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Thorne vs Jarrow Methyl B12 (2026)
Disclosure: We earn commissions on purchases made through our links. This never influences our scores. Editorial policy
The Verdict
These two tie on our rubric - both post an 86 execution score on our 0-100 scale - but Jarrow is far cheaper, at about $0.12 per dose versus Thorne's $0.40. Both deliver methylcobalamin at 1000mcg. Thorne's advantage is NSF Certified for Sport and a capsule format; Jarrow uses a sublingual lozenge. In our view, if you are a tested athlete you may want Thorne's NSF certification, but for everyone else Jarrow delivers the same methylated B12 at a third of the cost. Both are strong methyl-B12 options.
Thorne Methylcobalamin
Thorne
Jarrow Formulas Methyl B-12 1000 mcg
Jarrow Formulas
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Thorne Methylcobalamin Thorne | Jarrow Formulas Methyl B-12 1000 mcg Jarrow Formulas |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Score | 86/100Winner | 86/100 |
| Dosing & Form | 25/25Winner | 25/25 |
| Purity | 25/25Winner | 20/25 |
| Value | 11/25 | 18/25Winner |
| Transparency | 25/25Winner | 23/25 |
| Cost/Day | $0.40 | $0.12Winner |
| Dose/Serving | 1000mcg | 1000mcg |
| Form | methylcobalamin capsule | methylcobalamin sublingual lozenge |
| Third-Party Tested | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Proprietary Blend | No | No |
Why This Comparison Matters
Thorne and Jarrow both use methylcobalamin - the active, methylated form of B12 that some people prefer, particularly those with MTHFR variants who want a pre-converted form. Thorne is the practitioner-grade brand with NSF Certified for Sport; Jarrow is the value brand with a sublingual lozenge.
Both deliver 1000mcg of methylcobalamin. The active-form choice is the same; the differences are format, certification, and price.
We scored both on evidence, quality, cost per dose, and transparency.
Detailed Score Breakdown
Thorne Methylcobalamin
Thorne
Methylcobalamin at 1,000 mcg - active form with direct neurological uptake. Appropriate for MTHFR variants and neurological support applications.
NSF Certified for Sport - verified free from 270+ banned substances. Thorne manufacturing exceeds FDA cGMP standards and is one of the most trusted names in practitioner-grade supplements.
$0.40/day - premium pricing driven by NSF Certified for Sport status. Justified for competitive athletes; harder to justify for general-population use when sub-$0.15/day methylcobalamin options exist.
Exemplary transparency. Methylcobalamin form clearly specified. No unnecessary excipients. Clean capsule with no artificial colors, flavors, or fillers.
The best choice for competitive athletes who need NSF certification. Premium pricing is the only real drawback.
Jarrow Formulas Methyl B-12 1000 mcg
Jarrow Formulas
Methylcobalamin at 1,000 mcg - the active, bioavailable form at a clinically effective dose for deficiency correction and maintenance
GMP certified facility. Third-party tested by IKOS. No USP or NSF certification, but Jarrow has a strong quality reputation and has passed ConsumerLab testing in other product lines.
$0.12/day at 1,000 mcg - solid value for active methylcobalamin, though cyanocobalamin options run cheaper
Full ingredient disclosure. Form specified as methylcobalamin. No proprietary blends. Sublingual lozenge format clearly described.
Active methylcobalamin form in an easy lemon-flavored chewable. A solid methyl-B12 pick, though USP-verified Nature Made and cheaper cyanocobalamin options edge it out on value.
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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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.