{
  "dataset": "msm-cost-by-brand",
  "title": "MSM Supplements Compared — cost per gram and OptiMSM vs generic",
  "sourcePage": "https://verifiedsupplementdata.com/msm/best-overall/",
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licenseUrl": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "attribution": "Verified Supplement Data (2026), MSM Cost & Sourcing Comparison",
  "dateModified": "2026-07-17",
  "methodology": "MSM (methylsulfonylmethane, dimethyl sulfone) is a commodity molecule — chemically identical across brands — so COST PER GRAM of MSM is the honest comparison. costPerGram = price / (servings x grams of MSM per serving); null for blends where the MSM dose is not broken out. \"verdict\": optimsm (branded, distilled, traceable-purity MSM) / generic / blend. OptiMSM is a sourcing/purity signal, NOT proof of a better clinical effect. EVIDENCE CONTEXT (structure/function only; modest, MIXED): two small knee-osteoarthritis pilot RCTs found improved physical FUNCTION, but one (Debbi 2011, PMID 21708034) did NOT reach significance on pain (p=0.08); Kim 2006 (PMID 16309928) found WOMAC pain/function improvement at 6 g/day. Exercise-recovery trials are small pilots with trends only (Withee 2017, PMID 28736511; Kalman 2012, PMID 23013531). MSM is GRAS and well tolerated to ~4 g/day (Butawan 2017, PMID 28300758). Typical dose 1.5-6 g/day. This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA; these products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.",
  "headline": {
    "productsCompared": 13,
    "optimsm": 5,
    "generic": 7,
    "blends": 1,
    "cheapestPerGram": 0.032,
    "cheapestPerGramBrand": "Nutricost",
    "cheapestOptimsmBrand": "Doctor's Best",
    "note": "MSM is the same molecule in every bottle, so cost per gram is the only thing that matters — and it ranges widely here. Powder is cheapest; OptiMSM adds traceable purity, sometimes for little extra. Joint blends bury the MSM dose and cost far more per gram of MSM."
  },
  "columns": [
    "brand",
    "product",
    "slug",
    "form",
    "verdict",
    "msmMgPerServing",
    "servings",
    "price",
    "costPerServing",
    "costPerGram",
    "thirdParty"
  ],
  "units": {
    "msmMgPerServing": "mg MSM",
    "price": "USD",
    "costPerServing": "USD/serving",
    "costPerGram": "USD per gram of MSM"
  },
  "citations": [
    {
      "claim": "MSM improved WOMAC pain and physical function in knee OA (6 g/day pilot RCT).",
      "source": "Kim LS, et al. 2006, Osteoarthritis Cartilage",
      "pmid": "16309928"
    },
    {
      "claim": "MSM improved physical function and total WOMAC; pain did NOT reach significance (p=0.08).",
      "source": "Debbi EM, et al. 2011, BMC Complement Altern Med",
      "pmid": "21708034"
    },
    {
      "claim": "MSM (OptiMSM) reduced post-exercise pain clinically but not statistically; no effect on damage markers.",
      "source": "Withee ED, et al. 2017, J Int Soc Sports Nutr",
      "pmid": "28736511"
    },
    {
      "claim": "MSM is GRAS and well tolerated up to ~4 g/day.",
      "source": "Butawan M, et al. 2017, Nutrients",
      "pmid": "28300758"
    }
  ],
  "products": [
    {
      "brand": "Nutricost",
      "product": "Pure MSM Powder 500 g",
      "slug": "nutricost-msm-powder",
      "form": "Powder",
      "msmMgPerServing": 1000,
      "servings": 500,
      "price": 15.95,
      "costPerServing": 0.03,
      "costPerGram": 0.032,
      "deliversOptimsm": false,
      "verdict": "generic",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "BulkSupplements",
      "product": "MSM Powder 500 g",
      "slug": "bulksupplements-msm-powder",
      "form": "Powder",
      "msmMgPerServing": 3000,
      "servings": 167,
      "price": 19.97,
      "costPerServing": 0.12,
      "costPerGram": 0.04,
      "deliversOptimsm": false,
      "verdict": "generic",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Doctor's Best",
      "product": "MSM Powder with OptiMSM (8.8 oz)",
      "slug": "doctors-best-msm-powder",
