The empty veggie capsule market hit a different volume in 2026. The global empty capsules market is projected to surpass $3.6 billion by 2030, and HPMC vegetarian capsules now hold the largest share of new growth because plant-based formulas keep displacing gelatin in supplement-aware buyer searches. For kratom users who fill their own capsules, the jump in available brands is good news and a small problem: there are too many SKUs to compare without a structure. This roundup pulls the 12 veggie capsule brands worth shortlisting in 2026, evaluates each against the criteria that actually matter (size compatibility, vegan certification, third-party testing, price per cap), and ends with what to do if you'd rather skip the filling work entirely.
Table of Contents
- What to Look for in a Veggie Capsule
- Criteria Breakdown
- The 12 Best Veggie Capsule Brands
- Notable Mentions
- FAQ
- Final Thoughts
TL;DR
- Veggie capsules use HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) instead of bovine gelatin. Vegan, kosher, halal-friendly, and the standard for kratom DIY filling.
- Size 00 holds about 750 mg of kratom powder, size 0 holds about 500 mg, size 000 holds about 1 gram. Pick by your dose target.
- The 12 brands below cover every budget from premium pharma-grade (Vegicaps) to bulk-economy (Capsule Connection).
- For most kratom DIY fillers, Capsuline, NOW Foods, and LFA are the safest first picks because they pair plant-based HPMC with full third-party certifications.
- Filling caps takes 30 to 45 minutes per 100 caps with a hand tray. Pre-filled kratom capsules from a clean vendor save the work and ship with COA.
What to Look for in a Veggie Capsule
Veggie capsules look interchangeable on the shelf. They're not. The differences that matter for kratom and supplement DIY fillers come down to six criteria, and four of them aren't visible on the bottle.
The first is size. Capsule sizes go from 000 (largest, holds about 1 gram of kratom) to 4 (smallest, holds about 200 mg). Most kratom fillers use size 00 (about 750 mg) because the dose hits the standard 2 to 3 gram range with three or four capsules. Size 0 (about 500 mg) suits users who want smaller per-capsule doses. Size 000 is for users who hate counting and want a full gram per cap.
The second is the material. Veggie capsules are made from HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), a plant-derived cellulose. Gelatin caps are bovine-derived. HPMC dissolves slightly slower (which doesn't matter for kratom) and is fully vegan, kosher, and halal-compatible. Some brands use pullulan (fermented tapioca) which is also plant-based but less common.
The third is certifications. Look for three: Vegan Society, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Kosher/Halal where relevant. The cheapest Amazon brands skip all three and source from unverified factories. Mid-range brands carry one or two. Premium brands carry all three plus cGMP manufacturing.
The fourth is third-party testing. Premium brands publish heavy metals and microbial test results. Budget brands don't. For kratom fillers this matters because the capsule shell is in contact with the powder for weeks before you take it.
The fifth is price per cap. Veggie caps run from about $0.01 (bulk wholesale) to $0.05 (premium pharma-grade) per capsule. The price spread is large for a small piece of cellulose. Most users do best at the $0.02 to $0.03 range.
The sixth is country of origin. US-made caps cost more but ship faster and carry FDA-registered facility audits. China-made caps are cheaper and dominate the budget tier; some are excellent, some aren't.
Criteria Breakdown
| Criterion | What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 | Determines per-capsule dose. Size 00 is the kratom default. |
| Material | HPMC vs pullulan vs gelatin | HPMC is the vegan standard. Gelatin is bovine. |
| Certifications | Vegan Society, Non-GMO, Kosher, Halal | Verifies plant-based sourcing and clean manufacturing. |
| Third-Party Testing | Heavy metals, microbial screens | Confirms the capsule shell is contaminant-free. |
| Price per Cap | $0.01 to $0.05 | Most users do best in $0.02 to $0.03 range. |
| Country of Origin | US, EU, China, India | US/EU caps cost more, ship faster, audit better. |
The 12 Best Veggie Capsule Brands
Each brand below is reviewed against the six criteria above with a 5-star rating, plus pros, cons, price, and where to find. The order is best-overall first.
