Hey vegans, we have not forgotten about you! We understand that Protein powder is generally geared towards whey users. However, there are plenty of plant-based options out there. Plant-based eating has been strongly correlated with reducing heart-related medical concerns, improving your glycemic control, and boosting your gut health. 

As a registered dietitian nutritionist with nine years of nutrition-related experience, I have been asked about vegan-friendly dietary supplements many times by clients. To make sure you get research-backed information when it comes to plant-based supplements, I want to share my recommendations with you on the best vegan protein powders available. I also want to encourage those who are not on a vegan diet to try these products out too. Following a plant-based diet is worth the hype it has been getting over the past few years.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

How We Chose the Best Vegan Protein Powder

Because your Google search for the best protein powder supplement will flood your computer screen with hundreds of options, Breaking Muscle aims to consolidate those results and deliver a comprehensive go-to guide. We’re not pulling these dietary supplements out of a hat. We research them to make sure they may actually support your nutrition goals. Our team members have also tested over 75 protein powders, including more than a dozen plant-based protein powders.

During our testing and research process, we check out the following to make sure you get the best of what the market has to offer: affordability, taste, side effects, mixability, third-party testing, and ingredient formulation. Our team then uses a scoring system to deliver our top picks. We have you covered for powders that may support muscle gain, weight loss, and bodybuilding. For those who are more focused on dietary restrictions and taste, we also have options for the best-tasting, vanilla, chocolate, unflavored, and gluten-free vegan protein powders. 

Our Top Picks for the Best Vegan Protein Powder

Best Vegan Protein Powder Overall: Transparent Labs Rice & Pea Protein Powder

A truly natural vegan protein powder, the Transparent Labs Rice & Pea Protein Powder gets our vote for best overall. It’s also our pick for the best pea protein powder for several reasons. Transparent Labs prides themselves on delivering products without all of the “artificial junk” that may be present in other protein powders. You won’t have to worry about unnatural flavors, artificial coloring, GMOs, or preservatives. This product is also gluten-free, making it a great option for those with gluten intolerance and/or celiac disease. 

We give the price per serving a 3.5 out of 5 stars since this protein powder is pretty average when it comes to affordability. The current cost per serving is $1.67, making it one of the more reasonably priced powders on our list.

Transparent Labs Organic Pea Protein gets a solid 4 out of 5 stars from our product testing team for its formulation. There are only five all-natural ingredients listed on its nutrition facts label: organic rice protein, organic pea protein isolate, natural flavor, Himalayan rock salt, and stevia.

My favorite part is that you can pronounce the ingredients, reinforcing the “all-natural” bit. Depending on which flavor you choose, the amount of calories, carbohydrates, and fats will vary slightly. The Chocolate flavor has 150 calories, seven grams of carbs, and 2.5 grams of fat. The French Vanilla flavor has 130 calories, two grams of fat, and three grams of carbs. The amount of protein per serving remains the same at a solid 24 grams. 

Since Transparent Labs Rice & Pea Protein Powder contains all-natural ingredients, some users report the smell as pungent. The odor, therefore, influences the flavor and can make the taste very artificial when mixed with just plain water. This seems to be the repeating pattern for those who supplement with the French Vanilla flavor, including our product tester. She only gave it 2 out of 5 stars. However, everyone raves about the Chocolate flavor in online reviews.

Both flavors blend well, leaving no clumps behind. Users have been adding it to pancake mix, almond milk, and protein smoothie bowls without issue. We noticed a slightly gritty texture and gave solubility 3.75 stars, but it wasn’t too off-putting. Our product tester also noted that it upset her stomach a little, but other customer reviews report no side effects. Transparent Labs Rice & Pea Protein Powder has 4.2 stars out of 5 on the company’s website, with 257 reviews at the time of this writing. 

Best Tasting Vegan Protein Powder: Truvani Organic Vegan Protein Powder

There is a lot of bias about finding a vegan protein powder that tastes good. Many people are under the impression that vegan products will taste like vegetables or be bland. That is far from the case for our top pick for best-tasting protein powder: Truvani Organic Vegan Protein Powder. 

