NOW Foods Vitamin A vs Solgar Formula VM-2000

Q: Which is better, NOW Foods Vitamin A or Solgar Formula VM-2000?

NOW Foods Vitamin A scores 74/100 while Solgar Formula VM-2000 scores 74/100 in our analysis. Both products are equally rated.

Q: Is NOW Foods Vitamin A worth the price compared to Solgar Formula VM-2000?

NOW Foods Vitamin A scores 84.0/100 for value, while Solgar Formula VM-2000 scores 65.0/100. NOW Foods Vitamin A delivers better value overall.

Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for NOW Foods Vitamin A and Solgar Formula VM-2000.

Last verified: 28 Mar 2026 · Based on 78 reviews

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74.0

Score Summary

NOW Foods Vitamin A scores 74.0/100 vs Solgar Formula VM-2000 at 74.0/100. NOW Foods Vitamin A wins on value for money. Solgar Formula VM-2000 is stronger on ingredient quality and side effects.

NOW Foods Vitamin A vs Solgar Formula VM-2000: What Does the Data Say?

Vitamin A from NOW Foods packs 3000 mcg of retinyl palmitate in each of its 100 softgels for just £4.83 while Formula VM-2000 from Solgar delivers a broad mix of chelated minerals like bisglycinate and picolinate alongside high potency B vitamins in large tablets that cost £23.74 for 180. The single nutrient approach in the softgels gives direct preformed retinol without any conversion step which suits those who struggle with beta carotene processing. Formula VM-2000 spreads its efforts across eight B vitamins at elevated levels plus fat soluble vitamins minerals and botanical extracts in a tablet form that some find hard to swallow whole.

Both products score 74.0/100 overall and tie on effectiveness at 78.0/100 yet Formula VM-2000 from Solgar edges ahead on ingredient quality with 84.0/100 against 76.0/100 for the Vitamin A softgels. Value tells the opposite story with NOW Foods Vitamin A hitting 84.0/100 compared to 65.0/100 for the Solgar multi. Adults who show clear signs of vitamin A shortage such as dry skin night vision problems or repeated respiratory infections should reach for the cheap softgels especially if their diet skips liver and organ meats. Active adults facing fatigue or gaps from restrictive vegan or vegetarian eating will gain more from the wider coverage in Formula VM-2000.

The softgels use organic extra virgin olive oil to help absorption and reviewers often see better skin texture less dry patches and stronger nails after short courses. Formula VM-2000 users report steady energy and support for skin hair and nails but the oversized tablets lead many to cut them in half. No common allergens appear in either product though the high B1 and B12 doses in the Solgar tablets sit well above daily needs and may bother sensitive people. Pick based on your exact needs and how much you want to spend.

How Do the Scores Compare?

Vitamin A, 3,000 mcg (10,00...

Formula VM-2000 180 Tablets

	Vitamin A, 3,000 mcg (10,00... NOW Foods	Formula VM-2000 180 Tablets Solgar
Overall Score	74.0	74.0
Effectiveness	78.0/100 Best	78.0/100 Best
Ingredient Quality	76.0/100	84.0/100 Best
Value for Money	84.0/100 Best	65.0/100
Side Effects	70.0/100	71.0/100 Best
Certifications	52.0/100	55.0/100 Best
Best Price	£4.93 iHerb → Cheapest	£25.82 Amazon UK →
Form	None	tablet
Dose	None	None
Third-Party Tested	✗ No	✗ No
Reviews Analysed	50	28

Vitamin A, 3,000 mcg (10,000 IU)...

Pros

✓Retinyl palmitate form is directly bioavailable — no beta-carotene conversion needed, which matters for people with thyroid issues or genetic conversion inefficiency
✓Multiple reviewers report visible skin improvements: reduced dryness, faster wound healing, stronger nails, less split ends — consistent across many independent reviews
✓Organic extra virgin olive oil as the carrier aids absorption of this fat-soluble vitamin
✓Small, neutral-tasting softgels that are easy to swallow — virtually no complaints about pill size or aftertaste

Cons

✗10,000 IU daily is at the adult tolerable upper intake limit — fat-soluble vitamins accumulate, and several reviewers flag this by recommending every-other-day dosing
✗Not third-party tested — no independent verification of potency or purity beyond in-house GMP
✗Not suitable for vegans or vegetarians — contains bovine gelatine capsule and fish liver oil (cod, saithe, haddock, pollock)
✗California Prop 65 warning for retinol — pregnancy and reproductive health risk; not appropriate during pregnancy

