You want to have children someday – great. But, can you?
This is a question that a lot of men (of all ages) aren’t asking themselves, but they should be. Considering the fact that about 15% of couples in the US will experience infertility issues (while infertility rates run as high as 25% in some other countries), it’s incredibly important to understand if you and your partner are healthy enough to conceive.
Another issue is that traditional fertility clinics can reach over $1,000, and just the process, alone, is a turn-off for some. Driving to a lab, masturbating in a bathroom, and then waiting for your results is not the ideal way to test your fertility as a guy (or spend a Saturday afternoon, for that matter). Luckily, companies like Ro Sperm Kit and Legacy are aiming to change that. With simple, at-home male fertility kits, Ro Sperm and Legacy are making it easier than ever to test if your semen is healthy enough to start the family you’ve always dreamed of. On top of that, they’re more affordable than traditional, in-person clinics. This means that you and your partner can save up for all the other expenses that come with being a parent.
Fortunately for consumers, new DTC (direct to consumer) male fertility kits have started coming to market over the past few years. Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at two of the industry leaders: Ro Sperm (formerly Dadi) vs Legacy. We’ll break down their price points, examine the pros and cons of both, and help you understand which male fertility kit might be best for you and your partner. Because while they’re both very much in the same space, Ro Sperm and Legacy do have some key differences.
What is a male fertility kit and how do I use it?
Simply put, male fertility kits offered by Ro Sperm and Legacy are at-home methods of testing your semen. Both offer a very simple, 5-step process, and even offer long-term cryopreservation for your semen. By offering men an extremely rigorous and analytical look into the health of their sperm, as well as ongoing support and coaching, Ro Sperm and Legacy are maximizing the chances that you’ll be able to have a child some day.
STEP 1: Order your kit
STEP 2: Deposit your semen sample
Once you’ve completed a quick registration process online, Ro Sperm and Legacy will discreetly ship a fertility kit to your doorstep.
AKA, the best part. 😉 Generally, it’s advised to remain abstinent for 2-5 days beforehand. While this step may seem simple, there are some instructions involved as there are a variety of ways that a sperm sample can be contaminated. Along with that, sending your sample back as quickly as possible is imperative for accurate results.
Sperm also doesn’t have a long life span, and as soon as it is outside of your body it begins to die. Ro Sperm has tackled this issue by packing their kit full of tech that keeps your deposit sample safe and secure, and Legacy takes a number of steps to complete the process quickly and ensure your deposit is safely stored with their unique multi-geography storage.
Once you’ve carefully read through the instructions and mapped out your sperm’s voyage back to the labs of Ro Sperm or Legacy, you can begin the process of depositing your little swimmers into the kit. You may feel like you’ve finished, but now it’s time to actually finish shipping your sample so it can be tested and/or cryopreserved.
STEP 3: Test your sample
Get ready for the most interesting trip to the post office you’ve ever had. Or just arrange for Fedex to come pick it up, if you’d rather avoid that adventure.
Ro Sperm and Legacy allow you to securely ship your sample back to their CLIA-certified labs for analysis. Ro Sperm operates out of the New England Cryogenic Center, while Legacy runs their own CLIA-certified lab that analyzes the samples, and then contracts with external labs for cryostorage.
Ro Sperm has a turnaround time of just 24 hours for getting your results, from the time you ship your kit.
Legacy’s turnaround time is also 24 hours and you can even arrange for them to pick up your sample at no extra charge via their one-click pickup. Very easy!
STEP 4: Review your fertility report
Once your sperm has been analyzed in their labs, you’ll receive a full fertility report.
Both Ro Sperm and Legacy’s reports provide you a deep look at the data. They’re both arguably as rigorous as any fertility clinic as you’ve visited (giving you insights into your sperm count, volume, sperm motility, etc.), although Legacy’s 6-page report is extremely detailed and comprehensive, with recommendations for how to improve your sperm quality.
STEP 5: Store your sperm (Optional step, sperm storage is only for future use)
Ro Sperm and Legacy both offer sperm storage options for an annual fee. Ro Sperm even separates your sample into 3 separate vials so that you have 3 chances to fertilize an egg at a later date if you so choose, and Legacy divides your sample into 4 vials, giving you one additional chance at fertilization. Both companies have 24/7 surveillance of their storage facilities, although Legacy stores your sample across multiple locations with their “multi-geography storage”, ensuring that you’re protected in the unlikely event of a facility breaking down or malfunctioning. Depending on whether you choose Ro Sperm or Legacy, and how long you want to freeze your sperm, this may come at an additional cost.
