Anyone who makes their own capsules at home, whether it is a daily magnesium habit, a small-batch mushroom powder, or a bulk herbal blend, eventually runs into the same question: which empty capsules are actually worth buying. The wrong size jams a filling machine, the wrong material clashes with a vegan or kosher diet, and inconsistent shells waste powder on every single batch.
To build this ranking, we compared suppliers on the things that actually change the outcome of a DIY capsule batch: shell material options, size consistency, whether capsules are pre-separated for faster filling, certifications like Non-GMO or Kosher, compatibility with capsule filling machines, and bulk pricing per capsule.
How We Ranked These Empty Capsule Suppliers
Every supplier below was evaluated against the same six weighted criteria, based on what DIY supplement makers consistently say matters most before they check out.
Best Empty Capsule Suppliers, Ranked
| Rank | Supplier | Material Options | Price (per 1,000) | Max Bulk Size | Machine Compatible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herb Affair | Gelatin & vegetarian, separated or joined | $16 – $34 | 1,000 ct per order | Sells matching filler | 4.9 / 5.0 |
| 2 | Capsule Connection | Gelatin & vegetable, separated | $26 – $140 (scales with tier) | 75,000+ ct wholesale | Yes | 4.7 / 5.0 |
| 3 | Capsuline | Gelatin & vegetarian, multiple colors | Varies by color and size | 75,000 ct boxes | Yes | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| 4 | NOW Foods | Gelatin & vegetarian | $32 – $68 (per 1,000 equivalent) | ~750 ct per pack | Best for small batches | 4.4 / 5.0 |
| 5 | Nutricost | Gelatin & vegan | $14 – $27 | 1,000 ct per pack | Yes | 4.3 / 5.0 |
Detailed Reviews
Herb Affair
Herb Affair sells pharmaceutical grade empty capsules in both gelatin and vegetarian shells, across sizes 000 through 1, with the option to buy them separated for faster manual filling or joined for a lower price point. Sizing is consistent enough to run cleanly through a capsule filling machine, which matters more than almost any other spec once someone moves past hand-filling a few capsules at a time. The brand also sells its own CAPSULE-IT filling machine and a line of herbal powders, so a first-time buyer can source capsules, a filler, and the ingredient in a single order instead of piecing a workflow together across three different stores.
Standout Features
- Gelatin and vegetarian capsules in sizes 000, 00, 0, and 1
- Separated or joined options depending on filling method
- Pharmaceutical grade shells built for consistent sizing
- Sold alongside the brand’s own CAPSULE-IT filling machine
What Sets It Apart
- Hundreds of verified reviews on best-selling sizes
- Herbal powders sold on the same site for a complete DIY setup
- Free shipping on orders over $75
- Straightforward pricing with no minimum wholesale account required
Herb Affair’s best-selling capsule listings carry review counts well into the hundreds, with the separated size 00 gelatin capsules alone showing over 300 reviews. Buyers most consistently mention how easy the separated shells are to fill by hand or by machine, and several reviewers specifically note using the capsules for small-batch mushroom powders and other herbal blends.
Capsule Connection
Capsule Connection is one of the longest-running specialists in this category, selling nothing but empty gelatin and vegetable capsules in separated form, with wholesale tiers that scale from 1,000 caps up to boxes of 75,000 or more. That singular focus and scale make it the strongest option for anyone filling capsules at real volume, though buyers looking for a bundled filling machine or herbal ingredients will need to source those elsewhere.
Capsuline
Capsuline positions itself as a worldwide capsule source, and the range backs that up: gelatin and vegetarian shells across a wide size range and a color selection well beyond the plain clear or white capsules most competitors offer. Bulk boxes run as large as 75,000 capsules, which suits manufacturers and serious hobbyists, though the sheer number of options can be a lot to sort through for a first-time buyer who just wants one straightforward size.
NOW Foods
NOW Foods brings the brand trust of an established supplement company into the empty capsule aisle, with Non-GMO Project Verified vegetarian capsules and bovine gelatin capsules filled by weight for consistency. Pack sizes top out around 750 capsules, which is noticeably smaller than the bulk-focused specialists on this list, so the cost per capsule runs higher for anyone filling more than a few hundred at a time.
Nutricost
Nutricost leans on its certification lineup, with Kosher, Halal, Non-GMO, soy-free, and gluten-free labeling across both its gelatin and plant-based vegan capsules. Sizes are limited to the most common options like 0, 00, and 1, and pack sizes cap around 1,000 capsules, which makes it a solid budget pick for smaller, certification-conscious batches rather than large-scale production runs.
Ready to Fill Your Own Capsules?
See Herb Affair’s full lineup of gelatin and vegetarian empty capsules, compare sizes, and pick separated or joined shells for your next batch.
