Which supplements help build muscle?
Muscle gain comes from training, enough calories and enough protein; supplements replace none of them. Two have strong evidence: creatine monohydrate, and protein powder if you can't reach your protein target from food. The rest are optional or unnecessary.
What helps, what doesn’t?
Creatine monohydrate
3–5 g a dayThe most researched supplement for strength and muscle gain. Monohydrate is all you need; taking it every day matters more than the form.
Protein powder (if needed)
Target: 0.7–1 g protein per lb of body weightWhat counts for muscle is total daily protein. If food falls short, powder is the easiest way to close the gap; if it doesn't, powder adds nothing.
Caffeine or a pre-workout
Can lift training performance a little. The active ingredient in most pre-workouts is caffeine; skip it if you're sensitive to caffeine or train in the evening.
BCAAs
Haven't been shown to add muscle when daily protein is already enough; protein powder already contains them.
Testosterone boosters
There's no strong evidence that herbal boosters such as tribulus increase muscle or strength in healthy men.
Lowest price per pound
We divide the pack price by its weight, so a bigger tub often comes out cheaper. Only products in stock with a known pack weight are listed, one per brand. A green badge means the price really dropped against our own 30-day price history.
Creatine
All creatine prices- Creatine Monohydrate (Micronized) Powder - Powder / 1 Kilogram (2.2 lbs)BulkSupplements1 kgLowest in 30 daysGo to store$13.59/lb$29.97 per pack
- Creatine Monohydrate Powder | Naked Creatine - 2.2LBNaked Nutrition2.2 lbGo to store$16.36/lb$35.99 per pack
- Creatine [+] - 80 Servings (1.58 lb)Optimum Nutrition1.58 lbGo to store$18.03/lb$28.49 per pack
- Creatine Monohydrate Powder - 17.64 oz CanisterOrgain17.64 ozGo to store$20.85/lb$22.99 per pack
- Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate Powder - 1 KGNutricost1 kgGo to store$21.31/lb$46.97 per pack
- Hi-Tech Pharma Creatine Monohydrate - 1000gHi-Tech Pharma1000 gSold by bodybuilding.comGo to store$22.66/lb$49.95 per pack
From 51 eligible products, each brand’s lowest price per lb.
Protein powder
All protein powder prices- Nutricost Organic Rice Protein Powder - 5 LBSNutricost5 lbGo to store$11.00/lb$54.97 per pack
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Pea Protein Powder | Naked Pea - 5LBNaked Nutrition5 lbGo to store$11.60/lb$57.99 per pack
- Soy Protein Isolate Powder - Powder / 5 Kilograms (11 lbs)BulkSupplements5 kgGo to store$12.97/lb$142.97 per pack
- Mhp Probolic SR Protein - 5lbMHP5 lbSold by bodybuilding.comGo to store$13.50/lb$67.49 per pack
- Pro Supps Whey Concentrate Vanilla - 80.07 oz.Pro Supps80.07 ozSold by bodybuilding.comLowest in 30 daysGo to store$14.38/lb$71.99 per pack
- Animal 100% Whey Protein - 4 lbsAnimal4 lbGo to store$16.24/lb$64.95 per pack
From 283 eligible products, each brand’s lowest price per lb.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need supplements to build muscle?
No. Muscle gain comes from training, enough calories and protein. Supplements make those easier; apart from creatine, most have small effects.
Can I take creatine and protein powder together?
Yes. They do different jobs and work fine together. Taking creatine every day at the same dose matters more than when you take it.
What should a beginner start with?
Most early progress comes from training. If you want supplements, creatine monohydrate and, if food falls short on protein, protein powder are enough.