Which wins: Optimum Gold Standard or Dymatize ISO100—we break down protein punch, sugar traps, flavor and price-per-serve, plus taste verdicts and a no-nonsense buying guide to pick the right shake for your goals.
Quick, friendly comparison of Optimum Gold Standard (Double Rich Chocolate) and Dymatize ISO100 (Chocolate Peanut Butter), focusing on taste, protein, sugar, carbs, BCAAs and price — a fast guide to help you choose the better everyday shake for your goals.
Everyday Recovery
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Amazon.com
A versatile, reliable whey that balances taste, mixability, and value for daily use. It’s an excellent all-around choice if you want a dependable post-workout shake and lots of flavor options without paying premium isolate prices.
Fast Absorption
Dymatize ISO100 Whey Isolate Chocolate Peanut Butter
Amazon.com
A premium hydrolyzed isolate geared toward fast absorption and lean macros, which makes it ideal for strict diets and post-workout recovery. It’s pricier, but worth considering if minimal carbs, quick digestion, and cleaner protein are priorities.
Optimum Gold Whey
- Consistent 24 g protein per scoop with natural BCAAs
- Wide flavor selection and generally very good taste
- Good mixability (instantized) and easy to use
- Strong value for the 5 lb size vs competitors
- Gluten-free and widely tested quality control
Dymatize ISO100 Whey
- High-quality hydrolyzed whey isolate with 25 g protein per scoop
- Very low sugar and carbs — great for cutting or low-carb plans
- Excellent mixability and fast absorption, light on the stomach
- Many users rate the gourmet chocolate flavors among the best
Optimum Gold Whey
- Flavor quality can vary significantly between varieties
- Contains whey concentrate in the blend (not pure isolate)
- Slightly higher carbs/sugars on some flavors
Dymatize ISO100 Whey
- Premium price relative to standard whey blends
- Some flavors can be sweeter than expected for sensitive palates
Nutrition face-off: protein, calories, fat, carbs, and BCAAs
At-a-glance macro breakdown
Quick side-by-side of what matters for recovery and body composition:
Optimum Gold Standard (Double Rich Chocolate): ~24 g protein, ~120 kcal, ~1 g fat, ~3 g carbs, ~1 g sugar, ~5.5 g BCAAs (naturally occurring).
Dymatize ISO100 (Chocolate Peanut Butter): 25 g protein, <120 kcal, 1 g fat, 2 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 5.5 g BCAAs (listed); 71 servings per 5 lb tub.
Isolate vs. blend — what that actually means
Optimum Gold Standard is a blend (Whey Isolate + Whey Concentrate + peptides). Dymatize ISO100 is primarily hydrolyzed whey isolate — higher purity, lower lactose, and fewer carbs/fat per scoop.
Isolate (ISO100): faster absorption, gentler on lactose-sensitive stomachs, more protein per gram.
Blend (Gold Standard): slightly slower digestion, contains more intact whey concentrate and naturally occurring carbs/sugars, still excellent for general use and often cheaper per scoop.
Why BCAAs, calories and scoop counts matter
BCAA content helps stimulate muscle protein synthesis; both list ~5.5 g BCAAs, so recovery potential is similar per scoop. Protein purity (isolate) gives a leaner macro profile — useful if you’re cutting.
Cutting: ISO100’s lower carbs and slightly higher protein-per-calorie make tracking easier.
Bulking/Everyday use: Gold Standard’s blend is fine and often more wallet-friendly.
Tracking note: scoop weight and servings per tub affect daily totals — check the label; Dymatize lists 71 servings, 5 lb tubs of Gold Standard are typically ~70–75 servings depending on scoop size.
Feature Comparison Chart
Optimum Gold Whey vs. Dymatize ISO100 Whey
≈5.5 g (naturally occurring)
≈5.5 g (including ~2.7 g L‑Leucine)
Servings per 5 lb container
≈72 servings (varies by scoop)
Whey protein isolate + concentrate + peptides
Hydrolyzed whey protein isolate (fast-absorbing)
Instantized for smooth mixing; minimal clumps
Extremely soluble; mixes very smoothly with minimal foam
20+ flavors (wide selection)
Multiple flavors (gourmet chocolate & popular options)
Multiple locations / global sourcing
Cross-flow microfiltration + hydrolyzed processing
Low but contains concentrate — may affect very sensitive users
Very low (isolate/hydrolyzed) — better for lactose-sensitive users
Varies by flavor (some contain sucralose/acesulfame)
Varies by flavor (many use sucralose/acesulfame)
Choose this if you want a cost-effective, good-tasting daily whey with many flavors and solid macros. Opt for this when value per serving and flavor variety matter more than having a pure isolate.
Pick this if you prioritize pure isolate macros, minimal carbs/sugar, and fast absorption for post-workout gains or cutting phases. Choose the premium isolate when digestion, minimal lactose, and lean macros outweigh cost per serving.
Taste, texture & mixability: Double Rich Chocolate vs Chocolate Peanut Butter
Flavor profiles & sweetness
Optimum Gold Standard — Double Rich Chocolate: classic, slightly creamy chocolate with moderate sweetness and a familiar milk-chocolate vibe. It’s made to please wide audiences, so expect a rounded chocolate that’s not aggressively sweet and leaves a mild cocoa aftertaste.
