A workout will never be complete without a drink of your favorite protein powder; but why not make it extra healthy with vegan components? The best vegan protein powder in the market is totally difficult to look for most especially when they all come in variants both in flavor and ingredients.
Not only is vegan, plant-based more healthy – if you’ve already shifted to a plant-based diet then this is going to be a must if you’re looking to replace whatever protein you used to use before going plant-based (Likely standard whey soy protein).
Since protein powder is expected to help you with your pre and post-workout, you should look for something that offers more than just a yummy, flavored drink. Here’s a list that we’ve gathered after reading online consumer reviews and conducting our own research, I hope it helps you find the right one!
Best Vegan Protein Powders Compared and Reviewed
| Image | Name | Brand | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder | KOS | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Tone It Up Organic Plant-Based Vanilla Protein Powder | Tone It Up | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Vega Protein and Greens Plant-Based Protein Powder | Vega | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Sunwarrior Organic Vegan Protein Powder | Sunwarrior | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder | Garden of Life | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Navitas Organics Hemp Powder | Navitas Organics | Check Price on Amazon |
#1 - KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
For those who are trying to lose or manage their weight, this vegan protein powder may be something you want to try. This has a soluble fiber that will give you the fullness feeling for a longer period of time
What I like about this product is that it remains faithful to its promise of being a vegan protein powder through its complete vegan protein source. You get a concoction of healthy ingredients with a blend of Pea, Flax Seed, Quinoa, Pumpkin Seed, and Chia Seed for its protein.
If you want a protein powder that has those ingredients with an extra boost of vitamins and minerals, you ought to give this a try.
This has digestion support of DigeSEB— a powerful digestive enzyme that will help you with your digestion. Not only that, but this enzyme is also beneficial for your body since it maximizes the absorption of its ingested nutrients.
Not only is it good for your body, but it’s also good for the environment as well as it is certified by the United States Department (USDA) and California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Thus, you know that your ingredients are responsibly sourced.
If you’re wary of your allergy, this product can be your best buddy. This is free from allergens like gluten, dairy, soy, hormones, artificial sweeteners, colors, and GMOs.
What have others said about the KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder?
“Being a sweet tooth and lactose intolerant, I have found my holy grail protein powder.” Alicia V.
PROS
- Free from gluten, dairy, soy, and other allergens
- Delicious taste
- Not chalky
CONS
- Some mentioned that this has a gritty texture
- Some said that this makes them feel bloated
- Too sweet for some
#2 - Tone It Up Organic Plant-Based Vanilla Protein Powder
This has a rich and smooth flavor, ranging from coconut, cafe latte, chocolate, and peanut butter. Not only is Tone It Up a plant-based protein, but it is also completely vegan, gluten-, dairy-, and GMO-free; plus, it’s Kosher too!
I especially like that it has zero sugar so I am positive that this gives only nutrients that the body needs. Most protein powders tend to be packed with a lot of sugar both for taste and that deceptive boost of energy, but it has no value in the long run.
For those who like to play around with their protein powder, this one is smooth and not flaky, so you can definitely experiment by putting this in your muffins and baked goods or you can mix it with your favorite drink too.
This product is promoted to be a protein powder for women. However, you don’t have to worry because they are the same and completely safe if you’re a male drinking a protein powder “for females.”
Tone It Up has been renewing its recipe over time, so some may like this while some don’t. For solid patrons of this brand, they have noticed that they cut down the fiber content, which is something to watch out especially if you like fiber in your drink.
PROS
- Delicious taste
- Can be mixed in baked goods
CONS
- The new formula is not well-liked by patrons
#3 - Vega Protein and Greens Plant-Based Protein Powder
If you’re worrying about added sugar, I can assure you that this vegan protein powder is healthy, nutritious, and definitely free from added sugar. This is made with green vegetables that make this extra healthy.
Since this is made with green vegetables, you might want to try this if you’re really struggling with stuffing yourself with some greens.
