While a multivitamin is not essential for everyone, it can be helpful when you aren’t able to get the nutrients you need from your diet alone. This might be the case with dietary restrictions, increased nutrient needs during specific life stages (like pregnancy), or with certain health conditions. No matter what the reason, the best gummy vitamins offer a safe and effective way to meet your daily requirements. Additionally, the chewable nature of gummy vitamins makes them a good substitute whenever swallowing pills is troublesome.
When looking to buy gummy vitamins, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. First and foremost, be leery of too many added sugars, especially if you’re insulin-sensitive or diabetic, as consuming too many gummies can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels. Additionally, for people following a vegan diet or a kosher lifestyle, be aware that some varieties are made with gelatin. To bring you our top 10 favorite gummy options, our team of registered dietitians looked at independent verification certifications, amount of vitamins and minerals, added ingredients, sugars, and cost.
Editor’s Note
Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every single supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology.
Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs, and to find out what dosage to take.
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Contains 8 grams of added sugar, which may not be suitable for some
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Not suitable for those following a vegan diet
Key Specs:
Key Nutrients: Vitamin D, B vitamins, omega-3s | Servings Per Container: 30 | Serving Size: 6 gummies | Grams of Sugar: 8 grams
Who’s It For
Best for those looking for a product that is free of the top allergens and uses natural colors and flavors. Also ideal for those looking for a sustainably sourced fish oil.
Why We Recommend It
SmartyPants Adult Formula is a great option to supplement your diet with and in a tasty way. This pick earns high marks for its reliable quality and stellar ingredient list. It is also NSF certified, meaning each batch is independently verified to ensure it contains what the label says with no harmful substances.
Omega-3s are the standout nutrient in fish oil, which shows improved health outcomes for cardiovascular disease, cognitive functioning, inflammation, and more. The omega-3 fish oil in this multivitamin is sourced from sustainable fisheries and comes from only small fish to minimize the risk of mercury exposure. These gummies are also made from non-GMO ingredients and are free of the top allergens. To top it off, they use only natural colors from food sources such as organic turmeric and organic black carrot juice.
Things To Consider
SmartyPants does use beef-derived gelatin, making this product unsuitable for vegans or those following a kosher lifestyle. Also, the serving size is a bit larger at six gummies with 8 grams of added sugar, which may not be suitable for some, although this allows the company to fit in more nutrients, including a more robust dose of omega-3s and vitamin D, compared to some other brands.
A Tip From RDs
The gummy versions of supplements are often lower in or miss certain nutrients that may be more easily found in capsules or pills. Therefore, be sure that the nutrients you intend to supplement with are present in the appropriate doses before choosing a gummy option.
Key Specs:
Key Nutrients: Vitamin D, B vitamins, omega-3s | Servings Per Container: 70 | Serving Size: 2 gummies | Grams of Sugar: 4 grams
Who’s It For
Best for those looking for a simple multivitamin without the need for extra minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium.
Why We Recommend It
If you’re looking for an affordable multivitamin option in a gummy format, Nature Made Multivitamin + Omega-3s could be the one for you. Additionally, you can trust the quality since it is independently verified and USP certified, ensuring that the ingredients and manufacturing processes have been tested and verified.
Nature Made uses glucose syrup, sugar, and natural flavors for taste, keeping the sugar content to 4 grams per serving. In addition to vitamins A, Bs, C, D, and E, it also contains a small amount of omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA.
Things To Consider
While it is a multivitamin, it falls short on some nutrients, and you won’t be able to rely on this gummy to meet your mineral needs; it does not contain calcium, iron, magnesium, or selenium, and the zinc dosage provides less than 50 percent of the RDA. It also contains pork-derived gelatin and the color additive carmine, so we don’t recommend it if you are following a kosher lifestyle or vegan diet.
Key Specs:
Key Nutrients: Folate, vitamin D, iodine | Servings Per Container: 30 | Serving Size: 4 gummies | Grams of Sugar: 5 grams
Who’s It For
Best for women on a vegan or kosher diet who also want a gummy that is naturally sweetened with fruit purees and juices.
