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Head to head · Weight Management

Pendulum GLP-1 Probiotic vs Thorne Berberine (Dual Action Phytosome & HCl)

Thorne scores higher overall (6.9 vs 4.9 out of 10) and leads on all five factors we score.

Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score

Pendulum GLP-1 Probiotic 30-capsule bottle
PendulumGLP-1 Probiotic
4.9
Poor

A novel Akkermansia, C. butyricum and B. infantis probiotic sold on the GLP-1 buzz. It contains no GLP-1, has no human appetite trial and costs $64–89 a month.

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Higher score
Thorne Berberine Dual Action Formula 60-capsule bottle
ThorneBerberine (Dual Action Phytosome & HCl)
6.9
Mixed

NSF Contents Certified berberine in HCl and phytosome forms. Well made, but the average weight change in trials is about 2 lb and it interacts with many drugs.

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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 Pendulum if…

  • Early adopters curious about Akkermansia
  • Shoppers who understand it isn't a GLP-1 drug
  • People with HSA/FSA funds (eligibility via Pendulum's health survey)

Choose Thorne if…

  • People whose clinician recommends berberine
  • Shoppers who want NSF-verified quality
  • Supporting healthy blood sugar and cholesterol alongside diet
  • You care most about efficacy, quality & purity, value, experience, transparency
  • You want the lower cost per serving ($1.47)

Side by side

GLP-1 ProbioticBerberine (Dual Action Phytosome & HCl)
Our score4.9 / 106.9 / 10
Efficacy (30%)3.55.5
Quality & Purity (25%)6.89.0
Value (20%)3.55.5
Experience (15%)6.57.0
Transparency (10%)5.08.0
FormCapsuleCapsule
Serving1 capsule30 servings per container2 capsules30 servings per container
Price per serving$2.97$1.47
Testing & certificationsNone verified
NSF Contents Certified
DietaryVegetarianGluten-free, Dairy-free, Soy-free
Key ingredients
  • Probiotic Blend: Clostridium butyricum WB-STR-0006, Akkermansia muciniphila WB-STR-0001, Bifidobacterium infantis500 million AFU (total)
  • Chicory inulin211 mg
  • Berberine HCl (from Indian barberry root extract)450 mg
  • Berberine Phytosome550 mg
Flavors——
Creator video reviews23

Pros and cons

GLP-1 Probiotic

  • Pendulum is upfront that it contains no GLP-1 and isn't a weight-loss drug
  • Named strain IDs (WB-STR) for Akkermansia and C. butyricum
  • One capsule a day
  • HSA/FSA reimbursement possible through Pendulum's survey process
  • No human trial of this formula for appetite or weight, only a six-week consumer survey
  • $64–89 a month
  • Refrigeration recommended, and the blend doesn't disclose per-strain amounts
  • Gas, bloating, nausea or loose stools are possible in the first weeks

Berberine (Dual Action Phytosome & HCl)

  • NSF Contents Certified and made in Thorne's own U.S. facility
  • Fully disclosed doses of two berberine forms
  • Berberine has a meaningful research base for metabolic markers
  • Gluten-, dairy- and soy-free
  • Average weight loss in trials is under 1 kg
  • Decreases CYP2D6, CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 activity, so it can interact with many drugs
  • About $1.47–2.93 a day, depending on dose
  • Digestive side effects are common when you start

Our verdicts

GLP-1 Probiotic

Pendulum GLP-1 Probiotic is a carefully made, novel probiotic sold on a mechanism rather than on results. No human trial shows it reduces appetite or body weight, and 'GLP-1' on the label is not equivalent to GLP-1 medication. At roughly $2–3 a day, it makes sense only as an experiment for someone curious about Akkermansia, not as a weight-management tool.

Full review

Berberine (Dual Action Phytosome & HCl)

Thorne Berberine is a well-made, NSF-certified version of the most researched 'metabolic' botanical, and a sensible choice if your clinician suggests berberine. Keep expectations in check, though: the average weight change in trials is about 2 pounds. Its drug-interaction profile also means it isn't something to add casually if you take prescription medications.

Full review

What creators say

Questions people ask

Is Pendulum better than Thorne?
In our scoring, Thorne Berberine (Dual Action Phytosome & HCl) rates higher overall (6.9 vs 4.9 out of 10). Thorne leads on efficacy, quality & purity, value, experience and transparency. Scores weigh efficacy, quality, value, experience and transparency.
Which is cheaper per serving, Pendulum or Thorne?
Thorne costs about $1.47 per serving versus $2.97 for Pendulum, based on the list prices shown in our reviews. Prices change often, so check the current price before buying.
Are Pendulum and Thorne third-party tested?
Pendulum has no independent certification we could verify; Thorne carries NSF Contents Certified.
Who should choose Pendulum over Thorne?
Our reviews suggest Pendulum is best for early adopters curious about Akkermansia, shoppers who understand it isn't a GLP-1 drug and people with HSA/FSA funds (eligibility via Pendulum's health survey), while Thorne is best for people whose clinician recommends berberine, shoppers who want NSF-verified quality and supporting healthy blood sugar and cholesterol alongside diet.

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