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Vital Proteins vs Sports Research Collagen (Head-to-Head) (2026)
Disclosure: We earn commissions on purchases made through our links. This never influences our scores. Editorial policy
The Verdict
Sports Research edges Vital Proteins on our rubric (87 vs 83 on our 0-100 execution score), helped by its Informed Sport certification and Non-GMO verification. On cost the two are close - both run near $0.73 per effective dose. In our view Sports Research is the slight pick for its stronger third-party testing credentials at the same price point; Vital Proteins remains a fine choice for its brand and retail availability. Both deliver the same grass-fed collagen types I and III.
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Original
Vital Proteins
Sports Research Collagen Peptides
Sports Research
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Original Vital Proteins | Sports Research Collagen Peptides Sports Research |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Score | 83/100 | 87/100Winner |
| Dosing & Form | 25/25Winner | 25/25 |
| Purity | 19/25 | 22/25Winner |
| Value | 19/25Winner | 18/25 |
| Transparency | 20/25 | 22/25Winner |
| Cost/Day | $0.73Winner | $0.73 |
| Dose/Serving | 20g | 11g |
| Form | hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides (types I and III), unflavored powder | hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides (types I and III), unflavored powder |
| Third-Party Tested | No | ✓ Yes |
| Proprietary Blend | No | No |
Why This Comparison Matters
Vital Proteins and Sports Research are the two most-searched collagen brands on Amazon, and this is the head-to-head buyers most often want settled. Both use hydrolyzed bovine collagen peptides (types I and III) from grass-fed sources. Sports Research adds Informed Sport certification and Non-GMO verification; Vital Proteins leans on brand recognition and Certified Paleo / Whole30 approvals.
The collagen itself is functionally equivalent. The differences are certification profile, cost per effective dose, and brand.
We scored both on evidence, quality, cost per effective dose, and transparency.
Detailed Score Breakdown
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Original
Vital Proteins
20g collagen peptides per serving (2 scoops) - exceeds the 10-15g joint/muscle evidence dose and far exceeds 2.5-5g skin dose. Bovine hide sourced, type I and III.
Certified Paleo, Whole30 Approved. No third-party testing certification (NSF, USP, Informed Sport) publicly documented. GMP-compliant facility per brand claims. No contaminant testing verified externally.
$0.73/day at a 10g effective dose (1 scoop) - mid-range for a market-leading bovine collagen. Full 20g serving runs $1.46/day.
Source (bovine hide) disclosed. Collagen types (I and III) disclosed. Amino acid profile published on label. No proprietary blends. No third-party cert displayed.
The market-share leader and likely the most-researched consumer collagen brand in the US. Good transparency on source and type, but lacks independent third-party quality testing (NSF, USP) that would elevate this to an A-tier product.
Sports Research Collagen Peptides
Sports Research
11g collagen peptides per scoop - within the evidence-supported range for joint and muscle benefits (10-15g). Bovine hide, type I and III.
Informed Sport Certified (batch-tested for banned substances) and non-GMO verified. Pasture-raised, grass-fed bovine sourcing. Third-party testing gives this a meaningful quality edge over most competitors.
$0.73/day at one 11g scoop - pricier than it was, but still the rare Informed Sport certified pick for tested athletes
Source (grass-fed, pasture-raised bovine hide) disclosed. Types I and III noted. Informed Sport cert displayed. Full amino acid profile available. No proprietary blends.
Informed Sport certification is rare in the collagen category and provides real assurance of what is - and is not - in the product. Grass-fed bovine sourcing. The most quality-credentialed product at a competitive price point.
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.