Head to head · Protein Powder
Myprotein Clear Whey Isolate vs Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Optimum Nutrition scores higher overall (8.7 vs 8.0 out of 10), mainly on efficacy, experience and transparency.
Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
Juice-style clear whey: 20 g protein in an 80-calorie, sugar-free scoop with Informed Choice certification, though foaming and flavor split reviews.
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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 Myprotein if…
- People who dislike milky shakes
- Hot-weather or midday protein
- Calorie-conscious dieters
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, experience, transparency
Side by side
| Clear Whey Isolate | Gold Standard 100% Whey | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.0 / 10 | 8.7 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 8.2 | 8.8 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 8.8 | 9.0 |
| Value (20%) | 8.2 | 8.3 |
| Experience (15%) | 6.8 | 9.0 |
| Transparency (10%) | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| Form | Powder | Powder |
| Serving | 1 scoop (25 g)35 servings per container | 1 scoop (31 g)74 servings per container |
| Testing & certifications | Informed Choice | Informed Choice |
| Dietary | Gluten-free, Sugar-free, Vegetarian | Gluten-free |
| Key ingredients |
|
|
| Flavors | 8 (Lemonade, Peach Mango, Strawberry…) | 8 (Double Rich Chocolate, Extreme Milk Chocolate, Vanilla Ice Cream…) |
| Creator video reviews | 5 | 5 |
Pros and cons
Clear Whey Isolate
- 20 g of protein for 80 calories with zero sugar and fat
- Informed Choice certified and verified under Informed Protein, per the brand
- Light, juice-like texture that many find easier to drink than milky shakes
- About $1.31 per serving for the 35-serving tub
- Heavy foaming and slow dissolving are common complaints
- Flavor reviews are split, with some finding it too sweet or medicinal
- Uses sucralose, acesulfame potassium and artificial flavor despite 'naturally flavored' wording in some Amazon titles
- 20 g of protein per scoop is modest
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
Clear Whey Isolate
Clear Whey Isolate is a smart option if milky shakes put you off: 20 g of certified whey protein in a light, juice-style drink for about 80 calories. Expect some foam and a learning curve with mixing, and sample flavors before buying the large tub, since taste reviews are genuinely split.
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 Myprotein better than Optimum Nutrition?
Are Myprotein and Optimum Nutrition third-party tested?
Who should choose Myprotein over Optimum Nutrition?
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