What are the benefits of vegan protein powders?

Protein is key for good health, and this is often a nutrient that vegans struggle to get enough of. “Vegan protein powders can help meet your daily protein goals, especially if you’re in a time crunch or are low on groceries and not able to prepare a full meal,” says Larsen.

How often should you take vegan protein powders?

As with most processed foods, moderation is key. “While protein powders can be a fan favorite for many people, I always strive to encourage a whole-food, plant-rich diet approach as the foundation for anyone's nutrition ,” says Jonathan Isbill, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian and health educator in Columbus, IN. “ Vegan protein powders, while rich in plant proteins are often void of the beneficial fiber and other nutrients found in whole food plants like phytochemicals, antioxidants, and additional vitamins and minerals.”

Do vegan protein powders expire?

Yes, so be sure to check the expiration date on the protein powder you purchase. “Every manufactured product has a given shelf life for safety, efficacy, and optimal nutritional quality,” says Isbill.

The 9 Best Vegan Protein Powders of 2023

When it comes to vegan protein powders, you have hundreds of options to choose from. And some of those picks are infinitely better than others. That’s why we asked registered dietitians and nutrition experts which ones they recommend.

Byrdie Researched & Approved

Team Byrdie’s top pick is Puori Plant Protein Booster, a non-GMO option that includes calcium derived from sea algae, a great option for those who don't consume dairy. It's low-calorie and doesn't contain any additives or extra ingredients. We love that its purity is certified by the Clean Label Project. For something more affordable, consider Orgain's Plant Based Protein Powder, which tastes delicious and contains amino acids and iron.

“Vegan protein powders can be a great way to meet your daily protein needs, especially if you struggle to consume enough protein when following a plant-based vegan diet,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES. “These powders can also provide a good source of on-the-go nutrition as many are fortified with additional vitamins, minerals, and nutrients beyond protein alone.”

We conducted hours of research on the best vegan protein powders, evaluating them quality standards, active ingredients—including any additional supplements or additives
(like sugar or sugar substitutes). We also had a look at the types of vegan proteins included in the blend, and if the ingredient lists are organic. After consulting with a board of registered dieticians, we narrowed down our selection for the best in show. Do note that all the products on this list have met quality control standards, and are endorsed by a registered dietician for its safety and efficacy.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Puori Plant Protein Booster at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Orgain Plant Based Protein Powder Creamy Chocolate Fudge at Amazon

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Best Value:

Amazing Grass Plant Protein Superfood Powder at Amazon

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Best for Minimalists:

Noosh Unsweetened Almond Protein Powder Unflavored at Amazon

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Best for Athletes:

Momentous Whey Protein Chocolate at Amazon

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Best Organic:

Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein Powder at Amazon

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Best Veggie-Infused:

Vega Protein & Greens Berry at Amazon

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Best for Baking:

PEScience Vegan Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter at Amazon

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Best Adaptogenic:

Four Sigmatic Plant-Based Protein Can Unflavored at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look for in Vegan Protein Powders
Protein Bioavailability
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

4.5

Amazon

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What We Like

Minimal ingredient list
Vegan source of calcium
Non-GMO

What We Don't Like

Contains steviol glycoside

“I recommend this protein powder, as it has been tested for chemicals, toxins, and contaminants by the Clean Label Project and was granted its Purity Certification,” says Elle Wittneben, RD, CSOWM, a registered dietitian at Greater Boston Urology. “The powder includes a vegan source of calcium, a very important benefit for people who do not eat dairy.” Per serving, you get 10 grams of protein and 220 milligrams of calcium (17 percent of the daily value) for only 50 calories. The calcium, interestingly, comes from sea algae.

