Fish Oil vs Krill Oil

For most people fish oil wins on value — it delivers several times more EPA/DHA per dollar. Krill oil is better if you want to avoid fishy burps, want the astaxanthin it contains, or prefer smaller pills, and you do not mind paying a premium.

Only if the perks matter to you — no fishy aftertaste, added astaxanthin, slightly better gram-for-gram absorption. On pure cost per gram of EPA/DHA, fish oil is much cheaper.

The cheapest Fish Oil we track is $0.07 per serving; the cheapest Krill Oil is $0.09 per serving — so Fish Oil costs less per dose right now (August 2026).

The main downside for most shoppers is cost: krill oil usually costs more per gram of EPA and DHA than fish oil, partly because per-capsule omega-3 concentrations tend to be lower, so you may need more capsules to reach the same dose. Reported side effects are generally mild and similar to fish oil, such as a fishy aftertaste, burping, or mild stomach upset. Krill are crustaceans, so people with shellfish allergies are often advised to avoid krill oil. If your goal is mainly to reach an omega-3 target for the least money, it helps to compare the actual price per gram of EPA+DHA rather than the price per bottle. This is general information, not medical advice.

They deliver the same core omega-3s (EPA and DHA), so taking both mainly means you're paying for two products to get the same nutrients, which usually isn't necessary to hit a dose target. High total doses of omega-3s may affect blood clotting, so if you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder it's worth checking with a clinician before combining or taking large amounts. For most shoppers, choosing the single form with the lowest cost per gram of EPA+DHA is a simpler and cheaper way to reach a target than stacking both. This is general information, not medical advice.

All three supply EPA and DHA but differ in extras and price. Krill oil contains the antioxidant astaxanthin and delivers its omega-3s in phospholipid form, typically at a higher price per gram. Cod liver oil also provides vitamins A and D, which can be a plus unless you already get enough of those, since high intakes of preformed vitamin A can be a concern. Plain fish oil is often the most concentrated and the cheapest per gram of omega-3s. For most people the deciding factors are which added nutrients you want and the price per gram of EPA+DHA. This is general information, not medical advice.

Some studies suggest omega-3s from either source may modestly ease joint stiffness or discomfort, but the evidence is limited and doesn't clearly show one form is better than the other for joints. Because any benefit depends on getting enough EPA and DHA, the cheaper-per-gram option (often fish oil) lets you reach a meaningful dose for less. Joint pain has many causes, so it's best to treat a supplement as a possible add-on rather than a replacement for proper care, and to discuss persistent joint pain with a clinician. This is general information, not medical advice.

There is no RDA; the IOM set Adequate Intakes (AIs) for ALA based on omega-3 intakes in healthy populations. For adults 19-50, that is 1.6 g/day for men and 1.1 g/day for women. Pregnancy is 1.4 g/day and lactation 1.3 g/day. The IOM did not establish specific intake recommendations for EPA or DHA. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.

The IOM set no upper limit (UL). High doses (900 mg/day EPA plus 600 mg/day DHA or more for several weeks) might reduce immune function; 2-15 g/day EPA and/or DHA might increase bleeding time. Both the FDA and EFSA consider up to about 5 g/day EPA and DHA safe; in two trials, 4 g/day for several years slightly raised atrial fibrillation risk in people with or at high risk of CVD. Mild side effects include bad breath, heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. — per the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements; general information, not medical advice.