1. Capsuline (Best Overall)
Best Known For: Industry-standard plant-based HPMC with full certification stack.
Capsuline K-CAPS Vegetarian Capsules are made from 100% plant-derived HPMC sourced from softwood pine and spruce. The brand carries Vegan Society Verified, Non-GMO Project Verified, Halal, and Kosher certifications. They publish third-party testing for heavy metals and microbials. Sizes available: 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4. Capsule joining is the gel-cap-style snap (easier for hand filling than press-fit alternatives).
Features: Vegan Society Verified, Non-GMO Project Verified, Halal, Kosher, third-party tested, sizes 000-4
Pros: Full certification stack, made in US-registered facility, snap-fit capsule design
Cons: Slightly higher price than budget brands, sometimes out of stock on the largest order quantities
Criteria Evaluation: Size 5/5, Material 5/5, Certifications 5/5, Testing 5/5, Price 4/5, Origin 5/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: "Capsuline is what every other kratom forum recommends as the default veggie cap. The price is fair and the certifications hold up." (kratom community sourcing thread, Reddit r/kratom)
Price: $11.99 for 100 size 00 caps; bulk pricing at 1,000+ count drops to about $0.04 per cap. Find Capsuline at capsuline.com
2. NOW Foods Empty Veg Capsules
Best Known For: Trusted retail availability with Non-GMO Project Verification.
NOW Foods Empty Veg Capsules are sold at most natural-foods retailers (Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe, Sprouts) and online at every major channel. Sizes available: 0 and 00. The double-00 caps hold 700-900 mg of most powders. NOW carries Non-GMO Project Verified status and runs cGMP manufacturing.
Features: Non-GMO Project Verified, cGMP manufacturing, two sizes (0 and 00), available retail and online
Pros: Easy to find at physical retail, trusted brand name, fair price
Cons: Limited size range (no 000 or smaller than 0), no Vegan Society certification
Criteria Evaluation: Size 3/5, Material 5/5, Certifications 4/5, Testing 4/5, Price 4/5, Origin 5/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: NOW Foods caps consistently get the "good enough, easy to find" recommendation in supplement DIY forums. Heavy users often graduate to Capsuline or LFA for the larger size options.
Price: $14.99 for 250 size 00 caps; about $0.06 per cap at retail. Find NOW Foods at nowfoods.com
3. LFA Capsules
Best Known For: US-made HPMC caps from a Texas cGMP facility.
LFA HPMC capsules are manufactured in Fort Worth, Texas at an ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 22000:2018 certified facility. Every batch is third-party tested. Sizes available: 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4. The brand sells direct from their site and through Amazon. Their size 000 caps are the most-bought option for kratom users targeting 1+ gram doses per capsule.
Features: ISO 9001 and 22000 certified, cGMP manufacturing, third-party tested, sizes 000-4
Pros: US-made (Texas), full ISO stack, snap-fit design, fast shipping
Cons: Less name recognition than Capsuline or NOW, smaller community footprint
Criteria Evaluation: Size 5/5, Material 5/5, Certifications 4/5, Testing 5/5, Price 4/5, Origin 5/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: LFA gets strong reviews on Amazon for the size 000 caps in particular. Kratom users targeting 1 gram per cap rotate to LFA after starting on Capsuline.
Price: $14.50 for 1,000 size 00 caps; about $0.015 per cap at bulk. Find LFA at capsuleconnection.com
4. Solaray
Best Known For: Trusted vitamin-aisle brand with vegetarian capsule options.
Solaray Empty Vegetarian Capsules are widely available at supplement retailers and online. The brand has been around since 1973 and earned trust as a clean-label vitamin maker. Sizes 0 and 00 are the focus. Smaller per-bottle counts (100, 500) make Solaray better for users who don't want to commit to bulk.