Price at time of publish: $27

Key Ingredients: Pea protein isolate, algae calcium, and steviol glycoside | Flavors: Unflavored | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 1 scoop (13 g) | Certified: Clean Label Project purity certification

Orgain Organic Protein

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What We Like

Only 150 calories
No added sugars
Non-GMO
Blends easily

What We Don't Like

Contains erythritol and stevia

“This organic plant-based protein powder provides 21 grams of vegan protein with only 150 calories per serving, making it a great choice for anyone looking to increase their protein while staying within their calories goal,” says Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, author of 2 Day Diabetes Diet and a nutrition advisory board member for Orgain. “I also love that this protein powder contains a complete amino acid profile and has no added sugars or artificial sweeteners.” Each serving also provides 35 percent of the daily value for iron. We love that this product is certified organic and adheres to ethical quality standard regulations, including kosher certification.

Price at time of publish: $27

Key Ingredients: Organic pea protein, organic brown rice protein, organic chia seeds, and organic acacia | Flavors: 10 | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 2 scoops (46 g) | Certified: USDA organic, plant-based, kosher

Amazing Grass Plant Protein Superfood Powder Vanilla

Amazon

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What We Like

Gluten-free
No added sugars
Non-GMO

What We Don't Like

Contains stevia

“This protein powder contains whole food ingredients that you can pronounce,” says Ashley Nader, RD, a registered dietitian in Charlotte, NC. “We want to be fueling our bodies with quality ingredients and eliminating sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners. Also, one serving contains less than 1 gram of sugar, without any artificial sweeteners.” This product contains stevia, which has has no carbohydrates, calories, or artificial ingredients. However, we should note that not everybody likes the taste. In each serving, you get 20 grams of protein. We love that this product is certified organic and adheres to ethical quality standard regulations, including kosher certification.

Price at time of publish: $41

Key Ingredients: Protein blend, green food blend, organic coconut oil creamer, organic flavor | Flavors: Vanilla | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 1 scoop (37 g) | Certified: CCOF organic certified, kosher

Noosh Unsweetened Almond Protein Powder Unflavored

Amazon

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What We Like

Minimal ingredient list
Creamy texture
Single-serve packets are easy to use

What We Don't Like

Not for those with a nut allergy

“This is a favorite of mine,” says EA Stewart, MBA, RD, owner of Spicy RD Nutrition. “Almonds are the only ingredient, the taste is mild, and it has a nice, creamy texture. As a bonus, Noosh provides 21 grams of plant-based protein per serving and 5 grams of fiber.” This protein powder is particularly useful for adding to baked goods, such as muffins or pancakes. It comes in a single-serve packet for easy use. We love that this product is certified non-GMO and adheres to kosher manufacturing standards.

Price at time of publish: $30

Key Ingredients: Almond protein powder | Flavors: Unflavored | Age Range: Any | Dosage: 1 packet (35 g) | Certified: Non-GMO, kosher, certified Women’s Business Enterprise

Momentous Essential Plant-Based Protein Chocolate

Amazon

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What We Like

Gluten-free
Non-GMO

What We Don't Like

Contains steviol glycosides

“As a sports dietitian, I often recommend Momentous plant-based protein since it is NSF-certified for sport, which is a third party that ensures the product is free of banned substances,” says Kelly Jones, RD, founder of Student-Athlete Nutrition. “This is great whether you’re an athlete or not, but the powder itself has a really smooth texture and there was intention in its development for the ratios of essential amino acids.” Per serving, you get 20 grams of protein. We love that this product is certified as a sport nutrition supplement.

Price at time of publish: $54

Key Ingredients: Pea protein isolate, rice protein concentrate, cocoa, medium-chain triglycerides | Flavors: Unflavored, Vanilla, Chocolate | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 1 packet (38 g) | Certified: NSF certified sport, informed sport

Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein Powder

Amazon

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What We Like

No added sugars
Promotes gut health
Only 110 calories

What We Don't Like

Facility handles milk and eggs

Unflavored protein powders make a great canvas for anything from baked goods to smoothies. “This product contains no sugar or sugar substitutes, has 22 grams of protein per serving with all nine essential amino acids, and is NSF certified,” says Ashley Larsen, RD, a registered dietitian in Fresno, CA. “There are also added probiotics for additional gut health benefits. When using an unflavored protein, you can add your own flavor with fruit or use it with a pancake or waffle mix.” Plus, each serving contains only 110 calories. We love that this brand is certified organic and non-GMO, and adheres to quality ethical manufacturing standards, including sport and kosher certifications.

