Is there anything better than AG1? A deep dive into greens powder alternatives

October 3, 2025 •

4 min read

According to one recent review, AG1 remains a top-selling and widely discussed greens powder, but it also comes with significant drawbacks, including a high price tag and reliance on proprietary blends. This raises an important question for consumers: is there anything better than AG1? For many, the answer depends entirely on individual health priorities, budget, and ingredient preferences.

Quick Summary

This article explores popular AG1 alternatives, comparing them on cost, ingredient quality, transparency, and specific health benefits. It helps readers assess whether other greens powders or whole foods offer a better fit for their personal wellness goals.

Key Points

Price is a major differentiator: AG1 is one of the most expensive greens powders, and many alternatives offer comparable nutrient profiles for a fraction of the cost.
AG1 uses proprietary blends: Many of AG1's ingredients are hidden within proprietary blends, meaning the precise dosage is unknown, a major concern for those prioritizing transparency.
Alternatives can target specific needs: Competitors like Vibrant Health (probiotics) and Thorne (adaptogens) focus on specific benefits, allowing consumers to choose a product that aligns with their unique health goals.
Supplements are not replacements for whole foods: No greens powder, including AG1, can provide the full spectrum of nutrients and fiber found in fresh fruits and vegetables.
Organic vs. Synthetic ingredients: Many alternatives emphasize organic ingredients and avoid synthetics, while AG1 includes synthetic vitamins and minerals, which is a key consideration for ingredient quality.
AG1 lacks key nutrients: Despite its comprehensive formula, AG1 does not contain iron or a significant amount of vitamin D, requiring users to supplement these elsewhere.

The Case for AG1: Strengths and Weaknesses

AG1 by Athletic Greens has established itself as a frontrunner in the greens powder market, thanks in part to its aggressive marketing and celebrity endorsements. The product provides a comprehensive list of over 75 ingredients, including a vitamin and mineral blend, probiotics, and adaptogens. For athletes, the fact that AG1 is NSF Certified for Sport is a major selling point, confirming it's free of banned substances. Many loyal users report benefits like sustained energy, better digestion, and an overall sense of improved well-being.

However, a closer look reveals several notable drawbacks. The most immediate concern for many is the high price, with a monthly subscription costing approximately $79, making it one of the most expensive options on the market. The use of proprietary blends is another significant issue, as it prevents consumers from knowing the exact dose of many ingredients, making it difficult to assess their true efficacy. Furthermore, AG1 contains some synthetic vitamins and is not a significant source of fiber, a key component lost during processing. It also notably lacks vitamin D and iron.

Evaluating What's 'Better': Your Personal Health Checklist

Determining if there is a "better" option requires more than just looking at the number of ingredients. It means prioritizing what matters most for your personal health and budget.

Prioritizing Value and Ingredients

Cost vs. Quality: Some alternatives offer comparable ingredients at a fraction of the cost, making them a more financially sustainable option for daily use. For many people on a budget, investing in whole, unprocessed foods may offer a greater return on investment for their overall health.
Ingredient Transparency: The lack of specific dosage information in AG1's proprietary blends is a major concern for those who want to know exactly what they're consuming. Many alternatives offer fully transparent labels, empowering consumers to make more informed decisions.
Organic vs. Synthetics: If your priority is to avoid synthetic nutrients, many alternatives, like Live it Up Super Greens, focus on organic vegetables and naturally-sourced nutrients. In contrast, AG1 supplements with synthetic vitamins and minerals.

Focusing on Specific Health Goals

Gut Health: While AG1 contains probiotics, alternatives like Vibrant Health Green Vibrance offer a significantly higher CFU count from more diverse strains. Bloom Greens also focuses heavily on digestive support and bloating relief, providing a blend of enzymes and probiotics.
Stress Management: Some powders, such as Thorne Daily Greens Plus and Organifi Green Juice, emphasize adaptogens like ashwagandha and medicinal mushrooms to help the body cope with stress.
Convenience and Taste: For those who dislike the taste or texture of traditional powders, alternatives exist in various flavors and formats, like Grüns Daily Gummies.