Who should consider using male fertility kits?
Unfortunately, infertility rates amongst men are on the rise in the United States. 1 out of 10 men are infertile, which means this is something that should be more openly discussed amongst males of all ages. And for our female readers, please consider having this talk with your man.
I’m constantly amazed by the innovation that D2C businesses create for consumers. At-home fertility testing is no exception. Ro Sperm and Legacy are both building upon the traditional male fertility testing experience, without sacrificing quality or expertise. They’re great for men who are:
- Looking to start a family,
- Wanting to ensure their ability to start a family later down the road,
- Proactive about their health,
- Nervous about fertility clinics and would prefer to handle things from home,
- Are not comfortable spending a ton, OR are comfortable with paying more for an extremely premium experience (no matter your budget, there’s something for you)
There is a general assumption that conceiving a child is easy, when in reality, it is anything but. It takes planning, perseverance, and knowledge. For some it can be a challenge, and with busy schedules, taking the time to go to a fertility lab just isn’t realistic. That’s exactly the problem that Ro Sperm and Legacy are solving. Gone are the days of stuttering through awkward conversations with a doctor or lab technician about your semen in front of your significant other. And even better, so are the days of forking out over $1000 for a fertility report.
If you want to start a family, care about your health, and want to avoid the awkwardness of ejaculating into a cup at a fertility clinic, these at-home kits are the perfect solution. Plus, you can use your own… uh, source material… instead of the sticky magazines at the clinic.
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Get 30% off LetsGetChecked kits with code ZENMASTER30How much do male fertility kits cost?
One of the biggest positives of at-home fertility kits like Ro Sperm or Legacy is just how affordable they are. Both companies advertise 3 package options depending on whether or not you just want quick results or long-term storage of your sperm. (In reality, though, Ro Sperm’s pricing is completely customizable and a-la-carte in nature – what you see here are just some “starter packages” to get you thinking about what customers often choose.)
Below we’ve broken down individual costs and features between the Ro Sperm and Legacy kits:
Pricing: Ro Sperm Kit vs Legacy | 
|  |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Approved? | ✔ | ✔ |
| Cost of At-Home Fertility Kit | $199 (basic kit) or $599 for 3x the vials of sperm | $195 (Year) $995 (Five Year) $3,995 Lifetime |
| Cost of Tele-health appointment? | $99 | Free |
| Coupon code | Use code ZEN25 for $25 off | ❌ |
| Storage Included? | 1 year included | ❌ |
| Cost of Add'l Storage | $99 per year | $145 per year (or $99/yr for 5 years) |
| Cost of Morphology Analysis | $99 | Included |
| DNA Fragmentation available? | ❌ | ✔ |
| Level of Analysis and Recommendations | Standard or Advanced report | Arguably more actionable than Ro Sperm's |
| Location of Semen Analysis | New England Cryogenic Center (CLIA certified) | Runs its own CLIA certified Lab |
| Fertility Results Turnaround Time | 24 hours | 24 hours |
| States supported | All 50 states | All 50 states |
| Video of Sperm Included in Report? | ✔ | ❌ |
| FSA / HSA Eligible | ✔ | ✔ |
| Covered by Insurance? | ❌ | ✔ |
| Caliber of Medical Staff | Registered Nurse (RN) | RNs, Urologists, and Fertility Specialists |
| Multi-geographic Storage (a safety precaution) | ❌ | ✔ |
| Security | 2FA | 2FA + Persona identity verification |
| Able to verify a vasectomy (post-vas)? | ✔ | ✔ |
| Website |
Legacy Kit review and breakdown
How does someone come up with the idea to start a company that tests sperm and keeps it secure for future use? For Legacy Founder and CEO Khaled Kteily, it started with a spilled Starbucks tea that led to Kteily having 2nd degree burns on his legs and lap. Speaking as a man, spilling hot tea on my lap resulting in 2nd degree burns would have me desperate to know that everything down there is still functioning properly. Apparently, Kteily had the same idea and was able to turn his painful experience into the first company offering at-home male fertility services. Today, the company, which was founded at Harvard, is backed by Y Combinator, by some of the world’s top investors, and has raised $20M in funding. Even celebrities like Justin Bieber have invested! And with partners like the Navy SEALs, it’s clear why Legacy has established itself as a leader in this space.
