Buying Guide

Thorne Alternatives: Where It Wins, Where You Overpay

Last reviewed Jul 2026

Disclosure: We earn commissions on purchases made through our links. This never influences our scores. Editorial policy

Thorne is the brand we get asked about most, and it deserves a more careful answer than a single verdict. It sells 57 products we score. On 17 of them, nothing we score beats Thorne on both score and cost, it is legitimately the best option we have. On the other 40, a cheaper product scores higher. Both halves are true at once, and averaging them into one number would misrepresent both.

The short version: Thorne earns its price on 17 of the 57 products it sells, where nothing else we score matches it on both score and cost. On the other 40, the biggest single gap is Nutricost 5-HTP 200mg, which scores 90 against the Thorne product it replaces and costs about 76 percent less. Scroll to the category you actually buy before deciding anything.

Where Thorne Earns Its Price

On these 17 products, nothing we score is both better and cheaper. The list spans single minerals (iron, zinc, chromium) to patented and standardized extracts (Meriva curcumin phytosome, Crucera-SGS broccoli seed extract). What they share is simple: at today's prices, nothing beats them on both axes at once. In our view, buying Thorne on this list is defensible.

CategoryThorne productScorePer serving
Iron (Bisglycinate)Thorne Iron Bisglycinate94$0.27
Vitamin EThorne Vitamin E (with Mixed Tocopherols) 200 IU93$0.23
Vitamin B ComplexBasic B Complex91$0.45
Chromium PicolinateChromium Picolinate 500 mcg91$0.36
L-GlutamineL-Glutamine Powder91$0.42
Turmeric / CurcuminMeriva SF (Soy-Free) Curcumin Phytosome90$0.67
ZincZinc Picolinate 30 mg90$0.27
Vitamin D3 + K2Thorne D-1000 + K2 Liquid90$0.03
Betaine HCl (Betaine Hydrochloride)Betaine HCL & Pepsin, 225 Capsules90$0.34
Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)Thorne NiaCel 250, 60 Capsules89$0.80
SulforaphaneBroccoli Seed Extract (formerly Crucera-SGS), 60 Capsules89$0.57
Vitamin K2Thorne Vitamin K2 (MK-4) 1mg87$0.20
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) 500mg, 90 Capsules87$0.73
Red Yeast RiceRed Yeast Rice (formerly Choleast-900)84$1.24
Calcium (Standalone)Calcium (formerly DiCalcium Malate)82$0.47
DIM (Diindolylmethane)Hormone Advantage (DIM + Pomegranate + Sulforaphane), 60 caps82$0.85
Calcium (Standalone)Calcium-Magnesium Malate81$0.36

Where You're Overpaying

The other 40 products, sorted worst gap first by how many products beat them. These skew toward single-ingredient commodities: Thorne Vitamin D-5,000 scores 85 against a 95-scoring option at about 94 percent less per day, its multivitamin scores 84 against a 91-scoring option at about 98 percent less, and its B12 scores 86 against a 91-scoring option at about 83 percent less. 159 qualifying products beat a Thorne product somewhere on this list.

Magnesium Glycinate: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate scores 81 out of 100 at roughly $0.72 a day, with a value pillar of 10 out of 25. 8 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Life Extension Magnesium Caps 500mg, runs about 88 percent less per day while scoring 5 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Magnesium Bisglycinate

81/100

$0.72 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
10/25
Transparency
23/25

Life Extension Magnesium Caps 500mg

$0.09 per serving (+5 pts, 88% cheaper than Thorne)

KAL85

KAL Magnesium Glycinate 400mg

$0.10 per serving (+4 pts, 86% cheaper than Thorne)

Nested Naturals Magnesium Glycinate

$0.13 per serving (+3 pts, 82% cheaper than Thorne)

NOW Foods Magnesium Glycinate

$0.15 per serving (+3 pts, 79% cheaper than Thorne)

Nutricost Magnesium Glycinate

$0.16 per serving (+2 pts, 78% cheaper than Thorne)

Doctor's Best High Absorption Magnesium Glycinate Lysinate

$0.17 per serving (+9 pts, 76% cheaper than Thorne)

Nature Made Magnesium Glycinate 200mg

$0.21 per serving (+8 pts, 71% cheaper than Thorne)

Solgar Magnesium Glycinate

$0.22 per serving (+2 pts, 69% cheaper than Thorne)

Collagen Peptides: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Collagen Plus scores 73 out of 100 at roughly $1.40 a day, with a value pillar of 13 out of 25. 8 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Foods Collagen Peptides Powder, runs about 73 percent less per day while scoring 13 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Collagen Plus

73/100

$1.40 per serving

Dosing & form
24/25
Purity & testing
16/25
Value
13/25
Transparency
20/25

NOW Foods Collagen Peptides Powder

$0.38 per serving (+13 pts, 73% cheaper than Thorne)

Orgain Grass Fed Collagen Peptides

$0.53 per serving (+6 pts, 62% cheaper than Thorne)

