Head to head · Omega-3 & Fish Oil
Carlson The Very Finest Fish Oil (Liquid) vs Nordic Naturals Algae Omega
Carlson scores higher overall (8.8 vs 7.9 out of 10) and leads on four of the five factors we score.
Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
One lemon-flavored teaspoon delivers 1,300 mg EPA+DHA from Norwegian-processed fish oil, IFOS certified; the high-dose pick for people who hate capsules.
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A plant-based omega-3 from microalgae with 195 mg EPA and 390 mg DHA per two softgels; a clean fish-free option, but you pay more per gram than for fish oil.
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We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money
The short answer
Choose Carlson if…
- People who cannot or will not swallow capsules
- Higher EPA+DHA intakes in a single spoonful
- Families who want a flavored liquid omega-3
- You care most about efficacy, quality & purity, value, transparency
Choose Nordic Naturals if…
- Vegans and vegetarians
- People with fish allergies or who dislike fish oil
- Those prioritizing DHA from a sustainable source
Side by side
| The Very Finest Fish Oil (Liquid) | Algae Omega | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.8 / 10 | 7.9 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 9.0 | 7.8 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 9.3 | 8.3 |
| Value (20%) | 8.0 | 6.8 |
| Experience (15%) | 8.4 | 8.2 |
| Transparency (10%) | 9.3 | 8.8 |
| Form | Liquid | Softgel |
| Serving | 1 teaspoon (5 mL)40 servings per container | 2 soft gels60 servings per container |
| Testing & certifications | Third-party tested | Third-party testedcGMP facility |
| Dietary | Gluten-free, Non-GMO | Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Non-GMO |
| Key ingredients |
|
|
| Flavors | 5 (Lemon, Orange, Mixed Berry…) | — |
| Creator video reviews | 3 | 2 |
Pros and cons
The Very Finest Fish Oil (Liquid)
- 800 mg EPA + 500 mg DHA + 90 mg DPA per teaspoon
- IFOS certified with lot-level reports; Friend of the Sea certified
- Clean lemon flavor with little aftertaste, per buyers and reviewers
- Flexible dosing and five flavor options
- 4.8 stars from 7,600+ buyer ratings
- Must be refrigerated and used within 100 days of opening
- Thick texture; can cloud or partly solidify when cold
- Around $0.57 per gram of EPA+DHA, pricier than value softgels
- Glass bottle is less convenient for travel
Algae Omega
- 585 mg EPA+DHA (195 mg EPA, 390 mg DHA) per two softgels
- Fish-free microalgae source in triglyceride form
- Batch testing for heavy metals and other toxins; IGEN non-GMO certified
- No fishy taste or burps, per most buyers
- Gluten-free and free of milk derivatives
- About $1.14 per gram of EPA+DHA, far above fish oil
- EPA is relatively low (195 mg)
- Softgel shell contains carrageenan
- Not IAOS certified
Our verdicts
The Very Finest Fish Oil (Liquid)
The best liquid fish oil we reviewed: a potent 1,300 mg EPA+DHA per teaspoon, IFOS certification, sustainable sourcing and a flavor that even fish-oil skeptics tolerate. You have to refrigerate it and finish the bottle within 100 days, so it rewards daily users rather than occasional ones.
Full review
Algae Omega
A well-made, transparent algae oil that gives vegans and vegetarians a real source of preformed EPA and DHA, with a DHA-leaning profile. It is noticeably more expensive per gram than fish oil and lighter on EPA, so it makes the most sense for people who avoid fish rather than as a general-purpose omega-3.
Full review
What creators say
Questions people ask
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