Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+
Consumers who prioritize complete supply chain transparency and traceable sourcing
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Budget-conscious gym-goers who want proven, great-tasting protein at the best value
Score Comparison
Pricing & Features
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+
Consumers who prioritize complete supply chain transparency and traceable sourcing
Ritual takes transparency further than any competitor by tracing every ingredient to its source farm. USP-verified with published batch COAs and North American regenerative sourcing make it the most transparent plant-based option. The premium price reflects that traceability commitment.
Strengths
- Industry-leading supply chain transparency with traceable ingredients from specific farms
- Third-party tested by USP and published COAs for every batch
- Plant-based pea protein sourced from North American regenerative farms
Limitations
- Only 20g protein per serving — lower than most whey competitors
- Expensive at $2.67/serving with only 15 servings per container
- Plant-based formula may have slightly grittier texture than whey
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
