In the rapidly growing DNA testing market in the United States, two popular and commonly searched providers are Labcorp and AnyLabTestNow. Although both companies offer DNA testing services, they operate in fundamentally different ways. Labcorp is one of the largest national diagnostic corporations in the U.S., while AnyLabTestNow is a franchised retail lab testing brand that offers thousands of walk-in medical and DNA tests.
For people searching for paternity tests, relationship DNA tests, or other genetic services like pharmacogenomics or ancestry testing, the choice between these two providers can be confusing. They differ significantly in terms of price, accuracy, equipment, accreditation, sample handling, and turnaround times.
This article breaks down everything—so you can decide whether Labcorp or AnyLabTestNow is the better option for your DNA testing needs in 2025.
1. Company Background and Reputation
Labcorp
Labcorp (Laboratory Corporation of America) is one of the largest clinical laboratories in the world. They operate national-level DNA labs with full accreditation, offering forensic-grade DNA testing, legal paternity tests, and advanced genetic analysis.
Key strengths:
- 2,000+ patient service centers
- CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited
- Trusted for legal & forensic DNA tests
- Works with immigration agencies, courts, and hospitals
- Industry-leading accuracy for paternity and identity testing
AnyLabTestNow
AnyLabTestNow (ALTN) is a consumer-focused testing franchise. Each location is independently owned and partners with external laboratories—including Labcorp, Quest Diagnostics, and third-party DNA labs—to process samples.
Key strengths:
- Walk-in testing (no appointment required)
- Transparent pricing
- Convenient retail locations
- Fast service and short wait times
Important note:
AnyLabTestNow does NOT process DNA samples themselves. They collect the sample and then ship it to a partnering lab.
Thus, the quality of the DNA results depends on the lab they contract with—not the store itself.
2. Types of DNA Tests Offered
Labcorp DNA Services
Labcorp is a full-service genetic lab offering:
- Legal paternity tests
- Non-legal paternity tests
- Sibling, grandparent, aunt/uncle DNA testing
- Forensic DNA analysis
- Immigration DNA tests
- Pharmacogenomics (PGx)
- Hereditary disease testing
- Whole exome & whole genome sequencing
Labcorp is a top-tier provider for legal and relationship DNA testing in the U.S.
AnyLabTestNow DNA Services
AnyLabTestNow offers:
- Non-legal paternity testing
- Some legal paternity tests (based on location)
- Sibling and relationship DNA tests
- Prenatal DNA tests (third-party labs)
- Ancestry or lifestyle DNA kits
- Some genetic health tests
But again, AnyLabTestNow is only a collection center. They do not perform the DNA analysis. Depending on the franchise, your test may be processed by:
- Labcorp
- Quest Diagnostics
- DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC)
- Other local DNA labs
This creates inconsistency—different locations may use different labs.
3. Price Comparison (2025)
Here is the typical self-pay pricing (without insurance):
Paternity Testing
| Test Type | Labcorp | AnyLabTestNow |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Legal Paternity | $210 | $180–$350 |
| Legal Paternity | $350 | $300–$450 |
| At-Home Kits | $199–250 | Rare |
ALTN prices vary by location because franchises set their own pricing. Some are cheap, others more expensive than Labcorp.
Relationship Tests (Siblings, Grandparents)
| Test Type | Labcorp | AnyLabTestNow |
|---|---|---|
| Sibling Test | $350–$450 | $300–$500 |
| Grandparent Test | $350–$450 | $300–$500 |
| Avuncular Test | $350–$450 | $300–$500 |
Again, ALTN depends on which partner lab they use.
Medical or Clinical DNA Test
AnyLabTestNow offers very limited medical DNA testing. They mostly focus on walk-in lab tests (blood tests, drug tests), not high-complexity genetic panels.
| DNA Test | Labcorp | AnyLabTestNow |
|---|---|---|
| BRCA / Cancer Testing | $300–$500 | Rare / Not consistent |
| Pharmacogenomics | $100–$250 | $150–$350 |
| Whole Genome | $1,200–$1,900 | Rare |
| Carrier Screening | $250–$550 | Varies widely |
For clinical DNA tests, Labcorp is significantly superior.
4. Accuracy & Accreditation
Labcorp Accuracy
Labcorp runs its own accredited labs with:
- CLIA certification
- CAP accreditation
- AABB accreditation for paternity tests
- FBI QAS compliance (for forensic DNA)
- Court-accepted testing methods
Labcorp uses validated, standardized DNA methods, including:
- STR profiling
- SNP genotyping
- Next-generation sequencing (NGS)
- Forensic DNA procedures with chain-of-custody
Accuracy for paternity cases often exceeds 99.99%.
