Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Budget-conscious gym-goers who want proven, great-tasting protein at the best value
Garden of Life SPORT Organic Plant-Based Protein
Organic-focused consumers who prioritize NSF and USDA certifications (note heavy metal flag)
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Budget-conscious gym-goers who want proven, great-tasting protein at the best value
Gold Standard has been the world's best-selling protein powder for over a decade, and the value proposition is hard to beat — 74 servings at $1.08 each with Informed Choice certification. The trade-off is artificial ingredients and a whey blend rather than pure isolate.
Strengths
- Informed Choice certified — the most popular protein powder worldwide for a reason
- Outstanding value at $1.08/serving with 74 servings in the 5lb size
- Excellent taste and mixability across 20+ flavor options
Limitations
- Contains artificial flavors (acesulfame potassium) and soy lecithin
- Uses whey blend (isolate, concentrate, peptides) rather than pure isolate
- Does not publish independent lab test results or batch-level COAs
When to Choose Garden of Life SPORT Organic Plant-Based Protein
Organic-focused consumers who prioritize NSF and USDA certifications (note heavy metal flag)
Garden of Life SPORT checks every certification box — NSF for Sport, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Verified. However, Consumer Reports flagged elevated lead levels at 4-6x their daily safety limit, which significantly impacts the heavy metal safety score. Buyers should weigh the strong certifications against the contamination data.
Strengths
- NSF Certified for Sport plus USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified triple certification
- Organic plant blend with probiotics and enzymes for digestive support
- 30g protein per serving from organic pea, navy bean, lentil, and garbanzo sources
Limitations
- Consumer Reports flagged lead at 4-6x daily safety concern level — significant safety concern
- Grittier texture than whey-based competitors due to plant protein blend
- Organic certification adds cost without directly addressing heavy metal contamination
