Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets vs BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules

Q: Which is better, Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets or BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules?

Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets scores 86.0/100 while BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules scores 78.0/100 in our analysis. Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets is the higher-rated product overall.

Q: Is Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets worth the price compared to BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules?

Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets scores 68.0/100 for value, while BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules scores 72.0/100. Check our price comparison above for the latest UK prices.

Side-by-side comparison of scores, ingredients, prices and real customer feedback for Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets and BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules.

Last verified: 07 Apr 2026 · Based on 108 reviews

Back to comparison hub View b vitamins guide

86.0

Quick Answer

Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets scores 86.0/100 vs BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules at 78.0/100. Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets wins on effectiveness, ingredient quality, side effects. BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules is stronger on value for money.

How Do the Scores Compare?

Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µ...

BioActive Complete B-Comple...

	Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µ... Solgar	BioActive Complete B-Comple... Life Extension
Overall Score	86.0	78.0
Effectiveness	88.0/100 Best	80.0/100
Ingredient Quality	93.0/100 Best	86.0/100
Value for Money	68.0/100	72.0/100 Best
Side Effects	95.0/100 Best	84.0/100
Certifications	76.0/100 Best	56.0/100
Best Price	£9.20 Holland & Barrett →	£8.08 iHerb → Cheapest
Form	Tablets	None
Dose	None	None
Third-Party Tested	✗ No	✗ No
Reviews Analysed	58	50

Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets

Pros

✓Uses Metafolin® (L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate), the bioactive form directly usable by the body — superior absorption vs. synthetic folic acid
✓Highly effective for MTHFR mutation carriers who cannot convert regular folic acid
✓Multiple reviewers report confirmed improvements in blood folate levels via lab testing
✓Small, easy-to-swallow tablets with neutral taste and no reported digestive side effects

Cons

✗Small pack size — 50 tablets is only ~7 weeks' supply at the standard one-per-day dose
✗Not third-party tested per product specs, limiting independent purity verification
✗One Amazon reviewer reported receiving 46 tablets instead of 50 (possible quality control lapse)
✗Several iHerb reviews appear to describe the 1000mcg/120-tablet variant rather than this 400µg/50-tablet product, slightly muddying the review signal

Best For

Women planning pregnancy or currently pregnant MTHFR mutation carriers who cannot efficiently convert synthetic folic acid People with diagnosed folate deficiency Those seeking a clean, minimal-additive B-vitamin supplement Anyone wanting a well-trusted, established supplement brand

Holland & Barrett £9.20 Amazon UK £16.94

View full review →

BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60...

Pros

✓Methylcobalamin (B12), 5-MTHF (methylfolate), and benfotiamine (B1) — premium bioactive forms praised repeatedly by reviewers and confirmed in the formula
✓Multiple reviewers report noticeable energy increases and calmer nervous system within one to two weeks of starting
✓Several reviews from users with doctor-diagnosed B vitamin deficiencies report clear, measurable improvement
✓Transparent ingredient list with no unnecessary fillers — consistently praised across reviews

Cons

✗Distinctive strong supplement smell on opening — multiple reviewers flag it, particularly those sensitive to odours
✗60 capsules equals only a 30-day supply at the recommended two-per-day dose — shorter than many competitors
✗No independent third-party testing despite premium pricing; LE Certified is Life Extension's own in-house standard
✗Not vegan — vegetarian capsules only, which excludes a portion of the supplement market

Best For

People with MTHFR gene variants who cannot efficiently convert standard folic acid or cyanocobalamin Those with doctor-diagnosed B vitamin deficiencies seeking bioavailable forms High-stress or high-workload individuals needing reliable daily energy and nervous system support Athletes with elevated B vitamin requirements from training load

iHerb £8.08

View full review →

What does the data say about Folate (As Metafolin®)... vs BioActive Complete B-C...?

Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets from Solgar scores 86.0/100 overall and costs £9.20 while BioActive Complete B-Complex from Life Extension scores 78.0/100 and costs £8.08. The big difference sits in their formulas. Solgar delivers 400µg of Metafolin which is L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate the bioactive form the body uses straight away. Life Extension packs methylcobalamin as B12 5-MTHF as methylfolate and benfotiamine as B1 into two capsules per day. Solgar comes as tablets with one per day serving. Life Extension uses vegetarian capsules yet requires double the daily intake for its 30-day supply against Solgar's roughly seven-week pack.

Solgar wins on overall score at 86.0/100 effectiveness 88.0/100 and ingredient quality 93.0/100 so it suits people with MTHFR mutation carriers who cannot efficiently convert synthetic folic acid or those with diagnosed folate deficiency. Life Extension takes the value win at 72.0/100 against 68.0/100 and fits high-stress or high-workload individuals needing reliable daily energy and nervous system support plus those with doctor-diagnosed B vitamin deficiencies. Pick Solgar if you want targeted folate support that reviewers confirm raises blood levels through lab tests. Choose Life Extension when you need the full bioactive B range and notice energy lifts plus calmer nerves within one to two weeks.

Practical points matter too. Life Extension carries a strong smell on opening that bothers some users sensitive to odours. Solgar's smaller pack means more frequent repurchases. Both deliver measurable results for the right users yet your exact needs decide the better buy here.

Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets Winner 86.0/100

Solgar's Folate as Metafolin® 400µg is a premium-grade folate supplement using L-methylfolate, the bioidentical, body-ready form of vitamin B9 that bypasses the need for hepatic conversion.

Effectiveness

Folate (As Metaf..

88.0/100

BioActive Comple..

80.0/100

Ingredient Quality

Folate (As Metaf..

93.0/100

BioActive Comple..

86.0/100

Value for Money

Folate (As Metaf..

68.0/100

BioActive Comple..

72.0/100

Side Effects

Folate (As Metaf..

95.0/100

BioActive Comple..

84.0/100

Certifications

Folate (As Metaf..

76.0/100

BioActive Comple..

56.0/100

What are the key differences?

Folate (As Metafolin®) .. is best for: Women planning pregnancy or currently pregnant, MTHFR mutation carriers who cannot efficiently convert synthetic folic acid

BioActive Complete B-Co.. is best for: People with MTHFR gene variants who cannot efficiently convert standard folic acid or cyanocobalamin, Those with doctor-diagnosed B vitamin deficiencies seeking bioavailable forms

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets or BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules? ▼

Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets scores 86.0/100 overall while BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules scores 78.0/100. Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets comes out ahead, scoring higher on effectiveness (88.0 vs 80.0). Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 5 is best suited for Women planning pregnancy or currently pregnant and MTHFR mutation carriers who cannot efficiently convert synthetic folic acid. BioActive Complete B-Complex, is better for People with MTHFR gene variants who cannot efficiently convert standard folic acid or cyanocobalamin and Those with doctor-diagnosed B vitamin deficiencies seeking bioavailable forms.

Is Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets worth the price compared to BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules? ▼

Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets costs £9.20 while BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules is £8.08. For value, Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets scores 68.0/100 vs BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules's 72.0/100. BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules delivers better value relative to its quality.

Which has fewer side effects? ▼

Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets scores 95.0/100 for side effects (higher means fewer reported issues) while BioActive Complete B-Complex, 60 Vegetarian Capsules scores 84.0/100. Reviewers report fewer side effects with Folate (As Metafolin®) 400µg 50 Tablets. For certification and testing, Folate (As Metafolin scores 76.0/100 vs BioActive Complete B's 56.0/100. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement.