Ascent Native Whey vs Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard: Who’s the Real MVP?

In this review, I’ll be comparing Ascent Native Whey and Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Whey across eight key criteria, including taste, mixability, nutritional value, and cost.

As a former NFL/CFL athlete and certified personal trainer, I’ve tried countless protein powders. My goal is to provide you with an unbiased, comprehensive comparison to help you make an informed decision.

Let’s dive in!

Prefer to watch than read? See my full reviews on YouTube:

In This Review:
Summary | Quick Look | Comparison | Taste | Mixability | Protein Density | Nutritional Value | Third Party Testing | Cost Comparison | Final Thoughts

30 Second Summary:

• Taste: Gold Standard narrowly wins with a score of 6.75/10 vs Ascent’s 7.3/10
• Protein Content: Ascent offers slightly more protein per serving (25g vs 24g)
• Calories: Both have similar calorie content (Ascent: 120, Gold Standard: 120-130)
• Carbs: Gold Standard has slightly fewer carbs (3g) compared to Ascent (4g)
• Protein Density: Ascent is slightly denser, with 83% of calories from protein compared to Gold Standard’s 74-80%
• Cost: Ascent is more cost-effective at $0.06 per gram of protein vs Gold Standard’s at $0.07
• Third-Party Testing: Both products are third-party tested for banned substances.
• Flavor Variety: Gold Standard offers 20 different flavors, while Ascent only has 7.

The main difference between Ascent Native Whey and Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard is the protein source and processing method. Ascent uses Native Whey, which is less processed and may be easier to digest, while Gold Standard uses a blend of whey proteins.

A Quick Look: Ascent vs Gold Standard

Note: Label specs may vary depending on the flavor you choose.

Before testing both Ascent flavors…

Head-to-Head Comparison:

Here’s how I rated Ascent Native Whey vs Gold Standard across 8 categories:

Note: The Naturally Sweetened Gold Standard flavor was discontinued in 2024 due to low sales.

Which One Tastes Better?

In the taste test, Ascent Native Whey narrowly edged out Gold Standard. Here’s how I scored each flavor:

• Ascent Chocolate: 7.4/10
• Ascent Vanilla: 7.2/10
• Gold Standard Chocolate: 7/10
• Gold Standard Vanilla: 6.5/10

I found Ascent’s flavors tasty despite its clean ingredients. Gold Standard was solid, but I didn’t love the Vanilla flavor.

On the bright side, Gold Standard has 20 different flavors to choose from—compared to Ascent’s 7—so there is a good chance you’ll find something you like.

Just before tasting the chocolate flavor

Which One Mixes Better?

Gold Standard slightly outperformed Ascent in mixability:

• Gold Standard: 7.5/10
• Ascent: 7/10

Both proteins mix well, but Ascent had some residual powder after shaking. Gold Standard easier to mix and had a smoother consistency.

Just before mixing Gold Standard vanilla flavor

Nutritional Value Comparison

Both proteins offer high-quality nutritional profiles:

Ascent scored slightly higher in nutritional value (8.5/10) compared to Gold Standard (8/10). Ascent’s use of Native Whey and minimal ingredients gives it a slight edge, but both are excellent choices for clean, high-quality protein.

Native whey is the least processed whey protein available. It is made from skim milk without undergoing any cheese-making process. Native whey is often considered to have a cleaner, more complete protein profile than whey concentrate, isolate, or hydrolyzed whey.

Close up of Ascent Native Whey ingredients

Which One is Higher Purity?

Ascent Native Whey has a slightly higher protein density:

• Ascent Native Whey: 83%
• Gold Standard: 74-80%

I consider both proteins high-purity, with the majority of their calories coming from protein.

Here’s a complete breakdown of protein density across all three products:

Note: To calculate protein density, we multiply protein per serving by 4 (because 1 g of protein = 4 calories) and then divide by total number of calories.

Cost Comparison

Ascent Native Whey is slightly more affordable when looking at cost per gram of protein:

• Ascent: $0.06 per gram of protein; $1.34-$1.45 per serving
• Gold Standard: $0.07 per gram of protein; $1.62 per serving

That said, Gold Standard offers larger tub sizes which can reduce the overall cost per serving.

Third-Party Testing

Both proteins excel in this category, scoring a perfect 10/10 for third-party testing. Each of them third party test to ensure no banned substances are used—intentionally or accidentally—in their formulas.

The supplement space is not nearly as regulated by the FDA as, say, the pharmaceutical industry, meaning it’s on us, as consumers, to be diligent. These third party tests give me peace of mind.

Brand Reputation

Both Ascent and Optimum Nutrition have strong reputations in the sports nutrition industry:

• Gold Standard: 10/10
• Ascent: 8/10

Optimum Nutrition, with its 35+ years of experience and numerous awards, edges out the newer Ascent brand.

However, Ascent has quickly built a solid reputation for its clean, high-quality products.

Final Thoughts: Which is the Better Choice?

Winner: Ascent (by a narrow margin)

And the winner is…

While both Ascent Native Whey and Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard are excellent protein powders, Ascent takes a slight lead for the following reasons:

• More cost-effective
• All natural ingredients
• Higher quality protein (native vs hydrolyzed)

However, Gold Standard is an excellent choice if you prefer:

• Slightly better mixability
• More cost-effective in larger sizes
• Longer track record and stronger brand reputation

Ultimately, both are high-quality protein powders, and your choice may come down to personal preferences in taste, digestibility, and specific nutritional needs.

You can find both products on Amazon here and here or their respective official websites. Remember to consider your individual goals and dietary needs when making your choice!

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to check out my other protein powder comparisons and follow me on YouTube!