Compare supplements by cost per dose

Glycinate vs Oxide

For daily supplementation, magnesium glycinate is the better choice for most people — it is far better absorbed and gentle on the gut. Magnesium oxide is cheaper per milligram but poorly absorbed, and is really only useful as an occasional laxative.

Glycinate vs Citrate

Both are well-absorbed and a solid choice. Pick glycinate for sleep, stress, and a calm gut; pick citrate if you want a well-absorbed form that also helps with regularity, often at a slightly lower price.

Citrate vs Oxide

Magnesium citrate is the better all-rounder — meaningfully better absorbed than oxide and gentler at supplement doses. Oxide is cheaper per milligram but mostly passes through unabsorbed.

Glycinate vs L-Threonate

For everyday magnesium — sleep, stress, muscle — glycinate does the job at a fraction of the cost. Magnesium L-threonate (Magtein) is the premium, research-backed form chosen specifically for brain and cognitive support, and you pay a large premium per dose for it.

Standard C vs Liposomal C

Standard vitamin C is plenty for almost everyone and costs a fraction of liposomal. Liposomal vitamin C aims to deliver more at high doses (1000 mg+) by encapsulating it in fat — the absorption edge is real but modest, and the price premium is large.

Citrate vs Carbonate

Calcium citrate is the easier-to-absorb, gentler form — it does not need stomach acid, so it suits older adults, anyone on acid-reducers, and sensitive stomachs, and can be taken without food. Calcium carbonate is cheaper with more elemental calcium per pill, but must be taken with a meal and more often causes gas or constipation.

Ubiquinol vs Ubiquinone

Ubiquinol is the body-ready (reduced) form of CoQ10 and is generally better absorbed, which matters more after about 40 when the body converts CoQ10 less efficiently. Ubiquinone (regular CoQ10) is cheaper and very stable, and works well for most younger, healthy people — especially taken with a fatty meal.

Fish oil vs Krill oil

Fish oil is the value choice — far more EPA/DHA per dollar, so it is the efficient way to hit an omega-3 target. Krill oil delivers omega-3s in phospholipid form (possibly slightly better absorbed) plus astaxanthin and no fishy burps, but you pay a steep premium per gram of EPA/DHA.

Methylcobalamin vs Cyanocobalamin

Both raise B12 levels effectively for most people. Methylcobalamin is the body-ready, active form, preferred if you want to avoid the trace cyanide molecule in cyanocobalamin or have absorption concerns. Cyanocobalamin is cheaper, extremely stable, and the form used in most studies. For ordinary supplementation either works — methyl is the gentler, premium pick.

D3 vs D2

For raising and maintaining vitamin D levels, D3 (cholecalciferol) is the better choice for most people. Both D2 and D3 are well absorbed and both cure rickets, but most evidence shows D3 raises blood 25(OH)D more and keeps it elevated longer. D2 (ergocalciferol) shows up mainly in high-dose prescriptions and some vegan-by-default products.

Glycinate vs Malate

Both are well-absorbed organic magnesium forms that are gentle on the gut, so neither is clearly "better" — the choice is mostly the partner molecule and timing. Glycinate is bound to the calming amino acid glycine and is popular for evening use, sleep, and stress; malate is bound to malic acid and is often taken in the daytime, sometimes marketed for energy and muscle comfort, though evidence for those specific uses is limited.

Picolinate vs Gluconate

For everyday zinc, picolinate is a solid pick — it is often cited as one of the better-absorbed forms. Gluconate is cheaper, very well studied (it is the classic cold-lozenge form), and absorbed well enough for general use, so it is the better value. Neither is dramatically superior, and both beat cheap zinc oxide.

Bisglycinate vs Ferrous sulfate

Iron bisglycinate is the gentle choice — a chelated form that is much easier on the stomach while still raising iron, so it is the go-to if ferrous sulfate upset you. Ferrous sulfate is the cheapest and most-studied iron and works well, but it causes the most nausea and constipation. Only supplement iron if you are actually low.

Picolinate vs Citrate

Both are well-absorbed daily zinc forms with little to separate them in practice. Picolinate is the form most often singled out for absorption; citrate is also well absorbed, gentle, and usually cheaper. For most people the difference is minor — choose on cost per dose unless you specifically want picolinate.

Monohydrate vs HCl

Monohydrate is the clear default — it is by far the most-studied, most-proven creatine and the cheapest per gram. HCl is more water-soluble and marketed as gentler (less bloating) at smaller doses, but there is no good evidence it works better. Buy monohydrate for value and evidence; consider HCl only if monohydrate upsets your stomach. Note HCl is dosed smaller, so compare cost per gram, not per serving.

Marine vs Bovine

Both are hydrolyzed collagen peptides that work for skin, hair, nails and joints — the main difference is source. Bovine (from cattle) supplies types I & III, is the most common, and is usually the better value per serving. Marine (from fish) is mostly type I with smaller peptides, suits pescatarians and those avoiding beef, and tends to cost more. Pick on dietary preference and cost per serving.

Glycinate vs Taurate

Both are well-absorbed, gentle chelated forms of magnesium. Glycinate (magnesium + glycine) is the versatile pick for sleep, stress, and sensitive stomachs. Taurate (magnesium + taurine) is often chosen by people focused on cardiovascular and blood-pressure support, though high-quality human evidence for that specific edge is limited. For most general use they are interchangeable — pick on price per dose unless you specifically want taurine.