Nexgard Plus vs Simparica Trio Comparison

NexGard PLUS and Simparica Trio give you flea, tick, heartworm, and intestinal worm coverage in one monthly chewable, so the real question is just which one fits your dog better. NexGard PLUS pairs afoxolaner with moxidectin and pyrantel, while Simparica Trio pairs sarolaner with that same moxidectin and pyrantel combination. Both are approved for dogs 8 weeks and older, though they start at slightly different minimum weights. Beyond the active ingredients, a few label differences, including tapeworm coverage and hookworm species, can make one product a better fit than the other depending on your dog’s situation.

Here’s how the two stack up side by side, so you can see exactly where they match and where they don’t:

Features	NexGard PLUS	Simparica Trio
Active Ingredients	Afoxolaner, Moxidectin, Pyrantel Pamoate	Sarolaner, Moxidectin, Pyrantel Pamoate
Duration of Protection	1 Month	1 Month
Heartworm Protection	Yes	Yes
Roundworm Protection	Yes	Yes
Hookworm Protection	Yes	Yes
Whipworm Protection	No	No
Tapeworm Protection	No	No
Flea Protection	Yes	Yes
Tick Protection	Yes	Yes
Form	Chewable Tablet	Chewable Tablet
Administration Frequency	Monthly	Monthly
Suitable for Dogs	8 Weeks and Older, 4 lbs+	8 Weeks and Older, 2.8 lbs+
Broad-Spectrum	Yes	Yes
Additional Parasites	Prevention of flea-transmitted Dipylidium caninum infection	Prevention of flea-transmitted Dipylidium caninum infection
Side effects of Active ingredients	Diarrhea most reported	Vomiting most reported
Best fit	Dogs without tapeworm exposure risk	Dogs with flea-borne tapeworm risk
Veterinary Guidance	Consult with a veterinarian for more details	Consult with a veterinarian for more details

When to choose NexGard PLUS?

Worried about hookworms picked up outdoors: NexGard PLUS controls three hookworm species, including A. caninum, A. braziliense, and U. stenocephala, while Simparica Trio has documented activity against only two, so in areas where A. braziliense is a real concern, this broader coverage can give you one less thing to worry about.

Want complete protection without juggling multiple products: NexGard PLUS combines afoxolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel into a single monthly chewable, covering fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms all at once, so you can build one simple habit that keeps your dog safe on every front.

Already trust the NexGard name: NexGard PLUS carries forward afoxolaner, the same isoxazoline active ingredient used in NexGard, for flea and tick control, though it’s worth noting that any claim about safety data specifically needs its own supporting source, since the current NexGard PLUS product information doesn’t independently confirm this on its own.

Dreading the daily struggle to get your dog to take their medication: NexGard PLUS comes as a soft, beef flavored chewable that dogs tend to enjoy, and in a lab study, dogs actually preferred it over Simparica Trio, which can make mealtime a lot less stressful for both of you.

Need fast relief once fleas show up: the afoxolaner in NexGard PLUS starts working in as little as 4 hours, reaching over 99% efficacy by the 8 hour mark according to the cited study, so your dog can find comfort sooner rather than later.

Curious how one small chewable does so much: afoxolaner handles fleas and ticks, moxidectin takes care of heartworm prevention, and pyrantel steps in to treat and control hookworms and roundworms, each ingredient quietly doing its own job so your dog stays covered from every angle.

Why to choose Simparica TRIO?

Have a small or toy breed puppy: Simparica Trio is labeled for dogs as light as 2.8 lb (about 1.3 kg), while NexGard PLUS starts at 4 lb (about 1.8 kg), so for very small breeds or young puppies who need to start parasite prevention early, this lower starting weight can make a real difference.

Live somewhere fleas are a constant battle: Simparica Trio is indicated to help prevent Dipylidium caninum infection by killing fleas, the intermediate host that spreads tapeworm, so if your dog is regularly exposed to fleas or at risk of flea tapeworm, this added layer of protection is a meaningful advantage.

Want tapeworm protection built into a single monthly chew: Simparica Trio combines sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel to control fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, and help prevent D. caninum infection, so if you’re looking for one product that also covers tapeworm risk alongside the parasites NexGard PLUS already handles, this is worth considering.

Need fleas dealt with fast: sarolaner in Simparica Trio begins killing fleas quickly after administration by targeting the parasite’s nervous system, so if rapid flea control and reducing the chance of D. caninum transmission are top priorities, this can be a real point in Simparica Trio’s favor.

Want hookworm coverage across every life stage: Simparica Trio is labeled for A. caninum at the L4, immature adult, and adult stages, while NexGard PLUS is indicated for treating and controlling adult hookworms, so if broader labeled coverage across A. caninum’s developmental stages matters to you, Simparica Trio may be the stronger choice here.

Which is better for your dog?

Neither product is better across the board, the right pick really comes down to your dog’s size, environment, and daily habits.

NexGard PLUS is better when:

• Your dog lives in or travels through areas where A. braziliense hookworm is a concern, since NexGard PLUS covers a third hookworm species Simparica Trio doesn’t.
• You want one monthly chew to handle fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, and hookworms without needing tapeworm coverage on top.
• Your dog is a picky eater who does well with a beef flavored chewable, or you already trust the NexGard name from past use.

Simparica Trio is better when:

• You have a small or toy breed puppy under 4 lb who still needs to start parasite prevention early.
• Your dog is frequently exposed to fleas and carries a real risk of flea tapeworm.
• You want labeled hookworm coverage across every life stage, from L4 through adult.

Once you’ve weighed these scenarios against your dog’s situation, the comparison table below breaks the differences down side by side.

 

NexGard PLUS and Simparica Trio are both effective monthly parasite preventives. NexGard PLUS is a good choice if tapeworm protection isn’t a priority, while Simparica Trio may be better for smaller dogs or those at higher risk of tapeworm infection.

Talk to your veterinarian before choosing either product. They can recommend the best option based on your dog’s health, lifestyle, and local parasite risks.

Whichever you choose, use it consistently every month to keep your dog protected from fleas, ticks, heartworm, and intestinal worms.