Best Vegan B12 Supplement

Vitamin B12 is essential for healthy nervous system function and the production of red blood cells. It’s water soluble, and it’s only found naturally in animal products.

So what’s a vegan to do?

There are two ways of obtaining vegan safe B12: eating fortified, vegan foods, and taking a vegan B12 supplement. So we set out to find the best vegan B12 supplement available.

In our search for the best vitamin B12 brand, we surveyed a wide variety of products, but ended up finding a surprisingly large number that were boutique and lesser known brands. In the end, that’s not surprising. Many doctors and nutritionists consider animal-derived B12 superior to synthetic B12, so few of the major brands are vegan safe.

Synthetic B12 absorbs best through your mucous membranes, not through your digestive system. As a result, a lot of our choices are sublingual drops or lozenges, rather than pills.

Let’s get started!

Best Vegan B12 Supplements Available

1. MaryRuth Organic

MaryRuth Organic Vitamin B12 comes in a convenient spray bottle.

Key Features

• Sublingual spray
• 3,000 micrograms of methylcobalamin
• Natural berry flavor
• GMO-free

MaryRuth Organic Vitamin B12 is a sublingual spray that delivers your B12 dose much more easily than a lozenge or dropper. It has a mild berry flavor that’s inoffensive and easy to swallow.

This is a very highly concentrated spray. The recommended dose of four sprays provides 3,000 micrograms of vitamin B12, which is twelve times the recommended daily value. People who are otherwise healthy should be just fine with two spritzes a week, although people with a B12 deficiency should follow their doctors’ advice when it comes to dosage.

If you’re taking a high dosage, be careful. Taking four spritzes at once can cause nausea. It’s best to take two in the morning, and two more in the evening. Travelers should also be careful. The bottle works just fine when it remains upright, but leaks easily if it’s tilted on its side, bnged, or squeezed.

The 30ml bottle is a great value, and contains sixty four-spray doses. For healthy people, this works out to several months of supply. At this low price, though, you could even take it daily and make out far better financially than you would with other B12 brands.

Pros

• Highly concentrated
• Easy dosing
• Pleasant flavor
• Good value for the money

Cons

• Can cause nausea
• Bottle leaks during travel

This supplement is effective even at low doses, and it’s a great value.

2. Eligen B12

Eligen B12 is the only standard B12 pill on the market that’s also vegan friendly.

Key Features

• 100mg pill
• 1000 micrograms of cyanocobalamin

Eligen B12 is unique on our list, because it’s a standard pill as opposed to a lozenge or drop. It delivers 1,000 micrograms of B12 directly through your gut, by coating the B12 with a special protein which is easily absorbed through your stomach and intestinal lining. Not only does this make Eligen easier to take than most vegan B12 supplements, it also guarantees you won’t experience any nasty aftertaste.

This pill contains 1,000 micrograms in the form of cyanocobalamin, which is a synthetic form of B12. The synthetic variety is more stable than organic methylcobalamin, which allows scientists to do fun things like coat it with proteins.

This pills are expensive, which is to be expected when they’re the only product on the market that does what they can do. Each bottle contains 30 pills, which is a month’s supply for someone with a medical deficiency. Healthy vegans should be just fine taking two pills a week,

Pros

• No aftertaste
• Easy dosing
• Recommended for people who need injections

Cons

• Expensive

This option is ideal for people who need B12 injections for medical reasons.

3. MaryRuth 

MaryRuth’s Vitamin D3 + B12 Gummies are a great way to get your kids to take their vegan supplements.

Key Features

• Vegan gummy vitamins
• 250 micrograms of methylcobalamin, and 25 micrograms of D3
• Strawberry flavor
• GMO-free

MaryRuth’s Vitamin D3 + B12 Gummies contain 250 micrograms of methylcobalamin, along with 25 micrograms of Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is another nutrient that can be hard to find in vegan supplements, so finding it along with B12 is a real treat.