Why We Recommend It
Garden of Life prides itself on providing a more natural option using whole food ingredients and minimizing additives. The company uses fruit purees and juices instead of syrups to sweeten the gummies, and because Garden of Life uses organic pectin instead of gelatin, this gummy is a good option for vegans and those keeping a Kosher diet. It’s also certified organic and non-GMO.
We appreciated that these gummies have a less sticky texture compared to typical gummies, making them less likely to stick to your teeth.
Things To Consider
This gummy is NSF-certified gluten-free. However, it is not independently verified for ingredient purity and potency to ensure there is no contamination. Keep in mind that this product is not a good source of zinc or calcium.
Key Specs:
Key Nutrients: Folate, vitamin D, iodine | Servings Per Container: 30 | Serving Size: 4 gummies | Grams of Sugar: 6 grams
Who’s It For
Best if you are pregnant and already eating a mostly well-balanced diet and not entirely relying on a supplement to meet micro-nutrient needs.
Why We Recommend It
For expectant people dealing with morning sickness and food aversions, SmartyPants prenatal stands out as a top choice. It not only contains important prenatal nutrients such as folate, vitamin D, iodine, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, but it also delivers them in high-quality forms such as methylated B vitamins; the methylated form is easier for your body to use. Folate, vitamin B9, is especially important during pregnancy to develop the neural tube, which becomes the baby’s brain and spine, preventing neural tube defects.
This product contains omega-3s and biotin, both of which are important for fetal development. Specifically, omega-3s are a critical part of helping develop the brain and retina in babies.
This prenatal is tested for purity by the Clean Label Project for contaminants and additives. It’s also allergen-free, gluten-free, and does not use artificial colors or sweeteners.
Things To Consider
Some nutrients in this supplement don’t meet the recommended levels. The gummies contain a small amount of choline (12 percent of the RDA for pregnancy) and DHA (less than 38 percent of the recommendation), which means you might have to add other supplements or make up for those in the diet. They are also entirely missing iron, magnesium, and calcium.
If you have gestational diabetes, you may want to pay extra attention to how these could fit into your day since they contain added sugar from organic cane sugar and organic tapioca syrup. Also, this product does contain gelatin, so it is not vegan.
Key Specs:
Key Nutrients: Vitamin D, vitamin E, CoQ10 | Servings Per Container: 45 | Serving Size: 2 gummies | Grams of Sugar: 2 grams
Who’s It For
Best for men not following a vegan diet who want a product that contains coenzyme Q10, which some studies suggest may help boost fertility and performance.
Why We Recommend It
To address dietary gaps with a great-tasting gummy, we recommend Olly Men’s Multivitamin. This NSF-certified option provides a variety of nutrients that are beneficial for men’s health, including zinc, selenium, and coenzyme Q10, which may also be particularly helpful for male fertility. However, it’s worth noting that incorporating food sources of these nutrients in your diet is still important because the doses in this gummy are below the recommended daily value.
These gummies are sweetened with glucose syrup and beet sugar and contain only 2 grams of sugar per serving. Still, they taste great and have a very similar feel to regular gummy candy.
Things To Consider
Olly uses the synthetic forms of some nutrients, such as folic acid and B12, instead of the active forms, which may be less easily used by your body.
If you are vegan or following a kosher lifestyle, this multivitamin wouldn’t be ideal because it does contain pork-derived gelatin.
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NSF certified
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Contains omega-3s
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No synthetic dyes
Key Specs:
Key Nutrients: Vitamin D3, vitamin B12, omega-3s | Servings Per Container: 30 | Serving Size: 4 gummies | Grams of Sugar: 5 grams
Who’s It For
Best if you want an independently verified product that is free of the top nine allergens, but also comes in different flavors to keep things tasty and versatile for kids.
Why We Recommend It
We like this SmartyPants pick because it provides important nutrients that many kids may be missing in their diets, such as vitamin D, iodine, and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains high-quality forms of nutrients without a lot of additives, such as synthetic dyes and flavors. You can be confident in the quality and purity of this kid’s formula because it earned an NSF certification.
The gummies are free of the top nine allergens and gluten-free, making this a safer option for many children. We also love that these gummies come in a variety of flavors, as kids tend to get picky about taking their vitamins. This allows them to rotate through different flavors or stick to the one they like best.
