Updated October 1, 2026 · ThriveCue Editorial Team
Optimum Nutrition vs Protein Works
Where Optimum Nutrition and Protein Works differ
| Compare | Optimum Nutrition ReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |  Protein Works |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | €17.99 | £8.99 |
| Price per serving | €1.66 | £0.15 |
| Protein per serving (g) | 24Higher | 20 |
| Flavours (flavours) | 15Higher | 8 |
| Markets | AU, AT, BE, HR, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, IE, JP, LV, LT, MT, MC, NL, NZ, PT, SK, SI, KR, ES, SE, CH, GB, USCovers more | GB, IE, FR |
| Certifications | Nsf | Not confirmed |
| Subscription discount | Not confirmed | 15% |
Same on both: Third-party tested (No).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Protein Works scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.3.
- Protein per serving (g) is higher at Optimum Nutrition: 24 vs 20.
- Flavours (flavours) is higher at Optimum Nutrition: 15 vs 8.
- Founded is lower at Optimum Nutrition: 1986 vs 2013.
- Optimum Nutrition is available in 24 more countries.
- Products: only Optimum Nutrition offers Whey protein, Plant protein, Creatine.
- Products: only Protein Works offers Multivitamins, Vitamins minerals, Omega 3.
- Markets: only Optimum Nutrition offers AU, AT, BE.
Our verdict on each
Optimum Nutrition
Optimum Nutrition suits buyers who want one store for protein, creatine and pre-workout rather than piecing a routine together brand by brand. Its Gold Standard whey protein starts at €17.99 and works out at €1.66 a serving, which keeps the cost side strong for regulars.
Protein Works
Protein Works suits shoppers who want a wide range of daily supplement categories at a low entry price, with £8.99 to start. Buyers who put independent lab testing at the top of their list should look further, since third-party testing is not offered.
Score breakdown
| Area | Optimum Nutrition | Protein Works |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.3Entry price of €17.99 is among the lowest tracked, and €1.66 a serving keeps the running cost competitive for reorders. | 9.8HigherEntry pricing of £8.99 and £0.15 per serving sit at 15 of 121 brands. |
| Offer | 9.0The catalogue spans whey protein, plant protein and creatine, and the flagship whey powder alone comes in 15 flavours. | 9.2HigherRange covers multivitamins, vitamins minerals and omega 3, with 15% off subscriptions and 180 days for returns. |
| Trust | 10.0HigherNSF certification is named for the range, and the store trades as Glanbia Performance Nutrition Limited from IE. | 8.9Third-party testing is not offered, though email, chat and phone and 2013 add some confidence. |
The numbers side by side
| Fact | Optimum Nutrition | Protein Works |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per serving (g) | 24 | 20 |
| Flavours (flavours) | 15 | 8 |
Also worth a look
Myprotein has flavours (flavours) at 40, against 15 for Optimum Nutrition and 8 for Protein Works.
Myprotein reviewHow they place
| Ranking | Optimum Nutrition | Protein Works |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamins and multivitamins | 244 of 362 | 17 of 362 |
| Gut health, greens and collagen | 94 of 172 | 17 of 172 |
| Protein powders | 72 of 111 | 8 of 111 |
| Creatine, pre-workout and electrolytes | 57 of 93 | 9 of 93 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Optimum Nutrition | Protein Works |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Whey protein, Plant protein, Creatine, Pre workout, Electrolytes, Mass gainer, Protein bars | Multivitamins, Vitamins minerals, Omega 3, Probiotics, Greens, Collagen, Sleep stress, Nootropics, Electrolytes |
| Legal entity | Glanbia Performance Nutrition Limited | Class Delta Limited |
| Headquarters | Ireland | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1986Lower | 2013 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre |
Supplements
| Fact | Optimum Nutrition | Protein Works |
|---|---|---|
| Diets | Not confirmed | Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten free |
| Money-back period | 14 days | 180 daysHigher |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Optimum Nutrition | Protein Works | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein per serving (g) | 24above the median | 20lowest quarter | 23 |
| Flavours (flavours) | 15highest quarter | 8above the median | 4.5 |
| Subscription discount | Not confirmed | 15%below the median | 18.45% |
Median across 52 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Optimum Nutrition
Pros
- A serving of the Gold Standard whey protein delivers 24 g of protein for €1.66, a workable number for daily use.
