Supplement Comparison
One in five people in Australia are clinically deficient. Many of the same people are taking the wrong form. This page ranks 11 popular vitamin D products by molecule (D3 vs D2 vs calcifediol), origin (lanolin vs vegan lichen), and price per 1000 IU.
Last updated: July 28, 2026 · Sources: NIH ODS, Endocrine Society 2011 (Holick), Tripkovic 2012 meta-analysis
Best absorption
Calcifediol (25(OH)D)
Pre-hydroxylated form. 3× more potent per mcg than cholecalciferol. Useful for liver issues, obesity, severe deficiency.
Best budget
Nature's Own D3 1000 (200 caps)
AUD $9.99 / 200 caps = AUD $0.05 per 1000 IU. Cheapest per-IU on the AU pharmacy shelf.
Best vegan
Herbs of Gold D3 Liquid
D3 from lichen (NOT lanolin). Pineapple flavour, 200 drops per bottle. The only truly vegan D3 in our 10-brand directory.
Compare 11 popular vitamin D products on form, dose per capsule, bioavailability score, vegan status, and Thailand availability. Prices are per bottle; per-1000-IU cost follows the math at the top of each card.
| Brand / Product | Form | Dose | Caps | Bioavail | Price (date) | TH | Vegan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1,000 IU | 60 | 3/5 | $14.49 2026-07-22 | ✓ | — | |
| Calcifediol (25(OH)D) | 1,000 IU | 90 | 4/5 | $27.99 2026-07-22 | — | — | |
| D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1,000 IU | 60 | 3/5 | $12.95 2026-07-22 | ✓ | — | |
| D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1,000 IU | 200 | 3/5 | $21.99 2026-07-22 | — | — | |
| D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1,000 IU | 60 | 3/5 | $17.50 2026-07-22 | — | — | |
| D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1,000 IU | 270 | 3/5 | $40.99 2026-07-22 | — | — | |
| D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1,000 IU | 120 | 3/5 | $29.95 2026-07-22 | — | — | |
| D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1,000 IU | 200 | 3/5 | $29.95 2026-07-22 | — | ✓ | |
| D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1,000 IU | 200 | 3/5 | $9.99 2026-07-22 | — | — | |
| D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1,000 IU | 100 | 3/5 | price not verified | ✓ | — | |
| D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1,000 IU | 60 | 3/5 | $18.00 2026-07-22 | — | — |
Bioavailability 1/5 = weakest absorption, 5/5 = strongest. Vistra (TH) and Interpharma (TH) confirmed NOT to make standalone Vitamin D SKUs as of 2026 — see the brand matrix for details.
Bioavailability: 3/5
The form your skin makes from sunlight. Comes from lanolin (sheep wool) in most supplements. Requires liver + kidney hydroxylation to become active calcitriol. The Tripkovic 2012 meta-analysis settled the long-running D2 vs D3 debate: D3 raises serum 25(OH)D significantly more than D2.
Best for: the vast majority of people. Cheap, well-studied, sufficient for anyone without liver or kidney disease.
Bioavailability: 1/5
The plant and fungal form (UV-exposed mushrooms). Once considered interchangeable with D3, now considered second-line: Tripkovic 2012 (BMJ) showed D2 raises 25(OH)D less efficiently than D3, and may even trigger faster breakdown of the body's own D stores. Preserved in this comparison only because some prescription supplements still use it.
Best for: situations where D3 is contraindicated (rare). Most people should avoid.
Bioavailability: 4/5
Already hydroxylated once — what the liver produces from D3 before the kidney activates it. 3× more potent per microgram than cholecalciferol. Endorsed by the Endocrine Society 2011 guideline (Holick) as preferred for people with liver disease, obesity (vitamin D gets trapped in fat tissue), or severe deficiency. Now widely available OTC in Australia as Swisse Ultiboost Fast-Acting.
Best for: liver conditions, BMI >30, severe deficiency (25(OH)D < 30 nmol/L), people whose D3 blood tests aren't responding despite months of supplementation.
