VELO Vs ZYN: A Comparison of Two Goliaths

If there are two brands that every pouch user in the US knows about (and probably a whole lot of non-pouch users too), it’s VELO and ZYN. Together, they occupy over half the market share, finding themselves in user rotations across the globe.

Many come to a crossroads when deciding which brand to opt for — much like choosing between Coca-Cola or Pepsi. This guide breaks down the key differences and common questions customers have, including how the new VELO Plus range has a lot more in common with ZYN than its predecessors.

VELO vs ZYN: Flavors

There’s plenty of overlap between the flavors the two brands offer. ZYN has slightly more variety overall, but VELO comes close.

Let’s see how they match up in the table below.

Two crucial differences are:

• VELO has a better variation of fruit pouches.
• ZYN offers more mint variations and provides two unflavored nicotine pouches.

Both brands have different strokes for different folks. For some, mint reigns above all; to others, a dragon fruit taste sounds superior. While VELO has fewer flavors than ZYN overall, its options are (arguably) more intriguing.

When browsing VELO’s offerings, it also becomes apparent that the brand offers the same flavor profiles in different forms. For instance, there’s both VELO Plus Wintergreen 6mg and VELO Max Wintergreen 7mg. Some might assume the only differences are one word and 1 mg of nicotine — but there are some more crucial distinctions, which we’ll get to shortly.

VELO Plus vs ZYN Flavors

For a long time, asking a veteran pouch user if they thought ZYN and VELO were similar would have elicited a response something like this:

“No way, José”

“Are your tastebuds working?”

“In VELO’s dreams…”

But times are changing! ZYN has long been a firm favorite for many thanks to its irresistible flavors, and an intense release that hits perfectly. But now VELO Plus has entered the equation, with clear, tasty flavors, and many pouch users have taken note.

Some say the new collection is even better than ZYN, but we’ll leave that to every individual to decide.

VELO vs ZYN - Which is Stronger?

Both brands offer the same flavors in multiple strength levels, allowing all users to find something that suits them.

However, they offer slightly different ranges:

• Standard VELO - 4mg
• VELO Max - 7mg per pouch
• VELO Plus - 6mg and 9mg
• ZYN - 3mg and 6mg per pouch

VELO nicotine pouches are therefore more robust, meaning they’re often the go-to for more experienced users. Meanwhile, those new to nicotine may find ZYN 3mg a better introductory product.

Moisture Contents

It’s worth giving an honorable mention to moisture contents here. Both the original VELO line and ZYNs have dry contents, which provides a balanced, slower release of nicotine and flavor over time.

VELO Plus pouches have moist contents, which provide a faster and more intense release. Many customers have said this is why the Plus pouches appear more flavorful (the brand has divided users in the past when it comes to the flavor realm).

Do VELO and ZYN Have Different Ingredients?

Overall, the ingredients used in VELO and ZYN are fairly similar. But there are some differences, including the type of nicotine used.

Nicotine Form

ZYN uses pharmaceutical-grade nicotine salt in a naturally occurring form that prevents the tobacco plant from oxidation. This makes the salt more stable than other forms that require protection from oxygen. This means its pouches are completely tobacco-free.

VELO pouches are also tobacco-free, but they are made with nicotine derived directly from the tobacco plant. The exception here is VELO Plus, which is made from synthetic nicotine produced in a lab instead.

Most newbie pouch users can’t tell the difference between these nicotine types, but some aficionados claim it affects the flavor and makes the difference between “alright” and “great.”

Other Ingredients

All ZYN and VELO pouches are sugar-free and contain food-grade quality ingredients to stabilize and flavor the pouches:

• All ZYN pouches contain nicotine salt (nicotine bitartrate dihydrate), hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, maltitol, gum arabic, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, acesulfame K, and food-grade flavorings.
• VELO pouches packaged in cans contain nicotine derived from the tobacco plant, maltitol, modified cellulose, sodium carbonates, acesulfame K, and artificial flavor.

Don't let the hard-to-pronounce names scare you off. The takeaway here is that the products have practically the same ingredients, just in slightly different forms.

ZYN vs VELO: Is There a Price Difference?

Every customer wants a good deal. For those who can’t tell the difference between different nicotine types or who have no idea what to choose, opting for the cheapest product often seems like the logical choice.

There is a price difference between these two brands. Considering ZYN is the slightly more favored brand across the states, it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that it’s more expensive.

The price for one can of VELO starts from $4.50 (although VELO Plus is slightly more), while one can of ZYN costs at least $5.59 — that’s just over a dollar. It might not sound like much, but it certainly adds up for those getting through multiple cans per week! That’s a few extra coffees or beers.

VELO Vs ZYN: Is the Pouch Format Different?

In the past, both ZYN and VELO had mini pouches. But VELO Plus has shaken things up yet again, opting for a slim format.

Which one is best? Both mini and slim formats are very popular and known for being ergonomic, so it’s a matter of preference between a full-bodied versus a less invasive experience.

Which to Choose, VELO or ZYN?

Look, Prilla is a nicotine pouch store, and all these brands are our babies! Don’t make us choose.

Instead, let’s break down the basics of what we’ve discussed:

• VELO offers stronger nicotine pouches (and VELO Plus are the strongest)
• ZYN offers more fruity flavors, while VELO has more fruity options
• VELO Plus pouches are moist, while other VELO pouches and ZYN pouches are dry

Some users might even decide they want another brand entirely. For those who are interested, we've also compared Rogue Vs ZYN and On! VS ZYN.