Nordic Naturals is one of the most recognized names in omega-3, and its Algae Omega is the brand’s plant-based answer to fish oil. If you are shopping for a vegan omega-3, odds are good it has landed in your cart at some point. Perhaps a little less well-known is Performance Lab Omega-3, which is in fact a worthy rival.
Both products come from algae, both use a 2:1 DHA to EPA ratio, and both skip fish entirely. The differences show up in the dose, the softgel itself, and the price. Here is how they stack up.
The Quick Verdict on Performance Lab Omega-3 vs Nordic Naturals
- Choose Performance Lab Omega-3 if you want a higher daily dose of DHA and EPA, and a carrageenan-free softgel.
- Choose Nordic Naturals Algae Omega if you want a trusted household name at a lower price, with only two softgels a day.
Performance Lab gives you more omega-3 and a cleaner capsule. Nordic Naturals gives you a lower price and a familiar brand. Neither is a wrong answer, so it comes down to what matters most to you.
Side-by-Side Comparison: DHA, EPA, Softgels, and Price
| Feature | Performance Lab Omega-3 | Nordic Naturals Algae Omega |
|---|---|---|
| Daily serving | 3 NutriGels | 2 softgels |
| Total omega-3 per serving | 990 mg | 715 mg |
| DHA per serving | 540 mg | 390 mg |
| EPA per serving | 270 mg | 195 mg |
| Combined DHA and EPA | 810 mg | 585 mg |
| DHA to EPA ratio | 2:1 | 2:1 |
| Softgel material | Pullulan (fermented tapioca), plus gellan gum, pectin, starch, and glycerin | Modified cornstarch, glycerin, carrageenan, sorbitol, water, and carob color (per retailer label listings) |
| Carrageenan-free | Yes | No, according to retailer label listings |
| Servings per bottle | 30 | 30 (60 softgels) |
| Approximate price | $49 one time, $44.10 per month on a monthly subscription, or $36.75 per bottle on a four-bottle subscription | $30.95 on Nordic’s site ($27.86 on subscription) |
Label and price details come from each brand’s product page and retailer listings as of November 2026. Prices change, and Nordic’s own product page does not show the softgel ingredient list, so check the label on your bottle.
How Much DHA and EPA Do You Really Get?
Performance Lab delivers about 38 percent more DHA and EPA than Nordic Naturals every day. That is 540 mg of DHA and 270 mg of EPA, compared with 390 mg and 195 mg.
The difference is real, and it comes with a trade-off. You take three softgels with Performance Lab and two with Nordic. If you want to keep your routine as short as possible, Nordic is easier. If you want more omega-3 from a single bottle, Performance Lab gets you more.
The 2:1 DHA to EPA Ratio: A Tie
Both products use a 2:1 DHA to EPA ratio. Performance Lab provides 540 mg of DHA to 270 mg of EPA, and Nordic Naturals provides 390 mg to 195 mg. The balance is the same, so the real difference is how much of each fat you get.
Nobody has proven that one ratio is ideal, so the ratio itself is not a deciding factor. Performance Lab delivers about 38 percent more of both DHA and EPA in every serving.
Carrageenan and Softgel Ingredients: A Cleaner Capsule
This is a clear difference between the two. Carrageenan is a seaweed-derived thickener that some people prefer to avoid. It appears in the softgel ingredients on retailer label listings for Nordic Naturals Algae Omega, alongside modified cornstarch, glycerin, sorbitol, and carob color. Performance Lab does not use it.
Performance Lab says its NutriGels are the first vegan softgels made from pullulan, a fiber produced by fermenting tapioca, and it describes them as prebiotic. If you prefer a capsule without carrageenan or sorbitol, Performance Lab is the cleaner choice. Nordic’s formula may change over time, so check the label if this matters to you.
Does Algae Omega-3 Work as Well as Fish Oil?
Yes. Your body can turn the ALA found in many plant foods into EPA and DHA, but only in small amounts, as the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements explains. Algae make DHA and EPA directly, which is why both of these products start there.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 74 adults found that DHA and EPA from microalgal oil were absorbed as well as those from fish oil, based on blood phospholipid levels after 6 and 14 weeks. You can read the full study on PubMed Central.
