The 9 Best Vitamin Brands of 2023 | by Verywell Fit

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.

If a healthcare provider has recommended a particular supplement or multiple supplements, “It is important to choose vitamin brands that do extensive testing, ideally by a third party. You should also check for supplements with high-quality ingredients that lack fillers or unnecessary additives,” says Jamie Gershel, MS, RD. When selecting our top picks, we prioritized brands with research backed formulations and dosages, internal and third-party testing, sourcing transparency and overall ingredient quality and brand integrity.

We recommend meeting as many of your nutrient needs as possible through eating a balanced and varied diet, but there are certain instances supplementing with vitamins, minerals, or other 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, there are certain life stages that have increased nutrient needs. For example, pregnant and breastfeeding women, athletes, and older adults all have unique nutritional needs that might benefit from supplementation of certain nutrients.

Their products range from multivitamins to individual vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as herbal and adaptogenic supplements, protein powders, collagen, probiotics and more. While Care/of is subscription only, they do have flexible terms for freezing your subscription or skipping months.

Care/of recommends starting with their questionnaire, developed by a team of naturopathic physicians and nutritional scientists and researchers, which is then analyzed and provides you with personalized supplement recommendations. Once you select the supplements of your choice, they package them into a monthly delivery, including individual packets with your daily dosages of each supplement. It is important to note that this questionnaire does not take the place of consulting with a health care provider (like a primary care doctor or registered dietitian) regarding your individual nutritional needs and supplement recommendations, especially if supplementing with anything beyond a basic multivitamin or protein powder.

If you are looking for a customizable supplement regimen, try Care/of—a monthly subscription service that delivers your customized, daily vitamin packets each month. We like that this brand does both internal and third-party testing and develops formulations based on evidenced-backed science. They also provide the customer with with the level of efficacy of each type of supplement, from emerging research to very strong research. They also have a grading called “Traditionally Used” for products that have been trusted across different cultures for centuries but may not have extensive in lab testing. This allows you to make informed decisions from many aspects that may be important to you.

Has an in depth, evidence-based questionnaire to help guide your supplement selections

There are some products from HUM that are marketed as beauty, weight loss, metabolism and detox supplements that may lack sufficient evidence compared to the supplements we mention above. If you are interested in taking any of these supplements, we recommend speaking to a health care provider first, particularly if you are pregnant, taking medications or have a preexisting health condition.

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.

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 my an RD that you can then directly speak with to answer any questions on the recommended supplement routine. They also offer a subscription service, delivering your supplements each month.

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 third-party tested for purity and quality, including heavy metal testing, and are Clean Label Project Certified .

Some products contain herbal and enzyme blends that may not be suitable for all

lease note that some of these vitamin and protein powder products contain extensive ingredient lists, sometimes with different herb blends. If you are taking other medications or supplements, be sure to read the label thoroughly or show a healthcare provider to check for potential interactions.

Mykind Organics produces vitamins in various forms, including tablets, chewables, liquid, gummies, and a spray, so you are sure to find a form that you or your child will enjoy. Garden of Life also has a variety of third-party tested sports supplements like protein powders that are in many of our roundups. We appreciate that all their products are free from synthetic ingredients, artificial flavors, and fillers. P

If you are looking for an organic vitamin brand that uses whole food ingredients, Garden of Life mykind Organics may be the choice for you. 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 as well as certified USDA Organic and non-GMO Verified. Many of their products are NSF Certified and/or ConsumerLab-approved.

Some products include herbal and enzyme blends that might not be suitable for all

Pure Encapsulations makes high quality vitamin supplements that are third-party tested by outside independent labs. It also collaborates with academic institutions, such as Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Women’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School, to conduct clinical studies that are published in peer reviewed journals.

If you have an 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 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 of your product if you have a sensitivity or allergy to soy or dairy. Pure Encapsulations’ products are also free from artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.

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 do 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.

If you need to start supplementing with daily vitamins, you’ll likely want to consider your budget. Nature Made is a trusted company that produces vitamins at an affordable price. Many of their products are USP verified, meaning they have been tested for ingredient purity and potency. Nature Made also shares clinical trials that have been completed using their products.

They don’t always use the most bioavailable forms of certain vitamins and minerals in their supplements

Every product produced by Klean Athlete is NSF Certified for Sport, so you can rest assured all products are free of banned substances. Klean Athlete is transparent about ingredient sourcing and lab testing. In addition to this stringent third-party testing, their products are all made without any artificial coloring, flavoring, or sweeteners. Klean Athlete produces a range of vitamins that athletes may benefit from if diagnosed with a vitamin or mineral deficiency , such as vitamin D and zinc, as well as a multivitamin. Many Klean Athlete products are featured as best overall or best picks for athletes.

Certain groups of athletes, such as vegetarians, vegans, females, and those who follow restrictive diets, may be at greater risk of vitamin deficiencies. If you are a competitive athlete, it is critical to choose a vitamin brand that is third-party-tested to ensure your supplements don’t have any banned substances.

Key Specs: Vitamin Forms: Gummies, capsules | Certifications: Certain products are NSF Certified and ConsumerLab approved | Organic: Some products are USDA organic | Non-GMO: Yes

SmartyPants is also dedicated to helping the environment and those who are less fortunate. The company has an organic line of gummies that are vegetarian, 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 around the world. 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.

