Neither Kendamil nor Similac is categorically “better.” They’re both safe, nutritionally complete infant formulas that meet regulatory standards. But they differ meaningfully in their ingredient philosophy, fat sources, and product range, and those differences matter depending on what you prioritize for your baby.
Fat Sources: The Biggest Difference
The most significant gap between these two formulas is where the fat comes from. Kendamil uses whole milk as its base rather than skim milk powder, which means it naturally contains milk fat. Its added oils are coconut oil, sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil. It contains no palm oil.
Similac Pro-Advance uses a blend of high oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil, and palm oil. Palm oil in formula has drawn attention because some research links it to harder stools and reduced calcium absorption in infants. Kendamil markets its palm-oil-free approach as a key advantage, and many parents specifically seek out formulas without it.
Kendamil also avoids soy entirely. There’s no soy protein, no soy lecithin, and no soy oil in any of its formulas. If you’re looking to minimize soy exposure, that’s a clear differentiator. Similac’s standard formulas include soy oil as part of the fat blend.
Protein and Carbohydrates
Kendamil’s Stage 1 infant formula uses a 60:40 whey-to-casein ratio, which mirrors the approximate ratio found in breast milk. Whey protein is generally easier to digest and produces softer stools, while casein is firmer and slower to break down. Similac’s standard infant formulas also target a whey-dominant ratio, so they’re broadly comparable on protein balance.
On carbohydrates, Kendamil uses lactose as its sole carbohydrate source across its standard and organic lines, with no corn syrup, maltodextrin, or added sugars. Similac’s flagship products also use lactose as the primary carbohydrate, though some of their specialized formulas (like those designed for sensitive stomachs) substitute or supplement with other carbohydrate sources to reduce lactose content.
Brain-Supporting Ingredients
Both brands include ingredients linked to brain and immune development, but they emphasize different ones. Kendamil includes MFGM (milk fat globule membrane), a component naturally present in breast milk that surrounds fat droplets. It also contains three types of prebiotics and alpha-lactalbumin, a protein found in human milk. Kendamil sources its omega-3 DHA from plant-based marine algae rather than fish oil, which avoids a potential allergen.
Similac 360 Total Care includes five different HMOs (human milk oligosaccharides), which are structurally identical to sugars found in breast milk that support gut health and immune function. Having five types of HMOs is unique among U.S. formulas. Both approaches have scientific backing, and there’s no strong evidence that one is definitively superior to the other for infant outcomes.
Ingredient Philosophy
Kendamil positions itself as a “clean label” formula. It excludes GMOs, palm oil, soy, fish oil, maltodextrin, corn syrup, and synthetic growth hormones. It’s manufactured in the UK under European regulations, which tend to be stricter than U.S. standards on certain additives and ingredient sourcing. Kendamil offers both a Classic and an Organic line, with the organic version using certified organic milk and oils.
Similac is made by Abbott, one of the largest formula manufacturers in the world. Its formulas are developed and regulated under FDA standards. Similac doesn’t market itself around ingredient exclusions the way Kendamil does, but its products are well-studied and widely used in hospitals and pediatric practices across the United States.
Kendamil’s U.S. Regulatory Status
Kendamil entered the U.S. market during the 2022 formula shortage under FDA enforcement discretion, which allowed certain foreign-made formulas to be sold while manufacturers worked toward full FDA compliance. Kendamil submitted its new infant formula paperwork to the FDA by the July 2025 deadline. It’s now widely available at U.S. retailers including Walmart and Target, but it’s worth knowing it took a different regulatory path than domestic brands like Similac, which have decades of FDA-compliant manufacturing history in the U.S.
Specialized Formulas
This is where Similac has a clear advantage in range. Similac offers a full lineup of specialized products: Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive for babies with lactose sensitivity, Similac Alimentum for cow’s milk protein allergy, Similac NeoSure for premature infants, and Similac Total Comfort for general digestive fussiness. If your baby has a diagnosed condition requiring a therapeutic formula, Similac likely has a product designed for it.
Kendamil’s specialized option is its Goat Milk formula, which uses full cream A2 goat milk. Some parents find goat milk formulas easier on babies who struggle with standard cow’s milk formulas, since the A2 casein protein has a slightly different structure that can be gentler on digestion. However, Kendamil Goat is not a hypoallergenic formula and isn’t appropriate for babies with a confirmed cow’s milk protein allergy, as goat and cow milk proteins can cross-react.
Digestibility and Stool Changes
A systematic review published in the National Institutes of Health found that direct scientific comparisons between organic and traditional formula digestibility are scarce. That said, the review confirmed several general principles that are relevant here. Whey-dominant formulas tend to produce softer stools. Formulas rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids can also contribute to softer consistency. And formulas supplemented with prebiotic oligosaccharides result in softer stools, lower stool pH, and higher levels of beneficial gut bacteria compared to formulas without prebiotics.
Both Kendamil and Similac 360 include prebiotics, so neither has a monopoly on digestive support. Anecdotally, many parents report that switching to Kendamil from palm-oil-containing formulas improved their baby’s stool consistency and reduced gas, but individual responses vary enormously. The review also noted that bottle flow rate, latch quality, and overfeeding are major contributors to gas and bloating, sometimes more so than the formula itself.
Price and Availability
Kendamil is more expensive than Similac on a per-ounce basis. Kendamil Organic retails for around $40 per tub at Walmart, putting it in the premium price range alongside other European-style formulas. Similac’s standard products are generally more affordable and more widely available, with options at virtually every grocery store, pharmacy, and big-box retailer in the U.S. Similac is also available through WIC programs in many states, which Kendamil is not.
If cost or convenience is a primary factor, Similac wins on accessibility. If you’re willing to pay more for a formula with no palm oil, no soy, and whole milk fat, Kendamil offers something most U.S. brands don’t.
Which One to Choose
Choose Kendamil if you prioritize a whole-milk-based formula with no palm oil, no soy, and minimal processed ingredients. It’s a strong option for parents drawn to European-style formulas who want a cleaner ingredient list and are comfortable with the higher price point.
Choose Similac if you want a well-established, widely available formula with a broad range of specialized options. It’s particularly practical if your baby needs a sensitive, hypoallergenic, or preemie-specific formula, since Kendamil simply doesn’t offer those products. Similac’s inclusion of five HMOs in its 360 Total Care line is also a genuine differentiator for immune and gut support.
Both formulas will nourish your baby. The “better” choice depends entirely on which trade-offs matter most to your family.