The best vegan protein powder is a great way to build lean muscle, maintain a healthy weight, and support immunity, skin, hair and nails. Mix it into a shake with a plant-based milk and you’ve got a fast and nutritious drink on the go.
But what’s the big deal about protein? As an essential macronutrient, it’s an important part of a healthy diet, and is made up of chemical ‘building blocks’ called amino acids. The body uses these for energy, to build and repair muscles, bones and cells and to support the immune system.
Whether you follow a vegan diet or are just trying to cut back on animal products, these supplements are an easy way to get a decent amount of protein into your day - usually around 20-30 grams per serving. As well as protein, they often come packed with other nutrients and antioxidants to keep you healthy.
At Live Science we rigorously test all the products we mention, so that you can trust that they are high quality and do what they say. With these best protein powders, our tester analyzed the texture, to note how smooth (or otherwise) they were, and we did several taste tests with various milks and water, to see if it matched up to the advertised flavor.
While it’s true, a vegan diet may not seem like a high protein option, actually you don’t need to eat meat to get protein. You can easily get enough from a combination of high protein plant-based foods including nuts, seeds and legumes, and a high quality vegan protein powder. And the great news? As well as helping you to build muscle, a decent vegan protein powder can also promote weight loss, because it keeps you fuller for longer.
If you’re interested in other protein powders, don’t miss our guide to the best protein powders for women and the best protein powders. And read on for our in-depth review of the best vegan protein powders on the market, as tested by our team.
The best vegan protein powder we tried
Huel, better known for its plant-based meal replacement powders, has branched out into flavored products and nutritionally balanced snacks, including this impressive protein powder, which pulls off the rare feat of achieving excellent flavor and texture in a plant-based product alongside a complete nutrition package.
Reviewers are impressed with the taste - "by far the best tasting protein drink I’ve tried," says one reviewer. The main objection in the reviews is the price, especially when compared to non-plant-based protein powders. At the same time they mostly acknowledge that the nutritional profile and ingredients are of a quality that justifies the price.
It’s not intended as a meal replacement or for your sole source of nutrition, as it has a lower calorie and carbohydrate profile than would be recommended for a complete meal, but nevertheless it is a nutritionally complete high protein snack. Using pea, faba pea and hemp seed as its protein source, it contains all 26 recommended vitamins and minerals and meets the UK and EU recommendations for macro- and micronutrients.
There are a couple of drawbacks. There’s a minimum order of two tubs, and it doesn’t come in sample sizes, which might make you reluctant to commit to a particular flavor. However, the taste is delicious, and it mixes really smoothly. Overall, this was our favourite protein powder we tested.
MyProtein is known for its reliable products that offer no-frills value for money. Its vegan protein powder fits this bill.
It scores 4.2 of 5 on Amazon (although a less enthusiastic 3.25 on the MyProtein site) has many fans. "Really, REALLY tasty", raves one reviewer. Not everyone is convinced. "The ingredients are all good, high protein, low carbs, sugar and fat. Now for the taste. First of all it tastes nothing like any chocolate I have ever tasted before. I can't work out if the flavor you get is perfume, soap or crushed up vitamins."
Made in a wide range of flavors (admittedly, not as many as the bewildering 40+ flavors that its whey protein comes in, but still more than most of its vegan counterparts), it provides a hefty 22g of protein per serving, for just 110 calories.
As you’d expect with a value product, it’s not as natural as some of the more expensive vegan protein powders. It contains processed ingredients such as high-oleic sunflower oil, xanthan gum and sucralose, and strict vegans and vegetarians should know that MyProtein also produces products such as beef biltong, hydrolyzed beef protein and fish oils.
The flavors aren’t to everyone’s taste - we found the chocolate flavor to be very unchocolatey and rather artificial. Moreover, some of our testers experienced a slightly unpleasant ‘cotton mouth’ sensation after trying this protein powder. However, it mixes well and doesn’t overpower the flavor when blended with fruit, peanut butter or other ingredients.
This protein powder is designed by vegan nutritionists and made with a blend of five different types of protein.
It scores 4.2 stars of 5 on Amazon overall. However, one reviewer rates the flavor as "insanely terrible". At the other end of the scale, a fan says, "I've tried a few plant based protein shakes and they've all tasted like old carpet. I was expecting similar with this one though I was hoping it might at least be new carpet flavor but OMG it tastes great. "
This protein powder actually delivers the largest helping of protein of all, coming in at a punchy 25.1g per serving. Be aware that one of those protein sources is soy, which Dr. Abbas Dehghan, a medical doctor and reader in cardiometabolic disease at Imperial College London, recommends but which is also a common allergen.
