The 13 Best Probiotic Supplements of 2024

Key Specs 

Serving Size: 1 capsule | Servings per Container: 100 | Dose: 25 billion CFU 

Why We Recommend It

Among the trillions of bacteria living in our gut, each species plays a different role that scientists are constantly researching. Now-Probiotic 10 contains a blend of 10 probiotic strains that have been clinically identified as supportive for a healthy immune system; some of these strains include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactobacillus plantarum. These probiotics may support intestinal lining integrity as well as the ability of food to move through the gut.

We like that NOW prioritizes quality standards and third-party testing for safety, as it is both GMP and UL-certified. They also use DNA fingerprinting technology to verify the identity and potency of the probiotics before production. This is also budget-friendly, as some probiotics can run upwards of $1 per serving, whereas NOW’s probiotic is less than a quarter per serving.

Keep In Mind

Keep in mind that this probiotic contains 25 billion CFUs (Colony Forming Units), and while 10–20 billion CFUs have been shown to be sufficient, higher CFUs may be beneficial for those who have had major alterations to the gut microbiome. NOW offers 20-billion, 50-billion and 100-billion CFU products, but speaking to a healthcare provider is best for deciding dosage.

Key Specs 

Serving Size: 1 tablet | Servings per Container: 120 | Dose: 100 million CFU 

Why We Recommend It

Nature’s Bounty Acidophilus Probiotic keeps things simple with one probiotic strain—Lactobacillus acidophilus. Because it is one of the more researched strains, it is included in many probiotic supplements. While further research is still necessary, some studies show that it may help reduce and prevent diarrhea. It’s also shown to help lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol potentially.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a bacteria that’s commonly used in the production process of yogurt. Yogurt is created by fermenting cow’s milk with bacteria; you then eat this bacteria, which is why yogurt is considered a good probiotic food. If you don’t care for yogurt but want to reap some of its potential benefits, this probiotic may be good for you.

Keep In Mind

Research shows that at least 1 billion CFUs per serving may be most beneficial, so note that this product is only 100 million CFUs per serving.

Key Specs 

Serving Size: 2 capsules | Servings per Container: 30 | Dose: 53.6 billion AFU 

Why We Recommend It

If you’re tired of constantly reordering supplements, Seed is a subscription-based product that delivers right on time. Seed’s DS-01 Daily Synbiotic contains 24 different strains of probiotics, which are selected to improve digestion, boost immunity, and support overall health. Being that this is a synbiotic, it contains a combination of prebiotics and probiotics that work together to improve gut health and overall well-being.

The prebiotics (plant fibers that feed bacteria in your gut) in Seed’s synbiotic are sourced from Indian pomegranate and Scandinavian chaga mushrooms to help support the best environment for the probiotics to thrive. This can be a good choice if you find yourself struggling to eat a variety of fruits or vegetables.

This product also contains digestive enzymes, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds that may further support gut health. Plus, Seed uses “ViaCap,” a 2-in-1 technology where the probiotic capsule is encased in a prebiotic capsule to ensure the bacteria survive through the digestive tract and make it to the colon.

Keep In Mind

The FDA has authorized the study of the effects of Seed’s DS-01 Synbiotic on patients with IBS. This Phase 2 randomized clinical trial will tell us more about the gut microbiome in patients with IBS and the potential role of Seed’s product in improving these patients’ quality of life. If you have IBS and are interested in this supplement, be sure to consult a healthcare professional first.

Key Specs 

Serving Size: 1 capsule | Servings per Container: 96 | Dose: 1 billion CFU 

Why We Recommend It

Gas can form in our gut when we don’t digest certain carbohydrates such as fibers, sugars, and starches, which reach our gut bacteria in the large intestine, where they are fermented. If you find yourself struggling with this sort of gas and worried about your gut health, we recommend Schiff’s Digestive Advantage Daily Probiotics for Intensive Bowel Support.

Although additional research is needed, there is some evidence suggesting that the probiotic in this supplement—Bacillus coagulans—may contribute to improvement in abdominal gas and bloating in adults. It also contains an enzyme blend of protease, amylase, and lipase. These digestive enzymes are naturally produced in the pancreas to help break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, respectively. Essentially, if you are breaking down food more thoroughly, there is less of a chance that these foods will cause gas in the gut.

Keep In Mind

Remember that some probiotic strains are more researched than others, and the verdict is still out on the mechanisms and exact benefits of all. While there is some research on the strain in this product, it is not one of the most researched strains.

Key Specs 

Serving Size: 1 capsule | Servings per Container: 30 | Dose: 11 billion CFU 

Why We Recommend It

If you’re struggling with inflammation, Ritual Synbiotic+ is a product you may want to consider. Not only does each capsule contain two highly clinically researched probiotics shown to help reduce the inflammatory response of the gut—Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis—but they also contain a prebiotic and postbiotic blend. Prebiotics are essentially non-digestible fibers that serve as food to help probiotics thrive. Conversely, postbiotics are the organisms that are produced when probiotics (the living bacteria) feed on prebiotics (non-digestible components of food) through a fermentation process. Postbiotics can provide energy to the cells in our gut for “good” bacteria to flourish, while other postbiotics can help limit the growth of “bad” bacteria.