Features: Multiple retail availability, brand trust dating to 1973, sizes 0 and 00, smaller order quantities
Pros: Trusted name, easy to find, smaller order quantities suit casual fillers
Cons: Higher per-cap price, no 000 size, fewer certifications visible on packaging
Criteria Evaluation: Size 3/5, Material 4/5, Certifications 3/5, Testing 3/5, Price 3/5, Origin 4/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: Solaray comes up in Amazon reviews as "fine, expensive" or "good for someone new to filling caps." Heavy users typically switch to Capsuline or LFA.
Price: $9.99 for 100 size 00 caps; about $0.10 per cap (highest in this list). Find Solaray at solaray.com
5. XPRS Nutra
Best Known For: DIY-friendly brand frequently recommended in supplement forums.
XPRS Nutra sells empty veggie capsules in sizes 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 00, and 000. The brand markets directly to DIY supplement makers and emphasizes vegetarian, vegan, and non-GMO formulations. They sell through Amazon and direct on their site.
Features: Full size range (4 through 000), DIY-marketed, vegan and non-GMO claims
Pros: Smallest sizes (4, 3) available for low-dose users, smaller bag counts, fair price
Cons: Less rigorous certification stack than Capsuline or LFA, limited testing transparency
Criteria Evaluation: Size 5/5, Material 4/5, Certifications 3/5, Testing 3/5, Price 4/5, Origin 3/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: XPRS Nutra is the "Amazon default" for many casual users who want size variety without committing to bulk. Reviews on Amazon are consistently 4+ stars.
Price: $12.99 for 100 size 00 caps; about $0.06 to $0.08 per cap. Find XPRS Nutra at xprsnutra.com
6. Vegicaps (Lonza Capsugel)
Best Known For: Premium pharma-grade veggie caps from the original HPMC inventor.
Vegicaps are made by Lonza Capsugel, the company that invented HPMC capsules. The brand is the gold standard in pharma manufacturing and used by major nutraceutical brands as the empty cap of choice. Sold mostly through B2B channels but available at retail through partner brands.
Features: Original HPMC inventor, pharma-grade manufacturing, full ISO and cGMP stack, multiple sizes
Pros: Highest quality in the category, used by premium supplement brands as their actual fill cap
Cons: Hard to buy direct in small quantities, premium pricing, limited home-DIY channels
Criteria Evaluation: Size 5/5, Material 5/5, Certifications 5/5, Testing 5/5, Price 2/5, Origin 5/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: Vegicaps is the cap that other brands compare themselves to in pharma circles. Less visible to retail buyers.
Price: Limited retail; resellers list at $0.04 to $0.06 per cap. Find Vegicaps via Lonza Capsugel
7. PureBulk Empty Capsules
Best Known For: Bulk-friendly DIY supply company with size 00 standard caps.
PureBulk sells empty vegetarian capsules in sizes 00 and 0, with case-quantity pricing aimed at home DIY makers and small supplement businesses. Their size 00 caps hold about 750 mg, the kratom industry standard.
Features: Bulk-friendly pricing, sizes 0 and 00, plant-based HPMC, US shipping
Pros: Best price-per-cap at large quantities, fast US shipping, friendly DIY-buyer support
Cons: Limited size range (no 000), less certification visibility than premium brands
Criteria Evaluation: Size 3/5, Material 4/5, Certifications 3/5, Testing 3/5, Price 5/5, Origin 4/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: PureBulk is the "buy a 5,000-pack" recommendation from forum heavy fillers who go through caps fast.
Price: $0.014 to $0.018 per cap at 1,000+ count. Find PureBulk at purebulk.com
8. Wananfu
Best Known For: Affordable Amazon-channel brand with reliable HPMC formula.
Wananfu sells empty vegetarian capsules through Amazon at competitive pricing. Their HPMC formula uses vegetable cellulose and water as the only ingredients. The brand bundles capsule filling tools (micro lab spoons, trays) with their orders, making them friendly for first-time DIY fillers.
