With hundreds of options on the market, knowing which vitamin brands to trust and where to buy them can be overwhelming. Jamie Gershel, MS, RD, says, “It is important to choose vitamin brands that do extensive testing, ideally by an independent organization. You should also check for supplements with high-quality ingredients that lack fillers or unnecessary additives.”
We’ve helped you take the guesswork out of finding the best vitamin brands by spending many hours researching dozens of brands. We prioritize research-backed formulations and dosages, internal and independent verification, sourcing transparency, and overall ingredient quality and brand integrity to get the vitamin brands we recommend for our top picks.
Editor’s Note
Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every single supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology.
Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs, and to find out what dosage to take.
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Over 30 NSF Certified for Sport products
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Tests many products in clinical trials
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Comprehensive supplement offerings
Key Specs:
Vitamin Forms: Capsules, liquid, powder | Certifications: Certain products are NSF Certified for Sport | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes, not certified
Thorne Research is a trustworthy and reputable vitamin supplement brand. It partners with various research organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health, the Mayo Clinic, and the Cleveland Clinic, and tests many of its products via clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy. Thorne produces a variety of vitamin supplements, protein powders, collagen supplements, probiotics, omega-3s, and more.
Thorne supplements are made with quality ingredients that have been tested for contaminants. Many of Thorne’s products have the NSF Certified for Sport seal. This seal verifies that supplements are verified to have accurate ingredient amounts and are free from contaminants and substances prohibited for athletes. For competitive athletes, in particular, this is an important consideration when choosing a vitamin brand.
Thorne Creatine is one of our top creatine picks because it dissolves quickly and is easy to mix.
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Some products are USP Verified and Informed Sport Certified
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Internally and independently verified
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Monthly subscription service
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Traceable ingredients listed on the website
Key Specs:
Vitamin Forms: Capsules, powders | Certifications: Some products are USP Verified and Clean Label Certified | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes
We love that Ritual plainly lists where all their ingredients come from, and they do internal and independent verification on their products. This means they are verified to have accurate ingredient labels and to be free of contaminants. Notably, Ritual’s Women’s Multivitamin is USP Verified, and the protein powder is Clean Label certified. When browsing their supplements online, you will find a list of each ingredient, including where it was sourced, the form of vitamin and mineral used, and why it has been included in the supplement.
We like their highly curated supplement offerings, which target the specific needs of different genders and stages of life. In addition to multivitamins, they offer Essential Protein Shake protein powder, which is one of our favorite vegan protein powders because it has just the right amount of sweetness and blends well in a smoothie. They also sell Synbiotic+, a single capsule combining pre-, pro-, and postbiotics to support gut health.
In addition to their extensive testing protocols, Rituals formulations and dosages are science-backed and developed by a team of doctors and registered dietitians, making them a trusted brand.
Ritual offers a single-purchase option and a monthly subscription that delivers supplements to your door making it a convenient, hassle-free option.
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Some products are NSF Certified and have the Clean Label Product Purity Award
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Some products are organic or vegetarian
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Free of top food allergens
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Options for various lifestages
Key Specs:
Vitamin Forms: Gummies, capsules | Certifications: Certain products are NSF Certified and ConsumerLab approved | Organic: Some products are USDA organic | Non-GMO: Yes
One easy way to make your supplement intake more enjoyable is to get them in gummy form. If you are not a fan of swallowing pills, try SmartyPants, a reputable vitamin brand that makes gummy vitamins as well as capsules. Some products are NSF Certified and have the Clean Label Project Purity Award. Their website explains their testing process, and you can find specific products with certifications, awards, and results from independent verification.
The company has an organic line of vegetarian gummies, and their bottles are 100% recyclable. For every bottle of SmartyPants sold, the company makes a one-for-one nutrient grant to Vitamin Angels, an organization that provides supplements to at-risk populations worldwide. SmartyPants gummies do not contain any synthetic colors or artificial flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives, but they do have added sugars, so that is something to note if you need to monitor sugar intake.
RD Favorites from SmartyPants
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NSF Certified for Sport
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Free from artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners
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Supplement line is geared towards athletes
Key Specs:
Vitamin Forms: Gummies, capsules, chews, soft gels, tablets, powders | Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes
Athletes who are vegetarian, vegan, female, or follow restrictive diets may be at greater risk of vitamin deficiencies. If you are a competitive athlete, choosing a vitamin brand that is independently verified to ensure your supplements are free of contaminants and banned substances is even more critical.