Things To Consider
SmartyPants is sweetened with 5 grams of organic cane sugar and organic tapioca syrup, which may not be suitable for some, as it is 20 percent of the recommended daily added sugar limit for kids.
Good to Know
There is a risk with any great-tasting, candy-like supplement that too many will be consumed, especially by children. To avoid potential overconsumption, keep gummy vitamins out of reach. Always read the label and do not consume more gummies than the recommended dose or the amount outlined by your healthcare practitioner.
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More expensive
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Contain a sugar alcohol
Key Specs:
Key Nutrients: Vitamin D, A, C, B12 and Zinc | Servings Per Container: 28 | Serving Size: 1 gummy | Grams of Sugar: 0 grams
Who’s It For
Best for those who want a customizable option and a subscription-based product that is shipped to you.
Why We Recommend It
If you’re looking for a cool new way to take your vitamins, Nourished provides an interesting option that also allows you to personalize your own blend to meet your specific needs. These stacked gummies provide various vitamins, such as zinc, Vitamin A, D, C, and B12, among others; plus, different stacks are curated to match different needs.
What makes this company stand out is that you can take a mini quiz to determine what vitamins and minerals may be necessary for you; you then get a custom stack, which you can have shipped to you based on a subscription. These gummies are also vegan, sugar-free, and non-GMO.
Things To Consider
Keep in mind that these gummies contain erythritol, a sugar alcohol that may not be suitable for all.
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Vegan
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Gluten-free
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Third-party tested
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Only one flavor
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Not sugar-free
Key Specs:
Key Nutrients: Vitamin C | Servings Per Container: 35 | Serving Size: 2 gummies | Grams of Sugar: 2 grams
Who It’s For
Best for those looking for added immune support who don’t typically meet their daily value of Vitamin C through diet.
Why We Recommend It
MegaFood’s C Defense Gummies have a tangy citrus flavor that packs plenty of vitamin C in every two-gummy serving. With 200 percent of your recommended daily value, these gummies offer immune support in addition to benefiting your skin with 180 milligrams of vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid. They also include a 120-milligram organic blend of orange, cranberry, blueberry, and ginger root made with ingredients from farm partners using regenerative agriculture.
These vitamins are pectin-based for a certified vegan formula that’s free from gelatin. Each gummy has only 1 gram of sugar for 2 grams per serving, and they’re also gluten-free, made without common food allergens, and third-party tested for quality.
Things to Consider
They aren’t completely sugar-free, and they only come in one tangy flavor that may not appeal to all users.
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Only one flavor
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Not sugar-free
Key Specs:
Key Nutrients: Vitamin D3 | Servings Per Container: 60 | Serving Size: 1 gummy | Grams of Sugar: 2 grams
Who It’s For
Best for those seeking a Vitamin D3 supplement that’s formulated with the same type of vitamin D your body naturally makes from sunlight.
Why We Recommend It
The Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3 Gummies are designed to support your mood and immune system in addition to helping your body maintain healthy bones. These wild berry-flavored gummies include 25 micrograms (1000 IU) of D3 per gummy for 125 percent of your daily recommended value. The formula uses cholecalciferol for easy absorption, as this form of vitamin D is the same form your body naturally makes when exposed to sunlight.
Like all vitamins and supplements from Nordic Naturals, the D3 gummies are third-party tested for purity and freshness. They’re also non-GMO, gluten- and dairy-free, and made without any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Things to Consider
They only come in one flavor, and while they’re low in sugar, they aren’t sugar-free.
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Vegan
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Gluten-free
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Third-party tested
Key Specs:
Key Nutrients: Vitamin B12 | Servings Per Container: 35 | Serving Size: 2 gummies | Grams of Sugar: 2 grams
Who It’s For
Best for adults seeking a bioavailable B12 vitamin that can be taken daily for energy support.
Why We Recommend It
MegaFood’s B12 Energy Gummies are bioavailable thanks to their formula made with methyl B12. These gummies are designed to support cellular energy production, cognitive health, and nervous system health. Along with B12, they include 100 milligrams of organic cranberry and just 2 grams of sugar. They can also be taken with or without food, making it easier to fit them into your daily routine.