Truvani holds one of the highest number of ratings I have seen on Amazon for protein powders. Out of more than 16,060 reviews, the product holds 4.3 out of 5 stars. Many users admit to being repeat customers and have never been disappointed with the flavor options. The most popular flavor is chocolate. I lost count of the number of users who said it has a rich, creamy chocolate taste that reminds them of a milkshake or dessert.

Many customers add this protein powder to oatmeal and protein shakes. Some interesting combos are the Chocolate flavor in banana bread, oat milk mixed with peanut butter spread and the Peanut Butter flavor, and Banana Cinnamon in pancake batter. If you want to get creative about more ways to incorporate the Truvani Organic Vegan Protein Powder into your daily routine, check out their website for access to free recipes and complimentary e-cookbooks. 

We are big on providing honest reviews here at Breaking Muscle, so I want to admit that we give the price per serving 1 out of 5 stars. It is admittedly one of the more expensive protein powders we have reviewed. For comparison, Truvani Organic Vegan Protein Powder is $2.50 a serving, while Bulk Supplements Soy Protein Isolate is only 73 cents per serving. However, there is a hassle-free 30-day “Love Our Product” guarantee that enables you to get a refund if you are not totally satisfied. 

Best Vegan Protein Powder for Muscle Gain: Kaged Plantein

The claim that you can not build muscle while eating plant-based is simply not true. As a registered dietitian, I have worked with several vegetarian and vegan clients who are very physically active and gain muscle with ease. This is achievable with vegan protein powders like Kaged Plantein, which delivers 25 grams of pea protein per serving, along with 4.5 grams of high-quality branched-chain amino acids and all nine essential amino acids. 

There are three branched-chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine, and valine. BCAAS have been positively linked to decreasing recovery time after working out by mitigating muscle soreness and aiding in the repair of muscle tissue damage that routinely occurs during exercise. Leucine specifically has come under the microscope because of its potential effects on achieving desired weight goals and improving lean body mass composition (1)(2)

Our product testing team gave Kaged Plantein 5 out of 5 stars for its formulation. It has 150 calories, which is slightly higher than other vegan protein powders we’ve tried but still a standard amount. It also has two grams of carbs and four grams of fat.

Our tester appreciated that this low-carb vegan protein powder offers atypical flavor options like Banana Bread and Cinnamon Roll instead of the usual chocolate or vanilla offerings. These flavor options make mixing Kaged Plantein into baked goods all the more appealing. Who doesn’t want high-protein cinnamon rolls for breakfast?

Our team and online reviewers also agree that this product blends well. We had no complaints about its dissolvability when we mixed it in a shaker bottle, so we gave it 5 out of 5 stars for solubility.

Best Vegan Protein Powder for Women: Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake

If you are on the hunt for a vegan protein powder that has a shockingly good consistency when blended, tastes great, and is packed with nutrients — look no further. Ritual Daily Shake 18+ scored high nearly across the board with our product review team members. They enjoyed the flavor, consistency, and how well it dissolved. However, great taste and solubility aside, the nutrients in this protein powder are what make it our top choice as the best vegan protein powder for women. 

This low-fat and low-carb powder offers 20 grams of protein, 150 milligrams of choline, three grams of iron, and 493 milligrams of l-methionine per serving. Choline is a nutrient that is particularly important for the proper uptake of omega-3 fatty acids. (3) Omega-3 is potentially responsible for improving fertility and pregnancy health, decreasing cognitive concerns like dementia (which are more common for women than men), and improving uterine blood flow. (4)(5)

The addition of methionine is useful due to its essential role in micronutrient pathways — in other words, it plays a huge role in the way we metabolize vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate. All three of these nutrients are particularly important for women of childbearing age. They assist in converting food to energy, making healthy red blood cells, and developing the nervous system during pregnancy. (6)

To reap the full nutrient benefits of Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake, you can supplement with it in many ways. Most reviewers report ease of mixability in water, but you can definitely add this to other ingredients to boost your protein intake more. One of my favorite, most refreshing ways to make a high-protein snack is popsicles. Simply mix the vegan protein powder with pureed fruit, honey, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt, then throw it into pre-made popsicle molds and leave it to chill in the freezer. 

