How does Ryse protein compare to other brands for taste, quality, and value?

January 3, 2026 •

3 min read

With its unique and authentic flavor collaborations, Ryse protein has become a major player in the supplement market since its founding in 2017. But how does Ryse protein compare to other brands like Optimum Nutrition and Dymatize when it comes to overall taste, quality, and cost?

Quick Summary

This article provides a comprehensive comparison of Ryse protein against major brands like Optimum Nutrition, Ghost, and Dymatize. It analyzes taste, formulation, protein type, price, and overall value to help consumers make an informed decision for their fitness goals.

Key Points

Flavor Focus: Ryse's strength lies in its authentic and collaborative flavor lineup, which is often considered among the best-tasting.
Blended Protein: Ryse uses a blend of whey isolate and concentrate, which is less pure than a 100% isolate product like Dymatize ISO 100, though the ratio is undisclosed.
Added Ingredients: Unique to Ryse are added MCTs for energy and prebiotic fiber for improved digestion and gut health.
Price Point: Ryse is generally priced higher per serving than budget-friendly options like Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard.
Consumer Trade-offs: Choosing Ryse means prioritizing premium taste and extra ingredients over maximum protein purity and a lower price tag.
Competitor Niches: Optimum Nutrition offers reliable value, Dymatize focuses on high-purity, low-calorie isolate, and Ghost competes directly on flavor collaborations.

Ryse Protein vs. The Competition: A Detailed Breakdown

Ryse Supplements entered the market with a strong emphasis on delivering exceptional taste through branded flavor collaborations. While many users rave about the delicious, dessert-like flavors, a complete evaluation requires looking at the nutritional profile, ingredients, and cost-effectiveness compared to established competitors. A protein powder that tastes great is only half the battle; its formulation and value are equally important for consistent, long-term use.

Flavor and Texture: Where Ryse Excels

Ryse is renowned for its flavor collaborations, offering unique options like Skippy Peanut Butter and Jet-Puffed Marshmallow, often giving it a taste advantage over standard flavors offered by competitors. However, the use of artificial sweeteners like sucralose can make flavors overly sweet for some. Competitors like Optimum Nutrition provide reliable, classic flavors, while Dymatize ISO 100 and Ghost also feature popular and collaborative flavors. Ryse's blend with MCT oil contributes to a creamy texture, though some minor mixability issues have been noted. Dymatize ISO 100 generally mixes very well but can be thinner due to its isolate/hydrolyzed blend.

Ingredient Profile and Quality

Ryse Loaded Protein contains a blend of instantized whey protein isolate and concentrate, with an undisclosed ratio. It includes MCTs and prebiotic fiber for digestive health and texture. This blend is less pure than a dedicated isolate and contains artificial sweeteners. While Ryse conducts internal testing and has received positive independent lab reviews for purity, major third-party certifications are not typically highlighted.

Price and Value Comparison

Ryse is often priced higher per serving ($1.48-$1.90) compared to more budget-friendly options like Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard. This higher cost covers the premium flavors and added ingredients. Optimum Nutrition offers strong value with a high-quality blend at a lower price. Dymatize ISO 100, a pure isolate/hydrolyzed blend, offers higher protein density at a comparable or slightly higher price than Ryse.

Ryse Protein vs. Other Brands: Comparison Table


Feature	Ryse Loaded Protein	Optimum Nutrition 100% Gold Standard	Dymatize ISO 100	Ghost Whey Protein
Protein Type	Whey Isolate and Concentrate blend	Whey Isolate, Concentrate, and Hydrolysate blend	Hydrolyzed Whey Protein and Isolate blend	Whey Isolate and Concentrate blend
Protein Per Serving	25 grams	24 grams	25 grams	25 grams
Calories Per Serving	130-150	~120	~110	~130
Flavors	Many unique, collaborative flavors (e.g., Skippy, Jet-Puffed)	Wide variety of classic flavors	Many popular and unique flavors (e.g., Fruity Pebbles)	Unique, collaborative flavors (e.g., Chips Ahoy)
Price Per Serving	Above average (~$1.48-$1.90)	Good value (~$1.55)	Average to higher (~$1.28-$2.25)	Competitive with Ryse
Added Benefits	MCTs and prebiotic fiber	None explicitly highlighted	Faster absorption (hydrolysate)	Often none, focus on core protein

Conclusion

Ryse stands out for its emphasis on unique, dessert-like flavors through collaborations. While it offers added benefits like MCTs and prebiotic fiber, it uses a whey blend rather than pure isolate and contains artificial sweeteners, often at a higher price. Optimum Nutrition is a strong value option, and Dymatize ISO 100 provides higher protein purity. The best choice depends on individual priorities for taste, purity, and budget.

Additional resources:

For a detailed lab-tested review comparing Ryse to other brands, see Garage Gym Reviews' comprehensive analysis: Lab-Tested: Ryse Protein Powder Review (2025).

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Ryse Loaded Protein is a blend of whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate. While isolate is listed as the primary ingredient, the exact ratio is not disclosed, so it is not a pure isolate product.

Ryse is highly regarded for its premium, authentic, and dessert-like flavors, often praised as one of the best-tasting proteins on the market due to its flavor collaborations. Some reviewers, however, find the taste can be overly sweet due to artificial sweeteners.

The value of Ryse protein's higher price depends on your priorities. You are paying for a premium taste experience and added benefits like MCTs and prebiotic fiber. If flavor and digestion support are your top concerns, the price may be worth it, but more budget-friendly, high-quality options are available.

Ryse adds prebiotic fiber to its formula to aid in digestion and help reduce bloating, and many users report no stomach upset. However, individual reactions can vary, and those with sensitivities to whey concentrate or artificial sweeteners may experience issues.

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard offers a better value and is more budget-friendly than Ryse. While Ryse excels in flavor novelty, ON is a reliable, established brand known for its good taste, mixability, and wider availability.

Dymatize ISO 100 is a pure whey isolate and hydrolyzed blend, resulting in higher protein density, fewer calories per serving, and potentially faster absorption compared to Ryse's blend. Ryse, however, is often preferred for its richer, more indulgent flavors.

Ryse protein generally mixes well, creating a creamy texture, partially due to the added MCT oil. Some reviews mention minor clumping or leftover residue, though using a blender or more liquid can improve consistency.