It isn’t the easiest vegan protein powder to blend - we found that you really need a metal spiral or a blender to get a smooth consistency - and it’s definitely designed for those with a sweet tooth. Nonetheless, it worked well with water as well as plant-based milks and did not feel overwhelming when blended with fruit or peanut butter. A big plus for The Protein Works is that it offers two additional versions of this protein powder: a diet one (with fewer calories) and an ‘extreme’ one (infused with a mineral and vitamin blend). Strict vegans and vegetarians should note that this brand also produces products such as whey protein and fish oils.
Anyone who competes in athletic events will know how important it is not to take any banned substances, either deliberately or inadvertently.
In reviews on Amazon it scores 4.1 of 5. Some reviewers note that it’s expensive compared with other vegan protein powders. As another points out, however, "There are cheaper vegan protein supplements out there, but the ones I've checked out tend to compromise on the quality, they often 'pad out' their mixes… In many respects, you get what you pay for."
With this protein powder you can be confident that you’ll not breach any doping regulations. All batches are screened for banned substances on the Informed Sport program.
The flavor and texture are pretty good, although it’s a pity it only comes in chocolate and banana flavor. A wider choice, including vanilla, would be welcome, and it only comes in one size (although the pouch arguably makes it more environmentally friendly than a tub). Strict vegans may have some reservations about purchasing from a manufacturer that also produces non-vegan products, including whey products and fish oils.
If you're a fan of using creatine powder, we found this product mixed extremely well together with creatine and water too.
Bulk is a reliable manufacturer of good value protein powder, and the vegan version is no exception.
Overall, reviewers are pretty enthusiastic, awarding it 4.1 stars of 5 overall. Fans praise it for not including artificial ingredients, especially sweeteners, and many find it delicious. Critics of the flavor are inventive in their descriptions. "It tastes like green peas in coffee", and "more chemical latte than caramel latte", say two reviewers about the caramel latte flavor.
Made up of five different protein sources, it provides a chunky 23g of protein per serving, although with a carbohydrate content a little higher than some others at 5.5g. It comes in a dizzying array of flavors, plus an unflavored version, and includes digestive enzymes in an otherwise reassuringly small list of ingredients. Vegans and vegetarians should be aware that Bulk also produces products such as beef jerky, fish jerky and fish oils.
Where it falls down, in our opinion and that of many, is in the flavor. The stevia flavor is rather overpowering and it’s extremely sweet, but without much depth of flavor (although many reviewers enjoy the taste). However, its superb consistency - thick, creamy and easily blendable - makes it easy to enjoy this protein powder on its own with water or milk, or as a component of fruit smoothies and desserts. As with quite a few of the other vegan protein powders, it is made by a manufacturer that makes non-vegan products, although that presumably is one of the reasons they can keep the cost down.
Innermost Health takes a holistic approach to its products - it claims to use science, research and "best practices from Ayurvedic and Asian medicine" in crafting its products.
It scores an impressive 5 stars on the Innermost website, with most reviewers giving glowing feedback on the taste, praising its "delicious, creamy taste". One reviewer was disappointed with the vanilla flavor, saying they struggled to taste the vanilla and could taste the peas and brown rice, but most are positive about the flavors.
This plant-based protein powder ticks those boxes, combining an exceptionally high 31g of protein per serving with immune-supporting ingredients such as glutamine and medicinal mushrooms (shiitake, maitake, reishi and cordyceps). It does have a slightly higher calorie count than most of the other vegan protein powders with 150 calories per serving.
There’s a strong emphasis on natural and non-GMO ingredients, but the protein powder is sweetened with sucralose, an artificial sweetener, and vegans and vegetarians should be aware that some of their products, such as the collagen peptides, are not vegetarian.
We found the flavor pleasant, though we were aware of a slightly unusual underlying flavor, perhaps due to the unusual list of ingredients, and it mixed well.
This protein powder ticks most boxes when it comes to protein powders.
Some reviewers criticize it as being overly sweet and sickly, but most praise it for being one of the best-tasting vegan protein powders out there. "Not overly sweet which you find with other protein shakes, mixes really well so it’s not grainy and doesn’t clump together on the bottom/side."
