Reliv Review (2026): The Long-Running Shake MLM That Left the Stock Market

Reliv in One Minute

Reliv International is one of the older MLMs in the US. Founded by Robert Montgomery in the 1980s, it began selling in the US in 1988 and is based in Chesterfield, Missouri. It sells nutritional supplement shakes and powders, such as Reliv Now, along with products built around LunaRich, an ingredient made from soy. Its CEO is Ryan Montgomery, the founder's son.

Reliv is a real company with a long history and no FTC action that we could find. But its sales have shrunk a long way from its peak, and in January 2021 it filed to stop reporting to the SEC, so its finances are no longer public. This review looks at what joining costs, how distributors earn, and what the last public figures showed.

What Reliv Sells

Reliv's core products are powdered nutrition shakes and supplements for general nutrition, wellness, weight management and sports nutrition. In 2019 it sold 19 nutritional supplements and had launched a hemp-extract line. Its LunaRich products feature lunasin, a soy-derived peptide the company has researched and licensed. This review looks at Reliv as a business, not at its health claims.

How Reliv Has Changed

Reliv was once a much larger business. Around 2014 it described having more than 50,000 independent distributors in 16 countries. Its 2019 annual report showed:

• Net sales of about $35.1 million, down 2.9% from 2018.
• About 25,730 active distributors, 15,630 registered customers and 3,300 Master Affiliates and above.
• Distributor royalties and commissions of about $11.3 million, about 32% of net sales.
• The sale of its manufacturing operation to Nutracom in 2019, which now makes Reliv's core products in its Missouri facility.

About 201450,000

2019 (active)25,730

On January 19, 2021, Reliv filed a Form 15 with the SEC to end its public reporting, following a reverse stock split transaction. Since then, it has not published detailed sales or distributor figures. You can see the filing on the SEC's website.

How Reliv Distributors Earn

1. Buy products at a wholesale discount of about 20% to 40%, depending on rank, and earn the difference when selling at retail.
2. Earn commissions on the sales of your downline as you reach higher ranks.
3. Reach Master Affiliate and above to earn royalties on Master Affiliate groups in your downline.
4. Qualify for leadership bonuses and incentives at the top ranks.

Reliv's own filings note that many people join mainly to buy products at a discount, without pursuing the business. That is a healthy sign for a product company. But for people who do want income, the larger payouts depend on building a downline of Master Affiliates, which takes recruiting and sustained sales.

What Reliv Distributors Earn

In 2019, Reliv paid about $11.3 million in royalties and commissions across about 25,700 active distributors. That works out to an average of roughly $440 per active distributor for the year, before expenses. As with all MLMs, the average is skewed by the top earners, so the typical distributor earned less.

Per year$438

Per month$36

We could not find a current income disclosure. Ask for the latest figures in writing before joining.

Income Claims

A consumer watchdog flagged atypical income claims by Reliv distributors in industry-wide reviews in 2017 and 2023. Reliv's filings also acknowledge that the FTC scrutinizes distributor testimonials and compensation plans across the industry. None of this is a finding against Reliv, but it is a reminder to rely on disclosed figures, not success stories.

Is Reliv a Pyramid Scheme?

No regulator has found that it is, and Reliv has sold to real customers for decades. The FTC's guidance on multi-level marketing and pyramid schemes explains what to look for: whether income comes from real customer sales or mainly from recruiting.

Is Reliv a Scam?

No. Reliv is a long-established company with real products and a clean regulator record. But it is a shrinking business, it no longer publishes its finances, and the last public figures suggest the average active distributor earned only a few hundred dollars a year before costs.

Pros and Cons

Questions to Ask Before You Join

• What does Reliv's latest income disclosure show for the median distributor?
• What monthly purchases do I need to keep my rank and discount?
• How many active distributors are there in my area or country today?
• What are the return terms on product and starter orders?

Who Reliv Might Suit

Reliv may suit long-time customers who want the wholesale discount. It is a hard place to build meaningful income, given the shrinking distributor base and modest average payouts.

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Other MLM Reviews

• 4Life review: an immune supplement MLM.
• Purium review: a superfood MLM built around a 10-day cleanse.
• Scentsy review: a home fragrance MLM with detailed income figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Verdict on Reliv

Reliv is a legitimate, long-running company, but it is a shrinking one, and its last public numbers show modest average payouts. If you like the products, the discount may be worth it. As an income opportunity, look elsewhere.