We Reviewed 20 Creatine Monohydrate Supplements — These Are the 8 We Recommend, if You’re Looking for a Boost in Your Workouts
In this article, we’ll dive into the world of creatine and break down what differentiates the various products and brands. From powders to capsules to gummies — we’ll look at the best supplement options for supporting your fitness goals and highlight what makes each one worth considering. Whether you’re a fitness beginner, a seasoned athlete, or a pro, understanding what’s in your creatine supplement can help you make the best choice for your body and training regimen.
Our Top Picks for Creatine Monohydrate Supplements
- Best for athletes: Thorne Creatine
- Best for women: Old School Labs Creatine Monohydrate for Women
- Best for men: Klean Athlete Creatine
- Best capsules: NOW Sports Creatine Monohydrate Capsules
- Best gummies: Create Creatine Gummies
- Best value: Momentous Creatine
- Best pre-workout: Naked Energy Pre-Workout Supplement
- Best on-the-go: Promix Non-GMO Micronized Creatine Sticks
When to Consult Your Doctor
Before starting any supplement, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. Here are a few situations in which it would be wise to speak with a healthcare professional before trying creatine:
- Kidney issues: Creatine is processed through the kidneys, so if you have any preexisting kidney issues (such as kidney disease or impaired kidney function), speak with your healthcare provider before starting creatine.
- Medications: If you are taking medications, particularly those that impact kidney function or heart health or act as diuretics (“water pills”), it is crucial to consult your doctor before starting creatine supplements, as there is a potential for interactions.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult your healthcare provider before starting creatine supplements, as there is not enough research to definitively confirm its safety in this population.

Best for Athletes
Thorne Creatine
Pros
- Third-party tested
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Free of gluten, soy, and dairy
- Micronized form of creatine monohydrate
- Bulk sizing available
Cons
- Some report grittiness
Key Specs
- Form: Powder
- Serving size: One scoop (5 grams)
- Dosage: One scoop, 30 to 90 minutes before or after exercise
- Cost of a 90-day supply: $43
- Third-party tested: Yes
Thorne Creatine is third-party tested and NSF Certified for Sport, meaning the formula is tested for compliance with label claims and to ensure that it does not contain any of the 290-plus substances banned by major athletic organizations. Lemke notes that he “only recommends NSF-certified brands, to ensure purity and avoid unwanted additives.” The formula is free of gluten, soy, and dairy. It is also micronized, meaning it dissolves better in liquids than non-micronized creatine options.
As an added benefit, Thorne Creatine is available in 90- or 180-serving jugs. With a recommended dosage of one scoop daily, the bulk container can last up to five months, which is about $15 a month in total cost.

Best for Women
Old School Labs Creatine Monohydrate for Women
Pros
- CGMP-certified manufacturing facility
- Non-GMO
- Contains added collagen and branched-chain amino acids
- Unflavored
Cons
- Not third-party tested
- Pricey
Key Specs
- Form: Powder
- Serving size: One scoop (5 grams)
- Dosage: One scoop daily
- Cost of a 90-day supply: $88.41
- Third-party tested: No
Old School Labs Creatine Monohydrate for Women is not third-party tested, but it is manufactured in a facility that conforms to Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP). The formula contains no genetically modified organisms (non-GMO) and is unflavored. A daily dose of one scoop is recommended. In that scoop, you will receive 5 grams of creatine monohydrate, 2,000 milligrams of hydrolyzed collagen from grass-fed, pasture-raised cows, and 1,000 milligrams of BCAAs.

Best for Men
Klean Athlete Creatine
Pros
- Third-party tested
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Non-GMO
- Free of gluten, artificial coloring, flavor, and sweeteners
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
Cons
- Some report a gritty feel
Key Specs
- Form: Powder
- Serving size: 1 scoop (5 grams)
- Dosage: One scoop daily
- Cost of a 90-day supply: $37.17
- Third-party tested: Yes
Klean Creatine is third-party tested, NSF Certified for Sport, non-GMO, and free of gluten, artificial coloring, flavor, and sweeteners.