Purity, Testing, and Certifications
Performance Lab Omega-3 states that it is third-party tested for purity and potency, certified by the Clean Label Project, vegan approved, and made in a GMP-certified facility. It lists every ingredient and dose with no proprietary blends, and it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Nordic Naturals states that its Algae Omega is certified 100 percent vegetarian by the American Vegetarian Association, non-GMO, hexane free, and made under GMP standards. The brand also says every batch of its algae oil is tested by a third-party lab for environmental toxins, including heavy metals, and that certificates of analysis are available. Its omega-3s are in triglyceride form, which Nordic notes is better absorbed than the ethyl ester form.
Both brands cover the essentials. Performance Lab adds the Clean Label Project certification and a money-back guarantee.
Price Per Gram of DHA and EPA
Nordic Naturals costs less every month. At $30.95 on its own site, it works out to about $1.03 per day, and retailers often sell it for less, which brings it closer to $0.75 to $0.90. Performance Lab runs $1.23 to $1.63 per day, depending on how you buy it.
The gap narrows when you look at what each bottle delivers. By our math from the label figures, Nordic costs about $1.60 to $1.75 per 1,000 mg of combined DHA and EPA at its own site prices. Performance Lab works out to roughly $1.50 on the four-bottle subscription and up to about $2.00 for a single bottle.
So Nordic is the better deal day to day. But on a four-bottle subscription, Performance Lab can match or beat Nordic’s own-site price for each gram of DHA and EPA.
Who Should Choose Performance Lab Omega-3?
- You want a higher daily dose of DHA and EPA from one bottle.
- You prefer a softgel without carrageenan or sorbitol.
- You like the idea of a fermented tapioca softgel.
- You want a 30-day guarantee so you can try it risk-free.
- You already use other Performance Lab products and like keeping your routine in one place.
If that sounds like you, you can check the current Performance Lab Omega-3 price and subscription options here.
Who Should Choose Nordic Naturals Algae Omega?
- You want the lowest monthly price.
- You prefer two softgels a day instead of three.
- You value a long-established brand you can find in many stores.
- A moderate daily dose of DHA and EPA is enough for you.
Final Take on Performance Lab Omega-3 vs Nordic Naturals
Nordic Naturals is a well-priced, trusted algae omega-3 with the same 2:1 ratio as Performance Lab. If price and brand familiarity lead your decision, it is a smart pick.
Performance Lab is the better choice if you want more DHA and EPA each day and a softgel free of carrageenan. It costs a little more, but you get about 38 percent more omega-3 and a 30-day guarantee to back it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Performance Lab Omega-3 Have More DHA and EPA Than Nordic Naturals?
Yes. Performance Lab provides 540 mg of DHA and 270 mg of EPA per serving, or 810 mg combined. Nordic Naturals Algae Omega provides 390 mg of DHA and 195 mg of EPA per serving, or 585 mg combined.
Do Performance Lab and Nordic Naturals Use the Same DHA to EPA Ratio?
Yes. Both products use a 2:1 DHA to EPA ratio, so neither has an advantage on balance.
Does Nordic Naturals Algae Omega Contain Carrageenan?
Retailer label listings show carrageenan in the Nordic Naturals Algae Omega softgel. Performance Lab NutriGels are carrageenan-free. Check the label on your bottle, since formulas can change.
Which Costs Less, Performance Lab or Nordic Naturals?
Nordic Naturals costs less per month. Per 1,000 mg of combined DHA and EPA, the gap is smaller, and Performance Lab on a four-bottle subscription can match Nordic’s price on its own site. Check current pricing, since discounts change.
Is Algae Oil as Effective as Fish Oil?
A randomized, double-blind trial in 74 adults found that DHA and EPA from microalgal oil were absorbed as well as those from fish oil. Algae oil is a reliable source of both fats.
Should I Talk to My Doctor Before Taking Omega-3?
If you are pregnant, nursing, take blood thinners or other medications, or have a medical condition, check with your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for general information and is not medical advice.
