Creatine · head-to-head
Micronized Creatine vs Creatine
Creatine head-to-head, graded on doses and price
by Optimum Nutrition
A+
A
Formula · Deal
by Thorne
A+
A
Formula · Deal
Our pick
Our pick: Creatine — better value on the numbers.
Side by side
| Micronized Creatine | Creatine |
|---|
| Formula grade | A+ | A+ |
|---|
| Deal grade | A | A |
|---|
| Price | $29.99 / 60 srv | $44.00 / 90 srv |
|---|
| Per serving | $0.50 | $0.49 |
|---|
| DIY bulk cost/serving | $0.23 | $0.23 |
|---|
| Markup over DIY | 2.2× | 2.1× |
|---|
| Ingredients at clinical dose | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
|---|
| Bottom line | Worth it | Worth it |
|---|
Micronized Creatine verdict
Nothing wrong with the formula — 5g of plain creatine monohydrate is exactly right, and creatine is the single most-proven supplement there is. The only catch is price: it's the identical molecule you can buy in bulk for less than half the cost. Same powder, cheaper bag.
Creatine verdict
Genuinely great quality — Creapure monohydrate, third-party certified — and the 5g dose is perfect. But it's still just creatine monohydrate at a premium price. The certification is worth something to tested athletes; for everyone else, bulk monohydrate is the same molecule for a fraction.
Full Micronized Creatine review →
Full Creatine review →
More Creatine 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.