Protecting the planet and powering your performance can go hand-in-hand with my pick of the best vegan protein powders.
A few years ago, those following a vegan diet had slim pickings where the best protein powders were concerned. But plant-based protein powders (and protein bars) have come along way in a short space of time, and most can now go toe-to-toe with their whey protein counterparts in terms of their post-workout appeal and recovery credentials.
Now, pea, soy, quinoa, flaxseed and even fava bean-based powders can give you the protein boost you need post-workout. And they often offer as high quality protein as the multitude of milk-based options on the market. Many of them also taste just as good too.
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We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Our team of reviewers includes experienced product testers, PTs, nutritionists and fitness writers – as well as the core MF team – who know exactly what sets the best products apart from the rest. This list of the best protein bars was compiled by Rob Hobson, registered nutritionist (AFN) and sports nutritionist (SENr). Find out more about how we test
Best vegan protein powders at a glance
Despite there now being some very good vegan protein powder options on the market now, my clear favourite is the Vivo Sport Perform. Not only does it have the best flavour of any powder on test, it also hits the spot with 25g protein per serving.
Nuzest’s Clean Lean Protein does exactly what it says on the tin. You won’t find any artificial sweeteners, thickeners or preservatives here; just 19g of high quality protein per serving, with added vitamins and minerals.
There’s no surprise that Healthspan’s Plant Protein Vegan Blend does the business if the All Blacks swig it after every game. As well as a substantial 24g protein, each serving also has 4.1g of naturally occurring branched-chain amino acids.
Though it’s the cheapest on test, PhD Smart Protein Plant has three moreish flavours – strawberry, chocolate cookie and salted caramel – a decent 20g of protein and just 1g of sugar per 25g serving and mixes really well with no grittiness.
Bulk Vegan Protein Powder would be my choice if you like an array of flavors to choose from. With eight in total (if you count unflavored), it’s got you covered – particularly with my favorite chocolate orange.
Best vegan protein powder
1. Vivo Life Perform Plant Protein
| Specifications | Vivo Life Perform Plant Protein |
|---|---|
| Size | 936g / 26 servings |
| Protein source | Yellow pea protein, brown rice protein, pumpkin seed protein |
| Nutritional profile | Per 36g serving: 139kcals, 25g protein, 2.9g fat, 2.5g carbs, 1.7g fibre, 1.1g salt, 2.6mg zinc, 5.6mg iron |
| Good to know | No artificial sweeteners, no seed oils, added iron, gluten-free, added turmeric, 4.5g BCAAs, caffeine-free |
| Flavors | Chocolate brownie, vanilla, salted caramel, banana bread, blueberry muffin, strawberry milkshake |
In the past, plant-based protein suffered one fatal flaw: it tasted like the soil it came from. Thankfully, the market for vegan protein powders has come a long way in a short time and now the best products match the whey-based alternatives for taste as well as content.
Leading the charge is Vivolife, with its range of genuinely tasty products and, in particular, its Vivo Sport Perform.
A scan of the ingredients list is unlikely to get your tummy rumbling (“Mmm, bio-fermented yellow pea protein”) but the end result not only tastes great, it contains an impressive 25g of protein, plus 6g of plant-based BCAA and a sprinkling of pink Himalayan salt for good measure. We’re big fans of the Salted Maca Caramel and Banana & Cinnamon flavours, both of which weigh in at less than 140kcals per scoop.
Best vegan protein powder for flavor options
2. Bulk Vegan Protein Powder
| Specifications | Bulk Vegan Protein Powder |
|---|---|
| Size | 500g-5kg |
| Protein source | Pea protein isolate, soya protein isolate, pumpkin seed protein, quinoa flower, flaxseed flour |
| Nutritional profile | Per 35g serving: 127kcal, 24-27g protein, 1.3g fat, 3.8g carbs, 1.5g fibre, 0.63g salt |
| Good to know | Five vegan protein sources, gluten-free, amino acid supps, 8 flavors |
| Flavors | Chocolate orange, caramel latte, chocolate cookies, chocolate peanut, strawberry, unflavored, vanilla, white chocolate coconut |
Packing 24-27g of mixed plant protein (depending on flavor), this easy-to-mix powder tastes great – with eight flavours available – and comes relatively cheap. The protein comes from a blend of pea, brown rice, quinoa, pumpkin, and flaxseed for a complete amino acid profile, and digestive enzymes are added to the mix to help your body break it all down.
