Updated November 3, 2026 · By the NuCoreBio team
Quick answer: Hard capsules suit powders and extracts and start at 500 bottles at NuCoreBio. Softgels suit oils and oil-based fills and start at 300,000 softgels, about 5,000 bottles of 60. Launch a hard capsule first if you want to test the market, and add softgels once the brand is established.
Key facts
- Hard capsule minimum: 500 bottles per SKU.
- Softgel minimum: 300,000 softgels, which is about 5,000 bottles of 60 softgels.
- Live probiotic capsule minimum: 100,000 capsules.
- Branded raw materials: 5,000 to 10,000 bottles per SKU.
What is the difference between a softgel and a hard capsule?
A hard capsule is a two-piece shell filled with powder, granules or pellets. A softgel is a one-piece, sealed shell filled with an oil, an oil suspension or another liquid. The fill decides the format: if your active is a powder, a hard capsule is the natural choice; if it is an oil or oil-soluble, a softgel is usually better.
| Hard capsule | Softgel | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical fill | Powders, extracts, granules | Oils, oil suspensions, oil-soluble actives |
| Examples | Magnesium, ashwagandha, lion’s mane | Fish oil, vitamin D in oil, CoQ10 in oil |
| Shell | Gelatin or plant-based shells such as HPMC | Gelatin or plant-based alternatives; confirm availability with your supplier |
| NuCoreBio minimum | 500 bottles per SKU | 300,000 softgels (about 5,000 bottles of 60) |
| Best first product? | Yes | Only if your formula needs an oil fill |
Why is the softgel minimum so much higher?
Softgels are filled and sealed in large continuous batches, so a production run cannot be made very small. A run of 300,000 softgels is about 5,000 bottles of 60, or about 2,500 bottles of 120. A hard-capsule run can be as small as 500 bottles. This is why a new brand usually launches a hard capsule first.
When should I choose a softgel?
Choose a softgel when the formula needs an oil fill, when you want a smooth swallow for a large oil dose, or when your category expects softgels, such as fish oil. If you are unsure, check whether the active is oil-based. If it is a powder or dry extract, a hard capsule is the practical way to start.
What should I look for in a softgel manufacturer?
A softgel manufacturer should confirm six things before you approve an order:
- The minimum run in softgels and in bottles.
- The shell material and which shells it can run.
- Fill compatibility with your active and the shell.
- Stability data for the fill and the shell.
- Batch COA for heavy metals and microbiology.
- Lead time from approval to shipment.
Shell and fill compatibility is a common cause of delays. Read our capsule shell and fill compatibility guide before you finalize a formula.
What about probiotics and branded ingredients?
Live probiotic capsules have a minimum of 100,000 capsules because live strains need protected handling and a dedicated production run. Branded raw materials need 5,000 to 10,000 bottles per SKU because branded ingredients are bought in fixed lots. See why live-strain capsules need larger production runs.
How much do hard capsules cost?
For standard formulas in 60-capsule bottles, reference ex-works prices run from US$1.90 to US$3.60 per bottle, and the price falls as you order 1,000 and 2,000 bottles. Softgels are quoted per formula because the fill, shell and batch size change the price. See private label capsules cost per bottle for the table.
FAQ
Can I start with 5,000 softgels? No. The softgel minimum at NuCoreBio is 300,000 softgels. For a smaller first order, use a hard capsule.
Can the same formula be a hard capsule and a softgel? Only if the active suits both fills. A powder usually goes into a hard capsule, and an oil goes into a softgel.
Which format is cheaper? Hard capsules are cheaper to start because the minimum is lower. Per-unit price depends on the formula and the run size.
Where do I start? Send your formula and target market, and we will recommend a format. See our low MOQ private label capsules, our capsule supplement OEM page and our softgel supplement manufacturer page.
About NuCoreBio: NuCoreBio is the export brand of Hainan Niuke Biomedical Technology Co., Ltd., a supplement OEM/ODM group that has served clients in more than 60 countries since 2012. We make gummies, capsules, tablets, powders and more for private label brands.