Introduction

In spring of 2025, AG1 rolled out its “Next Gen” formula - an upgrade to a longtime category leader many treat as nutritional “insurance”. But the more relevant question for 2025 isn’t whether a single scoop can help, but what should a foundational formula really include?

Scientific benchmarks have shifted. Recent work highlights that metabolic health, the gut microbiome, and cellular resilience require more than a simple multi-plus-greens. For instance, International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP)’s 2024 consensus formalized postbiotics as an evidence-based layer beyond pre-and probiotics, and underscoring the value of spore-forming strains for reaching the intestine alive.

With that context, this review examines how AG1 and IM8 interpret “foundational” nutrition in 2025.  AG1 (Next Gen) positions itself as a broad, daily base; IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials aims beyond a multi-plus-greens by layering targeted, clinically dosed support for systems shaping day-to-day performance, resilience, and long-term health - developed in collaboration with world class scientists, research-grounded components, and a rigorous development process. 

This evidence-based IM8 vs. AG1 analysis moves past marketing promises to examine real ingredients, formulation logic, and scientific alignment - so you can determine which supplement genuinely fits the modern definition of “foundational” health support.

Stepping back: AG1 (Next Gen) reads as a tidy starter kit - a solid daily base you can build on. IM8 folds more supports into the same scoop (e.g., D3+K2, broader gut architecture, joint, hydration/recovery) at disclosed, clinical levels, aiming for fewer add-ons and clearer cause-and-effect. Next, we’ll break down each area, one by one.

The Definitive IM8 vs. AG1 Comparison Chart

The Nutrient Base: Forms, Absorption, Impact

Vitamin A, C, Iodine, Selenium, and Chromium

First, let’s take a clear look at the nutrient base - the forms and doses that actually move day-to-day energy, immunity, and metabolism. Here’s how AG1 and IM8 stack up on the impact nutrients most people fall short on.

Both IM8 and AG1 clear an important first bar: they use bioactive forms like methylcobalamin (B12) and 5-MTHF (folate)- the versions your body recognizes and uses. That’s table stakes in 2025.

• Where AG1 and IM8 diverge is dose philosophy. AG1 keeps a broadly “cover your bases” posture; IM8 leans into the nutrients most people under-consume and moves them to impact levels:
• Vitamin A: your frontline defender to better support immune readiness, vision, and skin: IM8 sets it at 900 mcg- a meaningful jump from AG1’s 550 mcg.
• Vitamin C: your daily antioxidant buffer for immune defense and collagen support: IM8 comes in at 900 mg- nearly double AG1’s 500 mg.
• Iodine + Selenium (thyroid co-factors): the tandem that powers hormone production and antioxidant defenses: IM8 delivers 150 mcg iodine (100% DV) + 70 mcg selenium- vs. AG1’s 0 mcg iodine + 22 mcg selenium.
• Chromium: the insulin sidekick for steadier glucose and appetite control: IM8 provides 100 mcg- about 4× AG1’s amount

Net: same premium forms, different philosophy. IM8’s dosing is intentionally higher where deficiencies and real-world demands are common- so “foundational” feels less theoretical and more like something you see, notice, and feel.

The Vitamin D Difference: All-in-One vs. a Two-Product System

Vitamin D sits at the crossroads of immunity, bone health, and mood - and most adults don’t get enough. IM8 builds it into the daily ritual: 1,200 IU (30 mcg) vegan D3, paired with vitamin K2, in the same scoop.

AG1 takes a different approach. Its powder doesn’t include any vitamin D; instead, AG1 sells a separate D3 oil. The logic is that fat helps absorption- true, though not strictly required-and some users may prefer dosing D independently. From a user-experience lens, the trade-offs are clear:

• Consistency vs. complexity: Putting D3 in the primary scoop favors daily adherence; separating it adds one more step (and product).
• Completeness in context: D3 with K2 in a single serving aligns with how many clinicians suggest taking these nutrients together.
• Absorption reality: Dietary fat can improve uptake, but regular daily intake is a bigger driver of steady vitamin D status for most people.

