6 Best Vegan Protein Powders Based on Science

If you’re vegan, getting in protein sources is difficult – much less, quality protein sources. That said, those who follow a vegan diet may need a little extra support to reach their protein goals. 

A great way to up your vegan protein intake is by supplementing your diet with a protein powder. However, not all protein powders are created equal – so it’s important to choose wisely. 

We review 5 of the best vegan protein powders that will support your health and wellness by fueling your body with high-quality protein.

Jump straight to:

• How to choose the best vegan protein powder
• 6 best vegan protein powders for health and wellness
• Comparison table

How to Choose the Best Vegan Protein Powder

There are hundreds of vegan protein powders on the market. While many of them are marketed as a healthy addition to your diet, that’s not always the case.

Knowing what to look for (and what to steer clear of) will help you make informed choices when the time comes to make a purchase. Here are some things to look for while you’re searching for a high-quality product that best suits your goals:

• A complete amino acid profile. There are nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce organically, meaning that we must get them from food to metabolize protein properly. Foods with all nine essential amino acids are called complete proteins. Many plant-based protein sources are deficient in one or more of these amino acids, making them incomplete protein sources. Look for products that contain a complete amino acid profile. 
• Grams of protein. Protein powders typically contain anywhere from 15 to 30 grams of protein. If you’re looking to build muscle or gain healthy weight, aim to choose a protein powder with closer to 30 grams of protein. If you’re just looking for a little boost to your daily protein intake, 15 to 20 grams of protein will do. 
• Micronutrient-dense ingredients. A large majority of protein powders are lacking in micronutrients, which are essential for the body to produce enzymes, hormones, and other substances needed for growth and development. Those who follow a vegan diet often lack essential micronutrients, like iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium, so it’s important to look for a protein powder that contains such ingredients. For example, pumpkin protein is rich in magnesium and potassium, while pea protein is high in calcium, zinc, iron, and vitamin E. Choose a protein source that best suits your needs. 

On the other hand, here are some things to avoid:

• Added sugars. Many vegan protein powders are sweetened with added sugars like cane sugar, agave syrup, fructose, or corn syrup. Research shows that consuming too much added sugar can raise blood pressure and increase chronic inflammation – both of which increase your risk of developing heart disease. That said, it’s best to steer clear of these whenever possible.
• Highly-processed ingredients. Look for vegan protein powders that are as close to their natural form as possible. Highly-processed ingredients, like maltodextrin or artificial flavors, should be avoided. 
• Artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are often added to vegan protein powders to make them taste better without increasing the caloric volume. While artificial sweeteners are often used by those looking to wean sugar out of their diet, they may have harmful side effects. 
• Non-organic protein sources. If the plants used in a protein powder aren’t certified as organic, they may be sprayed with pesticides and chemicals that can be harmful to your health. It’s best to look for vegan protein powders with organic, whole-food ingredients. 

Read more: Plant-Based Protein VS Whey Protein 

6 Best Vegan Protein Powders for Health and Wellness

With so many options to choose from, finding a vegan protein powder that is organic, nutrient-dense, and free of harmful additives may feel like a daunting task. We’ve narrowed down your choices and found the 5 best vegan protein powders that promote health and wellness while supporting your daily protein intake:

Maximum Vibrance by Vibrant Health

Maximum Vibrance by Vibrant Health is more than just a protein powder – it’s a supplement designed to provide a comprehensive solution for a wide range of nutritional needs. It’s packed with high-antioxidant fruits and vegetables, 25 billion probiotics, and an organic multivitamin. With 20 grams of protein per serving, it provides a meal’s worth of plant-based protein and essential micronutrients. 

Maximum Vibrance contains the essential vitamins that those following a vegan diet are commonly deficient in, like iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium. Together, these vitamins offer skeletal, immune and liver support in addition to boosting your vegan protein intake. And, crafted with superfruits, greens, and adaptogens, it boosts your energy levels, mood, and cognitive function. To top it off, it’s mixable, tasty, and comes in an eco-friendly pouch. 

