Head to head · Protein Powder
Legion Whey+ Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate vs Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Optimum Nutrition scores higher overall (8.7 vs 8.3 out of 10), mainly on efficacy, value and experience. Legion still leads on transparency.
Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
A naturally sweetened whey isolate from Truly Grass Fed-certified Irish milk, with Labdoor certification and batch lab reports linked online.
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The benchmark whey blend: 24 g of protein per 120-calorie scoop, Informed Choice certified, and a flavor lineup few rivals can match.
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money
We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money
The short answer
Choose Legion if…
- People avoiding artificial sweeteners and dyes
- Shoppers who want verified grass-fed sourcing
- Buyers who like checking lab reports
- You care most about transparency
Choose Optimum Nutrition if…
- First-time protein powder buyers
- Everyday post-workout shakes
- Drug-tested athletes who want a certified product
- People who like lots of flavor choice
- You care most about efficacy, value, experience
Side by side
| Whey+ Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate | Gold Standard 100% Whey | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.3 / 10 | 8.7 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 8.4 | 8.8 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 8.9 | 9.0 |
| Value (20%) | 7.0 | 8.3 |
| Experience (15%) | 8.0 | 9.0 |
| Transparency (10%) | 9.2 | 8.0 |
| Form | Powder | Powder |
| Serving | 1 scoop (26 g, Dutch Chocolate)30 servings per container | 1 scoop (31 g)74 servings per container |
| Testing & certifications | NSF Contents CertifiedThird-party testedNon-GMO Project Verified | Informed Choice |
| Dietary | Gluten-free, Non-GMO, Sugar-free | Gluten-free |
| Key ingredients |
|
|
| Flavors | 8 (Dutch Chocolate, French Vanilla, Cinnamon Cereal…) | 8 (Double Rich Chocolate, Extreme Milk Chocolate, Vanilla Ice Cream…) |
| Creator video reviews | 5 | 5 |
Pros and cons
Whey+ Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
- Whey isolate certified under the Truly Grass Fed program
- NSF contents-certified (Dutch Chocolate and French Vanilla) and Labdoor-certified, with certificates of analysis linked online
- No artificial sweeteners or dyes, and no added sugar
- buyers often mention smooth mixing and easy digestion
- 21 to 23 g of protein per scoop, a little below leading isolates
- About $2.06 per serving, with a higher list price on the brand site
- Stevia is noticeable to some reviewers
- Not in the NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Choice programs, and the Amazon listing states it contains milk and soy
Gold Standard 100% Whey
- 24 g of protein in a 120-calorie, 31 g scoop (about 77% protein by weight)
- Informed Choice certified and regularly tested for banned substances
- More than 20 flavors on the brand's US store, with consistently strong feedback on taste and mixability
- Fully disclosed ingredient list with no proprietary blend
- Widely available on Amazon, TikTok Shop and at major retailers
- Sweetened with acesulfame potassium and uses artificial flavors
- Contains whey concentrate, and a share of buyers report digestive discomfort
- No longer cheap: about $1.39 per serving at typical retail prices for the 5 lb tub, and the brand-site list price is higher
- Servings per tub vary by flavor (roughly 68 to 75 in 5 lb-class tubs), which complicates price comparisons
Our verdicts
Whey+ Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate
Legion Whey+ is one of the most credible naturally sweetened whey isolates, pairing certified grass-fed sourcing with public lab testing. You get slightly less protein per scoop than some rivals and pay a premium, but for buyers avoiding artificial sweeteners who want proof of what is in the bag, it is an easy recommendation.
Full review
Gold Standard 100% Whey
Gold Standard 100% Whey remains a default recommendation for good reason: a lean 24 g protein dose, banned-substance certification, and taste and mixability endorsed across about 100,000 buyer ratings. It is no longer a bargain, and the concentrate and artificial sweetener will not suit everyone, but few powders balance quality, variety and availability this well.
Full review
What creators say
Questions people ask
Is Legion better than Optimum Nutrition?
Are Legion and Optimum Nutrition third-party tested?
Who should choose Legion over Optimum Nutrition?
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