Price at time of publish: $34

Key Ingredients: Organic pea protein, organic sprouted brown rice protein, organic amaranth sprout, and organic buckwheat sprout | Flavors: Unflavored | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 1 scoop (28 g) | Certified: USDA Organic, non-GMO, NSF, gluten-free, Informed-Choice Trusted by sport, kosher

Vega

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What We Like

Gluten-free
Various flavors available
No added sugars

What We Don't Like

Facility handles milk and eggs
Contains stevia

Hello, veggies! “This powder has fiber, which is a win for any protein powder,” says registered dietitian Cristina Sifuentes-Ayala, RD, CSP, IBCLC. Per serving, you get 20 grams of protein, as well as a dose of veggies from pea protein, spinach powder, beetroot powder, pea starch, organic kale powder, organic alfalfa grass powder, and broccoli powder. We love the this brand is certified Non-GMO and a certified B Corp, which ensures its quality and ethical manufacturing processes.

Price at time of publish: $30

Key Ingredients: Pea protein, natural flavors, spinach powder, and beetroot powder | Flavors: 5 | Age Range: Adult | Dosage: 1 pack (30 g) | Certified: Non-GMO, vegan, B Corporation

PEScience Select Vegan Protein Chocolate Peanut Butter

Amazon

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What We Like

Gluten-free
Non-GMO

What We Don't Like

Contains stevia

“This is my go-to, due to its incredible baking abilities that don’t cause drying or a weird aftertaste,” says Lacey Dunn, MS, RD, CPT, owner of Uplift Nutrition. “I love that it is third-party tested are has a combination of brown rice and pea protein to maximize muscle protein synthesis for athletes.” Per serving, you get 20 grams of plant protein. We love that this manufacturing plant has the Good Manufacturing Practice certification, ensuring its quality standards.

Price at time of publish: $40

Key Ingredients: Pea protein concentrate, brown rice protein concentrate, natural flavor, and peanut flour | Flavors: 6 | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 1 scoop (29 g) | Certified: GMP

Four Sigmatic Plant-Based Protein Can Unflavored

Amazon

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What We Like

Gluten-free
Includes adaptogenic herbs, which may help reduce stress

What We Don't Like

Contains 2 grams of added sugars

This protein powder contains ingredients like Chaga, lion’s mane, cordyceps, and turkey tail mushrooms—as well as ashwagandha, which can help reduce stress and fatigue. We love that this blend has 18 grams of plant-based protein per scoop as well as a blend of adaptogenic herbs. The ingredients are all certified organic and third-party tested for efficacy and safety.

Price at time of publish: $34

Key Ingredients: Organic pea protein powder, organic hemp protein powder, organic chia protein powder, and organic pumpkin protein powder | Flavors: Unflavored | Age Range: Adult 18+ | Dosage: 1 scoop (32 g) | Certified: USDA organic

Final Verdict

Many quality vegan protein powders exist in the market, and it’s best to look for one with minimal or no added sugars. Some contain ingredients that provide additional benefits, such as probiotics, adaptogens, or calcium. Team Byrdie’s top pick is Puori Plant Protein Booster, which offers an additional bone-helping calcium benefit. Another great powder to try: Noosh Unsweetened Almond Protein Powder Unflavored, which contains just one ingredient—almond protein powder. And if you're shopping on a budget, Orgain Plant Based Protein Powder tastes great and contains amino acids and iron.

Meet the Expert

Ashley Larsen, RD, is a registered dietitian in Fresno, CA.
Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDCES, is the author of 2 Day Diabetes Diet and a nutrition advisory board member for Orgain.
Kimberly Snyder is a three-time New York Times best-selling author, a plant-based celebrity nutritionist, holistic wellness expert, and the founder of Solluna by Kimberly Snyder.
Elle Wittneben, RD, CSOWM, is a registered dietitian at Greater Boston Urology.
Ashley Nader, RD, is a registered dietitian in Charlotte, NC.
EA Stewart, MBA, RD, is a registered dietician and owner of Spicy RD Nutrition.

