Short answer: Thorne Basic Prenatal is the better choice if you have MTHFR gene variants or want the prenatal most prescribed by OBGYNs - it has 1,000 mcg of active methylfolate (5-MTHF) and highly bioavailable iron. Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal is better if you want a whole-food formula with built-in probiotics and digestive enzymes at a lower monthly cost (~$15-24/month vs ~$39/month).
Thorne and Garden of Life make two of the most respected prenatal vitamins on the market. They're both third-party tested, free of synthetic fillers, and recommended by healthcare practitioners. But they're formulated with different philosophies.
Thorne is the clinical-grade pick - high-dose methylfolate, bioavailable iron, and the exact formula many OBGYNs prescribe. Garden of Life is the whole-food pick - organic fruit and vegetable powders, probiotics, and digestive enzymes built into every serving. Here's how to choose.
The Folate Difference - This Matters Most
This is the single most important distinction between these two prenatals, and it could genuinely affect your pregnancy.
Thorne uses 1,000 mcg of 5-MTHF (methylfolate) - the pre-converted, active form of folate. Your body can use it immediately without any conversion. This is critical because an estimated 40-60% of the population has MTHFR gene variants that reduce their ability to convert regular folate or folic acid into the active form their body needs.
Garden of Life uses 800 mcg of "whole-food folate" - not synthetic folic acid (which is good), but also not confirmed to be 5-MTHF. Food-form folate still requires some enzymatic conversion, which may be incomplete for people with MTHFR variants.
If you know you have an MTHFR variant (a simple genetic test can tell you), Thorne's 5-MTHF is the clear choice. If you don't know your MTHFR status, Thorne is the safer bet because it works regardless of your genetics.
Iron - Bioavailability Matters
Thorne provides 45 mg of iron as Ferrochel Ferrous Bisglycinate - a chelated form known for high absorption and minimal GI side effects. Many prenatal vitamins cause constipation and nausea because of their iron form. Thorne specifically chose bisglycinate to avoid this.
Garden of Life provides 27 mg of "food-created" iron, which is gentler but at a lower dose. The 27 mg dose matches the standard RDA for pregnancy, while Thorne's 45 mg exceeds it - useful if your blood work shows low iron stores or if your OBGYN recommends a higher dose.
Both are gentle on the stomach compared to cheap iron sulfate. But if your doctor has flagged low ferritin or iron-deficiency anemia, Thorne's higher dose and chelated form give you more per capsule.
The Whole-Food Advantage
Garden of Life's formula includes 20+ organic fruit and vegetable powders, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. The idea is that nutrients delivered in a whole-food matrix are better absorbed and come with cofactors (enzymes, phytonutrients) that support absorption.
Thorne takes a more targeted approach - isolated nutrients in their most bioavailable forms, without the whole-food base. Their argument is that precise dosing of proven bioavailable forms (methylfolate, chelated iron, methylcobalamin B12) is more reliable than relying on food-matrix absorption.
Both philosophies have merit. If you eat a varied, nutrient-rich diet, Thorne's targeted approach fills specific gaps efficiently. If your diet is inconsistent or you want the added benefit of probiotics without taking a separate supplement, Garden of Life packs more into each serving.
Neither Includes DHA
This is important: neither prenatal includes DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the omega-3 fatty acid critical for fetal brain and eye development. Both brands sell separate DHA supplements.
Budget an additional $15-25/month for a quality prenatal DHA supplement regardless of which prenatal vitamin you choose. This is not optional - DHA is one of the most important nutrients for pregnancy, and most prenatal vitamins don't include it because the fish oil would make the capsules too large or affect shelf stability.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Thorne Basic Prenatal Advantages
- 1,000 mcg methylfolate (5-MTHF) - works for all genetics
- 45 mg chelated iron (Ferrochel) - highly bioavailable
- Most prescribed prenatal by OBGYNs
- NSF certified manufacturing facility
- Precise, clinically-dosed nutrients
- Guaranteed MTHFR-friendly
Garden of Life Raw Prenatal Advantages
- 40-60% cheaper per month ($15-24 vs $39)
- Built-in probiotics and digestive enzymes
- 20+ organic fruit and vegetable powders
- Non-GMO Project Verified
- B Corp certified company
- Whole-food nutrient matrix
The Bottom Line
If you have MTHFR gene variants, low iron levels, or want the prenatal your OBGYN is most likely to recommend, get Thorne Basic Prenatal. Its 1,000 mcg of active methylfolate and chelated iron are best-in-class for bioavailability.
If you want a whole-food formula with probiotics and enzymes at a significantly lower price point, Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Prenatal delivers excellent nutrition for $15-24/month.
Either way, add a separate DHA supplement - neither includes it, and your baby's developing brain needs it.