While they contain 1,000 percent of your daily recommended value of B12 at 24 micrograms per serving, this is considered safe, as your body only absorbs as much as it needs. We also like that these vitamins are certified USDA organic, gluten-free, made without common food allergens, and certified vegan with a pectin-based formula that doesn’t use gelatin. If cranberry isn’t your favorite, they come in a ginger flavor made with 100 milligrams of organic ginger root. And like MegaFood’s vitamin C gummies, they’re third-party tested for quality.
Things to Consider
While they’re low in sugar, they aren’t completely sugar-free.
Who Should or Shouldn’t Take a Gummy Vitamin?
Gummy Vitamins aren’t necessary for everyone, but there are certain situations where buying these vitamins can be a great fit. The following people would benefit from a gummy vitamin:
- People who have trouble swallowing pills. Gummy vitamins offer an alternative way to meet nutrient needs without having to deal with capsules. If liquids or chewables aren’t appealing, gummy vitamins can be a nice alternative for kids and adults alike.
- People who forget to take their vitamins. If taking standard vitamins feels like a chore, switching to a more flavorful option like a gummy can be an easy way to make it a more interesting part of your daily routine.
- Those with dietary restrictions. If your diet is limited because you have a food allergy or choose to avoid certain foods, you may need some extra help meeting your nutrient needs through a supplement. Vegans should opt for a gummy without gelatin.
- Kids who need to take vitamins. When kids need to take vitamins, it is often much easier to get them to take gummies. Though most kids don’t need supplements, pediatric Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and author Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN, creator of Solve Picky Eating, notes that gummy vitamins may be worth considering for “kids who are plant-based, vegan or vegetarian, or missing entire food groups from the diet, kids who have food allergies or intolerances, and children with chronic health issues such as celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and malabsorption issues.”
If you eat a varied, omnivorous diet and do not experience any health conditions, you likely do not need a multivitamin supplement. However, if a healthcare provider has recommended a multivitamin, there are some cases where you should choose a non-gummy option.
- Those with iron deficiency. Most gummy multivitamins do not contain iron or contain a very low dose because it is a bulkier mineral to include and has a taste that is trickier to mask. If you have low iron levels, opt for a multivitamin that includes this nutrient, or be sure to add on iron in another form.
- People after bariatric surgery. The physical changes post-surgery require a higher dosage of nutrients than most gummy vitamins provide. Gummy vitamins are also often missing key minerals that are important in this population, such as iron and calcium.
- People with diabetes. Since many gummy vitamins contain sugar, people who need to pay more attention to blood sugar levels, like those with diabetes or PCOS, may want to look for alternative options.
How We Selected the Best Gummy Vitamins
Our dietitians put together this list of the best gummy vitamins by considering a variety of products with different ingredients that would fit various preferences and needs. In refining the list, we considered these key qualities.
- Vitamin and Mineral content: A multivitamin shouldn’t be your sole source of micro-nutrients, but we looked for products that contain close to 100 percent of the DV (Daily Value) for basic vitamins like A, C, D, E, K, and B vitamins, with some picks also including omega-3s and minerals like zinc, calcium and so forth. Based on your current diet and any additional needs, you will want to prioritize which gummy vitamin fits that criteria.
- Added sugar: When you opt for a gummy vitamin as opposed to a traditional capsule, it’s tough to avoid added sugar. We looked for products that contain no more than 8 grams of sugar per serving and also included product picks that use fruit juices to sweeten gummies. However, keep in mind that the current recommendation is to limit added sugar to no more than 10 percent of your daily caloric intake; this would translate to less than 50 grams per day on a 2,000-calorie diet. Some gummy vitamins may also contain artificial sugars and sugar alcohols, which can cause stomach upset in some people.
What To Look for in Gummy Vitamins
- Allergens: If you have any food allergies or sensitivities, always check the ingredient list to ensure that the supplement that you are selecting is safe for you.
- Gelatin: Gelatin is a common ingredient in gummies that creates the desired texture. It is made from animal bones and tissues and thus is not a vegan ingredient. Depending on the source and processing, it may not be considered Kosher either. If you are searching for a gelatin-free option, look for gummy vitamins that use pectin instead.
- Sweeteners: All gummy vitamins use some kind of sugar or alternative sweetener. People with certain health conditions, like diabetes, may want to pay closer attention to added sugar amounts and choose options that are lower in sugar. Additionally, some sweeteners, like sugar alcohols, may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, so take note of these ingredients if you are sensitive.
