VELO vs ZYN

When it comes to nicotine pouches, it can be hard to pick between VELO and ZYN. They’re both top brands recognized for their flavorful tobacco leaf-free nicotine and both come in convenient pocket-sized cans—so, where exactly do their differences lie?

We’re here to help you navigate the world of nicotine pouches. By laying out the facts and comparing VELO and ZYN side-by-side, you’ll have all the information at your disposal to decide which pouch ticks most (if not all) of your boxes. We’ve even updated our guide to include the latest VELO Plus range from VELO, which offers its own distinct nicotine experience that’s fast becoming a favorite among Northerner customers.

VELO, including its latest offering VELO Plus, and ZYN are popular tobacco leaf-free nicotine pouches that cater to diverse tastes and varying strength preferences. While both brands share similarities in their formulations and usage, they also offer distinct characteristics that appeal to different consumers.

VELO and ZYN are both made with high-quality ingredients and nicotine derived from tobacco leaves for a completely tobacco leaf-free experience. The naturally occurring nicotine salts that are used are then enhanced by their own specific blends of sweeteners, flavorings and additives (for pouch texture and pH balance among other things).

VELO Plus is made with a similar composition, however, relies on synthetic nicotine as opposed to traditional tobacco leaf-derived options—joining the ranks of other premium synthetic brands like zone and Juice Head.

Our Expert’s Opinion: “There will naturally be differences in how a ZYN Wintergreen, a VELO Wintergreen and a VELO Plus Wintergreen taste based on their unique ingredient formulations, but that’s for you to decide which you prefer. The only major difference is that VELO Plus uses synthetic nicotine instead of plant derived compounds.”

VELO boasts a broad array of flavors including the minty classics you would expect, but is perhaps best suited to those who prefer more fruity options, including: Dragon Fruit, Black Cherry, Citrus Burst/Chill and Wild Berry.

ZYN shines with a well-curated mix of mints—most often praised for their Wintergreen, Cool Mint and Spearmint—as well as their unflavored Smooth and Chill options, which are great for those who may appreciate a more straightforward nicotine experience.

Our Expert’s Opinion: “ZYN is a reliable choice for fans of tried and true flavors, whereas VELO caters to fans of fruit or anyone looking to try something new, especially with their recently launched VELO Plus range.”

Both VELO and ZYN offer pouches within a similar strength range. ZYN has either 3mg or 6mg of nicotine per pouch, while VELO offers an extra milligram per pouch with 4mg and 7mg options. Now, with the launch of VELO Plus, consumers have another Regular (6mg) or Strong (9mg) pouch to choose from.

Our Expert’s Opinion:“It’s clear the levels of nicotine intensity are quite close to each other across both VELO and ZYN. While both offer Regular options around the 4-6mg mark, if you’d prefer a Less Intense pouch go for ZYN, and if you’re looking for something Strong, VELO Plus is preferable.”

Prices fluctuate depending on where you shop, but generally speaking, VELO and ZYN fall within a similar price range too. The price per can vary slightly (especially between online and offline retailers), so it's important to factor in the pouch count and availability too.

Ordering your nicotine pouches online, through sites like ours, unlocks a larger assortment of flavors and strengths to choose from in our warehouse than in-store where the selection is more often limited behind the counter. 

Buying in bulk online will also reduce the cost per can, making it a more economical choice for regular nicotine pouch users (factoring in local taxes and any delivery fees that may apply).

Our Expert’s Opinion: “If it’s a question of value, the price and number of individual portions per can will play a bigger role in your decision-making. VELO/VELO Plus offers 5 more pouches per can than ZYN and typically comes at a lower price point when ordered online.”

Both VELO and ZYN offer high-quality, tobacco leaf-free nicotine pouches, meaning you won’t be disappointed with either choice.

Ultimately, the pouch you pick will depend on what you consider most important—whether that’s flavor, strength, price, etc. To figure out what you do and don’t like, it will require trying different pouches and not being afraid to experiment and refine that list!

• Flavor Variety: VELO offers a balanced selection of classic mints and more exotic fruits, while ZYN provides tried and true favorites alongside popular unflavored options.

• Nicotine Strength: With similar Regular strengths across both brands (6mg / 7mg), ZYN has a Less Intense 3mg option compared to VELO’s 4mg and VELO Plus throws a stronger 9mg option into the mix.

• Pouch Count: You’ll find 5 more VELO and VELO Plus pouches per can than ZYN; VELO tins, however, contain the same amount.

• Pricing: ZYN is typically more expensive than VELO but this can vary based on a number of factors like where you buy and how many cans you order.

ZYN products have recently faced shortages, which could impact your ability to purchase all flavors and/or strengths. If this is still the case and ZYN is out of stock, there’s no better time to try VELO as a nicotine pouch alternative you can count on.

If you’ve used ZYN or VELO before, then the recent launch of VELO Plus gives you the opportunity to explore flavors and strengths in a new and improved pouch that’s already attracting a bunch of positive reviews and may just elevate your nicotine experience to a whole new level.