Eqology Pure Arctic Oil Natural and Norsan Omega-3 Total are two of the best-known premium Omega-3 oils in Europe. Both use natural fish oil in triglyceride form, supplemented with olive oil and vitamin D3. However, there are clear differences in price, certification and availability. Which product offers more value?
The comprehensive comparison at a glance
| Criterion | Eqology Pure Arctic Oil Natural | Norsan Omega-3 Total |
|---|---|---|
| Fish source | Arctic cod (Gadus morhua), CodMarine® | Sardines, mackerel, anchovies |
| Molecular form | Triglyceride (TG) | Triglyceride (TG) |
| Daily dose | 10 ml | 8 ml |
| EPA per 10 ml | 680 mg | 1,400 mg |
| DHA per 10 ml | 820 mg | 670 mg |
| EPA+DHA per 10 ml | 1,500 mg | 2,070 mg |
| TOTOX value | ~4-6 (excellent) | ~10 (IFOS-verified) |
| IFOS certification | Not confirmed | 5 stars (highest rating) |
| Sustainability | MSC-certified | Friend of the Sea |
| Olive oil | Yes (cold-pressed, organic) | Yes (cold-pressed, organic) |
| Vitamin D3 | Yes | Yes (800 IU/day) |
| DPA (bonus Omega-3) | — | 128 mg |
| Price per 100 ml | €14.33 (€43 subscription / 300 ml) | €13.50 (~€27 RRP / 200 ml) |
| Subscription required? | Yes (6 months) | No |
| Available in retail? | No (Network Marketing / MLM) | Yes (pharmacies, Amazon) |
| Flavour | Lemon / orange | Lemon (no fishy taste) |
Detailed comparison
Freshness: TOTOX value
Here Eqology has a clear advantage: with a TOTOX value of 4-6, it is among the freshest Omega-3 oils on the market — however, these values are self-declared and not independently verified by IFOS. Norsan, with an IFOS-verified TOTOX of ~10, is also in a very good range (well below the GOED limit of 26), but cannot match numerically.
TOTOX winner: Eqology
Certification and transparency
Here the picture reverses: Norsan holds IFOS 5-star certification — the highest accolade from the world's most respected independent testing body for fish oil. This means purity, potency and freshness are confirmed and published by an external body.
Eqology publishes TOTOX reports but is not registered in the IFOS database. Its freshness values are thus self-declared, not independently verified.
Certification winner: Norsan
EPA+DHA content
Normalised to 10 ml, the difference becomes clear: Norsan delivers 2,070 mg EPA+DHA (1,400 mg EPA + 670 mg DHA), Eqology 1,500 mg (680 mg EPA + 820 mg DHA). Norsan thus offers approximately 38% more EPA+DHA per millilitre — with a lower recommended daily dose (8 ml vs. 10 ml).
Eqology is DHA-focused (820 vs. 680 mg per 10 ml), Norsan is EPA-focused (1,400 vs. 670 mg per 10 ml). DHA favours the brain and eyes, EPA anti-inflammation and heart health.
EPA+DHA winner: Norsan (quantity), depending on goal (ratio)
Value for money
Per 100 ml, both oils are priced closely (€13.50 vs. €14.33). The decisive difference: Norsan delivers 38% more EPA+DHA per 10 ml — and is available in retail without a subscription commitment.
| Metric | Eqology | Norsan |
|---|---|---|
| Price per 100 ml | €14.33 (subscription) | €13.50 (RRP) |
| EPA+DHA per 10 ml | 1,500 mg | 2,070 mg |
| Subscription commitment | 6 months (MLM) | None (available in retail) |
Value for money winner: Norsan (clearly)
Availability and flexibility
Norsan is freely available in pharmacies, online pharmacies and on Amazon. No subscription required, orderable and cancellable at any time.
Eqology distributes exclusively through network marketing (MLM / Business Partner system). Purchase only possible via the company's own website or a distributor, with a 6-month minimum subscription commitment.
Availability winner: Norsan
Strengths and weaknesses
Eqology Pure Arctic Oil Natural
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Best TOTOX value on the market (4-6, self-declared) | Only available via MLM (6-month subscription) |
| MSC-certified (Gadus morhua) | IFOS not confirmed (not in IFOS database) |
| DHA-focused (820 mg DHA — good for brain/eyes) | 6-month subscription commitment |
| High-quality cod source (CodMarine®) | Only available via MLM / network marketing |
Norsan Omega-3 Total
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| IFOS 5 stars (gold standard, Nutrasource) | TOTOX ~10 (higher than Eqology's self-declared figure) |
| Best value for money (€13.50/100 ml) | No integrated blood test |
| Available in pharmacies & Amazon | Lower olive oil proportion |
| No subscription commitment | — |
| EPA-focused (good for inflammation) | — |
| Full spectrum including DPA | — |
Which product suits whom?
Choose Eqology Pure Arctic Oil Natural if you...
...see maximum freshness (TOTOX 4-6, self-declared) as your priority, prefer a DHA-focused oil (820 mg DHA) for brain and eyes and are willing to accept a significantly higher price and a 6-month subscription commitment via an MLM system.
Choose Norsan Omega-3 Total if you...
...want the best value for money, desire an independent IFOS 5-star certification (TOTOX ~10 verified, registered as "SANO" at Nutrasource) as a trust basis, do not wish to enter a subscription commitment and want to buy the product flexibly from a pharmacy, on Amazon or in an online shop.
