Creatine is a naturally-occuring nutrient in your body, a combination of the amino acids methionine, arginine and glycine. It is also one of the most well-researched supplements in the fitness industry.

What does creatine do?

When you need to move in a quick, explosive way, creatine is what helps your muscles have the energy to get it done. Without getting overly scientific, adding creatine to your regimen gives you more power to get through your workout by increasing your muscle capacity temporarily and making muscles more efficient. Creatine has been clinically shown to help you train more intensely and recover more quickly.

Who should consider using creatine?

Creatine is a fantastic option for anyone looking to improve their athletic performance, especially with respect to strength training. The supplement can give you the extra boost you need to lift heavier and for more reps, which will make you stronger over time. You still have to do the work to see the results - it's not a magic powder or pill - but creatine can help you make progress.

Who should NOT use creatine?

Creatine isn't recommended for people with diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease. If you take any supplements or medications that impact your blood sugar, you may also want to avoid creatine because it can affect your blood sugar levels. The supplement is also not recommended for people under the age of 18 or women who are pregnant or nursing.

Is creatine expensive?

The good news is that creatine is one of the most affordable supplements on the market. You can get a two-month supply for under $10! There are many different ways to take creatine - pills, capsules, powder that you mix with liquid or food, and so on - and the price will vary depending on the format you choose.

When should I take creatine, and how much?

This question is often hotly debated. Most researchers agree that a daily dose of 5 grams is enough to see benefits without overdoing it, but your physician, trainer or dietician may have other thoughts. The same goes for timing: some say you should take it right after your workout, while others say that the only thing that matters is taking it consistently so that the amount stored in your muscles remains relatively static.

Should I expect any side effects when taking creatine?

As long as you're staying well hydrated, probably not. Otherwise, you could experience some muscle cramping. Also be aware that regular use of creatine can affect certain blood test results, so be sure your healthcare provider is aware of your usage if they order any lab work for you.

What if I try creatine and don't like it? Can I get my money back?

That depends on where you buy it. Many retailers have a satisfaction guarantee allowing you to get a replacement or refund. But, you'll need to use creatine consistently for several weeks before seeing any noticeable impact on your workouts: don't get discouraged if you're not getting results right away.

Best Creatine Supplement Stores for November 2025

Item: The Best Creatine Supplement Stores - Summary Reviews
Rating: 5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Monday, November 10th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2025 Creatine Supplement Store Reviews

What is the Best Creatine Supplement? If you're looking to maximize your strength gains and muscle recovery, you should be adding creatine supplements into your daily regimen. Creatine supplements have become a cornerstone of sports nutrition, backed by decades of research supporting their effectiveness. Whether you're a seasoned powerlifter, a weekend warrior, or just starting your fitness journey, finding a reliable source for high-quality creatine can make a significant difference in your training results.

5.0

EXCELLENT

Best Option

Muscle & Strength

101 creatine products ranging $10-$24
Free shipping on orders over $99 (under 25 lbs) to continental US
60-day satisfaction guarantee that covers opened products

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EXCELLENT

5.0

On the Muscle & Strength website

When you need creatine and other supplements, you want a retailer who truly understands fitness and puts quality first. At Muscle & Strength, you'll find an impressive selection of over 10,000 products backed by a team that actually tests everything in their own 4,000-square-foot gym. Your purchases are protected by an industry-leading 60-day satisfaction guarantee that even covers opened products, and their customer service team consistently goes above and beyond to make things right. If you're serious about your fitness goals and want a supplement retailer you can trust completely - especially one that offers competitive prices and tons of educational resources - Muscle & Strength is your best bet.

4.5

GREAT

Great

My Supplement Store

Prices: 500g Creapure Creatine Monohydrate for $30, Creatine HCl (150 servings) for $28, gummies from $28
Operating since 2002 with physical stores in Chicago area
Free shipping on orders over $99 (excluding RTDs and energy products)

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GREAT

4.5

On the My Supplement Store website

Looking for a reliable creatine supplement store that feels more like a local gym buddy than a faceless corporation? My Supplement Store has been crushing it since 2002, with a passionate team of fitness enthusiasts in Chicago who genuinely know their stuff. You'll find competitive prices on everything from classic Creapure to tasty gummies, backed by lightning-fast shipping and a price-match guarantee that shows they're serious about earning your business. Between their stellar customer service and impressive selection of 34 different creatine products, this is our top pick for anyone who wants personalized support while building their supplement stack - especially if you're the type who appreciates chatting with real fitness fanatics who can relate to your goals.