This is a keto-friendly protein powder. So, if you’re observing a specific lifestyle like keto, you might want to give this a shot. This has 4g net of carbs, is gluten-, lactose-, dairy-, soy-free. Also, this is non-whey and has low glycemic content.
You also know that your protein formula contains real food ingredients and no harmful and unnecessary ingredients are added as this is vegan certified. It is also Non-GMO Project Verified, with no artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors.
PROS
- Keto-friendly
- Made with green vegetables
- Contains nine essential amino acids
CONS
- Some didn’t like the taste and the consistency
#4 - Sunwarrior Organic Vegan Protein Powder
It is also very keto-friendly if you’re on a vegan keto diet and it even contains some electrolytes to keep your body and muscles hydrated after your intense workouts.
One thing that’s been noted by a couple of consumers is that you may need the likes of a Nutribullet or similar blender to punch through the gritty powder it comes through, meaning it’s a lot harder to shake through than your average standard whey protein.
The ingredients of this mix contain coconut, goji berries, hemp seeds and yellow peas.
PROS
- Contains more than just protein
- Keto-friendly
CONS
- Chunky pieces form may need a blender for a smooth blend
#5 - Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
Packed with probiotics, this is truly beneficial for your immune system and your gut health. Also, it contains turmeric which is a good source that can help provide you with anti-inflammatory benefits.
The brand prides itself on offering this protein powder that is vegan, gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free. Also, this has no added sugars and flavoring which makes this totally nutritious and high quality.
I like how this is packed with 30g of protein, this is truly a great protein fix before or after a hard and vigorous workout. This can help you refuel and repair those muscles with this good amount of protein. This also contains over 5g BCAA amino acids, glutamine, and glutamic acid.
For gut health, this contains 4g of fiber, while for a better immune system during your training, its CFU probiotic blend component can really help you with that.
PROS
- Contains CFU probiotic blend and 5g of BCAA amino acids
- Mixes and blends well with drinks and goodies
- A good amount of protein
CONS
- Some didn’t like the taste and texture
Containing 13g of protein per serving, this can be a good vegan protein powder for those who don’t really do vigorous workouts. This also provides 60% DV magnesium, 40% DV iron, and 25% DV fiber.
A protein powder that has a great source of essential fatty acids? Yes please! These essential fatty acids are good for optimal functioning and this can be brought to you by this protein powder.
If you’re planning to blend this in your food, then you can expect this to dilute and dissolve well with your food and drinks. This can be used in smoothies, shakes, dips, and even baked goods.
This is Kosher, Non-GMO, and gluten-free too. You know you’re getting a healthy and safe protein powder because this is certified by the United States Department (USDA).
If you don’t want a protein powder that has a high amount of fiber, then I suggest looking for another brand. This contains 8g of fiber which can be pretty overwhelming for some.
PROS
- Good for overall gut health due to its fiber content
- Easy to dilute and mix in drinks and food
- Provides a good amount of magnesium and iron
CONS
- Some may not like the high fiber content
My Number One Pick
- AMAZING FLAVOR: Infused with organic Peruvian cacao, Himalayan salt, organic coconut milk, a dash of stevia & monk fruit, our award-winning protein blend is simply delicious! Add 2 scoops to cold water for tasty shakes or mix into smoothies & snacks.
- WEIGHT MANAGEMENT: Great protein powder for weight loss. The soluble fiber in plant protein gives you that “full” feeling for a longer period of time. You eat less but not at the expense of calories. Still packed with 20g protein per serving.
- COMPLETE PROTEIN: Our USDA Organic vegan protein powder has a 5 protein blend of Pea, Flax Seed, Quinoa, Pumpkin Seed & Chia Seed + essential vitamins & minerals. Healthier than whey protein powder for both your body and the environment.
