The 14 Best Vitamin D Supplements in 2022

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that plays a key role in many aspects of health.

In particular, vitamin D increases the absorption of calcium, which is necessary for maintaining strong and healthy bones (6).

It also regulates immune function. In fact, vitamin D deficiency may even be associated with increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune disorders (7).

Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a range of chronic conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (8, 9, 10).

However, more research is needed to evaluate how vitamin D could impact these conditions and whether supplementation may be beneficial.

Because buying supplements can be confusing and overwhelming, we rounded up the best vitamin D supplements using the following criteria:

• Effectiveness. The products listed below contain vitamin D3 for optimal absorption.
• Ingredients. We looked for supplements that are free of unnecessary ingredients such as fillers and artificial sweeteners and colors.
• Dietitian recommendation. All the products listed below were handpicked by a registered dietitian.
• Price. We included products to suit a range of budgets.

Best high dose

• Price: $$
• Dose: 1 capsule per day
• Percentage of the Daily Value (DV): 1,250%
• Who it’s best for: people who need a high dose vitamin D supplement

For people with a severe vitamin D deficiency, taking a high dose supplement is necessary, though it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for a personalized dosage recommendation (4).

Taking at least 10,000 IU of vitamin D daily is often recommended for people who have been diagnosed with a deficiency. This may be followed by a maintenance dose of up to 6,000 IU once levels normalize (4).

These capsules contain 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 per serving and are hypoallergenic, non-GMO, and gluten-free.

Pure Encapsulations is also a trusted brand that claims its products are third-party tested and manufactured in facilities that exceed the standards of U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), a third-party organization that sets strict product-specific standards for supplements.

NOW Foods D3 10,000 IU

• Price: $$
• Dose: 1 softgel every 3 days
• Percentage of the DV: 1250%
• Who it’s best for: people who need a high dose vitamin D supplement and prefer softgels over capsules

NOW Foods is another excellent supplement brand that makes high dose vitamin D supplements.

This specific product provides 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 in each softgel capsule.

It’s also non-GMO, kosher, and free of dairy, eggs, sugar, soy, and corn.

According to the company’s website, all NOW supplements are tested multiple times throughout the manufacturing process and are produced in third-party certified facilities.

Just keep in mind that while this product is appropriate for some people, it’s important to check with a healthcare professional before taking high dose vitamin D supplements.

Best vegan

Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 (Vegan) Liquid

• Price: $$
• Dose: 5 drops per day
• Percentage of the DV: 125%
• Who it’s best for: people who prefer a liquid form and are following a vegan diet

Many vitamin D3 supplements are derived from fish or sheep’s wool, meaning they’re inappropriate for vegans (5).

As a result, many vegan products contain ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) — a form of vitamin D that’s vegan since it’s derived from yeast or mushrooms.

However, research shows that D2 isn’t as effective at increasing blood levels of the vitamin as D3 is (11).

Recently, companies have found a way to manufacture vegan-friendly vitamin D3.

Pure Encapsulations, for example, offers a liquid D3 product that’s derived from sustainably harvested lichen.

It’s not only vegan but also free of gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and artificial colors or flavors.

What’s more, Pure Encapsulations thoroughly tests all products and manufactures supplements in a facility that exceeds the standards set by USP.

The company also states that its supplements are third-party tested by organizations such as Eurofins, Intertek, Silliker, and Advanced Laboratories.

HUM Nutrition Here Comes the Sun

• Price: $$
• Dose: 1 softgel per day
• Percentage of the DV: 250%
• Who it’s best for: people looking for a vegan-friendly, easy-to-swallow subscription option

HUM Nutrition is a company that offers high quality supplements and personalized nutrition advice from its in-house team of registered dietitians.

This softgel supplement contains vitamin D3 derived from lichen, making it a great option for vegans and vegetarians.

It’s also non-GMO, gluten-free, and made without any artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Plus, HUM Nutrition products are sustainably sourced, triple-tested for purity, and evaluated for potency by third-party labs.

Best gummies

• Price: $$
• Dose: 1 gummy per day
• Percentage of the DV: 125%
• Who it’s best for: people who prefer gummies

Gummy vitamins are popular among adults and kids alike. Although they’re fun to chew, most contain added sugar.

