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33+ of the Best Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living & Doterra

By Cindy Scott

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, read my disclosure policy.

Do you love essential oils? Would you love to use them more but they’re too expensive?

In my house last winter, we had 2 sick kids, a sick mom… and the worst… a dad with a cold! All at once! It was miserable. Have you been there? You know how bad it can get, mama!

My friend suggested we try some essential oils and I was intrigued.

Cheaper Essential Oils

As a mom, I’m always interested in something that claims to help my family’s health in a natural way. If diffusing oils can prevent or shorten even one winter cold, I’m all in!

Many people have been introduced to the concept by the multi-level marketing (MLM) companies Young Living and Doterra. While Young Living and Doterra have high-quality essential oils, their prices are outrageously high.

I went looking for cheaper alternatives to Young Living and Doterra. Thankfully, there are tons of high-quality essential oil companies out there.

There’s more detail below, but here’s an easy chart of Amazon Links to all the cheaper alternatives to Young Living & Doterra oils:

Alternatives to Young Living & Doterra

Young Living
Doterra
Eden’s Garden
Plant Therapy
Now
Lavender
Lavender
Lavender
Lavender
Lavender
Thieves
On Guard
Guardian
Germ Fighter
Nature's Shield
Copaiba
Copaiba
Copaiba
Copaiba
*
Purification
TerraShield
Repel
*
Digize
DigestZen
Digest Ease
DiGiZen
*
Peppermint
Peppermint
Peppermint
Peppermint
Peppermint
Frankincense
Frankincense
Frankincense
Frankincense
Frankincense
Lemon
Lemon
Lemon
Lemon
Lemon
RC
Breathe
Deep Breath
Respir Aid
Clear the Air
PanAway
*
Muscle Relief
Rapid Relief
*
*
Deep Blue
Massage Therapy
Muscle Aid
*
Stress Away
Balance
*
Worry Free
*
Melaleuca
Tea Tree
Tea Tree
Tea Tree
Vetiver
Vetiver
Vetiver
Vetiver
*
Peace & Calming
*
*
Let it Go
*

Which Brands Are Comparable to Young Living & Doterra?

I think there are many high-quality essential oil brands out there. I chose three companies that came up repeatedly in my research as offering high-quality oils at much lower prices than Young Living and Doterra.

To keep it simple for this blog post, I am comparing these three brands:

  • Edens Garden
  • Plant Therapy
  • Now

Are These Essential Oils “Therapeutic Grade”?

“Therapeutic Grade” is a meaningless marketing term. There is no independent agency that certifies oils to be therapeutic grade.

In fact, the term “Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade” is a registered trademark of Doterra, as they state on their website:

CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade is a registered trademark of dōTERRA Holdings, LLC representing internal standards of quality assessment and material control. The CPTG testing protocols require the use of independent laboratories for CPTG standardization and quality testing. The CPTG protocol is not administered by government or industry regulatory agencies and does not imply regulatory approval of dōTERRA products.

So technically Doterra is the only company who can use that term because they own the phrase. How does it mean anything then? It doesn’t. It’s just marketing.

Are They High-Quality and Thoroughly Tested?

All of these brands produce high-quality essential oils that have undergone rigorous testing.

You can compare the quality & testing procedures of the various companies yourself by reading the information from the manufacturers:

  • Edens Garden
  • Plant Therapy
  • Now

Are These Essential Oils Safe To Ingest (Edible)?

Many of these oils are not labeled as food grade or safe to ingest. This is not necessarily because they are unsafe, but because the companies have decided not to label their products as food or nutritional supplements.

This is because most experts agree that people should not consume essential oils without the guidance of a medical professional or trained aromatherapist.

If you are consuming them under the guidance of a professional, he/she will advise you on the amounts, types, and brands they recommend for your situation.

Cheaper Alternatives to the Most Popular MLM Essential Oils

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s take a look at the alternatives to the specific essential oils. I couldn’t cover all of the possible essential oils, so I looked at Young Living and Doterra’s most popular items.

I tried to choose the most similar size comparable option, but please note that many of the options are different amounts. Also, not all oils and blends are available in all of the brands.

When looking at blends, I tried to choose the most comparable mix of oils, but compare the contents of the blends yourself.

You’ll see that almost every example I have given will save you around 50-75% of the price of the comparable MLM essential oils.

Cheaper Essential Oils

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living & Doterra Lavender

Edens Garden Lavender Oil

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living Lavender: $30.92 for 0.5oz (15ml)
  • Doterra Lavender: $28.00 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Lavender (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Lavender (See at Amazon.com)
  • Now Lavender (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living Thieves & Doterra On Guard

Plant Therapy Germ Fighter

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living Thieves: $44.41 for 0.5oz (15ml)
  • Doterra On Guard: $42.67 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Guardian (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Germ Fighter (See at Amazon.com)
  • Now Nature’s Shield Blend (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living & Doterra Copaiba

Edens Garden Copaiba

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living Copaiba: $56.58 for 0.5oz (15ml)
  • Doterra Copaiba: $46.67 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Copaiba (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Copaiba (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living Purification & Doterra Terrashield

Edens Garden Repel

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living Purification: $24.67 for 0.5oz (15ml)
  • Doterra Terrashield: $14.00 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Repel (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Nature Shield ()

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living DiGize & Doterra DigestZen

Plant Therapy DiGiZen

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living DiGize: $43.09 for 0.5oz (15ml)
  • Doterra DigestZen: $41.33 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Digest Ease (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy DiGiZen (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living & Doterra Peppermint

Now Peppermint Oil

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living Peppermint: $28.29 for 0.5oz (15ml)
  • Doterra Peppermint: $27.33 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Peppermint (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Peppermint (See at Amazon.com)
  • Now Peppermint (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living & Doterra Frankincense

Edens Garden Frankincense

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living Frankincense: $96.71 for 0.5oz (15ml)
  • Doterra Frankincense: $93.00 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Frankincense (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Frankincense (See at Amazon.com)
  • Now Frankincense (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living Lemon & Doterra Lemon

Plant Therapy Lemon Oil

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living Lemon: $14.80 for 0.5oz (15ml)
  • Doterra Lemon: $13.33 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Lemon (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Lemon (See at Amazon.com)
  • Now Lemon (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living RC & Doterra Breathe

Now Clear the Air Oil

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living RC: $29.93 for 0.5oz (15ml)
  • Doterra Breathe Respiratory Blend: $26.66 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Deep Breath (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Respir-Aid (See at Amazon.com)
  • Now Clear the Air (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living PanAway

Edens Garden Muscle Relief Oil

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living PanAway: $104.61 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Muscle Relief (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Rapid Relief (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Doterra Deep Blue Soothing Blend

Edens Garden Massage Therapy

Prices to compare:

  • Doterra Deep Blue Soothing Blend: $42.67 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Massage Therapy (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Muscle Aid (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living Stress Away & Doterra Balance

Plant Therapy Worry Free

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living Stress Away: $39.14 for 0.5oz (15ml)
  • Doterra Balance: $26.67 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Option:

  • Plant Therapy Worry Free (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living Tea Tree & Doterra Melaleuca

Now Tea Tree Oil

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living Tea Tree: $34.21 for 0.5oz (15ml)
  • Doterra Melaleuca: $25.33 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Tea Tree (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Tea Tree (See at Amazon.com)
  • Now Tea Tree (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living & Doterra Vetiver

Edens Garden Vetiver Oil

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living Vetiver: $27.96 for 0.17oz (5ml)
  • Doterra Vetiver: $46.00 for 0.5oz (15ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Edens Garden Vetiver (See at Amazon.com)
  • Plant Therapy Vetiver (See at Amazon.com)

Cheaper Alternatives to Young Living Peace & Calming

Plant Therapy Let It Go Oil

Prices to compare:

  • Young Living Peace & Calming: $45.72 for 0.17oz (5ml)

Comparable Options:

  • Plant Therapy Let It Go (See at Amazon.com)

Our Experience

We’ve tried a variety of essential oils, when we were sick and when we were healthy. It’s hard to know if they made any difference, but we enjoy it and they smell nice.

Our favorite is the Now brand lavender oil to help with relaxation.

Cheaper Essential Oils

Have you tried any of these essential oils? How do you think they compare to Young Living or Doterra? I’d love to hear your comments below!

More Cheaper Alternatives

If you enjoyed this post, you might like to read some of my other cheaper alternatives posts to save even more money. Especially, check out the post about cheaper alternatives to Norwex cleaning products for some excellent inexpensive natural cleaning products!

Filed Under: Cheaper Alternatives, Reader Favorites, Smart Shopping

About Cindy Scott

Cindy Scott is a number-loving, money-saving expert. She pulled her own family out of debt. Now, she crunches the numbers to find you the greatest value. Join her email list and receive savvy savings straight to your inbox!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel Goldberg says

    July 1, 2018 at 1:47 pm

    I buy Piping Rock essential oils and I love them. Also, you can find great deals on essential oils in Marshall’s and TJMaxx. Plantlife is a common brand there, and I’ve been happy with its quality and of course there are the popular natural food store brands, such as NOW as you mentioned, or Aura Cacia (quite pricey, though).

