Creatine is one of the most researched and proven supplements in sports nutrition. It helps your muscles produce energy during high-intensity exercise, supports muscle growth, and emerging research even links it to cognitive benefits. But with dozens of brands on the market, finding the right one can be overwhelming. After reviewing expert recommendations from Healthline, Garage Gym Reviews, Men’s Health, and registered dietitians, these 7 creatine supplements stand out across every category from premium athletic-grade options to budget-friendly basics.
Our top pick? Thorne Creatine delivers pharmaceutical-grade purity with NSF Certified for Sport status, making it the safest choice for serious athletes and everyday users alike.
Quick Comparison Table
Product | Best For | Form | Serving Size | Servings | Certification | Price Range |
Thorne Creatine | Overall/Athletes | Powder | 5g | 90 | NSF Certified for Sport | $32–$40 |
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB | Muscle Growth | Powder | 5g + HMB | 30 | Informed Choice | $39–$45 |
Momentous Creatine | Premium Purity | Powder | 5g | 90 | NSF Certified for Sport | $44–$55 |
Optimum Nutrition Creatine | Trusted Brand | Powder | 5g | 120 | Banned Substance Tested | $23–$30 |
Nutricost Creatine | Budget | Powder | 5g | 100 | GMP Compliant | $15–$20 |
Legion Creatine Gummies | Best Gummies | Gummies | 5g (5 gummies) | 30 | Third-Party Tested | $34–$45 |
Create Creatine Gummies | Budget Gummies | Gummies | 4.5g (3 gummies) | 30 | Creapure | $29–$35 |
1. Thorne Creatine
Best Overall
Price: $32–$40 | Servings: 90
Thorne consistently earns top marks from dietitians and is trusted by over 100 professional sports teams. Their creatine uses Creapure®, the German-manufactured gold standard known for 99.9% purity. The NSF Certified for Sport badge indicates it has been tested for nearly 300 banned substances, making it safe for competitive athletes.
Specification | Details |
Motor | 4.25 CHP |
Max Speed | 14 mph |
Incline Range | -3% to 12% |
Belt Size | 22″ × 60″ |
Weight Capacity | 400 lbs |
Pros:
- Pharmaceutical-grade purity with Creapure sourcing
- NSF Certified for Sport is safe for drug-tested athletes
- Excellent solubility with no gritty texture
- Unflavored mixes seamlessly into any beverage
- No artificial ingredients or fillers
Cons:
- Premium pricing compared to budget options
- Only available unflavored
- Slightly smaller container than some competitors
2. Transparent Labs Creatine HMB
Best for Muscle Growth
Price: $39–$45 | Servings: 30
This formula combines creatine monohydrate with HMB (β-Hydroxy β-Methylbutyrate), a compound that helps reduce muscle breakdown and enhance recovery. Research suggests that the combination produces greater gains in lean mass than creatine alone. It also includes Vitamin D3 and BioPerine for enhanced absorption.
Specification | Details |
Creatine Type | Monohydrate |
Serving Size | 5g creatine + 1.5g HMB |
Flavors | 13+ (Unflavored, Blue Raspberry, Strawberry Lemonade, etc.) |
Certification | Informed Choice |
Bonus Ingredients | HMB, Vitamin D3, BioPerine |
Pros:
- Unique HMB formula for enhanced muscle retention
- Multiple delicious flavor options
- BioPerine improves absorption
- Third-party tested for purity
- No artificial sweeteners or dyes
Cons:
- Only 30 servings per container
- Stevia aftertaste may bother some users
- Higher cost per serving than basic creatine
- The unflavored version has a metallic taste
3. Momentous Creatine
Best Premium Option
Price: $44–$55 | Servings: 90
Backed by Dr. Andrew Huberman and trusted by 150+ professional and collegiate sports teams, Momentous represents the pinnacle of creatine quality. Like Thorne, it uses single-sourced German Creapure® and carries NSF Certified for Sport status. The micronized powder dissolves completely with zero taste.
Specification | Details |
Creatine Type | Micronized Monohydrate (Creapure) |
Serving Size | 5g (1 scoop) |
Flavor | Unflavored, Lemon |
Certification | NSF Certified for Sport |
Additional Ingredients | None |
Pros:
- Creapure sourced from Germany (not China like most brands)
- Trusted by U.S. Military and elite athletic programs
- Exceptional dissolvability, no residue or grittiness
- 100% vegan and additive-free
- Also available in convenient travel packs
Cons:
- Highest price point on this list
- Limited flavor options
- Premium positioning may be overkill for casual users
4. Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine
Best Mainstream Brand
Price: $23–$30 | Servings: 120
As the world’s #1 sports nutrition brand, Optimum Nutrition delivers reliable quality at a reasonable price. Their micronized creatine has been a gym staple for decades. It’s tested for banned substances and offers excellent value with 120 servings per container.
