[Expert-Tested] Best Vegan Protein Powder (2025): No Whey, No Problem, According to Dietitians

For plant-based athletes wanting the best of the bunch, we recommend Legion Plant+’s formulation consisting of pea protein isolate and rice protein concentrate. Pea protein powder is popular among fitness enthusiasts because it’s easily digestible and comes with more micronutrients than other plant-based protein sources. And while that’s one of the secrets behind Legion Plant+, it’s not the only one.

RELATED: Pea Protein Benefits

Each scoop has 24 to 25 grams of protein, depending on the flavor, which is pretty high for a plant-based protein powder (most have around 20 grams). Legion accomplishes this by combining pea protein powder with brown rice protein powder to give you all the essential amino acids needed for muscle growth. That, combined with relatively low amounts of fats and carbohydrates, is enough to earn it a 5 out of 5 on formulation.

Legion’s one of our go-to protein powder brands because they use all-natural ingredients and are third-party tested, and Plant+ is no different.

Another reason we love Legion is because they make tasty protein powders. Lindsay Scheele, a certified personal trainer and lead reviewer of GGR Everything, gave the Apple Pie flavor a 4 out of 5. “The apple flavor was a bit lacking, but the cinnamon saved it,” she says in our Legion Plant protein review. “Not bad, but will probably be too sweet for some.” She also notes that while there are no artificial ingredients there is a slight artificial aftertaste.

Solubility, on the other hand, was no issue and received a 5 out of 5 rating when mixed with oat milk. “It had a good texture and wasn’t too thick,” Lindsay says.

RELATED: Pea Protein vs Whey

Here’s the bad news: This is an expensive bag of protein powder. There’s only 20 servings per bag and each scoop comes out to $2.50. That number goes down to $2 per serving if you place it on a monthly subscription, but we’re still rating the pricing a 1 out of 5. You’ll have to decide if it’s worth the investment — nearly 900 customer reviewers think it is and have rated it 5 stars.

Plant-based food tends to be lower in calories than animal-based foods, so instead of gorging yourself on tempeh and vegan protein bars we recommend trying out Transparent Labs Vegan Mass Gainer. Each 2-scoop serving has 730 calories and a roughly 2:1 ratio of carbs to protein, which is enough to earn it a 5 out of 5 for its formulation.

We like the 2:1 ratio because it allows for lean muscle growth. The best mass gainers sometimes have closer to a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio, though those typically use lower-quality carbs and could lean to excess caloric intake that can result in gaining more fat than muscle. The 2:1 ratio still allows for most of the calories to be used for energy, allowing the protein to be used for preserving and building muscle.

The company lives up to its name by being transparent about what’s in its product, and we can see that they’re using high-quality carbs and other ingredients. One thing we’re thrilled to see is a 3 gram serving of creatine, the most studied supplement that’s been tied to muscle recovery and growth. Plus, they use all-natural ingredients, though some people may object to the use of stevia.

RELATED: Is Creatine a Protein?

Certified nutrition coach and GGR Performance Editor Anthony O’Reilly says the flavor gets a 5 out of 5 because it tastes just like Transparent Labs’ whey-based protein powders. “Their Chocolate Glaze Donut reminds me of an Entenmann’s donuts,” he says. “It tastes very natural and has the right amount of sweetness. It’s more of a milk chocolate taste than dark chocolate, but that’s alright by me.”

Unfortunately, we have to give it a 1 out of 5 on price when ordered as a one-time purchase. Each scoop will run you $5.33, though to be fair that’s a lot cheaper than most Impossible Burgers these days.

Ritual Essential Protein 18+ has 115 calories per scoop, which is less than many of the options on our list, but still packs 20 grams of high-quality protein to help keep you full and maintain a caloric deficit to achieve weight loss.

GGR Head of Content and competitive weightlifter Kate Meier says this doesn’t taste like a low-calorie protein powder. She gave the Vanilla flavor, the only option, a 4 out of 5 on taste and said it’s a little chalky but still very drinkable with just water. “That’s how decent I think the taste is,” she says. It’s much better, she adds, in a smoothie mixed with berries. “The taste is definitely detectable, but not overly strong.”

