Head to head · Omega-3 & Fish Oil
Nature Made Fish Oil 1200 mg Softgels vs Nordic Naturals Algae Omega
Nordic Naturals scores higher overall (7.9 vs 7.8 out of 10), mainly on efficacy, experience and transparency. Nature Made still leads on quality & purity and value.
Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
A USP Verified, very low-cost drugstore fish oil; two large softgels supply only 600 mg EPA+DHA, and the label does not split EPA from DHA.
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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 Nature Made if…
- A modest daily EPA+DHA intake on a tight budget
- Shoppers who prioritize USP verification
- Buying in-store at pharmacies and big-box retailers
- You care most about quality & purity, value
Choose Nordic Naturals if…
- Vegans and vegetarians
- People with fish allergies or who dislike fish oil
- Those prioritizing DHA from a sustainable source
- You care most about efficacy, experience, transparency
Side by side
| Fish Oil 1200 mg Softgels | Algae Omega | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 7.8 / 10 | 7.9 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 7.0 | 7.8 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 8.8 | 8.3 |
| Value (20%) | 8.4 | 6.8 |
| Experience (15%) | 7.5 | 8.2 |
| Transparency (10%) | 7.0 | 8.8 |
| Form | Softgel | Softgel |
| Serving | 2 softgels75 servings per container | 2 soft gels60 servings per container |
| Testing & certifications | USP Verified | Third-party testedcGMP facility |
| Dietary | Gluten-free | Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Non-GMO |
| Key ingredients |
|
|
| Flavors | — | — |
| Creator video reviews | 5 | 2 |
Pros and cons
Fish Oil 1200 mg Softgels
- USP Verified for ingredients, potency and manufacturing
- Very low cost per serving (about $0.21 per day on Amazon)
- Purification limits for mercury, PCBs and dioxins are stated on the label
- Widely available at pharmacies, big-box stores and online
- Only 600 mg EPA+DHA per two-softgel serving
- EPA and DHA are disclosed only as a combined amount
- Large softgels; some buyers report fishy aftertaste
- Molecular form of the omega-3s is not stated on the label
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
Fish Oil 1200 mg Softgels
A trustworthy, USP Verified fish oil at a bargain price, but it is a low-concentration product: 600 mg EPA+DHA takes two big softgels, and EPA and DHA are not listed separately. It suits people who want a modest, verified dose cheaply; anyone targeting about 1 g/day will be better served by a concentrated oil.
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
Is Nature Made better than Nordic Naturals?
Are Nature Made and Nordic Naturals third-party tested?
Who should choose Nature Made over Nordic Naturals?
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