18 Shake vs Shakeology – Which is Better for Weight Loss?

The company behind 18 Shake just focuses on that one product, marketing it as a Luxury Meal Replacement.

The site heavily relies on hype and sales tools. For example, you’ll see patterns like this.

I’ve seen a similar offer every time I’ve been on the site – so it doesn’t seem to be a limited time offer. It’s also misleading. You only get that price if you buy multiple bags at a time.

You have to provide your address and phone number to even see the pricing.

There are a few other products. These are supplements designed to be used with 18 Shake. But, the company offers very little information about them.

The site feels very manipulative, with an excessive emphasis on marketing and few details.

Still, you can buy online and there is no focus on automatic subscriptions. Customers do get the shakes too. So, it certainly isn’t a scam.

Shakeology

Shakeology has a very different focus. It comes from the parent company Beachbody, which uses network marketing.

Network marketing is an income model, allowing people to earn money promoting the products. It’s not entirely a bad thing – but it does lead to biased reviews.

In fact, most of the Shakeology hype comes from distributors, not customers.

On the plus side, Beachbody does specialize in many health and wellness products, including weight loss and exercise programs. While some of them are questionable (like 21 Day Fix), others may work for many people. The focus means Beachbody has more expertise in health and weight loss, which is nice.

The Shakeology site also manages to mostly focus on what the products are, with less hype and manipulation.

Like 18 Shake, there are some other products present. The main ones are the boosts below.

They’re designed to offer extra nutrition. The site offers details about what each contains, along with how they’re meant to work.

Reviews for both brands suggest that the shakes taste good, although personal preferences vary. But, the number of flavors is very different.

If you tend to have the same flavor each time, this may not be an issue. But, flavor variety could help you continue with a shake regimen in the long-term. 

18 Shake

The only flavors from 18 Shake are chocolate and vanilla.

This is an incredibly poor selection. The flavors are also extremely common and just about every brand offers them.

Shakeology

Shakeology has two different types of shake, vegan and non-vegan. The flavors are similar for each, but there are some differences as well.

This is a wider selection of flavors and includes some more unusual options.

Dietary Considerations

Neither brand is amazing for offering dietary options. But, they would still appeal to different audiences.

18 Shake

The shakes are labeled as soy free and gluten free, although soy lectin is still used as an ingredient. Both flavors use whey protein, so they’re not suitable for vegans or those who are lactose intolerant.

Shakeology

Shakeology does cater to vegans and non-vegans with its shakes. However, their products aren’t guaranteed to be gluten free or soy free. This is mostly because of cross-contamination risk, although the vegan shakes do use oat protein.

Other potential allergens include milk, tree nuts, fish and eggs.

This makes Shakeology a poor choice for people sensitive to any of these components.

18 Shake is mostly sold through the company’s website. You can either buy a single bag or a bundle with multiple bags and other bonuses.

The style offers limited flexibility. But, there are only two flavors to choose from anyway. The shakes are sometimes present on Amazon as well, at a similar price to the website.

Shakeology

Shakeology is sold through the company Beachbody, which uses direct sales. So, the main way to buy the shakes is through distributors.

Customers can also order online through Shakeology’s website.

Beachbody promotes ordering through autoship. This provides a discount and automatically sends products each month. The idea is something to be wary about, as some people experience issues canceling such systems.

There is also an emphasis on getting people to join as distributors and obtain further discounts. Such an idea can work, although it isn’t as powerful as it sounds.

From time-to-time, Shakeology products can be found on Amazon, eBay or similar sites. But, that’s rare, as distributors are not allowed to sell that way.  

Pricing

Both brands are fairly expensive, compared to the market average. Supporters argue that this isn’t a problem, as the products are high-quality. You still save money if you have the shakes instead of takeout or processed meals.

Even so, pricing is important, especially with all the competing brands.

18 Shake

The price for 18 Shake strongly depends on how you purchase. The retail price is $89.99 per bag, which each bag containing 16 servings. That calculates to around $5.60 per serving.

If the shake helps you lose weight, it might be worth that price. Even so, it is more expensive than many other brands.

But, the price does change if you buy more at a time. For example, the best current deal costs $239.95 for 5 bags. This calculates to roughly $3 per serving. That’s still on the high side but it is much more reasonable.

Shakeology

Shakeology offers two sizing options. The first is 24 single-serve packets, while the second is a resealable bag of 30 servings. Both cost $129.95 each. That calculates to around $5.40 or $4.30 per serving, depending on the size.

Choosing the 30-serving container is more cost-efficient. However, this only gives you one flavor at a time, although you can alternate month to month.

The single serve packets allow flavors to be mixed, such as 8 chocolate, 8 vanilla and 8 strawberry shakes each month. Either way, the cost per serving is high.

You can get discounts by signing up for autoship or joining as a distributor. Both processes come with risks and complexities. Make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully first.

Nutritional Differences

Nutrition is one of the most important comparisons with shakes. Shakes with more protein and fiber tend to be more filling. A focus on natural ingredients is important too.

The table below highlights the current nutrition profile for the chocolate versions of each shake. Vegan and non-vegan options are included for Shakeology, as these are different. 

Formulations do change over time. However, the details here are up-to-date currently and reflect general patterns across the products.