Best Capsules
NOW Sports Creatine Monohydrate Capsules
Pros
- Third-party tested
- Informed Sport certified
- Non-GMO
- Free of corn, dairy, soy, nuts, egg, gluten
- Suitable for vegans and vegetarians
Cons
- Large dosage size
Key Specs
- Form: Capsules
- Serving size: Six capsules
- Dosage: Six capsules per day
- Cost of a 90-day supply: $48.22
- Third-party tested: Yes
Some people prefer taking a nutritional supplement in capsule form rather than powder. Our favorite supplement in this form is NOW Sports Creatine Monohydrate Capsules.
This product is third-party tested and Informed Sport certified, meaning the formula has been tested for banned substances and manufactured to high-quality standards. The capsules are vegan, non-GMO, and free of corn, dairy, soy, nuts, egg, and gluten. The bottom line is that what you see is what you get. Six vegetarian capsules will provide 4.5 grams of creatine monohydrate.
One drawback of capsules over powder is the number of capsules required to match one scoop of powder. Most creatine powders provide 5 grams of creatine monohydrate per scoop as the recommended dosage. To get that much creatine from this supplement, the serving size is six capsules. This can bump up the cost significantly, as even the large bottle size of 240 capsules will require two and a half bottles to meet the recommended daily dosage over a 90-day period.

Best Gummies
Create Creatine Monohydrate Gummies
Pros
- Third-party tested
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Variety of flavors available
- Non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan
Cons
- Pricey
- Added sugar
Key Specs
- Form: Gummy
- Serving size: One gummy
- Dosage: Two to three gummies daily
- Cost of a 90-day supply: $134.94
- Third-party tested: Yes
Gummies can be another great option for those who prefer an alternative to powders for their daily creatine supplement. Gummy supplements are convenient for travel, ideal for those who dislike powders, and perfect for anyone who enjoys a treat-like flavor while taking their supplements. Our top choice in this category is Create Creatine Monohydrate Gummies.
This product is third-party tested and NSF Certified for Sport. The gummies are non-GMO, gluten-free, and suitable for vegans or vegetarians. With each gummy providing 1.5 grams of creatine monohydrate, you can consume anywhere from two to four gummies daily to meet your creatine needs, based on your individual health goals (something to keep in mind, as the price per dose will increase if you take more). Create also has a subscription program that may offset some costs, so check it out if creatine gummies are something you are interested in.

Best Value
Momentous Creatine
Pros
- Third-party tested
- NSF Certified for Sport
- Non-GMO and vegan
- Free of gluten, additives, and sweeteners
- Subscription available for 25 percent discount on first order
Cons
- Some report a gritty feel
Key Specs
- Form: Powder
- Serving size: One scoop (5 grams)
- Dosage: One scoop daily
- Cost of a 90-day supply: $29.97 with subscription discount on first order
- Third-party tested: Yes
Finding affordable high-quality creatine that is sourced from clean ingredients, third-party tested, and backed by research is hard to come by. Momentous Creatine comes out to just 33 cents per serving — which is why it’s our pick for the best value creatine monohydrate supplement.
Momentous Creatine is sourced from Germany and is free of gluten, additives, and any additional sweeteners. The formula is NSF Certified for Sport, ensuring product purity and safety. Momentous Creatine is non-GMO and vegan.
For the best value, take advantage of the “subscribe and save” option on the Momentous website. You can choose your preferred delivery frequency and skip or cancel anytime. This saves you money and ensures that you never miss a dose by running out of stock before your next canister arrives.

Best Pre-Workout
Naked Energy Pre-Workout Supplement
Pros
- Third-party tested
- Nutrients to benefit pre-workout include beta-alanine, L-arginine, and caffeine
- Non-GMO and vegan
- Free of gluten, soy, artificial flavors, sweeteners, or colors
Cons
- Flavored options contain added sugar
Key Specs
- Form: Powder
- Serving size: Two scoops
- Dosage: Two scoops, 20 minutes before working out
- Cost of a 90-day supply: $80.98
- Third-party tested: Yes
Naked Energy Pre-Workout is third-party tested, non-GMO, vegan, and free of gluten, soy, artificial flavors, and colors. It comes in four varieties: Unflavored, Fruit Punch, Citrus, and Stimulant-Free. Note that the Fruit Punch and Citrus options contain added cane sugar for flavor.

