Head to head · Multivitamins
Centrum Adults Multivitamin vs Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day
Thorne scores higher overall (8.2 vs 8.0 out of 10), mainly on quality & purity and transparency. Centrum still leads on value and experience.
Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
The drugstore benchmark: one tablet with 24 nutrients near 100% DV, including iron, iodine and folic acid, for about six cents a day. No third-party seal.
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Two-capsule, iron-free multi with active B vitamins and chelated minerals, NSF certified; trade-offs are a strong smell and B-vitamin doses far above the DV.
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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 Centrum if…
- Budget shoppers
- Menstruating women who need iron and folic acid
- People who want a standard RDA-level tablet
- You care most about value, experience
Choose Thorne if…
- Athletes who need NSF-certified supplements
- People who prefer methylfolate and methyl-B12
- Men and postmenopausal women who don't need iron
- Anyone who wants a two-capsule routine
- You care most about quality & purity, transparency
Side by side
| Adults Multivitamin | Basic Nutrients 2/Day | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.0 / 10 | 8.2 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 8.0 | 8.2 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 6.8 | 9.4 |
| Value (20%) | 9.8 | 7.0 |
| Experience (15%) | 8.0 | 7.3 |
| Transparency (10%) | 7.5 | 9.2 |
| Form | Tablet | Capsule |
| Serving | 1 tablet200 servings per container | 2 capsules30 servings per container |
| Price per serving | See retailer | $1.20 |
| Testing & certifications | None verified | NSF Certified for SportNSF Contents Certified |
| Dietary | Gluten-free, Non-GMO | Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Soy-free |
| Key ingredients |
|
|
| Flavors | — | — |
| Creator video reviews | 4 | 5 |
Pros and cons
Adults Multivitamin
- About $0.06 per day, among the lowest costs in the category
- Most doses sit near 100% DV, with nothing close to an upper limit
- Includes 150 mcg iodine, 400 mcg folic acid and 18 mg iron, which many premium multis skip
- The related Centrum Silver formula was tested in major trials (PHS II, COSMOS)
- No USP or NSF third-party certification
- Contains Yellow 6 Lake and titanium dioxide colorants
- Token magnesium (50 mg, as oxide) and calcium (200 mg)
- 18 mg of iron is more than most men and postmenopausal women need
Basic Nutrients 2/Day
- Active forms throughout: L-5-MTHF folate, methylcobalamin B12 and P-5-P vitamin B6
- Chelated minerals, with 15 mg zinc balanced by 750 mcg copper
- 2,000 IU vitamin D3 plus vitamins K1 and K2 (MK-4)
- NSF Contents Certified; an NSF Certified for Sport version is sold by Thorne
- Short excipient list and no proprietary blends
- About $1.20 per day, several times the cost of mass-market multis
- B6 (20 mg) exceeds the EU's 12 mg upper limit, and niacinamide (80 mg) is well above daily needs
- Frequent complaints about a sulfur-like smell and nausea on an empty stomach
- Minimal calcium and magnesium and no iron, so some people will still need separate supplements
Our verdicts
Adults Multivitamin
Centrum Adults does the basics well: near-RDA doses of the nutrients Americans most often lack, including iron, iodine and folic acid, for about six cents a day. It has no third-party certification and uses inexpensive mineral forms and artificial colorants. For menstruating women and anyone on a budget, it remains a sensible, evidence-aligned choice.
Full review
Basic Nutrients 2/Day
Basic Nutrients 2/Day is one of the best-built compact multivitamins available: active nutrient forms, sensible vitamin D and zinc levels, and independent certification. It is expensive for what is still a basic multi, and its B6 and niacinamide doses are higher than most people need. It makes the most sense for athletes and label-conscious buyers who value testing over price.
Full review