We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
  • Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
  • Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
  • Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Was this helpful?

If you don’t consume animal products, meeting your body’s protein needs can be tricky. These vegan protein powders have you covered.

For athletes and active adults who don’t eat animal products, getting adequate protein from diet alone can be challenging. A vegan protein powder may help.

Our dietitians have vetting and tried more than a dozen plant-based protein powders. Here are the ones they recommend.

A note on price

Prices for vegan protein powder can range from $0.21 to $5.91 per serving, or $19.49 to $111.49 per container, though this may vary depending on where you shop and the container size.

For this article, these price ranges are represented as follows:

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $1 per serving
  • $$ = $1–$2 per serving
  • $$$ = over $2 per serving
Was this helpful?

Price rangeHighlightProtein typeThird-party tested
Garden of Life Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder$$$well-rounded powderpea, navy bean, lentil, garbanzo bean, cranberryyes
Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+$$$low calorie, subscription-based powderpeayes
Momentous Essential Plant-Based Protein$$$good for muscle buildingpea, riceyes
Ora Organic Vegan Protein Powder$$well-rounded organic powderpea, rice, cranberry, sacha inchi, amaranth, quinoayes
KOS Organic Plant-Based Chocolate Protein Powder$$good tasting, sweeter powderpea, flaxseed, quinoa, pumpkin seed, chia seedno
Naked Pea Premium Pea Protein Powder$unflavored, more natural productpeayes
Gainful Personalized Protein Powder$$$personalized protein powderpea, brown rice, oatno
Vega Sport Premium Protein$$$good for exercise recoverypea, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, alfalfayes
Orgain Simple Organic Plant Protein Powder$$iron-rich powderpea, brown rice, almond, pumpkin seed, peanutyes
Naked Mass$$$good for weight gainpea, brown riceyes
Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein Powder$$high fiber, nutrient-rich powderhemp seedno
  • Ingredient quality: The powders below contain high quality sources of plant-based protein. We also prioritized products that contain few or no artificial flavors, colors, and other additives.
  • Low in added sugar: With the exception of one product, we included protein powders that contain 6 g or less of added sugar per serving.
  • Amino acid profile: We selected plant-based protein powders that contain all nine of the essential amino acids your body needs.
  • Expert-recommended: Every powder on our list was recommended and reviewed by registered dietitians.
  • Price: We included options to suit a variety of budgets.
  • Customer reviews: The products below have mostly positive online reviews.
  • Brand quality: The powders below are produced by medically credible companies that follow ethical, legal, and industry best standards. They’re also manufactured in facilities that adhere to the current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) established by the FDA.
  • Testing: Many of the protein powders we selected have been tested by third-party labs to ensure quality, purity, and potency.
  • Personal experience: We included several products that have been tested firsthand by our editors.

Below are several factors to consider when shopping for a vegan protein powder.

Dietary restrictions and preferences

If you have any food allergies, restrictions, or intolerances, be sure to carefully read ingredient labels and consider opting for products that are certified vegan or allergen-free.

You may want to avoid products that contain high amounts of added sugars or artificial sweeteners, flavors, fillers, and preservatives. If you prefer to eat organic, look for products that are certified organic by the USDA.

Quality and safety

Ideally, you should look for products that have undergone third-party testing by an organization, like NSF International or Informed Choice, to ensure that the contents of the powder match the label. These organizations also test for heavy metals and contaminants.

If you’re a competitive athlete, you’ll want to choose a product that’s NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport certified to avoid consuming substances that are banned by most competitive sports organizations.

Budget

With so many protein powders available, you’re sure to find one that fits your budget. Remember to consider the number of servings per container when deciding what price you’re comfortable with.

Taste and flavor preferences

Some vegan protein powders are available in a variety of flavors, while others are unflavored. Consider your preferences and how you plan to use your protein powder.

For example, if you prefer to combine your powder with milk or water, you may want to choose a flavored product. But if you plan on mixing the powder into smoothies or food items, an unflavored powder might be best.

It’s also worth reading through customer reviews to see what people have to say about the texture of the powder. For example, is it easy to blend in a shaker bottle, or do you need an electric blender to avoid clumps?

Goals

Depending on your goals, some vegan protein powders may be better than others. For example, if you’re looking to lose weight, a low calorie powder may be ideal.

Alternatively, if you’re working to build muscle, a vegan protein powder that contains a blend of plant-based sources may be more effective than a single-source product.

Vegan protein powders are generally well tolerated and aren’t known to have serious negative side effects. It’s worth noting, however, that plant-based protein powders may contain more heavy metals than other protein powders because plants take in heavy metals from the soil, air, and water. Research has found that the amounts of heavy metals found in protein powders aren’t large enough to cause any adverse effects at typical intakes of 1–3 servings per day.

Generally, it’s a good idea to opt for products that have been third-party tested for the presence of heavy metals and other contaminants.

While more research is needed, some studies suggest that products containing a blend of plant-based proteins may have higher amounts of leucine and may be more effective for muscle building than single-source vegan protein powders.

You can mix any vegan protein powder into liquid to form an easily drinkable shake. We recommend adding it to a blender or shaker cup with your desired liquid, like water or oat milk, to get a smooth consistency.

The best complete vegan protein sources contain not just protein but also amino acids, which are essential building blocks for protein. Some plant foods, like quinoa, contain both.

But you can easily create complete protein sources by combing some different plant foods, such as rice and beans.

Many of the protein powders contain both protein and amino acids. For example, our top choice, Garden of Life’s Organic Plant-Based Protein Power, blends peas, navy beans, lentils, garbanzo beans, and cranberry to provide protein and amino acids in one formula.

Whether you follow a vegan lifestyle or simply prefer plant-based products, there are several vegan-friendly protein powders to choose from.

To narrow down your options, be sure to consider factors, such as the type of protein used, available flavors, nutritional profile, and cost.

You may also want to choose a product that’s free of fillers, preservatives, and artificial flavors or sweeteners.

Ideally, you should look for products that have undergone third-party testing, and competitive athletes should select protein powders that are certified safe for sport.

Regardless of which product you choose, be sure to talk with a healthcare professional before adding any new supplements to your wellness routine.