Fitness & Diet

The Best Creatine Supplements of 2025

Highlighting top choices like Thorne Creatine, BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate, and Transparent Labs Creatine HMB. It provides insights into selecting supplements tailored for beginners, advanced users, and those seeking convenience or budget-friendly options.

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Last updated:
December 31, 2024
10 min read

Creatine stands as one of the most studied and trusted sports supplements on the market, known for its ability to support muscle strength, size, and power output. Beyond athletes and bodybuilders, it has gained popularity for its potential cognitive benefits and overall energy metabolism support. But not all creatine supplements are created equal — purity, formulation, and brand transparency matter.

We evaluated today’s top creatine supplements based on ingredient quality, independent testing, solubility, and user satisfaction. Below, we share our top picks and guide you through choosing the right creatine for your goals.

Summary of recommendations

Our Top Pick
Thorne Creatine
Thorne Creatine

Thorne Creatine enhances strength, endurance, and muscle recovery with pure, high-quality creatine monohydrate.

Ideal for athletes and fitness enthusiasts, it supports energy production during high-intensity workouts and promotes lean muscle mass development.

Feel free to jump directly to our picks or read on to understand how we evaluated these supplements.

How we evaluated the best creatine supplements

Our criteria for selecting top creatine supplements included:

  • Type of creatine: Creatine monohydrate is the gold standard, extensively researched and proven effective. Variations like creatine HCl or creatine combined with HMB may offer improved solubility or additional benefits.
  • Purity and testing: We favored products tested by third-party labs to ensure purity and potency, free from heavy metals or contaminants.
  • Solubility and mixability: A smooth, easy-to-mix powder leads to better user compliance and a more enjoyable experience.
  • Brand reputation and transparency: Reputable brands that clearly disclose ingredients, sourcing, and testing protocols scored highly.

Our top pick for 2025: Thorne Creatine

Pros

  • ✔ High-quality creatine monohydrate, NSF Certified for Sport
  • ✔ No artificial additives or sweeteners
  • ✔ Backed by a trusted, science-driven company
  • ✔ Fine powder with good solubility

Cons

  • ✖ Slightly pricier than some generic options
  • ✖ Unflavored only, so you must mix it with another beverage for flavor

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Why we chose Thorne Creatine:
Thorne is synonymous with quality and transparency. Their creatine monohydrate undergoes rigorous testing, ensuring purity and effectiveness. With NSF Certified for Sport accreditation, athletes and health-conscious users can trust they’re getting a clean product. While it may cost more than bargain brands, the peace of mind and consistent results justify the investment.

Pricing: Approximately $30-$35 for a 90-serving tub.

Who should use Thorne Creatine:
Athletes, gym-goers, and anyone who wants a reliable, tested source of creatine monohydrate from a brand with an impeccable reputation.

Best budget-friendly option: BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate

Pros

  • ✔ Pure, unflavored creatine monohydrate at an affordable price
  • ✔ Lab-tested for purity
  • ✔ Bulk packaging helps reduce costs
  • ✔ No frills, just straight creatine

Cons

  • ✖ No NSF or Informed Sport certifications
  • ✖ Packaging is minimalist, no scooper included

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Why we chose BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate:
For those on a tight budget, BulkSupplements delivers quality without the marketing bells and whistles. It offers pure creatine monohydrate at a significantly lower price per serving than many competitors. While it may lack the high-profile certifications, this brand has a solid reputation for third-party tested purity, making it a top pick for cost-conscious consumers.

Pricing: About $20 for 100 servings or more, depending on bag size.

Who should use BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate:
Budget-focused buyers who still want a tested, reliable form of creatine without paying for branding or extra features.

Best micronized powder: Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder

Pros

  • ✔ Micronized creatine monohydrate for easy mixing and absorption
  • ✔ Reputable brand well-known in sports nutrition
  • ✔ Unflavored, versatile to mix with any beverage
  • ✔ Highly reviewed and widely available

Cons

  • ✖ Not as rigorously tested as NSF Certified products
  • ✖ Still unflavored (a con if you prefer flavored options)

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Why we chose Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder:
Optimum Nutrition is a staple brand in the fitness community, known for consistency and value. The micronized creatine mixes easily, reducing the gritty texture sometimes associated with creatine. Though it may not carry premium certifications, decades of consumer trust and positive feedback make it a safe bet for most users.

