The 8 Best Vegan Protein Powders Of 2023 + Buying Tips

Metagenics' powder is made of pea protein—a highly bioavailable and easy-to-digest plant protein source. One 2015 study in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that men who took pea protein over a 12-week resistance training program experienced similar improvements in muscle size and strength as those who took whey protein.

On top of 20 grams of pea protein per serving (2 scoops), this powder contains an extra 3.5 grams of essential amino acids, which are important for muscle growth.

It hits the necessary leucine threshold to gain muscle thanks to added BCAAs, with an average of 2.77 grams per serving. It's a bit higher in sugar than some other options on this list, though, and its sweetness comes from cane sugar, monk fruit extract, and stevia extract.*

What it tastes like: Reviewers note that this sweet protein has a smooth flavor with none of the funky aftertastes you'll find in other plant proteins. It can be added to smoothies or shakes, or simply blended with cold water.

This plant-based blend is made from 13 raw, sprouted organic grains, seeds, and legumes including peas, brown rice, chia seed, and flax seed. There is no soy in this product. On top of 28 grams of protein per serving (including 5 grams of BCAA and a respectable 2.34 grams of leucine), it's fortified with live probiotics and enzymes to assist with digestion and decaffeinated green coffee bean extract to promote fat burn and curb cravings. It also contains a superfood blend of ashwagandha root, baobab, and cinnamon to further support healthy weight management.

Reviewers note that Garden of Life's formula is filling and effectively stops food cravings—and it's very low in sugar to boot. We appreciate that its raw ingredients are certified organic and that Garden of Life is a certified B Corporation for its commitment to sustainability.*

What it tastes like: The vanilla, chocolate, and original flavors are subtle and not too sweet, though they do have an "artificial" aftertaste and gritty texture, some reviewers note. However, it's nothing a well-formulated smoothie can't fix.

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This popular powder contains a mixture of pea, flax, quinoa, pumpkin seed, and more, making it a complete protein source. (The brand does not share its amino acid breakdown, however, so it's hard to know if the amino acid profile is balanced.) It also contains 3 grams of dietary fiber for a healthy gut and immune response and digestive enzymes and prebiotics for further gut support.*

Kos prides itself on using organic ingredients, and its lower-impact packaging is made from recycled materials.

What it tastes like: Kos powder contains coconut, monk fruit, and stevia for a rich and tasty flavor that reviewers pretty unanimously love. They note that the powder—particularly the chocolate variety—tastes great no matter what you blend it in and is especially delicious mixed with plant milk.

Truvani's simple ingredient list is what sets this plant protein powder apart. Each bag contains pea protein, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and monk fruit, plus some extra natural spices depending on the flavor—no fillers or funky additives. This powder also contains 3 grams of fiber per serving and is very low in sugar, especially when you consider how pleasantly sweet it tastes. Truvani says that one of its flavor secrets is to remove pea's pods before turning them into protein powder, which leads to a smoother and richer taste.

What it tastes like: If you have a sweet tooth, this is the plant protein powder for you. As one reviewer puts it, "It's like cake in a cup without the dairy." It's not chalky or grainy and comes in a variety of crave-able flavors including chocolate peanut butter, vanilla chai, and banana cinnamon.

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PlantFusion’s Inspire formula contains a mix of pea protein and more unique sources like artichoke protein and algae protein. It contains 4 grams of BCAAs per serving, though it's not clear what the amino acid breakdown is.

Designed specifically for women, the formula also has pomegranate extract to support hormonal balance, ashwagandha to ease stress, L-theanine to rev up focus, and biotin to promote healthy skin and nails as well as help balance blood sugar. Plus, it has added digestive enzymes for gut health and MCTs to enhance cognition and support metabolic health.*

What it tastes like: Though the powder does not contain sugar, it's sweetened with a blend of monk fruit, lucuma fruit, yacon root, and stevia. Reviewers note that this does give it a slight aftertaste, though the flavor is still pleasantly mild and the texture blends very easily into shakes and smoothies.

This pea protein powder is fortified with additional BCAAs (though the company does not share amino acid breakdowns on its website). It also contains inulin from blue agave, and digestive enzymes from pineapple for gut support.*

It's an affordable option that is well-suited for those who are new to the world of protein powders, though we don't love the plastic packaging or long list of added ingredients (including unspecified natural flavors, seed oils, and xanthan gum).

What it tastes like: Reviewers note that this powder has a strong artificial vanilla flavor that can be overpowering, so you need to doctor it up with smoothie mix-ins.

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This performance plant protein is geared towards active people who are looking to optimize recovery. It packs an impressive 25 grams of protein (from various plant sources including peas, rice, chia seeds, and more unique sources like watermelon) and contains plant-based protease enzymes.

These enzymes help assist with digestion to ensure that your body is optimally absorbing and utilizing the protein. Research shows that they can help the body take in more amino acids following a workout, and help maximize digestive comfort along the way. Ora's formula is complete, but its amino acid breakdown is unclear. Unlike other protein powders that can be taken at any time of day, Ora recommends consuming this one within 30 minutes of a workout to reap the most recovery and muscle-building benefits.*

What it tastes like: Ora's formula has a simple ingredient list, but it has more sugar (from organic coconut sugar and organic stevia extract) than any other option on our list. This leads to a pleasantly sweet taste that goes down extra easy thanks to the digestive enzymes.

This powder has a keto-friendly ratio of protein to fat, making it a good pick for vegans who are keto or following a low-carb diet. It contains 10 grams of plant-based protein (from peas) and 13 grams of organic, plant-based fats (from coconut oil, avocado oil and cocoa butter). It can be consumed on its own or combined with MCT oil for a satiating serving of protein and healthy fats to hold you over until your next meal.

With its lower protein count, however, this isn't the best pick for building muscle. Its amino acid count is not listed either.

What it tastes like: The taste of this powder is hit or miss among reviewers; some note that it's easy to blend into smoothies and hot beverages like coffee while others find it too lumpy and artificial for their liking.

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It depends what you're looking for. Whey is a complete protein, making it more effective at stimulating muscle growth and recovery. However, research has found that they both have positive impacts on providing our body with diverse amino acids, while supporting healthy body composition and muscle density.*

Conventional whey protein comes with sustainability considerations and won't be suitable for vegans or those with certain sensitivities. In those cases, vegan protein powder is a good alternative.