Product Comparison
Compare the three routes head-to-head — fish-derived TG form, fish-derived value concentrate, and the algal vegan route. The comparison runs on the only numbers that matter: EPA+DHA per serving, cost per active-milligram, form, and certification.
At a glance
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
Carlson Elite Omega-3 Gems
Vegan Omega-3 (Algae Oil)
Multi-dimensional comparison
Multi-dimensional Comparison
| Metric | 🏆Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega Nordic Naturals | Carlson Elite Omega-3 Gems Carlson Labs | Vegan Omega-3 (Algae Oil) Various (algae-sourced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Form | Softgel | Softgel | Softgel |
| Strength | 1000 mg fish oil (≈650 mg EPA+DHA per 2 softgels) | 1600 mg fish oil (1100 mg EPA+DHA per 2 softgels) | 715 mg algal oil (≈500 mg EPA+DHA) |
| Servings / Container | 60 | 90 | 60 |
| Retail Price | $24.99 | $22.95 | $27.99 |
| Cost / Serving | $0.42 | $0.26BEST 💰 | $0.47 |
| Overall Score | 85/100 | 86/100 | 76/100 |
| 3rd-Party Testing | IFOS | IFOS | None |
| Vegan Friendly | — No | — No | ✓ Yes |
Did you know?
The only label numbers
'1000 mg fish oil' is not a dose — 300–650 mg of actives is. Every product comparison in this category runs on combined EPA+DHA per serving and its cost. This one habit separates the informed buyer from the marketing's target.
The certification that matters
IFOS independently tests every batch for label accuracy, oxidation (rancidity — the category's hidden defect), and heavy metals. In a category where independent analyses repeatedly find off-label and oxidized products, certification is the quality floor.
The algal caveat
Vegan algal oils run DHA-dominant — fine for structural and general needs, but the mood evidence (our depression page) is EPA-ratio-dependent. Plant-based buyers should check the EPA line specifically.
The absorption rule
All forms absorb better with a fat-containing meal — and the TG-vs-EE absorption gap narrows when taken with food. The cheapest absorption enhancer is the meal itself.
The AF conversation line
The pooled atrial-fibrillation signal lives at 1 g+ daily dosing — the dose threshold where omega-3 stops being a nutrient and becomes a physician conversation, especially for AF-risk patients.
Fish beats capsules
Sardines deliver a full day's EPA+DHA for roughly the cost per serving of the cheapest capsules — the food-first economics the aisle never mentions. The supplement is the fish's understudy.