Comparison
How to Compare Multivitamins: The Criteria That Actually Separate Them
We do not stock a multivitamin catalogue, so this page does something more durable: it gives you the comparison framework to apply in any pharmacy aisle, against any brand, in any of the six countries we cover.
Multivitamins look interchangeable and are not. The differences that matter sit in the nutrient table on the back, and they are easy to read once you know what you are looking at.
Start with a question rather than a product: which nutrients are you actually short of? For most people the honest answer is one or two, and a targeted single-nutrient product is often better value than a broad formula.
No product table on this page. Multivitamins are a retail pharmacy category rather than a direct-order one, so there are no products from our documented catalogue to tabulate here. Rather than invent a table, we set out the criteria you can apply yourself at a Goodlife, Clicks, HealthPlus or Ernest Chemists shelf.
What to compare on
Amounts against reference intakes
Every reputable label states the amount and the percentage of a reference intake. Look for nutrients in the 50–150 % range rather than several hundred per cent.
Iron content
Men and postmenopausal women generally do not need supplemental iron. Its presence is a reason to choose a different formulation.
Vitamin A form
Retinol carries an upper limit and is unsafe at high doses in pregnancy. Beta-carotene does not carry the same concern but should be avoided by smokers.
Nutrient forms
Vitamin D3 rather than D2; methylcobalamin or cyanocobalamin for B12; citrate or glycinate rather than oxide for magnesium.
Servings per day
A two-tablet daily dose doubles the real price.
Format
Gummies typically omit minerals and add sugar. They suit people who cannot swallow tablets and no one else.
Methodology and limitations
- This page compares criteria rather than named products, because we have not tested retail multivitamins and would not publish a ranking we cannot support.
- The criteria are drawn from public nutrient reference intakes and from the labelling requirements applied across the markets we cover.
No ratings, deliberately. We publish no star ratings, scores or "best of" rankings for these products. We have not tested them, and a rating without a testing methodology behind it is decoration, not information.
Related categories
Related health topics
Frequently asked questions
Is an expensive multivitamin better?
Not reliably. Compare the nutrient table, the forms and the servings per day. Price often reflects packaging and marketing.
Should I take one at all?
If your diet is varied, probably not. If it is restricted, or you are in a specific group such as pregnancy planning or later life, a well-chosen one is sensible.
Medical disclaimer. BioMedic Africa publishes consumer health information and supplement research summaries. It is not a pharmacy, a clinic or a medicines regulator, and nothing here is a diagnosis, a prescription or a treatment plan. Dietary supplements are foods, not medicines: they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Speak with a pharmacist or a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, under 18, living with a long-term condition, or taking prescription medication.
Commercial disclosure. Some links on this page lead to an order form operated through a partner network. If you order through them, BioMedic Africa may receive a commission. This never changes the price you pay and does not influence which ingredients or products we describe. Full affiliate disclosure.