Ritual’s Synbiotic+ capsules are “delayed-release capsules,” meaning they won’t release their contents until they reach your colon, as opposed to getting released in your stomach. The stomach is an acidic environment that can kill bacteria, so you want these probiotics to stay alive until they reach your gut, where they are needed. We love that the company holds itself to the highest quality standards. You can trust that what is written on the label is what you are getting, and Ritual is transparent about its supply chain, testing, and sourcing, including sharing the source, supplier, and manufacturer of each ingredient.

Keep In Mind

These capsules contain a minty liquid to avoid any unpleasant flavors, but it may not be everyone’s favorite.

Key Specs 

Serving Size: 1 capsule | Servings per Container: 30 | Dose: 50 billion CFU 

Why We Recommend It

Garden of Life’s Dr. Formulated, Once Daily Women’s Probiotic contains a blend of 16 different strains of probiotics. Specifically, there is some evidence in clinical trials that the L. reuteri and L. fermentum probiotics in this product may defend against yeast infections (otherwise known as the vaginal overgrowth of Candida albicans) and reduce urinary tract infection (UTI) reoccurrence in women. This product also contains some of the other previously discussed strains, like Lactobacillus acidophilus, that support digestive and immune health.

On top of the 50 billion CFUs of probiotics, there’s also a prebiotic fiber blend made of potato starch to help support the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.

Keep In Mind

While 16 strains may seem impressive, not all probiotic strains are ideal for everyone; consider if having a variety of strains is right for you by discussing this with a healthcare provider.

Key Specs 

Serving Size: 1 capsule | Servings per Container: 30 | Dose: 100 million AFU

Why We Recommend It

Inflammatory diseases can compromise the integrity of our gut lining, and Pendulum’s Akkermansia is our top probiotic pick to help support its repair. Akkermansia is a probiotic strain that can strengthen intestinal walls and even stimulate GLP-1 production, which helps you maintain a healthy weight by balancing insulin and glucose levels.

Akkermansia acts by breaking down mucin—the protein found in the mucus lining of our gut, providing lubrication and immune protection; as Akkermansia eats up the mucin, your body makes more to help repair your gut lining and reduces gut permeability. Some research in mice also showed that Akkermansia increased GLP-1 production, which is a hormone controlling glucose absorption; the mice saw a decrease in weight and improved insulin sensitivity.

While more research in humans is needed, Akkermansia is showing promising results, especially in those with inflammatory bowel diseases (UC and Crohn’s). 

Note that the dosage of this product is measured in AFUs instead of CFUs. AFUs—or Active-Fluorescent Units—measure live and active microbes more precisely using fluorescent markers. 

Keep In Mind

This product contains chicory inulin, which is a good fiber source. Fiber acts as a prebiotic, since the colon cannot absorb it and instead feeds our gut bacteria. However, while the chicory inulin can help decrease constipation in some, it can cause bloating, abdominal cramping, gas, and loose stools in others.

Key Specs 

Serving Size: 1 capsule | Servings per Container: 30 | Dose: 10 billion CFU 

Why We Recommend It

Culturelle Daily Probiotic is our top pick for anyone who wants to buy a probiotic supplement at the drugstore, as it is widely available and budget-friendly. Culturelle keeps things simple by including just one strain, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which has been researched in hundreds of studies.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus can survive the acidic conditions of your stomach to make it to the large intestine, where it best benefits you. It can help restore the gut after you use antibiotics, prevent diarrhea, and potentially improve symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) as it strengthens the gut barrier.

This product also contains inulin, a plant fiber that is considered a prebiotic. You can find inulin in foods like artichokes, bananas, oats, and wheat. Inulin helps keep things moving in the gut and can help keep you fuller for longer as it is a soluble fiber. Soluble fibers form a gel-like consistency as they pass through fluids in the digestive tract, giving you that full feeling.

Keep In Mind

While inulin is a great source of soluble fiber, some people are sensitive to it; if you do have some sensitivity, you may experience symptoms such as bloating, abdominal distension, and pain.

Key Specs

Serving Size: 1 scoop | Servings per Container: 30 | Dose: 7.2 billion CFU

Why We Recommend It

Athletic Greens (AG1) is a green powder, multivitamin, probiotic, and prebiotic all in one. Unlike most other probiotics or multivitamins, it also has stress adaptogens, digestive enzymes, antioxidants, and mushroom powder. If you are already taking some or all of these items as individual supplements, AG1 can be a single replacement. It’s easy to use—simply mix one scoop (or travel sachet) with eight ounces of water for each serving per day.

