Neither brand is cheaper across the board. At today's Supps247 prices, Rule 1 wins on whey and isolate, Optimum Nutrition wins clearly on creatine and on gainers by weight, and casein is a tie. Both brands state their main proteins are Informed Choice certified, so quality is not the deciding factor. Buy each category from whichever brand is cheaper for it.
Price per kg, category by category
| Category | Optimum Nutrition | Rule 1 | Better value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whey, 5 lb (2.27 kg) | Gold Standard $219.95 = $97/kg | R1 Whey Blend $199.95 = $88/kg | Rule 1 |
| Whey, 2 lb (907 g) | Gold Standard $119.95 = $132/kg | R1 Whey Blend $109.95 = $121/kg | Rule 1 |
| Isolate, 5 lb | Gold Standard Isolate $319.95 = $141/kg | R1 Protein WPI $249.95 = $110/kg | Rule 1 |
| Isolate, small tub | Gold Standard Isolate 3 lb $204.95 = $151/kg | R1 Protein WPI 2 lb $134.95 = $149/kg | About even |
| Casein | 2 lb $89.95, 4 lb $159.95 | 2 lb $84.95, 4 lb $164.95 | Tie |
| Creatine | Micronized 1.2 kg (400 x 3 g) $99.95 = $83/kg | R1 Creatine 500 g $69.95 = $140/kg | Optimum Nutrition |
| Gainer | Serious Mass 5.46 kg $169.95 = $31/kg | R1 Clean Gainer 30 serves (4.47 kg) $174.95 = $39/kg | Optimum Nutrition (by weight) |
Prices checked 22 October 2026. Price per kg ignores small differences in protein per scoop: Gold Standard gives 24 g per 30.4 g scoop, R1 Whey Blend 24 g, and both isolates 25 g per 32 g scoop. Serious Mass and Clean Gainer are very different products, with about 1,250 and 560 Calories per serve respectively.
Where Optimum Nutrition stands out
- Creatine: ON Micronized Creatine is unflavoured, with no other ingredients, and costs far less per kg than R1 Creatine in the big tub.
- Gold Standard whey: a trusted all-rounder with 74 serves per 5 lb tub. Read our Gold Standard review.
- Range of sizes: Gold Standard also comes in a 10 lb bag ($329.95).
Where Rule 1 stands out
- Isolate value: R1 Protein WPI 5 lb is about $31 a kg cheaper than Gold Standard Isolate 5 lb right now.
- Flavour range: R1 Protein and R1 Whey Blend come in far more flavours.
- Wider range: stim-free R1 Pump, R1 Essential Amino 9 and R1 Clean Gainer. See our Rule 1 range guide.
The smart buy
Mix brands. For example, R1 Whey Blend 5 lb ($199.95) plus ON Micronized Creatine 1.2 kg ($99.95) gives you the better-value whey and creatine of the two brands, and passes the $99.99 free-shipping threshold. Comparing isolates across more brands? See our isolate showdown.
Shop the products in this guide
R1 Whey Blend 5 lb$199.95
ON Gold Standard Whey 5 lb$219.95
R1 Protein WPI 5 lb$249.95
ON Micronized Creatine$44.95
Shop the Optimum Nutrition and Rule 1 ranges.
FAQs
Is Optimum Nutrition or Rule 1 better?
Both are well-respected brands, and both state their main proteins are Informed Choice certified. At current Supps247 prices, Rule 1 is better value for whey and isolate, while Optimum Nutrition is better value for creatine and for gainers by weight.
Is Gold Standard or R1 Whey Blend cheaper?
R1 Whey Blend is cheaper right now: $199.95 for 5 lb (about $88 per kg) versus $219.95 for Gold Standard (about $97 per kg). Both give 24 g of protein per scoop.
Which brand has the best creatine?
Both sell pure creatine monohydrate. Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine is much cheaper per kg in the 400-serve (1.2 kg) size, at about $83 per kg, versus about $140 per kg for R1 Creatine 500 g.
Do prices change often?
Yes. Specials change regularly, so compare price per kg or per serve on the day you buy rather than relying on brand alone.
Sources: product labels and brand nutrition panels, checked October 2026.
Order online with Australia-wide delivery, free on orders of $99.99 or more, or visit a Supps247 store in Melbourne, regional Victoria or Brisbane to compare products in person. Members can use our member price match on full-priced items.
Prices and stock were checked on 22 October 2026 and can change at any time. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take regular medication, check with your doctor first.
