Butter vs Cream Cheese
Side-by-side macro comparison. Butter vs Cream Cheese per their standard serving sizes.
Macro Comparison Table
| Macro | Butter | Cream Cheese | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 102 cal | 99 cal | +3% Butter |
| Protein | 0.1g | 1.7g | -94% Butter |
| Carbs | 0.01g | 1.6g | -99% Butter |
| Fat | 12g | 10g | +20% Butter |
Differences shown relative to Butter. Positive = Butter has more.
Quick Take
Butter delivers 102 calories per serving with 0.1g protein, 0.01g carbs, and 12g fat. Cream Cheese delivers 99 calories with 1.7g protein, 1.6g carbs, and 10g fat. The most meaningful difference: they're within 3 calories per serving, so calorie load is essentially equivalent. Both deliver similar protein density.
When to Pick Each
For Cutting / Weight Loss
When cutting on a tight calorie budget, Cream Cheese gives you 3 more calories of headroom per serving — that's room for an extra snack, more vegetables, or a higher-protein second portion. If protein density matters more (which it does for preserving muscle on a deficit), Cream Cheese delivers more grams of protein per calorie consumed.
For Bulking / Muscle Gain
For muscle gain, you want calories AND protein. Butter brings 102 calories — useful when you're chasing a surplus and struggling to eat enough. Cream Cheese delivers 1.7g of protein per serving, which directly feeds muscle protein synthesis. The best pick depends on whether you need more total calories or more usable protein.
For Keto / Low-Carb
Both Butter and Cream Cheese are keto-friendly with under 10g carbs per serving.
Frequently Asked
Which has more protein, Butter or Cream Cheese?
Cream Cheese has more protein: 1.7g vs 0.1g per serving. That's a difference of 1.5999999999999999g.
Which has fewer calories, Butter or Cream Cheese?
Cream Cheese has 99 calories per serving vs 102 calories in Butter — a difference of 3 calories.
Is Butter or Cream Cheese better for keto?
Butter is the better keto choice at 0.01g carbs per serving vs 1.6g carbs in Cream Cheese.
Is Butter or Cream Cheese better for weight loss?
For weight loss, Cream Cheese gives you more calorie flexibility (3 cal less per serving). For preserving muscle during a deficit, Cream Cheese delivers more protein per calorie. Most people on cuts benefit from Cream Cheese.
Which Is Better for Your Goal?
🔥 Weight Loss
Cream Cheese
Higher protein-to-calorie density + lower absolute fat = more satiety per calorie.
💪 Muscle Gain
Cream Cheese
Higher absolute protein per serving better supports muscle protein synthesis.
🥑 Low-Carb / Keto
Butter
Lower carbohydrate content fits keto and low-carb macros without burning your carb budget.
Both fit most balanced diets. These verdicts reflect macro-only comparisons — taste, satiety, cost, and personal preference also matter.
Find Your Personal Macros
The "right" food depends on your individual macro targets. Calculate yours in 60 seconds:
→ Calculate My Macros (Free)Related Comparisons
Other ways Butter and Cream Cheese stack up:
Full Butter guide • Full Cream Cheese guide • All comparisons