These gummies are 100 percent vegan, made with tapioca and carnauba wax. They dissolve in your mouth, which is important for absorption. Remember how we talked about B12 absorbing best through your mucous membranes? If you’re giving these to kids, you’ll need to make sure they chew them and let them dissolve for a bit before swallowing.

The ingredients used in these gummies seem to absorb some of the flavor of the plastic bottle. It’s BPA-free plastic, but it still adds an off flavor to an otherwise tasty supplement.

Pros

• Great for kids
• Also provides D3
• Affordable

Cons

• Bitter flavor
• Inconsistent absorption

Since D3 can be another tricky nutrient for vegans, combining it with B12 is a smart idea.

4. Solimo

Solimo Time Release Vitamin B12 is a small pill that’s supposed to be taken once a day.

Key Features

• Small pill
• 1,000 micrograms of cyanocobalamin

Solimo Time Release Vitamin B12 contains a 1,000 microgram dose of cyanocobalamin. It’s small and easy to swallow with a couple ounces of water, and leaves no “vitamin” aftertaste in your mouth. This formulation is a timed release, which means it will release B12 throughout your stomach and intestine, maximizing absorption through the entire length of your gut.

Look, we hate to keep beating a dead horse here, but pills just aren’t the best way to get your vegan B12. Your gut isn’t efficient at absorbing synthetic forms of the vitamin. That said, these pills contain four times the recommended daily value, so even if you’re not absorbing them efficiently you’re probably going to get plenty of B12.

Solimo’s B12 pills are very affordable. A single bottle contains 240 pills, which is enough for four months of normal use.

Pros

• Easy dosing
• No aftertaste
• Timed release
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Dubious absorption
• Poor choice for people with a medical deficiency

If you’re having trouble with your current supplement, this one is so cheap it’s worth a shot.

5. Deva

Deva Vegan Sublingual B12 Supplements cost about as much as a cup of coffee per month.

Key Features

• Sublingual tablet
• 1,000 micrograms of methylcobalamin

Deva Vegan Sublingual B12 Supplements are small sublingual tablets that dissolve in one to three minutes. Each tablet contains 1,000 micrograms of B12 in the form of methylcobalamin. As a bonus, they also contain 2mg of vitamin B6, and 400 micrograms of folic acid per serving. While those nutrients aren’t difficult to find on a vegan diet, it’s still nice to get more vitamins.

These tablets may dissolve quickly, but they have an overpowering, sour citrus flavor that leaves a lingering aftertaste. On the other hand, they’re both vegan and very affordable, so you’re still getting a great value for your money.

Make no mistake, Deva’s Vegan Sublingual B12 Supplements are extremely affordable. Each bottle contains 240 tablets, which is almost eight months’ supply for most people. These tablets manage to be so affordable by using some synthetic ingredients. While it’s certified vegan by the Vegan Council, it’s not organic.

Pros

• Also contains B6 and Folic Acid
• Dissolves quickly
• Reliable absorption
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Strong, sour taste
• Not organic

These are quick dissolving tablets that reliably deliver a large dose of B12.

6. Garden of Life

Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw B12 is some of the best absorbing B12 on our list.

Key Features

• Sublingual tablet
• 1,000 micrograms of methylcobalamin

Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw B12 is a small sublingual tablet containing 1,000 micrograms of methylcobalamin. Not only this the organic form of B12, but there are no other vitamins, flavorings, or colorings in these tablets. It’s just pure B12, derived from 100 percent organic fruits and vegetables.

This tablet dissolves quickly, in less than two minutes. Unfortunately, because it’s raw B12, you get to taste it without the benefit of any flavoring or sweetener. It leaves a bitter aftertaste, so we recommend taking your dose just before a meal to wash the flavor away.

If you want top purity, you’re going to pay top price. These tablets come in a 2-pack of 30-capsule bottles, which gives you a two month supply. If you’re not medically B12 deficient and you want to get more bang for your buck, you can get away with taking two lozenges a week.