Best On-the-Go
Promix Non-GMO Micronized Creatine Sticks
Pros
- Third-party tested
- Non-GMO and vegan
- Free of gluten, dairy, and soy
- Micronized creatine monohydrate for easy mixing
- Convenient stick packs for on-the-go use
Cons
- Pricey
Key Specs
- Form: Powder
- Serving size: One stick (5 grams)
- Dosage: One stick daily
- Cost of a 90-day supply: $96
- Third-party tested: Yes
Promix Non-GMO Micronized Creatine Sticks are our top pick for the best on-the-go creatine supplement. Each stick provides 5 grams of creatine monohydrate. The formula is micronized, allowing it to mix into liquids easily, allowing for a conveniently quick pour, shake, and go.
Promix Non-GMO Creatine Sticks are third-party tested, and traceability testing is provided on every product batch. The formula is vegan, Non-GMO Project verified, and free of gluten, dairy, and soy.
At a one-time purchase price of $32 for 30 sticks (or 30 servings), the cost per serving is just over $1, which is higher than other creatine options. However, Promix offers a “subscribe and save” option that can help lower costs. While the convenience of stick packs comes with an added price, it’s much easier than carrying around a bulky jug while traveling or on the go.
Comparison Table
Other Noteworthy Creatine Monohydrates We Reviewed
Sunwarrior offers Active Creatine for Her, starting at $34.97 for 50 servings. When we reviewed it, we liked that it had a base of creatine monohydrate and specific ingredients targeted for women, such as diindolylmethane, L-theanine, ashwagandha, and black cohosh. However, it ultimately didn’t make our list because it is not third-party tested, and while the added ingredients can be helpful for women specifically, not every woman should consume them, due to various health concerns and the potential for interactions with certain medications and herbs. For more about Sunwarrior, visit sunwarrior.com.
PeachPerfect offers Creatine Gummies, starting at a one-time purchase price of $39.99 for a pack of 30 servings. When we reviewed it, we liked that it is third-party tested, and one serving of five gummies provides 5 grams of creatine monohydrate. However, it didn’t make our list because a serving size contains more sugar than our chosen creatine gummies. Five Peach Perfect gummies contain 5 grams of sugar, compared with 1.8 grams in the gummies on our list. For more about Peach Perfect, visit peachperfect.com.
How We Tested Creatine Monohydrate Supplements
When curating our top recommendations, we prioritized brands that offer high-quality, third-party-tested products. To compile this list of supplements, I examined more than 20 products. I also consulted with other experts in the field, including Lisa Young, PhD, RDN, and Nick Lemke, RDN.
As a registered dietitian, I aim to make nutritional information accessible to readers. I regularly engage with the latest research and nutritional insights to enhance my understanding and learn how to apply it to patient care.
What to Look for When Buying Creatine Monohydrate Supplements
With the abundance of creatine supplements on the market, there are a few factors to consider when choosing the right one for you:
Third-party testing: This ensures that the product meets safety, potency, and purity standards, so you know exactly what you’re putting into your body. Organizations that offer third-party testing include:
- NSF International is a product testing, inspection, and certification organization for public health standards.
- NSF Certified for Sport is an independent third-party certification program helping athletes make safer decisions when choosing sports supplements.
- United States Pharmacopeia is an independent, scientific nonprofit organization that aims to help protect patient safety in medicines, dietary supplements, and foods worldwide.
- ConsumerLab.com evaluates consumer products related to health, wellness, and nutrition, providing independent test results and information to help consumers and healthcare professionals identify the best products.
- Informed Choice is a global quality assurance and third-party supplement testing program designed to minimize the risk of dietary supplement products being contaminated with prohibited and potentially harmful substances.
- Clean Label Project focuses on food and product safety issues consumers increasingly care about, such as the presence of heavy metals, pesticide residues, plasticizers, and other chemicals of concern, as well as truth in labeling.
Clinically studied ingredients: Using clinically studied ingredients is crucial because it helps ensure safety, efficacy, and reliability. Clinically backed ingredients offer evidence-based support, reducing the risk of adverse effects and ensuring that the product delivers measurable benefits. As Lemke states, “Creatine monohydrate is the best form — it’s safe, effective, and backed by decades of research.”
Price: Creatine supplement prices can increase dramatically as various ingredients are added or the form changes. For example, a single-serving creatine stick will cost more than one serving from a jug. Capsules may cost more than powder, as you will go through capsules quicker than scoops of powder, merely due to the recommended serving size.
Form: Whether it’s a powder, capsule, or gummy, choose a format you’re comfortable with. This is especially important if the recommended dose is more than once per day. You want to choose a supplement you will take.
Special dietary needs: For example, if you are vegan or vegetarian, be sure the supplement you choose uses plant-based ingredients to complement your lifestyle.
Additives, fillers, sugar: The fewer additives, the better. In addition, sugar is sometimes added to improve the flavor of gummies. If you’re trying to limit sugar, many options are available with little to no sugar added.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Adding Creatine to Your Daily Routine?
What to Look for in a High-Quality Creatine Supplement?
Another important factor is the brand’s reputation and transparency. Choose a creatine supplement from a reputable company that conducts third-party testing to ensure that the product is free of contaminants and banned substances. It’s also beneficial to check the ingredient list to confirm the absence of artificial colors, sweeteners, and other chemicals that don’t contribute to the supplement’s effectiveness.
Finally, consider the price, but don’t compromise on quality simply to get a less expensive option, as some lower-cost creatines may be impure or less effective.
FAQs
Creatine offers several key benefits, primarily its ability to enhance physical performance during short bursts of high-intensity exercise, such as sprinting, weight lifting, and interval training. Creatine works to increase the body’s primary energy source, which can help improve strength, power, and endurance. It also promotes muscle growth by boosting protein synthesis and supporting recovery. Beyond physical performance, creatine may also provide cognitive benefits, enhancing memory and mental clarity, especially in fatigue or stress situations.
Why Trust Everyday Health