- Dosage: The dosage for the vitamins and minerals in a gummy supplement will vary by product. Although there isn’t a standard dose for multivitamins, on the label, you will see that manufacturers use the daily values (DVs), dietary reference intakes (DRIs), or adequate intakes (AIs) to quantify dosing. Some supplement companies add more than the recommended amount of certain vitamins and minerals, so take care to get your vitamin and mineral levels checked to make sure you are not exceeding your body’s needs. The ideal dosage for you will depend on your diet, life stage, and medical needs. Check with a healthcare provider to personalize a supplement choice that contains the nutrients most relevant for you.
- Independent Verification: Choosing a gummy vitamin that is independently verified is highly important. The ConsumerLab testing group found that gummy vitamins were more likely than other vitamins to contain unreliable levels of nutrients. Since the nutrients can degrade over time, companies may put in higher levels of certain nutrients to make up for potential losses. Some manufacturing processes (like spraying the nutrients onto a finished gummy product) could also yield much lower levels of nutrients in the gummy. It’s important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend. Based on this methodology, we picked gummy vitamins with important independent verification certifications.
How Much To Take
Though vitamins and minerals are essential for health, you can have too much of a good thing. Children who mistake gummy vitamins for candy may overeat them, which will usually only lead to minor side effects like upset stomach and diarrhea. However, if the gummies contain iron or gummy vitamins are eaten in large quantities over an extended period of time, there is an increased risk of vitamin and mineral toxicity.
Nutrients to pay attention to:
Iron: Most gummy vitamins do not contain iron, but some do. If your gummy contains iron, take note that overconsumption of iron can lead to uncomfortable and potentially dangerous outcomes, including stomach discomfort and vomiting. When very high doses of iron are consumed (27 mg per pound), there is potential for organ failure, coma, and even death.
Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, which means they are stored in the fat tissue and liver. If you consume too much, the levels can accumulate in the body and lead to problematic outcomes.
- Vitamin A: Too much vitamin A can cause joint pain, irritated skin, nausea, or more extreme liver damage and birth defects. Certain forms of vitamin A pose a higher risk of toxicity, such as retinol, retinyl acetate, and retinyl palmitate. Beta-carotene and carotenoids are less risky.
- Vitamin D: Taking too much vitamin D can raise the calcium levels in the body too high, causing pain, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, kidney stones, or even kidney failure and heart disease. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for vitamin D is set at 4,000 IUs, though the Food and Nutrition Board committee noted adverse symptoms are unlikely at intakes below 10,000 IUs. Getting blood levels tested to see the actual vitamin D status is the most reliable way to determine risk for toxicity.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E toxicity appears to be less likely, though still possible, especially from long-term excessive intake. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) is set at 1,000mg for adults. Risks include hemorrhage and stroke.
- Vitamin K: Too much vitamin K has not been shown to be associated with toxicity risk.
Iodine: Iodine is a trace element that is vital for thyroid health. However, taking too much iodine can damage your thyroid. So it is important not to exceed the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs) for iodine of 1,100mcg for adults.
Our Experts
To help come up with our list of top gummy vitamins, we consulted with the following experts:
- Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC, CPT, a Registered Dietitian and author of “Fueling Male Fertility.”
- Malina Malkani, MS, RDN, CDN, a pediatric Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and author/creator of “Solve Picky Eating.”
- Shushy Rita Setrakian, MS, RDN, a Registered Dietitian who works with patients to meet their health goals and educates patients on the appropriate usage of supplements to optimize their nutritional status and overall health. She also specializes in supplement research and analysis.
Why Trust Verywell Fit
Alexandra Paetow is a writer for Verywell Fit and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with a master’s degree in nutrition education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is the Founder of Thrive and Bloom Nutrition, a private practice specializing in maternal nutrition. Alexandra specializes in nutrition through preconception, prenatal, and postpartum life stages. She uses intuitive eating principles to help women learn to trust and care for their changing bodies by breaking the diet cycle, building a positive relationship with food, and healing body image struggles. As a mom of two (soon to be three!), she understands the importance of low-stress, practical strategies and the profound impact that mom’s nutrition and body image can have on the whole family.