Best Organic Vegan Protein Powder: Orgain Organic Protein

Trivia time. Did you know that if a dietary supplement receives the USDA Organic certification, it means that it is also non-GMO? Obtaining this certification is no small feat, and manufacturers have to meet very specific requirements. This third-party verification is also a good way to know you can trust a brand when it comes to ingredient quality. Third-party testing is optional and shows that a company cares. 

Orgain Organic Protein is able to label their vegan protein powder as “organic” because it contains a minimum of 95 percent organic ingredients. (7) Its protein blend comprises organic pea, organic brown rice, and organic chia seed. It also has 10 other certified organic ingredients listed on its nutrition label, including organic acacia, organic rosemary extract, and organic high oleic sunflower oil. 

On the back of the container, you will notice a label that says “Certified Plant Based.” This means that Orgain Organic Protein has also undergone extra steps to ensure it is free of meat, eggs, and dairy products. 

Of 4,812 reviews at the time of this writing, this organic plant-based protein powder holds a 4.5 out of five-star rating on their website. It is difficult to say which flavor option is the most favorite among their online customers, as several reviewers state that you can’t go wrong with any of them. Many people report mixing it into water, almond milk, soy milk, protein shakes, smoothies, and overnight oats.

The few users who rated this protein powder low online report artificial sweetness as the main reason, presumably due to misconceptions about the xanthan gum it contains. However, xanthan gum does not contribute to the product’s sweetness. It is a food additive used to stabilize the protein powder. The powder uses stevia extract as a natural sweetener. 

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Best Vanilla Vegan Protein Powder: Onnit Plant-Based Protein

The Onnit Plant-based Powder is our top pick for the best vanilla vegan protein powder. It scored highly with our product review team, and users online seem to agree.

This product holds 4.3 out of 5 stars for quality and 4.1 out of 5 stars for value on the Onnit website. Full disclosure, our team gave the price per serving rating 1 out of 5 stars. At around $2.25 per serving, it’s one of the most expensive plant-based protein powders we tried. Other products like Transparent Labs Rice & Pea Protein Powder and Swolverine Plant Protein cost less than $2.200 per serving.

However, we gave it a 4 out of 5 for solubility. Reviewers who rate this product lowly on the Onnit site attribute their low scoring to its chalky texture once mixed. Our review team members noted a faint gritty mouthfeel as well but reported that it blended well overall. 

Our Breaking Muscle team and Onnit customers have a positive consensus on the side effects of this vegan protein powder. Most agree that there is no bloating or lingering gut discomfort that is sometimes reported with high-protein supplements.

One of my favorite recipe bases came from an Onnit Plant-based Protein powder reviewer. For a peanut butter cup-flavored drink, blend a scoop of vanilla-flavored protein powder with a scoop of peanut butter, a few ice cubes, and chocolate almond milk. 

Best Chocolate Vegan Protein Powder: Onnit Plant-Based Protein

Fellow chocolate lovers, we have not forgotten about you. And no, you are not having deja vu. Onnit Plant-based Protein powder is so tasty that it claims the spot for not only the best vanilla protein powder but also the best chocolate vegan protein powder. 

For only 110 calories, this protein powder packs a punch with 21 grams of protein for every 33.8-gram scoop. It is also low in carbs and fat, with three grams and 1.5 grams, respectively. The protein amount comes from a combination of pea protein concentrate, pumpkin seed protein powder, sunflower seed protein powder, and watermelon seed protein powder. At this time, it has a rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Onnit’s website. 

Customers report really loving the chocolate flavoring Onnit Plant-based Protein offers. They claim it is not overly sweet and has a rich taste. Our product tester also tried the Mexican Chocolate flavor and noted that it really did taste more unique than other chocolate protein powders she’s tried. She even said that it tasted like a dairy-free chocolate milkshake and rated it 4 out of 5 stars.

