Ancient + Brave vs Elavate Collagen: Which Is Worth Your Money?
Head-to-Head at a Glance
Ancient + Brave True Collagen vs Elavate Multi Collagen Superblend, compared across the metrics that matter.
| Category | Ancient + Brave | Elavate | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value for money | ~Β£0.72/day (no bulk commitment) | ~Β£1.30/day (flexible sub) | A+B |
| Ethics & certifications | B Corp, Climate Neutral, MSC | GMP, BRCGS | A+B |
| Ingredient purity | Single ingredient, no additives | Multi-blend + sweeteners & flavourings | A+B |
| Retail availability | Boots, Selfridges, Amazon, own site | Own website only | A+B |
| Dosing flexibility | 5g-15g per day, you control | One fixed scoop per day | A+B |
| Collagen dose per serving | 5,000mg (adjustable to 15,000mg) | 8,050mg (fixed) | Depends |
| All-in-one formula | Collagen only | Collagen + Vit C, HA, Biotin, Probiotics | Elavate |
| Taste / enjoyment | Unflavoured (versatile) | Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry | Preference |
Our Recommended Ancient + Brave Products
Best Value
True Collagen (200g)
Pure bovine collagen, B Corp certified. 5,000mg per serving. From Β£25.60.
Shop True Collagen β
Marine Option
Wild Collagen
MSC certified marine collagen. Sustainably sourced wild-caught fish. From Β£27.20.
Shop Wild Collagen β
Best Flavoured
Cacao + Collagen
Collagen with organic cacao. Enjoy as a hot chocolate ritual. From Β£22.40.
Shop Cacao + Collagen β
View all Ancient + Brave products on BovineCollagen.co.uk β
Quick Summary
The Two Products
Updated April 2026
We previously rated Elavate as our top pick in this comparison. After reviewing both products side by side with other leading UK collagen brands and new market entrants, we have revised our position. Ancient + Brave now takes our recommendation on the basis of significantly better value, stronger ethical credentials, and a more honest approach to what a collagen supplement needs to be.
Ancient + Brave True Collagen and Elavate Multi Collagen Superblend are two of the most discussed UK collagen supplements, but they take genuinely different approaches. One is a purist, transparent, ethically certified single-ingredient product. The other is a multi-blend formula marketed heavily through social media. After thorough analysis, we think the difference in approach matters more than Elavate’s marketing suggests.
Ancient + Brave is built around one principle: one ingredient, rigorously sourced, with nothing added. True Collagen contains 100% hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides from EU grass-fed herds, with no fillers, flavourings, or additives. The brand is B Corp certified, Climate Neutral, and contributes to 1% For The Planet. It is stocked at Boots, Selfridges, and Amazon, making it one of the most accessible collagen products on the UK market.
Elavate positions itself as a comprehensive collagen superblend. Each serving delivers 8,050mg of multi-source collagen peptides combined with a supporting stack of liposomal vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, biotin, probiotics, and B vitamins. It is manufactured in York under GMP and BRCGS certification and sold direct through the Elavate website only. The formula sounds impressive on paper, but many of the supporting ingredients are present at modest doses that may not deliver the benefits they imply.
Ancient + Brave True Collagen
Formula and Ingredients
This is where the two products diverge most clearly, and where Elavate’s marketing is most effective at obscuring a more nuanced reality.
Ancient + Brave True Collagen contains one ingredient: 100% Type I hydrolysed bovine collagen peptides from EU grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle, at a molecular weight under 5,000 Daltons for efficient absorption. The ingredient list ends there. No sweeteners, no fillers, no added vitamins. For anyone who wants to know exactly what they are taking, and who prefers to manage their own supplement stack, this clarity is a genuine strength.
Elavate’s formula does more on paper. The 8,050mg total collagen comes from three sources: bovine (7,900mg), marine (150mg), and chicken (40mg). Alongside that sits liposomal vitamin C (300mg), hyaluronic acid (60mg), biotin (5,000ΞΌg), a probiotic blend (50 million CFUs), and vitamins D3, K2, and B12. It sounds comprehensive, but several of these supporting ingredients deserve closer scrutiny.
