Each format needs different production equipment and suits different formulations. Here's how to think through which fits your product and production goals.
| Format | Best For | Core Equipment | Processing Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capsule | Powder-based formulations, cost-sensitive production, fast changeovers between products | Capsule filling machine (staged powder compression) | Lowest — direct powder dosing and shell closure |
| Softgel | Oil-based or liquid actives (fish oil, vitamin E, CoQ10, CBD oil) | Softgel encapsulation system (gelatin prep, die roller, drying) | Moderate — gelatin ribbon formation and drying add steps |
| Gummy | Consumer-preferred format, flavored/functional products, brands prioritizing taste and experience | Cooking kettle, depositor, cooling, demolding, counting | Highest — full cook-and-deposit process per batch |
If your formulation is a powder — most vitamins, minerals, and many herbal blends — capsules are usually the simplest and most cost-effective path to market. A capsule filling machine doses powder directly into the shell in a single staged-compression process, with no gelatin preparation or drying step required.
If your active ingredient is an oil or liquid — fish oil, vitamin E, CoQ10, or CBD/cannabinoid oil — softgels are usually the better fit, since the encapsulation process is built specifically to handle liquid and semi-liquid fill material as the gelatin ribbons close around it.
If consumer experience and brand differentiation matter most — gummies have grown faster than any other supplement format over the past decade because customers genuinely prefer them. The tradeoff is a more involved production process: cooking, precise depositing, cooling, and demolding all add time and equipment compared to capsules or softgels.
None of these choices are permanent or mutually exclusive — many established supplement brands run more than one format across their product line, using separate equipment for each rather than trying to convert one machine between formats.
Capsules are generally the most cost-effective format to produce at scale for powder-based formulations. Softgels involve additional gelatin preparation and drying steps. Gummies require a full cook-and-deposit process and the longest processing time per batch.
Not directly — capsule filling, softgel encapsulation, and gummy production each require different core equipment. Many manufacturers running multiple formats operate separate equipment for each rather than trying to convert one machine between formats.
Softgels handle liquid and semi-liquid fill material directly during encapsulation, making them a natural fit for CBD oil, fish oil, and other oil-based actives. Capsules can also work if the active is blended into a powder carrier.
Tablet and capsule counters handle capsules, tablets, and softgels on the same machine. Gummies typically use a dedicated gummy channel counter due to their size and shape.
Browse equipment by format, or talk to us about your specific formulation.
Capsule Fillers → Softgel Systems → Gummy Production → Request a Quote →