Made by a giant in the industry, Optimum Nutrition, it is Informed Choice and Vegan Society certified, so you can be sure of the ingredients, and it delivers 24g of protein per serving. The flavor and texture are pretty good; we tried the vanilla, which had just the right hit of vanilla without being too sweet, and unlike some vegan proteins it didn't make our oatmeal go all stodgy. In fact, the powder is quite fine which means it doesn't come lumpy mixed with water or plant-based milk.
The downside for vegetarians and vegans is that Optimum Nutrition also makes whey products and sells fish oils, so it’s not a vegan company. Its plant-based eco-credentials are further marred by the fact that it only comes in a plastic tub with a plastic scoop.
There’s much to love about this protein powder.
Most of the reviews can be summed up in the words of this reviewer: "The taste is great, it is a quality product with added extras like probiotics, it has responsible eco packaging and whilst it is pricier than others on the market, all of the before mentioned make this worth it."
Packing a powerful protein punch from high quality, plant-based proteins, it also tastes pretty good. We found the texture to be pleasantly smooth and creamy. The powder is easy to mix and the flavors are fun, though some of them may come across as way too sweet. They may also overpower the taste when blended with other ingredients. Still, it’s worth trying Form out. Their protein powder is enriched with 5g of glutamine and 5g of BCAA per serving, making it a perfect muscle building supplement. It also contains several digestive enzymes and is devoid of artificial flavorings and thickeners, which can be helpful for people suffering from gastrointestinal issues. The addition of curcumin to combat inflammation is a nice touch.
Vegans can rest assured that it comes from a business only selling plant-based products (even the omega oils are vegan). It’s not cheap, but most flavors are available in smaller sample sizes, and you are getting a product that is kind to the environment in every way (there’s no plastic scoop and the packaging is 100% plastic-free and compostable).
It’s not surprising it’s won awards. Reviewers are enthusiastic about the protein to calorie ratio and the flavors. It’s not to everybody’s taste - there are grumbles from some about the flavor, powdery texture and excessive sweetness.
There’s a bit of a trade-off with this protein powder.
It has a slightly underwhelming 3.9 stars of 5 on Amazon. Although plenty of happy customers love the flavors, some find it too sweet (which was our experience). "I REALLY wanted to like something about these but unfortunately the taste was really artificial and the texture like eating wet sand", laments one.
While three out of the four flavors come in at under 100 calories, so it may appeal to anyone watching their caloric intake (and see Dr Dehghan’s comments on this, above), the flip-side is that the protein content is a little lower than in most. It has a good level of sweetness and a pleasant, subtle flavor that works well with a wide range of ingredients. Nonetheless, Misfits powder does not blend easily and you need to give it a good shake or stir before serving.
Vegans will appreciate the purely plant-based ethos and product range of Misfits. Better still, the packaging is biodegradable and even the ink used is eco-friendly. Misfits works with Climate Partner to offset its emissions and aims to be plastic-free by 2022. This protein powder isn’t the cheapest, and it’s only available in one size - another trade-off.
Mikuna is a relatively new brand, on a mission to introduce the US to Chocho, the Andean-grown, plant-based protein. According to the brand, this whole food source helped to nourish the Incan civilizations thousands of years ago.
Chocho is a lupini variety that grows high in the Andes. It is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids, as well as vitamins E and D, and calcium. One serving of Mikeuna’s Superfood Protein also contains 7g of dietary fiber.
Plus, if sustainability is important to you, chocho is a regenerative plant, meaning it is drought-tolerant, solely rain-watered and helps to fix nitrogen deep into the soil. It’s also vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO and paleo and keto-friendly.
When it comes to taste, we were in agreement with users who were hoping for a slightly richer chocolate flavor. One wrote, “It's pretty decent.. 7/10…[but] that quintessential ‘plant protein taste’ is there and a bit overpowers the chocolate taste you want”. We would agree - while the flavor certainly isn’t unpleasant, it’s not as rich and chocolatey as you expect. However, given how few ingredients it contains, and the lack of artificial sweeteners, it’s no surprise that the powder is slightly on the bitter side. It does blend well, however, and was a pleasant addition to smoothies and oatmeal.
The drawbacks? Mikuna Superfood Protein is a little higher in calories than some other brands, at 200 calories per serving. Therefore, it may not be suitable for those with weight loss goals. At around $37.79 for 15 servings (or $67.49 for 30) it’s also fairly expensive.
Packed with 22 raw sprouted organic ingredients, this vegan friendly protein powder not only mixes well, it tastes great, with none of that chalky, artificial taste here.
Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein gets 4.3 out of five stars on iherb. Reviewers praised its mix of sweetness and mixability, and said it digested well but negative reviews cited issues with the lack of sweetness, so if you are someone with a sweet tooth you may need to add a sweetener to stomach it.
But what we love about this product is that it is packed with gut-friendly goodies specifically designed for digestive health and weight loss, including fat-burning Svetol® green coffee bean extract and Ashwagandha, which can help curb cravings.
It’s also a great choice for anyone with IBS or gut issues as the added probiotics and digestive enzymes make it gentle on the tummy. Vitamins A, D, E and K are also in the powder, which can support the immune system.
We found it dissolves well mixed with water and plant-based milk and has a natural taste, but it’s quite a thick protein powder so you might need extra liquid to get the right consistency. It’s a shame it only comes in four flavors, but it’s a tasty product, especially the vanilla chai flavor we tried.
If you are after a plant-based protein powder that combines an exceptional nutritional value with high quality ingredients, look no further than the Thorne VeganPro Complex All-In-One Shake.
The VeganPro Complex All-In-One Shake scores 4.2 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Positive reviews tend to praise this protein powder for its taste, consistency and digestibility. Many users also reported that the All-In-One shake has helped them improve their exercise performance. Negative reviews, on the other hand, focus predominantly on its high price. One user also pointed out that the 15-serving packaging is not fit for purpose in larger households. “Frankly, it's inconvenient to be buying another tub every 10-14 days,” they said.
One serving of this protein powder contains only 160 calories, but packs nearly 20g of highly-digestible protein made out of fermented pea, rice and chia seeds. Not only does this blend come with all essential amino acids, but it is also free of gluten, dairy, soy and other major allergens.
But the VeganPro Complex All-in-One is much more than a mere protein supplement. One serving provides a whooping 6g of fiber, 200mg of omega-3 fatty acids, a host of vitamins and minerals, as well as a proprietary blend of medicinal mushrooms. Studies have shown that medicinal mushrooms, such as Reishi and Shiitake, may help exercise performance by boosting the immune system and improving circulation. However, it needs to be stressed that these are preliminary findings and more research is needed to understand the health effects of these supplements, according to a 2021 review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
In our tests, the Thorne VeganPro Complex All-In-One Shake did a stellar job. This protein powder mixed well with both water and milk, producing a smooth, velvety texture with no lumps or chalky aftertaste. We found both of the flavors to be tasty and rich. However, they are not overly sweet. If you are after something more indulgent, you may find the All-In-One shake a bit disappointing.
So where’s the catch? The VeganPro Complex All-In-One Shake comes with a hefty price tag, as well as a high carbohydrate content. As such, this protein powder may not be a good option for those on low-carb diets.
Ritual may be a relative newcomer to the dietary supplements market, but this brand is making some serious waves - and for a good reason.
The Ritual Daily Shake 18+ scores 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Positive reviews tend to praise this product powder for its great mixability and smooth consistency. However, the opinions were highly divided when it came to the taste. While some users enjoyed it, many pointed out that they either could not taste the vanilla, or found the flavor to be bland. As one user said, “It tasted more like toasted marshmallows”.
The source of their success lies in their commitment to using only sustainable ingredients of exceptional quality. When it comes to nutritional value and eco-credentials, Ritual offers products that easily blow many of their competitors out of the water. And their Daily Shake 18+ is no different.
With nearly 20g of organic pea protein, but only 115 calories and 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving, the Daily Shake 18+ may be a particularly good choice for those on low-carb or weight loss diets. It was formulated without soy, dairy or gluten, and contains no artificial colors of sweeteners. Moreover, it does not contain any sugar or stevia. Its sweetness comes from monk fruit and Reb-M, a natural compound made using fermented sugarcane. The Ritual flagship product is also enriched with 150 mg of choline, a nutrient essential for proper functioning of the liver, brain and muscle tissue. And according to a 2023 review published in the journal Frontiers in Endocrinology, supplementation with choline has been shown to improve cognitive function.
However, there are several major drawbacks. To start with, the Daily Shake 18+ does not offer any options - it comes in just one packaging size and only one flavor is available. Moreover, it did not perform well in our tests. We found that the hints of vanilla lacked richness and sweetness, while the caramel hints were barely detectable. Another downside was the impractical packaging. The contents of the pack are hard to reach, and the bag does not reseal properly. Last, but not least, the Daily Shake 18+ is relatively expensive.