Pros

• Raw B12
• Excellent absorption
• Hypoallergenic

Cons

• Unpleasant “vitamin” taste
• Pricey

If you like your vitamins as pure as possible, this is how you want to take them.

7. 21st Century

21st Century Sublingual B12 is a great value for the price.

Key Features

• Sublingual tablet
• 5,000 micrograms of cyanocobalamin
• Orange flavor

21st Century Sublingual B12 lozenges deliver a powerful, 5,000-microgram dose of B12. At this strength, one lozenge a week would be sufficient for almost any healthy vegan. On the other hand, anyone who’s suffering from a medical B12 deficiency should consult their doctor about any supplement program.

These lozenges have an orange flavor, but it’s extremely sweet, with a caustic edge that leaves an unpleasant aftertaste. They dissolve quickly, in about a minute, so the initial taste is very brief. You’ll definitely want to drink some water or eat a meal after taking your dose.

These sublingual tablets are one of the best values available. They come in two, 110-tablet bottles, which works out to a few years of supplements if you’re taking them once a week. Even if you’re taking them every day, they still rank better for price than most other B12 supplements.

Pros

• Powerful dosage
• Quick dissolving
• Great value

Cons

• Unpleasant taste

These lozenges deliver a powerful dose of B12 in less than a minute.

8. VeganSafe Drops

VeganSafe B12 drops make it easy to adjust your dosage.

Key Features

• Sublingual drops
• 2,500 micrograms of methylcobalamin per dose
• No artificial ingredients

VeganSafe B12 comes in a 60ml glass bottle, with an eye dropper for easy dosing. The recommended dosage is 1ml, or about 20 drops. That much of this liquid contains 2,500 micrograms of methylcobalamin. If you need a lower or higher dosage, you can always take more or fewer drops to adjust as needed.

These drops have a pleasant, vaguely sweet flavor. The only ingredients are B12, spring water, and vegetable glycerin, which makes it hypoallergenic for most people. It’s also GMO-free, and the glycerine and B12 are organically sourced.  Because there are no additives, the only aftertaste is the sweet flavor of the vegetable glycerin.

When taken as recommended, this is an expensive supplement. However, because it’s easy to adjust the dosage, there’s no reason most people can’t simply take 1,000 micrograms and make the bottle last ten weeks instead of four.

Pros

• Pleasant flavor
• Easy to adjust dosage
• All natural ingredients

Cons

• Pricey

These drops have a pleasant, sweet flavor and go down easily.

9. VitBoost

VitBoost Vegan Liquid B12 Drops have a powerful, 5,000 microgram recommended dosage.

Key Features

• Sublingual drops
• 5,000 micrograms of methylcobalamin
• Raspberry flavor
• GMO-free

VitBoost Vegan Liquid B12 Drops contain 5,000 micrograms of methylcobalamin in each 1ml — 20 drop — dose. This gives you the flexibility of adjusting your dosage however you need to. A single drop under the tongue once a day should provide enough B12 for most people, although it’s best to take more to stay on the safe side.

It’s also affordable to take more. Even the powerful recommended dose gives you two months of supply from one cheap bottle. Of course, this affordability does have some drawbacks. While VitBoost advertises a raspberry flavor, there’s nothing raspberry-like about what you’ll taste when you try these drops. They taste like a multivitamin, and leave a bitter aftertaste that lingers after anything other than a full meal.

These drops are fast acting. Keep them under your tongue for 30 seconds, and you’ll be all set. You’ll feel a slight tingling sensation, thanks to the citric acid.

Pros

• Easy to adjust dosage
• Fast acting
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Strong “vitamin” taste
• Unpleasant aftertaste

This is a fast acting, affordable B12 drop.

10. Designs for Health

Designs For Health Sublingual Vitamin B12 tablets absorb quickly and have a pleasant flavor.

