Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout vs Applied Nutrition Citrulline Malate

Side-by-side AI analysis based on real user reviews from Reddit, Amazon, YouTube & more.

Score Comparison

Optimum Nutrition Gold Stan...
Applied Nutrition Citrulline Malate
Optimum Nutrition Gold Stan...
Optimum Nutrition
Applied Nutrition Citrulline Malate
Applied Nutrition
Overall Score 7 8
Effectiveness 6/10 8/10
Best
Ingredient Quality 7/10 9/10
Best
Value for Money 6/10 8/10
Best
Side Effects 8/10 9/10
Best
Certifications 8/10
Best
8/10
Best
Best Price £29.99 £14.99
Cheapest
Form Powder Powder
Dose 1 scoop (10.5g) 3-6g daily
Third-Party Tested ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Reviews Analysed 2 2

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard ...

Pros

  • +Moderate 175mg caffeine suits most people
  • +Includes 3g creatine monohydrate
  • +Naturally sourced caffeine from green tea and coffee bean
  • +Trusted global brand with Informed Choice certification

Cons

  • -Citrulline severely underdosed at 750mg (need 6-8g for clinical effect)
  • -Beta-alanine below clinical dose at 1.5g
  • -Contains dairy and soya allergens

Best For

Moderate stimulant seekers Those new to pre-workouts
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Applied Nutrition Citrulline Malate

Pros

  • +100% pure citrulline malate, no additives
  • +Informed Sport certified
  • +Easy to stack with existing pre-workouts
  • +Clinical 2:1 ratio matching research protocols

Cons

  • -Unflavoured with slightly sour taste
  • -Only 41 servings at clinical 6g dose
  • -Needs separate scoop measurement for 6g dose

Best For

Stacking with underdosed pre-workouts DIY pre-workout blending
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AI

AI Comparison Analysis

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout vs Applied Nutrition Citrulline Malate

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout is a well-rounded, moderate-stimulant option from one of the most trusted names in sports nutrition. The 175mg naturally sourced caffeine provides clean energy, and the inclusion of creatine is a nice touch. However, the citrulline dose at 750mg is far below clinical levels, and beta-alanine at 1.5g is also underdosed. Best for those who want gentle energy rather than maximum performance enhancement.

Scores: effectiveness: 6/10, ingredient_quality: 7/10, value_for_money: 6/10, side_effects: 8/10, certifications: 8/10, overall: 7/10

Applied Nutrition Citrulline Malate: Applied Nutrition Citrulline Malate is a pure, unflavoured standalone ingredient for those who want to dose citrulline precisely at clinical levels. The 2:1 ratio is the most commonly studied form, and the 250g tub offers good value for the quality. It pairs perfectly with any pre-workout that underdoses citrulline (which is most of them). The Informed Sport certification adds value for competitive athletes.

Scores: effectiveness: 8/10, ingredient_quality: 9/10, value_for_money: 8/10, side_effects: 9/10, certifications: 8/10, overall: 8/10

Disclaimer: AIScored provides AI-generated comparisons based on publicly available reviews. This is not medical advice. Affiliate links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.