Elavate’s formula under closer inspection
- Marine collagen at 150mg and chicken collagen at 40mg are trace amounts with minimal standalone impact
- Hyaluronic acid at 60mg is half the dose used in most successful clinical trials (typically 120mg+)
- Probiotic count (50 million CFUs) is a fraction of what dedicated probiotic supplements provide (1-50 billion CFUs)
- Biotin has limited clinical evidence of benefit in non-deficient individuals
- The vitamin C is useful, but a standalone vitamin C supplement costs pennies per day
The honest assessment: Elavate’s “extras” are real ingredients, but in our view, several are present at doses too low to deliver the standalone benefits they imply. We believe you are paying a premium for the convenience of having them bundled together, rather than for clinically meaningful doses. Ancient + Brave’s single-ingredient approach is more transparent about what it is: a well-sourced collagen, nothing more, nothing less. If you want vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or probiotics, you can buy dedicated supplements at clinically effective doses for a fraction of the premium Elavate charges.
Why Ancient + Brave’s approach works
- Single ingredient simplicity means you know exactly what you are taking
- Flexible dosing from 5g to 15g daily, you control based on your goals
- No artificial sweeteners, flavours, or fillers
- B Corp and Climate Neutral certified with transparent supply chain
- If you want supporting supplements, buy them separately at proper clinical doses
- Wider retail availability: Boots, Selfridges, Amazon
Price and Value
This is where Ancient + Brave pulls decisively ahead.
Ancient + Brave True Collagen costs approximately Β£0.72 per day on Amazon Subscribe & Save, with no minimum commitment. You can buy a single 200g bag, try it, and decide if it works for you before committing further. It is also available at Boots, Selfridges, and Amazon, meaning you can pick it up on your next shopping trip.
Elavate’s pricing structure is more complicated, and less favourable. At the most common entry point, the flexible subscription at Β£39 per bag, you are paying approximately Β£1.30 per day. In our view, that is more than double what Ancient + Brave costs. To bring Elavate’s price down to a competitive level, you need to commit to a 9-bag subscription at Β£19.50 per bag. That represents a significant upfront spend for a product you may not yet have tried.
The critical question is whether Elavate’s supporting ingredients justify paying double. In our assessment, they do not. We believe the extras are either under-dosed (hyaluronic acid at half clinical levels, probiotics at a fraction of dedicated supplement levels) or inexpensive to buy separately (vitamin C costs pennies per day). You could buy Ancient + Brave, a quality vitamin C, and a dedicated hyaluronic acid supplement and still spend less than Elavate on the flexible subscription.
On value: In our opinion, Ancient + Brave is the clear winner. It costs roughly half what Elavate charges at standard subscription pricing, requires no bulk commitment, and is available from major retailers. We believe Elavate’s supporting ingredients do not justify the premium, particularly when several are under-dosed.
Ethics and Sustainability
Ancient + Brave wins this category decisively.
The brand is certified B Corp, which requires independently verified social and environmental performance. They hold Climate Neutral certification, contribute to 1% For The Planet, and their Wild Collagen product carries MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification. Supply chain transparency is a core part of the brand’s identity, with collagen sourced from EU grass-fed herds and packaging that includes refillable glass jar and recyclable pouch formats.
Elavate manufactures in York under GMP and BRCGS standards, which is meaningful quality assurance. But the brand does not hold B Corp certification, makes no public commitments around climate or charitable giving, and does not publish comparable supply chain documentation. For shoppers who weigh ethical credentials, this is a significant distinction.
Taste and Usability
This is the one area where Elavate has a genuine advantage, though it is more a matter of preference than quality.
The Elavate chocolate flavour is consistently described in customer reviews as genuinely enjoyable. Mixed with warm milk it functions as a proper hot chocolate. If building a daily supplement habit is a challenge for you, the flavour experience can help with consistency.
Ancient + Brave True Collagen is deliberately unflavoured and odourless. It dissolves completely in hot or cold liquids without altering their taste. For people who already have an established morning coffee or smoothie routine, this versatility is a genuine strength. It works in anything, anywhere, without committing you to a single flavour format.
The practical question is whether flavour alone justifies paying double. For most people, we think not. A quality unflavoured collagen that disappears into your existing routine is arguably more versatile than a flavoured powder that only works well as a standalone drink.
