4 best cruelty-free nail polishes from certified brands, compared

4 cruelty-free nail polishes compared by formula and price

The 4 cruelty-free nail polishes compared below cost $2.99 to $17.00 and come from brands that a certifier lists today. One is a drugstore pick and three are mid-range.

1. essence Gel Nail Polish: the best cruelty-free nail polish under $3

essence Gel Nail Polish is the best cruelty-free nail polish under $3, at $2.99 at essencemakeup.com on October 2, 2026. essence describes a broad double-touch brush and a fast-drying formula that sets in 40 seconds with a long-lasting gel finish. PETA lists essence as cruelty-free.

2. ella+mila Nail Polish: the best cruelty-free nail polish for a 17-free formula

ella+mila Nail Polish is the best cruelty-free nail polish for a 17-free formula, at $10.50 at ellamila.com on October 2, 2026. ella+mila sells its nail polish with a 17-free formula. PETA lists ella+mila as cruelty-free.

3. ORLY Breathable: the best cruelty-free nail polish as a treatment and color

ORLY Breathable Treatment + Color is the best cruelty-free nail polish as a treatment and color, at $10.99 at Ulta Beauty on October 2, 2026. ORLY describes an all-in-one, longer-lasting formula for longer, stronger, healthier nails, and Ulta listed it at $7.69 on sale the same day. Ulta Beauty shoppers rate it 4.2 out of 5 across 414 reviews. Leaping Bunny certifies ORLY.

4. Mooncat Nail Lacquer: the best cruelty-free nail polish as a vegan lacquer

Mooncat Nail Lacquer is the best cruelty-free nail polish as a vegan lacquer, at $17.00 at mooncat.com on October 2, 2026. Mooncat labels its lacquers 10-free. PETA lists Mooncat as cruelty-free. Mooncat states that it is 100% cruelty-free and vegan.

Which cruelty-free nail polishes are vegan?

The cruelty-free nail polishes in this list include one vegan pick, Mooncat Nail Lacquer. The other brands do not state a vegan status for these products.

What is the price of cruelty-free nail polish?

The price of cruelty-free nail polish is $2.99 to $17.00 across these 4 picks. In this list, the drugstore pick costs $2.99 and the mid-range picks cost $10.50 to $17.00. The cheapest certified pick, essence Gel Nail Polish, costs $14.01 less than Mooncat Nail Lacquer, the most expensive one. Prices are the Ulta Beauty, ellamila.com, essencemakeup.com and mooncat.com prices on October 2, 2026.

How do you check that a nail polish is cruelty-free?

You check that a nail polish is cruelty-free by looking up the brand, not the product, on a certifier’s list. A certification covers the whole brand and its suppliers, and the word “cruelty-free” on a package is an unregulated claim in the US.

• ORLY meets the Leaping Bunny standard or its international version, which requires supplier monitoring and independent audits.
• essence, ella+mila and Mooncat appear as cruelty-free in PETA's cruelty-free listing, which rests on a signed statement of assurance from each brand and its suppliers.

Which other cruelty-free makeup goes with these nail polishes?

The other cruelty-free makeup that goes with these nail polishes is listed below, from the same certified brands.

• More certified makeup under $15 is in our cruelty-free drugstore makeup.

Is there cruelty-free drugstore nail polish?

Yes, there is cruelty-free drugstore nail polish: essence Gel Nail Polish costs $2.99 and essence is certified.

Does cruelty-free nail polish mean vegan?

No, cruelty-free nail polish does not mean vegan nail polish. Cruelty-free refers to animal testing, and vegan refers to animal-derived ingredients. Leaping Bunny states that its list does not cover the composition of ingredients.