ZYN Ultra vs VELO Plus vs on! PLUS: High-Strength Pouches Compared

By PouchGuide Editorial Team · Published October 5, 2026

ZYN Ultra, VELO Plus and on! PLUS are the big three brands’ answer to demand for stronger, moister pouches. They’re all aimed at experienced users, but they differ on strength, nicotine source and FDA status. Here’s how they compare.

This article is for adults 21+ who already use nicotine. None of these lines is a good starting point for beginners.

Side by side

Which is strongest?

On paper, ZYN Ultra 11mg is the strongest of the three. ZYN Ultra starts at 9mg, while VELO Plus and on! PLUS start at 6mg.

All three are moister than their brands’ classic pouches, and moist pouches usually release nicotine faster. So each line feels stronger than its mg number suggests if you’re coming from a dry pouch (see dry vs moist pouches).

FDA status

As of the FDA’s list updated August 21, 2026:

• ZYN Ultra: 11 products authorized in August 2026: ten flavors at 9mg, plus Smooth at 11mg (see what is ZYN Ultra?).
• on! PLUS: 6 products authorized in December 2025: Mint, Tobacco and Wintergreen, each in 6mg and 9mg (see on! vs on! PLUS).
• VELO Plus: no products on the list. The FDA’s page states that the products on its list are the only nicotine pouches that may be lawfully sold in the US. VELO Plus is nonetheless widely sold (see VELO vs VELO Plus).

Synthetic nicotine in VELO Plus

VELO Plus uses synthetic nicotine, made in a lab rather than extracted from tobacco. It’s still nicotine, with the same effects and addictiveness, and the FDA has regulated it as a tobacco product since 2022 (see synthetic nicotine explained).

Flavors

• ZYN Ultra 9mg: Chill, Citrus, Cool Mint, Deep Freeze, Menthol, Peppermint, Smooth, Spearmint, Wintergreen and Wintergreen Chill. At 11mg, Smooth was authorized.
• VELO Plus at launch: Spearmint, Peppermint, Wintergreen, Mint, Citrus Chill, Wild Berry and Dragon Fruit (a 7-Eleven exclusive), with more added since.
• on! PLUS (authorized): Mint, Wintergreen and Tobacco.

Which should you choose?

• ZYN Ultra if you already use ZYN 6mg and want more, and want FDA-authorized products.
• on! PLUS if you want a 6mg moist pouch with FDA authorization, or a tobacco flavor.
• VELO Plus if you prefer VELO’s flavors and don’t mind synthetic nicotine or the lack of FDA authorization.

Stepping up? Start with the lowest strength in the new line and watch for signs of too much nicotine, such as nausea, dizziness, hiccups or a racing heart (see ZYN nausea). Higher strengths also build tolerance faster (see addiction and tolerance).

Bottom line

ZYN Ultra (9mg and 11mg) is the strongest and has FDA-authorized products. on! PLUS (6mg and 9mg) is also FDA-authorized. VELO Plus (6mg and 9mg at launch) uses synthetic nicotine and isn’t on the FDA’s list. All three are moister than classic pouches, so step up carefully. See also strongest nicotine pouches ranked.