Specification | Details |
Creatine Type | Micronized Monohydrate |
Serving Size | 5g (1 rounded tsp) |
Flavor | Unflavored, Blueberry Lemonade |
Certification | Banned Substance Tested |
Additional Ingredients | None |
Pros:
- Trusted brand with 30+ years in the industry
- Excellent price per serving
- Micronized for better mixing
- Available in multiple sizes (60, 120, 240 servings)
- Keto-friendly
Cons:
- Not NSF Certified (only “banned substance tested”)
- Some users report slower dissolution
- Basic packaging and presentation
5. Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate
Best Budget Option
Price: $15–$20 | Servings: 100
Amazon’s #1 bestselling creatine delivers pure, micronized creatine monohydrate at an unbeatable price, often under $0.20 per serving. It’s manufactured in an NSF-certified, FDA-registered facility with no fillers or additives.
Specification | Details |
Creatine Type | Micronized Monohydrate |
Serving Size | 5g (1 scoop) |
Flavors | Unflavored, Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch, Watermelon |
Certification | GMP Compliant, FDA Registered Facility |
Additional Ingredients | None |
Pros:
- Exceptional value is often the cheapest per serving
- Pure single-ingredient formula
- Multiple flavor options available
- Non-GMO and gluten-free
- Also available in capsule form
Cons:
- No third-party sport certification
- Flavored versions contain sucralose
- May not dissolve as smoothly as premium options
- Basic quality control compared to certified brands
6. Legion Creatine Gummies
Best Gummies
Price: $34–$45 | Servings: 30
For those who hate powder or want grab-and-go convenience, Legion’s gummies deliver a full 5g dose in 5 naturally sweetened chews. They’re free from artificial sweeteners, flavors, and dyes, a rarity in the gummy category, and undergo rigorous third-party testing.
Specification | Details |
Creatine Type | Monohydrate |
Serving Size | 5g (5 gummies) |
Flavors | Lemon Drop, Sour Green Apple |
Certification | Third-Party Tested (Labdoor) |
Additional Ingredients | None |
Pros:
- No mixing or powder mess
- Naturally sweetened with no artificial ingredients
- Great taste, actually enjoyable to take
- ISO 17025-accredited lab testing
- Perfect for travel
Cons:
- Most expensive per serving
- Only 30 servings per bag
- Have to eat 5 gummies for the full dose
- Not NSF Certified for Sport
7. Create Creatine Gummies
Best Budget Gummies
Price: $35–$40 | Servings: 30
Create offers a more affordable gummy option with 1.5g of Creapure® per gummy. Their anti-melting formula makes them ideal for gym bags and travel. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and come in crowd-pleasing flavors like watermelon and sour cherry.
Specification | Details |
Creatine Type | Monohydrate (Creapure) |
Serving Size | 4.5g (3 gummies) |
Flavors | Watermelon, Sour Cherry, Orange |
Certification | Uses Creapure |
Additional Ingredients | None |
Pros:
- Uses premium Creapure creatine
- Anti-melting formula for warm climates
- Only 3 gummies are needed per serving
- Vegan and non-GMO
- More affordable than Legion
Cons:
- Slightly under the 5g recommended dose
- Not third-party certified for sport
- Smaller brand with less track record
- Contains some sugar
How to Choose the Right Creatine
Competitive athletes should prioritize NSF Certified for Sport products (Thorne or Momentous) to avoid the risk of banned-substance contamination.
Budget-conscious users can confidently choose Nutricost or Optimum Nutrition creatine monohydrate, regardless of brand, and both deliver proven results at a fraction of the cost.
Those seeking additional muscle-building support should consider Transparent Labs Creatine HMB for its research-backed combination.
Powder-averse users have solid gummy options in Legion (premium) or Create (budget), though expect to pay more per serving.
Product | Category | Cost Per Serving |
Thorne Creatine | Premium/Athletes | ~$0.40 |
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB | Muscle Growth | ~$1.30 |
Momentous Creatine | Premium | ~$0.55 |
Optimum Nutrition Creatine (120 srv) | Mainstream | ~$0.22 |
Optimum Nutrition Creatine (60 srv) | Mainstream | ~$0.25 |
Nutricost Creatine (500g) | Budget | ~$0.18 |
Nutricost Creatine (1kg) | Budget/Bulk | ~$0.15 |
Nutricost Creapure (500g) | Budget Premium | ~$0.26 |
Legion Creatine Gummies | Best Gummies | ~$1.20 |
Create Creatine Gummies (Watermelon) | Budget Gummies | ~$1.00 |
Key Takeaways
Creatine monohydrate is creatine monohydrate. The research is detailed that 5g daily produces results regardless of brand. The differences come down to purity testing, certifications, and convenience features. For most people, Thorne Creatine offers the ideal balance of pharmaceutical-grade quality, third-party verification, and reasonable pricing. Athletes subject to drug testing should stick to NSF-certified options. Budget shoppers can save significantly with Nutricost without sacrificing results, as long as you take it consistently.
Whatever you choose, remember: creatine works best with daily, long-term use. Skip the loading phase, take 5g each day, stay hydrated, and allow 2–4 weeks for your muscles to saturate. The gains will follow.
Affiliate Disclosure: Stem & Stone earns from qualifying purchases. Our recommendations are based on research and user feedback, not affiliate relationships.
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