A pre-workout without stevia can still contain sucralose, acesulfame potassium and enough caffeine to dominate your day. The useful comparison starts with the exact flavor’s sweeteners, then the dose you will take. These ten recipes omit listed stevia ingredients, with caffeine portions ranging from 150mg to 400mg.
Written by Tom Miller, CSCS. Updated: October 2026.
Short on time? Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout Blueberry Lemonade is our overall pick for its 175mg caffeine portion and disclosed creatine and beta-alanine amounts. C4 Original’s selected 150mg version is lower in caffeine. Stevia avoidance is a flavor or ingredient preference, not evidence that the replacement sweeteners are healthier. These stimulant products are for appropriate adults, not children, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
How We Chose
We checked the selected flavors’ complete ingredient lists for stevia, steviol glycosides and rebaudiosides, then compared caffeine, active ingredient forms, portions and tub supply. Sucralose and acesulfame potassium qualify for this filter, but they remain visible tradeoffs. Our scores favor dose clarity and a practical buying purpose rather than the biggest stimulant number. We distinguish one scoop from two, citrulline malate from pure L-citrulline, and creatine nitrate from creatine monohydrate. We also considered label warnings and available sport-certification information without treating a facility certificate as product certification. Formulas vary by flavor, region and generation; another tub from the same brand requires its own check. No ranking promises a particular pump, focus response or strength gain.
Our Verdict
ON Gold Standard Pre-Workout Blueberry Lemonade
A 175mg caffeine portion, 3.3g creatine monohydrate and clear thirty-serving label make this a balanced starting point for appropriate stimulant users.
Best for: Adults who want a disclosed formula without a 300mg-plus caffeine portion
Check Price on AmazonOur Top Picks
Best Overall: Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard Pre-Workout
ON Gold Standard Pre-Workout Blueberry Lemonade 30 Servings
Best OverallA thirty-serving Blueberry Lemonade formula with 175mg caffeine, 3.3g creatine monohydrate and 1.6g beta-alanine per labeled ten-gram scoop.
Pros
- 175mg caffeine per scoop
- 3.3g creatine monohydrate
- Thirty labeled servings
Cons
- Only 750mg L-citrulline
- Contains sucralose, acesulfame potassium and gums
The exact Blueberry Lemonade panel lists 175mg caffeine, 3.3g creatine monohydrate and 1.6g beta-alanine per scoop. The front’s creatine number refers to monohydrate weight; the brand also describes that as 3g creatine. Keep those units consistent when comparing formulas.
The main weakness is its 750mg L-citrulline portion, well below Nutricost’s 4g. Choose ON for its lower caffeine commitment and creatine inclusion rather than a large citrulline dose. Skip this if you avoid creatine, gums or artificial sweeteners, or are sensitive to caffeine. C4’s selected 150mg version is lower in caffeine, while JYM Plus supplies more creatine with 300mg caffeine.
Best Lower-Caffeine Pick: C4 Original Fruit Punch
C4 Original Fruit Punch 150mg 30 Servings
Best Lower-Caffeine PickThe selected 150mg-caffeine Fruit Punch formula contains 1.6g beta-alanine, 1g creatine nitrate and 1g citrulline malate per scoop.
Pros
- 150mg caffeine in this version
- 1.6g beta-alanine
- Thirty one-scoop servings
Cons
- Only 1g citrulline malate
- Creatine nitrate is not creatine monohydrate
This specific C4 Original version lists 150mg caffeine, not the larger amounts found in other C4 products. Its panel includes 1.6g beta-alanine, 1g creatine nitrate and 1g citrulline malate. The creatine nitrate amount is not an equivalent gram amount of creatine monohydrate.
C4 is the lower-caffeine option beside ON’s 175mg portion, but its small citrulline-malate amount is a drawback. Skip this if you want substantial disclosed citrulline or avoid nitrate ingredients. The label includes medication-related warnings, including nitrates and PDE-5 inhibitors. Check the exact 150mg U.S. formula: another region or generation can use a different sweetener recipe.
Best Disclosed Two-Source Caffeine Formula: Redcon1 Total War
REDCON1 Total War Blue Lemonade 30 Servings
Best Two-Source Caffeine FormulaA Blue Lemonade pre-workout with 250mg caffeine anhydrous plus 70mg caffeine from di-caffeine malate, totaling 320mg per scoop.