    Those MLM essential oil companies really annoy me, tbh. They’ve popularized the word “oils” to mean “essential oils,” when essential oils are a very specific thing and “oils” could easily refer to diluted or artificial fragrance oils, or carrier oils. If a person is not well-versed in the use of essential oils, they really should be advised by a naturopath or someone who has studied the use of essential oils, not their neighbor who just started selling them, because there are safety issues. One of these companies actually trademarked “thieves oil,” which is the name for a certain combination of essential oils. This name has been used for centuries, and now other companies have to stop using it or face lawsuits. This also makes it harder for consumers to find it, because a search for the name they’re used to might not turn up results.

    • Cindy says

      July 1, 2018 at 1:51 pm

      Thanks for the tips about oils!

  2. Jennifer Rose says

    July 7, 2018 at 11:43 am

    I absolutely love Edens garden oils! They have a great selection of essential oils, carrier oils and much more! I love to make bath salts, roller balls, body butter and many other personal products. I have never had a problem with anything from Edens garden they work like they are supposed to i have neuropathy and fibromyalgia so i make a lot of pain and nerve products and live by them they work wonders! I use Young living and mainly Edens garden there is no difference except maybe on scent not quality❤️

    • Cindy says

      July 7, 2018 at 12:46 pm

      So glad they have worked for you! Thanks for the recommendation!

    • Jacki says

      August 11, 2018 at 9:18 am

      I started out with DoTerra and am trying Edens Garden. I am a newbie at this stuff, but I believe the DoTerra brand is a lot stronger, at least by smell. But I don’t like the idea of having to have a membership or the high prices.

      • Cindy says

        August 11, 2018 at 10:21 am

        Thanks for sharing your experience!

    • Talon says

      September 1, 2019 at 4:14 pm

      Edens Garden and NOW both failed 2016 3rd party testings. doTERRA has never failed any 3rd party testing since their inception since they are already 3rd party tested. Sad that people are taking this blog seriously. Very misleading and they don’t have their facts straight.

      • Cindy Scott says

        September 2, 2019 at 8:00 am

        I’m not an oil expert – I’m just a mom trying to help people save money. 🙂 If you have links about the testing, please share.

  3. Liza says

    July 9, 2018 at 7:49 pm

    Thank you for this list. Could you help me find a cheaper alternative to YL Vetiver and Peace & Calming blend. I came across a post where someone said these and other EO have helped tics and I’m desperate to try this to help my son. I cznt afford the YL prices. Thank you!

    • Cindy says

      July 10, 2018 at 11:47 am

      Liza, I’m glad you liked the post! I added Vetiver and Peace & Calming to the post above so you can have some cheaper options. I hope you find something that helps your son.

  4. Sharon says

    February 15, 2019 at 2:04 am

    I have doterra and love the strength, but on the skin they don’t seem to last very long. Would love to know if the cheaper brands last longer? And would also love to know if there is a hormonal blend in the cheaper rollers.

    • Cindy Scott says

      February 15, 2019 at 5:45 am

      I am sorry I don’t know if they last longer. I am guessing not because they are the same things. I will get back to you on the hormonal blend!

    • Cindy Scott says

      February 21, 2019 at 10:23 am

      I’m sorry, I wasn’t able to find any type of hormonal blend in a roller. It seems like this might be something you’d need to mix yourself into a roller. Best of luck!

    • M says

      March 3, 2019 at 2:45 pm

      If you’ve been using Clary Calm from DoTerra, Edens Garden now has GalPal which is comparable and it comes in neat forms for your own mixing or diffusion as well as a pre-diluted roll-on. I go through so much of it I get a big bottle and make my own roller bottles, but it is nice that they offer their own rollers for you to try if you aren’t ready to dilute your own.

      • Cindy Scott says

        March 3, 2019 at 2:51 pm

        Thanks so much for helping out, M!

  5. Natasha says

    August 4, 2019 at 4:50 pm

    Thank you for this super helpful list!

    • Cindy Scott says

      August 4, 2019 at 5:18 pm

      You are welcome! Glad it was useful!

  6. Brooke says

    August 23, 2019 at 11:48 pm

    Thank you for all this wonderful information! I am avid EO user, and looking for cheaper alternatives, while I am an avid doTerra user, I am open to trying more brands that are more economical on my budget.

    • Cindy Scott says

      August 24, 2019 at 8:51 am

      Glad it was helpful!

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