Top Alternatives to Consider

Live it Up Super Greens: A popular and more affordable AG1 alternative made with organic vegetables, digestive enzymes, and probiotics, but without stevia or synthetic vitamins. It's often praised for its clean formula and taste.
Vibrant Health Green Vibrance: On the market for decades, this product is known for its high probiotic count (25 billion CFU) and wide array of superfoods, though it contains some synthetics and has an earthier taste.
Amazing Grass Greens Blend: A budget-friendly, organic option that includes a respectable blend of greens, fiber, and probiotics. It provides good basic nutrition without the premium price.
Grüns Daily Gummies: Ideal for those who dislike powders, these convenient gummies offer a broad range of nutrients, prebiotics, and adaptogens with a great taste.
Bloom Greens & Superfoods: With numerous flavors and a focus on digestive wellness and bloating relief, Bloom has gained a large social media following. It is more affordable than AG1 but less transparent about ingredient dosages.
Thorne Daily Greens Plus: From a reputable supplement company, this powder is rich in adaptogens and antioxidants, though it's not organic and contains some added synthetics.

AG1 vs. Popular Greens Powder Alternatives


Feature	AG1	Live it Up Super Greens	Vibrant Health Green Vibrance	Grüns Daily Gummies
Subscription Price	~$79/month	~$39.99/month	~$43.50/month (60 servings)	~$59/month
Ingredients	75+ (prop. blends)	20+ (transparent)	70+ (mostly transparent)	60+ (gummy format)
Organic Content	Some	All vegetables	Less than half	Mostly organic
Probiotic Count	10 Billion CFU	5 Billion CFU	25 Billion CFU	1 Billion CFU
Fiber	2g per serving	3g per serving	Yes	Contains prebiotics
Third-Party Testing	NSF Certified	Third-party tested	GMP Certified	Third-party tested
Format	Powder	Powder	Powder	Gummies

Whole Foods vs. Supplements: The Unbeatable Standard

It's crucial to remember that no greens powder, no matter how comprehensive, can fully replace a diet rich in whole fruits and vegetables. Whole foods provide dietary fiber, a wide range of phytonutrients, and beneficial enzymes that work synergistically and are often lost in the powdering process. While AG1 and its competitors can help fill dietary gaps, especially on busy days or while traveling, they should be viewed as a supplement to, not a substitute for, a balanced diet. For most people, a food-first approach is the most effective and affordable path to optimal health.

Conclusion

Is there anything better than AG1? The answer is a resounding 'yes,' but with the caveat that 'better' is a personal metric based on cost, ingredients, taste, and health goals. For many, more affordable and equally effective alternatives like Live it Up Super Greens or Amazing Grass Greens Blend provide excellent nutritional support without the premium price. Others may prefer alternatives that target specific needs, like Vibrant Health Green Vibrance for high probiotics or Thorne for stress support. The most important step is to assess your own needs, research transparently labeled products, and remember that whole foods should always be the foundation of a healthy diet, with greens powders serving as a convenient support system.

Live it Up Super Greens offers a quality, organic, and affordable alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Many people seek AG1 alternatives due to its high cost, the use of proprietary blends that lack ingredient transparency, the presence of synthetic vitamins, and its limited fiber content.

No, AG1 is not a replacement for eating whole fruits and vegetables. Experts stress that supplements should complement a healthy diet, not substitute it, as whole foods provide essential fiber and a broader range of nutrients.

Vibrant Health Green Vibrance is often recommended for gut health due to its high probiotic count of 25 billion CFU per serving, though other options like Live it Up and Bloom also focus on digestion.

Yes, numerous high-quality and more affordable alternatives exist. Examples include Live it Up Super Greens and Amazing Grass Greens Blend, which offer solid nutritional profiles at a significantly lower price point.

No, while AG1 relies on proprietary blends, many competing brands like Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens provide a fully transparent label, detailing the precise dosage of each ingredient.

Products like Grüns Daily Gummies offer a convenient, mess-free, and great-tasting alternative to traditional powders. While they may have different ingredient profiles, they can serve a similar purpose for those prioritizing convenience.

NSF Certified for Sport is a third-party certification that confirms a supplement is free of banned substances and has been tested for purity and potency. AG1 has this certification, which is particularly important for competitive athletes.