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  3. Liquid Energy vs Organic Energy Gel

GU Energy Liquid Energy vs Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel

Honey Stinger's honey-based gel weighs about half as much as GU Liquid Energy and costs $0.83 less. GU is labeled vegan, with 50% more sodium per packet.

GU Energy Liquid Energy

GU Energy

Liquid Energy

24 g of carbs in a 60 g (2.1 oz) serving, from maltodextrin and fructose.

Carbs
24 g
Serving
60 g2.1 oz
Price
$2.50 a serving
RC Science Score
92out of 100

Choose it if

  • You eat vegan. GU Liquid Energy is labeled vegan, and Honey Stinger is made with honey.
  • You count on your gels for some of your sodium. Three GU packets give you 225 mg, and three Honey Stingers give you 150 mg.
  • You want a caffeine option from the same gel line. Plain & Simple has none, and flavors such as Coffee add caffeine.
See it at guenergy.com
Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel

Honey Stinger

Organic Energy Gel

24 g of carbs in a 31 g (1.1 oz) serving, from organic tapioca syrup and organic honey.

Carbs
24 g
Serving
31 g1.1 oz
Price
$1.67 a serving
RC Science Score
92out of 100

Choose it if

  • You want the smallest packet to carry: 31 g (1.1 oz), about half of GU's 60 g (2.1 oz).
  • You prefer organic tapioca syrup and organic honey to maltodextrin.
  • You're keeping the gel budget down. At $1.67 a gel, each one is $0.83 less than GU.
See it at honeystinger.com

Updated October 8, 2026 · numbers from each brand's label, verified by CarbRate

Which gel fits you?

Tap what matters to you. The gel that fits more of it lights up.

GU Energy Liquid Energy

    Fits you

    Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel

      Fits you

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      Head to head

      Longer bar is better for racing on every row. The lit side wins it.

      GU Energy Liquid EnergyHoney Stinger Organic Energy Gel
      24 g
      Carbs per servingg
      24 g
      11.3 g
      Carbs per ounce carriedgrams of carbs ÷ serving weight
      21.9 g
      9.6 g
      Carbs per dollargrams for $1
      14.4 g
      75 mg
      Sodium per servingmg
      50 mg
      92
      RC Science Scoreout of 100
      92
      Full label numbers
      Liquid EnergyOrganic Energy Gel
      Carbohydrate24 g24 g
      Serving weight60 g (2.1 oz)31 g (1.1 oz)
      Calories100100
      Sodium75 mg50 mg
      Potassiumnot listed49 mg
      Caffeine0 mg0 mg
      Proteinnot listed0 g
      Carbs frommaltodextrin, fructoseorganic tapioca syrup, organic honey
      Cost per serving$2.50$1.67
      RC Science Score9292

      On the label

      1 of 4 differ: vegan.

      GU Energy Liquid Energy

      • Vegan
      • Gluten free
      • Glucose + fructose
      • Caffeine free

      Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel

      • Vegan
      • Gluten free
      • Glucose + fructose
      • Caffeine free

      Your race on each gel

      Set your carbs an hour and race length. Both options hit the same target.

      Liquid EnergyOrganic Energy GelHalf each
      Gels an hour2.52.51.3 + 1.3
      Gels for the race10105 + 5
      Weight to carry600 g 21.2 oz310 g 10.9 oz455 g 16.0 oz
      Sodium an hour188 mg125 mg156 mg
      Cost for the race$25.00$16.70$20.85
      Half each takes half your carbs from each.

      Your own carbs an hour depend on your body and goal time.

      Build my free plan

      If neither fits

      Three gels that each lead on one thing.

      Applied Nutrition Energy Gel

      More carbs for the money

      Applied Nutrition Energy Gel23.1 g of carbs in 60 g (2.1 oz) · $1.20
      32Gi Blood Orange Energy Gel Sachet

      Lightest to carry

      32Gi Blood Orange Energy Gel Sachet21 g of carbs in 27 g (1.0 oz) · $2.23
      Victus 02 During Lemon Energy Gel

      Most carbs per serving

      Victus 02 During Lemon Energy Gel45 g of carbs in 66 g (2.3 oz) · $4.12

      Similar comparisons

      GU Energy Liquid Energy vs Applied Nutrition Energy GelHoney Stinger Organic Energy Gel vs Applied Nutrition Energy GelGU Energy Liquid Energy vs 32Gi Blood Orange Energy Gel SachetHoney Stinger Organic Energy Gel vs 32Gi Blood Orange Energy Gel Sachet

      Questions and next steps

      What runners ask about these 2 gels

      Is Honey Stinger Organic Energy Gel vegan?

      No. It's made with organic honey. If you need a vegan gel, GU Liquid Energy is labeled vegan.

      Can either gel get you above 60 g of carbs an hour?

      Both can, because each gives you glucose and fructose. GU gets them from maltodextrin and fructose, and Honey Stinger from tapioca syrup and honey, which has both glucose and fructose. Glucose on its own is limited to about 60 g an hour, and adding fructose is what lets a trained stomach handle up to about 90 g. If you haven't practiced fueling in training, plan on about 60 g an hour.

      Do GU Liquid Energy and Honey Stinger gels have caffeine?

      Honey Stinger's standard flavors have none. GU Liquid Energy's Plain & Simple flavor has none, but some GU flavors, Coffee among them, add caffeine, so check the flavor before race day.

      Are both gels gluten-free?

      Yes. Both are listed as gluten-free.

      Full details

      Sources

      1. Product numbers: each brand's label (guenergy.com, honeystinger.com), verified by CarbRate.
      2. RC Science Score: CarbRate's scoring of each product against the fueling research, explained on each product page.

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