Pricing: About $20-$25 for a 60-serving container.

Who should use Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder:
Gym enthusiasts who appreciate a smoothly mixing creatine powder from a tried-and-true brand with widespread availability.

Best capsules: Kaged Muscle Creatine HCl Capsules

Pros

  • ✔ Convenient, portable capsules—no mixing required
  • ✔ Creatine HCl may offer better solubility and reduced bloating
  • ✔ NSF Certified for Sport
  • ✔ Good option if you dislike powders

Cons

  • ✖ Capsules often cost more per serving than powders
  • ✖ Some users prefer monohydrate’s extensive research history

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Why we chose Kaged Muscle Creatine HCl Capsules:
For those who hate measuring powders or need portability, Kaged Muscle’s capsules deliver creatine HCl in a hassle-free form. Their NSF certification adds credibility, and many users report fewer digestive issues compared to monohydrate. While pricier, the convenience and quality can be worth it for on-the-go athletes or anyone seeking a simpler dosing method.

Pricing: Around $25-$30 for a 75-serving bottle.

Who should use Kaged Muscle Creatine HCl Capsules:
Busy individuals who want a convenient, travel-friendly creatine supplement and appreciate the potential benefits of creatine HCl.

Best for advanced users: Transparent Labs Creatine HMB

Pros

  • ✔ Combination of creatine monohydrate and HMB supports muscle growth and recovery
  • ✔ No artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives
  • ✔ Informed Choice certified for sport
  • ✔ Adds an extra layer of potential muscle preservation

Cons

  • ✖ More expensive than standard creatine
  • ✖ Flavor options are limited

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Why we chose Transparent Labs Creatine HMB:
Transparent Labs pairs creatine with HMB, a compound known to help reduce muscle breakdown and support recovery. This synergy may benefit advanced athletes, bodybuilders, or anyone pushing through intense training cycles. The brand’s commitment to full disclosure and quality testing makes it a standout for those who want more than just the basics.

Pricing: Approximately $40-$50 for a 30-serving tub.

Who should use Transparent Labs Creatine HMB:
Experienced lifters or athletes who want to optimize their training regimen and invest in a premium formula that offers more than standard creatine alone.

Is creatine right for you?

Creatine is one of the most well-researched supplements for supporting muscle strength, improving exercise performance, and potentially aiding in faster recovery. It’s generally considered safe and effective for most healthy adults. That said, it’s not a replacement for a balanced diet, proper training, and adequate rest.

If you have kidney issues or other medical conditions, consult a healthcare provider before adding creatine to your routine. For most people, though, creatine can be a valuable tool in achieving fitness and performance goals.

Frequently asked questions about creatine supplements

Is loading necessary?
Traditional protocols suggest a loading phase (about 20g per day for 5-7 days), followed by a maintenance dose of 3-5g per day. However, loading isn’t strictly required; you can start with a daily maintenance dose, though it may take longer to see results.

Can women use creatine?
Absolutely. Creatine is safe and effective for both men and women, supporting muscle strength and body composition improvements regardless of sex.

Will I gain weight on creatine?
Some users experience a slight increase in body weight due to increased water content in muscles. This is typically “intracellular” water retention and often correlates with improved muscle fullness, not unwanted fat gain.

The bottom line

Creatine is a proven ally in the quest for improved strength, power, and recovery. Thorne Creatine earns our top spot for its purity and trusted brand name, while BulkSupplements, Optimum Nutrition, Kaged Muscle, and Transparent Labs each cater to specific preferences—be it budget, convenience, or advanced formulations.

Select a product that matches your training style, dietary needs, and budget. With consistent use and proper training, creatine can help you push through plateaus and achieve new performance milestones.

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