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Sports Research vs Viva Naturals Krill Oil (2026)
Disclosure: We earn commissions on purchases made through our links. This never influences our scores. Editorial policy
The Verdict
Sports Research takes it on our rubric, 87 to 80 on our 0-100 execution score, and holds our Top Pick badge in the krill oil scorecard. The entire gap sits in our value pillar, 20 against 13: about $0.52 per day against about $0.78 is a meaningful difference in a category where nothing is cheap. Sports Research is also the only product in our krill oil review carrying both IKOS and MSC certification, and it uses Superba 2, the clinically validated krill oil. Viva Naturals earns its points honestly with a higher 1250mg krill oil dose and the highest astaxanthin yield we recorded at 1600mcg, and it is IKOS certified too, so purity verification is level between them.
Neither carries NSF or USP certification. In our view Sports Research is the better default on cost and certification breadth, and Viva Naturals is the pick if you specifically want the higher krill oil dose and the astaxanthin content that comes with it.
Krill Oil Supplement with EPA & DHA - 1000mg
Sports Research
Krill Oil Supplement - 1250mg
Viva Naturals
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Krill Oil Supplement with EPA & DHA - 1000mg Sports Research | Krill Oil Supplement - 1250mg Viva Naturals |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Score | 87/100Winner | 80/100 |
| Dosing & Form | 25/25Winner | 25/25 |
| Purity | 19/25Winner | 19/25 |
| Value | 20/25Winner | 13/25 |
| Transparency | 23/25Winner | 23/25 |
| Cost/Day | $0.52Winner | $0.78 |
| Dose/Serving | 1000mg | 1250mg |
| Form | Phospholipid-bound (Superba 2) | Phospholipid-bound |
| Third-Party Tested | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Proprietary Blend | No | No |
Why This Comparison Matters
Both of these products are IKOS certified, which is the krill-specific purity and freshness program and the credential worth looking for in this category, and both fully disclose EPA, DHA, phospholipid, and astaxanthin content on the label. Both earn a full 25 on our dosing and form pillar and an identical 19 on purity verification.
Where they diverge is dose, sustainability certification, and price. Sports Research uses Superba 2, the clinically validated krill oil, at 1000mg per serving, and adds MSC certification for sustainable sourcing alongside Non-GMO testing; 60 servings for $30.95 works out to about $0.52 per day. Viva Naturals runs a higher 1250mg dose with the highest astaxanthin yield in our review at 1600mcg, but lists no MSC certification; 30 servings for $29.93 is about $0.78 per day.
We scored both on dosing and form, purity verification, value, and label transparency.
Detailed Score Breakdown
Krill Oil Supplement with EPA & DHA - 1000mg
Sports Research
Uses clinically validated Superba 2 krill oil with proper EPA/DHA disclosure
IKOS certified for purity and freshness, MSC certified sustainable
$0.52/day after a 2026 price drop - reasonable for the only IKOS + MSC dual-certified product here
Full disclosure of EPA, DHA, phospholipids, and astaxanthin content
IKOS certified Superba 2 krill oil with excellent label transparency and sustainable sourcing
Krill Oil Supplement - 1250mg
Viva Naturals
High total krill oil dose (1250mg) with proper omega-3 disclosure
IKOS certified for purity and potency
$0.78/day after a small 2026 price drop - still premium, reflecting the higher dose and IKOS certification
Full disclosure of EPA, DHA, phospholipids, and astaxanthin
IKOS certified with the highest astaxanthin yield (1600mcg) among products tested and a high 1250mg total krill oil dose
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IKOS certification and why does it matter for krill oil?
IKOS is the krill-specific third-party program covering purity and freshness, and it is the credential we look for in this category. Both Sports Research and Viva Naturals carry it, which is why they score identically on our purity verification pillar. Sports Research adds MSC certification for sustainable sourcing on top of it.
Which krill oil has more astaxanthin?
Viva Naturals, at 1600mcg, which is the highest astaxanthin yield among the krill oil products we scored. It also runs a higher total krill oil dose at 1250mg per serving against Sports Research's 1000mg. Both disclose their astaxanthin content on the label, which not every krill oil does.
Which krill oil is cheaper per day?
Sports Research, at about $0.52 per day against Viva Naturals at about $0.78. The bottles are priced similarly at $30.95 and $29.93, but Sports Research ships 60 servings against Viva Naturals' 30, which is where the per-day gap comes from.
More Krill Oil Comparisons
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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.