Nutricost Collagen Peptides

$0.54 per serving (+7 pts, 61% cheaper than Thorne)

Garden of Life Grass Fed Collagen Peptides

$0.55 per serving (+11 pts, 61% cheaper than Thorne)

Great Lakes Wellness Collagen Peptides

$0.67 per serving (+6 pts, 52% cheaper than Thorne)

Naked Collagen

$0.70 per serving (+17 pts, 50% cheaper than Thorne)

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Original

$0.73 per serving (+10 pts, 48% cheaper than Thorne)

Sports Research Collagen Peptides

$0.73 per serving (+14 pts, 48% cheaper than Thorne)

Vitamin A: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Vitamin A 7,500 mcg (25,000 IU) scores 73 out of 100 at roughly $0.17 a day, with a value pillar of 12 out of 25. 8 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Nutricost Vitamin A 3,000 mcg (10,000 IU), runs about 88 percent less per day while scoring 9 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Vitamin A 7,500 mcg (25,000 IU)

73/100

$0.17 per serving

Dosing & form
13/25
Purity & testing
25/25
Value
12/25
Transparency
23/25

Nutricost Vitamin A 3,000 mcg (10,000 IU)

$0.02 per serving (+9 pts, 88% cheaper than Thorne)

Bronson Vitamin A 3,000 mcg (10,000 IU)

$0.02 per serving (+5 pts, 88% cheaper than Thorne)

Carlson Vitamin A 3,000 mcg (10,000 IU)

$0.04 per serving (+11 pts, 76% cheaper than Thorne)

Nature Made Vitamin A 2,400 mcg (8,000 IU)

$0.05 per serving (+20 pts, 71% cheaper than Thorne)

Solgar Dry Vitamin A 1,500 mcg (5,000 IU)

$0.06 per serving (+13 pts, 65% cheaper than Thorne)

NOW Foods Vitamin A 3,000 mcg (10,000 IU)

$0.07 per serving (+14 pts, 59% cheaper than Thorne)

NOW Foods Natural Beta Carotene 7,500 mcg (25,000 IU)

$0.07 per serving (+14 pts, 59% cheaper than Thorne)

Nature's Way Vitamin A 3,000 mcg (10,000 IU)

$0.09 per serving (+13 pts, 47% cheaper than Thorne)

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan): what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne 5-Hydroxytryptophan scores 61 out of 100 at roughly $0.86 a day, with a value pillar of 7 out of 25. 8 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Amazing Formulas 5-HTP 100mg, runs about 91 percent less per day while scoring 13 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne 5-Hydroxytryptophan

61/100

$0.86 per serving

Dosing & form
18/25
Purity & testing
13/25
Value
7/25
Transparency
23/25

Amazing Formulas 5-HTP 100mg

$0.08 per serving (+13 pts, 91% cheaper than Thorne)

Best Naturals 5-HTP 200mg

$0.14 per serving (+13 pts, 84% cheaper than Thorne)

Doctor's Best 5-HTP Enhanced with Vitamins B6 & C 100mg

$0.15 per serving (+23 pts, 83% cheaper than Thorne)

Nutricost 5-HTP 200mg

$0.21 per serving (+29 pts, 76% cheaper than Thorne)

NOW73

NOW Supplements 5-HTP 50mg

$0.31 per serving (+12 pts, 64% cheaper than Thorne)

Jarrow Formulas 5-HTP 100mg

$0.45 per serving (+13 pts, 48% cheaper than Thorne)

Natrol 5-HTP Time Release 100mg

$0.45 per serving (+13 pts, 48% cheaper than Thorne)

Nature's Way 5-HTP 50mg

$0.48 per serving (+6 pts, 44% cheaper than Thorne)

Vitamin D3: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Vitamin D-5,000 scores 85 out of 100 at roughly $0.33 a day, with a value pillar of 12 out of 25. 7 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Kirkland Signature Vitamin D3 50 mcg (2000 IU), runs about 94 percent less per day while scoring 10 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Vitamin D-5,000

85/100

$0.33 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
25/25
Value
12/25
Transparency
23/25

Kirkland Signature Vitamin D3 50 mcg (2000 IU)

$0.02 per serving (+10 pts, 94% cheaper than Thorne)

Doctor's Best Vitamin D3 5000 IU

$0.03 per serving (+2 pts, 91% cheaper than Thorne)

NatureWise Vitamin D3 5000 IU

$0.04 per serving (+2 pts, 88% cheaper than Thorne)

NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 5000 IU

$0.05 per serving (+2 pts, 85% cheaper than Thorne)

Sports Research Vitamin D3 5000 IU with Coconut Oil

$0.05 per serving (+2 pts, 85% cheaper than Thorne)

Nature Made Vitamin D3 50 mcg (2000 IU)

$0.06 per serving (+9 pts, 82% cheaper than Thorne)

Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 125 mcg (5,000 IU)

