The short version: Both are clean bovine collagen peptides. The real difference is clean, verified sourcing and who you are buying from. If you want a single-ingredient, glyphosate-residue-free collagen from an independent, American, women-founded company, Yonder was built for you. Vital Proteins is the bigger, Nestle-owned option on most store shelves, a multinational that puts profits before people.
If you are switching from Vital Proteins, you are not alone
It is the most common thing we hear from new customers: "I switched from Vital Proteins." Many women reach a point where they want to know exactly what is in the scoop, where it comes from, and who is behind the brand. More than that, they want their money going to a company that shares their values, not a multinational corporation. That is the gap we built Yonder to fill.
"We tried Vital Proteins before I found Yonder on Public Square. Once we tried Yonder and checked the ingredients we never went back!" , Cindy S.
"I used to be a Vital Proteins consumer, but after learning about concerns regarding heavy metals and microplastics in their products, I decided to make a change. The quality of Yonder Collagen Powder is exceptional, far superior to what I experienced with Vital Proteins." , Katie L.
"I had been using Vital Products for years but after reading about the quality of your products and the values of your company I made the switch." , Thomas C.
"So glad to find a great product and by switching to it from Vital Proteins, I can continue to support my physical health journey as well as support a company that lines up with my values." , Ronda T.
"I used to buy from a very well-known competitor, and I didn't see any real results. I am so grateful to God for discovering Yonder via the Public Square platform." , Magpie
"We were using Vital Proteins but between the recall/lawsuit and their support for DEI initiatives as well as LGBTQIA++ issues, we decided to look for an alternative." , Stacey Z.
We are Sheri and Gina, childhood friends who created Yonder after rebuilding our own health with clean, simple ingredients. This is an honest, side-by-side look so you can decide for yourself.
Side-by-side comparison
Product details and prices can change. Figures reflect each brand's published information at the time of writing.
What makes Yonder different
1. Certified Glyphosate Residue-Free by The Detox Project. Glyphosate is the most widely used agricultural herbicide in the world, and most collagen brands, including Vital Proteins, do not carry this independent certification. Yonder does. If clean sourcing is the reason you are reading this, that is the headline.
2. One ingredient, on purpose. Yonder is collagen and nothing else. We deliberately leave out the added ingredients found in some formulas, including Vital Proteins' "Advanced" version. Added vitamin C and hyaluronic acid can act as pro-oxidants that may oxidize collagen's amino acids during storage, most people are not deficient in vitamin C, and collagen synthesis needs a whole range of vitamins, not just one. We would rather you get those from real food and keep the powder pure. To learn more about how to optimize your daily collagen intake check out our article here.
3. Grass-fed and finished. "Grass-fed" only describes how an animal starts. "Grass-fed and finished" means the cattle eat grass their entire lives. Yonder sources grass-fed and finished, 100% pasture-raised bovine collagen.
Why so many women choose an independent brand
When we ask our customers why they chose Yonder, the answer is rarely just about grams or price. Again and again, they tell us they want to buy from real people who share their values, not a faceless corporation.
That is a real difference. Vital Proteins is owned by Nestle Health Science, one of the largest food companies in the world. Yonder is independent and women-founded. We are two friends who answer customer emails ourselves, manufacture our collagen in the USA, and built this company around Faith, Family, and Freedom. For many of our customers, knowing exactly who is behind the bottle, and that they can reach us, is the whole point.
If you would rather your dollars support a small, independent, American, family-run brand than a multinational, that is exactly who we are.
How to choose
Ask yourself one question: what is the reason you are upgrading your collagen? If it is the cleanest possible single ingredient, glyphosate-residue-free certification, and supporting an independent, American, family-run brand that shares your values, that is exactly why we built Yonder.
Either way, the best collagen is the one you will actually take every day. For many of our customers, that turned out to be the flavorless scoop that disappears into their morning coffee.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yonder or Vital Proteins cleaner?
Yonder is one pure ingredient with nothing added, while Vital Proteins is formulated with additives in its Advanced line. Yonder is also certified Glyphosate Residue-Free by The Detox Project and made in an FDA & cGMP-certified facility, a certification Vital Proteins does not carry.
Who owns Yonder and Vital Proteins?
Yonder is independent and was founded by two women, Sheri and Gina, and is made in the USA. Vital Proteins is owned by Nestle Health Science.
Why doesn't Yonder add vitamin C or hyaluronic acid like Vital Proteins' Advanced formula?
On purpose. Added vitamin C and hyaluronic acid can act as pro-oxidants that may degrade collagen's amino acids during storage, and most people already get enough vitamin C from food. We keep Yonder to one pure ingredient so you control the rest.
Do they use the same type of collagen?
Both are hydrolyzed collagen peptides from bovine hide, the most widely studied form for skin, hair, nail, joint, and bone support.* However where it is sourced from differs.
How much collagen should I take per day?
A common range is 10 to 20g daily. With Yonder that is one to two scoops in your favorite beverage.* Most people get amazing results with 10g a day.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Written by Sheri, Metabolic Health & Nutrition Expert & Founder of Yonder. Sheri and Gina are childhood friends who founded Yonder after using clean, effective ingredients to rebuild their own health.
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