Pros
- 320mg total caffeine disclosed
- 6g citrulline malate 2:1
- 3.2g beta-alanine
Cons
- High caffeine portion
- Also contains theobromine and botanical ingredients
Total War’s 100mg di-caffeine malate contributes 70mg caffeine. Add that to 250mg caffeine anhydrous and the total is 320mg, not 350mg. The selected label also lists 6g citrulline malate at a 2:1 ratio and 3.2g beta-alanine.
The citrulline amount includes malate, so do not compare 6g here with 6g pure L-citrulline. This is a high-caffeine alternative to ON, with additional ingredients such as theobromine. Skip this if you are caffeine-sensitive, train late or already consume caffeine elsewhere. A two-source caffeine blend does not guarantee a smoother experience or freedom from a crash.
Best Creatine-Inclusive Formula: Pre JYM Plus Fruit Punch Blast
Pre JYM Plus Fruit Punch Blast 30 Servings
Best Creatine-Inclusive FormulaA thirty-serving Fruit Punch Blast formula with 5g creatine monohydrate, 300mg caffeine, 6g citrulline malate and 3.2g beta-alanine per scoop.
Pros
- 5g creatine monohydrate
- 3.2g beta-alanine
- Thirty full labeled portions
Cons
- 300mg caffeine
- Complex formula includes nitrates and huperzine A
Pre JYM Plus supplies 5g creatine monohydrate, compared with ON’s 3.3g. Its one-scoop formula also contains 300mg caffeine, 6g citrulline malate and 3.2g beta-alanine. This is the Plus formula, not the older Pre JYM recipe containing creatine HCl.
It can suit an adult who wants creatine within a larger pre-workout formula, but the ingredient count is a real tradeoff. The label also lists nitrate and huperzine A. Skip this if you want independent control of creatine and stimulants or take medication without professional guidance on the full formula. Do not stack it with another caffeinated product.
Best Adjustable Scoop Formula: Gorilla Mode Rocket Frost
Gorilla Mode Rocket Frost 40 Scoops
Best Adjustable Scoop FormulaA forty-scoop Rocket Frost tub with 200mg caffeine per scoop, reaching 400mg caffeine, 10g L-citrulline and 5g creatine at two scoops.
Pros
- Amounts disclosed for one and two scoops
- Pure L-citrulline rather than malate
- Creatine monohydrate included
Cons
- 400mg caffeine at two scoops
- Forty scoops equal only twenty two-scoop portions
Gorilla Mode’s headline 400mg caffeine and 10g pure L-citrulline refer to two scoops. One scoop supplies half those amounts: 200mg caffeine and 5g L-citrulline. A forty-scoop tub therefore contains twenty two-scoop portions, not forty full headline-dose portions.
The disclosed columns make dose comparison easier, but the larger serving is not the default recommendation. Two scoops reach the FDA’s cited general daily caffeine amount for most adults in one drink, before any coffee. Skip this if you want a low-stimulant formula or are tempted to double servings for bigger ingredient numbers. ON is the less caffeine-heavy choice per labeled scoop.
Best 4.5g Citrulline Single Scoop: RYSE Loaded Pre Caramel Apple
RYSE Loaded Pre Caramel Apple 30 Servings
Best 4.5g Citrulline Single ScoopThe Caramel Apple flavor contains 4.5g L-citrulline, 3.2g beta-alanine and 300mg total caffeine per scoop, without listed stevia ingredients.
Pros
- 4.5g pure L-citrulline
- 3.2g beta-alanine in this flavor
- Thirty one-scoop servings
Cons
- 300mg total caffeine
- Contains theobromine as well as caffeine
The selected Caramel Apple panel lists 4.5g L-citrulline and 3.2g beta-alanine. Its 300mg caffeine total combines 270mg caffeine anhydrous with 30mg from extended-release caffeine. Use that flavor’s panel rather than borrowing doses from another RYSE page.
It supplies pure citrulline instead of the malate blends in Total War and Alani. The tradeoff is the 300mg caffeine portion plus theobromine. Skip this if you want a lower-stimulant product or train near bedtime. The label limits use to one serving daily. Extended-release caffeine is not a promise that you will avoid jitters, sleep disruption or a crash.