Net: If your goal is a streamlined, “nothing extra to remember” routine, the all-in-one route (D3 + K2 in IM8) keeps the ritual simple. If you prefer to fine-tune D separately, AG1’s two-product system leaves that door open.

Heavy Metals: A Consumer Reality Check

When we discuss heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and arsenic, the danger isn't necessarily from a single high dose, but from their nature as cumulative toxins. Taking a contaminated supplement daily means the toxic load is constantly topped up. Over weeks and months, even trace amounts can build up to dangerous concentrations within the body’s tissues, escalating the risk of serious neurological, cardiovascular, and renal damage.

For any daily supplement, rigorous testing becomes a non-negotiable consumer imperative.

A recent investigation by the consumer watchdog and independent testing organization, Consumer Reports, analyzed 23 popular protein supplements and ready-to-drink shakes. The results exposed a crisis: more than two-thirds of the products contained concerning levels of lead per serving - with several shelf leaders reaching a staggering 1,200% to 1,600% above safe daily limits. This is a critical health risk entirely hidden from the daily user.

IM8 sets the industry benchmark for radical transparency, by commissioning independent, third-party testing for the full spectrum of heavy metals, and publishing the detailed Certificate of Analysis and NSF Certified for Sport Certification reports directly on its website. Consumers are given direct access to the hard, verifiable data, allowing them to verify the absence of contaminants.

Source: ConsumerLab

In contrast, AG1 has faced direct scrutiny: an independent test done by ConsumerLab identified 2.1 micrograms of lead and 5.66 micrograms of phthalates per serving in AG1’s original formula, a product that shockingly remains available to purchase on Amazon.

Digestive Health: A 2-Step vs. a 4-Tier System

Gut health is a cornerstone of wellness. As IM8 Scientific Advisory Board member Prof. Suzanne Devkota (Associate Professor & Director of Microbiome Research, Cedars-Sinai) emphasizes, diet-microbiome interactions shape inflammation, metabolism, and everyday wellbeing. AG1 offers a sensible base - prebiotics and probiotics- with bromelain listed as an enzyme. IM8 builds a 4 tier system that reflects the latest in microbiome science.

1. Prebiotics: Guar Fiber and Agave Inulin act as fertilizer for your microbiome, nourishing beneficial bacteria.
2. Probiotics: IM8 delivers 10 Billion CFU of resilient, spore-forming strains (Bacillus subtilis DE111® and Bacillus coagulans BC99) that are clinically shown to survive the harsh stomach environment and colonize the gut.
3. Digestive Enzymes: A complete enzyme complex (amylase, protease, lipase, cellulase) helps break down food, reduce bloating, and enhance nutrient absorption from your diet and the supplement itself.AG1 includes only the single enzyme bromelain, and some reviewers question if it is present in an effective quantity.
4. Postbiotics: This is what truly sets IM8 apart. It includes FloraSMART®, a clinically-studied postbiotic that provides the beneficial compounds of a healthy microbiome directly. This offers immediate support for gut barrier health and regularity-a benefit AG1’s formula, which contains no postbiotics, cannot provide.
   

Net: This 4-tier system makes IM8 the most advanced and complete digestive health formula in the foundational nutrition category.

AG1 (Next Gen) is best understood as a daily base layer: broad-spectrum vitamins/minerals, a recognizable greens/superfood blend, and core gut support. What you won’t find are the extras many active users add on top: joint/connective tissue support, hydration system, recovery complex for muscle repair.

Across IM8 customer feedback, one theme keeps surfacing: higher, steadier energy throughout the day- reported by users of varied ages, routines, and activity levels. (See recent verified reviews below.)

