NexGard vs. Bravecto vs. Simparica Trio: What’s the Difference?
Sep 07, 2026
NexGard, Bravecto, and Simparica Trio are three of the most popular parasite preventives for dogs. Although all of them are designed to protect your dog from pesky parasites, they differ in which parasites they cover, what ingredients they're made of, and whether they're appropriate for dogs of all ages and breeds.
In this blog, we will compare these products to understand what makes them different and which one may be the best choice for your beloved dog.
NexGard, Bravecto & Simparica Trio - An Overview
NexGard for Dogs - A Trusted Flea & Tick Treatment
NexGard is a tasty beef-flavored chew formulated to kill fleas and control several tick species. It covers six tick species, including American dog ticks, Lone Star ticks, Gulf Coast ticks, brown dog ticks, black-legged ticks, and longhorned ticks. It is also labelled to help prevent Borrelia burgdorferi infections as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks, the tick species responsible for transmitting Lyme disease in dogs.
Formulated with afoxolaner, NexGard Chewable does not prevent heartworm disease or treat intestinal worms. Your veterinarian may recommend pairing it with a separate heartworm and/or intestinal parasite preventive depending on your dog's parasite risk assessment.
Bravecto for Dogs - A Long-Lasting Flea & Tick Treatment
Bravecto is an oral flea and tick treatment that offers up to 12 weeks of long-lasting protection with one dose. It kills fleas quickly and treats and controls tick infestations caused by black-legged ticks, American dog ticks, brown dog ticks, and Asian longhorned ticks for 12 weeks. Moreover, it also treats and controls lone star tick infestations for 8 weeks.
Formulated with fluralaner, Bravecto Chewable does not provide heartworm disease prevention or intestinal worm coverage but has the added advantage of 12-week flea and tick protection, especially if you are someone who struggles to remember monthly administrations.
Simparica Trio for Dogs - All-in-One Parasite Treatment
Simparica Trio offers the broadest coverage of all three treatments. The monthly oral treatment combines three active ingredients, sarolaner, moxidectin, and pyrantel, to protect dogs from fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms, and heartworm disease. It covers six tick species, including American dog ticks, lone star ticks, Gulf Coast ticks, brown dog ticks, black-legged ticks, and Asian longhorned ticks.
Furthermore, it also helps in the prevention of tapeworm infestations, as a direct result of killing vector fleas on the treated dog. Just like NexGard, Simparica Trio is also indicated for the prevention of Borrelia burgdorferi infections as a direct result of killing black-legged ticks.
NexGard vs. Bravecto vs. Simparica Trio: Comparison Chart
Before we compare these treatments in detail, take a look at the table below for a quick side-by-side comparison of NexGard, Bravecto, and Simparica Trio:
NexGard, Bravecto & Simparica Trio: How Are They Different?
1. Composition:
The primary difference between these treatments is their active ingredients.
- NexGard: Afoxolaner
- Bravecto: Fluralaner
- Simparica Trio: Sarolaner + moxidectin + pyrantel
Afoxolaner, fluralaner, and sarolaner are all isoxazoline-class ingredients that target fleas and ticks. Simparica Trio has additional ingredients, moxidectin and pyrantel, which is why it protects against heartworm disease and certain intestinal worms as well.
2. Parasite coverage:
The spectrum of protection offered is where these products really differentiate themselves.
- NexGard: Flea and tick preventive
- Bravecto: Flea and tick prevention with long-lasting coverage
- Simparica Trio: Flea and tick protection + heartworm disease prevention + intestinal worm control
Simparica Trio offers broader coverage because of its three-ingredient formulation. While the other two offer only flea and tick protection for dogs, Simparica Trio offers additional protection against roundworms, hookworms, flea tapeworms (by killing fleas), and heartworm disease.
3. Dosing frequency:
The dosing schedule is another major difference:
- NexGard: Every month
- Bravecto: Every 12 weeks for fleas and four tick species, every 8 weeks for Lone Star tick control
- Simparica Trio: Every month
If remembering a monthly dose is difficult for you for any reason, Bravecto's longer interval dosing can be a significant advantage for you.
4. Internal parasite protection:
Only Simparica Trio among these three products is labeled to protect against internal parasites. If your dog takes NexGard or Bravecto Chew, your veterinarian may recommend a separate deworming treatment and a heartworm prevention treatment, based on your dog's individual needs.
5. Minimum age and weight:
The products aren't identical when it comes to puppies and small dogs:
- NexGard: 8 weeks or older and at least 4 lbs
- Bravecto: 6 months or older and at least 4.4 lbs
- Simparica Trio: 8 weeks or older and at least 2.8 lbs
So, for a very young puppy, the age and weight requirements can make a difference in choosing the right preventive.
Final Breakdown
So, NexGard vs. Bravecto vs. Simparica Trio: which one comes out on top? The short answer is that there's no single best treatment. The ultimate choice for your dog will depend on various factors like your dog's age, lifestyle, preferences, medical history, and treatment goal.
Choose NexGard when:
Flea and tick protection is your main goal, and monthly oral administration fits your dog's preference.
Choose Bravecto when:
You want to minimize treatment frequency and are looking for long-term flea and tick protection with fewer doses per year.
Choose Simparica Trio when:
You want broad-spectrum parasite protection in one monthly chew, including protection against heartworm disease and certain intestinal parasites in addition to fleas and ticks.
None should be chosen simply because you saw them marketed as "the best" somewhere. If you're in doubt, it is always better to speak to your veterinarian about your pet's parasite coverage needs and let them decide which one is right for your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you give NexGard, Bravecto, or Simparica Trio with other treatments?
NexGard, Bravecto, and Simparica Trio contain an isoxazoline-class ingredient, which is associated with neurologic adverse reactions like seizures. Therefore, you must always consult your veterinarian to check whether these products are safe to combine with any other treatments.
2. What happens if you miss a dose of NexGard, Bravecto, or Simparica Trio?
The correct steps to take if you miss a parasite preventive dose for your dog depend on which product was missed, how late the dose is, and what other treatments your dog has received in the meantime. Therefore, it is best to contact your veterinarian for instructions rather than panic dosing your dog.
3. Is Simparica Trio better than NexGard?
Simparica Trio offers broader parasite coverage because it also prevents heartworm disease, prevents flea tapeworm infections by killing fleas, and treats/controls certain roundworms and hookworms. NexGard only protects against fleas and ticks. However, this doesn't make Simparica Trio necessarily “better” for your dog. The right product for your dog will depend on their age, parasite exposure risk, medical history, and veterinary recommendations.
4. Can I switch from NexGard to Bravecto?
Yes, you can switch to Bravecto from NexGard with the help of your veterinarian, as the timing of the switch matters because their labeled protection intervals are different.
5. Can dogs with seizures take NexGard, Bravecto, or Simparica Trio?
All three treatments contain an isoxazoline-class ingredient, which has been associated with neurologic adverse reactions, including seizures. Therefore, these treatments are labeled to be used with caution in dogs with a history of seizures. It is best to consult a veterinarian for your dog's safety assessment before starting any of these treatments.
