Tested 6 versions of the cheese favorite: which brand won on taste.

According to The Sun: The smooth and creamy texture of Philadelphia cream cheese has become popular in many households.

This versatile product is great for bagel sandwiches, making cheesecakes, or adding to pasta.

The Sun

Many supermarkets offer their versions of cream cheese that are cheaper than the original, but can they measure up?

Natasha Hardy tested six supermarket cream cheese brands against Philadelphia and rated them on crackers on a 30-point scale.

Original Philadelphia

• £2.08, Asda
• Per 100g: calories: 226, fats: 21g, sugar: 4.30g, salt: 0.75g

Philadelphia is twice as expensive as some supermarket competitors

Creamy, flavorful, and wonderfully spreadable — original Philadelphia lived up to all expectations.

However, its price is twice that of some supermarket options, and considering that other flavors are also good, I will opt for the store brand in the future.

• Taste: 10/10
• Value: 6/10
• Overall rating: 7/10
• Out of 30: 23

Aldi Creamy Soft Cheese

• 95p
• Per 100g: calories: 229, fats: 21.5g, sugar: 3.2g, salt: 0.75g

Aldi cream cheese tasted the closest to PhiladelphiaAldi

This cheese had the best taste that most resembled Philadelphia — creamy, rich, and flavorful.

The only difference is the price.

It was perfect for crackers and tasted even better on baked potatoes with herbs. For under £1, this is a real find and my winner.

• Taste: 10/10
• Value: 10/10
• Overall rating: 10/10
• Out of 30: 30

Sainsbury’s Stamford Street Co. Soft Cream Cheese

• 95p
• Per 100g: calories: 202, fats: 19g, sugar: 3.3g, salt: 0.50g

The Sainsbury’s version had a pleasant textureSainsbury's

I find that Stamford Street Co. always demonstrates excellent taste, and cream cheese was no exception.

Its texture is pleasant, and the taste is also high-quality without being overly rich.

This version had fewer calories but didn’t lack on taste — and the sugar wasn’t elevated.

Perfect for bagels with cucumbers, and I will certainly buy this product again.

• Taste: 8/10
• Value: 10/10
• Overall rating: 8/10
• Out of 30: 26

Asda Soft Cheese

• £1.48
• Per 100g: calories: 255, fats: 24g, sugar: 3.5g, salt: 0.38g

Asda soft cheese was rich and creamyAsda

This product has a short ingredient list as it contains only milk — no fillers.

The flavor is rich and gentle, making it ideal for crackers and sandwiches without ruining the bread thanks to its light consistency.

Its price is slightly lower than Philadelphia, making it a good alternative.

• Taste: 9/10
• Value: 6/10
• Overall rating: 8/10
• Out of 30: 23

M&S Creamy Soft Cheese

• £2
• Per 100g: calories: 260, fats: 8g, sugar: 4.6g, salt: 0.75g

M&S

This cheese has a premium price for premium quality.

It spreads wonderfully and has a light flavor with a pleasant hint that is perfect for crackers or as a dip for chips and vegetables.

However, considering the price, which is practically equal to Philadelphia, I am not sure if I will buy it again.

• Taste: 8/10
• Value: 5/10
• Overall rating: 7/10
• Out of 30: 20

Waitrose Basic Soft Cheese

• £1.95
• Per 100g: calories: 251, fats: 24.5g, sugar: 3g, salt: 0.50g

Waitrose basic soft cheese turned out to be a bit blandWaitrose

A short ingredient list was a nice bonus — as there are no extra components here.

However, the cheese turned out to be quite bland, especially paired with crackers.

Nevertheless, it performed best in pasta, especially with the addition of a few dried herbs for a quick dinner.

• Taste: 7/10
• Value: 5/10
• Overall rating: 6/10
• Out of 30: 18

Tesco Soft and Versatile Cheese

• £1.50
• Per 100g: calories: 245, fats: 23.3g, sugar: 3.3g, salt: 0.50g

Tesco’s version was a bit watery

This cheese was somewhat watery, and for better flavor with crackers, something needed to be added.

However, while making cheesecake, it turned out to be excellent, although there are options that taste better and cost less.

• Taste: 6/10
• Value: 6/10
• Overall rating: 6/10
• Out of 30: 18

With the growing popularity of Philadelphia cream cheese, the competition among supermarket alternatives is increasing. Testing various brands indicates that in many cases, inexpensive alternatives can offer excellent quality at a reasonable price. Highlighting taste and value, consumers can make their choice based on budget and personal preferences.