Features: Amazon-channel default, HPMC + water formula, includes filling tools, sizes 00 and 0
Pros: Bundled filling tools save extra orders, fair budget pricing, Amazon Prime shipping
Cons: Less certification depth, smaller sample sizes per order, no size 000
Criteria Evaluation: Size 3/5, Material 4/5, Certifications 2/5, Testing 2/5, Price 5/5, Origin 2/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: Wananfu reviews on Amazon are 4+ stars for the price point. Forum users describe them as "fine for occasional use."
Price: $9.99 for 100 size 00 caps with bonus tools; about $0.10 per cap including the tools. Find Wananfu on Amazon
9. Capsule Connection
Best Known For: Bulk wholesale empty capsules at the lowest price point.
Capsule Connection sells veggie caps in resealable 1,000-count bags at one of the lowest price-per-cap points in the category. The brand is a long-running DIY supply business with consistent reorder rates from the kratom user community.
Features: Resealable bulk bags, plant-based HPMC, sizes 0 and 00, lowest bulk price
Pros: Cheapest bulk price in this list, US shipping, simple packaging
Cons: Two sizes only, less certification visibility, simpler product line
Criteria Evaluation: Size 3/5, Material 4/5, Certifications 2/5, Testing 2/5, Price 5/5, Origin 4/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: Capsule Connection is the "I buy 5,000 at a time" choice for kratom users who go through caps fast and want the lowest unit cost.
Price: $13.99 for 1,000 size 00 caps; about $0.014 per cap. Find Capsule Connection on Amazon
10. Sports Research Empty Capsules
Best Known For: High-potency supplement brand with vegan capsule options.
Sports Research is best known as a finished-supplement brand (collagen, omega-3, vitamin D), and their empty veggie capsule line markets to DIY fitness users who want to fill their own pre-workout, BCAA, or kratom mixes.
Features: Brand trust from finished supplement line, vegan claim, fitness-DIY positioning
Pros: Strong brand, fast shipping, mid-tier quality
Cons: Smaller size range, premium pricing, less direct kratom DIY positioning
Criteria Evaluation: Size 3/5, Material 4/5, Certifications 3/5, Testing 3/5, Price 3/5, Origin 4/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: Sports Research veggie caps appear in fitness DIY threads more than kratom threads, but the quality holds up either way.
Price: $12.99 for 100 size 00 caps; about $0.13 per cap. Find Sports Research at sportsresearch.com
11. Patco Pharma
Best Known For: Pharmaceutical-grade veggie caps with smaller size options.
Patco Pharma sells pharmaceutical-grade empty vegetarian capsules including the harder-to-find size 0 (500 mg capacity) caps for users who want smaller per-capsule doses. The brand is more visible in the supplement-manufacturing channel than in retail DIY.
Features: Pharma-grade manufacturing, size 0 focus, ISO certified facility
Pros: Smaller size availability, certification stack, US/India dual sourcing
Cons: Less retail visibility, longer shipping for direct orders
Criteria Evaluation: Size 3/5, Material 5/5, Certifications 4/5, Testing 4/5, Price 4/5, Origin 4/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: Patco Pharma is mentioned in supplement-manufacturer reviews more than kratom community threads but quality is consistent.
Price: $11.99 for 100 size 0 caps; about $0.12 per cap. Find Patco Pharma at patcopharma.com
12. Empty Capsules USA
Best Known For: US-only manufacturing for buyers who prioritize domestic sourcing.
Empty Capsules USA emphasizes 100% US-based manufacturing, FDA-registered facility audits, and HPMC sourcing transparency. Sizes 0, 00, and 000 are all available. The brand markets directly to home DIY makers and smaller supplement businesses.
Features: 100% US-made, FDA-registered facility, sizes 0-000, HPMC plant-based
Pros: US-only sourcing, transparent supply chain, fair price, sizes up to 000
Cons: Smaller brand awareness, smaller community footprint
Criteria Evaluation: Size 4/5, Material 5/5, Certifications 4/5, Testing 4/5, Price 4/5, Origin 5/5
Community Reviews and Expert Recommendations: Empty Capsules USA is the "I want US-made" recommendation in DIY supplement Reddit threads. Quality is consistent.
