YEARS vs Fountain Life: A 2026 Longevity Clinic Comparison

The market for preventive medicine and longevity is growing rapidly, and with that growth comes confusion. For health-conscious individuals, two leading names are emerging: Fountain Life, the US pioneer with a technology-driven membership model, and YEARS, the physician-led longevity clinic in Berlin offering in-depth, single-day diagnostics. Which model is right for you? This YEARS vs. Fountain Life comparison contrasts two fundamentally different philosophies, not just two service catalogs.

This article provides a factual analysis of both approaches: their diagnostic scope, business models, cost structures, and scientific foundations. The goal is to provide a data-driven basis for your personal decision.

Fountain Life and YEARS: Two Fundamentally Different Approaches

Both providers promise more healthy years of life through state-of-the-art diagnostics. However, the paths they take to achieve this differ significantly: a continuous partnership on one side, and a periodic deep-dive analysis on the other.

Fountain Life: The Continuous Health Subscription Fountain Life, co-founded by Peter Diamandis and Tony Robbins, operates on a membership model. You purchase an annual membership that includes a comprehensive initial diagnostic workup. However, the primary value lies in the ongoing support: throughout the year, there are further check-ins, continuous monitoring, and access to a team of doctors and coaches. It's an active, iterative model built on a long-term client relationship, deeply rooted in the entrepreneurial spirit of the US health-tech scene.

YEARS: The Comprehensive Single-Day Assessment YEARS in Berlin follows a European, physician-led, scientific approach. The core product is a comprehensive diagnostic assessment conducted on a single day at the clinic in Berlin-Charlottenburg. In six to nine hours, a vast amount of data about your body is generated. Approximately two weeks later, you receive a 60+ page report and an in-depth strategy discussion with a physician. The model is designed for maximum efficiency for time-conscious clients: it establishes a precise baseline upon which a data-driven, long-term strategy can be built. Optional annual follow-ups allow for precise tracking of progress over time.

Neither model is inherently better. The question is what fits your lifestyle: a continuous, service-oriented partnership or a highly efficient, deep analysis that empowers your own decisions.

Diagnostic Scope in Detail: What Do They Measure?

Both providers use cutting-edge technologies, but the scope and integration differ significantly.

Blood Biomarkers Deep blood analysis forms the foundation of any longevity strategy.

• YEARS: The programs are transparently tiered. The YEARS Core® program analyzes over 87 biomarkers, including advanced risk markers like ApoB, hs-CRP, HOMA-IR, and NT-proBNP, which are often missing from standard screenings. YEARS Evolve® expands this to over 120 biomarkers, including a broad panel of hormones like testosterone, DHEA-S, and cortisol. The YEARS Ultimate® program analyzes over 230 biomarkers, including rare cytokine profiles and autoimmune markers.
• Fountain Life: Fountain Life also uses extensive blood analysis with hundreds of biomarkers in its higher membership tiers. The exact number and composition of the panels are less publicly detailed compared to YEARS.

Medical Imaging Imaging looks for structural changes in the body long before symptoms appear.

• YEARS: The Core® program already includes an advanced ultrasound of the heart, abdominal organs, thyroid, and blood vessels. Starting with Evolve®, the proprietary whole-body MRI at YEARS is added—a systematic examination from head to pelvis in a single session.
• Fountain Life: Fountain Life also relies heavily on imaging, including whole-body MRI and specialized scans like a cardiac CT for measuring calcium scores. These tests are often part of the initial assessment but are not necessarily bundled into a single, compressed appointment.

Genetics and "Omics" The analysis of genes, the epigenome, and the microbiome is at the forefront of personalized medicine.

• YEARS: Starting with YEARS Evolve®, seven different epigenetic clocks are used to estimate biological age. The YEARS Ultimate® program goes further, offering whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing, advanced epigenomics, and a gut microbiome analysis.
• Fountain Life: Genomic analyses are also a core component of their premium memberships. The integration of epigenomics and microbiomics is less emphasized as a standard, integrated component in public communications compared to YEARS Ultimate®.

Early Cancer Detection with Liquid Biopsy Analyzing circulating tumor DNA in the blood is a promising approach for early cancer detection.

• YEARS: Starting with Evolve®, a liquid biopsy (truCheck test) is included, which screens for biomarkers associated with over 70 different solid tumors.
• Fountain Life: Liquid biopsy is also part of their diagnostic arsenal. The specific test method and the number of cancer types covered are less transparently specified.

Business Models: Membership vs. Point-in-Time Diagnostics

How you pay for the service reveals the different philosophies of each provider.

Fountain Life: Membership as a Service You pay an annual fee for access to a range of services. The value lies not only in the initial diagnostics but also in the ongoing availability of doctors, coaches, and telemedicine consultations. The model is designed to actively manage your health over time and continuously adjust interventions. It's a permanent, guided support model for those who don't want to take a single step alone. Regenerative therapies are often available as add-ons.