Key Features

• Sublingual tablets
• 5,000 micrograms of methylcobalamin
• Berry flavor
• GMO-free

Designs For Health Sublingual Vitamin B12 is a small lozenge that dissolves under your tongue in one or two minutes. Each tablet contains 5,000 micrograms of B12 in its organic, methylcobalamin form. These lozenges absorb quickly, thanks to the all-natural citric acid, which also causes them to tingle a little.

The flavoring on these lozenges is controversial. It’s a pleasant strawberry/raspberry blend, which leaves a mild, sweet aftertaste. On the other hand, the sweetener used here is luo han guo, which a lot of people think tastes cloying or artificial. This is a matter of personal preference, but it’s something to be aware of.

The Designs For Health lozenges are powerful enough to be useful for people who have a medical B12 deficiency. As in all medical cases, talk to your doctor before making any changes to your supplements.

Pros

• Good for people with a medical deficiency
• Pleasant flavor
• Powerful dosage
• Quick absorption

Cons

• Luo han guo sweetener tastes “fake”

This is a powerful sublingual tablet for people with a medical B12 deficiency.

11. Simple Supplements

Simple Supplementation B12 drops provide 5,000 micrograms of B12 per dose.

Key Features

• Sublingual drops
• 5,000 micrograms of methylcobalamin
• Cherry flavor
• All natural ingredients

Simple Supplementation B12 drops are an affordable way to get your full daily supply of B12. Each 20-drop dose contains 5,000 micrograms of methylcobalamin, in an all-natural liquid solution of distilled water, vegetable glycerin, potassium sorbate, and natural cherry flavoring.

This supplement is powerful enough that a healthy person would get plenty of B12 from just one or two drops daily. However, a 5,000 microgram dose is powerful enough even for most people with medical deficiencies, which is why the manufacturer sets their dosage so high.

The cherry flavoring tastes just fine, but it tastes like every cherry medicine you’ve ever taken. If this flavor is likely to make you gag, you’ll probably want to take a different supplement. If not, it leaves a mild, sweet aftertaste, with no “vitamin” flavor to speak of.

Pros

• Easy to adjust dosage
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Tastes like medicine

This is a powerful, affordable supplement.

12. BulkSupplements

BulkSupplements B12 is a B12 powder mixed with dicalcium phosphate.

Key Features

• Supplement powder
• 2,000 micrograms of cyanocobalamin
• No additives

BulkSupplements B12 is the most affordable vegan B12 supplement we’ve seen. It’s a mixture of 1 percent cyanocobalamin and 99 percent dicalcium phosphate, to prevent you from accidentally overdosing on B12, which is actually a danger with these types of products.

The recommended dose is still incredibly small — just 200mg — which gives you 2mg, or 2,000 micrograms, of B12. This works out to roughly a tenth of a teaspoon, so you’ll need to invest in a small milligram scale in order to make any kind of accurate measurements.

Once you’ve measured it out, scoop up the powder with

Pros

• Easy absorption
• Very inexpensive

Cons

• You’ll need a milligram scale

If you’re looking for the most affordable long-term vegan B12 supplement, this is it.

Bottom Line

In our search for the best vitamin B12 supplement, we came across a variety of options, from medical suppliers to independent shops. We also came across various flavors, qualities, and prices. What’s the best B12 for vegans? It’s the one that meets your needs the best.

One thing that we didn’t talk about much was your non-supplement method for eating B12: eating fortified foods. This sounds convenient, but you run into a lot of the same issues you find when you’re looking for supplements. Most of the name brand fortified cereals and energy bars aren’t vegan.

If you’re going to eat B12 fortified vegan foods, look for non-dairy milk, protein bars, and nutritional yeasts. Those are the most commonly available options from reliable suppliers.

We hope our vegan B12 supplement reviews have helped you find exactly what you need. Even if you chose an alternative supplement, we hope you learned something new today.