There are many decisions to make if you are in the nutritional supplement business. One of them is whether to use tablets or capsules for product delivery. While delivering vital nutrients to your clients is the same goal for all alternatives, some significant distinctions may influence your choice.

This includes cost considerations, absorption rates, and customer preferences. In this guide, we’ll discuss the critical considerations for choosing between capsules and tablets to help you choose the best supplement for your brand.

Customer preference

Consumer preference is a significant factor in the decision between capsules and tablets. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that customers prefer capsules to pills. According to research, most people who take vitamins and herbal remedies prefer two-piece capsules. The primary reason they prefer capsules to tablets is their ease of swallowing.

Additionally, research from the United States has demonstrated that consumers’ demand for gel capsules with liquid filling and capsules in general has grown consistently over time. This change emphasizes how crucial it is to match customer tastes with your product to optimize its market potential.

Cost Comparison: capsules vs. tablets

Business decisions must include cost, and choosing between tablets and capsules is no different. Although this is only sometimes the case, tablets are often more affordable to produce. This depends on the size, shape, and color preferences. The type of ingredients, manufacturing methods, and the requirement for certain coatings may also impact tablet costs.

The cost of capsules can also vary depending on the substance they contain (liquids, bendlets, or powders), the capsules’ size and appearance, and the supplement’s viscosity. The intricacy of capsule designs, such as those with printed symbols, opaque shells, and several colors, can also affect price. Contract manufacturing can save you significant money since the companies buy the ingredients in large quantities.

Features: dimensions, form, and more

The characteristics of tablets and capsules include composition, durability, and appearance. Tablets provide more shape, size, and color versatility and are usually constructed from compressed powders. They are made to stay whole in their packaging while dissolving during digestion. This makes it possible to precisely arrange the formulation and add excipients to maximize the tablet’s performance.

Conversely, capsules are frequently packed with liquids, powdered materials, or beadlets. They usually decompose rapidly in the digestive system. Capsule shells can be transparent or opaque and available in various colors, offering personalization and branding options. The capsule wall membrane’s integrity is thoroughly examined to ensure the enclosed material is released correctly.

Absorption

Numerous factors, such as the target body location and the particular supplement formulation, affect how quickly your supplement is absorbed. Liquid capsules and soft gels are two choices that can improve bioavailability for supplements intended for quick absorption, particularly in media that facilitate absorption.

However, if that is your goal, manufacturers can construct both capsules and tablets for a slower or delayed release. The important thing here is to know what your product is meant to be used for and select a delivery method that fits that objective.

The takeaway

Knowing how your target audience views a supplement’s look will help you make an informed choice.