That’s why we like Klean Athlete as a vitamin brand for athletes (and non-athletes, too). Every product Klean Athlete produces is NSF Certified for Sport, so you can rest assured that it is free of banned substances and contaminants. Klean Athlete is transparent about ingredient sourcing and lab testing. In addition to this stringent independent verification, its products are all made without artificial coloring, flavoring, or sweeteners.
You can shop by your sport on their website to find supplements that may be especially helpful to get the most out of your workouts and help you recover. In our testing, we liked Klean Athlete Klean Isolate for an unflavored protein powder that can be added to smoothies, baked goods, oatmeal, yogurt, etc. Klean Athlete Klean Creatine was also our favorite tested creatine powder because it dissolves quickly and doesn’t add any flavor.
RD Favorites from Klean Athlete
Key Specs:
Vitamin Forms: Pills, gummies, soft gels | Certifications: Many products are USP verified | Organic: No | Non-GMO: No
Nature Made is a trusted company that produces affordable vitamins. Many of its products are USP verified, meaning they have been tested for ingredient accuracy and to be free of contaminants. Nature Made also shares clinical trials that have been completed using its products.
Nature Made produces a variety of vitamin supplements, including a multivitamin, multivitamins specific to men, women, and children, and vitamins C, D, E, and K. Their vitamin supplements come in varying doses and forms, including pills and gummies. While the gummies do not contain any artificial flavors or dyes, they have added sugar. You’ll notice Nature Made is featured in many of our articles as the best budget pick because their supplements are high quality without coming at a high price point.
RD Favorites from Nature Made
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Many products are free from common allergens
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Collaborates with academic institutions to conduct clinical studies
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Independently verified and produced in an NSF-registered facility
Key Specs:
Vitamin Forms: Tablets, gummies, chewables, liquid, spray, powders| Certifications: Many products are certified gluten-free | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes
If you have a common food allergy, you may need to be extra careful when choosing a vitamin brand. Pure Encapsulations is a trusted supplement brand whose products are free from the top food allergens, including wheat, eggs, tree nuts, and peanuts. Many but not all of their products are free from soy and dairy, so be sure to check the label if you have a sensitivity or allergy. Pure Encapsulations’ products are also free from artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.
Pure Encapsulations makes high-quality vitamin supplements that outside labs independently verify for ingredient accuracy. It also collaborates with academic institutions, such as the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Women’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School, to conduct clinical studies published in peer-reviewed journals.
RD Favorites form Pure Encapsulation
Key Specs:
Vitamin Forms: Tablets, gummies, chewables, liquid, spray, powders | Certifications: USDA Organic, non-GMO | Organic: Yes | Non-GMO: Yes
If you are looking for an organic vitamin brand that uses whole-food ingredients, Garden of Life mykind Organics may be your choice. Mykind Organics produces a variety of vitamins and shares where the ingredients come from. The company pays attention to details such as farming practices and how farm workers are treated. Each product is vegan, certified USDA Organic, and non-GMO Verified. Many of their products are NSF Certified and/or ConsumerLab-approved.
Mykind Organics produces vitamins in various forms, including tablets, chewables, liquid, gummies, and a spray, so you will find a form you or your child will enjoy. Garden of Life also has a variety of independently verified sports supplements, like one of our favorite tested protein powders, Garden of Life Sport Protein Powder. We also love Garden of Life Raw Organic Perfect Food as our favorite greens powder because of its pleasant, fruity taste and a good source of many vitamins. We appreciate that all their products are free from synthetic ingredients, artificial flavors, and fillers.
Some vitamin and protein powder products contain extensive ingredient lists, sometimes with different herb blends. If you take other medications or supplements, read the label thoroughly or show a healthcare provider to check for potential interactions.
RD Favorites from Garden of Life
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This superfood greens powder contains digestive enzymes and probiotics.
Credit: Verywell Fit / Jhett Thompson
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The flavor has some fruity notes that complement the grassy taste of the greens.