If you’re trying to reduce your sugar intake, opt for Nordic Naturals’ sugar-free vitamin D3 gummy, which is sweetened with xylitol and colored with fruit and vegetable juice.

In addition to being vegetarian and non-GMO, it’s third-party tested for purity.

Plus, Nordic Naturals provides a certificate of analysis (COA) for every supplement, which is a document that confirms that a product meets its required specifications.

Also, keep in mind that sugar alcohols like xylitol may cause some people to experience digestive issues, such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea.

Best drops

Thorne Vitamin D/K2

• Price: $
• Dose: 2 drops per day
• Percentage of the DV: 125%
• Who it’s best for: people who prefer drops and want the additional boost of vitamin K

As the drops can be mixed into any food or beverage, Thorne Vitamin D/K2 offers a convenient way to take your dose of vitamin D.

Thorne is a trusted supplement brand certified by the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA), a regulatory agency run by the Australian Department of Health.

Thorne’s liquid vitamin D supplement also provides vitamin K2, which works synergistically with vitamin D and is necessary for heart and skeletal health (12).

Thorne products are manufactured in a facility that’s certified by NSF International and undergo four rounds of testing in the company’s in-house laboratories.

This supplement is also free of soy, gluten, and dairy and made without any artificial flavors or additives.

Best liquid

Designs for Health Liposomal D Supreme

• Price: $$$
• Dose: 1 pump per day
• Percentage of the DV: 313%
• Who it’s best for: people who prefer a liquid supplement

Designs for Health’s Liposomal Vitamin D Supreme liquid drops combine vitamin D with vitamins K1 and K2.

Liposomes are tiny spheres of fat used as carriers for vitamin D and other fat-soluble nutrients in certain supplements (13).

Interestingly, liposomal forms of this vitamin have been shown to be better absorbed than tablet forms of vitamin D supplements (13).

Vitamins K and D work synergistically in your body, meaning that they enhance each other’s effects. Some research indicates that taking both may promote bone and heart health to a greater extent than taking vitamin D alone (14).

In addition to being free of dairy, gluten, and GMOs, Designs for Health supplements are produced in a facility that complies with the CGMPs set by the FDA.

According to the company’s website, Designs for Health supplements are tested for identity, purity, quality, strength, and composition in its in-house laboratories. However, products are not third-party tested.

Best chewable

NOW Foods Chewable Vitamin D3 5,000 IU

• Price: $$
• Dose: 1 chewable tablet every 2 days
• Percentage of the DV: 625%
• Who it’s best for: people who prefer a chewable option

Some people prefer chewable vitamins over capsules, liquids, gummies, and pills. Yet, many chewables contain added sugar.

Unlike other chewable vitamin D supplements, NOW’s Chewable Vitamin D3 5,000 IU is sweetened with the sugar alcohols xylitol and sorbitol, as well as natural vanilla and peppermint flavors.

This product is also kosher, soy-free, and gluten-free. NOW Foods also adheres to good manufacturing practices and is certified by UL Solutions.

Again, keep in mind that sugar alcohols can cause digestive problems, such as stomach upset and diarrhea, especially when consumed in large amounts. Also, because this supplement is held together with cellulose, it’s less absorbable than oil-based capsules (13).

Best prenatal with vitamin D

FullWell Prenatal Vitamin

• Price: $$$
• Dose: 8 capsules per day
• Percentage of the DV: 667%
• Who it’s best for: people who are pregnant or breastfeeding and want a comprehensive prenatal vitamin

It’s recommended that pregnant women supplement with 600 IU of vitamin D3 per day, though some research suggests that higher doses may support better maternal and infant outcomes (15).

In fact, experts suggest that to maintain blood levels of this nutrient, which may help protect against pregnancy-related complications, pregnant women should take up to 4,000 IU of D3 per day (15, 16).

Breastfeeding women may need even more. Some studies indicate that a daily dose of 6,400 IU promotes optimal vitamin D levels in both breastfeeding women and breastfed infants, though it’s best to consult a healthcare professional for a personalized recommendation (17).

Nonetheless, most prenatal supplements contain only 400–1,000 IU of this vitamin per dose.

