Cream Cheese vs Butter
Compared on one consistent basis: per 100 g, from USDA data behind each food page.
Cream Cheese vs Butter (Stick): nutrition per 100 g
| Per 100 g | Cream Cheese | Butter (Stick) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 343 kcal | 717 kcal |
| Protein | 5.8 g | 0.9 g |
| Carbohydrate | 4.6 g | 0.1 g |
| Fat | 33.5 g | 81.5 g |
| Fibre | 0 g | 0 g |
| Allergens | Milk | Milk |
Vitamins and minerals per 100 g
| Nutrient | Cream Cheese | Butter (Stick) |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 97.11 mg | 14 mg |
| Choline, total | 26.8 mg | 18.8 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0 mg | 0 mg |
| Folate, DFE | 9 ug | 3 ug |
| Folate, food | 9 ug | 3 ug |
| Folate, total | 9 ug | 3 ug |
| Iron, Fe | 0 mg | 0.03 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 8.91 mg | 1.6 mg |
| Niacin | 0.09 mg | 0.04 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.52 mg | 0.11 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 107.7 mg | 19 mg |
| Potassium, K | 124.8 mg | 19 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.23 mg | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 8.6 ug | 1 ug |
| Sodium, Na | 367.8 mg | 10 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg | 0.01 mg |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1111 iu | 2499 iu |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 308 ug | 684 ug |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0 ug | 0.17 ug |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg | 0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.59 mg | 0.07 mg |
Cream Cheese is higher in protein and carbohydrate, and the leaner, lower-calorie choice. Butter (Stick) is higher in fat. That makes Cream Cheese more relevant when you want protein for fullness or recovery, and Butter (Stick) when you want a richer, higher-fat option.
Full nutrition facts: Cream Cheese ยท Butter (Stick)
Bottom line
Per 100 g, Cream Cheese provides 343 kcal, 5.8 g protein, 4.6 g carbohydrate, 33.5 g fat and 0 g fiber; Butter provides 717 kcal, 0.9 g protein, 0.1 g carbohydrate, 81.5 g fat and 0 g fiber.
Looking beyond the macronutrients, Cream Cheese is the better source of sodium, calcium, while Butter is the better source of vitamin A (see the vitamins and minerals table below).
Butter is about 80% fat; cream cheese is about a third fat with water and a little protein. Cream cheese is far higher in sodium, but spreads thinner and saves roughly half the calories per tablespoon.
In short: for weight loss or a bigger portion at the same calories, Cream Cheese; for protein and muscle, Cream Cheese. If none of those goals applies, pick by taste, price and what the recipe needs.
Want a different pair? Use the food comparison tool to compare any two foods from the same category.
Values are per 100 g from the USDA FoodData Central records behind each food page and are rounded; brands and preparation change the numbers. This comparison is educational, not medical advice.