AnyLabTestNow Accuracy
AnyLabTestNow accuracy depends on the lab they subcontract.
Locations may use:
- Labcorp (high accuracy)
- Quest (high accuracy)
- DDC (high accuracy)
- Unknown third-party labs (accuracy varies)
Since you cannot guarantee which lab processes your DNA, accuracy can vary dramatically.
This inconsistency is the biggest downside of using AnyLabTestNow for DNA testing.
5. Turnaround Time (TAT)
Labcorp TAT
- Non-legal paternity: 2–4 days
- Legal paternity: 3–5 days
- Forensic DNA: varies
- PGx: 3–5 days
- Cancer DNA: 10–20 days
Labcorp is often the fastest for paternity and legal cases.
AnyLabTestNow TAT
Turnaround time depends entirely on the contracted lab. Typically:
- Paternity test: 3–7 days
- Relationship test: 5–10 days
- Prenatal DNA: 7–14 days
Some ALTN locations even advertise “24–48 hour results,” but this usually applies only to sample collection, not actual DNA processing.
Truth:
AnyLabTestNow cannot be faster than the lab they ship to.
Thus, in most cases, Labcorp is faster.
6. Convenience & Customer Experience
AnyLabTestNow Convenience
This is where ALTN shines:
- Walk-in service
- No doctor’s order required
- Easy sample collection
- Retail-style customer service
- Many locations in malls & shopping centers
People who want fast, no-appointment testing love ALTN.
Labcorp Convenience
Labcorp offers:
- 2,000+ patient centers
- Online booking
- Medical environment
- Staff trained for clinical protocols
- Chain-of-custody standards
- Highly standardized procedures
However, Labcorp centers can sometimes have longer wait times.
Who wins convenience?
AnyLabTestNow — easier, faster walk-in experience.
Labcorp — more standardized medical environment.
7. Legal DNA Testing (Chain of Custody)
This is where Labcorp clearly wins.
Labcorp Legal DNA
- Accepted in all 50 states
- AABB accredited
- Court-approved documentation
- Strict chain-of-custody
- Used for child support, custody, immigration, inheritance
AnyLabTestNow Legal DNA
- Only some franchises offer legal DNA
- Quality depends on subcontracted lab
- Chain-of-custody may vary
- Courts may reject tests if the lab isn’t accredited
If you need legal results for court or immigration, Labcorp is the correct choice.
8. Strengths and Weaknesses
Labcorp Strengths
- Extremely accurate
- Government & court trusted
- Best for paternity and forensic tests
- Consistent standards nationwide
- Competitive pricing
- Performs all tests in-house
Labcorp Weaknesses
- Requires more formal process
- No walk-in option at all centers
- Not as convenient for casual testing
AnyLabTestNow Strengths
- Very convenient walk-in testing
- Transparent local pricing
- Friendly retail experience
- Good for simple paternity tests
- Stores in retail areas = easy access
AnyLabTestNow Weaknesses
- Does NOT process DNA tests
- Quality depends on subcontracted labs
- Legal DNA results may not be court-accepted
- Prices vary widely
- Not suitable for medical-grade DNA testing
9. Which One Should You Choose? (Final Verdict)
✔ Choose Labcorp if you need:
- Accurate paternity results
- Legal or immigration DNA testing
- Clinical DNA (BRCA, PGx, cancer, whole genome)
- Reliable turnaround time
- High-level genetic accuracy
- Consistent chain-of-custody
Labcorp is the gold standard for DNA testing nationwide.
✔ Choose AnyLabTestNow if you need:
- A quick walk-in sample collection
- A simple non-legal paternity test
- Testing that does not require accreditation
- Convenience over precision
AnyLabTestNow is best for casual, non-medical DNA testing and fast walk-in services.
Labcorp and AnyLabTestNow serve different purposes. Labcorp is a full DNA laboratory with the strictest standards, advanced equipment, and national accreditation—ideal for anyone who needs reliable, medical-grade, or court-admissible DNA results. AnyLabTestNow is a retail testing center, offering convenience and accessibility but depending heavily on the quality of the contracted lab.
In 2025, the better choice depends on your needs:
- For accuracy, legal reliability, and advanced genetics → choose Labcorp.
- For quick walk-in testing and basic paternity tests → AnyLabTestNow can be a convenient alternative.