Best vegetarian protein powder for weight loss

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12 Best Vegan Protein Powders to Build Muscle, Lose Weight, and Boost Your Workouts

Add these plant-based powders to smoothies, oats, and more for a dose of nutrients.

Courtesy of brands

We updated this article in August 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.

Step aside, animal proteins: The best vegan protein powders are just as effective at boosting your workouts, helping with weight loss, and encouraging muscle gains as any other variety. And whether you’re solidly vegan or just trying to introduce more plant-based foods to your diet, these protein powders can keep you energized through your next workout—and they’ll even help your recovery, too.

From hemp to peas, soy to brown rice, there’s no shortage of vegan protein sources to try. Although the average whey protein powder contains slightly more protein than plant-based alternatives, explains Amy Shapiro, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., a New York-based dietitian, the latter supplies more fiber and other important nutrients. That’s not a bad tradeoff if you ask us.

But not all plant-based protein powders are equal—when it comes to taste, ingredients, and amount of protein, a few solid choices rise to the top. Ahead, find the best vegan protein powders on the market and learn exactly how to pick the best option for you and your goals.

Ready to add an extra dose of protein to your diet? These are the best vegan protein powders to buy online.

How we chose the best vegan protein powders

We consulted Shapiro, New Jersey-based dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade, R.D., author of Belly Fat Diet For Dummies, countless customer reviews, and tested some ourselves to find the best vegan protein powders available.

Our top picks

• 1

  

  Best Overall Vegan Protein Powder

  All-in-One Shake Vega One

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• 2

  

  Best High-Protein Vegan Protein Powder

  Organic Plant-Based Protein Garden of Life

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• 3

  

  Best Pea Protein Powder

  Pea Protein Powder Naked

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• 4

  

  Best Blend Vegan Protein Powder

  Plant-Based Protein Powder Pure Food

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• 5

  

  Best Tasting Vegan Protein Powder

  Organic Plant Protein Powder KOS

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1

Best Overall Vegan Protein Powder

All-in-One Shake

2

Best High-Protein Vegan Protein Powder

Organic Plant-Based Protein

3

Best Pea Protein Powder

Naked

Pea Protein Powder

4

Best Blend Vegan Protein Powder

Plant-Based Protein Powder

5

Best Tasting Vegan Protein Powder

Organic Plant Protein Powder

6

Best Organic Vegan Protein Powder

Amazing Grass

Organic Plant Protein Blend

7

Best Value Vegan Protein Powder

Organic Protein Powder

8

Best Gut-Friendly Vegan Protein Powder

Vegan Protein Shake

9

Best Hemp Vegan Protein Powder

Hemp Yeah!

Hemp Protein Powder

10

Best Keto-Friendly Vegan Protein Powder

Keto Protein Powder

11

Best Low-Carb Vegan Protein Powder

Organic Vegan Protein Powder

12

Best Soy Protein Powder

BLESSED

Plant Protein

How to choose the best vegan protein powder

Pay attention to the ingredients list. Shapiro prefers certified USDA organic and non-GMO brands, as well as options that include healthy additions like green blends, flaxseed, cranberry seeds, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. On the other hand, fiber fillers, including guar gum and chicory root, can upset your stomach in high quantities, she warns. Some vegan protein powders also include added sugars and sweeteners like sucralose, which Shapiro doesn’t recommend; “I’m OK with products sweetened with stevia or monk fruit, though,” she says. And watch out for caffeine, which isn’t ideal to consume accidentally.

But don’t obsess over complete protein. Single-source protein powders, like soy, pea protein, and hemp isolate, as opposed to blends of many ingredients, are ideal, Shapiro says. “Sure, they’re not complete proteins, but over the course of the day, your amino acids will balance out,” she explains. “You don’t need to have complementary proteins at one meal. It can happen throughout the day.” And although not all vegan protein powders contain complete proteins, soy-based options (along with some plant-based protein blends) do.

Find the right amount of protein. Look for 15 to 21 grams of protein per serving. “This is within the window I recommend for satiety, staying power, and repleting the muscles,” Shapiro explains. Also of note: “Total carbs should be fairly low at about 7 grams or less, and sugars at 1 to 2 grams per serving.”

Tiffany Ayuda Tiffany Ayuda, a senior editor at Prevention and certified personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise, has specialized in fitness, health, and general wellness topics in her previously editorial roles at Life by Daily Burn, Everyday Health, and South Beach Diet.

Jake Smith Jake Smith, an editorial fellow at Prevention, recently graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in magazine journalism and just started going to the gym.

Shannen Zitz Freelance Editorial Assistant Shannen Zitz is a Freelance Editorial Assistant at Prevention who recently graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with an English degree.

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