Legacy is slightly more expensive than the Ro Sperm Kit – pretty much across the board. But in their case, you really do get what you pay for. Let’s walk through WHY Legacy charges more than Ro Sperm, and why customers still flock to them.
Legacy not only provides you a kit to test your sperm, but they’ll also set you up with a personal Client Service Advisor to help you throughout every step of the process. Since not everyone is an “at-home sperm test kit” professional, the extra attention to the client is a great thing to have and can help put a lot of men at ease when thinking about their fertility. You can even schedule a video call with a (complimentary) fertility specialist to walk you through the process or to explain your results. The fact that they have Registered Nurses and Urologists on staff means that you’ll always be talking to a professional.
I mentioned earlier how Legacy’s fertility report is more vigorous and actionable than Ro Sperm’s. Not only do they cover all the same bases as Ro Sperm (minus the video), but they also:
- Test DNA fragmentation*,
- Include morphology in their base pricing,
- Include telehealth appointments with Registered Nurses, physicians, and urologists,
- Offer more intuitive, actionable
recommendations on how you can adjust your lifestyle to improve the health of your sperm.
*A note on DNA fragmentation, because I went down a bit of a rabbit hole trying to understand what the heck it is:
What is DNA fragmentation?
DNA fragmentation refers to a pretty advanced analysis done on semen that determines how "damaged" the DNA is. The higher percentage of fragmentation, the higher likelihood that there will be an issue with the pregnancy. But since correlation ≠ causation, DNA methodology isn't really a "given" in the industry.
Still, however, DNA fragmentation is valuable because it helps couples understand the risks coming from the male partner, including time to pregnancy, risk of miscarriage, and likelihood of congenital conditions. This is particularly important for couples that have had miscarriages. High DNA fragmentation is an indicator for the couple to try IVF.
Legacy offers DNA fragmentation (For Tomorrow and Forever plans); the Ro Sperm Kit does not.
Moving on. For those of you that are looking to store your sperm for future use, Legacy offers cryogenic storage (AKA cryopreservation) at an additional fee of either $14.95/month (AKA $145/year for annual storage) or $495 for 5 years. Like Ro Sperm, Legacy has 3 different “tiers” for customers to choose from:
For Today
Legacy’s base kit, the For Today plan, is $195, is great for those that just want a quick analysis of your fertility (like 23andMe, but just for sperm). Again, this includes a free morphology analysis of your sperm, and Legacy’s fertility report is, overall, more comprehensive. Even Legacy’s default fertility report seems more detailed than the Ro Sperm Kit’s.
Keep in mind, though, that this option only includes short-term storage. So if you’re looking for a combination of analysis + storage, you’ll likely want to tack on a few years of storage (anywhere from $99/year to $145/year depending on the package). They store 4 vials, meaning that you’ll get one more vial than competitor Ro Sperm, giving you an additional opportunity to fertilize an egg down the line.
If you’ve got insurance, you’ll get the “For Today” package and 1 year of storage offered to you at no out-of-pocket cost. Otherwise, your FSA/HSA can cover this. This is the same package that the Navy SEALs, one of Legacy’s partners, are offered, so if it’s good enough for the Navy SEALs, it’s probably good enough for you!
This plan includes an onboarding call and support from their Client Experience team. You can also request an onboarding call and a telehealth call (with nurses and doctors) at no extra charge.
For Tomorrow
Alright, you’re looking for a bit more than a standard fertility test. You want real results, real guidance, and most importantly: you’re planning ahead and want the peace of mind in knowing you’ve got healthy swimmers frozen away in multiple labs.
Legacy’s second tier comes in at $995, but includes a whopping five years of sperm storage. You’ll, of course, still get direct access to a top-notch fertility specialists that can help answer any questions you may have regarding your fertility. This plan also includes DNA fragmentation in the fertility report, free of charge. This is a great plan if you’re trying to conceive, or if you’re at risk of losing your fertility (due to military deployment, cancer treatment, gender affirming treatments, etc.)
What makes this package stand out is the combination of 2 analysis kits ($390) + 1 DNA fragmentation ($190) + 5 years of cryostorage ($595) meaning that you’re saving $200 if you buy them together, in addition to all the other perks (free shipping, free tele-health, etc.) And if pricing is an issue, you can pay in instalments, making this much more accessible for most folks.