$0.27 per serving (+2 pts, 18% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Carnitine: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's L-Carnitine 330mg scores 79 out of 100 at roughly $2.54 a day, with a value pillar of 11 out of 25. 7 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, BulkSupplements L-Carnitine L-Tartrate Powder 500g, runs about 96 percent less per day while scoring 6 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne L-Carnitine 330mg

79/100

$2.54 per serving

Dosing & form
19/25
Purity & testing
25/25
Value
11/25
Transparency
24/25

L-Carnitine L-Tartrate Powder 500g

$0.10 per serving (+6 pts, 96% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Carnitine L-Tartrate Capsules 1000mg

$0.23 per serving (+4 pts, 91% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Carnitine Tartrate 500mg (240 caps)

$0.26 per serving (+1 pt, 90% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Carnitine Liquid Triple Strength 3000mg

$0.26 per serving (+2 pts, 90% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Carnitine 500mg (Carnipure)

$0.47 per serving (+9 pts, 81% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Carnitine 500mg

$0.57 per serving (+5 pts, 78% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Carnitine Fumarate 855mg (Biosint)

$0.62 per serving (+7 pts, 76% cheaper than Thorne)

Rhodiola Rosea: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Rhodiola scores 61 out of 100 at roughly $1.60 a day, with a value pillar of 7 out of 25. 7 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Double Wood Supplements Rhodiola Rosea Extract 500 mg, runs about 91 percent less per day while scoring 19 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Rhodiola

61/100

$1.60 per serving

Dosing & form
18/25
Purity & testing
13/25
Value
7/25
Transparency
23/25

Rhodiola Rosea Extract 500 mg

$0.15 per serving (+19 pts, 91% cheaper than Thorne)

Rhodiola Rosea 500mg, 60 Capsules

$0.27 per serving (+23 pts, 83% cheaper than Thorne)

Rhodiola 500 mg

$0.32 per serving (+23 pts, 80% cheaper than Thorne)

Rhodiola Rosea Extract 60 Capsules

$0.42 per serving (+19 pts, 74% cheaper than Thorne)

Rhodiola Extract, 250 mg

$0.46 per serving (+19 pts, 71% cheaper than Thorne)

Rhodiola Rosea Extract Capsules | 500mg | 3% Rosavins

$0.47 per serving (+19 pts, 71% cheaper than Thorne)

Rhodiola Rosea, 120 Liquid Phyto-Caps

$0.82 per serving (+2 pts, 49% cheaper than Thorne)

Whey Protein Isolate: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Whey Protein Isolate scores 81 out of 100 at roughly $2.16 a day, with a value pillar of 10 out of 25. 6 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, MyProtein Impact Whey Isolate, runs about 67 percent less per day while scoring 1 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Whey Protein Isolate

81/100

$2.16 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
10/25
Transparency
23/25

Impact Whey Isolate

$0.72 per serving (+1 pt, 67% cheaper than Thorne)

Gold Standard 100% Whey

$1.30 per serving (+10 pts, 40% cheaper than Thorne)

Whey Protein Isolate

$1.34 per serving (+5 pts, 38% cheaper than Thorne)

ISO100 Hydrolyzed Whey Protein Isolate

$1.45 per serving (+6 pts, 33% cheaper than Thorne)

Sports Whey Protein Isolate

$1.50 per serving (+1 pt, 31% cheaper than Thorne)

Essential Grass-Fed Whey Protein

$2.00 per serving (+3 pts, 7% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Tyrosine: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's L-Tyrosine, 90 Capsules scores 78 out of 100 at roughly $0.30 a day, with a value pillar of 10 out of 25. 6 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, BulkSupplements L-Tyrosine Powder, 500g, runs about 77 percent less per day while scoring 10 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne L-Tyrosine, 90 Capsules

78/100

$0.30 per serving

Dosing & form
22/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
10/25
Transparency
23/25

L-Tyrosine Powder, 500g

$0.07 per serving (+10 pts, 77% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Tyrosine 500mg, 180 Capsules

$0.09 per serving (+1 pt, 70% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Tyrosine 500mg, 120 Capsules

$0.11 per serving (+6 pts, 63% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Tyrosine 500mg, 120 Capsules

$0.13 per serving (+2 pts, 57% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Tyrosine 500mg, 100 Capsules

$0.16 per serving (+4 pts, 47% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Tyrosine 500mg, 120 Capsules

$0.17 per serving (+2 pts, 43% cheaper than Thorne)

Biotin: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Biotin-8 scores 74 out of 100 at roughly $0.15 a day, with a value pillar of 13 out of 25. 6 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Natrol Biotin Beauty 10,000 mcg Tablets, runs about 87 percent less per day while scoring 10 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Biotin-8

74/100

$0.15 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
13/25
Value
13/25
Transparency
23/25

Biotin Beauty 10,000 mcg Tablets

$0.02 per serving (+10 pts, 87% cheaper than Thorne)