      "form": "Powder",
      "msmMgPerServing": 2400,
      "servings": 104,
      "price": 14.98,
      "costPerServing": 0.14,
      "costPerGram": 0.06,
      "deliversOptimsm": true,
      "verdict": "optimsm",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Nature's Way",
      "product": "MSM 1000 mg (200 Tablets)",
      "slug": "natures-way-msm",
      "form": "Tablet",
      "msmMgPerServing": 1000,
      "servings": 200,
      "price": 14.24,
      "costPerServing": 0.07,
      "costPerGram": 0.071,
      "deliversOptimsm": true,
      "verdict": "optimsm",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Nutricost",
      "product": "MSM 2000 mg (240 Tablets)",
      "slug": "nutricost-msm-tablets",
      "form": "Tablet",
      "msmMgPerServing": 2000,
      "servings": 120,
      "price": 17.95,
      "costPerServing": 0.15,
      "costPerGram": 0.075,
      "deliversOptimsm": false,
      "verdict": "generic",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Doctor's Best",
      "product": "MSM 1500 mg with OptiMSM (120 Tablets)",
      "slug": "doctors-best-msm-1500",
      "form": "Tablet",
      "msmMgPerServing": 1500,
      "servings": 120,
      "price": 13.98,
      "costPerServing": 0.12,
      "costPerGram": 0.078,
      "deliversOptimsm": true,
      "verdict": "optimsm",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Horbaach",
      "product": "MSM 1500 mg (240 Capsules)",
      "slug": "horbaach-msm-1500",
      "form": "Capsule",
      "msmMgPerServing": 1500,
      "servings": 120,
      "price": 13.99,
      "costPerServing": 0.12,
      "costPerGram": 0.078,
      "deliversOptimsm": false,
      "verdict": "generic",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "NOW Foods",
      "product": "NOW MSM 1000 mg (240 Veg Capsules)",
      "slug": "now-msm-1000",
      "form": "Capsule",
      "msmMgPerServing": 1000,
      "servings": 240,
      "price": 20.36,
      "costPerServing": 0.08,
      "costPerGram": 0.085,
      "deliversOptimsm": false,
      "verdict": "generic",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "BESTVITE",
      "product": "MSM 1000 mg with OptiMSM (240 Capsules)",
      "slug": "bestvite-msm-optimsm",
      "form": "Capsule",
      "msmMgPerServing": 1000,
      "servings": 240,
      "price": 24.99,
      "costPerServing": 0.1,
      "costPerGram": 0.104,
      "deliversOptimsm": true,
      "verdict": "optimsm",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "BulkSupplements",
      "product": "MSM 3000 mg (240 Capsules)",
      "slug": "bulksupplements-msm-caps",
      "form": "Capsule",
      "msmMgPerServing": 3000,
      "servings": 60,
      "price": 18.97,
      "costPerServing": 0.32,
      "costPerGram": 0.105,
      "deliversOptimsm": false,
      "verdict": "generic",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Jarrow Formulas",
      "product": "MSM 1000 mg (200 Veg Capsules)",
      "slug": "jarrow-msm-1000",
      "form": "Capsule",
      "msmMgPerServing": 1000,
      "servings": 200,
      "price": 28.99,
      "costPerServing": 0.14,
      "costPerGram": 0.145,
      "deliversOptimsm": false,
      "verdict": "generic",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Kala Health",
      "product": "OptiMSM Powder (250 g)",
      "slug": "kala-health-optimsm",
      "form": "Powder",
      "msmMgPerServing": 1000,
      "servings": 100,
      "price": 39.99,
      "costPerServing": 0.4,
      "costPerGram": 0.4,
      "deliversOptimsm": true,
      "verdict": "optimsm",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    },
    {
      "brand": "Doctor's Best",
      "product": "Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM with OptiMSM (360 Capsules)",
      "slug": "doctors-best-gluco-chond-msm",
      "form": "Capsule",
      "msmMgPerServing": null,
      "servings": 90,
      "price": 45.99,
      "costPerServing": 0.51,
      "costPerGram": null,
      "deliversOptimsm": false,
      "verdict": "blend",
      "thirdParty": "None"
    }
  ]
}