Maximum Vibrance is slightly more expensive than other protein powders, as it is both a protein powder and a supplement. If you’re willing to pay a little extra, this product can serve as a replacement for daily dietary supplements that you may already be taking, like vitamin B. 

• Type of Protein: yellow pea, sprouted brown rice, spirulina
• Available Flavors: vanilla bean, chocolate chunk
• Macros: 150 calories, 20g protein, 10g carbohydrates, 3g fat
• Beneficial Compounds: all nine essential amino acids, fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium, biotin, phosphorus, manganese, iodine, 25 billion probiotics and vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K
• Added Sweeteners: no added sweeteners or sugars
• Price: $47.50, $3.16 per serving
• Certifications: Non-GMO
• Free of: soy, gluten, dairy

Green Vibrance + Protein by Vibrant Health

Green Vibrance + Protein and Maximum Vibrance are similar products, with the main difference being that Maximum Vibrance includes additional vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Although, Green Vibrance contains substantial amounts of these nutrients too. As the name suggests, Green Vibrance + Protein is the original flagship supplement by Vibrant Health, enriched with 20 grams of plant-based protein.

Both products are excellent choices for vegan protein powder, depending on your nutritional preferences. If you're in search of a supplement enriched with extra vitamins and minerals, then Maximum Vibrance is your best pick. Conversely, if you favor a simpler formulation that is still nutrient-rich, choose Green Vibrance.

• Price: $57.60, $3.84 per serving

Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein by Garden of Life

Garden of Life’s Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder is an athlete’s dream. With 30 grams of protein, 5.5 grams of BCAAs, and 5 grams of glutamine, it’s an ideal choice for muscle growth and recovery – and it’s NSF Certified for Sport and Informed-Choice for Sport Certified. That said, there are no banned athletic substances, and you don’t have to worry about synthetic amino acids.

Because it’s a pea protein powder, it’s rich in easily digestible proteins and low in fat. It’s further supplemented by garbanzo beans, navy beans, lentils, and cranberry seed protein as well as organic fruits, all of which combine to create the perfect post-workout snack. 

If you’re looking for a protein powder packed with nutrients and vitamins, this may not be your best bet – however, if the amount of protein per serving is what you’re looking for, this is a fantastic choice. Although there are divided opinions on the flavor, it mixes well with nut milk and can be added to a protein shake to mask the taste.

• Type of Protein: pea
• Available Flavors: vanilla 
• Macros: 160 calories, 30g protein, 7g carbohydrates, 3g fat
• Beneficial Compounds: all nine essential amino acids, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, selenium, manganese, natural BCAAs, glutamine and 2 billion CFU probiotics
• Added Sweeteners: no added sweeteners or sugars
• Price: $38.89, $2.04 per serving
• Certifications: USDA Organic, Non-GMO, NSF Certified, Informed-Choice for Sport Certified
• Free of: gluten, dairy

Organic Protein Powder by Mary Ruth

Mary Ruth’s Organic Protein Powder is an ideal option for those with food allergies or sensitive stomachs. Made with pumpkin seed protein, it’s easily digestible, gluten-free, and won’t irritate your gut. It’s also free of preservatives, nuts, soy, wheat, and artificial colors and flavors. 

This protein powder has a delicious chocolatey flavor, and the taste of the pumpkin seed protein isn’t overpowering. It’s an excellent addition to smoothies and baking. So, if you do opt for this protein powder, we recommend trying it in muffins, bread, waffles, or pancakes. 

This vegan protein powder only contains 14 grams of protein per serving, so it may not be the best choice for those looking for a high volume of protein. And, it’s a bit coarse, so it’s best to blend it before consuming it to avoid a grainy texture. It’s best used as a supplement to your diet – not as a meal replacement or a significant source of protein. 