An item of note, this is a pea protein, which normally isn’t considered a complete protein because it’s low in the amino acid methionine. Ritual, however, adds enough of the essential amino acid to their protein supplement.

Kate ranks Ritual 18+ really high in all our testing categories. Her only complaint was the packaging itself, “I don’t love the closing mechanism. It’s almost like a Velcro, and the protein gets stuck in it and makes it hard to seal.”

Read our full Ritual protein powder review for more information.

Vanilla is one of the most popular flavors for protein powders, plant- or animal-based, yet it’s a tough flavor to master. Balancing the sweetness is an art, really, but Huel Black Edition has you covered with their Black Edition powder. One of our expert product testers gave the flavor of the vanilla a 5 out of 5, saying, “I was worried this might be a little on the gross side, but I was surprised. The flavor was very subtle and satisfying.”

GGR social media manager Brittany Combs tried the cookies and cream flavor, and also rated the flavor a 5 out of 5. “It was sweet, but not too sweet. To me, it was just the right amount of sweetness,” she says. 

Brittany rates the solubility a 4.5 out of 5, as the grittiness of the protein powder was still evident with just water. “It’s much better if you put it through a blender with some ice,” she says.

Granted, this is more of a meal replacement shake than a dedicated protein powder, but with up to 41 grams of protein per serving, this is a solid source of protein for those who don’t mind a few extra calories in their protein shake. The formulation earns a 5 out of 5 as well, as the drink is filled with macronutrients, and 27 vitamins and minerals.

Registered dietician Perry Nix adds some other benefits of ingredients. “One serving contains 8 grams of fiber, which may support gut health,” she says. “Soluble fiber, from ingredients like ground flaxseed, serves as a prebiotic that nourishes and promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria.”

The biggest drawback is the cost, as each serving cost Brittany a whopping $3.12. However, if you can look past the price, you’ll be having a great meal replacement shake—vanilla-flavored, of course, unless you want to experiment with the other eight flavors available.

Read our Huel review for more on this vegan supplement.

For those who don’t know, vegan doesn’t always mean premium (or organic) ingredients. Some plant-based products contain just as many fillers and artificial ingredients as animal-based products. That’s not the case for the Ora Organic Plant-Based Superfood Protein which is organic, nutritious, and delicious. 

Amanda Capritto taste-tested the plant-based protein powder and reports the Vanilla Chai was pretty good. Amanda is a former GGR staff writer, product tester, and endurance athlete. She’s not a strictly plant-based eater, but notes Ora Organic has an inoffensive taste and scores the taste 3 out of 5 stars. 

“In my opinion, the unique Vanilla Chai flavor helps to mask the plant-based taste, which is something I’ve noticed with other plant-based protein powders,” she says. 

Amanda also scores the solubility of this Ora Organic protein at 3 out of 5 stars saying, “It dissolves fine, but it’s a bit chalky and leaves a slight film in my mouth.” 

While the taste and texture left Amanda with a bit to be desired, she was impressed with the 21 grams of protein per serving in the Vanilla Chai flavor. This organic protein powder is made from a mix of organic pea protein and rice protein sources. Depending on which flavor you choose, one scoop provides between 21 to 23 grams of protein, 2 to 3 grams of fat, and 1 to 5 grams of carbs, which we think is a pretty solid balance. 

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There are about 20 servings per container, making this protein powder $1.99 per serving. That price point doesn’t earn a high score with our testers, but keep in mind that the organic ingredients come at a premium price. 

Ora Organic protein is non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, and is free of artificial dyes and sweeteners, and contains a rich green superfood complex. Research suggests that adding superfoods to your diet may improve your health by boosting your immune system. On top of that, it is naturally sweetened with monk fruit and organic stevia, which is great for people who find that sugar alcohols don’t sit quite right.

Transparent Labs is a company we stand behind again and again because they truly live up their name by not only telling you what’s in their protein powder, but exactly how much of it is in there, too. They give you the exact weight of rice protein and pea protein—which when combined create a complete protein source with all the essential amino acids needed for muscle growth—as well as stevia. So you know you’re only putting clean ingredients in your body.