- The range covers whey protein, plant protein and creatine, so protein, creatine and pre-workout all come from one store.
- Delivery reaches AU, AT and BE, and support runs on email, chat and phone.
Cons
- Third-party tested is listed as no, so the only named check on the range is nsf certification.
- Per-serving cost ranks 22 of 46, mid-table rather than a standout among the brands compared.
- The catalogue covers whey protein, plant protein and creatine and stops short of meal replacement, which Body Attack lists under whey protein, plant protein and creatine.
Protein Works
Pros
- Covers a wide list of categories in multivitamins, vitamins minerals and omega 3, from multivitamins to electrolytes.
- Entry point of £8.99 with a per serving cost of £0.15, ranked 15 of 121 brands on price per serving.
- The range suits different diets, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options on the multivitamin formula.
Cons
- Delivery covers GB, IE and FR, which is a narrower set of markets than some pharmacy-led rivals.
- The range carries 8 flavours on its whey protein line, but the entry pricing and per serving cost come from the multivitamin product.
- The £8.99 entry price ranks 23 of 157 brands, so the price on the front of the pack sits mid-table.
Who each suits
Optimum Nutrition
Who it suits
- Buyers who want whey, plant protein, creatine and pre-workout under one roof: whey protein, plant protein and creatine.
- Shoppers who prefer a named certification to an unstated one, since nsf is listed.
- People who reorder often and weigh €1.66 a serving above the €17.99 entry price.
Who should look elsewhere
- Plant-only buyers should look at HUM Nutrition, whose listed range is plant protein and creatine and leaves out whey.
- Shoppers who want a performance-only shelf can compare Myvitamins, listed as whey protein, creatine and electrolytes with no plant protein or bars.
- Anyone after meal replacement alongside protein should weigh Body Attack, whose list whey protein, plant protein and creatine adds that category.
Protein Works
Who it suits
- Shoppers who want vitamins, probiotics, greens, collagen, sleep and stress, nootropics and electrolytes from one brand.
- People on vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets, covered by vegan, vegetarian and gluten free.
- Buyers in the United Kingdom, IE and FR who value a low per serving cost of £0.15.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who need third-party tested products, since DocMorris and other pharmacy brands list independent testing in this category.
- Anyone outside GB, IE and FR, where the GB, IE and FR delivery list does not reach.
- People who want licensed or prescription oversight, as no licence appears against this brand.
Current offers
Optimum Nutrition
Current offer
Discount code
15% off first order with newsletter signup: 15% off first order
Sign up for the Optimum Nutrition newsletter, confirm the email, then apply the code in the cart; first order only, not stackable with other promotions, bundles or combi-deals
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Optimum Nutrition | Protein Works |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Austria | Yes | No |
| Belgium | Yes | No |
| Croatia | Yes | No |
| Denmark | Yes | No |
| Estonia | Yes | No |
| Finland | Yes | No |
| Germany | Yes | No |
8 of 27 countries where either is available.
Questions about each
Optimum Nutrition
How much does the Gold Standard whey protein cost?+
The Gold Standard whey protein starts at €17.99 for an order. Once you have it, the same powder works out at €1.66 a serving, and that is the figure that decides a monthly spend. Weigh the two together, because a modest entry price only pays off if the per-serving cost holds up over a month of daily shakes.
How much protein is in one serving?+
One serving of the Gold Standard whey protein supplies 24 g of protein. That is a mid-range load rather than the highest on the shelf, so chasing a bigger number per scoop would mean looking elsewhere. For most people it is enough to cover a daily target alongside ordinary meals.
Protein Works
How much does Protein Works cost to start?+
The entry price is £8.99 for the multivitamin product. The same product works out at £0.15 per serving, so a larger pack lowers the cost per serving. The per serving figure ranks 15 of 121 brands in this category.
Is there a discount for ordering repeatedly?+
Yes, subscriptions carry a 15% discount against the entry price of £8.99. The discount applies to repeat orders rather than the first purchase, so it only shows on the ongoing cost. Orders placed on a subscription continue until you change them.
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