Biotin Plus Keratin Tablets 10,000 mcg

$0.02 per serving (+6 pts, 87% cheaper than Thorne)

Biotin 5000 mcg Veg Capsules

$0.05 per serving (+10 pts, 67% cheaper than Thorne)

Biotin 8 mg

$0.07 per serving (+6 pts, 53% cheaper than Thorne)

Biotin 10000mcg Gummies

$0.10 per serving (+2 pts, 33% cheaper than Thorne)

Biotin 2500 mcg Softgels

$0.12 per serving (+20 pts, 20% cheaper than Thorne)

Resveratrol: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's ResveraCel (NR + Trans-Resveratrol) scores 72 out of 100 at roughly $2.00 a day, with a value pillar of 10 out of 25. 6 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Reserveage Beauty Resveratrol 500mg, runs about 91 percent less per day while scoring 7 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne ResveraCel (NR + Trans-Resveratrol)

72/100

$2.00 per serving

Dosing & form
14/25
Purity & testing
25/25
Value
10/25
Transparency
23/25

Resveratrol 500mg

$0.18 per serving (+7 pts, 91% cheaper than Thorne)

Natural Resveratrol 200mg

$0.22 per serving (+5 pts, 89% cheaper than Thorne)

Resveratrol 1000mg Capsules

$0.22 per serving (+1 pt, 89% cheaper than Thorne)

Resveratrol 500mg

$0.30 per serving (+1 pt, 85% cheaper than Thorne)

Optimized Resveratrol Elite

$0.45 per serving (+10 pts, 78% cheaper than Thorne)

Trans Resveratrol 600mg

$0.68 per serving (+14 pts, 66% cheaper than Thorne)

Green Tea Extract (EGCG): what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Green Tea Phytosome scores 63 out of 100 at roughly $1.13 a day, with a value pillar of 7 out of 25. 6 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Best Naturals Green Tea Extract 500mg, runs about 96 percent less per day while scoring 5 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Green Tea Phytosome

63/100

$1.13 per serving

Dosing & form
18/25
Purity & testing
19/25
Value
7/25
Transparency
19/25

Green Tea Extract 500mg

$0.05 per serving (+5 pts, 96% cheaper than Thorne)

Organic Green Tea Extract Powder

$0.08 per serving (+11 pts, 93% cheaper than Thorne)

Green Tea Extract with EGCG & Vitamin C

$0.13 per serving (+21 pts, 88% cheaper than Thorne)

Mega Green Tea Extract, Lightly Caffeinated

$0.18 per serving (+21 pts, 84% cheaper than Thorne)

Green Tea Extract Supplement 500mg

$0.18 per serving (+5 pts, 84% cheaper than Thorne)

EGCg Green Tea Extract 400mg Veg Capsules

$0.24 per serving (+14 pts, 79% cheaper than Thorne)

Multivitamin (General Adult): what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Basic Nutrients 2/Day scores 84 out of 100 at roughly $1.20 a day, with a value pillar of 13 out of 25. 5 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Kirkland Signature Daily Multi Vitamins & Minerals, runs about 98 percent less per day while scoring 7 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day

84/100

$1.20 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
13/25
Transparency
23/25

Daily Multi Vitamins & Minerals

$0.03 per serving (+7 pts, 98% cheaper than Thorne)

Multi Complete with Iron

$0.08 per serving (+5 pts, 93% cheaper than Thorne)

Centrum Silver Adults 50+

$0.09 per serving (+3 pts, 93% cheaper than Thorne)

One Daily Multivitamin for Men

$0.31 per serving (+4 pts, 74% cheaper than Thorne)

One-Per-Day Multivitamin

$0.31 per serving (+5 pts, 74% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Citrulline: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne L-Citrulline scores 81 out of 100 at roughly $0.67 a day, with a value pillar of 15 out of 25. 5 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, BulkSupplements L-Citrulline Powder (500g), runs about 87 percent less per day while scoring 11 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne L-Citrulline

81/100

$0.67 per serving

Dosing & form
18/25
Purity & testing
25/25
Value
15/25
Transparency
23/25

BulkSupplements L-Citrulline Powder (500g)

$0.09 per serving (+11 pts, 87% cheaper than Thorne)

Nutricost L-Citrulline Powder (300g)

$0.13 per serving (+12 pts, 81% cheaper than Thorne)

NOW Foods L-Citrulline Pure Powder (227g)

$0.18 per serving (+2 pts, 73% cheaper than Thorne)

Kaged Citrulline (Fermented L-Citrulline, 200g)

$0.38 per serving (+1 pt, 43% cheaper than Thorne)

Transparent Labs RawSeries Citrulline Malate

$0.50 per serving (+9 pts, 25% cheaper than Thorne)

Milk Thistle (Silymarin): what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Siliphos 160mg scores 75 out of 100 at roughly $1.07 a day, with a value pillar of 11 out of 25. 5 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle 150mg, runs about 90 percent less per day while scoring 10 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Siliphos 160mg