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. They are completely transparent with their process, sharing ingredient sourcing, manufacturing guidelines, and product testing. Their ingredients go through a screening process to verify purity and potency plus third-party testing, including some products that are NSF Certified and recipients of the Clean Label Project Purity Award. You can find certificates of compliance, which specify products that have undergone testing, along with results for each bottle on their website.

Ritual offers both single purchase as well as a monthly subscription that delivers your supplements to your door each month.

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.

We like their highly curated supplement offerings that target the specific needs of different genders and stages of life. In addition to multivitamins, they offer Essential Protein Shakes that differ in their composition based on age, including a specialized powder for pregnancy and postpartum. They also sell a Synbiotic+, a single capsule combining pre-, pro- and postbiotics to support gut health.

Ritual practices transparent sourcing of their quality ingredients, and they do both internal and third-party testing on their products. Notably, Ritual’s Women’s Multivitamin is USP Verified and the Protein Powder is Informed Sport certified. When browsing their supplements online, you will find a list of each ingredient, including information on where it was sourced, the form of vitamin and mineral used, and why it has been included in the supplement.

Key Specs: Vitamin Forms: Capsules, liquid, powder | Certifications: Certain products are NSF Certified for Sport | Organic: No | Non-GMO: Yes, not certified

Thorne also produces certain vitamins that contain the NSF Certified for Sport seal, which verifies that supplements contain what they say they contain and are free from substances prohibited for athletes. These include a daily multivitamin, a B-complex vitamin, and vitamin D. Some athletes need to supplement with these nutrients as the B-complex vitamins are important for energy metabolism, and vitamin D is necessary for bone health and immune function. If you are a competitive athlete and considering a supplement, it is especially important to look for one with third-party testing to reduce risk of contamination.

Thorne supplements are made with quality ingredients that are tested for contaminants. They are transparent when it comes to the ingredients on their label, providing explanations for each ingredient, so you can be sure there are no unnecessary fillers or additives.

Thorne Research tops our list as a trustworthy and reputable vitamin supplement brand. Thorne partners with various research organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health, the Mayo Clinic, and the Cleveland Clinic, testing many of their products via clinical trials to ensure safety and efficacy. They produce a variety of vitamin supplements that are likely to meet your needs, including multivitamins for different age groups, a B-complex vitamin, vitamin D, vitamin C, and other individual vitamin and minerals, as well as protein powders, collagen supplements, probiotics, omega-3s and more.

Are Vitamin Supplements Beneficial?

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 a variety of reasons, such as if you follow a restrictive diet or have 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 will be able to suggest a recommended dose and form appropriate for your needs.

Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding: The Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for pregnant women is slightly higher for certain nutrients. Some of the nutrients needed to support a healthy pregnancy include calcium, iron, choline, omega-3 fats, vitamin C, and the 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 age 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, and health status, and on 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.

How We Select Supplements

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. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend. Additionally, we spoke with several Registered Dietitians, including Jamie Gershel, MS, RD, who specializes in weight management, diabetes, heart health, mental health and hormonal conditions like PCOS.

What to Look For

Third-Party Testing

Supplements that are third-party tested 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:

• Third-party testing 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 third-party testing is created equal. It is not uncommon for supplement companies to pay labs for certificates after conducting minimal or no testing. 
• The third-party certifications 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, that 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 itself will vary among vitamins and brands, so you should check the label of your brand of choice.

Ingredients and Potential Interactions

It is essential to carefully read the ingredient list and the nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients are present and how much of each ingredient is included, relative to the recommended daily value of that ingredient. Please take the supplement label to a healthcare provider to review the different 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 in them to avoid unwanted interactions. Certain herbs can reduce 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 individual 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 that you are taking the proper dose for 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 vitamin C and the 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 dose that is right for you and opt for a reputable vitamin brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best brand of vitamin B12?

  Vitamin B12 is involved in nervous system functioning, energy metabolism, blood cell formation, and other body functions. If you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, you may be at increased risk of a B12 deficiency, since the main food sources of vitamin B12 include meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products, and you will likely benefit from a supplement. Older adults may also be at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, because it is common to have a decreased ability to absorb this vitamin. Some brands we like include Thorne Research, Pure Encapsulations, and Nature Made.

  Learn More:

  How Vitamin B12 Deficiency Affects the Body

• What vitamin brands are made in the USA?

  Many vitamin brands source ingredients from around the world and manufacture their products in the United States. From among the recommended brands we listed here, Thorne Research manufactures many of its products in the USA, and Pure Encapsulations, Klean Athlete, mykind Organics, Nature Made, and SmartyPants produce their vitamins in the USA with ingredients that are both domestic and imported.

• Are store vitamin brands good quality?

  Store vitamin brands can be good-quality, but it is important to search for third-party testing and transparency regarding quality practices, and to review ingredient lists. If you are uncertain about a particular vitamin brand, consult with a healthcare provider.

• Is there really a difference between vitamin brands?

  As the FDA only minimally regulates vitamins, each vitamin brand stands as a uniquely separate entity. There is no single organization that oversees all vitamins, so each brand is different from the next when it comes to third-party testing, quality control, ingredients, and even vitamin forms and dosing.

• Is it bad to switch prenatal vitamin brands partway through my pregnancy?

  If you find that you do not like your prenatal vitamin due to reasons such as dosing requirements or capsule size, or if you are lacking in a certain vitamin, and your supplement does not supply an adequate level, you may want to switch brands. You should, however, consult with a healthcare provider to determine your vitamin needs during pregnancy.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Tamar Kane, MS, RD is a registered dietitian 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.