7 Best Vegan Protein Powders in 2024, Selected by Dietitians and Taste-Tested by Our Team

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 vetted more than a dozen plant-based protein powders, while our testers weighed in on flavor. Here are the ones they recommend.

• Ritual Essential Protein Daily Shake 18+: This powder is third-party tested, Informed Sport certified, and made from traceable ingredients, including organic pea protein sourced from U.S.-grown peas. Plus, at just 115 calories, 0 g of sugar, and 3 g of fiber per serving, it may be a good choice for those looking to lose weight. However, our tester wasn’t impressed with the flavor, which she felt tasted artificial, or the thick texture.
• Gainful Personalized Protein Powder: We were intrigued by Gainful’s customization options (you can add flavor boosts to create your own mix), but the texture fell short for us. It remained somewhat grainy mixed with almond milk and in a smoothie. With only 10 servings in a container, it has a high price per serving compared with other options on our list.
• Orgain Simple Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder: This protein powder contains 35% of the daily value (DV) for iron, making it a good choice for people who menstruate. It’s also organic and free of sugar substitutes. However, in testing, we found it to be a little too sweet, with 5 g of added sugar (from coconut sugar) per serving. Additionally, while Orgain says on its website that all of its products have been third-party tested, it doesn’t disclose any information about the testing organization.

• Ingredient quality: The powders on our list 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: We included protein powders that contain 3 g or less of added sugar per serving, with the exception of one product.
• 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 on our list have mostly positive online reviews.
• Brand quality: The products we chose 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 Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Testing: Many of the protein powders we selected have been tested by third-party labs to ensure quality, purity, and potency.
• Personal experience: Our editors tested all but one of the protein powders that made our list.

• Name: Kelli McGrane, MS, RD
• Role: Healthline contributor, registered dietitian, cookbook author

My experience with protein powders: Despite my best efforts to eat a balanced diet, between being a full-time working mom with two toddlers and not always having the best appetite, I often fall short of meeting my nutrient needs for the day.

While I occasionally drink protein powder with just oat milk in a shaker bottle after a hard workout, I primarily use protein powders in smoothies, along with leafy greens, frozen fruit, and hemp or chia seeds.

I’ve easily tried more than 15 protein powders over the years, and I almost always have containers of both chocolate and vanilla powders in my pantry.

• Name: Chelsea Logan
• Role: Healthline senior editor

My experience with protein powders: I eat a pretty balanced diet, but I like to supplement with protein powders from time to time to ensure I’m getting enough protein. I was vegetarian for over 20 years before transitioning to fully vegan 2 years ago.

I’ve probably tried around 10 protein powders over the years. I generally prefer unflavored and unsweetened varieties, though sometimes I’ll switch it up and use a flavored option. With flavored protein powders, I prefer something that’s not too sweet, and I’m more likely to choose something with sugar than a sugar substitute.

I usually consume protein powder mixed into a smoothie with almond milk, frozen fruit, and sometimes other ingredients like ground flaxseed.

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, 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 customer reviews to see what people have to say about the powder’s texture. 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 suitable.

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 to 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.

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.

Look for products that have undergone third-party testing. If you’re a competitive athlete, be sure to 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.