Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard vs Myprotein Impact Whey
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Myprotein Impact Whey wins on cost-per-gram by 25–30% and offers the widest flavour catalogue in the category. ON Gold Standard wins on protein-per-scoop, isolate-led blend, and 30-year formula consistency. For most buyers, Myprotein is the better value; for those who want the proven benchmark, Gold Standard remains the safer choice.
ON Gold Standard
24g protein per serving. Whey isolate-led blend with concentrate and peptides. Informed Choice certified. 20+ flavours. The category default since 1994.
Check current price on Amazon →Myprotein Impact Whey
21–23g protein per serving. Whey concentrate. Informed Sport certified. 50+ flavours. Lowest cost-per-serving in the certified category at sale pricing.
Check current price on Amazon →At a glance
- ON Gold Standard: 24g protein per single scoop, isolate-led blend, $54.99 for 2lb (29 servings) from optimumnutrition.com May 2026
- Myprotein Impact Whey: 21–23g protein per scoop, whey concentrate, $70.99 for 5.5lb (~$1.29/serving) at sale pricing from us.myprotein.com May 2026
- Myprotein is roughly 25–30% cheaper per gram of protein at sale pricing
- Both are third-party certified — ON via Informed Choice, Myprotein via Informed Sport
- Myprotein wins on flavour count (50+ vs 20+); ON wins on flavour consistency over time
Head-to-Head
| ON Gold Standard | Myprotein Impact Whey | |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per serving | 24g | 21–23g |
| Calories per serving | 120 | ≈103 |
| Protein type | Whey isolate + concentrate + peptides | Whey concentrate |
| Certification | Informed Choice | Informed Sport |
| Flavour count | 20+ | 50+ |
| Brand-direct price | $54.99 / 2lb (29 servings) | $70.99 / 5.5lb at sale |
| Per-serving cost (approx.) | $1.89 | $1.29 (sale) |
| Track record | Since 1994 | Since 2004 |
ON Gold Standard
The data: 24g protein, 120 calories, 3g carbs, 1g sugar, 5.5g naturally occurring BCAAs per scoop. Whey isolate is the primary ingredient, blended with concentrate and peptides. Informed Choice certified — batch-tested for banned substances. Available in 1lb, 2lb, 5lb and 10lb sizes from optimumnutrition.com. From optimumnutrition.com, May 2026: $54.99 for the 2lb / 29-serving tub.
Who it’s for: Buyers who want the benchmark product with the longest unbroken track record. Gold Standard’s formula has not changed substantially in 30 years — that is the entire pitch. Double Rich Chocolate is widely cited as the reference chocolate-flavour profile in the category.
The honest critique: Per-serving cost is consistently higher than Myprotein. The flavour range is broad but conventional — no licensed-cereal collabs or unusual profiles. The 2lb tub finishes faster than the per-serving math suggests because of the single-scoop format.
ON Gold Standard on Amazon →Myprotein Impact Whey
The data: 21–23g protein per scoop (varies by flavour), approximately 103 calories per serving. Whey concentrate as the primary source. Informed Sport certified — every batch tested for banned substances. Available in sizes from 1.1lb to 11lb. From us.myprotein.com, May 2026: 5.5lb at $70.99 on sale, working out to roughly $1.29 per serving.
Who it’s for: Buyers prioritising cost-per-gram of protein, anyone who wants flavour variety (Salted Caramel, Mocha, Maple Syrup, plus the standard chocolates and vanillas), and high-volume buyers who finish 5.5lb tubs faster than retail-sized ones. Myprotein runs sales aggressively — savvy buyers stack discount codes during major sale events.
The honest critique: Concentrate has 3–4g lactose per serving — lactose-sensitive users should choose Impact Whey Isolate instead. The flavour range includes some that are widely loved and some that are widely panned — read recent reviews before committing to an unfamiliar flavour in a large tub. Brand-direct pricing varies sharply between sale and non-sale periods.
Myprotein Impact Whey on Amazon →Which Should You Buy?
Choose ON Gold Standard if
- You want the benchmark formula that has been consistent for 30 years
- You prefer an isolate-led blend over pure concentrate
- You want 24g protein per single scoop (not two-scoop dosing)
- Informed Choice certification is what your sport or workplace recognises
Choose Myprotein Impact Whey if
- Cost-per-gram of protein is your primary criterion
- You want the widest flavour catalogue available (50+)
- You’re a high-volume buyer who finishes large tubs quickly
- Informed Sport certification is what your sport or workplace recognises
FAQ
Is Myprotein cheaper than Optimum Nutrition?
Yes, consistently. From us.myprotein.com May 2026, Impact Whey works out to approximately $1.29 per serving when bought in the 5.5lb size on sale. From optimumnutrition.com May 2026, Gold Standard is $54.99 for a 2lb tub (29 servings, approximately $1.89 per serving). Myprotein is roughly 25–30% cheaper per gram of protein when both are bought in their largest sale-priced sizes.
Is ON Gold Standard better than Myprotein Impact Whey?
Gold Standard uses a whey isolate-led blend and delivers 24g protein per single scoop. Impact Whey is a whey concentrate at 21–23g protein per scoop. Gold Standard has slightly more protein per scoop and a longer track record; Impact Whey is significantly cheaper per gram. Both are third-party certified.
Which has more flavour options?
Myprotein, by a wide margin — 50+ flavours vs 20+ for ON. If flavour rotation matters or you want unusual options, Myprotein has the depth. If you want a benchmark chocolate or vanilla that has been consistent for decades, ON is the safer bet.
Is one certification stricter than the other?
Both Informed Choice and Informed Sport are batch-testing programmes operated by LGC. Informed Sport is the stricter version — designed for athletes in WADA-tested sports — while Informed Choice covers a broader baseline of banned substances. For most recreational athletes either certification is sufficient. See our safety testing guide for the full breakdown.
Related Resources
- Read the full Optimum Nutrition brand review
- Read the full Myprotein brand review
- See our best protein powder guide for picks across all categories
- See Myprotein vs Bulk for the UK direct-to-consumer head-to-head
- Read the whey protein guide for concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate explained
- Learn what Informed Choice and Informed Sport actually verify
Last reviewed: by the protein.supply editorial team.