75/100

$1.07 per serving

Dosing & form
14/25
Purity & testing
25/25
Value
11/25
Transparency
25/25

Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle 150mg

$0.11 per serving (+10 pts, 90% cheaper than Thorne)

Nutricost Milk Thistle 250mg (80% Silymarin)

$0.12 per serving (+1 pt, 89% cheaper than Thorne)

NOW Foods Silymarin Milk Thistle Extract 300mg

$0.26 per serving (+2 pts, 76% cheaper than Thorne)

Life Extension Advanced Milk Thistle (Silymarin + Phosphatidylcholine)

$0.54 per serving (+2 pts, 50% cheaper than Thorne)

Pure Encapsulations Silymarin 250mg

$0.75 per serving (+2 pts, 30% cheaper than Thorne)

Digestive Enzymes: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Bio-Gest scores 74 out of 100 at roughly $0.73 a day, with a value pillar of 13 out of 25. 5 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Foods Super Enzymes, runs about 77 percent less per day while scoring 10 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Bio-Gest

74/100

$0.73 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
13/25
Value
13/25
Transparency
23/25

Super Enzymes

$0.17 per serving (+10 pts, 77% cheaper than Thorne)

Essential Enzymes 500mg

$0.20 per serving (+2 pts, 73% cheaper than Thorne)

Fast Act Lactase Enzyme Supplement

$0.23 per serving (+10 pts, 68% cheaper than Thorne)

Digestive Enzymes

$0.31 per serving (+6 pts, 58% cheaper than Thorne)

Digest Gold with ATPro

$0.45 per serving (+3 pts, 38% cheaper than Thorne)

Boswellia Serrata: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Boswellia Phytosome (Casperome) scores 70 out of 100 at roughly $0.70 a day, with a value pillar of 13 out of 25. 5 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Nutricost Boswellia Extract 1200mg, runs about 60 percent less per day while scoring 20 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Boswellia Phytosome (Casperome)

70/100

$0.70 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
13/25
Value
13/25
Transparency
19/25

Boswellia Extract 1200mg

$0.28 per serving (+20 pts, 60% cheaper than Thorne)

Boswellia Extract, 500mg

$0.28 per serving (+14 pts, 60% cheaper than Thorne)

5-LOX Inhibitor with ApresFlex

$0.30 per serving (+14 pts, 57% cheaper than Thorne)

Boswellia Standardized 800mg

$0.30 per serving (+14 pts, 57% cheaper than Thorne)

Boswellia Extract 1000mg

$0.33 per serving (+10 pts, 53% cheaper than Thorne)

BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids): what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Amino Complex scores 86 out of 100 at roughly $1.60 a day, with a value pillar of 13 out of 25. 4 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, BulkSupplements BCAA 2:1:1 Powder, runs about 93 percent less per day while scoring 6 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Amino Complex

86/100

$1.60 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
25/25
Value
13/25
Transparency
23/25

BulkSupplements BCAA 2:1:1 Powder

$0.12 per serving (+6 pts, 93% cheaper than Thorne)

Nutricost BCAA Powder 2:1:1

$0.23 per serving (+1 pt, 86% cheaper than Thorne)

NOW Sports BCAA Powder

$0.28 per serving (+2 pts, 83% cheaper than Thorne)

Naked BCAAs

$0.33 per serving (+1 pt, 79% cheaper than Thorne)

Melatonin: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Melaton-3 scores 82 out of 100 at roughly $0.27 a day, with a value pillar of 11 out of 25. 4 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Foods Melatonin 3mg, runs about 81 percent less per day while scoring 7 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Melaton-3

82/100

$0.27 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
11/25
Transparency
23/25

Melatonin 3mg

$0.05 per serving (+7 pts, 81% cheaper than Thorne)

Melatonin 3mg

$0.07 per serving (+4 pts, 74% cheaper than Thorne)

Melatonin 300 mcg (0.3mg)

$0.08 per serving (+9 pts, 70% cheaper than Thorne)

Melatonin 0.5mg

$0.21 per serving (+1 pt, 22% cheaper than Thorne)

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid): what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne PharmaGABA-100 scores 82 out of 100 at roughly $0.55 a day, with a value pillar of 11 out of 25. 4 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Foods GABA 500mg, runs about 89 percent less per day while scoring 5 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne PharmaGABA-100

82/100

$0.55 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
11/25
Transparency
23/25

NOW Foods GABA 500mg

$0.06 per serving (+5 pts, 89% cheaper than Thorne)

Source Naturals GABA 750mg

$0.09 per serving (+2 pts, 84% cheaper than Thorne)

NOW Foods GABA 750mg

$0.10 per serving (+3 pts, 82% cheaper than Thorne)

Life Extension GABA 750mg

$0.12 per serving (+4 pts, 78% cheaper than Thorne)

Glycine: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Glycine scores 81 out of 100 at roughly $0.74 a day, with a value pillar of 13 out of 25. 4 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Source Naturals Glycine Powder, runs about 91 percent less per day while scoring 3 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Glycine

