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The Best Places to Buy Vitamins Online, According to a Dietitian
Buying vitamins online from the right source is vital
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Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN, RYT is the Associate Editorial Director at Verywell Fit, a registered dietitian, a registered yoga teacher, and a published author.
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Barbie Cervoni MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist.
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Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.
Verywell Fit / Amelia Manley
With so many vitamin and supplement suppliers on the web, it can be a challenge to figure out which site is the best. Whether you have a particular product in mind or are just browsing for top-rated picks, there are loads of websites to sort through. Choosing an online retailer with high-quality supplements, dependable shipping, and affordable prices is essential, so we found the most reliable ones.
Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN says, "when looking for the best website to purchase vitamins, consumers should first determine that the brand they are searching for is reputable and has positive data on U.S. Pharmacopeia and is third-party tested. Next, the consumer should ensure that the distributor they are buying from is the supplement maker or a licensed seller, not a third-party entity."
When reviewing the best places to buy supplements, we paid close attention to the brands available at each retailer, pricing and subscription models, cost and speed of shipping and returns, customer service, and more.
Editor's Note
Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every single supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology. From there, a registered dietitian on our Expert Review Board reviews each article for scientific accuracy.
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Quick delivery
Ability to subscribe and save
Free shipping for Prime members
Have to pay attention to what store the supplements come from within Amazon
When it comes to vitamins, Amazon is a go-to for access to a massive variety of brands at competitive prices. Plus, if you're a Prime member, you get fast, free shipping and exclusive deals. It's easy to track your packages online, and customer service is very responsive if you have any issues with your order. If you have a particular vitamin that you take regularly, you can sign up for Subscribe & Save delivery, selecting the quantity and schedule that works for you so that you never run out.
Many vitamin brands have their own store on Amazon that ensures you're getting the supplement directly from the manufacturer and not a third-party seller. For example, if you take a Centrum multivitamin, check out the Centrum Amazon store.
While you should always follow your health care provider's recommendations for vitamins and supplements, the consumer reviews on Amazon are incredibly helpful in learning more about other people's experience with products, product packaging, and other questions.
Key specs:
Shipping: Free for Prime members | Subscriptions: Yes
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Free shipping over $35
Affordable pricing
In-store pickup option
Storage environment is not clearly listed on the website
If you're looking for a one-stop-shop for all your grocery, household, and supplement needs, Walmart now sells many of the top supplement brands. Walmart carries well-known brands such as Nordic Naturals, Renew Life, and Navitas Organics, as well as other high-quality products at affordable prices.
With various packaging options such as best value two-packs, Walmart offers budget-friendly deals for those looking to stock up and save on their favorite supplements. The superstore also makes accessing your vitamins easy with NextDay shipping and free same-day pick-up.
As an added benefit to one-stop shopping, customers can use their Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts benefits to purchase select items.
Key specs:
Shipping: Free over $35 | Subscriptions: No
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Flexible return policy & frequent deals
Nutritionists & dietitians on-staff
Free shipping over $25
In-store pickup option
Need to filter through marketing for evidence-backed products
Vitamin Shoppe opened its doors in 1977, and since then it has expanded to hundreds of stores across the United States, a booming online store, and a convenient VShoppe app. Customers can browse a vast assortment of high-quality supplements, including multivitamins, letter vitamins, and minerals.
Whether you have a specific brand in mind or prefer to shop by a particular condition—such as bone and joint health—The Vitamin Shoppe makes choosing a vitamin easy. They have their own line of quality-tested products but also sell trusted brands such as Jarrow Formulas, Garden of Life, Megafood, and New Chapter.
If you're not happy with your purchase, The Vitamin Shoppe has a flexible return policy. They accept returns from any opened or unopened merchandise purchased from any Vitamin Shoppe channel to any Vitamin Shoppe store within 30 days with a receipt for a full refund. The company frequently offers deals such as buy one and get one 50% off, free in-store pick-up, and free shipping.
If you have a particular nutrition or supplement question, The Vitamin Shoppe has a team of nutritionists and dietitians who can speak with you to address your individual needs. “When shopping for a supplement, it is important to know what your body needs and the appropriate amount to meet your individual needs. You should read the label of supplements to avoid hidden ingredients that promise health benefits that can't be delivered,” says Jodie Horton, MD, FACOG, clinical assistant professor at Georgetown University Medical and Chief Wellness Advisor at Love Wellness. Speaking to a dietitian at The Vitamin Shoppe can help make this process easier!
Key specs:
Shipping: Free over $25 | Subscriptions: Yes
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30-day free trial available
Easy to filter by dietary needs
Must be a member in order to shop
Thrive Market aims to make healthy living easy. It's an online, membership-based market that features high-quality, sustainable products for a variety of budgets and lifestyles.
Members pay approximately $5 a month for 25% to 50% off retail prices on more than 6,000 organic, non-GMO, and sustainable products. On Thrive Market, it's easy to find vitamins for your individual needs. You can search for vitamins and supplements by ingredient, dietary requirement, certification, or concern.
Before committing to membership, new customers can sign up for a 30-day free trial to test it out. The beautifully-curated online shop selects only the best products, so you know you're making an educated purchase. Plus, members receive free gifts, samples, and deals. Shipping is fast and free for your first order over $25 and for all orders over $49.
Key specs:
Shipping: Free over $49 | Subscriptions: Yes
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Fresh products stored in optimal conditions
Can see products as if you were holding them in real life
Free shipping over $20
Need to filter through marketing for evidence-backed products
iHerb has been a go-to online supplement distributor since 1996. The company offers over 30,000 products and ships from distribution centers that are Good Manufacturing Practice registered and meticulously controlled for optimal storage settings.
