Nordic Naturals vs NOW Foods Omega-3 (2026): TG vs Ethyl Ester
If it is down to these two, buy NOW Foods Ultra Omega-3. Neither is on a public testing list, and NOW costs $0.21 per 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA on Amazon, about a third of Nordic Naturals’ $0.62. Nordic’s rTG form absorbs somewhat better, but not three times better.
By Erin Rose Updated October 17, 2026 How we score
Better buy
NOW Ultra Omega-3
7.5/10
- Cost
- $0.21 per 1,000 mg EPA+DHA
- Testing
- No public list
Want the rTG form? Buy Nordic Naturals. It costs about $150 more a year at 1,000 mg a day.
Better than both: Viva Naturals Triple Strength is rTG like Nordic, on IFOS, and costs $0.30 per 1,000 mg.
Side by side
| NOW Ultra Omega-3 | Nordic Ultimate Omega | |
|---|---|---|
| EPA | 500 mg | 650 mg |
| DHA | 250 mg | 450 mg |
| EPA and DHA a serving | 750 mg | 1,100 mg |
| Serving | 1 softgel | 2 softgels |
| EPA and DHA a softgel | 750 mg | 550 mg |
| Form | Ethyl ester | Re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) |
| Softgels in the bottle | 180 | 180 |
| Amazon price | $27.98 | $61.33 |
| Cost per 1,000 mg | $0.21 | $0.62 |
| Testing list | Not on one (brand says it tests in-house) | Not on one (brand posts its own lot reports) |
| Our score | 7.5/10 | 6.0/10 |
The form: rTG absorbs somewhat better
Nordic uses re-esterified triglyceride (rTG), fish oil turned back into the form found in fish. NOW Ultra Omega-3 is ethyl ester, the form fish oil takes when it is concentrated. In a two-week study, rTG raised blood EPA and DHA about 1.7 times as much as ethyl ester (Dyerberg 2010). Over six months, both raised the omega-3 index strongly, and rTG a bit more: 197% against 171% (Neubronner 2011). Ethyl ester absorbs much better with a meal that has fat in it (Lawson 1988), so take NOW with your biggest meal. Forms compared.
Testing: neither is on a public list
We searched IFOS, NSF, USP and Informed for both on October 17, 2026. Neither is listed. The IFOS site lists Nordic products for non-GMO testing only; Nordic says outside labs test its lots and posts the reports on its own site. NOW says it tests in its own labs. If outside testing matters to you, buy an oil on a list: tested fish oils.
Who should buy which
- You want the lowest cost: NOW Ultra Omega-3, taken with a meal.
- You want the rTG form: Nordic Naturals, or Viva Naturals, which is rTG, on IFOS and cheaper.
- You want outside testing: neither; see the best fish oil.
- You eat fish once or twice a week: you may not need either.
Questions
Is Nordic Naturals or NOW Foods fish oil better?
For value, NOW Foods. Neither is on a public testing list, and NOW costs about a third as much per 1,000 mg of EPA and DHA ($0.21 against $0.62 on Amazon). Nordic’s triglyceride form absorbs somewhat better. If you want that form with outside testing, Viva Naturals Triple Strength is rTG, on IFOS, and costs $0.30.
Is NOW Foods fish oil ethyl ester or triglyceride?
Ultra Omega-3 is the ethyl ester form. NOW sells a separate triglyceride product. Ethyl ester absorbs much better when you take it with a meal that has some fat.
Is Nordic Naturals worth the extra cost?
Probably not over NOW, if price matters. In a two-week study, the rTG form raised blood EPA and DHA about 1.7 times as much as ethyl ester; over six months the gap was smaller. Nordic costs about 3.0 times as much per gram.
Are Nordic Naturals and NOW Foods third-party tested?
Not on a public list we could check. Nordic says outside labs test its lots and posts the reports on its own site; the IFOS site lists Nordic for non-GMO testing only. NOW says it tests in its own labs. Neither is on IFOS, NSF, USP or Informed.
Sources
- Dyerberg J, et al. “Bioavailability of marine n-3 fatty acid formulations.” Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2010. PubMed 20638827
- Neubronner J, et al. “Enhanced increase of omega-3 index in response to long-term n-3 fatty acid supplementation from triacylglycerides versus ethyl esters.” Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011. PubMed 21063431
- Lawson LD, Hughes BG. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1988. PubMed 2847723
- Labels: Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega (NIH DSLD 313197) and NOW Ultra Omega-3 (Amazon listing, 500 mg EPA and 250 mg DHA a softgel). Testing: IFOS (Nordic, non-GMO only), NSF, USP and Informed lists, read October 17, 2026.