What To Look Out For When Buying Vegan Protein Powders
When buying your vegan protein powder, you might want to consider a lot of things; ranging from your diet and lifestyle to the flavor of the protein powder itself. I must say, it can be quite tricky to look for the best protein powder, but trust me, it’s only hard at first.
When you already have the best protein powder for you, I doubt that you’ll be wanting to try another brand. But if in case you’re planning to switch to another brand, then you can look and read on to this buying guide to help you find the best vegan protein powder.
Ingredients
What’s something that’s more important than the ingredients itself? That’s right when looking for a protein powder, most especially when it’s vegan, you should really be wary of the formula.
Believe it or not, but there are protein powders that are advertised to be vegan, but they have unnecessary sugar content or probably contain some allergens that could be unhealthy for you.
Lifestyle
Ingredients are also important most especially when you’re following a certain lifestyle other than veganism. There are vegan protein powders that are compatible with a Kosher diet or for Keto diet.
Vega Protein and Greens Plant-Based Protein Powder is a good protein powder that is keto-friendly. On the other hand, Tone It Up Organic Plant-Based Vanilla Protein Powder is a good Kosher, vegan protein shake too.
Allergen-Free
Protein powders in general often contain milk and other allergens that can be triggering for some. Hence, it is only right to look for a protein powder that is surely vegan and surely contains all-natural and organic ingredients.
There are numerous allergens that can be found in your protein powder. If you were to look closely, it may contain dairy, gluten, and whatnot. So, you should really look out for protein powders that exclude those.
KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder is a good vegan protein powder that excluded allergens that may trigger your allergic reactions. These excluded allergens are dairy, gluten, lactose, soy, and more.
No Sweeteners
Remember to look out for vegan protein powders that have sweeteners. You want your body to be supplied with protein, not sugar, don’t you? So, if you’re going to look carefully for the ingredients, make sure that there are no added sugar or sweeteners.
There can be minimal addition of natural and organic sweeteners, but it is still better if there is none at all. Remember that regardless of how you justify these sweeteners, sugar is sugar and they’re not exactly helpful for your diet.
Ideally, you should buy a protein powder that has less than 5g of sugar per serving (or none at all). This is something you should really look at most especially if you’re planning to maintain or lose weight.
Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder might be something you may want to check out. This vegan protein powder has 1g of sugar per serving which is entirely safe and healthy for you and your diet.
Protein Source
Vegan protein powders may come from different sources of organic protein. However, one of the most famous protein sources out there is the pea source. Peas have 80% protein content and they’re known for being inexpensive.
More often than not, pea proteins are allergen-free too. They’re suitable for vegans and those with high sensitivity to their food intake. Also, if you have food allergies, pea protein may be for you.
Pea protein is also rich in amino acids lysine, arginine, and glutamine. This is not a complete protein, but it is one of the best ones out there for vegans.
I suggest looking into KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder if you want a good vegan protein powder that is sourced from peas for their protein content.
Hemp protein is another protein source that is good and beneficial for the body. This is also believed to improve overall heart health and can also bolster your immune system.
Containing 20 amino acids, hemp protein is also made for our fellow vegans out there that need those extra nutrients. Plus, this provides healthy omega fatty acids and fire too!
Navitas Organics Hemp Powder is a vegan protein powder that is made from Hemp protein. If you want your protein powder to have its main source of protein from hemp, then I suggest trying this product.
Other than pea and hemp, there are other protein sources out there like soy, lentils, flax seeds, and whatnot. This only reassures you that you have more options to choose from and being vegan with your protein powder won’t be as scary!
Flavoring
Flavoring is important because vegan protein powder is no doubt not the best when it’s unflavored. Also, it is known for having an aftertaste which may not be ideal when you’re not used to the taste.
When buying a flavored protein powder, however, you should carefully look at the ingredients first. There are protein powders that have artificial flavoring which is not exactly the healthiest ingredient out there.
