We Asked Registered Dietitians What Vitamin D Supplements They Recommend — Here’s What They Said

Thorne Vitamin D Liquid is our top choice for the best liquid vitamin D supplement because of its convenience, quality, and dedication to safety. Two drops deliver 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D, making it easy to tailor your intake to your specific needs. Amy Goldsmith, RDN, the founder of Kindred Nutrition in Maryland, recommends Thorne Vitamin D Liquid for adults and children because of its versatility — you can drop it directly into your mouth or add it to your favorite foods or beverages.

Each Thorne product undergoes four rounds of in-house testing to ensure identity, purity, potency, and stability. It’s also certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), which means the product has been tested and found to be free of harmful contaminants, is accurately labeled, and contains the ingredients and potency claimed on its packaging. Plus, it’s free from gluten, dairy, and soy for those with dietary restrictions.

One big downside to this liquid vitamin is the bottle design, because it lacks a dropper, but we think this is a minor inconvenience easily outweighed by the product’s numerous benefits.

We chose Now High Potency Vitamin D3 5000 IU Softgels as the best high-dose vitamin D supplement because of its potency, safety standards, and allergen-free formulation. This product delivers 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 in just one softgel, making it easy to boost vitamin D levels without taking a handful of pills. It also contains extra-virgin olive oil to improve absorption.

The NOW High Potency product is free from common allergens like corn, dairy, egg, gluten, and soy. These vitamins are also made in a certified Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) facility, which means that the manufacturing process adheres to strict guidelines established by regulatory agencies to ensure the product's consistency, quality, and safety.

NatureWise Vitamin D3 offers an unbeatable price point without compromising quality. Despite its low cost, it stands out with an NSF certification and third-party testing.

It’s important to note that this formula is not suitable for vegans, because it contains gelatin (NatureWise does have a vegan version, but it is more expensive). If you’re not following a vegan diet, though, the low cost, high quality, and allergen-friendly formulation make this a fantastic option.

Designed specifically for children, this supplement offers a gentle, flavorless solution for providing essential vitamin D — perfect for kiddos who aren’t ready to swallow pills.

This product is vegetarian and dairy-free. Goldsmith also appreciates that Carlson’s products are third-party tested by a lab registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We also like the versatility of this product — it can be applied directly onto the tongue or mixed into favorite foods like yogurt or juice.

Our only complaint is that the drops can come out slowly, posing a slight challenge if you try administering the supplement to a wiggly or impatient little one. Aside from this minor downside, Carlson Kid’s Super Daily D3 stands out as a reliable, hassle-free choice for children’s vitamin D needs.

MaryRuth’s Infant and Toddler Vitamin D3 Organic Liquid Drops offer a vegan-friendly formulation and easy-to-take (and easy to administer) liquid design. This product uses vitamin D3 sourced from lichen rather than animal-based lanolin, making it appropriate for all diet patterns.

We like that this product is USDA-certified organic and sugar-free, plus free from common allergens such as dairy, nuts, soy, and sugar. “In addition, this product is third-party tested and Clean Label Project Certified, an added safeguard that [verifies the product] has been tested for potentially harmful contaminants and ensures label accuracy,” shares Mitri.

If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward vitamin D supplement, this may not be for you, but these additions make it a great choice for anyone wanting a more comprehensive, all-in-one option.

If you’re looking for a straightforward vitamin D3 supplement without extra additives, this product delivers. “It is free from artificial ingredients and common allergens like gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, wheat, dairy, and eggs and contains zero unnecessary fillers, binders, and preservatives,” says Mitri.

The slightly higher price point might be a concern for some, but it could be well worth it for those who value a vegan product free of contaminants and allergens and committed to high quality standards.

Nordic Naturals Plant-Based Vitamin D3 Liquid is derived from lichen, making this supplement completely vegan-friendly. It includes a measured dropper, making it easy to add to your water, smoothie, or favorite beverage as part of your morning routine.

The formula is gluten-free and dairy-free, and Nordic Naturals follows strict Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and ensures third-party testing for purity and potency. Certificates of Analysis are available upon request to verify each product’s quality, offering extra assurance.

One thing to note about this product is its subtle apple flavor, which is something to consider if you’re seeking a completely flavorless liquid supplement. Its superior quality, clean ingredient profile, and convenient liquid format make Nordic Naturals Plant-Based Vitamin D3 Liquid an excellent choice.

We like the convenience of a single gummy per serving with a tasty raspberry lemon (though, the flavor is something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to taste). Combined with the assurance of high-quality standards like NSF certification and non-GMO project verification, this gummy is also gluten-free, soy-free, and vegetarian.

For anyone seeking a sugar-free vitamin D3 gummy with added digestive benefits, Vitamin Code D3 Plus K2 Gummies are a clear winner.