HypeCheck

AG1 vs IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro

AG1 Next Gen and IM8 Essentials Pro both sell one daily scoop as a stand-in for a shelf of supplements, and both carry NSF Certified for Sport. Both labels now print real doses: AG1 a broad vitamin and mineral panel plus CoQ10 and 10 billion probiotic cells, IM8 its CoQ10, vitamin D3, MSM, saffron and 10 billion probiotic CFU. Both still keep blends with no amount per ingredient. We traced each brand's claims to what its label prints and what the evidence supports.

Overhyped

AG1 (Athletic Greens)

A multivitamin/mineral powder blended with a large proprietary mix of greens, herbs, and probiotics, most of which are dosed too low to do much individually.

$2.63 / serving 21 ingredients $79 every 30 days (30-day plan); $207 every 90 days on the 90-day plan
Misleading

IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro

A mega-multivitamin powder — B vitamins, minerals, a small pile of herbal extracts, some amino acids, and a fiber/probiotic blend — dressed up as a 90-ingredient longevity system.

$2.97 / serving 17 ingredients $89 every 4 weeks (30-day plan); $235 every 12 weeks on the 90-day plan

Can you verify what's inside?

For each key active: the dose clinical studies used, and what each label lets you check. Dots rate the ingredient's science, not the product: strong · moderate · weak.

Ingredient Studied dose AG1 (Athletic Greens) IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro Verifiable?
CoQ10 Both labels print it: AG1 60 mg, which our AG1 analysis calls modest, and IM8 100 mg 30-600 mg daily depending on indication 60mg 100 mg partly
Probiotics Both print a count and name their strains: 5 for AG1, 2 spore-forming strains for IM8. AG1 counts viable cells by lab test (dPCR) and IM8 counts CFU, so the numbers aren't directly comparable. AG1 says to refrigerate after opening No established universal dose — varies by strain and condition; studies used 6.5 billion CFU/day to 2×10^9 CFU/day 10 billion viable cells (37 mg blend, 5 named strains) 10 billion CFU (B. coagulans BC99, B. subtilis DE111) partly
Vitamin D3 IM8 prints 50 mcg (2,000 IU) from lichen. AG1 Next Gen's Supplement Facts panel lists no vitamin D 400–80,000 IU daily depending on condition and deficiency status not in formula 50 mcg (2,000 IU) partly
MSM IM8 prints 1,500 mg, inside the 1,000-3,375 mg range in our analysis. AG1's label has no MSM 1500-6000 mg daily (general use range; no confirmed dose from provided studies) not in formula 1,500mg partly
Ashwagandha AG1 lists it in its 7.5 g Active Superfood and Prebiotic Complex with no amount. IM8's product page lists ashwagandha under “does not contain” 150-600 mg/day (root extract, standardized to withanolides) hidden in blend not in formula no — dose hidden
Both print a probiotic count of 10 billion with named strains, though AG1 counts viable cells by lab test (dPCR) and IM8 counts CFU. IM8 prints the bigger CoQ10 dose (100 mg vs AG1's 60 mg) and adds vitamin D3 and MSM, which AG1 lacks. AG1 carries ashwagandha, which IM8 Pro leaves out, but prints no amount for it. The herbs and longevity compounds sit in blends in both products: AG1's adaptogens in a 7.5 g complex, IM8's CRT8 compounds in a 100 mg complex.

Which marketing claims survive?

These grades score the marketing, not the product: a claim only counts as “supported” when the label discloses a dose that matches the studies behind it. A decent product can still grade low here — blends that hide doses cap at “partial” because nobody can verify them.

AG1 (Athletic Greens) — 5 claims checked MODERATE claim style

0 supported 3 partial 1 stretch 1 unsupported

IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro — 5 claims checked AGGRESSIVE claim style

0 supported 2 partial 2 stretch 1 unsupported

“It fills your nutrient gaps”

AG1 (Athletic Greens) partial

“Clinically shown to close common nutrient gaps”

Label: AG1 prints a broad vitamin and mineral panel, like vitamin C 500 mg, B12 400 mcg and zinc 20 mgEvidence: AG1's own small trials show nutrient blood levels rise, mostly in people who started lowSurvives as: a real multivitamin effect, shown mainly for people who were short to begin with

IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro stretch

“Replaces 16 supplements”

Label: IM8 prints doses for its headline actives, like CoQ10 100 mg, vitamin D3 50 mcg and MSM 1,500 mgDose check: its 1,580 mg amino complex is a blend, and our analysis notes citrulline alone is studied at 6-8 gSurvives as: many ingredients in one scoop, which is not the same as 16 separately dosed products

“It helps your mood”

AG1 (Athletic Greens) unsupported

“Healthy brain & mood (adaptogens like rhodiola, ashwagandha)”

Label: rhodiola, ashwagandha and eleuthero sit in AG1's 7.5 g Active Superfood and Prebiotic Complex, which lists 21 ingredients and no amount for any of themEvidence: our analysis cites 300-600 mg of ashwagandha and 200-600 mg of rhodiola extract in studiesSurvives as: the right herbs, with no way to confirm you get a studied amount

IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro partial

“Saffron supports mood and mental clarity”

Label: IM8 prints 30 mg of saffron extractEvidence: 30 mg a day matches the dose used in studies of mild depressionSurvives as: the studied dose, with less proof of a mood benefit in healthy adults

“Our study proves it”

AG1 (Athletic Greens) stretch

“Clinically shown to enrich the gut microbiome (10x increase in healthy bacteria)”

Label: 10 billion viable probiotic cells from 5 named strains, plus inulin inside the 7.5 g blendEvidence: our analysis traced the 10x figure to a small company-funded crossover trial of 40 people over 4 weeks, with no independent replicationSurvives as: named strains at a printed count, backed by early data from the brand

IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro unsupported

“95% felt a boost in daily energy (12-week RCT)”

Basis: our analysis ties this claim to IM8's B vitamins and electrolytesEvidence: IM8 cites a 12-week randomized trial run by the San Francisco Research Institute (NCT06655597). Our analysis found the 95% is a self-reported result from a company-funded trial, with no independently published peer-reviewed dataSurvives as: a feeling participants reported in one company-funded trial, not independent proof

“The dose on the label does the job”

AG1 (Athletic Greens) partial

“Regular digestion & less bloating”

Label: 2 g of fiber per scoop and 10 billion viable probiotic cells, both printedDose check: fiber studies used 16-32 g a day, so 2 g is a small shareSurvives as: some help for digestion, at modest doses

IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro partial

“MSM supports joint comfort and skin quality”

Label: IM8 prints 1,500 mg of MSMEvidence: that dose sits inside the 1,000-3,375 mg range used in joint and skin studies, but our analysis rates the evidence for MSM as weakSurvives as: a studied dose of an ingredient with thin evidence

“It supports your immune system, and more”

AG1 (Athletic Greens) partial

“Immune defense”

Label: vitamin C 500 mg, vitamin A 550 mcg and zinc 20 mg, all printedEvidence: these nutrients support normal immune function; they don't push it above normalSurvives as: support for a normal immune system, not a boost

IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro stretch

“Supports energy, gut, immune, brain, heart, hydration, bone, hormone, skin/muscle systems”

Label: printed doses cover part of the formula, like vitamin D3 50 mcg, magnesium 100 mg and 10 billion CFU of probiotics; the 100 mg CRT8 complex prints no amount for each of its six compoundsEvidence: our analysis rates a claim to support 9 body systems from one product as overreachSurvives as: real nutrients for some of those systems, not proof one scoop supports all nine
The claims split along the same line as the label. Where a brand prints a dose, its claims mostly hold up in part: AG1's nutrient-gap, digestion and immune claims, IM8's saffron and MSM claims. Where a claim rests on a blend, a brand-funded study or sheer breadth, it holds up least: AG1's adaptogen mood and microbiome claims; IM8's 95% energy stat, “replaces 16 supplements” and its 9-body-systems claim. IM8 has more claims in that group, and our analyses rate its marketing AGGRESSIVE vs AG1's MODERATE. Our verdicts: IM8 MISLEADING, AG1 OVERHYPED.

What a serving actually costs

AG1 (Athletic Greens)

$2.63 per serving · $79 every 30 days (30-day plan); $207 every 90 days on the 90-day plan

IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro

$2.97 per serving · $89 every 4 weeks (30-day plan); $235 every 12 weeks on the 90-day plan

This page doesn't show cost per effective dose: key ingredients sit in blends with no per-ingredient amount, so no single dose can anchor the math.