Bioavailability: 3/5 (with caveat)
Vegans and strict vegetarians cannot take the standard lanolin-derived D3. A few brands now extract cholecalciferol from UV-exposed lichen (a slow-growing northern-hemisphere algae-fungus symbiosis). The molecule is identical to animal-sourced D3 and absorbs the same way per NIH ODS, but supply is limited. Expect to pay 1.5–2× per IU for the privilege of being vegan.
Best for: vegans, vegetarians, anyone who avoids animal-derived ingredients for religious reasons (some halal-conscious users).
Per the US Institute of Medicine (IOM 2011) and the Australian NHMRC. Deficiency (<50 nmol/L 25(OH)D) is common at higher latitudes.
| Group | RDA / AI (IU/day) | UL (IU/day) |
|---|---|---|
| Infants 0–12 months | 400 | 1,000 |
| Children 1–8 years | 600 | 2,500 |
| Children 9–18 years | 600 | 4,000 |
| Adults 19–70 years | 600 | 4,000 |
| Adults >70 years | 800 | 4,000 |
| Pregnancy / lactation | 600 | 4,000 |
Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/) · UL = tolerable upper intake level · Many clinicians prescribe 1000–2000 IU/day for maintenance in deficient adults, well below the 4000 IU UL.
Best budget
AUD $9.99 / 200 caps at Chemist Warehouse — cheapest per 1000 IU in the AU pharmacy channel. Plain cholecalciferol, no frills.
Best absorption
Calcifediol (25(OH)D) — already hydroxylated, 3× more potent per mcg. The right choice for liver issues, obesity, or stubborn deficiency.
Best vegan
Vegan D3 from lichen. Pineapple flavour, 200 drops per bottle. The only truly vegan option in our 10-brand directory.
Best Thailand-available
Available at Watsons, Boots, and independent Thai pharmacies. Plain cholecalciferol — works fine for tropical doses.
Best practitioner-grade
NSF Certified for Sport. Four rounds of third-party testing. Recommended by functional medicine practitioners. Available on iHerb.
Best for high-dose corrective
Large size-270 tub for long-term maintenance after a clinically diagnosed deficiency. AUD $40.99 at Chemist Warehouse.
Vitamin D toxicity (hypervitaminosis D) is rare but real. Hypercalcemia can damage kidneys and heart. The 4000 IU/day UL is conservative; clinicians prescribe higher for severe deficiency but require blood tests every 3 months.
These 10 brands are featured on every vitfacts.com comparison page. We track them for ingredient transparency, third-party testing, and Thailand availability.
Since 1969
One of the most globally recognised Australian brands, dominating the market with comprehensive multivitamins and targeted wellness blends.
Since 1932
A heritage naturopathic brand spanning over 90 years, known for rigorous ingredient sourcing and massive pharmacy presence throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Since 1993
A premium, practitioner-only brand (owned by Blackmores) offering highly concentrated, clinical-strength formulas that are frequently recommended by healthcare professionals.
Since 1986
A high-quality pharmacy brand heavily focused on evidence-based ingredients, widely known for its "Inner Health" probiotic range and highly absorbable magnesium powders.
Since 1980s
Born in Australia, this brand formulates therapeutic herbal and nutritional supplements with a strict focus on purity, offering many vegan-friendly options.
Since 1970s
One of Australia's longest-running and most accessible vitamin brands, providing a massive, budget-friendly range found in most major supermarkets and pharmacies.
Since 1982
A leading pharmaceutical-grade supplement brand in Southeast Asia, widely trusted by Thai consumers for its fish oil and targeted clinical nutrition products.
Since 1984
While based in the US, Thorne is heavily imported and highly sought after by functional medicine practitioners globally—including in both Australia and Thailand. It is considered a gold standard due to its strict four-round testing protocol and complete absence of unnecessary fillers or binders.
Why these 10? See the VitFacts editorial policy page (forthcoming) for the criteria — minimum 10 years of documented safety record, public certificate-of-analysis policy, and verifiable Thailand distribution.
