Fish oil and krill oil both deliver EPA and DHA — but they’re structurally different, price differently by 3-5x, and have different bioavailability profiles. This comparison cuts through the marketing to tell you what the clinical data actually shows.
Quick Verdict
rTG Fish Oil wins on value. High-quality rTG fish oil has comparable or superior bioavailability to krill oil at 3–5x lower cost per gram of EPA+DHA. Krill oil’s phospholipid form is marginally better absorbed but doesn’t justify the price premium for most people.
| Factor | rTG Fish Oil | Krill Oil |
|---|---|---|
| EPA+DHA per capsule | 600–900mg | 90–150mg |
| Cost per 1g EPA+DHA | $0.15–0.30 | $0.80–1.50 |
| Bioavailability | High (70% better than EE) | Slightly higher than rTG |
| Fishy burps | Minimal (rTG form) | None |
| Astaxanthin | No | Yes (antioxidant) |
| Human RCTs | 40+ | 12+ |
When Krill Oil Makes Sense
If you have extreme fish oil sensitivity (burping despite rTG form), need the astaxanthin antioxidant specifically, or are supplementing a child (smaller doses work), krill oil is a reasonable choice. For everyone else, rTG fish oil delivers equivalent or better clinical outcomes at a fraction of the cost.
NordVital Recommendation
Buy the highest-quality rTG fish oil you can find and take 2g EPA+DHA daily. The rTG form eliminates the bioavailability gap versus krill oil while costing 3-5x less. Read our full review for the specific products with third-party purity certificates.
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