4.0

VERY GOOD

Very Good

Same Day Supplements

$30 for 500g of creatine monohydrate
US orders over $69 get free shipping
Same-day shipping on orders placed before 3 PM EST weekdays

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VERY GOOD

4.0

On the Same Day Supplements website

You'll never wait long for your supplements when you shop with Same Day Supplements, a Long Island-based retailer that's been speedily shipping fitness products since 2007. Their extensive selection of creatine products includes everything from traditional powders to innovative formats like gummies and chews, backed by detailed product descriptions that help you understand exactly what you're buying. While their prices aren't always the lowest and their website could use a refresh, their lightning-fast shipping, responsive customer service, and thorough product information make shopping here a breeze. Same Day Supplements is perfect for fitness enthusiasts who value quick delivery and appreciate having lots of options to choose from, especially if you're looking to explore alternatives to traditional creatine powder.

3.0

AVERAGE

Average

Force Factor

Basic creatine monohydrate powder: $19.99 for 300g (sale price $12.99)
Founded at Harvard in 2009
Over 1,500 positive reviews with 4.5-star average rating for basic creatine

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AVERAGE

3.0

On the Force Factor website

If you're looking for affordable creatine from a reputable brand, Force Factor offers some solid options. Founded at Harvard and now based in Boston's Innovation District, they provide a focused lineup of third-party tested creatine products, including their budget-friendly basic monohydrate powder and innovative formulations like their Creatine + HMB blend. While their product selection is relatively small and their return policy leaves something to be desired, their competitive pricing - especially during sales - makes them worth considering. We think Force Factor is a decent choice for cost-conscious buyers, though you can find retailers with better policies and wider selections elsewhere.

2.9

AVERAGE

Average

Muscle Feast

$35 for 300g standard creatine monohydrate, $20 for 250g flavored varieties, $40 for 40 servings of creatine chews
Uses premium Creapure creatine in their products
Multiple flavor options including watermelon, grape, orange, blue raspberry, green apple, and fruit punch

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AVERAGE

2.9

On the Muscle Feast website

Muscle Feast offers quality creatine supplements, featuring their premium Creapure creatine monohydrate line and various flavored options, though you'll pay about $10 more than competitors for similar products. While their shipping is reliable and product quality consistent, the grainy texture of their Creapure formula might require extra effort to dissolve properly in your drinks. Their strict return policy only accepts unopened products within 30 days, which may be a dealbreaker if you're new to creatine supplements. Given the higher price point and limited guarantees compared to competitors, we give Muscle Feast an average rating. They're a decent choice if you specifically want Creapure creatine, but there are better value options available.

2.5

FAIR

Fair

Naked Nutrition

500g of pure micronized creatine monohydrate for $23, or 1kg for $46
Vegan-friendly synthetic creatine powder
Available in unflavored, strawberry, lemon lime, and orange versions

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FAIR

2.5

On the Naked Nutrition website

If you're serious about optimizing your workout routine and don't mind rolling the dice a bit, Naked Nutrition's creatine supplements offer clean, simple formulations at competitive bulk prices. While their commitment to minimal ingredients and vegan-friendly formulas is admirable, their "F" rating with the BBB and consistently poor customer service make it hard to fully endorse them. You'll probably get a great product - but if something goes wrong, you're largely on your own. We suggest you check out creatine supplement retailers with better customer support first.

2.0

SUBPAR

Subpar

A1 Supplements

House brand Ayone Nutrition Creatine: $34.95 for 300g of micronized monohydrate
94 different creatine products available
Surprise free gifts sometimes included with purchase (like BOGO offers and shaker bottles)

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SUBPAR

2.0

On the A1 Supplements website

While A1 Supplements has been around since 1999 and offers a wide selection of 94 different creatine supplement products, you'll probably want to shop elsewhere. Their house brand creatine is overpriced compared to competitors, and recent customer feedback points to serious issues with expired products and unresponsive customer service. Despite occasional perks like surprise free gifts, the combination of unreliable shipping, poor customer support, and concerning product quality makes this retailer one to avoid. At this time, we cannot recommend A1 Supplements for your creatine supplement needs.

1.9

SUBPAR

Subpar

Supplement City

Alchemy Labs Cre-Absorb: $39.99 for 50 servings in capsule form
Shipping to all US addresses, including Alaska, Hawaii, and military bases
Free shipping on orders over $75

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SUBPAR

1.9

On the Supplement City website

If you're hunting for a reliable source of creatine supplements, you'll want to look somewhere besides Supplement City. Their perpetually out-of-stock inventory and higher-than-average prices make them a frustrating choice for anyone seeking this popular fitness supplement. While they do offer standard shipping options and a basic 30-day return policy, there's simply no compelling reason to shop here when competitors consistently maintain better stock levels and lower prices. With only one overpriced creatine product available during our review, we can't recommend Supplement City for your creatine.

