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NOW Foods vs NatureWise Vitamin D3 (2026)
Disclosure: We earn commissions on purchases made through our links. This never influences our scores. Editorial policy
The Verdict
These two are effectively tied on our rubric - both post an 87 execution score on our 0-100 scale, and both land within a fraction of a cent of each other on cost. NatureWise runs about $0.04 per day and NOW Foods about $0.05 per day at 5000 IU, a difference too small to decide on. Both are third-party tested with GMP-audited manufacturing. In our view this is a coin-flip: buy whichever is cheaper the day you order, or NatureWise if the organic olive oil carrier and Non-GMO Project seal matter to you.
NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 5000 IU
NOW Foods
NatureWise Vitamin D3 5000 IU
NatureWise
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 5000 IU NOW Foods | NatureWise Vitamin D3 5000 IU NatureWise |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Score | 87/100Winner | 87/100 |
| Dosing & Form | 25/25Winner | 25/25 |
| Purity | 19/25Winner | 19/25 |
| Value | 23/25Winner | 23/25 |
| Transparency | 20/25Winner | 20/25 |
| Cost/Day | $0.05 | $0.04Winner |
| Dose/Serving | 5000IU | 5000IU |
| Form | cholecalciferol (D3) from lanolin, softgel | cholecalciferol (D3) softgel with organic olive oil |
| Third-Party Tested | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Proprietary Blend | No | No |
Why This Comparison Matters
NOW Foods and NatureWise are two of the most popular mid-price 5000 IU vitamin D3 softgels on Amazon. Both use cholecalciferol - the form clinical research supports for raising blood 25(OH)D - in an oil carrier for absorption. At this dose and form the active ingredient is functionally identical, so the decision comes down to price per dose, testing, and carrier oil.
NatureWise uses organic olive oil and carries Non-GMO Project Verification. NOW Foods uses lanolin-sourced D3 in a standard softgel and runs its own NPA GMP-audited testing program. Neither difference changes how the vitamin works in your body.
We scored both on evidence, quality, cost per effective dose, and transparency.
Detailed Score Breakdown
NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 5000 IU
NOW Foods
Standard D3 cholecalciferol at a higher maintenance dose
NOW Foods is NPA GMP audited. No USP or NSF certification on this specific product. Has passed some ConsumerLab testing.
$0.05/day - excellent value in a 240-count softgel format
Full ingredient disclosure. Form specified. Derived from lanolin (noted on label). No proprietary blends.
NOW Foods has a strong reputation for quality-to-price ratio. NPA audited facility.
NatureWise Vitamin D3 5000 IU
NatureWise
Standard D3 cholecalciferol. 5000 IU is above the Endocrine Society maintenance recommendation but within safe range.
Non-GMO Project Verified. Claims third-party testing but no USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab certification visible. GMP facility.
$0.04/day at 5000 IU - excellent value in a 360-count bottle.
Good disclosure. Olive oil carrier for absorption. Form specified as cholecalciferol. Source not specified.
Organic olive oil carrier may improve absorption. Amazon best-seller with 100,000+ reviews.
How We Compared These Products
Every product in our database is scored on four equally-weighted pillars: dosing accuracy and form quality, purity verification (third-party testing), cost per clinically effective dose (not cost per pill), and label transparency. Each pillar is worth 25 points for a total of 100.
Cost per effective dose is calculated using the clinically studied dose from published research, not the manufacturer's suggested serving. If a product requires multiple servings to reach the dose used in clinical trials, that cost is reflected in the value score.
For a full explanation of our scoring methodology, see our methodology page. Prices were last checked on the dates listed for each product and may have changed.
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We earn commissions on purchases made through our links. This never influences our scores or recommendations. See our editorial policy.
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.