Full Scorecard
| Category | A+B | Elavate |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | β | β |
| Ethics / B Corp | β | β |
| Ingredient purity | β | β |
| Retail availability | β | β |
| Dosing flexibility | β | β |
| All-in-one formula | β | β |
| Taste / daily enjoyment | β | β |
| UK manufacturing | β | β |
Our Verdict
Ancient + Brave is the better choice for the majority of buyers. It delivers a pure, single-ingredient collagen at roughly half the daily cost of Elavate, with no bulk commitment required. The B Corp certification, Climate Neutral status, and transparent supply chain represent a level of verified accountability that Elavate does not match. The flexible dosing (5g to 15g per day) lets you adjust your intake to your goals. And it is available at Boots, Selfridges, and Amazon, meaning you can buy it conveniently without being locked into a direct-to-consumer subscription model. If you want vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, or probiotics alongside your collagen, buy dedicated supplements at proper clinical doses for a combined cost that is still less than Elavate’s standard pricing.
Elavate is not a bad product, but in our opinion, it is an expensive one. The collagen dose is solid, but the supporting ingredients that justify the premium are, in our view, present at doses that underwhelm under scrutiny. Hyaluronic acid at half clinical levels, probiotics at a fraction of standalone supplement levels, and biotin with limited evidence in non-deficient individuals do not, in our assessment, add up to double the daily cost. The aggressive subscription model requiring a 9-bag commitment for competitive pricing is a further concern. If taste and all-in-one convenience are your top priorities and budget is not a constraint, Elavate will work for you. But for most people, there are better ways to spend their collagen budget.
Ancient + Brave True Collagen
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend Ancient + Brave for most buyers. It costs roughly half what Elavate charges at standard subscription pricing, offers a pure single-ingredient formula from a B Corp certified brand, and requires no bulk commitment. Elavate’s supporting ingredients sound impressive but several are under-dosed. For individual deep-dives, see our Elavate review and our Ancient + Brave review.
In our assessment, no. Elavate costs approximately Β£1.30/day on the flexible subscription, roughly double Ancient + Brave’s ~Β£0.72/day. The supporting ingredients in Elavate (vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, probiotics, biotin) are either under-dosed compared to clinical research or inexpensive to buy as standalone supplements. You could buy Ancient + Brave plus dedicated supplements and still spend less than Elavate’s standard subscription price.
Ancient + Brave True Collagen is unflavoured and largely odourless. It dissolves completely in hot or cold liquids without noticeably altering taste. This makes it versatile: you can add it to coffee, smoothies, soups, or baked goods. If you specifically want a flavoured daily ritual, that is Elavate’s strongest selling point, but in our view, we do not think flavour alone justifies paying double.
Yes. Ancient + Brave holds B Corp certification, Climate Neutral certification, and contributes to 1% For The Planet. Their Wild Collagen range carries MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification. Elavate does not hold any comparable third-party ethical accreditation.
Ancient + Brave True Collagen is available directly from the Ancient + Brave website, on Amazon UK, and at Boots and Selfridges. This broader retail availability is a significant practical advantage over Elavate, which is sold exclusively through its own website.
We recommend three alternatives. Ancient + Brave True Collagen is our top pick for pure bovine collagen at the best value. Absolute Collagen and Kollo offer ready-to-drink liquid sachets with no powder to mix, with Kollo delivering 10,000mg marine collagen per serving. If value is your priority, Ancient + Brave is the clear choice. If convenience is what matters, the sachet formats are worth considering.
Neither product is suitable for vegetarians or vegans. Both contain animal-derived collagen peptides. There is no plant-based collagen equivalent. If you are looking for plant-based collagen support, vitamin C, glycine, and proline are sometimes suggested to support the body’s own collagen production, though these are not direct substitutes.
Affiliate Disclosure: BovineCollagen.co.uk may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page. This does not affect our editorial independence or the price you pay. Our editorial positions are based on product assessment and are not influenced by commercial relationships.
I started this site after spending weeks trying to figure out which collagen actually works. Now I test products, read the studies, and share honest reviews so you can skip the research phase and get straight to results.