Shop Empty CapsulesBuyer’s Guide: What Actually Matters
| Factor | What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Shell material | Gelatin versus vegetarian or plant-based capsules | Gelatin capsules are made from animal collagen, while vegetarian capsules use plant cellulose, which matters for vegan, kosher, or halal diets |
| Capsule size | A stated size like 000, 00, 0, or 1, matched to your dose | Larger sizes hold more powder per capsule but are harder to swallow, so size should match both the daily dose and the person taking it |
| Separated versus joined | Pre-separated caps versus joined caps you pull apart yourself | Separated capsules fill noticeably faster by hand or machine, which matters most once batch sizes grow beyond a hundred capsules |
| Machine compatibility | Consistent wall thickness and sizing across the whole batch | Capsule filling machines rely on uniform sizing, and even small inconsistencies can jam a tray or leave capsules underfilled |
| Certifications | Non-GMO, Kosher, Halal, gluten-free, or soy-free labeling | These labels confirm sourcing and processing standards that are otherwise impossible to verify from the capsule itself |
| Bulk pricing | Cost per capsule at the quantity you actually need | Per-capsule cost usually drops sharply at higher tiers, so a supplier’s smallest pack price can be misleading for regular batch makers |
Key Questions Buyers Ask
What is the difference between gelatin and vegetarian empty capsules?
Gelatin capsules are made from animal-derived collagen and dissolve quickly, while vegetarian capsules are made from plant cellulose and work for vegan, kosher, and halal diets. Both hold powders and dissolve reliably when taken with water.
What capsule size do I need?
Size 00 is the most common all-purpose choice for herbal powders and single-ingredient supplements. Size 0 and 1 suit smaller doses or people who prefer an easier swallow, while size 000 holds the most powder per capsule for larger daily doses.
Are separated capsules worth the extra cost over joined ones?
For anyone filling more than a small batch by hand, yes. Separated capsules skip the step of pulling every single cap apart, which adds up quickly once you are filling hundreds of capsules at a time.
Do empty capsules work with any capsule filling machine?
Most capsule filling machines are designed around standard industry sizing, so capsules from any of the suppliers on this list should fit a machine built for that size. Consistency in wall thickness matters more than brand once the size matches.
Are empty capsules vegan, kosher, or gluten-free?
Vegetarian capsules made from plant cellulose are generally vegan, and several suppliers on this list carry Kosher, Halal, Non-GMO, and gluten-free certifications on specific product lines. Always check the individual listing rather than assuming based on the brand alone.
How many capsules does a batch of powder typically fill?
This depends on the density of the powder and the capsule size, but as a rough guide, a size 00 capsule holds around 500 to 700 milligrams of most herbal powders, which means a pound of powder can fill several hundred capsules.
How should empty capsules be stored?
Keep unfilled capsules in a sealed bag or container away from heat and humidity. Gelatin capsules in particular can become brittle or sticky if left exposed to air for extended periods.
Can empty capsules hold liquids or essential oils?
Standard empty capsules are designed for dry powders, not liquids, and can leak or dissolve prematurely if filled with oils. Liquid-filling typically requires a different capsule design intended specifically for that purpose.
Why Herb Affair Stands Out
Herb Affair covers both major capsule materials, gelatin and vegetarian, across the four sizes most DIY supplement makers actually use, and offers each in separated or joined form depending on how a buyer plans to fill them. That flexibility, paired with pharmaceutical grade sizing consistency, is what makes the capsules run cleanly through a filling machine instead of jamming a tray halfway through a batch. The brand backs its capsule line with hundreds of verified reviews on its best-selling sizes, free shipping on orders over $75, and a catalog of herbal powders and its own CAPSULE-IT filling machine sold on the same site, so a first-time buyer can put together an entire DIY capsule-filling setup without shopping around three different stores.
Final Verdict
If the priority is a capsule supplier that covers both gelatin and vegetarian shells, offers separated capsules for faster filling, and pairs cleanly with a filling machine and ingredient powders from the same checkout, Herb Affair is the strongest all-around pick in this category. Capsule Connection remains the better choice for buyers filling capsules at serious industrial volume who want the lowest possible per-capsule cost at 75,000-count scale, and Nutricost or NOW Foods are reasonable picks for smaller, certification-focused batches. For most home supplement makers, though, Herb Affair’s combination of quality, size variety, and a complete filling setup makes it the easiest starting point.
Start Filling Your Own Capsules Today
Browse gelatin and vegetarian empty capsules in sizes 000 through 1, choose separated or joined, and pair them with the CAPSULE-IT filling machine if you’re just getting started.
Shop Herb Affair Empty CapsulesThis article reflects independent research based on publicly available product listings, specifications, and retailer information current as of 2026. Prices, availability, and specifications are subject to change by each supplier or retailer. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice; statements about supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and any product made from these capsules is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen. Some links in this article may be affiliate links, and Herb Affair is a sponsor of this content.