Head to head · Amino Acids (BCAA & EAA)
Thorne Amino Complex vs Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine
Thorne scores higher overall (6.6 vs 6.1 out of 10), mainly on efficacy, quality & purity and transparency. Transparent Labs still leads on value.
Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score
A well-balanced, NSF Certified for Sport EAA formula with 1.25 g leucine per scoop, but only about 4 g of amino acids for roughly $1.73 a serving.
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Clean-label BCAA drink with 8 g fermented BCAAs, 5 g glutamine and no artificial sweeteners, but about $1.33 a serving and 1,500 mg of vitamin C per scoop.
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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 Thorne if…
- Tested athletes who want an NSF-certified EAA
- People who can't tolerate protein powders
- Those who want a balanced EAA profile rather than a BCAA drink
- You care most about efficacy, quality & purity, transparency
Choose Transparent Labs if…
- Buyers who want BCAAs without sucralose or artificial dyes
- Vegans who prefer fermented, plant-derived BCAAs
- Athletes who want an Informed Choice certified amino drink
- You care most about value
- You want the lower cost per serving ($1.33)
Side by side
| Amino Complex | BCAA Glutamine | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 6.6 / 10 | 6.1 / 10 |
| Efficacy (30%) | 6.2 | 4.9 |
| Quality & Purity (25%) | 8.8 | 8.2 |
| Value (20%) | 3.8 | 4.5 |
| Experience (15%) | 6.2 | 6.2 |
| Transparency (10%) | 8.5 | 7.8 |
| Form | Powder | Powder |
| Serving | 1 scoop30 servings per container | 1 scoop30 servings per container |
| Price per serving | $1.73 | $1.33 |
| Testing & certifications | NSF Certified for Sport | Informed Choice |
| Dietary | Vegan, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Soy-free | Vegan, Gluten-free, Non-GMO |
| Key ingredients |
|
|
| Flavors | 2 (Berry, Lemon) | 7 (Strawberry Lemonade, Blue Raspberry, Tropical Punch…) |
| Creator video reviews | 2 | 3 |
Pros and cons
Amino Complex
- Complete, balanced essential amino acid profile with 1.25 g leucine
- Listed as NSF Certified for Sport
- Fully disclosed amounts for every amino acid
- Labeled vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free
- Only about 4 g of amino acids per scoop
- About $1.73 per serving, poor value versus protein powder
- Taste and stevia divide buyers; some report nausea
- Thorne's product page carries a California Prop 65 lead warning
BCAA Glutamine
- 8 g of fermented, vegan BCAAs in a fully disclosed formula
- No sucralose, acesulfame potassium or artificial dyes
- Brand reports third-party testing of every batch and Informed Choice certification
- Buyers rate its quality and digestibility highly
- BCAAs add little for people who already eat enough protein
- 1,500 mg vitamin C per scoop; three scoops would exceed the adult upper limit
- Taste is the most frequent complaint in buyer reviews
- About $1.33 per serving
Our verdicts
Amino Complex
Amino Complex gets the science and the certification right: a balanced, leucine-forward essential amino acid profile with NSF Certified for Sport status. It is let down by a small dose, a high price and divisive taste. It makes most sense for tested athletes or people who can't use protein powder; everyone else will get more from a quality protein shake.
Full review
BCAA Glutamine
This is a thoughtfully formulated BCAA drink with a clean label and certification, but it is expensive, divisive on taste and built on an ingredient class with weak evidence for people who eat enough protein. The megadose of vitamin C is unnecessary and adds up quickly if you follow the label's multi-scoop directions. An EAA product or a protein shake is the better buy.
Full review