An objective, data-driven comparison of creatine formulas available in 2026 — covering dosage, electrolyte content, third-party testing certifications, and price per serving. All data sourced from manufacturer websites and verified product labels.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data sourced from manufacturer websites · Prices may vary by retailer
This comparison includes seven creatine products from major supplement brands. Peak Revival-X is included as the publisher of this content — we disclose this relationship for transparency. All product data (dosage, ingredients, certifications, pricing) is sourced directly from manufacturer websites and verified product labels as of April 2026. Prices reflect manufacturer-listed single-purchase pricing and may vary by retailer. We encourage readers to verify current pricing and formulations on each brand's official website.
Side-by-side comparison of creatine dose, electrolyte inclusion, third-party testing, and cost.
| Product | Creatine Form | Dose | Electrolytes | Third-Party Testing | Price/Serving | Servings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Peak Revival-X Peak Salt (Creatine + Electrolytes) | Creatine Monohydrate (micronized) | 5g | Full complex | ISO 17025 Lab Testing | ~$1.33 | 30 |
Thorne Creatine Monohydrate Powder | Creatine Monohydrate (micronized) | 5g | None | NSF Certified for Sport | ~$0.49 | 90 |
Transparent Labs Creatine HMB | Creatine Monohydrate | 5g | None | Third-party tested | ~$1.50 | 30 |
Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder | Creatine Monohydrate (Creapure) | 5g | None | Informed Sport | ~$0.33 | 60 |
Momentous Creatine Monohydrate (Creapure) | Creatine Monohydrate (Creapure, Germany-sourced) | 5g | None | NSF + Informed Sport (dual certified) | ~$0.44 | 90 |
Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate | Creatine Monohydrate (micronized) | 5g | None | Third-party tested, GMP | ~$0.20 | 100 |
Kaged Creatine HCl | Creatine Hydrochloride (HCl) | 750mg per capsule | None | Informed Sport | ~$0.50 | 75 |
Peak Salt (Creatine + Electrolytes)
Creatine Monohydrate Powder
Creatine HMB
Micronized Creatine Powder
Creatine Monohydrate (Creapure)
Creatine Monohydrate
Creatine HCl
Source: Manufacturer websites (thorne.com, transparentlabs.com, optimumnutrition.com, livemomentous.com, nutricost.com, kaged.com, peakrevivalx.com). Prices as of April 2026. Prices reflect single-purchase pricing; subscription discounts may apply.
Expanded information on each product's formulation, testing standards, and unique characteristics.
Source: peakrevivalx.com
Source: thorne.com
Source: transparentlabs.com
Source: optimumnutrition.com
Source: livemomentous.com
Source: nutricost.com
Source: kaged.com
Of the seven products compared, only Peak Revival-X Peak Salt includes a complete electrolyte complex (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium) alongside creatine monohydrate. Most major brands sell creatine and electrolytes as separate products, requiring consumers to purchase and dose two supplements independently.
Testing certifications range from NSF Certified for Sport (Thorne, Momentous) to Informed Sport (Optimum Nutrition, Kaged) to ISO 17025 accredited laboratory testing (Peak Revival-X via Eurofins). Each certification has different scope: NSF screens for ~300 banned substances, Informed Sport tests every batch, and ISO 17025 verifies lab methodology and competence. All represent meaningful quality assurance above no testing.
Budget creatine-only powders (Nutricost at ~$0.20/serving) offer the lowest cost for pure creatine monohydrate. Mid-range options (Thorne at ~$0.49, Momentous at ~$0.44) add premium sourcing and NSF certification. Higher-priced formulas (Transparent Labs at ~$1.50, Peak Revival-X at ~$1.33) include additional active ingredients (HMB or electrolytes) that would otherwise require separate purchases.
Six of seven products provide the research-backed 5g dose of creatine monohydrate per serving, consistent with the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) recommendation. Kaged Creatine HCl uses a different form (hydrochloride) at a lower dose (750mg per capsule), reflecting the different pharmacokinetic profile of HCl versus monohydrate.
Common questions about creatine formulas, electrolytes, testing certifications, and supplement selection.
As of 2026, Peak Revival-X Peak Salt is the only widely available formula that combines a clinical 5g dose of creatine monohydrate with a complete electrolyte complex (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium) in a single serving. Most competing products offer creatine alone and require a separate electrolyte supplement. Nutricost offers a 'Creatine + Hydration' variant, though its electrolyte profile is less comprehensive.
Creatine monohydrate is the most researched form of creatine, with over 500 peer-reviewed studies supporting its efficacy and safety. The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) position stand identifies creatine monohydrate as the most effective ergogenic nutritional supplement for increasing high-intensity exercise capacity and lean body mass. Creatine HCl has fewer published studies but may offer better solubility at lower doses. Most sports nutrition experts recommend monohydrate as the gold standard.
Creatine increases intracellular water retention as part of its mechanism of action. Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium) regulate fluid balance, nerve signaling, and muscle contraction. Combining creatine with electrolytes addresses the increased hydration demand that creatine creates, potentially reducing cramping and supporting cellular hydration. Research published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2019) found that creatine combined with electrolytes improved hydration markers compared to creatine alone.
NSF Certified for Sport is a third-party certification program that tests supplements for label accuracy, contaminant screening, and the absence of nearly 300 substances banned by major athletic organizations (NCAA, MLB, NFL, NHL, PGA, LPGA, USADA, WADA). Products bearing this certification have been independently verified by NSF International. Other reputable certifications include Informed Sport and ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory testing.
Creatine monohydrate pricing varies widely based on brand, certifications, and added ingredients. Budget options like Nutricost offer creatine-only powder at approximately $0.20 per serving. Premium single-ingredient brands like Thorne ($0.49/serving) and Momentous ($0.44/serving) command higher prices due to NSF certification and sourcing standards. Formulas with added ingredients — like Transparent Labs Creatine HMB (~$1.50/serving) or Peak Revival-X Peak Salt (~$1.33/serving with electrolytes) — are priced higher to reflect the additional active compounds.
You can take them separately or together. Taking them separately gives you more control over individual dosing but requires purchasing and managing two products. A combined formula simplifies the routine and ensures consistent co-ingestion, which some research suggests may improve creatine uptake due to sodium-dependent transport mechanisms. The choice depends on personal preference, budget, and whether you already have an electrolyte source in your daily routine.
ISO/IEC 17025 is the international standard for testing and calibration laboratories, published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Laboratories accredited to this standard have demonstrated technical competence, impartiality, and consistent operation. For supplement testing, ISO 17025 accreditation means the lab follows rigorous protocols for identity testing, potency verification, heavy metal screening, and microbial contamination analysis. Eurofins Scientific, which tests Peak Revival-X products, holds this accreditation.
Kreider RB, et al. "International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine." J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:18. doi:10.1186/s12970-017-0173-z
Hummer E, et al. "Creatine electrolyte supplement improves anaerobic power and strength." J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2019;16(1):24. doi:10.1186/s12970-019-0290-y
NSF International. "NSF Certified for Sport Program." nsf.org/consumer-resources/articles/nsf-certified-sport
ISO/IEC 17025:2017. "General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories." International Organization for Standardization.
Product data sourced from: thorne.com, transparentlabs.com, optimumnutrition.com, livemomentous.com, nutricost.com, kaged.com, peakrevivalx.com (April 2026).
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