Comparison guide
Which creatine should you take?
Creatine monohydrate is the reference compound in hundreds of trials. Every alternative form was created to charge more, and each one has to prove it beats monohydrate — none has.
The options, compared
| Option | Evidence | Best for | The honest note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creatine (monohydrate) | Strong evidence | Everyone | The form behind essentially all the evidence; cheapest per effective dose. | View |
| Creatine HCl | Limited evidence | Nobody in particular | More soluble in water, but no trial shows better muscle outcomes than monohydrate. | View |
| Kre-Alkalyn (Buffered Creatine) | Limited evidence | Nobody in particular | The pH-buffering premise doesn't survive contact with stomach acid physiology; comparative trials show no advantage. | View |
| Creatine Ethyl Ester | Limited evidence | Avoid | Actually degrades to creatinine faster — trials suggest it's inferior to monohydrate. | View |
Our verdict
Monohydrate, 3–5 g daily, full stop. If a tub says HCl, buffered, or ethyl ester, you are paying more for less evidence.