If you want vast flavors to choose from, then I suggest looking into Tone It Up Organic Plant-Based Vanilla Protein Powder or MyProtein Vegan Protein Blend.
Additional Supplements
When you’re still wondering about the difference between women and men protein powder, then this is your answer. In general, there are no major differences. However, there are additional supplements found in women’s protein powder that are beneficial for their body composition.
Additional supplements are not necessary but they are beneficial. But, if you’re going to buy protein powder for extra nutrients, why not go above and beyond right?
Green Vegetables
Green vegetables as one of the major ingredients for the protein powder is a good time to say hallelujah to innovations. This is really helpful for those who are having trouble convincing themselves to eat their greens because these can now come in your drink. Plus, you can barely taste them too!
Vega Protein and Greens Plant-Based Protein Powder is packed with greens in their formula. Thus, I suggest trying this one, and you might want to take back your hatred for your green leafy veggies!
Amino Acids
Amino acids are beneficial for your body. They’re pretty helpful with healing and repairing your muscles, your digestion, maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails, and more.
Some protein powders, like Vega Protein and Greens Plant-Based Protein Powder, add the essential amino acids in their formula. These essential amino acids are not naturally produced by your body, so you can definitely check into this product as an external source.
Probiotics
Probiotics are really helpful to your body because it provides a healthy balance of friendly bacteria in your digestive system. This is also believed to be helpful for your mental health and for your heart health.
Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder is a vegan protein powder that you might want to look into. This is a product that is packed with probiotics, so if you want that in your protein drink, then this can be your best pick.
Digestive Enzymes
There are different nutrients that are included in the protein powder formula that can be really helpful for your digestive system or your gut health. DigeSEB is one digestive enzyme that is known to be beneficial most especially when you’re experiencing bloating, diarrhea, and whatnot.
KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder contains DigeSEB. Hence, if you want this in your drink, then I highly suggest looking into this product!
Frequently Asked Questions for Vegan Protein Powders
Q: Is vegan protein as effective as whey protein?
A: Yes, they’re as effective as whey. There is little to no difference when it comes to your body composition, muscles gain, performance, and strength when using either whey or vegan protein powder.
Q: Can I digest vegan protein better than whey?
A: Generally, vegan protein is better for your gut health because of its organic and natural ingredients like peas, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whatnot. Moreover, vegan protein contains a healthy level of fiber that can improve your digestion and can be helpful for your gut health too.
Q: Is there a difference between women and men protein powders?
A: Not much. More often than not, they only differ in the added supplements that are needed by women than by men. These nutrients are Folic acid and Vitamin B6 which are really beneficial for women.
For men, some brands advertise their products to be for men because they contain more ingredients that will help with muscle-building most especially when men want to increase their bulkiness. But in general, there is no difference between women and men protein powders.
Conclusion
Vegan protein powders will no longer be boring and scary to try because of the different flavors that are offered in the market. However, beyond its flavoring and good taste, it is still worth taking note that they are extremely healthy and nutritious while still helpful for your workout training.
Be conscious, though, as you look for vegan protein powders. They may be advertised as such, but they may not be exactly packed with the nutrients that are essential and necessary. Regardless, make sure that at the end of the day, you will be wanting more of this and not just another product that will be stored at the back of your cupboards!
The age old debate of are protein shakes better than real food is slowly gaining traction towards being un-bias to both with great plant based products hitting the shelves, that don’t contain any ridiculous additives.
If you’re looking for some great protein shaker bottles check out this post. Some of these can be extremely hard to mix and having a good shaker can help you do the job, hopefully you don’t need to get a Nutribullet!
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/hemp-protein-powder
https://driphydration.com/blog/what-are-amino-acids-and-why-do-you-need-them/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-health-benefits-of-probiotics#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4
Marko Rakic is a trail runner and fitness enthusiast from Sydney, Australia. He is the lead writer for The Ultimate Primate and believes the best way to live a happy life is through constantly challenging yourself.