Certified personal trainer and GGR staff writer Lauren Strong rates the Transparent Labs Vegan Protein formula a 5 out of 5 and the solubility (how easily it dissolves) a 4 out of 5, saying, “It mixes well, no issues with that, but this has a different texture than whey protein,” she says in our full Transparent Labs Vegan Protein review. It’s not gritty, but there is more residue/film in the shaker.” So, it may require a little more elbow grease when shaking up.

Beyond that, the protein powder is Informed Choice certified, meaning it’s been checked for harmful ingredients and banned substances that could show up on a drug test.

As for taste, Lauren Strong felt the Chocolate flavor was a middle-of-the-road 3 out of 5. “It tastes like a dark chocolate drink but with an earthy hint because of the rice and pea protein,” she says. “I would not suggest this for people who like sweet/sugary protein drinks. There is not that much sugar and you can really taste the cocoa powder.”

At present, Transparent Labs only offers two flavors (French vanilla and chocolate), so that could be a determining factor if you have a more adventurous palate.

Not a fan of sugar and filler? Not a problem if you take our pick for the best clean vegan protein powder—Gainful Plant-Based Protein. This vegan protein powder is totally customized to fit your specific needs after a short questionnaire. The ingredients are natural and organic, and there’s no artificial sweeteners or flavoring. The plant-based protein powder is unsweetened, but you can add flavor boosts that are sweetened naturally with organic stevia and monk fruit.

GGR senior editor Erin Chancer, CNC, CPT, got her own customized batch of Gainful Vegan Protein; her unique formulation came with 24 grams of protein, blended from organic brown rice and organic pea protein. The formulation earns a 4.5 out of 5 for its unique and clean formulation for each person, as the process and formulation is backed by dietitians and research.

Erin rates the taste a 3.5 out of 5 after trying the Gainful by itself and with flavor boosters. “The unflavored plant protein had a pretty standard taste compared to other plant proteins. I then tried it with the Caffe Mocha flavor boost, and while it was nice, it didn’t taste much like coffee.”

The solubility of Gainful Vegan Protein is a 4 out of 5, as it mixes well, but the powder is also a little sticky and can get everywhere if you’re not careful, Erin warns.

The cost of the protein will vary based on your formulation, but it’ll end up around $3 per serving; Erin’s batch of Gainful landed at $3.21 for one serving. However, this is a unique way to have a protein powder suited perfectly for your fitness goals and needs.

Check out our Gainful Protein Powder review for an in-depth look at this personalized protein supplement.

Soy protein is one of the few “complete” vegan protein powders—meaning it contains all the essential amino acids needed to help with weight loss or muscle gain—and in our opinion, Bulk Supplements Soy Protein Isolate is one of the best soy protein powders.

You get 25 grams of protein per serving, zero grams of fat, and 3 grams of carbs (three of which comes from fiber), earning it a 5 out of 5 on formulation. There’s very little in the way of micronutrients, though it does have a decent amount of iron to help support oxygen delivery to your muscles. 

There are two other reasons why we love Bulk Supplements Soy Protein: Taste and price.

Alright, taste may be a bit misleading since this is an unflavored soy protein powder. But, the good news is it actually tastes like nothing and there’s no weird aftertaste. While it feels weird to give a non-flavored protein supplement a 5 out of 5 on taste, that’s exactly what we’re doing here.

This makes it a great choice if you want an easy way to add extra protein to your morning smoothies or perhaps some baked goods (protein cookies anyone?) without adding any extra flavor to the product. 

On price, this is one of the most affordable supplements out there. A 1-kilogram bag (2.2 pounds) comes out to 73 cents per serving, and can be even cheaper than that if you order a bigger bag. We give it a 5 out of 5 on pricing since it falls under a dollar.

This next bit goes out to the people at Bulk Supplements: Why on Earth was this sent without a scoop? Please let me know. 

In terms of mixing, I found minimal clumps after shaking it for a few seconds in a shaker bottle.

Read our full Bulk Supplements soy protein isolate review for more information.