To nutritionally fortify your favorite desserts, try adding a scoop of this chocolate vegan protein powder to no-bake cheesecake bites, oatmeal protein balls, dark chocolate chip cookies, or frozen yogurt strawberry bark. 

Best Vegan Protein Powder for Weight Loss: Swolverine Plant Protein

We give Swolverine Plant Protein 5 out of 5 stars for its low-carb, low-fat, and low-calorie vegan formula. It wasn’t a competition when deciding which vegan protein powder should be crowned the best for weight loss. 

Swolverine Plant Protein contains 22 grams of pea protein isolate and 7.7 grams of pumpkin protein. Although the number of actual ratings is low on their website — only 44 reviews total — they are still crushing it with 98 percent of reviewers giving them 5 out of 5 stars.

Based on our testing experience, it blends well with a simple shaker bottle and water. While it was slightly grainy, it didn’t leave large clumps behind after blending.

It also tastes fantastic. Our team tried the Salted Caramel flavor and we have to say, it actually tastes like salted caramel. Many reviewers online also report mixing it with bananas and oatmeal, making high-protein peanut butter sandwiches with the Chocolate flavor (which is out of stock as of this writing), and blending it with plain ole oat milk. 

Since this protein powder has a manageable amount of calories (130), total fat (2.5 grams), and total carbohydrates (three grams) per scoop, it can easily fit into your weight loss plan. Check out the “Macronutrients” heading below for a more detailed explanation of how to calculate your daily calorie and macronutrient needs. 

RELATED: Best Supplements for Weight Loss

Best Vegan Protein Powder for Bodybuilding: Legion Plant+

Bodybuilding with vegan protein powder? If you nourish your body appropriately, plant-based proteins can absolutely assist you in bulking muscle mass and increasing strength. From a hearty dose of electrolytes to a high protein content, the Legion Plant+ vegan protein powder is our top choice for a bodybuilding supplement. 

To prevent dehydration and muscle cramps, Legion Plant+ offers 590 milligrams of sodium and 225 milligrams of calcium. Both of these minerals can be classified as electrolytes, and research supports their use during and after workouts to help maintain a good fluid status.

Scientists have found that our bodies have a greater response to self-regulating fluid during high-volume, moderate-intensity exercises (like bulking with bodybuilding) when compared to low-volume, high-intensity training. (8) This means that your body is more likely to use the electrolytes found in Legion Plant+ in an appropriate way to keep you hydrated when training at a moderate intensity. 

Of 1,162 verified purchase reviews, Legion’s vegan protein powder has 4.42 out of 5 stars. Customers especially enjoy the array of flavors, which they find unique and tasty.

Best Unflavored Vegan Protein Powder: Bulk Supplements Soy Protein Isolate

You would be surprised at how often I am asked for unflavored protein powder recommendations. Plant-based protein powders are notorious for their plant-like flavored aftertastes. Many companies add sweeteners to mask the protein’s flavor, but then users report that these products taste either too sweet or too artificial. To keep things simple, Bulk Supplements Soy Protein Isolate consists of only one ingredient: soy protein isolate. 

I have read thousands of nutrition facts labels by now, and Bulk Supplement’s vegan protein powder is one of the most interesting ones I have looked over. In one 30-gram serving, you will get 27 grams of protein, 110 calories, zero grams of fat, zero grams of carbohydrates, and 220 milligrams of sodium — all from isolated soy protein.

This specific type of protein introduces you to varying amounts of 18 amino acids that may assist in boosting your immune system, regulating your metabolism, increasing your muscle strength, building muscle, and keeping you literally standing upright. 

There are not a lot of reviews on their website online. However, based on the 58 ratings that are available, this protein powder is 4.7 out of 5 stars. The few reviewers who did not give a perfect 5 out of 5 reported that the flavor was too bitter for their liking. This is likely due to it having no added sugars or artificial sweeteners.