Brittany Scanniello, RD
Author
Brittany Scanniello is a freelance writer, registered dietitian-nutritionist, and owner of Eat Simply Nutrition, a Colorado-based integrative nutrition company and private practice.
As a lifelong and collegiate athlete, Brittany has always kept fitness and nutrition a top priority. Her expertise lies in pediatrics, sports, and functional nutrition, though she is experienced in all nutrition-related matters. She strongly believes that food has the power to reduce the risk of chronic disease and help people feel energized so she works hard to make nutrition information accessible and easy to understand for all.
Brittany received her undergraduate degree in human nutrition and dietetics from University of North Carolina in Greensboro. She also completed a dietetic internship to become a registered dietitian at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.
As a freelance nutrition and fitness writer, her work has been published in Eat This Not That, PopSugar, and other outlets. She is the author of The Complete Macro Cookbook.
When Brittany is not counseling clients or writing, she enjoys working on her family's farm, golfing, playing with her three kids, and baking.

Scott Haak, PT, DPT, MTC, CSCS
Medical Reviewer
Scott Haak, PT, DPT, has been a member of the Mayo Clinic staff since 2000. Dr. Haak serves as faculty for the Sports Medicine Fellowship program at Mayo Clinic Florida. He is certified by the NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) as a CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist), is a Certified USA Weightlifting Coach and Certified USA Football Coach, and possesses a MTC (Manual Therapy Certification) from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.
Haak is an exercise enthusiast and enjoys running, weightlifting, and sports performance training. He is the president and director of coaching of a youth tackle football organization, JDL Providence Football, and currently coaches high school football and weight lifting.

Ray Finch
Fact-Checker
Ray Finch is a content specialist with expertise in fact-checking, copy-editing, sensitivity reading, and content management, and has worked with publishers including Health.com, Parents, VeryWell Mind, Medium, Everyday Health, and VeryWell Health.
Their longtime interest in mental health, chronic illness, disability, neurodivergence, and LGBTQIA+ issues was sparked first by their own firsthand experiences, and was further refined during their academic career, having earned dual bachelor's degrees in Anthropology and Women's and Gender Studies.
Finch is committed to producing inclusive, scientifically sound content that takes into account such nuanced factors as socioeconomic status, clinician bias, and cultural competence, all of which influence how people engage — or don’t — with medical professionals and the healthcare system.
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