If you’re looking to pack on some lean pounds, check out Onnit Plant-Based Protein, which has a solid 20 grams of protein per scoop. However, it gets bonus points for containing a moderate amount of carbs and fats, and having 2.27 grams of leucine per scoop.

Leucine is a branched-chain amino acid that’s linked to muscle growth. The International Society of Sports Nutrition says protein powders for muscle gain should have between 0.7 to 3 grams per scoop. Whey protein powders typically hit that mark, but plant-based proteins other than Onnit tend to be lower in this vital ingredient.

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Certified nutrition coach and GGR Editor Frieda Johnson primarily eats a plant-based diet and says Onnit Plant-Based Protein is one of the few vegan chocolate shakes she enjoys. “This actually tastes quite a bit like a dairy-free chocolate milk I used to get,” she says in our Onnit Plant-Based protein review, rating the taste a 4.75 out of 5.

One reason for that might be the addition of avocado powder that adds fattiness to mimic the mouthfeel of dairy milk. “This was richer, creamier, and less watered-down tasting than many other vegan chocolate protein powders I’ve tried,” Frieda says.

In addition to being dairy-free, this vegan protein powder is also soy-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free so just about anyone can enjoy it.

Onnit is trusted by athletes everywhere, so it’s no surprise that it’s certified by Informed Sport, one of the most trustworthy organizations that tests products for banned and harmful substances. We give it a 5 out of 5 for transparency.

One low mark for Onnit plant protein is its cost—it will run you $2.25 per scoop. It goes down to $1.61 if you put it on a subscription, though.

If you’re looking for a protein powder for smoothies that won’t overpower your other ingredients, Garden of Life Raw Organic Plant-Based Protein is our choice for plant-based eaters. Certified nutrition coach Anthony O’Reilly gave it a 4 out of 5 on taste, saying it was mostly “unflavored,” but that there was a slight aftertaste.

“It wasn’t anything too bad and you can’t even notice it when you add other things to it,” he says. “I add some vanilla extract and it makes the protein taste just like vanilla.”

The solubility, he says, is also a 4 out of 5. “A little grainy, but not too much,” he says. “With a blender there were no chunks, but if you’re just using a shaker bottle you’ll definitely notice it, even after shaking it for a while.”

While Anthony hasn’t used it for baking or cooking, hundreds of Amazon reviewers have said it’s a good protein powder to use in baking or cooking.

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The formulation gets a 5 out of 5 because it’s high in protein — 22 grams — and there’s only 2.5 and 2 grams of fats and carbohydrates, respectively. It also comes with additional ingredients such as a probiotic and digestive enzyme blend to help with digestion.

In terms of price, you’ll be paying about $1.69 per scoop—which we rate a 3.5 out of 5. It’s not the most expensive protein powder on this list, though we think it’s a bit high for what you’re getting.

Check out our Garden of Life Protein review for more information.

At around $1.26 per serving, the NOW Sports Plant Protein Complex is one of the most budget-friendly vegan protein powders on the market that we’d recommend. The combination of yellow pea, hemp, and quinoa proteins deliver 22 total grams of protein, seven grams of carbs, and two grams of fat per serving. All essential amino acids are in this powder and clearly labeled on the tub, though it lacks micronutrients. 

In addition to being vegan-friendly, the NOW Sports Plant Protein Complex is soy-free (soy is a common allergen) and is free of artificial sweeteners, instead being sweetened with both xylitol and stevia. 

I tried the Creamy Vanilla flavor, and it was just OK. I got a very gritty mouthfeel, even after shaking it up for quite some time, so it received a 3 out of 5 for solubility on our rating metrics. In the spirit of honesty, I’ll also admit that I dealt with some gas after drinking this protein.

On to the formula. As NOW Sports mentions on its websites, athletes who have to go through routine drug screening should check with their organization’s sanctioning body to check on its hemp policy. Hemp contains small traces of THC, the psychoactive compound found in marijuana, and while it’s incredibly rare, there have been cases⁴ where THC has shown up in athletes’ urine samples after they ingested hemp protein. 

This shouldn’t be a reason for you to stray away from NOW Sports, however, as it would require a large amount of hemp protein for this to happen, but it’s something to be aware of if you’re a competitive athlete. 

