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NOW Foods vs Sports Research Vitamin D3 (2026)
Disclosure: We earn commissions on purchases made through our links. This never influences our scores. Editorial policy
The Verdict
Both products score B+ overall. NOW Foods wins on value ($0.04/day vs $0.05/day) by a small margin. Sports Research has a slight edge on marketing transparency with its organic coconut oil carrier and Non-GMO Project Verified status. For practical purposes, these products are nearly interchangeable. Choose based on whichever is cheaper when you buy, or whichever certification profile matters more to you.
NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 5000 IU
NOW Foods
Sports Research Vitamin D3 5000 IU with Coconut Oil
Sports Research
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 5000 IU NOW Foods | Sports Research Vitamin D3 5000 IU with Coconut Oil Sports Research |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Score | 87/100Winner | 87/100 |
| Dosing & Form | 25/25Winner | 25/25 |
| Purity | 19/25 | 20/25Winner |
| Value | 23/25Winner | 20/25 |
| Transparency | 20/25 | 22/25Winner |
| Cost/Day | $0.04Winner | $0.05 |
| Dose/Serving | 5000IU | 5000IU |
| Form | cholecalciferol (D3) from lanolin, softgel | cholecalciferol (D3) with coconut MCT oil, mini softgel |
| Third-Party Tested | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Proprietary Blend | No | No |
Why This Comparison Matters
NOW Foods and Sports Research both sit in the mid-price tier of vitamin D3 supplements. Both offer 5000 IU per softgel, and both have built solid reputations among supplement-savvy buyers. This comparison comes down to the details: carrier oil, third-party certifications, and cost per effective dose.
Sports Research uses organic coconut oil as a carrier, which they market as an absorption advantage. NOW Foods takes a more traditional approach. Whether the carrier oil matters is debatable - vitamin D3 is fat-soluble and absorbs well with any dietary fat.
Here is how they compare on our standardized scoring system.
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.
$0.03/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.
Sports Research Vitamin D3 5000 IU with Coconut Oil
Sports Research
Standard D3 cholecalciferol with coconut oil for absorption
Informed Sport Certified (tested for banned substances). IGEN Non-GMO Tested. Not USP or NSF.
$0.05/day - slightly above the cheapest options but not expensive
Clean label. Coconut MCT oil carrier specified. Form and source clearly identified. No proprietary blends.
Mini softgels are easier to swallow. Informed Sport certification suitable for athletes.
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. The products discussed on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.