What to Look for in Vegan Protein Powders

Protein Bioavailability

Plant-based celebrity nutritionist, Kimberly Snyder considers a supplement’s protein bioavailability, or its ability to be absorbed and used by the body, as the most important factor in deciding which product to use. While whey protein—which isn’t vegan—is considered to be one of the most bioavailable proteins, Snyder only recommends reaching for plant-based protein supplements made from a variety of plant-based bioavailable sources. “I recommend at least some sprouted sources, but hemp protein and brown rice protein are also great choices,” she says. “I also don’t recommend soy protein powders.” Other highly bioavailable vegan protein sources include pea, pumpkin, sunflower seed, sacha inchi, and chia proteins.

“Vegan protein powders are often made with plant-based proteins from sources like peas, hemp seeds, soy, nuts, and seeds—all of which contain heart-healthy fats, protein, and fiber,” adds Larsen. In addition to providing natural sources of amino acids, these food sources have nutritional benefits for overall health. “These plant-based foods can help prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and obesity. A study in Nutrition & Diabetes showed that a vegan diet when compared to a standard diet, was superior in helping to improve body weight, fat mass, and insulin resistance markers."

Products That Are Verifiable and Regulated

How well a product performs depends a lot on its ingredients. As you should with any supplement, Snyder recommends choosing protein powders that are made from clean, quality ingredients. This includes products that exclude synthetics and fillers from their formula. While it’s easy for a supplement brand to claim its products are clean and high-quality, you’ll need to thoroughly read through the ingredient list and do your own research on a company’s practices to ensure it’s truly top-notch.

When choosing a vegan protein powder, you should make sure that the product adheres to claims made by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and are manufactured in facilities that also adhere to FDA manufacturing processes. You should also look for products that have third-party lab verification.

Consider checking for third-party testing and certifications as well. Knowing that the product has been vetted by an independent party goes a long way toward assuring its quality. Our best overall pick Puori Plant Protein Booster has been tested for chemicals, toxins, and contaminants by the Clean Label Project to verify its purity.

Non-GMO and organic

Snyder also stresses the importance of choosing a formula that’s non-GMO and organic. As someone who supports a food system that values both animal welfare and the environment, she only recommends protein powders made from ingredients grown without fertilizers or pesticides, like Garden of Life Raw Organic Protein Powder and the Amazing Grass Plant Protein Superfood Powder.

FAQ

What are the benefits of vegan protein powders?

Protein is key for good health, and this is often a nutrient that vegans struggle to get enough of. “Vegan protein powders can help meet your daily protein goals, especially if you’re in a time crunch or are low on groceries and not able to prepare a full meal,” says Larsen.
How often should you take vegan protein powders?

As with most processed foods, moderation is key. “While protein powders can be a fan favorite for many people, I always strive to encourage a whole-food, plant-rich diet approach as the foundation for anyone's nutrition,” says Jonathan Isbill, MS, RDN, a registered dietitian and health educator in Columbus, IN. “Vegan protein powders, while rich in plant proteins are often void of the beneficial fiber and other nutrients found in whole food plants like phytochemicals, antioxidants, and additional vitamins and minerals.”
Do vegan protein powders expire?

Yes, so be sure to check the expiration date on the protein powder you purchase. “Every manufactured product has a given shelf life for safety, efficacy, and optimal nutritional quality,” says Isbill.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Amy Gorin, MS, RDN is a registered dietitian nutritionist and has over a decade of experience in the nutrition industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She specializes in plant-based nutrition and is one of the most recognized nutrition experts in America. For this article, she consulted 11 additional experts to share their insights, as well as their go-to vegan protein powders.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any vegan protein powders from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

The 15 Best Protein Powders for Women of 2023

Article Sources

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