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Head to head · Omega-3 & Fish Oil

Nordic Naturals Algae Omega vs Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega

Ultimate Omega scores higher overall (8.4 vs 7.9 out of 10), mainly on efficacy, value and experience.

Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score

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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1,100 mg EPA+DHA per two lemon-flavored softgels in triglyceride form, with lot-level purity testing; excellent tolerability, but pricier than IFOS-certified rivals.

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The short answer

Choose Algae Omega if…

  • Vegans and vegetarians
  • People with fish allergies or who dislike fish oil
  • Those prioritizing DHA from a sustainable source

Choose Ultimate Omega if…

  • About 1 g of EPA+DHA daily from a trusted brand
  • People who get fishy burps from cheaper oils
  • Buyers who want lot-specific certificates of analysis
  • You care most about efficacy, value, experience

Side by side

Algae OmegaUltimate Omega
Our score7.9 / 108.4 / 10
Efficacy (30%)7.88.6
Quality & Purity (25%)8.38.6
Value (20%)6.87.2
Experience (15%)8.28.8
Transparency (10%)8.89.0
FormSoftgelSoftgel
Serving2 soft gels60 servings per container2 soft gels60 servings per container
Testing & certifications
Third-party testedcGMP facility
Third-party testedcGMP facility
DietaryVegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Non-GMOGluten-free, Dairy-free, Non-GMO
Key ingredients
  • DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)390 mg
  • EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)195 mg
  • Total omega-3s (triglyceride form)715 mg
  • EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)650 mg
  • DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)450 mg
  • Total omega-3s (re-esterified triglyceride form)1280 mg
Flavors—1 (Lemon)
Creator video reviews24

Pros and cons

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

Ultimate Omega

  • 650 mg EPA + 450 mg DHA per 2-softgel serving
  • Re-esterified triglyceride form with vitamin E and rosemary extract as antioxidants
  • Certificates of analysis available; Friend of the Sea and IGEN non-GMO certified
  • Lemon flavor; buyers widely report no fishy aftertaste
  • 4.7 stars from 60,000+ buyer ratings
  • Not IFOS-certified, unlike several lower-priced competitors
  • About $0.72 per daily serving, above the category average
  • Two fairly large softgels per serving, per several reviewers
  • Gelatin softgel is not vegetarian

Our verdicts

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

Ultimate Omega

Ultimate Omega earns its reputation with a meaningful 1,100 mg EPA+DHA dose, triglyceride-form oil, published lot testing and some of the best tolerability feedback in the category. You pay a premium for the name, and it lacks IFOS certification, so value-focused buyers can match the dose for less. If taste and brand track record matter most, it remains a safe, well-made choice.

Full review

What creators say

Questions people ask

Is Algae Omega better than Ultimate Omega?
In our scoring, Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega rates higher overall (8.4 vs 7.9 out of 10). Ultimate Omega leads on efficacy, value and experience. Scores weigh efficacy, quality, value, experience and transparency.
Who should choose Algae Omega over Ultimate Omega?
Our reviews suggest Algae Omega is best for vegans and vegetarians, people with fish allergies or who dislike fish oil and those prioritizing DHA from a sustainable source, while Ultimate Omega is best for about 1 g of EPA+DHA daily from a trusted brand, people who get fishy burps from cheaper oils and buyers who want lot-specific certificates of analysis.

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