It’s clear that IM8 asks, what if the things you usually stack on top were built in? By layering in targeted, clinically dosed complexes that go beyond the basics. The result is an everyday base that supports your routine for the long haul in ways AG1 doesn’t directly address:

• For Joint & Muscle Integrity: IM8 provides 1,000 mg of MSM per serving, a bioavailable source of sulfur essential for maintaining collagen and connective tissue. Clinical research shows this dosage can improve joint comfort and mobility- support entirely absent from AG1's formula.
• For Cellular Energy & Heart Health: IM8 includes a more robust 100 mg dose of CoQ10 compared to AG1's 60 mg, offering superior support for cardiovascular health and cellular energy production.
• For Optimal Hydration & Recovery: IM8 features a powerful 2,500 mg Electrolyte Complex and a 1,165 mg Amino Acid Complex, including BCAAs. This combination is designed to optimize hydration, nerve function, and muscle repair. AG1 does not present a dedicated electrolyte system or amino-recovery complex.
• For Stress, Cognition, Immune Tone & Stamina:  IM8 includes a 200mg Digestive Enzymes, Adaptogens & Super Mushrooms Complex 
  

Net: AG1 is a solid base you should add onto; IM8 folds add ons (joints, hydration, recovery, higher CoQ10, adaptogens/mushrooms) into one scoop - for many, a noticeable lift in steady energy.

The Future of Wellness: IM8's Exclusive Cell Rejuvenation Technology 8™

While supporting daily health is essential, the most forward-thinking strategies also target the fundamental processes of aging at the cellular level. Here, IM8 takes a monumental leap beyond any competitor with its proprietary Cell Rejuvenation Technology 8™ (CRT8™).

This complex is a synergistic blend of cutting-edge compounds designed to support autophagy- the body's natural "cellular cleanup" system that recycles old and damaged cell parts. This process is critical for maintaining cellular efficiency and promoting a healthy lifespan. The CRT8™ complex includes powerful, science-backed ingredients like Spermidine, and Trans-Resveratrol to support this vital process. This entire proactive approach to long-term cellular health is an investment in your future vitality that is simply not present in AG1.

Bonus: Ingredient Provenance

AG1 (Next Gen) keeps most inputs in generic form - consistent with its “broad foundational” brief. That approach isn’t inherently bad; it just tells you less about the exact form, supplier, or dataset behind each line item.

IM8 takes the opposite tack and names the form and the supplier, signaling tighter specs and traceable research, and an overall rigorous commitment to quality. You’ll see Quatrefolic® (a patented 5-MTHF folate with defined stability and bioavailability characteristics), VegD3® (lichen-derived, vegan vitamin D3 with identity and purity controls), FloraSMART® (a clinically studied postbiotic derived from heat-treated L. casei 327 for gut-barrier/regularity outcomes), and AstaPure® (astaxanthin from microalgae produced under controlled conditions for consistent potency).

The practical upshot isn't branding - it's provenance and replicability. When a formula specifies the exact form (and its supplier's dossier), you know which clinical evidence footprint you're buying, and you reduce the variability that can come with swapping commodity inputs from batch to batch. 

Price, Taste, Value, and Extras 

Price

Price: The two land in the same ballpark for a 30-day supply on subscription at $89 (2.96/serv). AG1 offers a discount on its pouch format ($79 at $2.63/serv), but the pouch must be refrigerated after opening. IM8 has no markup- choose pouch or travel at the same subscription/regular price. .

IM8 is built to replace multiple add-ons in a single scoop, with disclosed, functional dosing across key systems:

• A full multivitamin/mineral base (essential vitamins + 12 essential minerals)
• A 4-tier gut stack: prebiotics, 10B CFU spore-forming probiotics, a full enzyme panel, and a postbiotic
• Joint support (1,000 mg MSM)
• Cellular/heart support (100 mg CoQ10)
• Electrolytes for hydration
• Amino/BCAA blend for recovery
• A role-based adaptogen & functional mushroom complex
• A cellular maintenance layer (CRT8™)

Net: IM8 matches AG1’s travel pack price on subscription and lets you pick pouch or travel at the same rate, while AG1 discounts the pouch but charges more for travel sachets.

Shipping

IM8 delivers to 31 countries and offers free shipping to 25 major hubs (including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Singapore, and Hong Kong) on all subscriptions. U.S. delivery tends to arrive in a few business days.

AG1 sells primarily direct and is straightforward to set up, but reviewers consistently note a flat shipping fee on ongoing U.S. orders (with free shipping usually tied to first-time subscriptions). 

Welcome Bundle

• IM8: choose a Forever Jar or 30 individual sachets. New customers also receive 5 complimentary sachets and the signature red cup.
• AG1: choose one large pouch or 30 individual sachets. The starter also includes a water bottle and a 3-pack sampler of flavors. The company periodically layers in its separate D3+K2 oil for new subscribers.

