Buy HCG: Compare 2 Vendors, From $28.99

Buying HCG comes with a quirk most peptides don't have: it is priced and dosed in international units (IU), not milligrams, so the usual "price per mg" comparison is meaningless. The only figure that matters is price per 5,000 IU vial — and across vetted vendors that number ranges from about $29 to $100 for the identical size. This guide compares three recommended vendors and shows you how to evaluate any HCG source yourself.

Research-context information only. HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is the active ingredient in FDA-approved products for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and infertility; research-peptide and compounded forms sold by the vendors below are not FDA-approved and are labeled for research purposes only. Pricing and vial-math information here describes the research-vial market, not a recommendation for use. Consult a licensed physician for personal medical decisions.

HCG ships as a lyophilized powder in a 5,000 IU vial, reconstituted with bacteriostatic water and dosed in IU. For the protocols behind the doses, see the HCG dosing guide; for the evidence, the HCG benefits article.

Understanding HCG Pricing

HCG potency is standardized by biological activity, which is why vials carry an IU label rather than a milligram weight. That single fact reshapes how you shop: two vials can hold different masses of powder yet deliver the same 5,000 IU of activity, so mass is irrelevant and the per-vial price at a fixed IU count is the honest comparison. All three vendors below sell the same 5,000 IU size, which makes the comparison clean.

Current Market Pricing (2026)

Three recommended vendors, all selling 5,000 IU vials, cheapest first:

Prices reflect listed research-vial pricing at time of writing and can change; check the vendor page for the current figure. Links are affiliate links.

The pattern is clear: the same 5,000 IU vial spans a roughly 3.4× price range, so vendor choice — not vial size — is the biggest lever on what you pay for HCG.

Weeks Per Vial at Common Doses

The table below is reference math for comparing vial sizes and value — not a usage protocol. For full titration, reconstitution, and IU-draw detail, see the HCG dosing guide. Because HCG is IU-dosed, a single 5,000 IU vial stretches across weeks of commonly documented testicular-support use:

*Reconstituted HCG is typically stable ~30 days refrigerated, so long "weeks per vial" figures assume you only mix what you'll use inside the stability window.

How to Verify HCG Quality

HCG is a glycoprotein hormone, not a simple short peptide, so quality verification looks a little different. Potency is what matters, and potency is expressed in IU — a certificate that only reports an HPLC purity percentage is not enough on its own.

What a COA Should Include

Identity & potency

• Confirmation the product is HCG, with potency stated in IU (matching the labeled 5,000 IU)
• Appropriate identity testing for a glycoprotein hormone

Purity & contamination

• Purity testing with a single dominant peak
• Sterility / endotoxin testing appropriate for an injectable
• Residual solvent and heavy-metal screening

How to Verify a COA Is Legitimate

1. Check that the COA lot number matches the vial you receive.
2. Confirm the testing lab is named and independent, not just the vendor's own claim.
3. Verify the potency is reported in IU and matches the label.
4. Look for a recent test date, not a years-old certificate reused across batches.
5. Cross-check that the vendor publishes COAs consistently across products, not selectively.

Red Flags to Avoid

• No COA available before purchase
• Potency quoted in mg instead of IU (a sign the seller misunderstands the product)
• Prices far below the vetted range with no testing to back them up
• No sterility/endotoxin data for an injectable
• Vendor unwilling to name the testing lab

Choosing How Much to Buy

The 30-Day Rule

Reconstituted HCG is generally stable about 30 days refrigerated. Lyophilized (powder) vials last far longer unopened, so the constraint is on the mixed solution, not the sealed vial. If your weekly IU use means a 5,000 IU vial would take two or three months to finish, reconstitute a smaller portion — or accept that some will expire — rather than mixing the whole vial at once.

Vial Strategy by Protocol

• Testicular maintenance (commonly documented at 250-500 IU, 2-3x/week): one 5,000 IU vial covers roughly 3-10 weeks at that documented pace; research-context vials are typically purchased as singles and reconstituted within the stability window.
• Post-cycle (higher, time-limited): a short PCT course may use one to two vials over a few weeks.
• Fertility induction: the longest use case (12-24 months in trials), but under medical supervision with pharmacy-dispensed product rather than research vials.

One Vendor's $29 Vial vs Another's $100 Vial

At the same 5,000 IU, the cheapest vetted vendor (Swiss Chems, $28.99) is about 71% less than the most expensive (Ascension, $99.99). The premium buys brand reputation and, at some vendors, discount codes or shipping perks — but on price alone, the value gap at identical IU is large. Weigh COA transparency and reputation against the price rather than defaulting to the cheapest.

Vendor Evaluation Methodology

We weigh three factors: price (40%), COA and testing (30%), and reputation (30%). For HCG specifically, the COA weighting leans on IU potency verification, and the price weighting compares per-5,000-IU-vial cost rather than any per-mg figure. All three vendors above are recommended sources that clear our scoring floor.

Shipping and Storage

When Your Order Arrives

HCG arrives as a white lyophilized cake or powder in a sealed vial. Check the vial and stopper are intact and the powder isn't discolored. It does not require cold-pack shipping in powder form, though reputable vendors often ship discreetly and promptly.

Storage Guidelines