Best 200mg Malate Formula: Alani Nu Hawaiian Shaved Ice
Alani Nu Hawaiian Shaved Ice Pre-Workout 30 Servings
Best 200mg Malate FormulaA Hawaiian Shaved Ice formula with 200mg caffeine, 6g citrulline malate, 1.6g beta-alanine and 200mg L-theanine per scoop.
Pros
- 200mg caffeine per scoop
- 6g citrulline malate 2:1
- 200mg L-theanine
Cons
- 1.6g beta-alanine
- Contains sucralose and acesulfame potassium
Alani’s exact label lists 6g citrulline malate at a 2:1 ratio, not 6g pure L-citrulline. One scoop also supplies 200mg caffeine, 1.6g beta-alanine, 500mg tyrosine and 200mg L-theanine. It uses sucralose and acesulfame potassium without listed stevia.
Compared with RYSE, you get less caffeine and a different citrulline form. Compared with ON, you give up creatine. Skip this if you want an unsweetened formula or a larger beta-alanine portion. Theanine does not cancel caffeine or make the product sleep-friendly. Check the full tub’s directions and warnings instead of treating its energy-drink counterpart as an interchangeable serving.
Best Sport-Certification Option: Bucked Up Freedom Pop
Bucked Up Pre-Workout Freedom Pop 30 Servings
Best Sport-Certification OptionThe selected Freedom Pop formula contains 200mg caffeine, 6g citrulline malate and 2g beta-alanine, with exact-product sport-certification information to check.
Pros
- 200mg caffeine per scoop
- 6g citrulline malate 2:1
- Exact Freedom Pop product appears in the NSF directory
Cons
- Contains sucralose
- 2g beta-alanine is below common daily study protocols
This Freedom Pop formula lists 200mg caffeine, 6g citrulline malate 2:1 and 2g beta-alanine per scoop. Its current label includes AlphaSize, AstraGin and Senactiv. Do not substitute an older Bucked Up ingredient list or assume the whole range shares one formula.
The exact Freedom Pop product appears in NSF’s directory, which matters more to a tested athlete than a generic quality claim. Confirm the current product and applicable batch before use. Skip this if you want creatine included or avoid sucralose. Alani is the closest 200mg caffeine comparison, while ON supplies creatine at a lower 175mg caffeine portion.
Best 4g Citrulline Alternative: Nutricost PRE Complex
Nutricost PRE Complex Blue Raspberry 30 Servings
Best 4g Citrulline AlternativeA Blue Raspberry formula with 4g L-citrulline and 200mg caffeine per scoop, alongside a high vitamin B6 amount and additional nootropic ingredients.
Pros
- 4g L-citrulline
- 200mg caffeine per scoop
- Thirty disclosed portions
Cons
- 60mg vitamin B6 per serving
- Long formula includes DMAE and huperzine A
Nutricost PRE Complex lists 4g L-citrulline, 2g beta-alanine, 1.5g taurine and 200mg caffeine per scoop. It is not the brand’s stronger Pre-X product. The substantial caveat is 60mg vitamin B6 per serving, plus a long formula including DMAE and huperzine A.
We would choose this only after checking those extras against the rest of your supplement intake. NIH describes nerve-related risks from excessive vitamin B6; do not stack B6 products or assume daily long-term use is appropriate. Skip this if you want a simpler routine. Alani and Bucked Up reach the same 200mg caffeine portion without this label’s high B6 amount.
Best Smaller Scoop Portion: Six Star Explosion 2.0
Six Star Explosion 2.0 Fruit Punch 30 Scoops
Best Smaller Scoop PortionA thirty-scoop Fruit Punch tub with 160mg caffeine, 1.6g beta-alanine and 1.5g L-citrulline per scoop, half its two-scoop headline quantities.
Pros
- 160mg caffeine per scoop
- 1.6g beta-alanine per scoop
- Sucralose without listed stevia
Cons
- Headline quantities refer to two scoops
- Only fifteen two-scoop portions per tub
Read the scoop math on Six Star. One scoop supplies 160mg caffeine, 1.6g beta-alanine and 1.5g L-citrulline. The 320mg caffeine, 3.2g beta-alanine and 3g citrulline headline amounts require two scoops. A thirty-scoop tub lasts fifteen uses at that amount.
