Advantage vs Revolution vs Bravecto (NZ Comparison)

If you're standing in front of the flea shelf at Animates trying to work out whether to grab Advantage, Revolution or Bravecto, here's the short answer: they're all good products, but they're built for different jobs. Advantage is the budget, fleas-only pick. Revolution (and Revolution Plus) is the all-rounder that also covers common worms and a few other parasites. Bravecto is the long-lasting one that handles fleas and ticks with the fewest doses. Which is right depends on what your pet actually needs — not on which is "best", because none of them is best for everyone.

Below we'll walk through each one in plain English, then give you a clear "which should I pick" by need.

Advantage — the budget, fleas-only spot-on

Advantage uses an ingredient called imidacloprid, and it's a spot-on you squeeze onto the skin at the back of the neck. Its job is simple and it does it well: it kills fleas, fast. People often see fleas dropping off within a day (Merck Veterinary Manual).

The trade-off is that fleas are all it does. It won't touch worms, ticks or ear mites. It's also a monthly treatment, so you need to stay on schedule. The upside is the price — Advantage is usually the most affordable of the three, which makes it a sensible pick if fleas are your only worry and you're watching the budget.

There are separate cat and dog versions, and you must use the one made for your pet. More on that below.

Revolution and Revolution Plus — the broad all-rounder

Revolution uses selamectin and, like Advantage, it's a monthly spot-on. The difference is how much ground it covers. A single Revolution treatment goes after fleas plus common roundworm and hookworm, ear mites, and heartworm — several parasites in one squeeze (Zoetis New Zealand).

Revolution Plus adds a second ingredient, sarolaner, which extends the cover to include ticks as well. So if you like the idea of one product handling most of the parasite jobs at once, Revolution is the all-rounder — and Revolution Plus is the version that also brings ticks into the fold.

The catch is that "covers worms" doesn't always mean "covers every worm". Tapeworm, for example, often needs a separate treatment. Check the current label for exactly what your version handles, and ask your vet if you're not sure your pet is fully covered (Companion Animal New Zealand).

Bravecto — the long-lasting flea and tick option

Bravecto uses fluralaner and comes as either a spot-on or a tasty chew (for dogs). Its headline feature is how long one dose lasts: in dogs, a single Bravecto covers fleas for up to around three months, with different cover for cats — so always check the label for your pet's exact product and timeframe (Bravecto (MSD Animal Health NZ)).

That long gap between doses is Bravecto's big selling point. If you're the kind of owner who forgets the monthly reminder — and let's be honest, that's most of us — a treatment you only think about a few times a year is a genuine relief. Bravecto covers fleas and ticks.

What it doesn't do is worms. Bravecto won't treat intestinal worms on its own, so if you go this route you'll need a separate wormer alongside it.

Side-by-side comparison

| | Advantage | Revolution / Revolution Plus | Bravecto | |---|---|---|---| | Main ingredient | Imidacloprid | Selamectin (Plus adds sarolaner) | Fluralaner | | Form | Spot-on | Spot-on | Spot-on or chew | | Fleas | Yes (fast knockdown) | Yes | Yes | | Ticks | No | Plus version only | Yes | | Worms | No | Roundworm + hookworm (check label) | No | | Heartworm / ear mites | No | Yes | No | | How often | Monthly | Monthly | Up to ~3 months (dogs) — check label | | Best for | Budget, fleas only | One product, broad cover | Fewest doses, tick cover |

Treat this as a guide, not gospel — exact spectrum and timing change between cat and dog versions and product updates, so the label and your vet are the final word (New Zealand Veterinary Association).

Cat versions and dog versions are not the same

This is the one rule we won't soften: all three brands sell separate cat and dog formulations, and they are not interchangeable. The doses and ingredients are matched to the species, so a dog product on a cat — or the wrong size on a small pet — can be a real problem. Always grab the box made for your pet, and never put a dog product on a cat.

If you've got both a cat and a dog, sort each one with its own correct product, and store them apart so you never grab the wrong one in a hurry.

So which should you pick?

Here's the honest, no-nonsense version:

• Budget, and fleas are your only worry → Advantage. Cheap, fast and does exactly one job well. Just remember to worm separately.
• You want one product for fleas plus common worms (and heartworm) → Revolution or Revolution Plus. The all-rounder. Pick Plus if you also want tick cover. Check the label for tapeworm, which often needs a separate treatment.
• You want the fewest doses and tick cover → Bravecto. Brilliant for forgetful owners and tick-prone areas — just pair it with a wormer.

None of these is the "best flea treatment" full stop, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. The right pick is the one that matches your pet's needs, your budget and how reliably you'll keep it up.

When you're ready to choose a specific product and see current NZ pricing, head to our best cat flea treatment and best dog flea treatment guides — they tell you exactly what to buy and where. And for anything to do with your pet's age, weight or health, your vet is always the best person to ask.