There are many different types of artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes available, and they increase in popularity along with trends toward cutting sugar and cutting carbohydrates from the diet. Three of the most popular are saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose, in the order they were introduced to the public. Which is best for your needs depends on what you're using it for and your own tolerance for each sweetener's particular aftertaste.
Most people prefer the taste of aspartame or sucralose over saccharin for regular use. Many find that saccharin has a somewhat bitter aftertaste, although it is generally the least costly of the three. Aspartame-based sugar substitutes are second most expensive, and sucralose, the newest, is also the highest priced.
When it comes to baking and cooking, saccharin and sucralose get top billing. Aspartame not as stable when heated to high temperatures and can lose its sweet flavor, so it should really only be used to sweeten foods after they have been cooked. Many people prefer the taste and texture of baked goods when artificial sweeteners can be baked in. It can also be a little harder to find artificial brown sugars, although there are several available. The majority of people still seem to prefer the taste of sucralose, however, and it measures spoonful to spoonful with sugar, so there is no conversion necessary.
When it comes to health, each of these products is said to have certain side effects. Of the three, sucralose has had the least study since it is the newest, and some question what its long term side effects may be. While many people use each of these products safely, there is always some concern when it comes to artificial sweeteners and other artificial replacements for foods.