Compare peptides & vendors
Side-by-side comparisons of what each peptide is, how it works, the research behind it and what it costs — plus head-to-head vendor comparisons.
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Peptide vs peptide
BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid fragment of a protein from gastric juice, studied mainly in rodent gut and tendon models. TB-500 is a fragment of thymosin beta-4, an actin-binding protein studied for how cells migrate into damaged tissue. Both are supported mostly by animal and lab research.
Despite the similar names, they are unrelated. TB-500 comes from thymosin beta-4, which binds actin and affects cell movement. Thymosin alpha-1 is a 28-amino-acid thymic peptide that modulates immune cells and is approved as a drug (Zadaxin) in several countries outside the U.S.
Both are seven-amino-acid peptides developed in Russia and approved there. Semax is derived from ACTH and has been studied for neurotrophic effects such as raising BDNF. Selank is derived from the immune peptide tuftsin and has been studied mainly for anxiety and stress responses.
They reach growth-hormone release through different receptors. CJC-1295 (no DAC) mimics growth-hormone-releasing hormone at the GHRH receptor; ipamorelin mimics ghrelin at the GHS-R1a receptor. Because the pathways differ, they are often studied together.
Both are built on the same GHRH (1-29) sequence. The DAC version carries a “drug affinity complex” that binds albumin in the blood, extending its life from hours to days and producing a sustained rather than pulse-like rise in growth hormone.
Both are GHRH analogues. Sermorelin is the natural first 29 amino acids of GHRH and was once FDA-approved (Geref) for children with growth-hormone deficiency. Tesamorelin is a stabilized version that is FDA-approved (Egrifta) for abdominal fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Ipamorelin acts on the ghrelin receptor (GHS-R1a) and is noted for affecting cortisol and prolactin less than older secretagogues. Sermorelin acts on the GHRH receptor, the pituitary’s natural growth-hormone-releasing pathway.
Tesamorelin is an FDA-approved GHRH analogue (Egrifta) acting on the GHRH receptor. Ipamorelin is an investigational ghrelin-receptor agonist that reached clinical trials but was not approved.
GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide found in human plasma and widely used in topical cosmetics. BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide studied mostly in rodent tissue-repair models.
Both appear in skincare research but work differently. GHK-Cu delivers copper and influences genes tied to collagen and tissue remodeling. SNAP-8 is a synthetic octapeptide designed to interfere with the SNARE proteins nerves use to trigger muscle contraction.
Both relate to mitochondria. SS-31 (elamipretide) is a synthetic peptide that binds cardiolipin inside mitochondria and received FDA accelerated approval in 2025 for Barth syndrome. MOTS-c is a naturally occurring peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA, studied mostly in animal metabolism research.
MOTS-c is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded by mitochondrial DNA. NAD+ is not a peptide at all — it is a coenzyme that every cell needs to turn nutrients into energy. Most human NAD+ research uses oral precursors such as NR and NMN.
Epitalon is a synthetic four-amino-acid peptide studied for telomerase activity, mostly in cell and animal research. NAD+ is a coenzyme whose age-related decline has been studied in human trials, mainly through oral precursors.
KPV is a three-amino-acid fragment of alpha-MSH studied for calming inflammatory signaling, for example in colitis models. BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid peptide studied mainly for tissue repair and blood-vessel growth. Both rest mostly on animal research.
Both are immune-related. Thymosin alpha-1 modulates immune-cell activity and is approved abroad as thymalfasin. LL-37 is the body’s own antimicrobial peptide, studied for directly attacking bacteria and biofilms and for wound healing.
Both are melanocortin agonists derived from alpha-MSH, and both are FDA-approved for different conditions. Afamelanotide (Melanotan-1) acts on the MC1R receptor in pigment cells (Scenesse, for erythropoietic protoporphyria). Bremelanotide (PT-141) acts on MC4R in the brain (Vyleesi, for hypoactive sexual desire disorder).
Both are hypothalamic peptides involved in reproduction. Kisspeptin sits at the top of the reproductive hormone cascade, triggering LH and FSH release via GnRH neurons. Oxytocin is a nine-amino-acid hormone that controls uterine contractions and milk let-down and is FDA-approved (Pitocin) for labor.