Credit: Verywell Fit / Jhett Thompson
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Independently verified and Clean Label Project Certified
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Developed by a team of Registered Dietitians
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Offers personalized supplement guidance from RD experts
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Some products contain herbal and enzyme blends that may not be suitable for all
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Some of their beauty, detox, and metabolism supplements may lack sufficient evidence
Key Specs:
Vitamin Forms: Capsules, gummies, tablets, powders | Certifications: Clean Label Project Certified | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes
HUM offers a wide range of supplements developed by a team of Registered Dietitians and physician consultants. In addition to a rigorous internal testing program, HUM participates in independent verification for purity and quality, including heavy metal testing, and the products are Clean Label Project Certified.
We love that they offer free expert advice from their team of Registered Dietitians to help personalize your supplement routine. You can opt to fill out a quiz, which is reviewed by an RD, who you can then speak with directly to answer any questions on the recommended supplement routine. They also offer a subscription service, delivering your supplements each month.
Some of our favorite products from HUM include their RD and OBGYN-formulated Womb Service, a prenatal multivitamin plus omega-3. Additionally, we like their omega-3 supplement, OMG! Omega The Great, their vitamin D3, Here Comes The Sun, B12 Turbo, and their Base Control multivitamins.
Some HUM products marketed as beauty, weight loss, metabolism, and detox supplements may lack sufficient evidence compared to the supplements we mentioned above. If you are interested in taking any of these supplements, we recommend speaking to a healthcare provider first, particularly if you are pregnant, taking medications, or have a preexisting health condition.
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Independently verified with Certificates of Analysis available
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Some products are NSF Certified for Sport
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Certified Sustainable by Friend of the Sea and sustainable manufacturing practices
Key specs:
Vitamin Forms: Capsules, powders, liquids, gummy | Certifications: Friend of the Sea, COAs available for independent verification results | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes
Nordic Naturals practices sustainability in ingredient sourcing and manufacturing. This brand is best known for its omega-3 fish oil products, which are sourced from non-endangered, wild-caught fish and are all Certified Sustainable by Friend of the Sea. They also have green manufacturing policies, running the facility in Norway on biofuel from recycled materials. Additionally, their headquarters are LEED Gold Certified.
In addition to their sustainability focus, we love that Nordic Naturals uses independent verification for purity and potency, offering a Certificate of Analysis (COA) on their website for each product batch. Their commitment to quality and transparency ensures that you can trust that you are getting what the label says without any environmental toxins, including heavy metals or other potential contaminants. Nordic Naturals’ Sport line of products is also NSF Certified for Sport.
They offer a range of omega-3 products, probiotics, collagen, multivitamins, individual vitamin and mineral supplements, and children’s vitamins. Compared to some of the other brands on our list, they have a slightly more limited product range, with a focus on omega-3 and vitamin D3 supplements.
RD Favorites from Nordic Naturals
How We Selected the Best Vitamin Brands
Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here.
We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products.
It’s important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. To get the best vitamin brands we recommend, we spoke with several Registered Dietitians, including Gershel, who specializes in weight management, diabetes, heart health, mental health, and hormonal conditions like PCOS.
Are Vitamin Supplements Beneficial?
We recommend meeting as many of your nutrient needs as possible through eating a balanced and varied diet, but there are certain instances when supplements may be needed. If you have a diagnosed deficiency, experience malabsorption issues, or consume a limited or restrictive diet, you may benefit from a vitamin or mineral supplement. Additionally, certain life stages have increased nutrient needs. For example, pregnant and breastfeeding women, athletes, and older adults all have unique nutritional needs that might benefit from supplementing certain nutrients.
Groups who may benefit from vitamin, mineral, or other nutrient supplements include:
Those who consume limited or restricted diets that may not be adequate in certain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, such as those who are vegetarian or vegan, or those who do not eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, dairy, nuts, or seeds, may benefit from certain vitamin, mineral, or nutrient supplements.
Those with absorption issues: If you have a condition that limits your absorption of certain nutrients, you will likely benefit from supplementation.
Those with a diagnosed deficiency: Vitamin deficiencies can occur for various reasons, such as following a restrictive diet or having poor absorption due to certain conditions or medications. If you are diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency via a blood test, a healthcare provider may recommend using a vitamin supplement. They can suggest a recommended dose and form appropriate for your needs.
Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding: The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for pregnant women is slightly higher for certain nutrients. Some nutrients needed to support a healthy pregnancy include calcium, iron, choline, omega-3 fats, vitamin C, and B vitamins, including folic acid. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you are at greater risk of nutrient deficiency, and prenatal vitamins are essential.