Forever
Welcome to the big leagues. If you’re not a young, strapping lad and those two plans don’t do it for you, you can invest $3,995 for analysis and lifetime storage. This may sound expensive, but Legacy also includes a one-time transfer of your sperm to anywhere in the world at any time when you purchase this option. So if you want your sperm to see the world, this is the perfect option for you.
Legacy is the real deal. Their board of advisors is stacked with fertility professionals from all across the world, so if you’re questioning whether or not to get tested for fertility (or where to look), Legacy would certainly be a good place to turn for answers. It makes sense why professionals in the industry work with Legacy, like Memorial Sloan Kettering, BostonIVF, the Navy SEALs, insurance companies like Aetna and Cigna, and even employers like Princeton University.
Legacy Reviews: What are others out there saying?
Legacy has some pretty killer feedback from customers across Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and their own site. They often speak highly of their customer support, ease of use, and the friendly (and confidential) nature of receiving their test results from Legacy. It’s very clear that they’re a customer-first company who’s dedicated to making people feel comfortable about the entire fertility testing experience.
Take a look at a few we’ve compiled:
Ro Sperm Kit review and breakdown
I dug into Ro Sperm’s history a bit, since they’re a pretty interesting company. When originally starting Ro Sperm (back when they were Dadi), founder Tom Smith had one main goal in mind: to make male fertility more widely talked about. After hearing about a friend’s expensive and outdated experience at a fertility clinic, he figured there must be a better way for men to access their fertility results. Since 2018, that’s exactly what Ro Sperm has been doing.
The Ro Sperm Kit makes it incredibly easy for men to test their fertility at home. Order your kit, do your thing, and send it back via FedEx. Within 24 hours of receiving your sample, a lab technician will assess your sample and a full fertility report will be sent your way. This report includes the volume of your sperm, its concentration, and even a video of your little swimmers that you and your partner can geek out over.
Another thing about Ro Sperm Kits that you might not have considered at first: they’re SO cleverly designed and manufactured for secure, effective transportation. It’s kind of beautiful. Remember how cryostorage is a thing, and that if sperm isn’t kept under certain temperatures that it’ll start to die? Ro Sperm Kits aren’t just cups; they’re pieces of real technology: drop- and tamper-proof, temperature-controlled… heck – they even integrate 2FA to ensure no one’s getting in, and they’re physically secure enough to ensure nothing’s getting out. 😉
The fun doesn’t stop there, though. Ro Sperm includes one free year of sperm storage with the purchase of every kit they offer. By default, they highlight two packages to help you get started, based on the amount of sperm you want to collect and store. But if you want a more customized package, it’s no problem at all (more on that in a sec).
Let’s take a quick look at Ro Sperm’s two “plans”. It is worth mentioning, though, that their pricing is completely customizable and a-la-carte. So these “plans” are actually more of their “most commonly ordered” packages.
Ro Sperm Kit – Tier 1
Ro Sperm’s $199 base kit gets you their standard fertility test, and one free year of cryopreservation of three three vials of sperm.
Good for: Basic fertility testing.
Ro Sperm Kit – Tier 2
Ro Sperm’s highest-priced kit comes in at $599. You’ll revert to their standard fertility test, but upgrade to the ability to store up to nine vials of semen.
Good for: People who are looking to store as much semen as possible.
Ok, now back to customized plans. Say you don’t immediately click with any of these plans – you want to order one fertility kit and start small with paying for four years of storage. Ro Sperm makes it extremely easy to build your own a-la-carte plan at checkout. You can pre purchase additional years of storage, buy additional kits, or purchase advanced diagnostics (morphology) and a nursing consultation. Ro Sperm makes is super easy to customize based on your fertility and family planning needs.
Facts and figures aside, Ro Sperm is one of the true pioneers of the at-home fertility testing space. Their website is pretty, their product offerings are clearly laid out and explained, and you can shop with the confidence knowing they’re now backed by digital health giant Ro. And so are your healthy, little swimmers.
A closer look at Ro Sperm Kit's fertility reports
Alright so generally, Ro Sperm’s fertility report is not as exhaustive as Legacy’s. It doesn’t contain morphology analysis (that comes at an extra $99) and it doesn’t seem quite as actionable as Legacy’s.