81/100

$0.74 per serving

Dosing & form
22/25
Purity & testing
24/25
Value
13/25
Transparency
22/25

Glycine Powder

$0.07 per serving (+3 pts, 91% cheaper than Thorne)

Glycine Powder

$0.10 per serving (+5 pts, 86% cheaper than Thorne)

Glycine Powder (pure)

$0.12 per serving (+8 pts, 84% cheaper than Thorne)

Glycine 1000mg

$0.36 per serving (+2 pts, 51% cheaper than Thorne)

Copper: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Copper Bisglycinate 2 mg scores 82 out of 100 at roughly $0.32 a day, with a value pillar of 11 out of 25. 3 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Foods Copper Glycinate 3 mg, runs about 81 percent less per day while scoring 4 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Copper Bisglycinate 2 mg

82/100

$0.32 per serving

Dosing & form
24/25
Purity & testing
24/25
Value
11/25
Transparency
23/25

NOW Foods Copper Glycinate 3 mg

$0.06 per serving (+4 pts, 81% cheaper than Thorne)

Nutricost Copper Glycinate 3 mg

$0.09 per serving (+1 pt, 72% cheaper than Thorne)

Pure Encapsulations Copper (glycinate) 2 mg

$0.22 per serving (+5 pts, 31% cheaper than Thorne)

Fish Oil (Omega-3): what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Super EPA scores 81 out of 100 at roughly $0.94 a day, with a value pillar of 13 out of 25. 3 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 (500 EPA / 250 DHA), runs about 85 percent less per day while scoring 3 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Super EPA

81/100

$0.94 per serving

Dosing & form
18/25
Purity & testing
25/25
Value
13/25
Transparency
25/25

NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3 (500 EPA / 250 DHA)

$0.14 per serving (+3 pts, 85% cheaper than Thorne)

Sports Research Triple Strength Omega-3

$0.31 per serving (+5 pts, 67% cheaper than Thorne)

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega 1280mg

$0.88 per serving (+5 pts, 6% cheaper than Thorne)

Vitamin C: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Vitamin C with Flavonoids, 90 Capsules scores 80 out of 100 at roughly $0.51 a day, with a value pillar of 13 out of 25. 3 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NutriBiotic Sodium Ascorbate, Crystalline Powder, 16 oz, runs about 86 percent less per day while scoring 4 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Vitamin C with Flavonoids, 90 Capsules

80/100

$0.51 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
19/25
Value
13/25
Transparency
23/25

Sodium Ascorbate, Crystalline Powder, 16 oz

$0.07 per serving (+4 pts, 86% cheaper than Thorne)

C-1000, 250 Tablets

$0.08 per serving (+4 pts, 84% cheaper than Thorne)

Extra Strength Vitamin C 1000 mg Tablets

$0.13 per serving (+15 pts, 75% cheaper than Thorne)

Potassium: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Potassium Citrate scores 69 out of 100 at roughly $0.17 a day, with a value pillar of 13 out of 25. 3 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Nutricost Potassium Citrate 99 mg, runs about 88 percent less per day while scoring 5 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Potassium Citrate

69/100

$0.17 per serving

Dosing & form
10/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
13/25
Transparency
23/25

Nutricost Potassium Citrate 99 mg

$0.02 per serving (+5 pts, 88% cheaper than Thorne)

Nature Made Potassium Gluconate 550 mg (90 mg elemental)

$0.04 per serving (+8 pts, 76% cheaper than Thorne)

NOW Foods Potassium Citrate 99 mg

$0.05 per serving (+6 pts, 71% cheaper than Thorne)

Creatine Monohydrate: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Creatine (Creapure) scores 92 out of 100 at roughly $0.49 a day, with a value pillar of 21 out of 25. 2 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Sports Sports Creatine Monohydrate Powder, runs about 78 percent less per day while scoring 1 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Creatine (Creapure)

92/100

$0.49 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
21/25
Transparency
23/25

Sports Creatine Monohydrate Powder

$0.11 per serving (+1 pt, 78% cheaper than Thorne)

Naked Creatine

$0.18 per serving (+1 pt, 63% cheaper than Thorne)

Folate / Methylfolate: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne 5-MTHF 1mg (L-Methylfolate) scores 87 out of 100 at roughly $0.40 a day, with a value pillar of 16 out of 25. 2 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Nature Made Folic Acid 400mcg, runs about 95 percent less per day while scoring 6 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne 5-MTHF 1mg (L-Methylfolate)

87/100

$0.40 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
16/25
Transparency
23/25

Nature Made Folic Acid 400mcg

$0.02 per serving (+6 pts, 95% cheaper than Thorne)

Pure Encapsulations Folate 400mcg (L-Methylfolate)

$0.24 per serving (+4 pts, 40% cheaper than Thorne)

