Nootropic · head-to-head
Alpha Brain vs Nootropic Stack
Nootropic head-to-head, graded on doses and price
by Onnit
F
B
Formula · Deal
by NeuroVolt
C
C
Formula · Deal
Our pick
Our pick: Nootropic Stack — better formula on the numbers.
Side by side
| Alpha Brain | Nootropic Stack |
|---|
| Formula grade | F | C |
|---|
| Deal grade | B | C |
|---|
| Price | $87.95 / 45 srv | $49.99 / 30 srv |
|---|
| Per serving | $1.95 | $1.67 |
|---|
| DIY bulk cost/serving | $0.48 | $0.29 |
|---|
| Markup over DIY | 4.1× | 5.7× |
|---|
| Ingredients at clinical dose | 1 of 6 | 1 of 4 |
|---|
| Bottom line | Skip it | Marked up |
|---|
Alpha Brain verdict
Alpha Brain uses proprietary "Focus" and "Flow" blends that legally hide each ingredient's dose. The amounts we can see fall below clinical thresholds, and the hidden ones can't be verified at all. You're paying $1.95/serving for underdosed nootropics — the same ingredients run about $0.48/serving in bulk.
Nootropic Stack verdict
Refreshingly transparent — every dose is disclosed, there are no proprietary blends, and the rhodiola is right on its studied dose. The catch is the two headline aminos run light: 500mg tyrosine and 100mg theanine are each about half their common reference doses, so it reads more like a gentle daily stack than a heavy-hitter. At ~$1.67/serving you're paying a real premium over the ~$0.30 it costs to build the same four actives in bulk.
Full Alpha Brain review →
Full Nootropic Stack review →
More Nootropic grades
Educational only — not medical advice. Grades and clinical doses are computed from public labels against sourced research (citations on the main site); prices last verified 2026-07-21. Expensive Powder has no sponsors; bulk links may earn an affiliate commission, which never affects a grade. Talk to a clinician before starting any supplement.