CALCULATOR
Cost per Serving Comparator
Two tubs, different sizes, different servings. Enter the labels and see which is actually cheaper per 20 g of protein.
Enter any 2 or 3 products from their labels. We compute the real cost per 20 g of protein and pick the winner.
How to compare protein prices properly
Price per tub tells you almost nothing. Tubs differ in weight, in servings per container, and in how much protein each serving actually delivers. The only number that allows a fair comparison is cost per gram of protein.
The formula is simple: divide the price by the number of servings to get cost per serving, then scale it to 20 g of protein. Written out: (price / servings) x (20 / protein per serving). A cheap tub with small, low-protein servings frequently costs more per gram than an expensive one.
Concentrate is usually cheaper per gram than isolate. Isolate has less lactose and sits lighter, which is worth paying for if concentrate bothers your stomach or you need maximum protein in minimum volume.
The only formula that makes protein prices comparable
Example: 54 USD, 75 servings, 27 g per serving
(54 / 75) x (20 / 27) = 0.53 USD per 20 g
Price per tub is meaningless across products because tubs differ in weight, in servings per container and in how much protein each serving delivers. Price per kilogram is better but still misleading, because powders range from roughly 70 to over 90 percent protein by weight. Only cost per gram of actual protein allows a fair comparison.
Typical protein content by product type
| Type | Protein by weight | Typical serving | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whey isolate | 90% and up | 25-30 g | Low lactose, low fat |
| Whey concentrate | 70-80% | 24-25 g | Usually cheapest per gram |
| Casein | 70-80% | 24 g | Slower digesting |
| Pea or soy blend | 75-85% | 21-25 g | Plant based, check amino profile |
| Clear whey isolate | 85-90% | 20 g | Smaller servings, higher cost per gram |
Where the money actually goes
- Serving size games. A tub advertising 80 servings may use a 20 g scoop delivering 15 g of protein, which quietly raises the real cost per gram.
- Flavour premiums. Novelty flavours frequently cost more per gram than plain or vanilla with identical protein content.
- Sourcing claims. Grass-fed and similar labels raise price without changing grams of protein delivered.
- Bulk pricing. Larger tubs are usually cheaper per gram, provided you will finish them before quality declines.
- Amino spiking. Rare with reputable brands, but products padded with cheap free amino acids inflate the protein figure on the label.
Run any two products you are considering through the calculator above. The cheaper tub loses more often than people expect.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good price per 20 g of protein?
Why not just compare price per kilogram?
Is expensive whey better?
Does protein powder expire?
Sources
- US Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplement labelling guidance. fda.gov
- Jager R et al. ISSN Position Stand: protein and exercise. JISSN, 2017.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Nutrient fact sheets. ods.od.nih.gov
- NHS. Nutrition and health guidance. nhs.uk
- US Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030. dietaryguidelines.gov
More tools: all calculators · Full Plan · Recomp · Body fat · Macros · Cheapest whey per 20 g
General information, not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before changing your diet, especially with a medical condition.