Older adults: Adults over 50 may benefit from vitamin supplements if they cannot meet their needs through food due to decreased appetite or other reasons. As we age, our absorption of certain vitamins diminishes. It is important to speak with a healthcare provider to ensure that supplements do not interact with any medications you’re taking.
Who May Not Benefit From Vitamin Supplements
There are many different types of vitamin supplements on the market, and whether or not you will benefit from one is highly individual and dependent on your diet, lifestyle, health status, and whether you take certain medications. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before taking any supplements to ensure that they are safe and meet your individual needs.
People who eat a well-balanced diet. If you eat a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, or dairy, and a mix of protein-rich foods like beans, fish, tofu, poultry, and meat, you are likely meeting your nutrient needs through your diet.
People with certain medical conditions. Some supplements can make medical conditions worse, so it’s best to check with your healthcare provider before starting on any supplement.
People taking certain medications. Supplements may interact with medications, so if you are taking any medications, check with your healthcare provider before starting on a supplement.
What to Look For
Independent Verification
Supplements that are independently verified are sent to a lab, where they are tested to ensure that they contain what they say they contain and are not contaminated with specific high-risk contaminants. However, it’s important to note:
- Independent verification does not test to see whether a product is effective or safe for everyone, and it does not ensure the supplement will not interact with other supplements or medications.
- Not all independent verification is created equal. It is not uncommon for supplement companies to pay labs for certificates after conducting minimal or no testing.
- The independent verifications we trust are: ConsumerLab.com, NSF, and USP. However, these certifications are difficult to obtain and/or expensive for manufacturers, so many companies choose not to get their products tested by one of these three organizations.
- Sometimes products tested by these three companies are more expensive, as a way to try to offset the cost they pay for certification.
- Just because a supplement is not tested by one of these three companies does not mean it’s a bad product. We recommend doing some research on the reputation of the manufacturer and calling up the manufacturer and its testing lab to determine their protocols and decide whether you feel comfortable consuming the supplement.
- When in doubt, consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist to further assist you with verifying whether or not you need a supplement and, if so, to help you find the right one for you.
Form
Vitamin supplements come in varying forms, including capsules, liquids, chewables, gummies, powders, and sprays. Gummies and liquid forms may be beneficial for those who have trouble swallowing capsules, such as children or older adults. However, some liquid supplements may require refrigeration, and some gummies contain added sugars.
Certain brands offer supplements in different forms, so you can base your choice on personal preference. The form of the vitamin will vary among vitamins and brands, so whether you buy vitamins online or in person, check the label of your brand of choice.
Ingredients and Potential Interactions
It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients are present and how much of each ingredient is included relative to its recommended daily value. Please take the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the ingredients contained in the supplement and any potential interactions between these ingredients and other supplements and medications you or your child is taking.
Herbal blends: Some vitamin brands include herbs in their ingredient lists. If you are taking medications or other supplements, you should check with a healthcare provider before using vitamins with these ingredients to avoid unwanted interactions. Certain herbs can reduce the efficacy of particular medications or cause other unwanted side effects.
Dosage
Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that it is appropriate for your needs and to understand which dosage to take.
Dosage will vary, depending on what vitamin supplement you are taking and why. For each vitamin, there is a recommended dietary allowance (RDA) or adequate intake level (AI) as well as a tolerable upper limit (UL), which you can find via the National Institutes of Health. Follow dosage recommendations provided by a healthcare provider.
How Much Is Too Much?
It is important to ensure you take the proper dose of a given vitamin. The upper limits for different vitamins are established by the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. The water-soluble vitamins, which include vitamins C and B vitamins, are not likely to become toxic because our bodies will excrete excess amounts. Fat-soluble vitamins, which include vitamins A, D, E, and K, can become toxic at high doses. Be sure to consult with a healthcare provider to find the right dose for you and opt for a reputable vitamin brand.
Our Experts
- Jamie Gershel, MS, RD, registered dietitian specializing in weight management, diabetes, heart health, mental health, and hormonal conditions like PCOS.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
Tamar Kane, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian, Verywell Fit nutrition writer, and marathon runner. She is the founder of Tamar Kane Nutrition, a virtual practice that focuses on helping runners learn to fuel their running and their lives.
Tamar has a master’s degree in nutrition and exercise physiology from Teachers College, Columbia University, and specializes in working with plant-based athletes. Her goal is to help people understand how to properly fuel their bodies (and supplement if needed!) to optimize performance and well-being.