Cream cheese is creamy, tangy, and perfect on bagels, but not every tub in the dairy aisle is a healthy pick.
Some are packed with artificial ingredients or hidden sugars, while others keep it clean and simple. If you love spreading it thick, this guide will help you choose smarter.
These 10 better-for-you cream cheeses are worth buying—and a few at the end you might want to skip.
1. Philadelphia Neufchâtel Cheese
With one-third less fat than regular cream cheese, this lighter version still has the same creamy texture and mild flavor. It’s made with simple ingredients and no added weird stuff.
A great swap when you want to cut fat without losing taste. Perfect for everyday use.
2. Organic Valley Cream Cheese
Made from organic milk and cream, this spread keeps it clean with minimal ingredients. No synthetic hormones or artificial preservatives—just rich, natural flavor.
It’s smooth, tangy, and easy to feel good about. Great for both sweet and savory pairings.
3. Green Valley Creamery Lactose-Free Cream Cheese
This one’s a win for sensitive stomachs. It’s lactose-free, made with real dairy, and still delivers that thick, satisfying spread you expect.
Certified organic and full of clean ingredients. You won’t miss the lactose one bit.
4. Kite Hill Plant-Based Cream Cheese
Almond milk-based and totally dairy-free, this creamy spread is a go-to for vegans and dairy-free eaters. It’s made without gums or artificial flavors.
The texture is thick, and the flavor is subtle. Bonus: it’s made with live cultures for a probiotic boost.
5. Miyoko’s Organic Cashew Cream Cheese
Made from cashews and organic ingredients, Miyoko’s has a tangy, cultured taste that feels homemade. It’s rich in flavor, totally plant-based, and packed with clean, whole foods.
Ideal for spreading or even baking. One of the best-tasting dairy-free options out there.
6. Nancy’s Probiotic Cream Cheese
This spread gets its tang from live cultures—not extra salt or sugar. It’s made with organic milk and has billions of probiotics for a gut-health bonus.
Tart, smooth, and super clean. A great option for those who care about what’s inside and how it tastes.
7. Treeline Dairy-Free Cream Cheese
Treeline makes theirs with cashew nuts and simple seasonings, keeping things dairy-free and wholesome. No soy, no palm oil, and nothing artificial.
It’s creamy with a slightly nutty kick. A plant-based option that feels just as rich as the real thing.
8. Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese
This vegan classic has been around for years, and for good reason. It’s made without dairy or cholesterol and spreads easily on toast or bagels.
While it’s not made from whole foods, it’s one of the more consistent-tasting dairy-free options available. A solid choice for those avoiding animal products.
9. Arla Original Cream Cheese
Arla keeps things simple with just four ingredients and no preservatives. It’s creamy and mild, with a clean dairy flavor that works with anything.
Non-GMO and made from milk sourced from family farms. Great for kids and anyone who wants fewer extras.
10. Simple Truth Organic Cream Cheese Spread
Found at Kroger stores, this organic spread keeps the ingredient list short and the quality high. It’s USDA-certified organic and free from artificial colors and flavors.
Smooth, spreadable, and great on everything from crackers to veggies. Affordable and clean—what’s not to love?
11. Great Value Cream Cheese
It’s cheap, but the ingredient list tells the story. This store-brand option often includes stabilizers and preservatives that don’t add anything but bulk.
You’ll save money—but not on quality or nutrition. Better to spend a little more for a cleaner choice.
12. Philadelphia Whipped Cream Cheese
The whipped texture might be fun, but it’s often filled with more air than substance. That means you’re getting less nutrition and more additives to keep it fluffy.
Tastes fine, but the ingredient list is longer than it should be. Go for the regular or Neufchâtel instead.
13. Happy Farms Cream Cheese Spread (Aldi)
This spreadable version may be easy on the wallet, but it’s heavy on stabilizers and light on nutrition. The taste is bland, and the texture can feel off.
If you shop at Aldi, look for their organic cream cheese instead. This one’s not the best pick.
14. Daiya Cream Cheese Style Spread
This dairy-free option often leaves a weird aftertaste, thanks to added gums and flavorings. The texture is more gel-like than creamy.
Plant-based doesn’t always mean better. There are cleaner and tastier vegan cream cheeses out there.
15. Great Value Fat-Free Cream Cheese
Cutting the fat also cuts the flavor—and adds extra ingredients to make up for it. The result is a rubbery texture and bland taste.
Fat-free sounds healthy, but this version doesn’t deliver on taste or quality. Better to enjoy the real thing in moderation.