The 12 Best Vegan Protein Powders

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The many vegan protein powders available offer an easy way to increase your protein intake while following a vegan diet.

They can be especially useful for athletes and active adults who have difficulty meeting their protein needs through food sources alone.

We rounded up the best plant-based protein powders that are dietitian-approved, taste good, and meet other certain dietary needs.

• Best overall: Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder | Skip to review
• Best personalized: Gainful Protein Powder | Skip to review
• Best tasting: KOS Organic Superfood Protein | Skip to review
• Best for women: Orgain Simple Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder | Skip to review
• Best pea protein: Naked Pea Premium Pea Protein Powder | Skip to review
• Best for recovery: Vega Sport Premium Protein Powder | Skip to review
• Best organic: Ora Organics So Lean & So Clean Plant-Based Superfood Protein | Skip to review
• Best for weight loss: Ritual Essential Protein | Skip to review
• Best for weight gain: Naked Mass Vegan Protein Powder | Skip to review
• Best for muscle building: Momentous Essential Plant-Based Protein | Skip to review
• Best hemp protein: Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein Powder | Skip to review

The products featured in this article were selected based on the following criteria:

• 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 grams (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.

Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:

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 is 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.

But there’s an increasing concern that heavy metals found in protein powders, especially plant-based powders, may pose health risks.

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.

But recent 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.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about vegan protein powders.

Is vegan protein powder good for muscle gain?

Increasing overall protein intake has been shown to help improve muscle gain, regardless of whether the protein is plant- or animal-based.

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

How should you prepare your vegan protein powder?

You can mix vegan protein powders into foods or liquids. If you’re going to drink the protein powder, we recommend adding it to a blender or shaker cup with your desired liquid, like water or oat milk, to ensure that you get a smooth consistency.

Be sure to follow the instructions specific to the product you decide to try.

Do vegan protein powders expire?

Like other protein powders, vegan protein powders do eventually expire, with a typical shelf life of around 2 years. After the expiration date, you can expect the quality to decrease, and the product may spoil.

Be sure to store your protein powder according to the instructions on the label, likely in a cool, dry environment.

What is the best vegan protein powder with collagen?

Because collagen is sourced from animal products, protein powders that contain collagen are not vegan-friendly. But some vegan protein powders — including Garden of Life’s Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder — contain turmeric and zinc, both of which may promote collagen production.

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, like 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.