific pages for major cities, like if you live in Los Angeles, that can give you a better break down of your region’s sexual health.

It really is worth it to get peace of mind sooner without the hassles and delays associated with free STD testing. Your time is valuable, and so is knowing your status sooner; get tested today.

Secure and Confidential
STD testing services

The fastest results possbile - available in 1 to 2 days

Cartoon of person with laptop at the STDcheck website
Tagged
Categorized As
Author: Nick Corlis

Nick Corlis is a writer, marketer, and designer. He graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas, with a degree in Digital Communications. Nick is proud to be able to help eliminate the stigma of STD testing through his writing and is always trying to advocate the importance of your sexual health. Before STDcheck, his favorite way to develop his writing skills was by accepting various writing jobs in college and maintaining multiple blogs. Nick wears many hats here at STDcheck, but specifically enjoys writing accurate, well-researched content that is not only informative and relatable but sometimes also contains memes. When not writing, Nick likes to race cars and go-karts, eat Japanese food, and play games on his computer.