Net: AG1 typically recommends refrigerating the pouch after opening to help maintain probiotic viability. IM8’s spore-forming strains are shelf-stable, which simplifies storage. Otherwise, the starter formats are broadly comparable.

Taste

Taste is a stylistic choice as much as a formula one. IM8 goes with a single acai/mixed-berry profile with hints of cocoa that’s light, smooth, and easy to mix- helped by a stevia-free sweetener system (Reb M from fermented sugarcane) that avoids the common bitter finish of many greens powders (as reviewed by Trailed and Kale)

AG1 started with its familiar sweet pineapple-vanilla base and, as of mid-2025, offers Tropical, citrus, and Berry variants. The reviews on AG1's website, and unfiltered forums like Reddit is decidedly mixed;“strong stevia aftertaste”,  “medicinal”, "bitter", come up more often than not. Especially in the new Next Gen formula.

Net: If you value broader flavor choice, AG1 has the edge. If you prefer stevia-free sweetness, and shelf-stable travel sticks, IM8 is the cleaner fit.

The Final Verdict

AG1 helped popularize the “all-in’one” idea and remains a credible foundational option. IM8 takes a different tack: it layers on performance-adjacent supports and clearer dosing onto that base. 

Where IM8 pushes further:

• Gut coverage, end-to-end: a four-tier approach (prebiotics, 10B CFU spore-forming probiotics, a full enzyme panel, and a studied postbiotic) for broader digestive support
• Performance-oriented adds: 1,000mg MSM for joint/soft-tissue support, 100 mg CoQ10, built-in hydration (2,500 mg electrolytes) and a 1,165 amino blend
• Nutrient gaps addresses: Vitamin D3 (1,200 IU), Vitamin C, alongside higher targets for select minerals: Selenium, Iodine, Chromium
• Long game: a proprietary CRT8 complex aimed at cellular resilience

Bottom line: Pick your philosophy.

• If you want a baseline and prefer to add joint support, hydration/recovery, higher CoQ10, immune defence, and thyroid/glucose cofactors à la carte, AG1 could fit that modular approach
• If you want those pieces already integrated - deeper digestive architecture, performance supports, robust electrolytes and aminos, in-scoop D3+K2, and strengthened coverage on common gaps - IM8 is the more complete scoop, at a comparable subscriber price

Choose the one that meets what “foundational” mean to you: complete, transparent, and felt in daily life.

Ready to upgrade your daily ritual? Try IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): IM8 vs. AG1

1. Does AG1 work compared to IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials?
   Based on a detailed formula analysis, IM8 is superior. It offers a complete 4-tier digestive system (with a postbiotic AG1 lacks), targeted support for joints (MSM) and recovery (amino acids), includes a crucial 1,200 IU of Vitamin D and significantly higher doses of other key nutrients (Vitamin C, A, Chromium, Iodine, Selenium) and features an exclusive cellular longevity complex.
2. What does AG1 taste like compared to IM8?AG1 offers Tropical, Citrus, and Berry variants. Reddit feedback on the Next Gen formula repeatedly cites “bitter” and “horrible.” IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials uses a single açaí/mixed-berry profile with hints of cocoa, sweetened with Reb M; it avoids a stevia-like aftertaste.
   
3. What is a postbiotic and why is it important for gut health?
   Postbiotics are the beneficial compounds produced by probiotics. By including a clinically-studied postbiotic, IM8 provides immediate support for your gut lining and regularity, making its digestive health system more advanced and effective than formulas that rely on probiotics alone.
4. Can IM8 replace my multivitamin and probiotic?
   Yes. IM8 is a true all-in-one, providing a full spectrum of bioavailable vitamins and minerals (including Vitamin D) and a complete 4-tier digestive system, eliminating the need for separate supplements.
5. Is AG1 worth it compared to IM8?
   For a similar per-serving cost, IM8 delivers significantly more value by replacing numerous additional supplements you would need to buy separately, including a joint formula, a heart health supplement, an electrolyte mix, and a standalone Vitamin D product.