Dymatize ISO100 — Chocolate Peanut Butter: lighter, cleaner chocolate base with a distinct peanut note. The peanut is noticeable but not overpowering; sweetness is more restrained and the finish is less lingering than Gold Standard’s. If you like a faint nutty twist without syrupy sweetness, ISO100 delivers.
Texture, mixability & mouthfeel
Gold Standard: creamier mouthfeel thanks to whey concentrate and instantizing. Slightly thicker in milk, can get a tiny bit foamy in a shaker but rarely chalky.
ISO100: thin/clean isolate texture that feels lighter on the tongue. Dissolves extremely well, low foam, minimal chalkiness — especially with water.
Mixing tips:
For a quick hit: water + ISO100 (clean, low-calorie shake).
For creaminess and calories: whole milk or oat milk + Gold Standard (makes a dessert-like shake).
Smoothies/blender: both work fine — use blender for frozen fruit, bananas, or nut butters to avoid lumps.
Shaker bottle: OK for both; shake 20–30 seconds, tap the lid to reduce foam.
To reduce sweetness or mask aftertaste: add unsweetened cocoa, a half banana, or a tiny pinch of salt.
Flavor variety & buying guide
Protein & sugar: Gold ≈ 24g protein, ~1g sugar; ISO100 = 25g protein, ~1g sugar.
Price per serving (approx.): Gold $83/5 lb ≈ $1.10; ISO100 $92/5 lb (71 serv) ≈ $1.30.
Quick buying guide:
- Pick Gold Standard if you want creamier, more classic chocolate and better value.
- Pick ISO100 if you want a cleaner isolate mouthfeel, distinct peanut note, and faster digestion.
Price, servings & real-world value per scoop
How to judge cost-effectiveness
Basic math: Price-per-serving = (Amazon price) ÷ (number of servings on the label).
Dymatize ISO100’s 5 lb tub lists about 71 servings. Optimum Gold Standard’s 5 lb tubs generally give a similar serving count (roundabout the low‑70s). Plug the current Amazon price for each tub into that formula to get a true apples‑to‑apples cost per scoop.
Relative positioning — what to expect
Dymatize ISO100 is positioned as a premium isolate and typically shows a higher price-per-serving than Gold Standard.
Optimum Gold Standard is usually the better “value” if you prioritize overall cost and a creamy blend.
ISO100’s higher price reflects purer isolate, hydrolyzation, and lower carbs/sugar — factors some users happily pay extra for.
Value beyond raw price
Faster absorption, higher protein purity, and lower sugar/carbs in ISO100 can justify a higher per-serving cost if you’re cutting, training fasted, or need gentler digestion.
Gold Standard gives more bang-for-buck for general recovery, meal supplementation, and flavor variety.
Quick buying guide
Buy Gold Standard if your priority is lowest cost-per-scoop with solid taste and a balanced macro profile.
Buy ISO100 if you need ultra‑low carbs/sugar, rapid absorption, or have stomach sensitivity and are willing to pay a premium.
Tip: Always check the current Amazon listing, note the exact serving count, and calculate price/serving before you click “Add to Cart.”
Diet fit & convenience: who should pick which?
Who should choose Dymatize ISO100
Pick ISO100 if you want a fast, lean recovery drink: it delivers 25 g protein per scoop, ultra-low sugar/carbs (about 1g sugar, 2g carbs), and is a hydrolyzed isolate that digests quickly. Ideal for:
post-workout absorption and fasted training recovery
strict low‑sugar or low‑carb diets, cutting phases
gluten-free requirement or lactose sensitivity (very low lactose)
people who want slightly higher BCAAs per scoop and gentler digestion
Who should choose Optimum Gold Standard
Pick Gold Standard if you want a solid everyday protein at lower cost: 24 g protein per scoop, slightly higher carbs/sugar but still modest, and a creamier blend that works well in recipes. Ideal for:
budget-conscious buyers wanting better price-per-serving
everyday shakes, smoothies, and meal-replacement blends
creamier textures when mixed with milk or used in baking/pancakes
users who value wide flavor options and consistent taste
Convenience factors — quick practical notes
Scoop & serving
Both use one-scoop servings and give similar protein-per-scoop; ISO100 edges out with 25 g vs Gold’s 24 g.
Mixability on the go
ISO100 (hydrolyzed/isolate) mixes super clean with water — great for gym use.
Gold Standard instantizes well and gives a creamier shake with milk or in a blender bottle.
Flavor flexibility (mix-ins)
Gold Standard blends beautifully into recipes and coffee; creamy flavors play well with milk and oats.
ISO100’s Chocolate Peanut Butter is strong and works great in lighter, lower-calorie mixes or protein pancakes.
Storage & packaging
Both come in 5 lb tubs. Keep them dry, sealed, and away from heat; note ON labeling “packaging may vary.”
Final verdict & quick buying guide
Overall winner: Dymatize ISO100 for lean, fast-absorbing isolate with lower sugar and higher BCAAs; Optimum Gold is tastier and more budget-friendly.
Checklist: purity, low sugar for cutting or recovery; price and creaminess for shakes. Check current Amazon prices and servings, then pick the product that best matches your macro priorities and taste preference.
Everyday Recovery
Amazon.com
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey
Fast Absorption
Amazon.com
Dymatize ISO100 Whey Isolate Chocolate Peanut Butter