Vitamin B12: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Methylcobalamin scores 86 out of 100 at roughly $0.40 a day, with a value pillar of 11 out of 25. 2 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Nature Made Vitamin B12 1000 mcg, runs about 83 percent less per day while scoring 5 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Methylcobalamin

86/100

$0.40 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
25/25
Value
11/25
Transparency
25/25

Nature Made Vitamin B12 1000 mcg

$0.07 per serving (+5 pts, 83% cheaper than Thorne)

Pure Encapsulations Vitamin B12 1000 mcg

$0.23 per serving (+1 pt, 43% cheaper than Thorne)

Iodine: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Iodine & Tyrosine (225 mcg + 500 mg L-Tyrosine) scores 84 out of 100 at roughly $0.40 a day, with a value pillar of 17 out of 25. 2 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Foods Kelp 150 mcg (200 tablets), runs about 93 percent less per day while scoring 2 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Iodine & Tyrosine (225 mcg + 500 mg L-Tyrosine)

84/100

$0.40 per serving

Dosing & form
21/25
Purity & testing
24/25
Value
17/25
Transparency
22/25

NOW Foods Kelp 150 mcg (200 tablets)

$0.03 per serving (+2 pts, 93% cheaper than Thorne)

Pure Encapsulations Iodine (Potassium Iodide) 225 mcg

$0.16 per serving (+6 pts, 60% cheaper than Thorne)

Quercetin: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Quercetin Phytosome 250 mg scores 83 out of 100 at roughly $0.73 a day, with a value pillar of 19 out of 25. 2 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Doctor's Best Quercetin Bromelain 500 mg, runs about 79 percent less per day while scoring 4 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Quercetin Phytosome 250 mg

83/100

$0.73 per serving

Dosing & form
18/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
19/25
Transparency
23/25

Quercetin Bromelain 500 mg

$0.15 per serving (+4 pts, 79% cheaper than Thorne)

Quercetin with Bromelain 800 mg

$0.17 per serving (+4 pts, 77% cheaper than Thorne)

Vitamin B6: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate (P5P) scores 82 out of 100 at roughly $0.11 a day, with a value pillar of 15 out of 25. 2 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Foods Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine HCl) 100 mg, runs about 55 percent less per day while scoring 2 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Pyridoxal 5'-Phosphate (P5P)

82/100

$0.11 per serving

Dosing & form
21/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
15/25
Transparency
23/25

NOW Foods Vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine HCl) 100 mg

$0.05 per serving (+2 pts, 55% cheaper than Thorne)

Nature Made Vitamin B6 100 mg

$0.10 per serving (+8 pts, 9% cheaper than Thorne)

Fiber Supplement: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's FiberMend Prebiotic Fiber scores 73 out of 100 at roughly $2.05 a day, with a value pillar of 9 out of 25. 2 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Foods Organic Acacia Fiber Powder, runs about 80 percent less per day while scoring 5 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne FiberMend Prebiotic Fiber

73/100

$2.05 per serving

Dosing & form
21/25
Purity & testing
20/25
Value
9/25
Transparency
23/25

Organic Acacia Fiber Powder

$0.40 per serving (+5 pts, 80% cheaper than Thorne)

Healthy Fiber (Sunfiber PHGG)

$1.06 per serving (+6 pts, 48% cheaper than Thorne)

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Riboflavin 5'-Phosphate scores 73 out of 100 at roughly $0.30 a day, with a value pillar of 12 out of 25. 2 products in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Nutricost Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 400 mg, runs about 60 percent less per day while scoring 12 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Riboflavin 5'-Phosphate

73/100

$0.30 per serving

Dosing & form
15/25
Purity & testing
24/25
Value
12/25
Transparency
22/25

Nutricost Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 400 mg

$0.12 per serving (+12 pts, 60% cheaper than Thorne)

NOW Foods Vitamin B-2 (Riboflavin) 100 mg

$0.28 per serving (+5 pts, 7% cheaper than Thorne)

Nicotinamide Riboside (NR): what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne NiaCel 400, 60 Capsules scores 91 out of 100 at roughly $1.25 a day, with a value pillar of 19 out of 25. 1 product in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Tru Niagen 300mg, 90 Servings, runs about 12 percent less per day while scoring 2 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne NiaCel 400, 60 Capsules

91/100

$1.25 per serving

Dosing & form
24/25
Purity & testing
24/25
Value
19/25
Transparency
24/25

Tru Niagen 300mg, 90 Servings

$1.10 per serving (+2 pts, 12% cheaper than Thorne)

Prenatal Multivitamin: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Basic Prenatal scores 90 out of 100 at roughly $1.23 a day, with a value pillar of 19 out of 25. 1 product in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Nature Made Prenatal Folic Acid + DHA, 90 Softgels, runs about 84 percent less per day while scoring 1 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Basic Prenatal

90/100

$1.23 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
19/25
Transparency
23/25

Prenatal Folic Acid + DHA, 90 Softgels

$0.20 per serving (+1 pt, 84% cheaper than Thorne)

