Head to head · Protein Powder
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey vs Orgain Organic Protein Plant-Based Protein Powder
Optimum Nutrition scores higher overall (8.7 vs 7.5 out of 10) and leads on four of the five factors we score.
Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
The benchmark whey blend: 24 g of protein per 120-calorie scoop, Informed Choice certified, and a flavor lineup few rivals can match.
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A budget USDA Organic vegan blend with 21 g protein and 7 g fiber per serving; a 2026 heavy-metals lawsuit against Costco is a key caveat.
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 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, quality & purity, experience, transparency
Choose Orgain if…
- Dairy-free and vegan diets
- Budget-conscious smoothie users
- Shoppers who want USDA Organic ingredients
Side by side
| Gold Standard 100% Whey | Organic Protein Plant-Based Protein Powder | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.7 / 10 | 7.5 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 8.8 | 7.6 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 9.0 | 6.5 |
| Value (20%) | 8.3 | 8.4 |
| Experience (15%) | 9.0 | 8.0 |
| Transparency (10%) | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| Form | Powder | Powder |
| Serving | 1 scoop (31 g)74 servings per container | 2 scoops (46 g)20 servings per container |
| Testing & certifications | Informed Choice | USDA OrganicKosher |
| Dietary | Gluten-free | Vegan, Dairy-free, Soy-free, Gluten-free, Organic, Non-GMO |
| Key ingredients |
|
|
| Flavors | 8 (Double Rich Chocolate, Extreme Milk Chocolate, Vanilla Ice Cream…) | 8 (Creamy Chocolate Fudge, Vanilla Bean, Peanut Butter…) |
| Creator video reviews | 5 | 4 |
Pros and cons
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
Organic Protein Plant-Based Protein Powder
- Low cost for an organic protein (about $1.60 per serving on Amazon)
- USDA Organic, vegan and made without soy, dairy or gluten ingredients
- 7 g of fiber and less than 1 g of sugar per serving
- Huge review base: 4.5 stars from more than 65,000 buyer ratings
- A July 2026 proposed class action alleges undisclosed lead, cadmium and arsenic; Orgain says its products are safe
- Only 21 g of protein per 46 g serving, with the lower leucine typical of plant blends
- No published batch heavy-metal testing or sport certification
- Texture can be gritty or slightly chunky in water, according to some reviewers
Our verdicts
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
Organic Protein Plant-Based Protein Powder
Orgain Organic Protein is an affordable, widely available organic vegan powder that most buyers find pleasant in smoothies. Its protein per serving is modest, and the 2026 heavy-metals lawsuit plus the lack of published contaminant testing mean shoppers who prioritize purity may prefer a plant protein with third-party certification.
Full review
What creators say
Questions people ask
Is Optimum Nutrition better than Orgain?
Are Optimum Nutrition and Orgain third-party tested?
Who should choose Optimum Nutrition over Orgain?
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