YEARS: Diagnostics as a Strategic Investment You pay for a clearly defined diagnostic program that takes place on a single day. The result is a detailed snapshot of your current health and a concrete, physician-developed action plan. After that, you decide how to proceed. Clients in the Ultimate® program receive monthly 1:1 coaching and three physician check-ins per year. For all others, optional annual updates are available to precisely measure progress. This model is suited for data-driven decision-makers who prioritize control and efficiency. A unique feature is the Clinic-as-a-Study approach: with the biobank (included from Evolve® onwards), every client can become part of a scientific project to research healthy aging, with their explicit consent.

Costs and Insurance: A Financial Comparison

The pricing reflects the different business models and presents a tangible difference for clients, particularly those in Germany.

Fountain Life Costs are billed annually in US dollars. The CORE membership starts at approximately $2,995 per year. The more comprehensive APEX membership, which includes a whole-body MRI and deeper analytics, starts at $19,500 per year and can reach up to $85,000 for family packages. At current exchange rates, this is equivalent to about €2,700 to over €77,000 per year. These costs are typically paid entirely out-of-pocket, as standard US insurance plans do not cover such preventive programs.

YEARS YEARS charges one-time costs per diagnostic program:

• Core®: €1,900
• Evolve®: €7,600
• Ultimate®: €16,900

The key advantage for the German market: YEARS is a physician-led clinic and bills all services according to the official German schedule of medical fees (GOÄ). Clients with German private health insurance (PKV) can therefore often have a significant portion of the costs reimbursed by their provider. The exact reimbursement rate depends on the individual's insurance plan. This possibility for partial reimbursement does not structurally exist with Fountain Life.

Logistics and Location: Berlin vs. USA

YEARS has its sole location in Berlin-Charlottenburg, making it the natural choice for clients from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The entire diagnostic process is completed in a single day, lasting six to nine hours. For executives and entrepreneurs with tight schedules, this is a measurable advantage: one train ride or short flight to Berlin, one long "workday" at the clinic, and it's done.

Fountain Life operates clinics in several US locations, including New York, Dallas, and Florida. For European clients, this means a transatlantic journey. Furthermore, the diagnostic process is often spread across multiple appointments. For clients living in the US, Fountain Life is the logistically more convenient choice.

Scientific Foundation and Research Integration

Fountain Life was founded by innovators and entrepreneurs. Its strength lies in the rapid adoption of new technologies and a seamless, customer-oriented experience. The focus is on the practical application of cutting-edge technology.

YEARS has stronger roots in academic medicine. The medical director, Dr. Jan K. Hennigs, was a research fellow at Stanford University and has authored over 120 scientific publications. This scientific rigor is reflected in the Clinic-as-a-Study model. Starting with the Evolve® program, 70 biological samples are cryopreserved and made available in the YEARS Biological Safe for future research, with the client's explicit consent. YEARS not only provides diagnostics but also generates new knowledge about healthy aging.

Who Is Each Model For? Four Scenarios

Scenario 1: The 48-year-old CEO from Munich She has German private health insurance, is short on time, and is data-driven. She wants a complete picture of her health status to proactively manage risks. For her, the YEARS Evolve® or Ultimate® program is the right choice. She travels to Berlin, completes the entire diagnostic process including a whole-body MRI in one day, and receives an actionable plan. The possibility of reimbursement from her private insurance makes the financial decision easier. Afterward, she knows more about her body than after twenty years of routine check-ups.

Scenario 2: The 55-year-old tech investor from New York He wants continuous optimization, values the service aspect, and has a Fountain Life clinic thirty minutes from his office. The long-term relationship with a dedicated health team is more important to him than a one-time deep dive. For him, a Fountain Life APEX membership is the logical choice.

Scenario 3: The 42-year-old Swiss entrepreneur with a family history His father had a heart attack at 58, and his uncle died young from colon cancer. He wants the deepest possible analysis of his personal risk profile. The YEARS Ultimate® program provides him with genomics, seven epigenetic clocks, and a liquid biopsy in a single session. The one-day trip to Berlin is a manageable effort for him.

Scenario 4: The 60-year-old Californian wellness enthusiast He is looking for direct access to regenerative therapies and a community, in addition to diagnostics. Fountain Life offers both: an ecosystem with therapeutic add-ons and a brand that is well-known in his area.

The choice between YEARS and Fountain Life depends on three factors: where you live, how much time you are willing to invest, and whether you are looking for long-term guidance or an independent, data-driven foundation. YEARS delivers the deepest available assessment in a single day, scientifically grounded and compliant with German medical billing standards. Fountain Life offers a service-oriented annual model for those who prefer continuous support.

For anyone who understands the value of a comprehensive, physician-led database of their own health and can work from or take a short trip to Berlin, YEARS presents a concrete next option.

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