If you’re tasked with sourcing terpenes for your brand, you’ve probably heard of True Terpenes, Abstrax, and Entour. All three are legitimate suppliers with real science backing them. But they’re built on different philosophies, and that matters for your sourcing decision.
This comparison is based on published data, customer feedback, and direct supplier information. No hype, no invented rankings. Just the practical differences that affect your buying decision.
The Core Difference (Philosophy)
Each supplier emphasizes something different:
- True Terpenes positions on scale and consistency (IFT training, ISO certs, 1M+ flavor combinations)
- Abstrax positions on ownership and control (your formulations stay yours, total IP protection)
- Entour™ positions on cultivar authenticity and scientific precision (True To Plant data, 150+ cultivar profiles, founder credibility)
Customization Approach
True Terpenes: Custom formulations are available but often built from their existing component library. Proprietary blends they own by default (negotiable at enterprise scale). 2-3 sampling rounds included; additional rounds carry fees.
Abstrax: Custom formulations available with full IP ownership going to the buyer (major differentiator). You own formulations from day one. More generous sampling rounds; positioned as partnership.
Entour™: Custom formulations available, built on 150+ cultivar base data. You own your formulation; Entour retains the cultivar reference data. 2-3 sampling rounds included, with stability testing in your product matrix as part of evaluation. Exclusivity negotiable.
Pricing (Approximate, Scaling Tier)
Sample (10ml): True Terpenes $50-150, Abstrax $100-200, Entour™ $100-150
Scaling (500ml): True Terpenes $5-7/ml, Abstrax $6-8/ml, Entour™ $5-6/ml
Enterprise (2L+): True Terpenes $3-5/ml, Abstrax $4-6/ml, Entour™ $3-5/ml
True Terpenes is often cheapest at volume. Abstrax premiums for IP ownership and custom support. Entour™ is competitive; lower cost per ml comes with the trade-off of using cultivar base profiles (not purely novel formulations).
Lead Time Comparison
Sample evaluation: True Terpenes 5-10 days, Abstrax 7-14 days, Entour™ 5-7 days
Custom profile (scaling): True Terpenes 10-14 days, Abstrax 14-21 days, Entour™ 10-14 days
Repeat order (enterprise): True Terpenes 3-5 days, Abstrax 5-10 days, Entour™ 5-10 days
True Terpenes and Entour™ are fastest. Abstrax’s longer timelines reflect more involved custom development process (which can be good if you want deep customization).
Who Should Choose Each
True Terpenes: Best for established brands needing reliable, cost-effective volume sourcing with proven supply chain stability. They’ve been at scale for years. Consistency is proven. Pricing is competitive.
Abstrax: Best for emerging or DTC brands that want full IP ownership and are willing to pay a premium for customization support. They market directly to brands. Your formulations are 100% yours.
Entour™: Best for sophisticated brands, MSOs, and R&D-heavy companies that want cultivar authenticity and tight quality control. True To Plant methodology is unique. Founder credibility is deep. Batch consistency is tighter.
All three suppliers are legitimate. Your choice depends on what matters most to your business: cost, customer experience, IP ownership, or scientific precision.
Don’t choose based on marketing. Request samples from at least two of these suppliers. Evaluate them in your real product matrix. Compare aroma profile consistency, stability over 2-4 weeks in your formulation, documentation completeness, and responsiveness during evaluation.
The supplier that “gets” your product requirements wins the contract.
