I am having a difficult time deciphering between these two protein powders. Both are blends (one with whey, casein, and egg proteins and the other with just whey and casein) and have similar macros and ingredients, but they are very different on price. The more expensive is a "name brand" that is sold on gnccom and bodybuildingcom, while the other is a less popular but is much cheaper on price. The latter would save a lot of cash, but I am hesitant to switch from the brand that I have been using and trust. I just don't notice any real difference between the two. Am I right here, or is there something I'm missing? Thanks.

At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. GNC products are overpriced in my opinion and they usually have someone else make them for them hence the mark-up. Real "cheap" protein tends to use "cheap" ingredients despite the claims on the label. Since supplement companies are not regulated in the U.S., you really are at the mercy of the manufacturer. I would avoid supplements that are very inexpensive - especially for the container size - and take the label marketing claims with a grain of salt.

If you stay with large reputable brands like Optimum Nutrition, you stand a better chance of a better product. Outside of expensive esoteric supplement companies which use only the purest ingredients and eschew artificial colors and sweetners, most of the larger brands are a good bet. I personally use Optimum Nutrition products as they have consistently been shown via independent lab tests (check out www.consumerreports.org or do a Google search) to be the "cleanest" supplements that deliver the closest amounts of protein as per the label. They also manufacture in the US and follow USP manufacturing protocols which are mandatory for pharmaceuticals due to government regulation but optional for supplement makers.

John

Normally the cheaper option will be cheap for a reason...but you can find good priced proteins which are what they claim they are. You're probably always going to get something at least a little bit better with the higher price.

If it's going to help you hit your macros in the same way, and has a good BCAA profile along with it, there's probably no harm in trying the cheaper option for maybe a month to see what it's like?

Personally, you know I am all about that BSN Syntha 6 and DNA Whey. I've been having it for years without ever contemplating others, because it's nice to stick with what you know and trust.

It's up to you though really :-)

Yep. GNC protein is put togethe by Optimum - hence the markup.

I used this site when i was trying to figure out the best protein powder for me. It probabl has some skewing as far as top rated proteins and supplements go. Either way, it gives you a good idea of the overall content.