According to iHerb’s website, they have an inventory turnover rate averaging 8.1 times per year, which means they offer fresh products. With a 360-degree product view option, consumers can see most products as if they were holding the actual product in a traditional store.
iHerb is easy to shop, offering vitamins listed alphabetically by substance, by brand, or by health topic. For those with specific dietary needs, products can also be searched using helpful filters such as gluten-free, cruelty-free, kosher, organic, and vegan.
In addition to tons of special discounts, iHerb makes shopping affordable by offering free shipping on orders over $20.
Key specs:
Shipping: Free over $20 | Subscriptions: Yes
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Transparent and controlled storage of products
Fast inventory turnover
Must spend $49 for free shipping
Based in Michigan, eVitamins carries over 28,000 products from over 720 brands, including Country Life, Doctor's Best, and Nordic Naturals. Products are shipped from a 100% climate-controlled facility, and the company guarantees that every product sold is fresh and authentic. According to eVitamins' website, their inventory turnover rate averages over 18 times per year, meaning that eVitamins' products are on the shelf for an average of only 20 days.
With the ability to search by brand, vitamin, life stage, or gender, it's easy to find the best supplements for the whole family. Each product page offers multiple visuals of each product, expiration dates, extensive product information, and customer reviews. Plus, the site offers competitive prices and free shipping on orders over $49.
Key specs:
Shipping: Free over $49 | Subscriptions: Yes
How We Selected
We reviewed several online retailers and consulted with trusted peers in dietetics, including our team of Registered Dietitians. We spoke with:
- Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN, manager of Wellness Nutrition Services at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute in Ohio and author of Skinny Liver
- Jodie Horton, MD, FACOG, clinical assistant professor at Georgetown University Medical and Chief Wellness Advisor at Love Wellness
We considered availability, range of high-quality vitamin and supplement brands, shipping dependability and price, added features and customer reviews. We also considered the turn-around rate of stocked vitamins and supplements.
What to Look for in an Online Vitamin Retailer
Transparency
When it comes to shopping for supplements, prioritize transparency, not just with individual products but with supplement stores. Shoppers should be able to inquire about product storage and handling practices with direct answers to questions. Stores should be transparent about the sourcing of products and be able to answer questions about a product’s efficacy.
Vitamin Brands
Choose a reliable website that offers the brand of vitamins that you prefer. If you're not sure which vitamin brand to purchase, many sites carry a variety of brands based on which vitamin you're looking to buy. For example, you can search for a non-GMO, organic vitamin C supplement, then select a brand at a price that works for your budget. As with all vitamins, always speak with your health care practitioner before adding a supplement to your routine.
Price
Vitamin prices vary from site to site. When shopping for an online vitamin retailer, select a site that offers the best price. If you're looking for a one-time purchase, almost any website will work; however, if you're looking to reorder a vitamin every month, a subscription model may be more affordable.
Product Turnover
Look for a site that has a high turnover of products so that you can rest assured you're getting the freshest, highest-quality vitamins available.
Shipping & Pick-Up
Many sites offer free shipping or in-store pick-up. Consider how soon you need the vitamin and shipping costs when deciding which website to use. A pick-up option may be the quickest, most affordable method for some consumers; however, some may prefer the convenience of delivery directly to your doorstep.
Return Policy
Be sure to check out the website's return policy in case you receive a broken vitamin bottle or decide you no longer need the product. Some sites offer full refunds in the mail or in-store, whereas others have limited supplement return options. Verywell Fit / Sarah Felbin:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2-27bf9bd578784bffbccf0ca4a6485e94.png)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it safe to order vitamins online?
If purchasing from well-known establishments, it is generally considered safe to order vitamins online. It is wise to first do research when choosing a place to purchase vitamins from. As a consumer, it is important to know what must appear on a supplement label. According to the FDA, there are five statements that are required to appear on a label: the statement of identity (name of the dietary supplement), the net quantity of contents statement (amount of the dietary supplement), the nutrition labeling, the ingredient list, and the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. If any of the above is missing, return the vitamin supplement.
- How can you tell if supplements are fake?
The unfortunate answer to this question is that you might not be able to tell if a supplement is fake. In some instances, it may be obvious. For example, if you are deficient in a vitamin and after taking the vitamin supplement your lab values do not change, you should question the authenticity of the supplement. However, other times the answer might not be so clear. If you have taken a vitamin before with no side effects and suddenly you experience unwanted side effects, it might indicate something counterfeit. In addition, if the name and place of the manufacturer are missing from the vitamin bottle, it might indicate foul play.
- Do vitamins expire?
Vitamins do not expire in the same way food does. You will not see mold grow on vitamins that are kept past the expiration date. However, the potency of the vitamin may degrade over time. The FDA does not require supplement companies to put an expiration date on their bottles, so any time you see a "use by" or "expiration" date it has been added voluntarily.
- At what age should you start taking vitamins?
This varies from person to person. Higher risk groups may need to supplement earlier than others. For example, adolescents with heavy menstrual bleeding, young vegans or vegetarians, or children with deficiencies or malabsorption issues may benefit from taking supplements from a younger age. For healthy individuals that eat an adequate and varied diet, vitamin supplementation may never be necessary. As always, work with your healthcare provider to determine if and when supplementation is right for you.
- Is it cheaper to buy vitamins online?
The short answer is - not necessarily. Prices online and in store are generally the same; however, some retailers may offer discount codes website wide or on specific brands. Plus, given the option to subscribe, you can save a few bucks!
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide: Chapter I. General Dietary Supplement Labeling.
Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron.
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