The plans line up closely: $79 every 30 days vs $89 every 4 weeks, or $2.30 vs $2.61 a serving on 90-day plans. Our analyses rate both markups as high. They estimate AG1's coverage at about $25-35 a month bought as separate products, and IM8's core coverage at about $35-45. The extra buys one scoop and NSF Certified for Sport testing.

Choose your answer

Choose AG1 (Athletic Greens) if…

  • You want ashwagandha, rhodiola and eleuthero in your scoop. AG1 carries all three (amounts not printed); IM8 Pro has no ashwagandha
  • You prefer more modest marketing: 3 of AG1's 5 claims we checked rate partial, vs 2 of IM8's 5, and our analyses rate AG1's claim style MODERATE vs IM8's AGGRESSIVE
  • You want the lower price and a 90-day money-back guarantee on the monthly plan: $79 on AG1's 30-day plan vs $89 for IM8's, which comes with a 30-day guarantee

Choose IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro if…

  • You want CoQ10 at 100 mg, vitamin D3 at 50 mcg and MSM at 1,500 mg, all printed. AG1 prints 60 mg of CoQ10 and has no vitamin D3 or MSM
  • Saffron for mood is on your list: IM8 prints 30 mg, the dose used in studies of mild depression, and AG1 has none
  • You want to avoid ashwagandha, or you want probiotics that don't need the fridge. IM8 describes its spore-forming strains as stable; AG1 says its pouch must be refrigerated after opening

Choose neither if…

  • You're after the adaptogens or the longevity compounds: both products keep those in blends with no amounts, so buying each one on its own, with a printed dose, is the only way to know what you take
  • You mainly want a few specific actives: our IM8 analysis prices a multivitamin, probiotic and fiber supplement at about $35-45 a month, before adding CoQ10 or saffron
  • You eat a varied diet: both analyses say the main benefit is filling gaps, which matters most when your diet is poor

The build-it-yourself option: A basic multivitamin + a probiotic (our AG1 analysis names Nature Made and Culturelle) + a greens powder: about $25-35/month for AG1's coverage. For IM8's core coverage, our IM8 analysis prices a multivitamin, probiotic and fiber supplement at about $35-45/month, plus CoQ10 or saffron if you want them.

Frequently asked questions

Is AG1 better than IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro?

It depends on what you want in the scoop. IM8 prints more CoQ10 (100 mg vs 60 mg) and adds vitamin D3, MSM and saffron, which AG1 doesn't include. AG1 carries ashwagandha, which IM8 Pro leaves out, and makes more modest claims: 3 of its 5 claims we checked rate partial, vs 2 of IM8's 5. Our verdict for AG1 is OVERHYPED; for IM8 it's MISLEADING.

Are AG1 and IM8 worth the money?

On 30-day plans AG1 costs $79 every 30 days ($2.63 a serving) and IM8 costs $89 every 4 weeks ($2.97). On 90-day plans it's $2.30 a serving vs $2.61. Our analyses rate both markups as high and estimate the core coverage bought as separate products at about $25-35 a month for AG1 and $35-45 for IM8. You pay extra for one scoop and NSF Certified for Sport testing.

Do AG1 and IM8 print their ingredient doses?

Many of them. AG1 Next Gen prints its vitamins and minerals, CoQ10 60 mg, alpha-lipoic acid 100 mg and 10 billion viable probiotic cells. IM8 Essentials Pro prints CoQ10 100 mg, vitamin D3 50 mcg, magnesium 100 mg, MSM 1,500 mg, saffron 30 mg and 10 billion CFU of probiotics. Both still use blends with no per-ingredient amounts: AG1's adaptogens sit in a 7.5 g complex, and IM8's longevity compounds sit in a 100 mg complex.

Which one has ashwagandha?

AG1 Next Gen. It lists ashwagandha root (5:1) extract in its Active Superfood and Prebiotic Complex, with no amount printed. IM8's product page lists ashwagandha among the ingredients Essentials Pro does not contain.

Full methodology on each product's review: AG1 (Athletic Greens) · IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials Pro. Data updates automatically when either analysis is re-researched.