Index compare
Ascent vs Optimum Nutrition: Index and $/25g
Live Amazon-tracked Ascent and Optimum Nutrition whey SKUs ranked by Index /100 and cost per 25g — not tub sticker price or affiliate listicles.
Winner rule: Winner = lowest $/25g among listings with Index ≥70 in this table.
Among Index ≥70 in this table, Optimum Nutrition leads on $/25g at $1.10 (Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard, Double Rich Chocolate, 5 Pound, Index 84).
Ascent — top Index in catalog
| Product | Index/100 | $/25g | Protein | Sugar | Type | Clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascent 100% Whey Protein Powder | Unscored | $1.45 | 25g | 1.0g | blend | — |
| Ascent 100% Whey Protein Powder | Unscored | $1.52 | 25g | 1.0g | — | — |
| Ascent 100% Whey Protein Powder, Mint Chocolate Chip | Unscored | $1.57 | 25g | 1.0g | — | — |
| Ascent 100% Whey Protein Powder | Unscored | $1.73 | 25g | 1.0g | — | — |
Optimum Nutrition — top Index in catalog
| Product | Index/100 | $/25g | Protein | Sugar | Type | Clean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey Gold Standard, Double Rich Chocolate, 5 Pound Double Rich Chocolate | 84 | $1.10 | 24g | 1.4g | concentrate | 5/6 formulation checks |
| Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder, Double Rich Chocolate, 5 Double Rich Chocolate | 83 | $1.36 | 24g | 1.0g | concentrate | 5/6 formulation checks |
| Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein, Cookies & Cream Cookies & Cream | 77 | $1.31 | 24g | 3.0g | concentrate | 5/6 formulation checks |
| Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Isolate Protein Powder Chocolate Bliss Chocolate Bliss | 76 | $1.86 | 25g | 0.0g | isolate | 4/6 formulation checks |
FAQ
Is Ascent better than Optimum Nutrition?
It depends on the SKU. Compare live Index /100 (formulation checks, sugar, value) and $/25g on this page — brand reputation alone is not a score.
How does WheyIndex score these brands?
Index /100 weights formulation simplicity (60%), sugar per 25g protein (30%), and same-market value (10%). Affiliate relationships never change scores. See /how-the-index-works.