1.5

WEAK

Weak

GNC

GNC-brand creatine monohydrate: $25 for 255g
83 different creatine products available, including monohydrate and HCl variants
Price match guarantee with major supplement retailers and stores

Read Full Review

WEAK

1.5

On the GNC website

If you're looking to stock up on creatine, think twice before shopping at GNC. While they offer a wide selection and competitive prices on paper, their online ordering system is plagued with shipping delays, cancellations, and poor customer service. Though you can try shopping in-store to avoid these headaches, be prepared for aggressive upselling tactics and questionable practices like pushing house brands and auto-ship subscriptions. We strongly recommend exploring other creatine supplement retailers instead of GNC.

Continued from above...

What is the Best Creatine Supplement?

If you're looking to maximize your strength gains and muscle recovery, you should be adding creatine supplements into your daily regimen. Creatine supplements have become a cornerstone of sports nutrition, backed by decades of research supporting their effectiveness. Whether you're a seasoned powerlifter, a weekend warrior, or just starting your fitness journey, finding a reliable source for high-quality creatine can make a significant difference in your training results.

Creatine works by increasing your body's phosphocreatine stores, which helps produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate): your muscles' primary energy source for short, intense bursts of activity. This means you can push harder during your workouts, especially during high-intensity exercises like weightlifting or sprinting. When your muscles have more readily available energy, you can typically perform an extra rep or two and recover more quickly between sets.

Creatine also helps draw more water into your muscle cells, which can lead to improved protein synthesis and reduced protein breakdown. This cellular hydration effect not only supports muscle growth but may also enhance muscle recovery after intense training sessions. Additionally, research suggests that creatine may help improve cognitive function and provide neuroprotective benefits, making it valuable beyond just athletic performance. Some even believe creatine can help manage the symptoms of ADHD.

As anyone who's been in the strength game for years will tell you, not all supplement suppliers are created equal. The best online creatine retailers will offer more than just basic monohydrate - they'll provide various forms of creatine to suit different needs and preferences, maintain fresh inventory, and offer competitive prices that don't break the bank.

But which type of creatine should you buy? Creatine monohydrate remains the gold standard, with Creapure being a premium German-made version known for its exceptional purity. Creatine HCl (hydrochloride) has gained popularity among those who experience digestive issues with monohydrate, as it's designed to be more soluble. Some retailers offer combination products that include additional supplements like beta-alanine or electrolytes, which can be convenient but often come at a premium price point. Flavored options are available for those who dislike unflavored supplements, though they typically cost more per serving and may contain artificial sweeteners.

When it comes to using creatine effectively, consistency is key. The recommended daily dose is typically 5 grams, which can be taken at any time of day. While some people opt for a loading phase (taking 20g daily for 5-7 days), this isn't necessary - you'll achieve the same benefits by consistently taking the standard dose, though it may take a few weeks longer to see results. Mix your creatine with water or your preferred beverage (like a protein shake or pre-workout), and take it daily, even on non-training days. There's no need to cycle off creatine, as it's safe for long-term use. For optimal absorption, consider taking it with a meal that contains carbohydrates and protein.

Here are a few things in mind when deciding which creatine supplement supplier to shop with:

Return policy and satisfaction guarantee. Look for retailers offering hassle-free returns, especially for unsealed products. Most companies allow you to return unopened products within 30 days, but a really great company will allow you to return opened creatine supplements. That demonstrates confidence in their product quality and a customer-oriented mindset.
Customer reviews and product freshness. Pay attention to recent reviews mentioning product quality. Red flags include complaints about clumping (a sign of moisture exposure), bad taste, or expired products. While creatine doesn't really go bad, it does decline in potency.
Product selection. A good creatine retailer should offer various forms of creatine and different package sizes to accommodate both casual users and bulk buyers.
Price per gram. Calculate the cost per gram of actual creatine, not just the total price. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true - they often indicate lower quality products. You should be able to get 300 grams of creatine monohydrate for under $30.
Stock availability. Look for a supplement retailer that keeps their creatine stocked up. Consistent stock levels suggest good inventory management and higher product turnover, which typically means fresher supplements.

Ready to get absolutely jacked? With regular creatine supplementation, you'll see those sleeve-busting pumps during and after your workouts as your muscles hold onto more water. When it comes to finding the best creatine supplier, we've already done the heavy lifting for you. Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the best creatine retailers online, so you can focus on what really matters: crushing those PRs in the gym. Trust us, your future gains will thank you for checking out our carefully-curated list of creatine supplement suppliers!