The one-scoop caffeine portion sits between C4’s 150mg and ON’s 175mg. It can be the more useful comparison than the front label’s larger numbers. Skip this if you expect thirty full headline-dose servings or want more citrulline at a low caffeine amount. Follow the exact package directions, which can change, and do not increase caffeine solely to chase a larger amino-acid dose.
Comparison Table
| Product | Key Spec | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ON Gold Standard Pre-Workout Blueberry Lemonade 30 Servings | 175mg caffeine; 3.3g creatine monohydrate; 1.6g beta-alanine; 30 servings | Best Overall | Check Price |
| C4 Original Fruit Punch 150mg 30 Servings | 150mg caffeine; 1.6g beta-alanine; 1g creatine nitrate; 30 servings | Best Lower-Caffeine Pick | Check Price |
| REDCON1 Total War Blue Lemonade 30 Servings | 320mg total caffeine; 6g citrulline malate; 3.2g beta-alanine; 30 servings | Best Two-Source Caffeine Formula | Check Price |
| Pre JYM Plus Fruit Punch Blast 30 Servings | 300mg caffeine; 5g creatine monohydrate; 3.2g beta-alanine; 30 servings | Best Creatine-Inclusive Formula | Check Price |
| Gorilla Mode Rocket Frost 40 Scoops | 200mg caffeine per scoop; 400mg per two scoops; 40 scoops | Best Adjustable Scoop Formula | Check Price |
| RYSE Loaded Pre Caramel Apple 30 Servings | 300mg total caffeine; 4.5g L-citrulline; 3.2g beta-alanine; 30 servings | Best 4.5g Citrulline Single Scoop | Check Price |
| Alani Nu Hawaiian Shaved Ice Pre-Workout 30 Servings | 200mg caffeine; 6g citrulline malate 2:1; 1.6g beta-alanine; 30 servings | Best 200mg Malate Formula | Check Price |
| Bucked Up Pre-Workout Freedom Pop 30 Servings | 200mg caffeine; 6g citrulline malate 2:1; 2g beta-alanine; 30 servings | Best Sport-Certification Option | Check Price |
| Nutricost PRE Complex Blue Raspberry 30 Servings | 200mg caffeine; 4g L-citrulline; 60mg vitamin B6; 30 servings | Best 4g Citrulline Alternative | Check Price |
| Six Star Explosion 2.0 Fruit Punch 30 Scoops | 160mg caffeine per scoop; 320mg per two scoops; 30 scoops | Best Smaller Scoop Portion | Check Price |
Buying Guide
Check Every Sweetener in the Exact Flavor
Look for stevia leaf extract, steviol glycosides and rebaudioside names such as Reb A or Reb M. A natural-sweetener slogan cannot replace that ingredient check. The selected recipes here use other sweeteners, commonly sucralose or acesulfame potassium. The FDA’s sweetener guidance distinguishes those ingredients; removing stevia does not establish a general health advantage.
Check the flavor and market before ordering. C4 formulas can differ by generation and region. Our pick is the specific 150mg Fruit Punch listing. Alani Hawaiian Shaved Ice and RYSE Caramel Apple also need their own panels, not a borrowed ingredient list from a different flavor. If you want no sweetener at all, this flavored list is the wrong filter.
Set a Caffeine Budget Before Comparing Pumps
The FDA cites 400mg daily as an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most adults, with substantial individual variation. That is neither a target nor a guarantee of safety. Gorilla Mode’s two-scoop portion reaches it alone. Total War’s 320mg and RYSE’s 300mg leave little room for other sources; their labels may impose stricter restrictions.
The ISSN caffeine position stand reports performance benefits alongside individual differences and side effects. More caffeine does not ensure a better session. Choose the lowest appropriate amount, count coffee and energy drinks, and protect sleep. For a lower-stimulant comparison, see our low-caffeine pre-workouts.
