Posted by I don’t know where I’d be without online kratom vendors. It’s true that I can find several sources of kratom within a 10-mile radius, but there’s something about the internet vendor experience. Perhaps it’s the in-depth information I can get to without the pressure of buying.
It’s also because I appreciate the trust I can have for a particular vendor. That’s opposed to buying a vendor’s products through a third party partner, which complicates things and doesn’t offer the full product line.
This review is comparing Real Botanicals and VIP Kratom. Will they each serve a niche or will one truly be the best kratom vendor? Find out below.
Company Backgrounds
What sets Real Botanicals apart from other vendors is their unique approach to botanicals. Patented extraction and cleaning technology, a private lab for testing and strict quality control, third-party testing with transparent results, small-batch testing, and manufacturer-direct vending all help to inspire trust between user and vendor. They were founded in SC in 2021.
If you’re into stocking up on large amounts of kratom, VIP Kratom, founded in 2012, will likely show up in your search results. They offer premium quality and freshness at competitive pricing, plus fast shipping so your supply stays full. Their mission is to offer high-quality and authentic kratom to people around the world, not just the US.
Sourcing and Manufacturing Practices
Everything starts with sourcing, and Real Botanicals does so ethically. Southeast Asian farmers with trusted partners and coops traditionally cultivate and harvest the whole kratom leaves, important for preserving the full-spectrum alkaloid profile. As a manufacturer-direct vendor, they process all of their products, taking out the middlemen. No other vendor has ChromaPure, an advanced proprietary technology that combines extraction and purification into a streamlined process.
Kratom is native to several countries in Southeast Asia. When you’re dealing with different strains like VIP Kratom does, they’re going to source from more than just one area. However, only two countries can currently export kratom, Indonesia and Thailand. So transporting kratom before export is an additional complication that demands special care of the raw kratom leaves.
Quality Control and Product Testing
Real Botanicals not only has independent, third-party testing for their products, which are made in small batches, but also has their own lab. There, they can do their own testing for purity and safety before the batches reach the third party. A comprehensive report is available on the website for each product listing – remember, small batches make this easier – with the presence of kratom alkaloids, pathogens, and heavy metals.
VIP Kratom Since we’re talking about authentic kratom leaves, then yes, testing proves the safety as well as mitragynine content of the products. But it doesn’t say anything about alkaloid proportions that make each strain feel different to users. Other factors that change the alkaloid profile are the speed of drying and processing techniques which are also unique to each strain. Although they don’t say anything on their website about it, independent, third-party testing is to be expected with any botanical vendor. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find any Certificates of Analysis on the website – probably because of large-batch processing, meaning you have to buy something first and scan the QR code on the back of the package.
Product Line
Real Botanicals make it super easy to order online with (as of this writing) 2 choices of kratom products: Kratom capsules and kratom and kava shots. With kratom capsules, you get to choose from mild, moderate, or maximum doses, and moderate or maximum doses for kratom and kava shots. Capsules are one of the best ways to precisely dose kratom, and the shot with kava provides an alcohol alternative with calm balance and sociability.
VIP Kratom doesn’t have the large selection of kratom strains other vendors have, but they do have some special strains of note and enough variety to maintain interest. Some of their customer favorites are White Maeng Da, Red Sumatra, and Green Hulu, and there’s a Bestsellers section. If you’re wondering how the country matters with the same kratom maturity, I’ll put it this way: You can say that all strains of the same maturity or color have generally similar effects, but with certain nuances. At least, that’s what users say – effects are not true for every single person, but are the most commonly experienced.
The Shopping Experience
Real Botanicals offers small-batch products that start with kratom capsules. It’s a format that not only can be precisely dosed with ease, but also has Real Botanicals’ own vegan, allergen-free formula. The 3 doses are to capitalize on kratom’s dose-dependent effects: Mild for energy and focus, moderate for focus and calm, and maximum for relaxation. They also have kratom and kava shots in moderate and maximum doses, where the kava dose is fixed but you get to choose how much kratom you want. Those are an alcohol alternative that encourages users to be more social and calms the nerves without intoxicating or having hangover effects. You can save money with the newsletter subscription and a minimum purchase for free shipping, to shave off some of what’s a higher-than-normal cost that makes sense. There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
VIP Kratom has the benefit of being a wholesale or bulk kratom vendor for people who know they’re going to have kratom every week, and maybe they want to try different strains while they’re at it. You can buy anywhere from 100 g to 5 kg of kratom in one purchase, as opposed to several smaller – and more expensive – orders over time. The idea is to stock up – with an overall volume that could reflect multiple strains or formats – for months, not weeks ahead. Anyone can do the math for themselves and see that no matter whether they’re buying in grams or kilograms, they’re saving money over buying piecemeal. All orders get free priority shipping.
The Verdict
The differences between Real Botanicals and VIP Kratom lie in 2 main themes: Batch size and variety. Real Botanicals manufactures and tests small batches for potency, effectiveness, and consistency, not just safety. But when it comes to exploring different kratom and strains and especially stocking up, VIP Kratom is where it’s at.
You might also be interested in “Kratom Capsules, Shots, or Edibles: Which Format Is Best?”
Also, check out “Real Botanicals vs. Panacea Natural: How Do You Like Your Kratom?“