The two probiotic strains used in this powder are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Each serving also provides two grams of fiber and a variety of fruit and vegetable powders.

AG1 has a strong commitment to testing its ingredients. It is third-party tested for ingredient purity, lack of heavy metals, and pesticides, and is NSF Sport Certified, meaning it’s tested for banned substances for athletic competitions.

Keep In Mind

While this can be a convenient way to get in a variety of nutrients, the ingredient list is long, and many ingredients have the potential to interfere with medications. Also, note it’s designed to take the place of a multivitamin, but it’s lower in some minerals like iron, magnesium, and calcium compared to other multivitamins. It’s also more expensive than other supplements.

Key Specs 

Serving Size: 1 capsule | Servings per Container: 30 | Dose: 25 billion CFU 

Why We Recommend It

If you follow a vegan diet, we recommend Hum Gut Instinct to ensure your supplement is also vegan. Similar to our top pick, this probiotic contains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis—two highly researched strains for overall gut health and immunity—in addition to eight other probiotic strains. To highlight a few others, the Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium breve in this product may improve skin hydration and elasticity as well as promote more bowel movements while decreasing abdominal irritation.

With one small, easy-to-swallow, once-a-day capsule taken on an empty stomach, you get a great variety of 25 billion probiotic organisms. The company has its own list of what it considers harmful ingredients, called “The Tricky 12,” which it avoids in all of its products; among others, these include artificial colors and flavors, hydrogenated oils, EDTA, and derivatives. Plus, we love that this brand is Clean Label Project verified, meaning it has been third-party tested for harmful contaminants, metals, and residues.

Keep In Mind

The ingredients HUM deems unsafe in their “Tricky 12” do have some research backing their reasoning for exclusion. While the evidence varies, some ingredients have more concrete evidence than others. If you’re sensitive to these ingredients, HUM could be a suitable option for you.

Key Specs 

Serving Size: 1 capsule | Servings per Container: 120 | Dose: 25 billion CFU 

Why We Recommend It

Although the Klaire Labs Ther-biotic Complete Supplement is on the more expensive side, it’s ideal for athletes looking for a product that is free of contaminants and upheld to higher standards of manufacturing. This probiotic is NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it is third-party tested for contaminants and prohibited substances for athletic competitions.

Each capsule contains 12 different probiotic strains, totaling 25 billion CFUS. Some stand-out strains include Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus salivarius, which may be beneficial for inflammation, immunity, and oral health. These capsules also utilize capsule technology to keep the probiotics safe from being broken down by stomach acid and digestive enzymes, ensuring they reach the place in the gut where they are needed.

Keep In Mind

Unlike our other picks that don’t need to be refrigerated, this product should be kept cold.

Key Specs 

Serving Size: 2 capsules | Servings per Container: 50 | Dose: 500 mg

Why We Recommend It

Florastor Probiotic may be your best bet if you’re worried about your gut health and plan to travel. This product contains something a bit different than others on our list: Saccharomyces boulardii. This is derived from yeast and functions as a probiotic by neutralizing “bad” bacteria. It’s also known as baker’s or brewer’s yeast.

This yeast is commonly used for traveler’s diarrhea (TD); while the research has its limitations, the use of Saccharomyces boulardii during traveling has shown reduced outcomes of developing TD.

If you aren’t using this for travel, it may still be beneficial for overall gut health to help maintain balance in bacterial organisms.

Keep In Mind

Keep in mind that brewer’s yeast may interact with some medications, like those for diabetes, and can worsen symptoms of Crohn’s. Therefore, check with a health professional before taking this if you are on any medications.

Key Specs:

Serving Size: 1 suppository | Servings per Container: 50 | Dose: 500 mg

Why We Recommend It

Seed’s VS-01 Vaginal Synbiotic is a newer probiotic for women designed to support vaginal health. It features a unique blend of three probiotic strains stemming from Lactobacillus crispatus—LUCA103, LUCA011, and LUCA009. These strains are intended to balance the vaginal microbiome by regulating vaginal pH to provide protection against common issues for women, like imbalances and infections.

One of the standout features of VS-01 is its delivery method; unlike many oral probiotics, VS-01 uses a suppository tablet to deliver the probiotics directly where they’re needed, ensuring that the beneficial bacteria reach the vaginal environment effectively. Seed shares clinical evidence on its website, validating that 90% of participants achieved an optimal vaginal microbiome dominated by Lactobacillus crispatus within 21 days of using this suppository.

Additionally, VS-01 is designed with safety and sustainability in mind. It is vegan, free from dairy and other animal-derived materials, and does not contain common ingredients that can disrupt your hormonal balance, such as PFAS, parabens, BPA, and phthalates.

Keep In Mind

You might not feel comfortable inserting a suppository vaginally at first, but it is similar to inserting a tampons and gets easier with time.