OpenBiome vs GoodNature: Complete Stool Donation Program Comparison

OpenBiome and GoodNature represent the two largest stool donation programs in the Boston area, together processing over 80% of medical-grade stool donations in the United States. This comprehensive comparison helps potential donors choose between these industry leaders based on compensation, requirements, location, and overall experience.

Compensation Comparison

Base Pay Structure

Bonus Structures

OpenBiome Bonuses:

• Quarterly consistency bonus: $500
• Referral bonus: $100 per approved donor
• Research participation: $50-200 per study
• Annual loyalty bonus: $1,000 (after 1 year)
• Holiday bonuses: Occasional $100-200

GoodNature Bonuses:

• Perfect attendance quarterly: $500
• Referral bonus: $200 per approved donor
• Milestone bonuses: $250 at 50, 100, 200 donations
• Quality bonus: Extra $25 for exceptional samples
• Year-end bonus: Up to $1,500

Location and Facilities

OpenBiome Location

• Address: Somerville (near Cambridge)
• Accessibility: Near public transit (Red Line)
• Parking: Free on-site parking
• Facility: Medical office building
• Donation rooms: 4 private bathrooms
• Hours: Monday-Friday 6 AM - 7 PM, Saturday 8 AM - 2 PM

GoodNature Location

• Address: Downtown Boston
• Accessibility: Multiple transit options
• Parking: Validated parking ($5)
• Facility: Modern medical facility
• Donation rooms: 6 private bathrooms
• Hours: Monday-Friday 6 AM - 8 PM, Saturday 7 AM - 4 PM

Eligibility Requirements

Age and BMI Comparison

• OpenBiome: Ages 18-50, BMI 18.5-26 (stricter)
• GoodNature: Ages 18-50, BMI 18.5-30 (more flexible)

Geographic Requirements

• OpenBiome: Within 2 hours of Cambridge
• GoodNature: Within 1 hour of Boston (stricter)

Health Screening Differences

Both programs require extensive health screening, but with slight variations:

• OpenBiome: More research-oriented questions
• GoodNature: Stricter attendance requirements
• OpenBiome: 3-month antibiotic lookback
• GoodNature: 6-month antibiotic lookback

Donation Experience

OpenBiome Donor Experience

• Established program with refined processes
• Academic atmosphere (research-focused)
• Detailed health feedback provided
• Connection to C. diff patient outcomes
• Opportunity for research participation
• Longer wait times during peak hours
• More formal, medical environment

GoodNature Donor Experience

• Newer facility with modern amenities
• More casual, friendly atmosphere
• Shorter wait times generally
• App-based scheduling system
• Loyalty rewards program
• Donor community events
• More flexible scheduling options

Acceptance Rates and Screening

Screening Timeline

• OpenBiome: 3-4 weeks from application to approval
• GoodNature: 2-3 weeks (faster processing)

Acceptance Rates

• OpenBiome: 4% acceptance rate
• GoodNature: 3% acceptance rate (more selective)

Trial Period

• OpenBiome: 4-week trial, unpaid initially
• GoodNature: 2-week trial, 50% pay during trial

Commitment Requirements

Minimum Commitments

• OpenBiome: 60-day initial commitment, 3 donations/week minimum
• GoodNature: 60-day commitment, 3-5 donations/week required

Attendance Policies

• OpenBiome: More flexible, can miss up to 5 donations/month
• GoodNature: Strict, max 2 missed donations/month

Medical Focus and Impact

OpenBiome's Mission

• Primary focus on C. difficile treatment
• Supplies 50+ hospitals nationwide
• Saved thousands of lives since 2013
• Strong research component
• Published scientific papers using donor data
• Non-profit organization model

GoodNature's Mission

• Broader therapeutic applications
• Developing treatments for multiple conditions
• For-profit biotech company
• Partnerships with pharmaceutical companies
• Focus on commercialization
• Expanding to other cities planned

Donor Support and Benefits

OpenBiome Benefits

• Free comprehensive health screening quarterly
• Detailed microbiome analysis reports
• Access to research findings
• Educational seminars on gut health
• Connection to patient impact stories
• Academic networking opportunities

GoodNature Benefits

• Higher monetary compensation
• Modern facility amenities
• Donor appreciation events
• Loyalty rewards program
• Flexible scheduling app
• Referral incentive program

Real Donor Perspectives

OpenBiome Donor Reviews

GoodNature Donor Reviews

Financial Comparison Over Time

6-Month Earnings Projection

Making the Choice

Choose OpenBiome If You:

• Value mission and impact over maximum pay
• Want connection to research and science
• Prefer established, stable programs
• Need more scheduling flexibility
• Live closer to Cambridge than Boston
• Have BMI between 26-30
• Interested in research participation

Choose GoodNature If You:

• Want maximum financial compensation
• Can commit to strict attendance
• Prefer modern facilities
• Live closer to downtown Boston
• Value loyalty rewards and bonuses
• Want faster screening process
• Prefer casual atmosphere

Conclusion

While both OpenBiome and GoodNature offer legitimate opportunities for qualified stool donors, they serve different priorities. GoodNature's $75-100 per donation significantly exceeds OpenBiome's $40-50, potentially earning donors an extra $6,000-9,000 annually. However, OpenBiome's established reputation, research focus, and direct patient impact provide intangible benefits beyond compensation.

The choice ultimately depends on your priorities: maximum earnings favor GoodNature, while mission-driven donors may prefer OpenBiome despite lower pay. Both maintain extremely high standards with acceptance rates under 4%, require significant time commitments, and provide valuable contributions to medical treatment and research.

Given the low acceptance rates and slight differences in requirements, applying to both programs simultaneously makes strategic sense. Those fortunate enough to qualify for either program can earn substantial supplemental income while contributing to groundbreaking medical treatments that save lives and advance our understanding of the human microbiome.