Creatine Comparison

Creatine powder and capsules

Monohydrate vs. Hydrochloride vs. Kre-Alkalyn® – Which Creatine is Best?

Creatine has become one of the most popular and well-researched supplements for athletes and fitness enthusiasts looking to enhance strength, power, and muscle growth. With different forms of creatine flooding the market, it’s easy to get lost in the marketing hype. Shop NOW® Sports Creatine products in our Mass Building category.

Let’s break it down in simple terms. The most common types include Creatine Monohydrate (Capsules, Powder), Creatine Hydrochloride, and Kre-Alkalyn®. So let's find out, which one is best for performance, absorption, and overall value?

NOW Sports Creatine Monohydrate Powder and Capsules

Creatine Monohydrate: The Gold Standard

If you’ve heard of creatine, chances are you’re familiar with Creatine Monohydrate. It’s been extensively researched and is widely regarded as the most effective and cost-efficient form available.

Key Benefits of Creatine Monohydrate:

  • Nearly 100% bioavailability (your body absorbs and uses it well)
  • Proven to enhance strength, power, and muscle growth*
  • Backed by decades of clinical research
  • Most affordable form of creatine

Despite claims from other creatine variations, monohydrate remains the most scientifically validated form for increasing muscle creatine stores and improving performance.*

Solubility & Absorption: Moderate – dissolves best in warm water, but absorption in the body is still highly efficient.

Best For: Athletes, weightlifters, and anyone looking for a well-studied, effective, and affordable creatine supplement.

Creatine Hydrochloride: The “Highly Soluble” Option

Creatine Hydrochloride is marketed as a more water-soluble version of creatine that may require a lower dosage due to claims of better absorption.

Key Benefits:

  • Highly soluble in water, making it easier to mix
  • Requires smaller doses (claimed, but not well-supported)
  • May reduce bloating or stomach discomfort for some users

However, despite its solubility, studies show no significant difference in muscle creatine retention or performance benefits compared to creatine monohydrate. Plus, it’s often more expensive. NOW® Sports does not offer a creatine hydrochloride product.

Solubility & Absorption: High – dissolves well, but higher solubility doesn’t necessarily mean better results.

Best For: Individuals who experience bloating with creatine monohydrate or prefer a more easily mixable creatine.

NOW Sports Kre-Alkalyn Creatine

Kre-Alkalyn®: Buffered Creatine

Kre-Alkalyn® is a pH-buffered form of creatine that claims to enhance absorption and reduce the need for a loading phase. It’s marketed as a “no-bloat” alternative to creatine monohydrate.

Key Benefits:

  • Unique pH-buffered formula that is stable throughout the GI tract
  • Some reports of improved endurance and strength*
  • May reduce digestive discomfort*

However, studies comparing Kre-Alkalyn® to Creatine Monohydrate show no significant differences in muscle creatine content, strength, or performance.* Some users may prefer it for potential digestive benefits.

Solubility & Absorption: Marketed as high, but research is limited.

Best For: Those looking for an alternative to monohydrate who don’t mind paying more for potential digestive benefits.

Conclusion: Stick with Monohydrate

While creatine hydrochloride and Kre-Alkalyn® make bold claims about absorption and effectiveness, the truth is creatine monohydrate remains the best option based on science. It’s the most studied, proven, and cost-effective form of creatine available.

If you want a supplement that delivers real results without the extra cost or marketing hype, go with creatine monohydrate. Your muscles (and your wallet) will thank you.

Ready to power up your workouts?

Choose NOW® Sports high-quality, tested, and trusted Creatine Monohydrate (Capsules, Powder) and start seeing the difference in your performance today!

Comparison of Different Forms of Creatine on Key Features:

 

Feature

Creatine Monohydrate (CrM)

Creatine Hydrochloride (Cr-HCl)

Kre-Alkalyn®

Solubility

Moderate

Better in warm water

High, due to hydrochloride group

Marketed as high, limited proof

Bioavailability

Nearly 100%, gold standard

Claims higher but lacks robust proof

Claims higher but lacks significant data

Physio-chemical properties

Crystalized

87.9% creatine by weight

78.2% creatine by weight

Acidic

Buffered pH (>12)

Reduced degradation

Stability

Stable as powder

Degrades in liquids

Stable in acidic environments

Marketed as stable

Limited data

Cost efficiency

Most affordable

More expensive

Mid-range

Scientific support

Extensive research

Proven effectiveness

Limited independent studies

Few independent studies

Marketing claims

Comparison of Different Forms of Creatine on Performance and Physiological Parameters:

