Transparent Labs Bulk Black vs Gorilla Mode: Which Is Better?

Transparent Labs

bulk black

8.7

Our Score

Best Controlled High-Stim

Bulk Black

Gorilla Mind

Gorilla Mode

8.2

Our Score

Best Loaded Formula

Gorilla Mode

Quick verdict

Bulk Black Lower caffeine, 4g beta-alanine, 30 full servings, theanine — a smaller, more restrained formula.

Gorilla Mode More caffeine, plus creatine and glycerol, higher betaine/tyrosine and a bigger pump/fullness emphasis.

Bottom line Bulk Black is the more restrained all-around high-stim option. Gorilla Mode is the more loaded choice if creatine, glycerol and formula size matter more.

Bulk Black

Gorilla Mode

Full specs

Citrulline 8 g CM 2:1

Citrulline 10 g L-citrulline

Beta-Alanine 4 g

Beta-Alanine None

Betaine 2.5 g

Betaine 4 g

Creatine None

Creatine 5 g

L-Tyrosine 2 g

L-Tyrosine 5 g

HydroPrime glycerol —

HydroPrime glycerol 4g powder (65%) ≈ 2.6g glycerol

Alpha-GPC 300mg AlphaSize 50%

Alpha-GPC 800mg Alpha-GPC 50%

L-Theanine 200mg

L-Theanine —

Huperzine A 200mcg

Himalayan salt —

Himalayan salt 1 g

Sodium 180 mg

Sodium 380 mg

Potassium 130 mg

Potassium 380 mg

Full servings 30

Full servings 20

*Gorilla Mode full dose = 2 scoops. Glycerol is 4g HydroPrime powder standardized to 65% glycerol, providing approximately 2.6g glycerol — not 4g glycerol. Formula rows from each product's current official Supplement Facts panel.

My testing

I've used both, but version identity matters, so this is version-aware.

if my test matches the exact current formula on the Product CPT, firsthand language applies. If not, the comparison stays formula-led with that disclosure. I don't automatically award transparency to either brand: both currently publish ingredient-test information.

Formula & dosing

Winner · Gorilla Mode (bigger formula)

Gorilla Mode is the more loaded formula — it adds 5g creatine and glycerol on top of higher caffeine, betaine and tyrosine. Bulk Black is smaller but adds a dedicated focus layer (theanine + huperzine + Alpha-GPC) and keeps 4g beta-alanine, which Gorilla Mode doesn't include.

Pumps & fullness

Winner · Gorilla Mode Pump / fullness

Bulk Black = 8g citrulline malate 2:1 | + 2.5g betaine
Gorilla Mode = 10g L-citrulline | + 4g betaine + ~2.6g glycerol (HydroPrime)

Gorilla Mode adds glycerol for water-based fullness; Bulk Black doesn't. Note the citrulline forms differ.

Energy & endurance

Stimulant dose

Bulk Black = 325mg caffeine| + theanine for a smoother feel
Gorilla Mode = 400mg caffeine | no theanine

Endurance (beta-alanine)

Bulk Black = 4g beta-alanine
Gorilla Mode = None

400mg vs 325mg is a meaningful stimulant-dose gap. For the beta-alanine effect specifically, Bulk Black wins because Gorilla Mode doesn't include it.

Value

Bulk Black = 30 full servings

Gorilla Mode = 20 full servings

Keep the serving math visible: 30 full vs 20 full servings. Value winner comes from live Offers, not MSRP.

Bulk Black

Pros

More restrained, controlled feel

4g beta-alanine + dedicated focus stack

30 full servings

No artificial sweeteners/dyes

Cons

Smaller overall formula

No creatine or glycerol

325mg is still a lot for some

Gorilla Mode

Pros

Bigger, more loaded formula

400mg caffeine, 5g creatine, glycerol

Higher betaine and tyrosine

Strong pump/fullness emphasis

Cons

No beta-alanine

Only 20 full servings

Higher stimulant dose won't suit everyone

Who should choose each?

Transparent Labs

Choose Bulk Black if

You want a more restrained high-stim feel | You want 30 full servings and 4g beta-alanine | You value a dedicated focus stack | You don't need bundled creatine

Gorilla Mind

Choose Gorilla Mode if

You want the more loaded formula | Creatine and glycerol matter to you | You want higher caffeine and pump emphasis

Final verdict

Bulk Black for restraint; Gorilla Mode for a loaded formula.

Gorilla Mode is the bigger build — more caffeine, 5g creatine, glycerol, higher betaine and tyrosine. If you want a do-it-all loaded pre-workout and creatine bundled in, it makes sense.

Bulk Black is smaller but more controlled, keeps 4g beta-alanine, adds a real focus layer and gives 30 full servings. Both brands publish testing info, so that isn't the deciding factor — formula fit and how much stimulation you want are.

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FAQ

Which has more caffeine? ▼

Gorilla Mode — 400mg vs 325mg. That's a meaningful stimulant-dose difference, not a rounding gap.

Does Gorilla Mode have creatine? ▼

Yes, 5g at a full dose. Bulk Black has none, so if you want creatine bundled in, that's a real Gorilla Mode advantage.

How much glycerol is in Gorilla Mode? ▼

4g HydroPrime powder standardized to 65% glycerol, providing about 2.6g glycerol — not 4g of glycerol.

Which is better for endurance? ▼

Bulk Black has 4g beta-alanine; Gorilla Mode has none. For the beta-alanine effect specifically, Bulk Black.

Which is better tested? ▼

Both brands currently publish ingredient-test information. Don't assume one automatically wins on transparency — check each brand's current testing disclosures.

Which did I prefer? ▼

[PULL: version-aware] — firsthand preference only if my test matches the exact current formula on the Product CPT; otherwise formula-led.

Sources

Transparent Labs — Bulk Black Supplement Facts →

Formula source of truth · stored current panel (325mg caffeine)

Verified

Gorilla Mind — Gorilla Mode Supplement Facts →

Formula source of truth · current official panel

Verified

FitFrek — Bulk Black review →

Firsthand · my Bulk Black experience

Verified

FitFrek — Gorilla Mode coverage →

Firsthand · my Gorilla Mode experience

Verified

Nader Qudimat

Testing supplements since 2008. 200+ products tested.

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