Read our full NOW Sports Plant Protein Complex review for more.

If you’ve read closely thus far, you’re already aware that our team of near-carnivores is not a fan of plant-based protein powder in terms of taste. (Although we do recognize the plethora of non-taste-related benefits to vegan protein powder.) 

That being said, product tester and GGR senior staff writer Amanda Capritto tried Truvani plant-based protein powder and actually likes it—yes, really, truly, actually likes it. It came as a surprise to her and us, too! 

Amanda says, “This is THE BEST vegan protein powder I have ever tried, and it’s the ONLY vegan protein powder I’ll drink willingly over and over again.” She also praises its extremely rich chocolate flavor and smooth texture. 

As for the nutrition facts, Truvani gets kudos there, too. Made with just six organic ingredients, Truvani protein powder provides 20 grams of protein, five grams of carbohydrates, two grams of fiber, and just two grams of sugar. It’s sweetened with organic monk fruit extract.

The ingredients list is very simple and reads: organic pea protein concentrate, organic alkalized cocoa, organic vanilla powder, organic pumpkin seed concentrate, organic monk fruit extract, and organic chia seed protein.

Our one complaint is that it’s on the pricey end at a very intense $3.00 per serving. That’s really high, but if you want an all-organic product and one that actually tastes good, Truvani is a good bet. Read our full Truvani protein powder review for more info.

Beyond being one of the best-tasting protein powders on the market, Vega Sport Premium Protein also has benefits for athletes who hit the training ground on a daily basis. It’s made with tart cherry, which has been found² to support muscle recovery, and contains 30 grams of protein, five grams of carbs, and three grams of fat, earning it a 5 out of 5 on formulation and making it a good choice for those recovering from game day.

Vega is also great for gut health. The powder comes with 2 billion CFUs of probiotics for easier digestion—as a certified personal trainer, I used a tub of this for 30 days and didn’t experience the digestive issues that I sometimes have with other plant-based protein powder.

I went with the Mocha flavor and actually enjoyed it, giving it a 5 out of 5 for taste. It reminded me of those instant cappuccinos you can get from Italian vending machines. Or, if you’ve never been to Italy, imagine chocolate with a hint of coffee. I’ve started mixing it with almond milk and it’s a nice way to start the day.

In terms of protein, it comes from a blend of pea, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and alfalfa (a type of legume, or bean). 

Sydney Lappe, registered dietitian, warns, “Vega discloses that the protein is manufactured in a facility that also processes peanuts, milk, soy, egg, tree nuts, and sesame, which ultimately poses the risk of cross-contamination.” However, this is NSF-Certified for Sport, which makes me think that you’re probably safe trusting this product. 

Read our full Vega protein powder review for the rest of our thoughts on this protein powder.

There’s a lot to like about Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah!, our pick for best hemp protein powder. GGR editor Frieda Johnson, CNC, SET, tried it out and was a fan as well. “This is a nice hemp protein to mix in smoothies, oatmeal, or other liquids. It has a mild flavor and smooth texture that won’t overwhelm what it’s being mixed with,” she says.

Additionally, Manitoba Harvest uses eco-friendly packaging by using a bag instead of a tub; also, that bag is filled to the top with hemp protein concentrate.

Frieda rates Hemp Yeah!’s taste and solubility both a 4.5 out of 5. “Some reviews complain of an oregano flavor, but I didn’t have that issue,” Frieda adds. “It has a very mild hemp flavor.” She notes that the hemp protein mixes extremely well. It’ll settle eventually, but it’s not grainy at all in her experience.

RELATED: Hemp Protein Powder Benefits

The ingredients for Hemp Yeah! are simple: hemp protein concentrate and oregano extract. The formulation gets a score of 4 out of 5, as it packs a whopping 20 grams of protein per serving, a high amount of protein compared to other hemp proteins. However, while hemp protein is a complete protein, it is naturally low in leucine, essential in muscle protein synthesis. You may want to combine this with another plant-based protein to get a sufficient amount of essential amino acids.

Check out our Manitoba Harvest Hemp Yeah! protein powder review for an in-depth look at this hemp protein powder.