Find the Best Creatine Supplements
Research-backed reviews, dosage tools, and supplement comparisons based on sports-nutrition science.
Top Rated Creatine Supplements
Ranked by purity, testing, value, and clinical evidence.
Thorne Creatine
Pure creatine monohydrate with NSF Certified for Sport testing.
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB
Creatine HMB formula for serious muscle growth.
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine
Affordable creatine monohydrate trusted by millions.
Naked Creatine
Single-ingredient creatine with nothing else added.
Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate
120 servings of creatine monohydrate at the lowest price per serving.
Product Comparison
20+ creatine supplements compared by type, testing, and value.
| Product | Type | Servings | 3rd Party | Price/g | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| monohydrate | 120 | Informed Sport | $0.19 | $22.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 90 | NSF Certified for Sport | $0.40 | $35.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 30 | Informed Sport | $1.67 | $49.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 30 | Labdoor | $1.00 | $29.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 80 | NSF Certified for Sport | $0.49 | $39.00 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 200 | Third-party tested | $0.17 | $34.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 80 | — | $0.19 | $14.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 60 | — | $0.47 | $27.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 120 | Informed Sport | $0.17 | $19.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 200 | Third-party tested | $0.10 | $19.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 180 | Informed Sport | $0.17 | $29.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 60 | NSF Certified for Sport | $0.58 | $34.99 | Review | |
| hcl | 72 | Informed Sport | $0.35 | $24.99 | Review | |
| hcl | 75 | Informed Sport | $0.27 | $19.99 | Review | |
| gummies | 30 | Third-party tested | $1.00 | $29.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 85 | Third-party tested | $0.41 | $34.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 100 | Third-party tested | $0.23 | $22.95 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 60 | NSF Certified for Sport | $0.58 | $34.99 | Review | |
| buffered | 60 | — | $0.50 | $29.99 | Review | |
| monohydrate | 85 | Third-party tested | $0.24 | $19.99 | Review |
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CreatineFinders
x Dr. Alex Bennett
Sports Nutrition Researcher
Ph.D. Exercise Physiology
Read ResearchThorne Creatine
by Thorne · $35.99 · 90 servings
- ✓NSF Certified for Sport — third-party tested for banned substances
- ✓Creapure-sourced creatine monohydrate (99.99% purity)
- ✓Trusted by professional and Olympic athletes worldwide
Why Take Creatine?
Creatine is the most researched supplement in sports nutrition with over 500 peer-reviewed studies supporting its efficacy and safety (Kreider et al., 2017, JISSN).
Strength and Power Output
Increases phosphocreatine stores for 5-10% greater force output during resistance training (Branch, 2003, MSSE).
Muscle Recovery
Reduces exercise-induced muscle damage and inflammation between training sessions.
Cognitive Function
Emerging research shows benefits for memory and mental fatigue, particularly under sleep deprivation (Avgerinos et al., 2018).
Recommended Dosage
Daily maintenance: 3-5 grams per day (0.03g/kg body weight)
Loading phase (optional): 20 grams daily for 5-7 days (0.3g/kg)
Both protocols reach the same muscle saturation point. Loading gets there in one week; daily dosing takes 3-4 weeks. Timing matters less than consistency.
3-5g
daily maintenance
20g
loading phase
More Creatine Options
Popular creatine supplements sorted by value per serving.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Based on our analysis, Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine is the best overall for most people due to its excellent value ($0.19/serving), Informed Sport certification, and decades of trust. For athletes requiring NSF Certified for Sport status, Thorne Creatine is our top pick.
Yes. Creatine monohydrate is one of the most extensively studied supplements in history with over 500 peer-reviewed studies. The International Society of Sports Nutrition considers it safe for long-term daily use at 3-5g per day (Kreider et al., 2017).
The standard maintenance dose is 3-5g of creatine monohydrate per day (0.03g/kg body weight). An optional loading phase of 0.3g/kg/day for 5-7 days can saturate muscles faster, but is not required. Both protocols reach the same endpoint.
There is no strong scientific evidence that creatine causes hair loss. One small 2009 study (van der Merwe et al.) showed increased DHT levels, but no study has directly measured or linked creatine supplementation to actual hair loss.
Research suggests post-workout may be slightly more beneficial due to increased blood flow and nutrient uptake (Antonio & Ciccone, 2013), but the difference is minimal. The most important factor is taking it consistently every day.
Creatine monohydrate has significantly more research supporting its efficacy (500+ studies). Creatine HCl is more water-soluble and may cause less bloating, but the JISSN position stand recommends monohydrate as the gold standard.
No. There is no scientific evidence that cycling creatine provides any benefit. Your body does not build tolerance to creatine. Continuous daily supplementation is recommended by the JISSN.
Creapure is a patented form of creatine monohydrate manufactured in Germany by AlzChem. It is considered the highest-purity creatine available (99.99% pure) and is used in many clinical studies. Products using Creapure include Thorne and XWERKS Lift.
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Top Pick
Thorne Creatine Monohydrate
Top Pick
Thorne Creatine Monohydrate