The Best Places to Buy Vitamins Online, According to a Dietitian

Shopping for vitamins and supplements online can be challenging, especially with so many options. Whether you’re looking for a particular product or just browsing for top-rate options, buying from a trustworthy retailer that offers high-quality supplements, dependable shipping, and fair prices is important.

A good place to start is to make sure the brand you're looking for has positive data on the U.S. Pharmacopeia and its products are independently verified by independent organizations like NSF, Informed Choice, ConsumerLab, or Underwriters Laboratories (UL). These organizations conduct their own testing to verify product quality and potency and to ensure what is stated on the label is actually what you're purchasing; they also test for heavy metals. Registered dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN, also recommends that you make sure the online distributor is either the supplement maker or a licensed seller, not an unknown third-party reseller.

To help you find the best places to buy vitamins online, we spoke with experts to learn what to look for in reliable retailers. Then, we researched dozens of sites, evaluating brands available, pricing and subscription models, cost and speed of shipping and returns, customer service, and more.

Editor's Note

Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every single supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology.

Top Picks

Best Overall:

Amazon at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Walmart at Walmart

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Best for Guidance:

The Vitamin Shoppe at Amazon

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Best with Filters:

Thrive Market at Thrive Market

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Best with Visuals:

iHerb at IHerb

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Best for Fresh:

eVitamins at Amazon

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Best Overall

Amazon

Credit: Amazon

View on Amazon

Pros

Quick delivery
Ability to subscribe and save
Free shipping for Prime members

Cons

Have to pay attention to what store the supplements come from within Amazon

Amazon is the go-to for access to a massive variety of independently verified vitamin brands at competitive prices and fast free shipping. As of April 2024, Amazon requires independent verification for dietary supplements to ensure they meet safety and quality standards. Also, Prime members get fast, free shipping and exclusive deals. It's easy to track your packages online, and customer service is very responsive if you have any issues with your order. If you take a particular vitamin regularly, you can sign up for Subscribe & Save delivery, selecting the quantity and schedule that works for you so you never run out.

Many vitamin brands have their own store on Amazon, which ensures you're getting the supplement directly from the manufacturer and not a third-party seller. For example, if you take a Centrum multivitamin, check out the Centrum Amazon store.

While you should always follow your healthcare provider's recommendations for vitamins and supplements, the consumer reviews on Amazon are incredibly helpful in learning more about other people's experiences with products, product packaging, and other questions.

Key specs:

_{Shipping: Free for Prime members Subscriptions: Yes}

Best Budget

Walmart

Credit: Walmart

View on Walmart

Pros

Free shipping over $35
Affordable pricing
In-store pickup option

Cons

Storage environment is not clearly listed on the website

If you're looking for a one-stop shop for all your grocery, household, and supplement needs, Walmart sells many of the top supplement brands. It carries well-known brands such as Nordic Naturals, Renew Life, and Navitas Organics, as well as other high-quality products at affordable prices.

Walmart offers various packaging options, such as best-value two-packs, to offer budget-friendly deals for those looking to stock up and save on their favorite supplements. The superstore also makes accessing vitamins easy with NextDay shipping and free same-day pick-up.

Customers can use their Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts benefits to purchase select items as an added benefit to one-stop shopping.

Key specs:

_{Shipping: Free over $35 Subscriptions: No}

Best for Guidance

The Vitamin Shoppe

Credit: The Vitamin Shoppe

View on Amazon View on Vitamin Shoppe

Pros

Flexible return policy & frequent deals
Nutritionists & dietitians on-staff
Free shipping over $25
In-store pickup option

Cons

Need to filter through marketing for evidence-backed products

Vitamin Shoppe opened its doors in 1977, and since then, it has expanded to hundreds of stores across the United States, a booming online store, and a convenient VShoppe app. Customers can browse various high-quality supplements, including multivitamins, letter vitamins, and minerals.

Whether you have a specific brand in mind or prefer to shop by a particular condition—such as bone and joint health—The Vitamin Shoppe makes choosing a vitamin easy. They sell their own line of quality-tested products and trusted brands such as Jarrow Formulas, Garden of Life, Megafood, and New Chapter.

