Thorne Creatine vs Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Both are plain micronized creatine monohydrate at 5 g per serving, so the choice comes down to certification, serving count and price. Thorne is the pick for tested athletes: it is NSF Certified for Sport and gives 90 servings per tub. Optimum Nutrition gives 120 servings and is the better value per serving if third-party sport certification does not matter to you. Check the latest prices on both before buying, since creatine prices swing with tub size and store.
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Thorne Creatine
4.7Choose the Thorne Creatine if you are a drug-tested athlete or want NSF Certified for Sport verification and a 90-serving tub.
Pros
- NSF Certified for Sport, which matters for drug-tested athletes
- 90 servings of 5 g micronized creatine
- Gluten free, dairy free and soy free
- Dissolves easily and is colorless and odorless in shakes
Cons
- Fewer servings per tub than Optimum Nutrition
- Usually costs more per serving
- Unflavored only in this listing
What separates them
| Thorne Creatine | Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving count | 90 servings per container | 120 servings per container |
| Certification | NSF Certified for Sport | No sport certification stated |
| Flavor | Unflavored powder | Unflavored, with a Blueberry Lemonade option listed |
| Form | Micronized creatine monohydrate, 5 g per scoop | Micronized creatine monohydrate powder |
| Allergen profile | Gluten free, dairy free, soy free | Keto-friendly; allergen claims not stated |
| Cost per serving | Higher per serving at the same tub price | Lower per serving at the same tub price |
| Brand focus | Supplement brand with broad third-party testing | Sports nutrition brand built on whey and creatine |
Price history
- Thorne Creatine: lowest $44.00 on Oct 29 at www.ohhmygoodness.com.
- Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder: lowest $18.97 on Oct 29 at eBay.
Prices at every store
Thorne Creatine
- Healthy Habits LivingCheck price at Healthy Habits Living
- The FeedCheck price at The Feed
- activelifestylesfitness.comCheck price at activelifestylesfitness.com
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- eBayCheck price at eBay
Specs compared
| Spec | Thorne Creatine | Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder |
|---|---|---|
| Serving size | 1 Scoop(s) | — |
| Servings per container | 90 | — |
| Creatine monohydrate | 5g | — |
| Flavor | Unflavored powder | — |
| Certification | NSF Certified for Sport® | — |
| Gluten free | gluten free | — |
| Dairy free | dairy free | — |
| Soy free | soy free | — |
| Form | micronized creatine monohydrate | — |
| Unit Count | — | 120 Servings |
| Specific Uses For Product |
Questions and answers
- Which is better for a drug-tested athlete?
- Thorne. It carries NSF Certified for Sport, which tests for banned substances. Optimum Nutrition's listing here states no sport certification.
- Is one cheaper per serving?
- Optimum Nutrition, because it packs 120 servings against Thorne's 90. At the same tub price, Optimum costs about a quarter less per scoop.
- Do they work the same?
- Yes. Both are micronized creatine monohydrate at 5 g per serving, the dose used in most creatine research. The difference is certification and tub size, not the active ingredient.
- Which lasts longer?
- Optimum Nutrition. At one 5 g scoop a day, 120 servings lasts about 4 months; Thorne's 90 servings lasts about 3 months.
- Is Thorne worth the extra cost?
- Only if you need NSF Certified for Sport or prefer its allergen-free labeling. Otherwise the cheaper Optimum tub delivers the same creatine.
- Will either cause bloating?
- Creatine pulls water into muscle cells, so some people see a small temporary weight gain in the first weeks. Both products behave the same way at 5 g a day.