Evidence-first supplement library

Creatine Forms Directory

Compare traditional powders, convenience formulas, and clinical derivatives in one place. Every profile is written to help athletes, clinicians, and curious lifters choose the right form using transparent sourcing and neutral analysis.

Widely available powders and capsules

Each card links to a deep-dive page with benefits, limitations, dosing guidance, and a curated list of peer-reviewed or highly vetted industry sources.

strengthmost researchedbudget-friendly

Creatine Monohydrate

The benchmark form with the largest evidence base for strength, anaerobic power, cognitive resilience under sleep loss, and long-term safety.

Bioavailability
~99% absorption when dosed with fluid
Evidence depth
30+ years of clinical trials
Regulatory status
GRAS in the U.S., EU Novel Food approved

Best for

Strength and hypertrophy blocks

mixabilitycompliance

Micronized Creatine

A particle-size modification of creatine monohydrate designed to disperse faster in liquids while delivering identical molecular creatine.

Molecule
Creatine monohydrate
Primary benefit
Improved mixability, less grit
Cost
Slightly higher than standard monohydrate

Best for

Athletes who dislike gritty textures

GI-friendlyhigh solubility

Creatine Hydrochloride (HCl)

A salt formed by binding creatine to hydrochloric acid, producing higher aqueous solubility and allowing smaller serving sizes while maintaining efficacy.

Solubility
Up to 38x higher than monohydrate in water
Typical dose
1.5–2 g daily
Taste
Noticeably tart/acidic

Best for

Individuals with GI discomfort from loading phases

capsuleconvenience

Buffered Creatine (Kre-Alkalyn)

An alkalized creatine powder marketed to resist conversion to creatinine in acidic environments, though performance data remains similar to monohydrate.

Claimed benefit
Less stomach discomfort
Form factor
Capsules or pH-adjusted powder
Evidence status
Limited independent trials

Best for

People averse to mixing powders

Niche salts, blends, and convenience products

Each card links to a deep-dive page with benefits, limitations, dosing guidance, and a curated list of peer-reviewed or highly vetted industry sources.

electrolytespower output

Creatine Magnesium Chelate

A chelated complex linking creatine to magnesium to potentially leverage magnesium’s role in ATPase activity, studied primarily for power athletes.

Primary users
Rowers, sprinters, team sports
Research volume
Limited randomized trials
Taste
Neutral to slightly metallic

Best for

Athletes with marginal magnesium intake

mixabilityendurance

Creatine Citrate

An acidified form combining creatine with citric acid to enhance solubility and pair with effervescent or RTD products while delivering modest ergogenic effects.

Solubility
Higher than monohydrate, lower than nitrate
Use cases
Effervescent drinks, endurance stacks
Creatine yield
~40% creatine by weight

Best for

Athletes wanting flavored drink mixes

HIITteam sports

Creatine Malate (Di- & Tri-creatine Malate)

Creatine bound to malic acid, often in di- or tri-creatine ratios, intended to support ATP production in glycolytic sports while offering smoother mixing.

Creatine yield
45–55% depending on di- or tri-form
Taste
Pleasant tartness suitable for intra-workout drinks
Primary appeal
Endurance-sprint crossover

Best for

CrossFit and team sport athletes

legacyconsumer caution

Creatine Ethyl Ester (CEE)

Esterifying creatine with ethanol aims to bypass creatine transporters and improve membrane permeability, but controlled studies show faster conversion to creatinine and no added benefits.

Stability
Low in aqueous environments
Primary concern
Higher serum creatinine without performance gains
Current status
Mostly phased out by evidence-based brands

Best for

Limited modern use; occasionally found in legacy blends

pre-workoutpump

Creatine Nitrate

Combines creatine with nitrate to pair ATP regeneration with nitric oxide-mediated blood flow, commonly found in pump-focused pre-workouts.

Stacking
Often paired with citrulline or beta-alanine
Regulation
Subject to nitrate content limits in some countries
Primary appeal
Two ergogenic pathways in one ingredient

Best for

Athletes wanting both creatine and nitric-oxide support

intermittent sportsoxidative support

Creatine Pyruvate

Pairs creatine with pyruvic acid to potentially support aerobic recovery between sprints; studied mostly for intermittent sports.

Creatine yield
~60%
Primary audience
Soccer, hockey, combat sports
Taste
Slightly tart

Best for

Athletes alternating between sprints and active recovery

enduranceresearch needed

Creatine Orotate

Combines creatine with orotic acid, a pyrimidine precursor involved in nucleotide synthesis, marketed for endurance and cardiac support.

Usage
Endurance or cardiac-focused stacks
Evidence level
Mostly theoretical and animal data
Taste
Neutral

Best for

Biohackers exploring nucleotide support

RTDtravel

Liquid Creatine

Ready-to-drink creatine products that suspend creatine in solution. Stability challenges mean many deliver lower creatine content unless stabilized with acids and preservatives.

Convenience
High
Shelf life
Short unless stabilized
Use case
Travel or on-the-go servings

Best for

Athletes who forget powder servings

Research-stage or prescription protocols

Each card links to a deep-dive page with benefits, limitations, dosing guidance, and a curated list of peer-reviewed or highly vetted industry sources.

neurologyresearch only

Di-acetyl Creatine Ethyl Ester (Di-CEE)

A next-generation ester investigated for improved membrane permeability and neurological delivery, still confined to laboratory studies.

Status
Research-only
Objective
Improve brain uptake and stability
Availability
Not legally marketed as a supplement

Best for

Currently limited to clinical trials investigating neurological outcomes

elite performancepatented

Creatine ATP Blends

Combines creatine with adenosine triphosphate or its precursors to target both phosphagen stores and immediate ATP availability, mostly studied in specialty supplements.

Status
Limited sports supplement use
Evidence
Small trials on power output
Use case
Short maximal efforts

Best for

Advanced athletes under sport dietitian supervision

clinicalmetabolic disorders

Medical Creatine Formulations

Prescription or clinical-grade creatine protocols tailored for creatine transporter (SLC6A8), AGAT, or GAMT deficiencies, often combined with arginine, glycine, or sodium benzoate.

Setting
Clinical only
Goal
Restore brain creatine levels
Adjuncts
Arginine, glycine, ornithine, or sodium benzoate

Best for

Patients diagnosed with creatine deficiency syndromes under metabolic specialist care