Updated October 14, 2026 · ThriveCue Editorial Team
Transparent Labs vs Vital Proteins
Transparent Labs vs Vital Proteins: the differences
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $64.99 | $29.99Lower |
| Price per serving | $1.33Lower | $2.31 |
| Protein per serving (g) | 28Higher | 20 |
| Third-party tested | YesHas it | No |
| Certifications | Organic, Vegan | Nsf, Gmp |
| Subscription discount | 10% | 15%Higher |
| Markets | US, GB, AU, CACovers more | US |
| Flavours (flavours) | Not confirmed | 1 |
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Key differences
- Vital Proteins scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.7.
- Price from is lower at Vital Proteins: $29.99 vs $64.99.
- Price per serving is lower at Transparent Labs: $1.33 vs $2.31.
- Protein per serving (g) is higher at Transparent Labs: 28 vs 20.
- Third-party tested: only Transparent Labs.
- Subscription discount is higher at Vital Proteins: 15% vs 10%.
- Support channels: only Vital Proteins offers Phone, Chat.
- Certifications: only Transparent Labs offers Organic, Vegan.
- Certifications: only Vital Proteins offers Nsf, Gmp.
- Transparent Labs is available in 3 more countries.
Our verdict on each
Transparent Labs
Transparent Labs suits lifters and training consumers who want tested products across many categories and will order from its listed markets. Protein content of 28 g per serving ranks near the top in our protein powders comparison, though the entry price of $64.99 is high among brands.
Vital Proteins
Vital Proteins suits anyone who wants a collagen-led range from a young US brand now owned by a large food group, and who will pay more per serving than most rivals for the same shelf space. It scores 9 overall, with a 68 place on starting price across the brands we price.
Score breakdown
| Area | Transparent Labs | Vital Proteins |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.3Entry price of $64.99 and serving cost of $1.33 sit high against rivals in the rankings. | 8.7HigherEntry price of $29.99 ranks 68 of 157, but $2.31 per serving drops it to 100. |
| Offer | 8.8Range of whey protein, plant protein and creatine plus a 10% subscription saving covers most training categories. | 9.0HigherA subscription discount of 15% and 30 days for returns, on a range limited to collagen, greens and probiotics. |
| Trust | 9.2Third-party tested products and a 45 days window back a US, GB and AU shipping list. | 9.3Highernsf and gmp and a named legal entity, Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition, Inc. dba Vital Proteins, offset by a third-party tested answer of no. |
How they place
| Ranking | Transparent Labs | Vital Proteins |
|---|---|---|
| Gut health, greens and collagen | 30 of 172 | 23 of 172 |
| Protein powders | 13 of 111 | 10 of 111 |
| Creatine, pre-workout and electrolytes | 16 of 93 | 11 of 93 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Transparent Labs | Vital Proteins |
|---|---|---|
| Products | Whey protein, Plant protein, Creatine, Pre workout, Electrolytes, Protein bars, Mass gainer | Collagen, Greens, Probiotics |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition, Inc. dba Vital Proteins |
| Headquarters | Canada | United States |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2013 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Phone, Chat, Help centreCovers more |
Supplements
| Fact | Transparent Labs | Vital Proteins |
|---|---|---|
| Diets | Vegan | Gluten free, Keto |
| Money-back period | 45 daysHigher | 30 days |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Transparent Labs | Vital Proteins | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $64.99above the median | $29.99below the median | $44.49 |
| Price per serving | $1.33below the median | $2.31highest quarter | $1.51 |
| Protein per serving (g) | 28highest quarter | 20lowest quarter | 23 |
| Flavours (flavours) | Not confirmed | 1lowest quarter | 4.5 |
| Subscription discount | 10%lowest quarter | 15%below the median | 18.45% |
Median across 52 listed brands.
Pros and cons
Transparent Labs
Pros
- Protein per serving of 28 g ranks 10 of 43 brands in our protein powders data
- Third-party tested products give buyers independent label checks before buying
- Category spread covers whey protein, plant protein, creatine, pre-workout, electrolytes, protein bars and mass gainer through whey protein, plant protein and creatine
Cons
- Entry price of $64.99 ranks 57 of 66 brands in our price data, so it is not the cheapest way in
- Serving cost of $1.33 on the multivitamin line sits above the €0 site median once a daily item is included
- Support runs on email and help centre only, with no phone line for questions about dosing or orders
Vital Proteins
Pros
- Certifications are on the record: nsf and gmp covers its manufacturing standards.
- Support runs on email, phone and chat, so help is reachable by more than one route.
- Returns are straightforward with 30 days on the money-back window.
Cons
- The third-party tested answer is no, and the certifications on record, nsf and gmp, cover manufacturing standards instead.
- The range is narrow at collagen, greens and probiotics, where DocMorris carries multivitamins, vitamins minerals and omega 3 and Apotek Hjartat carries multivitamins, vitamins minerals and omega 3.
- The collagen range lists 1 flavour, which limits choice for anyone sensitive to taste.
Who each suits
Transparent Labs
Who it suits
- Lifters chasing a high protein figure per serving rather than the lowest serving price
- Vegan shoppers, since the multivitamin line lists vegan in vegan and the protein range carries organic and vegan in organic and vegan
- Consumers in the US, GB, AU and CA who want one brand for protein, creatine and pre-workout
Who should look elsewhere
- Budget buyers comparing only entry price, where cheaper brands in our price ranking come first
- HUM Nutrition shoppers who only want plant protein and creatine and prefer a narrower range
- Anyone who needs meal replacement shakes, a category Body Attack lists and this range omits
Vital Proteins
Who it suits
- US buyers who want collagen, greens and probiotics under one brand name
- People who prioritise certification and a clear returns window over the lowest per serving cost
- Shoppers who want a young company with a named parent behind it
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a wide vitamin and mineral range, where DocMorris and Apotek Hjartat both cover far more categories
- Anyone who needs independent batch testing on the label
- Shoppers outside the US looking for a local market
Current offers
Vital Proteins
Current offer
Discount code
15% off first order for newsletter signup: 15%
Sign up for the newsletter to receive 15% off the first order
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Transparent Labs | Vital Proteins |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes | No |
| Canada | Yes | No |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Transparent Labs
How much does Transparent Labs cost to start?+
The range starts at $64.99, which ranks 57 of 66 brands in our price data. Ordering on a subscription reduces each delivery by 10%. Buyers who only want one tub pay the entry figure, while regular buyers pay less per order.
How much protein is in each serving?+
A serving carries 28 g of protein, which puts the range at 10 of 43 brands in our protein powders comparison. That is the strongest argument for the price, since cheaper options often give less protein per scoop.
Vital Proteins
How much does Vital Proteins cost to start?+
The entry price is $29.99, taken from the collagen peptides rather than from a bundle. Once you are ordering, the number that matters is $2.31 per serving. There is no membership needed to reach either figure.
Does a Vital Proteins subscription cost less?+
Yes, a subscription takes 15% off the ongoing cost. That discount applies for as long as you keep the subscription running, so the renewal price is lower than the one-off price but still recurring. Cancel and the one-off $2.31 per serving applies instead.