• Type of Protein: pumpkin seed
• Available Flavors: chocolate
• Macros: 110 calories, 14g protein, 9g carbohydrates, 2g fat
• Beneficial Compounds: all nine essential amino acids, iron and potassium
• Added Sweeteners: no artificial sweeteners or sugars, but contains 5g of added natural sugar and xanthan gum
• Price: $25.16, $1.67 per serving
• Certifications: USDA Organic
• Free of: nuts, soy, gluten, dairy, wheat

Plant Protein Powder by Ascent

Plant Protein Powder by Ascent is designed to support muscle health and speed up the post-workout recovery process. It’s Informed-Choice for Sport Certified, so it’s third-party evaluated for banned substances, and it’s packed with 25 grams of pea, sunflower and pumpkin proteins. An added 4 grams of BCAAs and 2 grams of leucine (an essential amino acid) further supplement muscle strength and tenacity.

This protein powder is quite thick and a bit grainy if mixed with the recommended 12 ounces of water – however, this is easily rectified by mixing it with more water than suggested. It’s noticeably sweeter than other options on the market, which is a pro for some and a con for others. If you’re big on texture, this may not be the best option. But, if you like a sweeter, richer taste, you’ll love it.

• Type of Protein: pea, sunflower, pumpkin
• Available Flavors: chocolate, chocolate peanut butter, vanilla bean
• Macros: 140 calories, 25g protein, 4g carbohydrates, 3g fat
• Beneficial Compounds: all nine essential amino acids, vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium
• Added Sweeteners:  no artificial sweeteners or sugars, but contains stevia leaf extract
• Price: $35.99, $1.79 per serving
• Certifications: Informed Choice Certified, Certified Gluten Free, USDA Organic
• Free of: gluten, dairy, wheat, soy

Organic Plant Protein by KOS

KOS’s Organic Plant Protein is known for its delicious flavor and silky smooth texture. Available in chocolate, vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, and salted caramel coffee, it blends seamlessly with water, milk, or a smoothie. While it doesn’t have the supplements and muscle-recovery ingredients that some of the other options on the list have, it’s still a good choice for the average person who is looking for a little extra boost of protein.

While there are zero added sugars in this product, it does contain stevia and guar gum. The taste of stevia isn’t for everyone, as it does taste a bit artificial – but many don’t think twice about it. That said, it’s also a little sweeter than many vegan protein powders, which isn’t always preferable. 

Read more: The Best Tasting Vegan Protein Powder on the Market 

• Type of Protein: pea, flax, quinoa, pumpkin, chia
• Available Flavors: chocolate, vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, salted caramel coffee, unflavored
• Macros: 160 calories, 20g protein, 9g carbohydrates, 7g fat
• Beneficial Compounds: all nine essential amino acids, iron, niacin, zinc, copper, calcium, potassium, iodine, selenium, manganese, and vitamins B12, D and E
• Added Sweeteners: contains only naturally occurring sweeteners, like coconut sugar
• Price: $44.79, $1.59 per serving
• Certifications: USDA Organic
• Free of: soy, gluten, dairy

Comparison of the Best Vegan Protein Powders

Each product offers its own unique blend of proteins, flavors, and added nutrients, catering to various health and wellness needs. From comprehensive nutritional solutions to options perfect for sensitive stomachs, this comparison table will guide you to the best vegan protein powder for your individual requirements.

Up Your Protein Intake and Boost Wellness With Vibrant Health

Not all protein is created equal, so it’s important to choose wisely when picking a vegan protein powder to supplement your diet. 

Vibrant Health is committed to transforming the definition of health by providing honest,  thoughtfully designed products that fuel your body and set you up for long-term success. Carefully crafted with a powerful blend of nutrient-dense superfoods, antioxidants, and 25 CFUs of probiotics, Maximum Vibrance is guaranteed to boost wellness and reinforce your diet with high-quality protein.

Take the next step in your health journey with Vibrant Health – your body will thank you.