But for a lot of guy’s out there, that’s not really an issue. Every man (and couple) is at a different stage in their journey, everyone’s situation is unique, and it may not be necessary to collect every possible data point under the sun. Especially when you bring price into the equation.
Ro Sperm offers two different tiers of fertility reports: their standard report and the advanced one. Here’s how they’re different:
Ro Sperm's standard fertility report
Again, this is the report you can expect to get if you went with either Ro Sperm’s $199 plan or their $599 plan. The standard report includes the standard stuff you’d see at a traditional fertility clinic: sperm count, concentration, volume, and motility. They’ll also benchmark your numbers against the general male population, so you can see how you stack up.
Ro Sperm's advanced fertility offerings
As always, you’ve got the option to add on some extras:
1 – Upgrade to the advanced fertility report.
So what, exactly, does the word “advanced” refer to? Pretty simple actually. It refers to the addition of sperm morphology.
2 – One-on-one consultation with Ro Sperm’s in-house Registered Nurses.
This is great for people who sort of understand the importance of all these fertility data points, but think that even after seeing the report and benchmark figures, would benefit from having an actual consultative call with an RN. Two quick notes on this:
- Registered Nurses are great. But on the off-chance that your sample raises a red flag (that is to say, something is abnormally wrong), RNs just simply don’t have the same level of expertise as physicians or urologists. So if you do find yourself in this situation, you’ll likely want to open a dialogue with someone who’s truly mastered this specialization.
- Secondly, Legacy offers this perk for free. Unlimited, complimentary calls with their team of RNs, physicians, and urologists.
I can’t tell you whether or not the advanced fertility report is “better” or “worth it,” but as someone who would always appreciate professional guidance (especially considering how important all of this is!), I would personally shell out the extra $100 for these upgrades.
Ro Sperm Kit promo code
🎉 Ro Sperm has extended an exclusive promo code to our readers. If you use code ZEN25 at checkout, you’ll get $25 off any Ro Sperm Kit.
Ro Sperm Kit Reviews: What are others on the internet saying?
The Consensus: Which fertility kit is better, Ro Sperm Kit vs Legacy?
Cases like this sometimes make it difficult to try and compare companies like apples to apples.
When it comes down to it, there really is no clear winner between Ro Sperm and Legacy in terms of the efficacy of their male fertility testing. Both companies offer a kit that will deliver a detailed fertility report just as thorough as what you’d get with the in-person, traditional clinic. They also offer cryostorage at competitive prices, giving you a reliable and long-term solution.
And in terms of price, both Ro Sperm and Legacy offer their starting fertility packages at around $200. (A bit less for Ro Sperm, if you use code ZEN25 for $25 off).
If you’re looking for a quick and detailed fertility report, Ro Sperm could be a good option for you. Their free year of storage is a considerable factor for couples that are just dipping their toes in the water and planning for the future, and the flexibility in how you can create your own customized plan gives them a leg up on Legacy. This is a big one so I’ll repeat it: The flexible, “a-la-carte” nature of Ro Sperm’s plans makes it extremely easy to “create” a plan that works for your needs and your budget. Legacy’s plans lack this flexibility (other than purchasing additional years of storage).
As for Legacy: this company is very focused on helping their customers. Their lower priced tier ($195) is comparable to Ro Sperm Kit’s. And while it doesn’t come with a cool video of your swimmers, their fertility report and analyses are very intuitive and actionable. The mere fact that they offer DNA fragmentation really does show how comprehensive, thorough, and forward-thinking they are.
You may also like to know that Legacy has their own CLIA certified labs and offers multi-geographic storage, meaning if disaster were to strike one of their labs, you can rest assured you have other vials stored around the world. That, combined with their team of Urologists, Registered Nurses, and Fertility Specialists should help paint the picture of just how focused these guys are on male fertility.
For the couple or individual who wants to make sure they’re getting the best quality and are comfortable paying a little extra, Legacy is likely the option. It’s clear that they are built for one thing and one thing only – to make this entire experience seamless and high-quality for men and couples alike, from their overnight shipping to their 1-click pickup to their top-notch customer service. When it comes to your fertility and planning a family, it may be a premium worth paying. Your kids will probably agree. 
Andrew Clark
I studied Communications and Business at Chapman University. After my time in Orange County, I relocated back home to the Bay Area and have spent the last 6 years working in technology. My free time is usually spent on the golf course or exploring all the beautiful areas California has to offer.