If you're unhappy with your purchase, The Vitamin Shoppe has a flexible return policy. They accept returns of any opened or unopened merchandise purchased from any Vitamin Shoppe channel to any Vitamin Shoppe store within 30 days with a receipt for a full refund. The company frequently offers deals such as buy one, get one 50% off, free in-store pick-up, and free shipping.

If you have a particular nutrition or supplement question, The Vitamin Shoppe has a team of nutritionists and dietitians who can speak with you to address your needs. “When shopping for a supplement, it is important to know what your body needs and the appropriate amount to meet your needs. You should read the label of supplements to avoid hidden ingredients that promise health benefits that can't be delivered,” says Jodie Horton, MD, FACOG, clinical assistant professor at Georgetown University Medical and Chief Wellness Advisor at Love Wellness. Speaking to a dietitian at The Vitamin Shoppe can help make this process easier!

Key specs:

_{Shipping: Free over $25 Subscriptions: Yes}

Best with Filters

Thrive Market

Credit: Thrive Market

View on Thrive Market

Pros

30-day free trial available
Easy to filter by dietary needs

Cons

Must be a member in order to shop

Thrive Market is an online, membership-based marketplace that offers high-quality, sustainable products for various budgets and lifestyles.

Members pay an annual membership fee of $60 or a monthly membership fee of $12 to receive 25% to 50% off retail prices on more than 6,000 organic, non-GMO, and sustainable products. On Thrive Market, you can search for vitamins and supplements by ingredient, dietary requirement, certification, or concern, making it easy to find vitamins that meet your individual needs.

Before committing to membership, new customers can sign up for a 30-day free trial to test it out. Plus, members receive free gifts, samples, and deals. Shipping is fast and free for your first order over $25 and all orders over $49.

Key specs:

_{Shipping: Free over $49 Subscriptions: Yes}

Best with Visuals

iHerb

Credit: iHerb

View on IHerb

Pros

Fresh products stored in optimal conditions
Can see products as if you were holding them in real life
Free shipping over $20

Cons

Need to filter through marketing for evidence-backed products

iHerb has been a go-to online supplement distributor since 1996. The company offers over 30,000 products and ships from distribution centers that are Good Manufacturing Practice registered and meticulously controlled for optimal storage settings.

According to iHerb’s website, they have an inventory turnover rate averaging 8.1 times per year, which means they offer fresh products. With a 360-degree product view option, consumers can see most products as if they were holding the actual product in a traditional store.

iHerb is easy to shop, offering vitamins listed alphabetically by substance, by brand, or by health topic. For those with specific dietary needs, products can also be searched using helpful filters such as gluten-free, cruelty-free, kosher, organic, and vegan.

In addition to tons of special discounts, iHerb makes shopping affordable by offering free shipping on orders over $20.

Key specs:

_{Shipping: Free over $20 Subscriptions: Yes}

Best for Fresh

eVitamins

View on Amazon View on Evitamins.com

Pros

Transparent and controlled storage of products
Fast inventory turnover

Cons

Must spend $49 for free shipping

Based in Michigan, eVitamins carries over 28,000 products from over 720 brands, including Country Life, Doctor's Best, and Nordic Naturals. Products are shipped from a 100% climate-controlled facility, and the company guarantees that every product sold is fresh and authentic. According to eVitamins' website, their inventory turnover rate averages over 18 times per year, meaning that eVitamins' products are on the shelf for an average of only 20 days.

With the ability to search by brand, vitamin, life stage, or gender, it's easy to find the best supplements for the whole family. Each product page offers multiple visuals of each product, expiration dates, extensive product information, and customer reviews. Plus, the site offers competitive prices and free shipping on orders over $49.

Key specs:

_{Shipping: Free over $49 Subscriptions: Yes}

How We Selected the Online Vitamin Retailers

To find the best online vitamin retailers, we first spoke with experts to learn more about what sets different sites apart. During our research, we considered availability, range of high-quality vitamin and supplement brands, shipping dependability and price, added features, and customer reviews. We also looked at the turn-around rate of stocked vitamins and supplements.