FullWell Prenatal is a prenatal vitamin created by registered dietitians that delivers 4,000 IU of vitamin D per dose, along with other necessary nutrients for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Just keep in mind that a serving size is eight capsules, though the company’s website states that you can open the capsules and mix the powder into a smoothie or other cool beverage.

Ritual Prenatal Multivitamin

• Price: $$$
• Dose: 2 capsules per day
• Percentage of the DV: 333%
• Who it’s best for: people who are planning for pregnancy or are pregnant and are looking for a more minimal prenatal vitamin to help fill gaps in their diet

Ritual is a subscription-based company that offers a prenatal vitamin with 2,000 IU of vitamin D per dose, along with other necessary nutrients for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Ritual provides detailed information on ingredient sourcing and uses a third-party lab to test each product twice for contaminants.

These prenatal capsules are also vegan, non-GMO, and free of major allergens, artificial colors, and fillers.

Just keep in mind that Ritual’s prenatal is less comprehensive than FullWell’s, as it’s lower in choline and doesn’t contain nutrients like vitamin A, many B vitamins, and calcium.

Still, it’s a good option for those who maintain a balanced diet and prefer to take just 2 capsules per day.

Best vitamin D subscription

Care/of

• Price: $$
• Dose: 1 capsule per day
• Percentage of the DV: 125%
• Who it’s best for: people who like having individual daily vitamin packs

Care/of is a personalized, subscription-based supplement company that offers two vitamin D products — The Sunny D3 and The Vegan Sunny D3.

Both products contain 1,000 IU per capsule. The vegan supplement contains vitamin D3 sourced from algae, meaning it’s safe for those following a vegan diet.

Additionally, Care/of sources ingredients from trusted suppliers around the globe and conducts three rounds of testing throughout the manufacturing process to ensure safety and quality.

Persona Vitamin D 1000 IU

• Price: $$
• Dose: 1 softgel per day
• Percentage of the DV: 125%
• Who it’s best for: people who like having individual daily vitamin packs

Persona Nutrition is another subscription-based company that offers personalized supplements to consumers based on an assessment quiz that asks questions about their diet and lifestyle.

The company offers several vitamin-D-based products, including its Vitamin D softgel capsules.

In addition to providing 125% of the DV for vitamin D, it’s made without many common allergens, including wheat, fish, soy, peanuts, gluten, and corn.

Still, because Persona supplements are produced in facilities that handle major allergens, this vitamin D supplement isn’t suitable for people with severe food allergies or intolerances.

Persona Nutrition also notes that all products are tested for purity at each stage of production. However, it doesn’t mention whether products also undergo third-party testing by an independent lab.

Best for kids

• Price: $
• Dose: 1 drop per day
• Percentage of the DV: 125%
• Who it’s best for: kids ages 4 and older

Vitamin D is necessary for children as well as adults (18).

Plus, some children may be at risk of a deficiency, particularly those who take epilepsy medication or have absorption issues (19, 20).

Still, some children’s vitamin supplements contain added sugar to increase palatability.

Formulated for kids ages 4 and older, Carlson Labs’ Kid’s Super Daily D3 + K2 liquid drops only contain D3, vitamin K2, and medium-chain triglycerides as the carrier oil, making it a healthier choice for your child.

While it’s vegetarian, dairy-free, and certified non-GMO by the International GMO Evaluation and Notification program, Carlson Labs doesn’t specify whether products undergo any other third-party testing.

Best for infants

Nordic Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D3

• Price: $
• Dose: 1 drop per day
• Percentage of the DV: 100%
• Who it’s best for: infants up to 12 months old

Vitamin D is essential for proper bone development in babies (21).

Because breast milk contains inadequate amounts of vitamin D, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all breastfed and partially breastfed infants receive 400 IU of vitamin D per day (21).

Nordic Naturals Baby’s Vitamin D3 is one of the best options, as it contains 400 IU of vitamin D3 per drop, which meets 100% of the DV for infants up to 12 months old.

The supplement is also free of artificial additives, with certified organic olive oil as the only other ingredient.

What’s more, the supplement is easy to use, as the oil can be applied to the nipple during breastfeeding, mixed into a bottle of pumped breast milk, or dropped directly into an infant’s mouth.