Head-to-Head Comparison
Horizon vs Organic Valley: Organic String Cheese Showdown
Both deliver excellent organic string cheese with virtually identical taste and nutrition. Horizon wins on availability and value ($0.62 vs $0.69); Organic Valley wins on grass-fed sourcing and farmer ethics. Choose based on values priorities and where you shop.
Organic Valley
Organic Valley Stringles Mozzarella
8.2
$8VS
Winner
Horizon Organic
Horizon Organic Mozzarella String Cheese
8.3
$7R3 Research Verdict
Both deliver excellent organic string cheese with virtually identical taste and nutrition. Horizon wins on availability and value ($0.62 vs $0.69); Organic Valley wins on grass-fed sourcing and farmer ethics. Choose based on values priorities and where you shop.
Updated Jan 29, 20267 attributes comparedBy R3 Research Team
The Verdict
Research-backed recommendation
Horizon and Organic Valley are both excellent choices - the "wrong" answer doesn't exist here. Horizon offers better value and availability; Organic Valley offers premium sourcing ethics (grass-fed, certified humane, farmer cooperative). For everyday lunchboxes, Horizon delivers equivalent nutrition at lower cost. For families where grass-fed and farmer ethics matter, Organic Valley justifies the premium.
Pros & Cons at a Glance
Quick summary of each product's strengths and weaknesses
Organic Valley
Organic Valley Stringles Mozzarella
Pros
- Better Price per Stick
- Better Availability
Cons
- Loses on Grass-Fed
- Loses on Farmer Ethics
- Loses on Certified Humane
Horizon Organic
Horizon Organic Mozzarella String Cheese
Winner
Pros
- Better Grass-Fed
- Better Farmer Ethics
- Better Certified Humane
Cons
- Loses on Price per Stick
- Loses on Availability
Who Wins Each Category?
A quick breakdown of how these products compare head-to-head
Price Per Stick
Organic Valley
Win
Horizon 10% cheaper
Protein
Tie
Identical
Organic Certified
Tie
Both USDA Organic
Grass Fed
Horizon Organic
Win
Organic Valley has stricter sourcing
Availability
Organic Valley
Win
Horizon easier to find
Farmer Ethics
Horizon Organic
Win
Organic Valley supports farmers directly
Certified Humane
Horizon Organic
Win
Organic Valley third-party verified
Winner
Tie
Which One Is Right For You?
Personalized recommendations based on your priorities
Buy Organic Valley If You...
- Families prioritizing value and availability
- Everyday lunchbox protein needs
- Those satisfied with USDA Organic standards
Buy Horizon Organic If You...Winner
- Families specifically seeking grass-fed dairy
- Those who prioritize certified humane treatment
- Supporters of farmer cooperatives over corporations
Head-to-Head Comparison
Detailed attribute-by-attribute breakdown
Organic Valley
vs2
Horizon Organic
(2 ties)3
| Attribute | Organic Valley | Horizon Organic | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per Stick Horizon 10% cheaper | $0.62 | $0.69 | Organic Valley |
| Protein Identical | 7g | 7g | Tie |
| Organic Certified Both USDA Organic | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Grass-Fed Organic Valley has stricter sourcing | Pasture-raised | Grass-fed certified | Horizon Organic |
| Availability Horizon easier to find | Widely available | Limited stores | Organic Valley |
| Farmer Ethics Organic Valley supports farmers directly | Corporate owned | Farmer cooperative | Horizon Organic |
| Certified Humane Organic Valley third-party verified | No | Yes | Horizon Organic |
Organic Valley
2 Wins
Horizon Organic
3 Wins
Price per Stick
Organic Valley
$0.62
$0.69
Horizon 10% cheaper
Protein
Tie
7g
7g
Identical
Organic Certified
Tie
Yes
Yes
Both USDA Organic
Grass-Fed
Horizon Organic
Pasture-raised
Grass-fed certified
Organic Valley has stricter sourcing
Availability
Organic Valley
Widely available
Limited stores
Horizon easier to find
Farmer Ethics
Horizon Organic
Corporate owned
Farmer cooperative
Organic Valley supports farmers directly
Certified Humane
Horizon Organic
No
Yes
Organic Valley third-party verified
$Price Analysis
Organic Valley costs ~$0.07 more per stick, or ~$25 annually for daily consumption. The premium pays for grass-fed certification and farmer cooperative model.
Best Time to Buy
Buy Horizon for routine lunchbox stocking. Choose Organic Valley when grass-fed sourcing or farmer ethics are priorities.
Create a free account to preview premium reviews
Get 3 free premium previews per week with a free account
Research-backed product recommendations
Transparent methodology and citations
No ads or affiliate influence
Already have an account? Log in
Independent Research
No sponsored placements. Data-driven verdicts.
1,000+ data points
Updated January 29, 2026
R
R3 Research Team
•Evidence-Based Review BoardOur multidisciplinary team of researchers, parents, and medical advisors dedicated to finding the safest products for your family.
Explore More Comparisons
Find the perfect product with our research-backed head-to-head showdowns.