Best For

Adults with confirmed vitamin A deficiency symptoms — dry skin, night vision issues, frequent respiratory infections People with low liver and organ meat intake who need preformed retinol rather than relying on beta-carotene conversion Those taking short courses (6–8 weeks) under dermatologist guidance for skin or mucous membrane issues Anyone who needs the active retinol form and cannot rely on plant-source beta-carotene conversion

iHerb £4.93

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Formula VM-2000 180 Tablets

Pros

✓Chelated mineral forms (bisglycinate, picolinate) for superior absorption over standard oxide/carbonate salts
✓Comprehensive formula covering all eight B vitamins at high potencies plus fat-soluble vitamins, key minerals, and botanical extracts
✓Consistently reported user benefits: sustained energy, reduced fatigue, immune support, and improved skin, hair and nails
✓Vegan, yeast-free, wheat-free, dairy-free — suitable for a wide range of dietary needs including kosher

Cons

✗Tablets are very large — multiple reviewers report difficulty swallowing and needing a pill cutter
✗Megadose B1 (9091% NRV) and B12 (4000% NRV) are far above physiological need; excess is generally excreted but may cause issues for sensitive individuals
✗Contains soy (isolated soya protein and lecithin) — unsuitable for soy-allergic users
✗No third-party testing certification listed, limiting independent quality verification

Best For

Active adults with high nutritional demands People with restrictive diets (vegan, vegetarian) Those experiencing fatigue or dietary gaps Adults over 40 seeking broad micronutrient coverage Kosher diet followers

Amazon UK £25.82 Holland & Barrett £51.02

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Score Breakdown: NOW Foods Vitamin A vs Solgar Formula VM-2000

NOW Foods Vitamin A Winner 74.0/100

NOW Foods delivers 10,000 IU of retinyl palmitate — preformed vitamin A sourced from fish liver oil, suspended in organic extra virgin olive oil for reliable fat-soluble absorption.

Effectiveness

Vitamin A, 3,000..

78.0/100

Formula VM-2000 ..

78.0/100

Ingredient Quality

Vitamin A, 3,000..

76.0/100

Formula VM-2000 ..

84.0/100

Value for Money

Vitamin A, 3,000..

84.0/100

Formula VM-2000 ..

65.0/100

Side Effects

Vitamin A, 3,000..

70.0/100

Formula VM-2000 ..

71.0/100

Certifications

Vitamin A, 3,000..

52.0/100

Formula VM-2000 ..

55.0/100

What are the key differences?

NOW Foods Vitamin A is best for: Adults with confirmed vitamin A deficiency symptoms — dry skin, night vision issues, frequent respiratory infections, People with low liver and organ meat intake who need preformed retinol rather than relying on beta-carotene conversion

Solgar Formula VM-2000 is best for: Active adults with high nutritional demands, People with restrictive diets (vegan, vegetarian)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, NOW Foods Vitamin A or Solgar Formula VM-2000? ▼

NOW Foods Vitamin A scores 74.0/100 overall while Solgar Formula VM-2000 scores 74.0/100. Both score equally overall — the difference comes down to individual dimensions. NOW Foods Vitamin A is best suited for Adults with confirmed vitamin A deficiency symptoms — dry skin, night vision issues, frequent respiratory infections and People with low liver and organ meat intake who need preformed retinol rather than relying on beta-carotene conversion. Solgar Formula VM-2000 is better for Active adults with high nutritional demands and People with restrictive diets (vegan, vegetarian).

Is NOW Foods Vitamin A worth the price compared to Solgar Formula VM-2000? ▼

NOW Foods Vitamin A costs £4.93 while Solgar Formula VM-2000 is £25.82. For value, NOW Foods Vitamin A scores 84.0/100 vs Solgar Formula VM-2000's 65.0/100. NOW Foods Vitamin A delivers better value relative to its quality.

Which has fewer side effects? ▼

NOW Foods Vitamin A scores 70.0/100 for side effects (higher means fewer reported issues) while Solgar Formula VM-2000 scores 71.0/100. Reviewers report fewer side effects with Solgar Formula VM-2000. For certification and testing, NOW Foods Vitamin A scores 52.0/100 vs Solgar Formula VM-2000's 55.0/100. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.