Conclusion
Both products deliver Omega-3 in natural triglyceride form (TG) — no rTG, no synthetic concentrates. The differences lie in the details but are purchase-deciding.
Norsan Omega-3 Total wins in the most important categories: IFOS 5 stars (independently verified by Nutrasource), 2,070 mg EPA+DHA per 10 ml (38% more than Eqology), only €13.50/100 ml (RRP), available in pharmacies and on Amazon, no subscription needed. The TOTOX of ~10 is IFOS-verified. Plus the highest EPA content (1,400 mg/10 ml) for anti-inflammation and heart health and DPA as a bonus fatty acid.
Eqology Pure Arctic Oil Natural scores with a self-declared TOTOX of 4-6 (excellent, if accurate) and a higher DHA content (820 mg/10 ml) for brain and eyes. The MSC certification and CodMarine® source are genuine quality features. Per 100 ml, Eqology on subscription (€14.33) is only marginally more expensive than Norsan (€13.50) — the main disadvantage is the binding to an MLM system with a 6-month minimum subscription and the lack of independent IFOS certification.
Recommendation for the majority: Norsan offers the more convincing overall package — independently IFOS-certified, 38% more EPA+DHA per 10 ml, no subscription, available everywhere. Eqology is a valid choice for those who prioritise maximum freshness and a high DHA value and consciously accept the premium and the MLM model. Reviews and long-term test results for Eqology can be found in the detailed article Eqology Reviews and Test.
All Omega-3 oils in a price comparison
The following table shows all liquid Omega-3 oils from Eqology, Zinzino and Norsan — sorted by price per 100 ml. For Eqology and Zinzino the subscription price applies (from month 2 or Premier), for Norsan the RRP. All EPA and DHA values are normalised to 10 ml.
| Product | Bottle | Price (subscription) | / 100 ml | EPA / 10 ml | DHA / 10 ml | EPA+DHA / 10 ml | Special additives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norsan Arktis | 200 ml | ~€14 (RRP) | €7 | 700 mg | 1,060 mg | 1,760 mg | Vit. D3 + A + E |
| Norsan Total | 200 ml | ~€27 (RRP) | €13.50 | 1,400 mg | 670 mg | 2,070 mg | 25% olive oil, Vit. D3 |
| Eqology Natural | 300 ml | €43 | €14.33 | 680 mg | 820 mg | 1,500 mg | Organic olive oil, Vit. D3 |
| Zinzino Standard | 300 ml | €43 | €14.33 | 1,069 mg | 569 mg | 1,638 mg | 40% olive oil, Vit. D3 |
| Zinzino Tutti Frutti | 300 ml | €43 | €14.33 | 1,070 mg | 570 mg | 1,640 mg | Olive oil, Vit. D3 (children) |
| Zinzino AquaX | 300 ml | €53 | €17.67 | 1,069 mg | 569 mg | 1,638 mg | Water-soluble, Vit. D3 |
| Eqology Kids | 150 ml | €30 | €20 | 740 mg | 1,060 mg | 1,800 mg | Vit. D3 |
| Zinzino Premium | 300 ml | €63 | €21 | 1,069 mg | 569 mg | 1,638 mg | R.E.V.O.O. olive oil, Vit. D3 |
| Eqology Heart & Energy | 300 ml | €65 | €21.67 | 650 mg | 770 mg | 1,420 mg | CoQ10 50 mg, olive oil, Vit. D3 |
| Eqology Gold | 300 ml | €65 | €21.67 | 570 mg | 1,430 mg | 2,000 mg | Lutein 10 mg, Vit. A, Vit. D3 |
| Eqology Vegan | 300 ml | €66 | €22 | 300 mg | 900 mg | 1,200 mg | Lutein 20 mg, olive oil, Vit. D3 |
| Zinzino Vegan | 300 ml | €80 | €26.67 | 643 mg | 936 mg | 1,579 mg | Ahiflower, olive oil, Vit. D3 |
| Norsan Vegan | 100 ml | ~€29 (RRP) | €29 | 1,218 mg | 2,316 mg | 3,534 mg | 23% olive oil, Vit. D3 |
Eqology: subscription price from month 2 (6-month minimum commitment, then cancellable monthly). Zinzino: Premier price. Norsan: RRP without subscription (available in retail/pharmacies). All figures: manufacturer data, as of March 2026. EPA / DHA = mg per 10 ml.
Further comparisons
Also see the comparison with Zinzino — with all product variants and normalised EPA/DHA values:
Eqology vs. Zinzino → · Buying guide: 9 quality criteria →Medical disclaimer
This comparison is for general information purposes only and does not replace medical advice. All health claims are based on EFSA-approved health claims.
Sources
- EFSA — EU Register of Nutrition and Health Claims: efsa.europa.eu/health-claims
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products (2010): Scientific Opinion on EPA and DHA — normal heart function (250 mg EPA+DHA/day). EFSA Journal 8(10):1796. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1796
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products (2010): Scientific Opinion on DHA — normal brain function and vision (250 mg DHA/day). EFSA Journal 8(10):1734. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1734
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products (2009): Scientific Opinion on EPA+DHA — maintenance of normal blood pressure (3 g/day). EFSA Journal 7(9):1263. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1263
- Eqology — Pure Arctic Oil product information: eqology.com
- Norsan — Omega-3 products and analysis certificates: norsan.de
- IFOS — International Fish Oil Standards: ifosprogram.com
- MSC — Marine Stewardship Council: msc.org
- Friend of the Sea: friendofthesea.org