Compare the Same Ingredient Forms and Portions
A 6g citrulline-malate blend includes malate; it is not 6g pure L-citrulline. ON’s 3.3g creatine monohydrate and C4’s 1g creatine nitrate are also different quantities of different ingredients. Choose creatine separately if you want independent control, rather than taking more stimulant powder to reach a creatine target.
Beta-alanine works through repeated intake over time, not because a scoop causes tingling. The ISSN beta-alanine position stand discusses multiweek protocols and divided portions. Do not double a caffeinated pre-workout to reproduce a study’s beta-alanine dose. Our pre-workouts without beta-alanine guide addresses the separate tingling-related preference.
Price the Portion and Respect the Warnings
Divide delivered price by the number of portions you intend to use. For example, a $30 thirty-scoop tub costs $1 per scoop or $2 per two-scoop portion. Those are examples, not current prices. Gorilla Mode and Six Star illustrate why front-label serving counts can overstate your practical supply when you use two scoops.
Avoid these stimulant formulas if you are under 18, pregnant or breastfeeding. Ask a clinician or pharmacist about medical conditions, medications and the complete ingredient list. Do not dry-scoop, combine stimulant products or exceed label directions. Tested athletes should check exact-product certification in the certifier’s directory. A facility certificate does not establish banned-substance certification for its products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Stevia-Free Pre-Workouts Unsweetened?
No. These selected flavors use other sweeteners, commonly sucralose and acesulfame potassium. Stevia-free describes one ingredient exclusion, not the absence of sweetness, artificial sweeteners or sugar. If your concern is stevia’s flavor, these may fit. If you avoid all sweeteners, you need an unsweetened product with its own complete ingredient check.
Which Pick Has the Lowest Caffeine Portion?
The selected C4 Original Fruit Punch version lists 150mg per scoop. Six Star lists 160mg per scoop and ON lists 175mg. Those are still meaningful stimulant amounts and may be unsuitable for you. Another C4 version can contain a different amount, so confirm the exact listing and delivered label rather than assuming the brand name defines the dose.
Does Stevia-Free Mean Better for My Stomach?
Not necessarily. Caffeine, acids, large powder portions and other ingredients can affect tolerability. These formulas also use replacement sweeteners. Avoiding a known ingredient preference is reasonable, but it does not diagnose a cause of symptoms. Stop a product that causes problems and seek medical advice for persistent or severe symptoms rather than repeatedly increasing or changing pre-workouts.
Can I Take Two Scoops for More Citrulline?
Only consider portions permitted by your exact label and appropriate to you. Doubling a formula also doubles caffeine and every other ingredient. Gorilla Mode reaches 400mg caffeine at two scoops; Six Star reaches 320mg. Do not use a larger stimulant portion simply to raise citrulline or beta-alanine. A separately chosen ingredient can give more independent control.
Is Creatine Included in All Ten?
No. ON, Pre JYM Plus and Gorilla Mode list creatine monohydrate, while the selected C4 formula uses creatine nitrate. Several other picks omit creatine. A pre-workout is optional for a creatine routine: you do not need caffeine to take creatine. Keep the ingredient form and amount in the comparison, and avoid accidentally duplicating servings across supplements.
Bottom Line
ON Gold Standard Blueberry Lemonade is our overall pick for its disclosed 175mg caffeine portion and included creatine monohydrate. C4’s selected 150mg formula suits a lower-caffeine comparison; Bucked Up Freedom Pop merits attention for its exact-product sport-certification information. Choose by caffeine tolerance and complete recipe before chasing bigger dose numbers. For another ingredient preference, compare our protein powders without stevia. Omitting stevia changes the recipe, not the need for sensible stimulant limits and careful label reading.
Sources
- FDA: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?; FDA sweetener guidance
- ISSN Position Stand: Caffeine and Exercise Performance; ISSN Position Stand: Beta-Alanine; NIH: Vitamin B6
- ON Gold Standard Pre-Workout; C4 Original 150mg formula; Redcon1 Total War
- Pre JYM Plus; Pre JYM Plus Fruit Punch Blast label supplied by the brand; Gorilla Mode; RYSE Loaded Pre
- Alani Hawaiian Shaved Ice nutrition and supplement information; Bucked Up Pre-Workout; NSF dietary supplement product directory; Nutricost PRE Complex; Six Star Explosion 2.0
