Soft Capsules vs Hard Capsules: Making the Right Choice for Your DIY Capsule Filling
What is a Soft Capsule?
A soft capsule (softgel) is a fully sealed, flexible capsule made primarily from gelatin combined with plasticizers such as glycerin or sorbitol. Soft capsules are produced by specialized Capsule Filling Machines in factory settings. Because softgels are sealed at manufacture, they cannot be opened and refilled using a Manual Capsule Filling Machine or a Pill Capsule Filling Tray.
What Are Soft Capsules Commonly Used For?
Soft capsules excel at sealing liquid or semi-solid contents. Typical uses include fish oil, herbal oils, oil-based vitamins (e.g., vitamin E, vitamin D), and other oil-soluble extracts. The seal protects ingredients from oxygen and moisture, extending shelf life.
Can Soft Capsules Hold Powders, Herbs, or Vitamin Powder?
In general, no. The softgel production process is optimized for liquids and semi-solids. Powder, granular herbs, and dry vitamin powders are not recommended for soft capsules because they:
- interfere with sealing integrity;
- require special encapsulation technology that softgel lines do not provide;
- are more cost-effective and practical to put into hard capsules.
If your goal is to encapsulate powders (herbal powder or vitamin powder), use hard empty capsules along with a Herbal Capsule Filler or Powder Capsule Filling Machine. These tools — including popular options like the Capsule Filling Machine 00-2, Size 3/4/5 Capsule Filler — are specifically designed to handle dry powders and granular blends.
Choosing Between Soft Capsules and Hard Capsules
Empty Capsules for Manual Capsule Filling Machines
For home use, choose two-piece hard empty capsules available in standard sizes such as 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Match the capsule size to your dose and the capacity of your Manual Capsule Filling Machine or Pill Capsule Filling Machine.
Recommended tools for DIY powder filling:
- Best Capsule Filling Machine — choose a reliable manual model for consistent results.
- Pill Capsule Filling Tray — useful for small-batch, careful filling.
- Manual Capsule Filler — speeds up filling compared to one-by-one.
Conclusion — Make a Smart Choice for Home Capsule Filling
If your primary content is powder, herbs or vitamin powder, use hard capsules and pair them with a quality Manual Capsule Filling Machine. Soft capsules are the proper solution for oil-based or liquid formulations but are not suitable for home powder encapsulation. By choosing the right capsule type and tools — whether a Herbal Capsule Filler Tray or a manual Gelatin Capsule Filling Machine alternative — you’ll get better results and safer supplements.