Selenium: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Selenomethionine 200 mcg scores 88 out of 100 at roughly $0.20 a day, with a value pillar of 15 out of 25. 1 product in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Nature Made Selenium 200 mcg, runs about 80 percent less per day while scoring 8 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Selenomethionine 200 mcg

88/100

$0.20 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
25/25
Value
15/25
Transparency
23/25

Nature Made Selenium 200 mcg

$0.04 per serving (+8 pts, 80% cheaper than Thorne)

CoQ10 (Ubiquinol): what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne CoQ10 100mg scores 87 out of 100 at roughly $0.72 a day, with a value pillar of 12 out of 25. 1 product in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Nature Made CoQ10 200mg, runs about 61 percent less per day while scoring 1 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne CoQ10 100mg

87/100

$0.72 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
25/25
Value
12/25
Transparency
25/25

Nature Made CoQ10 200mg

$0.28 per serving (+1 pt, 61% cheaper than Thorne)

Boron: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Boron Picolinate 3 mg scores 86 out of 100 at roughly $0.30 a day, with a value pillar of 16 out of 25. 1 product in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Foods Boron 3 mg (Bororganic Glycine), runs about 73 percent less per day while scoring 1 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Boron Picolinate 3 mg

86/100

$0.30 per serving

Dosing & form
23/25
Purity & testing
24/25
Value
16/25
Transparency
23/25

Boron 3 mg (Bororganic Glycine)

$0.08 per serving (+1 pt, 73% cheaper than Thorne)

Berberine: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's Thorne Berberine-500 scores 83 out of 100 at roughly $0.73 a day, with a value pillar of 19 out of 25. 1 product in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, Pure Encapsulations Berberine 500mg, runs about 22 percent less per day while scoring 2 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne Thorne Berberine-500

83/100

$0.73 per serving

Dosing & form
18/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
19/25
Transparency
23/25

Pure Encapsulations Berberine 500mg

$0.57 per serving (+2 pts, 22% cheaper than Thorne)

L-Theanine: what Thorne scores, and what beats it

Thorne's L-Theanine scores 78 out of 100 at roughly $0.67 a day, with a value pillar of 7 out of 25. 1 product in this category score higher and cost less. The cheapest of them, NOW Foods L-Theanine 200mg with Inositol, runs about 75 percent less per day while scoring 5 points higher.

The anchor

Thorne L-Theanine

78/100

$0.67 per serving

Dosing & form
25/25
Purity & testing
23/25
Value
7/25
Transparency
23/25

L-Theanine 200mg with Inositol

$0.17 per serving (+5 pts, 75% cheaper than Thorne)

The caveat that actually matters: this split is a snapshot of our rubric against current prices, not a verdict on Thorne as a company. Practitioner recommendations, a specific form your body tolerates better, or simple brand trust are legitimate reasons to stay with a product even when a cheaper one scores higher here. Use the 17-vs-40 split to decide where it is worth double-checking, not as a reason to distrust every Thorne product you own.

Common Questions

Is Thorne worth the money?

That depends entirely on which product. Thorne is the single best-scoring option we have for 17 of the 57 Thorne products we score, and on those, buying Thorne is defensible under our rubric. On the other 40, mostly simpler single-ingredient formulas, a cheaper product scores higher, sometimes by a wide margin. Averaging Thorne into one verdict would misrepresent both halves, which is why this page is a split, not a score.

Where does Thorne actually beat the field?

On our scoring, 17 places, spanning single minerals like Iron Bisglycinate (94/100) and Zinc Picolinate (90) to patented extracts like its Meriva SF Curcumin Phytosome (90), a better-absorbed curcumin form plain turmeric powder cannot match. Nothing we score currently beats any of these 17 on both score and cost at once, which is a genuine result under our rubric, not a courtesy.

Where am I overpaying with Thorne?

Mostly on commodities, the categories where a well-dosed, third-party-tested generic does the same job for less. Thorne Vitamin D-5,000 scores 85, and Kirkland's D3 scores 95 at roughly 94 percent less per day. Thorne's Basic Nutrients 2/Day multivitamin scores 84 against Kirkland's Daily Multi at 91, for about 98 percent less. Thorne Methylcobalamin B12 scores 86 against Nature Made's B12 1000 mcg at 91, for about 83 percent less. The molecule is the same everywhere in these categories, so testing and dosing, not the brand on the label, is what should decide the price.

Is Thorne a low-quality brand?

No, and that is not what this page argues. Thorne clears our dosing, purity, and transparency pillars at a high level across nearly all 57 products we score; value is its weakest pillar by a wide margin. That is a statement about price relative to what cheaper competitors deliver on the same rubric, not about formulation quality. 17 of its products are the best-scoring option we have in their category. The other 40 are good products that cost more than something that scores higher.

The full method behind every number here is on our methodology page. For the category with the widest gap on this page, read the vitamin D3 profile.

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.