That said, several people stated that routine supplementation helped to improve their digestive tract health by decreasing bloating, promoting more regular bowel movements, and improving muscle mass. 

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Best Gluten-Free Vegan Protein Powder: Vega Sport Premium Plant-Based Protein

Following a gluten-free diet does not mean you can no longer enjoy food. In fact, there are plenty of gluten-free nutrition products that taste great and nourish your body well. It was easy to choose our top pick for the best gluten-free vegan protein powder to help you live a gluten-free lifestyle: Vega Sport Premium Plant-Based Protein. 

Vega is known for delivering third-party tested, high-protein, very nutritious plant-powered protein powders. They have set the bar high with their gluten-free, non-GMO vegan protein powder. Available in five distinct flavors, reviewers are pleased with how well this vegan protein powder blends into baked goods, breakfast cereals, and on-the-go smoothies. Per their website, they meet the expectations of over 95 percent of their verified purchasers. 

Many users report that they have bought other plant-based, gluten-free protein powders before but feel like those products fall flat compared to Vega Sport Premium Plant-Based Protein. Like most plant-based protein powders, Vega also manufactures theirs with stevia. Users are pleased with this product not having a strong artificially sweet taste and not tasting like a plant by-product.

Customers report purchasing the mocha and vanilla flavor options. However, all of the flavor options available are reported to blend excellently into coffee, gluten-free bread products, and yogurt-based protein bowls. 

RELATED: Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain

Benefits of Vegan Protein Powder 

Plant-based protein powder is packed with nutrients that are beneficial to your overall health and well-being. A few of the specific benefits vegan protein powder has to offer are: 

• Potential protective factors from major illnesses, such as heart disease, anemia, diabetes, poor bone density, and kidney disease 
• The ability to help you increase overall protein intake, which is especially useful for sports nutrition 
• Improved muscle mass and strength 
• Delayed onset of fatigue post-workout 
• Enhanced performance from better endurance 

Potential Side Effects of Vegan Protein Powder

The most common side effect of any protein powder is gastrointestinal (GI) tract discomfort. This can come in the form of gas, bloating, loose bowel movements, or stomach cramps.

Because all dietary supplements come with some amount of risk for upsetting the GI tract, check the label for any ingredients that you know upset your belly. This is especially important if you have any food intolerances or food allergies.

I generally recommend starting any new protein powder off in a small amount. For example, try supplementing with half of the recommended amount for the first two weeks and monitor your symptoms to see if you have any adverse effects. 

How Much Vegan Protein Powder Should You Take Every Day?

Protein powders should serve as a supplemental form of nutrition to your daily intake of whole-food protein sources and are not recommended as routine meal replacements. Try not to exceed more than a third of your daily protein needs in the form of powder supplementation. If your protein goal is 100 grams a day and you eat three times daily, you can incorporate ~33 grams of powder-derived protein into your diet a day.

Of course, there will always be extenuating circumstances, such as medical concerns like malabsorption, that will require a large volume of protein powder supplementation. If you are ever concerned about the amount of protein powder you are supplementing with, get with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) to help you decipher what is appropriate for your individualized needs to ensure you are getting enough protein.

What To Look For in a Vegan Protein Powder

There are several things to consider when looking into vegan protein powder. Unlike whey protein powder, plant-based protein powders will have varied amounts of macronutrients — particularly carbohydrates — depending on the brand you decide to roll with. They tend to also be pricier than animal-based protein powders, so it’s important to take cost into consideration. Furthermore, third-party testing and certifications are some of the best ways to verify the product’s ingredient quality and integrity.

Macronutrients 

There are only three macronutrients — carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Before you determine the macro breakdown of your plant-based protein powder, it’s important to calculate how much of each nutrient to consume in a day.

To do this, break it down into numbers. Aim to get 10 to 35 percent of your total daily calories from protein, 45 to 65 percent from carbohydrates, and 20 to 35 percent from fat.

Since the amount of each macron