Comparison

Factor to analysis

Results

References

Kre-Alkalyn®  vs. Creatine Monohydrate

  • Muscle creatine content*
  • Body composition*
  • Strength*
  • Anaerobic capacity*
  • No significant difference between the two
  • No evidence that Kre-Alkalyn® resulted in fewer side effects than creatine monohydrate

(1)

Kre-Alkalyn® vs. Creatine Monohydrate

  • Performance*
  • Kre-Alkalyn® group showed average performance increase of 10.76% across various lifts, compared to an 8.39% increase in creatine monohydrate*
  • Kre-Alkalyn® exhibited a significant increase in VO2 max and favorable changes in cholesterol and triglyceride levels*

(2)

Creatine HCl vs. Creatine Monohydrate

  • Physical performance (strength, power and endurance)*
  • Hormonal changes (testosterone and cortisol levels*
  • Ergogenic effectiveness (short-term physical performance improvement)*
  • No significant differences between 3g CHCl and 3 g or 20 gr CRM (creatine monohydrate) regarding muscle creatine content, strength, anaerobic capacity, and hormonal changes*
  • 20 g CRM improved explosive power and strength significantly compared to the pre-test*
  • No significant improvements were observed with 3g CHL or 3g CRM*
  • 20g CRM showed significant increase in peak, minimum, and mean power*
  • CHCl claims higher absorption and no need for a loading phase, but evidence supports otherwise in short-term supplementation*

(3)

Kre-Alkalyn® vs. Creatine monohydrate

  • Muscle creatine content*
  • Body composition*
  • Strength*
  • Anaerobic capacity*
  • No significant difference content between groups
  • Both groups showed increases in body composition metrics (fat-free mass, body weight) over time, with no significant differences*

(4)

Creatine HCl vs. Creatine Monohydrate

  • Oxidative stress*
  • Muscle damage*
  • Physical performance*
  • Body composition*
  • Both creatine reduced oxidative stress markers with no significant differences between the two*
  • No significant differences in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) between two creatine groups, and both showed less muscle damage than the placebo*
  • Improvement in muscle strength, endurance, and power were observed in both groups, with no significant differences between creatine HCl and creatine monohydrate.*
  • Both groups showed significant increases in skeletal muscle mass and reductions in body fat percentage compared to the placebo, with no differences between different creatines.*

(5)

Creatine HCl vs. Creatine Monohydrate
  • Hormonal adaptation*
  • Strength*
  • Hypertrophy*
  • Body composition*
  • Both groups showed increased growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels. There were no significant differences between two creatine groups in hormonal adaptations.*
  • Significant improvements in bench press and leg press strength in all supplementation groups.*
  • Significant increases in skeletal muscle mass (SMM), arm and thigh muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA), and reductions in body fat percentage (PBF) for both creatine groups.*
  • No significant difference between two creatine groups in any of the measured outcomes.
  • Creatine monohydrate remains the more cost-effective option due to similar efficacy and lower price.

(6)

References:

  1. Jagim AR, Oliver JM, Sanchez A, Galvan E, Fluckey J, Riechman S, et al. A buffered form of creatine does not promote greater changes in muscle creatine content, body composition, or training adaptations than creatine monohydrate. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2012;9(1):43.
  2. Golini J. Efficacy and Examination of an Alkaline Buffered Commercial Creatine Supplement-Kre-Alkalyn®, in Athletes. Clin Res. 2015;1(4):87-90.
  3. Tayebi M, Arazi H. Is creatine hydrochloride better than creatine monohydrate for the improvement of physical performance and hormonal changes in young trained men? Science & Sports. 2020;35(5):e135-e41.
  4. Ar J, Jm O, A S, E G, J F, S R, et al. Kre-Alkalyn® supplementation does not promote greater changes in muscle creatine content, body composition, or training adaptations in comparison to creatine monohydrate. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2012;9(Suppl 1):11.
  5. Eghbali E, Riahy S, Arazi H. Creatine hydrochloride or creatine monohydrate plus resistance training: which combination has a greater effect on oxidative stress, muscle damage, performance, and body composition in soldiers? Sport Sciences for Health. 2024.
  6. Eghbali E, Arazi H, Suzuki K. Supplementing With Which Form of Creatine (Hydrochloride or Monohydrate) Alongside Resistance Training Can Have More Impacts on Anabolic/Catabolic Hormones, Strength and Body Composition? Physiol Res. 2024;73(5):739-53.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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