Fresh vs. Frozen Donor Eggs: Which Is Right for Me?

Key Takeaways:

• Fresh vs. frozen donor eggs differ in cost, timeline, and embryo potential

• Fresh donor eggs involve a personalized cycle, a higher upfront cost, longer timelines, and often result in more embryos.

• Frozen egg banks offer fixed pricing, faster timelines, and a streamlined donor egg IVF process.

• The best option depends on your goals, budget, and family-building plans.

When you begin exploring donor egg IVF, one of the first and most important decisions you’ll face is whether to pursue fresh donor eggs or use a frozen egg bank. Both options can lead to healthy pregnancies, but the experience, timeline, and planning considerations differ significantly.

This guide breaks down fresh vs frozen donor eggs so you can understand how each option aligns with your family-building goals, budget, and timeline.

Prefer to explore interactively? Take our Fresh vs. Frozen Donor Eggs Quiz!

What Is the Difference Between Fresh and Frozen Donor Eggs?

With current vitrification technology, fresh vs. frozen egg success rates are similar. What varies most is what the donor egg IVF process looks like behind the scenes.

Fresh Donor Eggs

Fresh donor eggs come from a donor who begins a stimulation cycle specifically for you. Your clinic will create embryos using your donor's eggs and then prep you or your surrogate for the embryo transfer. Because this is a real-time cycle, the number of eggs retrieved can vary, but you always receive all eggs retrieved.

Frozen Donor Eggs

Frozen donor eggs come from a donor who has already completed a successful cycle. The eggs were retrieved previously, frozen using vitrification, and stored in a frozen egg bank. When you’re ready, a cohort of 6 eggs is thawed and fertilized without any coordination with the donor. Frozen eggs are an option no matter where you live, and we ship frozen donor eggs worldwide!

Below, we’ll break down the key differences between fresh vs. frozen eggs in donor egg IVF.

Cost Considerations and Donor Egg IVF

Cost is often one of the biggest factors when comparing fresh vs. frozen donor eggs, and breaking down financial considerations can make your decision clearer.

Fresh Donor Eggs: Higher Costs

Fresh donor egg cycles typically involve a higher upfront cost because they include the full scope of donor-related services required for a one-on-one cycle, such as:

• Donor compensation

• Donor travel and outside monitoring (bloodwork and ultrasounds)

• Medical and psychological screening

• Genetic counseling and legal consultation

• Establishment and management of a secure escrow account

While the upfront investment is higher, fresh donor eggs may offer greater long-term value for intended parents planning multiple children or seeking a highly personalized match.

Frozen Donor Eggs: More Affordable

Frozen cycles generally offer:

• Fixed pricing per six-egg cohort

• No donor travel or cycle coordination

• Fewer variable expenses

• Lower overall upfront cost

For many intended parents, frozen donor eggs provide cost clarity and a streamlined donor egg IVF experience.

See a side-by-side cost comparison in our Donor Egg IVF Cost Infographic!

How Many Embryos Can We Expect?

While no cycle, fresh or frozen, can guarantee a specific outcome, these patterns are common:

Fresh Donor Eggs: More Eggs, More Possibility

Because all eggs retrieved belong to you, fresh donor egg IVF cycles often result in more embryos. On average, 24 eggs are retrieved, with 21 being mature and usable, resulting in 3-4 viable embryos. 

This can support:

• Future sibling planning

• Backup embryos if multiple transfers are needed

• Greater flexibility in long-term family building

• Gestational carrier journeys

Frozen Donor Eggs: A Defined Number of Eggs

Frozen cohorts typically include six eggs, which often lead to one or two embryos. This offers:

• Clear expectations

• Simpler decision-making

• Strong outcomes with vitrification

  For intended parents planning for one child, donor egg IVF with a frozen egg bank can be the perfect fit.

Timelines: How Soon Do You Want to Begin?

Fresh Donor Eggs: More Coordination, More Flexibility

• Typical timeline: 5–6 months

• Requires donor screening, cycle synchronization, and coordination

• Ideal for those who value customization and flexibility

Frozen Donor Eggs: Fastest Path to Fertilization

• Typical timeline: 6–8 weeks

• Eggs are already retrieved and ready for fertilization

• Ideal for intended parents eager to move forward quickly

View a breakdown and timeline of the donor egg IVF process!

Risk and Predictability in Donor Egg IVF

Fresh Donor Eggs: More Variables

Because the donor is actively cycling, a fresh donor egg IVF cycle can occasionally involve delays due to screening results or medical factors.  These events, though rare, can cause a delay of weeks or even necessitate a cycle cancellation.

Frozen Donor Eggs: Minimal Donor-Related Risk

Connect with our team to learn more about our cancellation policies and guarantees.

Additional Genetic Testing: Is It Needed? 

Genetic screening is an important part of donor egg IVF, and it may be necessary for your donor to complete additional genetic testing when the sperm provider is a known carrier of a genetic condition.

Fresh Donor Eggs: More Opportunity

Because the donor is actively participating, it is generally easier to request additional genetic testing if needed. This flexibility can be important for intended parents managing known risks or taking a cautious approach.

Frozen Donor Eggs: Less Possibility

With frozen eggs, the donor’s testing has already been completed. Additional testing may be possible, but it depends entirely on donor willingness. Some donors decline or are no longer available, which may limit flexibility.

Comparison: Fresh vs. Frozen Donor Eggs

Personal Preferences: Choosing Between Fresh vs. Frozen Donor Eggs

Fresh donor eggs may appeal to intended parents who want:

• Optional donor interaction

• A more personalized process

• Greater involvement in donor selection

Frozen donor eggs are often preferred by those who want:

• No donor interaction

• Fewer decisions

• A streamlined donor egg IVF path

There is no “correct” choice, only the one that aligns best with your needs.

Choosing the Path That Feels Right for You

Deciding between fresh and frozen donor eggs is a meaningful part of your donor egg IVF journey, and it’s completely normal to feel uncertain. For many intended parents, the decision comes down to what matters most right now: your timeline, your budget, your comfort level, and your long-term family-building hopes. You might even find that both paths could work, and that the clearest answer emerges when you explore donors or talk through your questions.

If you’re ready to explore fresh or frozen donor eggs, or simply want help understanding your best next step, we’re here for you. 

Fresh vs. Frozen Eggs in Donor Egg IVF: FAQs

1. What’s the difference between fresh vs frozen donor eggs in donor egg IVF?

The difference comes down to timing and coordination. Fresh donor eggs are retrieved during a cycle created specifically for you, while frozen donor eggs come from a completed cycle and are stored in a frozen egg bank.

2. Is there a difference in success rates between fresh and frozen donor eggs?

With modern vitrification (freezing) technology, the success rates for fresh and frozen donor eggs are generally very similar. The decision usually comes down to differences in cost, timeline, logistics, and family planning goals, not the pregnancy success rate.

3. How long does donor egg IVF take with fresh donor eggs vs a frozen egg bank?

• Fresh donor eggs: typically 5–6 months

• Frozen egg bank: typically 6–8 weeks

4. Are fresh or frozen donor eggs better if I’m using a gestational carrier?

Both options can work well. Frozen egg banks often offer predictability and speed, while fresh donor eggs may provide more embryos for future transfers.

5. When is a fresh donor egg cycle worth the extra cost?

A fresh cycle may be worth the investment for intended parents planning multiple children, needing genetic flexibility, or wanting a personalized donor match.