Best clean vegan protein powder
3. Nuzest Clean Lean Protein
| Specifications | Nuzest Clean Lean Protein |
|---|---|
| Size | 250g-1kg |
| Protein source | Pea protein isolate |
| Nutritional profile | Per 25g serving: 105kcal, 21g protein, 2.3g fat, 0.2g carbs, 1.4g fibre, 1.3g salt, 3.8mg iron |
| Good to know | Nine essential amino acids, no fillers or artificial additives, non-gmo, gluten-free, soya-free |
| Flavors | Unflavored, chocolate peanut butter, coffee, rich chocolate, sweet vanilla, strawberry, salted caramel |
Nuzest’s Functional Flavours range packs a punch without any hidden horrors. There’s not an artificial flavour, thickener or preservative in sight, and each option not only provides 21g of high-quality protein, but also an array of vitamins and minerals picked with sports performance in mind. To my mind, it’s the best clean vegan protein powder on test.
4. Bio-Synergy Lean & Green
| Specifications | Nuzest Clean Lean Protein |
|---|---|
| Size | 900g / 30 servings |
| Protein source | Pea protein isolate, rice protein, buckwheat |
| Nutritional profile | Per 30g serving: 107kcal, 22g protein, 2.3g fat, 0.3g carbs |
| Good to know | Soy-free, sugar-free, naturally sweetened with stevia, green tea extract, rich in BCAAs, gluten-free, GMO-free, nut/seed free |
| Flavors | Butterscotch, chocolsate and mint, peanut |
The Lean & Green unique formula from Bio-Synergy packs in 22g protein per 30g serving, with no sugar and just 2.3g fat. Developed from high-quality natural ingredients, including pea protein isolate and brown rice protein. Lean & Green is also free from soya and hemp, and comes with added L-glutamine to complete the full house of amino acids.
5. Myvegan Vegan Protein Blend
| Specifications | Myvegan Vegan Protein Blend |
|---|---|
| Size | 1kg-5kg |
| Protein source | Pea protein isolate, fava bean protein isolate |
| Nutritional profile | Per 30g serving: 116kcal, 22g protein, 2.1g fat, 2.3g carbs, 0.8g fibre, 0.53g salt |
| Good to know | Rich amino acid profile, sweetened with sucralose, natural flavoring |
| Flavors | Cereal milk, chocolate, chocolate peanut caramel, chocolate salted caramel, coffee and walnut, strawberry, unflavored, vanilla, white chocolate raspberry |
It’s the go-to brand for many people’s sports nutrition needs, and now Myprotein has moved into the plant-based sphere with its sister company Myvegan, offering some of the best vegan protein powders on the market.
What you get is a product that mixes well and tastes great, plus the knowledge that what you’re consuming has been created by a bona-fide big-hitter in the protein world. One serving provides 24g of all-natural pea and fava bean protein.
6. Pulsin Pea Protein
| Specifications | Pulsin Pea Protein |
|---|---|
| Size | 250g |
| Protein source | Pea protein isolate (soya option available) |
| Nutritional profile | Per 30g serving: 105kcal, 24g protein, 0.5g fat, 1g carbs, 0.75g fibre, 0.5g sodium |
| Good to know | Sugar-free, gluten-free, 80% protein |
| Flavors | Chocolate, unflavored, vanilla |
Unlike other powders on the list, Pulsin’s Pea Protein uses just one plant source: the humble pea. But don’t let that fool you, because this product still packs a decent 16g of complete protein per 20g serving.
That said, anyone with a sweet tooth might struggle with the unflavoured powder, but it does taste considerably better than other unflavoured options out there. It also mixes well, so you don’t have to chew your way through it.
Best vegan protein powder with BCAAs
7. Healthspan All Blacks Plant Protein Vegan Blend
| Specifications | Healthspan All Blacks Plant Protein Vegan Blend |
|---|---|
| Size | 750g |
| Protein source | Fava bean protein, rice protein concentrate, chickpea protein concentrate |
| Nutritional profile | Per 30g serving: 119kcal, 24g protein, 1.1g fat, 1.8g carbs, 2.2g fibre, 1g salt, 330mg sodium |
| Good to know | Complete amino acid profile, 4.2g BCAAs, digestive enzymes, contains sweeteners |
| Flavors | Chocolate, vanilla |
Befitting a protein powder made for the All Blacks rugby team, Healthspan’s Plant Protein Vegan Blend has been formulated with Actazin, a protease enzyme sources from kiwi fruit to aid absorption. It’s available in chocolate and vanilla flavour and packs 24g protein and 4.1g BCAAs per serving.
8. Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Plant
| Specifications | Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Plant |
|---|---|
| Size | 684g / 20 servings |
| Protein source | Pea protein and rice protein |
| Nutritional profile | Per 33g serving: 132kcal, 24g protein, 2.5g faft, 2.2g carbs, 1.8g fibre, 0.7g salt |
| Good to know | Guten-free, no artificial colors or flavors, complete amino acid profile |
| Flavors | Double rich chocolate, French vanilla creme |
Optimum Nutrition, another major player in the protein market, has turned its attention to plant-based powders, and its Gold Standard 100% Plant provides not only 24g of complete protein, but also vitamin B12. Primarily found in red meat, B12 provides energy and speeds up reactions in the body, and it’s something vegans need to keep on top off. This takes the stress out of doing just that, making it one of the best vegan protein powders I have tried.
Best value vegan protein powder
9. PhD Smart Protein Plant
| Specifications | PhD Smart Protein Plant |
|---|---|
| Size | 500g / 20 servings |
| Protein source | Pea protein and soya protein |
| Nutritional profile | Per 25g serving: 96kcal, 20g protein, 0.9g fat, 1.8g carbs, 1.1g fibre, 0.4g salt |
| Good to know | GMO-free, added iron, zinc, vitamin B6, folic acid, and vitamin B12; sweetened with sucralose |
| Flavors | Strawberry, salted caramel, chocolate cookie |
PhD’s plant-based range of Smart Protein powder consists of three macro-friendly flavours – strawberry, chocolate cookie and salted caramel. Each one has 20g protein per 25g serving, but only 1g sugar and 100kcal.
It’s a useful powder for baking, desserts and mousses, as well as simple shakes, though I found it mixes a little better in water than it does in milk. It is one of the least expensive plant-based powders yet isn’t gritty like many vegan shakes can be.
What should you look for when buying vegan protein powder?
- Protein source: Check the source of protein, such as pea, rice, hemp, soy, or a blend. Ensure it provides a complete amino acid profile.
- Protein content: Look for a powder with at least 15-20 grams of protein per serving for effectiveness.
- Allergens: If you have allergies or sensitivities, check if the powder is free from common allergens like dairy, gluten, and soy.
- Additives: Choose products with minimal additives, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives for a cleaner option.
- Certifications: Look for certifications like USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, or Certified Vegan for quality assurance.
- Taste and texture: Consider the taste, mixability, and texture to ensure an enjoyable experience.
- Reviews: Read reviews to get an idea of what to expect in terms of flavor, effectiveness, and overall satisfaction.
- Price: Compare prices per serving to ensure you’re getting value for money without compromising on quality.
Frequently Asked Questions about vegan protein powders
A good vegan protein powder typically contains a high protein content, is easily digestible, free from artificial additives, and is sourced from quality plant-based sources such as pea protein, rice protein, hemp protein, or soy protein. It’s important to also consider factors such as taste, texture, mixability, and any additional ingredients like sweeteners or additives based on your preferences and dietary restrictions. Checking for third-party certifications can also help ensure the product meets quality and safety standards.
In addition to the protein content and source, a good vegan protein powder should ideally be allergen-friendly, meaning it is free from common allergens like dairy, gluten, and soy for those with sensitivities. Look for products that are non-GMO, organic, and have a complete amino acid profile to support muscle building and overall health.
How I tested the best protein powders
Firstly I compiled a shortlist of best vegan protein powder contenders that met the minimum threshold of 20g protein per serving with minimal carbs, calories and sugar. I then judged each of them on their taste, texture, solubility and nutritional effectiveness, as well as cost per serving and availability. I also took into account the variety of flavors and any recyclable packaging.
Updates
- December 2025: Bulk Protein added to summary box; prices and affiliate links checked.
- June 2026: Updated article to new format, added specs tables with nutritional breakdowns for each product, updated product links.
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