Price: $13.99 for 500 size 00 caps; about $0.028 per cap. Find Empty Capsules USA at emptycapsulesusa.com
Notable Mentions
Four more brands worth a look but didn't make the top 12.
Universal Mind Herbal Veggie Capsules
A small herbal-supplement company that sells empty veggie capsules alongside their finished products. Lower volume, fair quality, niche audience. Find Universal Mind on Amazon
ApotheCAPS
A direct-to-consumer brand focused on capsule-filling beginners. Bundles caps with starter filling trays. Premium-tier pricing for the bundle. Find ApotheCAPS at apothecaps.com
Capsulcn
A China-based manufacturer with the lowest absolute price-per-cap. Quality is workable but certification depth is limited. Best for buyers who prioritize unit cost over US sourcing. Find Capsulcn at capsulcn.com
Bulk Apothecary
A general DIY supply company that carries veggie capsules alongside soap-making and essential oils. Reliable shipping, fair pricing, simple product line. Find Bulk Apothecary at bulkapothecary.com
FAQ
What are veggie capsules made of?
Veggie capsules are made from HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), a plant-derived cellulose typically sourced from softwood pine and spruce trees. Some brands use pullulan instead, which is fermented from tapioca. Both are vegan, kosher, and halal-compatible. The alternative material is bovine gelatin, which veggie caps replace.
What size veggie capsule is best for kratom?
Size 00 is the most-bought capsule size for kratom users because it holds about 750 mg of kratom powder, which lets a user hit the standard 2 to 3 gram dose with three or four capsules. Size 000 holds about 1 gram and is preferred by users who want fewer caps per dose. Size 0 holds about 500 mg and suits users who want smaller per-cap dosing.
Are veggie capsules vegan-certified?
Some are. Capsuline, Vegicaps, and a few others carry Vegan Society Verified certification. Others are technically vegan (HPMC plant-derived) but don't carry the certification. For users who specifically need certified-vegan caps, Capsuline is the most-cited brand in the category.
How long does it take to fill 100 veggie capsules at home?
A hand-tray capsule filling machine fills 100 size 00 caps in about 30 to 45 minutes once you've practiced the technique. The first session usually takes 60 to 90 minutes because of the learning curve. Larger filling machines (semi-automatic) cut the time to 5 to 10 minutes per 100 caps but cost $200 to $500.
Can I store filled veggie capsules?
Yes, with two conditions. Keep filled caps in an airtight container with a moisture-absorbing packet (silica gel) and store at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Veggie capsules are slightly more moisture-sensitive than gelatin, so the silica packet matters more for HPMC. Filled kratom caps stay potent for 6 to 12 months stored properly.
Final Thoughts
The empty veggie capsule market in 2026 covers every buyer profile from premium pharma-grade Vegicaps at the top to bulk-economy Capsule Connection at the bottom. For most kratom DIY fillers, three brands cover most use cases:
- Capsuline for users who want the full certification stack and snap-fit ease
- NOW Foods for users who want retail availability and brand trust
- LFA Capsules for users who want US-made and the size 000 option for larger doses
The honest alternative for users who don't enjoy the filling work: pre-filled kratom capsules from a clean vendor. Our shelf at GRH Kratom carries pre-filled kratom capsules in every Bali, Maeng Da, and Borneo strain, ships with a current Certificate of Analysis on every batch confirming kratom alkaloid content, and saves the 30 to 45 minutes per 100 caps of hand filling. The math: at $0.03 per empty cap plus $0.15 of kratom per cap, DIY runs about $0.18 per finished capsule. Pre-filled capsules from a quality vendor run about $0.20 to $0.25 per cap. The price gap is small, and it disappears entirely when you account for the time spent filling and the silica-gel storage protocol. Browse Red Maeng Da Capsules, Green Maeng Da Capsules, or White Maeng Da Capsules direct, or browse the full GRH Kratom capsule lineup to skip the filling work entirely.
