The Fast Facts
- With thousands of vitamin brands available on the market, third-party testing and certifications are key indicators of quality and safety.
- People should prioritize vitamin brands that are transparent about ingredients and manufacturing, including Certificates of Analysis (COA) and clear labeling.
- We rate Thorne as our best overall vitamin brand. Other brands we rank highly include Ritual and Double Wood Supplements.
Medical News Today editors have tested some of the products in this article. All opinions are their own.
The table below compares the brands in this article on key features. All listed products are third-party tested.
| Vitamin brands | Price | Form | Certifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thorne Research | $14 to $161 | • capsules • gummies • liquid • powder • softgels | • NSF certfied • TGA certified • NSF Certified for Sport |
| HUM | $12 to $195 | • capsules • softgels • tablets | • Clean Label Project certified • Non-GMO Project verified • NSF certified • TGA certified • NSF Certified for Sport |
| Double Wood Supplements | $14.95 to $129.95 | • capsules • gummies • liquid • powder | • CGMP certified |
| Ritual | $22 to $99 | • capsules • gummies • powder | • certified by UL Solutions • Non-GMO Project verified • USDA organic • some products are Informed Sport and USP certified |
| Garden of Life | $13 to $76 | • capsules • chews • powder • tablets • softgels | • Informed Choice • NSF Certified for Sport • Friend of the Sea certified • Marine Stewardship Council • organic • carbon-neutral • vegan • gluten-free |
| Now Foods | $5.99 to $149.99 | • capsules • chewables • e-oil • liquids • lozenges • softgels • tablets | • non-GMO • some are Informed Sport certified |
We selected these vitamin brands based on criteria we think are good indicators of safety, quality, and transparency.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
- the product’s composition, ingredients, and overall quality
- any third-party certifications
- the company’s reputation and business practices
- any lab test results
- marketing claims
Dietary supplements, such as vitamins, are subject to limited evaluations from the
This means vitamins may not contain the ingredients or doses that manufacturers claim they do, as contents may vary between batches.
Although the FDA requires vitamin manufacturers to follow CGMP regulations, this standard is not widely enforced.
However, the FDA does take action against adulterated or misbranded dietary supplements.
Reputable vitamin brands use third-party testing
People can determine the quality of a vitamin or dietary supplement by looking for brands with certifications from various third-party organizations.
Manufacturers can volunteer for third-party testing to indicate that their products are reliable and safe.
Products that undergo third-party testing may be evaluated for:
- standardized quality across batches
- correctly stated dosage
- ingredient purity
- the absence of potentially harmful contaminants
- label transparency
Vitamins may have a COA, which declares that a product has undergone testing for safety and quality.
Examples of third-party organizations that assess vitamin and supplement brands include the Banned Substances Control Group, ConsumerLab.com, and NSF International.
The most common certification for vitamin brands is USP certified.
Medical PerspectiveThis biggest thing for me as a registered dietitian is making sure the supplement brand is third party tested by a reputable outside organization such as USP, NSF or Informed Choice/Sport. This is because by law supplements are not regulated by the FDA the way food and drugs are before coming to market, so a third party certification is the only way to ensure that you are getting a safe product that contains what it purports to contain.
On a similar note, remember that supplements are designed to SUPPLEMENT not replace a healthy, balanced, varied diet. I always recommend taking a food first approach to nutrition and adding supplements only when they are warranted to fill gaps in the diet or meet higher needs due a medical condition or lifestsyle, like calcium in the case of someone who restricts dairy, or iron in the case of an endurance athlete.
It is always a good idea to discuss your supplement use with a registered dietitian or physician.
— Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT.
Learn more about what types of nutrients a body needs here.
Quotes represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
The best vitamin brand will depend on a person’s needs. Different brands will often have unique selling points, and it is important for people to find one that fits their preferences.
However, whichever brand a person chooses, they need to read the product ingredients carefully and look for diligent testing processes and certifications.
Reputable vitamin companies will have rigorous testing procedures to ensure that their products contain the correct type and amount of nutrients and have no unsafe ingredients.
All the brands in this article have passed Medical News Today’s own rigorous vetting standards.
For nearly two decades, U.S. News & World Report and Pharmacy Times have collaborated on an annual survey that goes out to pharmacists nationwide.
The survey asks pharmacists for their top picks of healthcare-related products, including vitamins and supplements. Successful products will feature a seal.
There are no standardized ingredients in multivitamins, which means each brand may differ. People should choose the multivitamin that best suits their needs.
People should look for multivitamins that carry a USP verification, which confirms that the product contains the ingredients on the label and does not contain harmful ingredients.
People need to stay away from vitamin brands with unclear ingredient labeling. It is always a good idea to research the brand before making a purchase to ensure that the company is reputable.
There’s no single multivitamin that works best for everyone, but brands with strong testing and quality standards may be more reliable.
We rated Thorne as the best overall multivitamin brand due to its rigorous quality standards. Its facility is NSF- and TGA-certified, some products are NSF Certified for Sport, and many undergo third-party testing for purity and potency.
A wide range of vitamin brands is available in stores or online. Researching various online reviews can help a person determine whether a brand offers good-quality products.
Before making a purchase, a person needs to check whether the product has undergone a quality analysis. It may be best to opt for supplements with third-party certifications.
Anyone interested in taking vitamins or other supplements needs to consult a doctor first.