Our Experts

We consulted with trusted peers in dietetics, including our team of registered dietitians. We spoke with:

Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN, manager of Wellness Nutrition Services at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute in Ohio and author of Skinny Liver
Jodie Horton, MD, FACOG, clinical assistant professor at Georgetown University Medical and Chief Wellness Advisor at Love Wellness

What to Look for in an Online Vitamin Retailer

Transparency: When it comes to shopping for supplements, prioritize transparency—not just with individual products but with whole supplement stores. Make sure the store is clear about product storage, handling practices, and supplement sourcing. We also recommend choosing stores that sell supplements that have been independently verified, meaning the quality of the supplement has been tested by an independent organization not involved in its formulation or production.
Vitamin Brands: Choose a reliable website that offers the brand of vitamins that you prefer. If you're not sure which vitamin brand to purchase, many sites carry a variety of brands based on which vitamin you're looking to buy. For example, you can search for a non-GMO, organic vitamin C supplement, then select a brand at a price that works for your budget. As with all vitamins, always speak with your healthcare practitioner before adding a supplement to your routine.
Price: Vitamin prices vary from site to site. When shopping for an online vitamin retailer, select a site that offers the best price. If you're looking for a one-time purchase, almost any website will work; however, if you're looking to reorder a vitamin every month, a subscription model may be more affordable.
Product Turnover: Look for a site with a high turnover of products so that you can rest assured that you're getting the freshest, highest-quality vitamins available.
Shipping & Pick-Up: Many sites offer free shipping or in-store pick-up. Consider how soon you need the vitamin and shipping costs when deciding which website to use. A pick-up option may be the quickest, most affordable method for some consumers; however, some may prefer the convenience of delivery directly to your doorstep.
Return Policy: Be sure to check out the website's return policy in case you receive a broken vitamin bottle or decide you no longer need the product. Some sites offer full refunds in the mail or in-store, whereas others have limited supplement return options.

How to buy vitamins online, with tips from a registered dietitian. — Verywell Fit / Sarah Felbin

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to order vitamins online?

If purchasing from well-known establishments, it is generally considered safe to order vitamins online. It is wise to first do research when choosing a place to purchase vitamins from. As a consumer, it is important to know what must appear on a supplement label. According to the FDA, five statements are required to appear on a label: the statement of identity (name of the dietary supplement), the net quantity of contents statement (amount of the dietary supplement), the nutrition labeling, the ingredient list, and the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. If any of the above is missing, return the vitamin supplement.

How can you tell if supplements are fake?

The unfortunate answer to this question is that you might not be able to tell if a supplement is fake. In some instances, it may be obvious. For example, if you are deficient in a vitamin and after taking the vitamin supplement your lab values do not change, you should question the authenticity of the supplement. However, other times, the answer might not be so clear. If you have taken a vitamin before with no side effects and suddenly you experience unwanted side effects, it might indicate something counterfeit. In addition, if the name and place of the manufacturer are missing from the vitamin bottle, it might indicate foul play.

Do vitamins expire?

The FDA does not require supplement companies to put an expiration date on their bottles, so any time you see a "use by" or "expiration" date, it has been added voluntarily. However, the potency of the vitamin or its individual ingredients may degrade over time, so it's recommended to follow the expiration date on the bottle.

At what age should you start taking vitamins?

This varies from person to person. Higher-risk groups may need to supplement earlier than others. For example, adolescents with heavy menstrual bleeding, young vegans or vegetarians, or children with deficiencies or malabsorption issues may benefit from taking supplements from a younger age. For healthy individuals who eat an adequate and varied diet, vitamin supplementation may never be necessary. As always, work with your healthcare provider to determine if and when supplementation is right for you.

Is it cheaper to buy vitamins online?

The short answer is - not necessarily. Prices online and in store are generally the same; however, some retailers may offer discount codes website wide or on specific brands. Plus, given the option to subscribe, you can save a few bucks!

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Eliza Savage, MS, RD, CDN, is the Editorial Director at Verywell Fit, a registered dietitian, and a published author. She manages all content at Verywell Fit and helps ensure that the recommended nutrition and ingestible products, including vitamins, are dietitian-approved.

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3 Sources

Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide: Chapter I. General Dietary Supplement Labeling.
ConsumerLab.com. What is the difference between the "Best By" date and the "Date of Manufacture" on a supplement label? How do I know how long my supplement will last before it "goes bad"?
Office of Dietary Supplements. Iron.