The Best Vegan Protein Powders of 2024, Evaluated by Registered Dietitians (2024)

This protein powder is formulated without GMOs and made from just a few ingredients including organic pea protein and organic coconut medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. All ingredients, according to the company, are fully traceable from origin to customer. The company is passionate about the impact it has on its consumers, the quality of ingredients it uses and its impact on the environment, going so far as to trademark the name "Made Traceable."

One scoop of this powder provides 20 grams of protein with a complete essential amino acid profile. Our expert testers loved the smooth texture, hint of vanilla and balanced flavor. We found the powder mixes well in all liquids including smoothies or even when just added to coconut water.

• Serving size: One scoop
• Nutrition per serving: 20g protein, 115 calories, 2g fat, 0.5g sat fat, 290mg sodium, 3g carbs, 3g fiber, total sugar 0g, 0g added sugar

This USDA-certified organic pick is plant-based and offers 11 grams of fiber per serving. It's also a naturally rich source of magnesium and contains plant-based omegas, making this option a nutrient-dense powerhouse. Made with only one ingredient (organic hemp seed protein), this no-nonsense option easily mixes into liquids, though it will settle over time, so drink up! It makes the perfect addition to smoothies and our experts commented that it has a nutty, earthy flavor and a slightly gritty texture that pairs well with peanut butter and banana.

• Serving size: 4 Tbsp.
• Nutrition per serving: 11g protein, 110 calories, 2.5g fat, 0g sat fat, 0mg sodium, 13 g carbs, 11g fiber, <1g total sugar, 0g added sugar

This organic plant-protein shake was one of the best-tasting according to our experts, with the rich chocolate flavor being a favorite. We found it creamy and liked that it packs 20 grams of protein in one serving and only 2 grams of added sugar. This option features a protein blend of organic pea, flaxseed, quinoa, pumpkin seed and chia seed. It also contains fruits and veggies including apple, carrot and broccoli, along with enzymes to promote digestion. Plus, it's considered to be a complete multivitamin and has 40% of your daily Vitamin B12 needs, a tough-to-find nutrient for vegans. And KOS supplements undergo third-party testing to ensure all heavy metals and toxins are under the required limits.

• Serving size: Two scoops
• Nutrition per serving: 20g protein, 160 calories, 6g fat, 4g sat fat, 330mg sodium, 9g carbs, 3g fiber, 2g total sugar, 2g added sugar

Another top pick, this unflavored powder boasts 24 grams of non-GMO pea protein isolate, which means you're getting protein extracted from peas without any other ingredients added. This powder can be easily added to smoothies, shakes or even a latte to make a more substantial protein-packed beverage. Since it is unflavored, our experts say that it tastes better when mixed with fruit and note that the texture is slightly gritty but blends well. And if you're looking for a protein powder that supports weight loss, this could be your best bet since it doesn't contain additional carbs or fat that you may find in other protein powders. That said, remember that achieving healthy weight loss cannot be done by consuming protein powders alone.

• Serving size: One scoop
• Nutrition per serving: 24g protein, 120 calories, 2g fat, 0g sat fat, 320mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g total sugar, 0g added sugar

If you're an athlete or have higher protein needs, you may want to opt for Garden of Life's organic sport variety. This powder offers 30 grams of complete protein in one serving, including BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids, essential amino acids that must be obtained through food), from organic ingredients. Recent studies indicate that BCAAs may help to improve age-related muscle breakdown. It also contains glutamine, which recent studies indicate may help to reduce muscle fatigue.

The protein blend features easier-to-digest sprouted ingredients like peas, navy beans and lentils. Plus, this variety includes an added blend of antioxidant-rich ingredients like tart cherries and turmeric to promote faster recovery. It's also NSF Certified for Sport making it a go-to recommendation for athletes since it’s approved for use by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

• Serving size: Two scoops
• Per serving: 30g protein, 160 calories, 3g fat, 0.5g sat fat, 160mg sodium, 7g carbs, 2g fiber, <1g sugar, 0g added sugar.

This certified vegan and organic option is soy-free and made from a blend of 13 proteins including pea, sprouted chia seeds, algae and ancient grains. One scoop packs in 22 grams of plant-based protein for only 130 calories, 2 grams of carbs and no added sugar making it a top pick for those following a low-carb diet. With added probiotics and an enzyme blend, it may also help support healthy digestion. We found it has a nutty, earthy flavor, but a slightly gritty texture so it's best blended into smoothies.

• Serving size: One scoop
• Nutrition per serving: 22g protein, 130 calories, 3g fat, 0.5g sat fat, 280g sodium, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, 0g added sugar

This subscription service allows you to personalize your protein powder based on your diet, body composition, lifestyle habits, health and hydration goals. Gainful offers vegan blends with bases of pea protein and brown rice protein, and they offer options whether you are looking to build muscle, recover after workouts, increase calorie intake or gain or lose weight. Our experts like that the protein powder comes unflavored with the option of adding single-serve “flavor boosts” so you can taste a new flavor every day.

• Serving size (may differ per person): One to two scoops
• Nutrition per serving (may differ per person): 24g protein, 110 calories, 1.5g fat, 0g sat fat, 160 mg sodium, 2g carbs, 1g fiber, 0g total sugar

This smooth and tasty superfood-infused protein powder is certified USDA organic and contains a blend of plant proteins including yellow pea, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, cranberry seed and sacha inchi. It's also a top pick due to its great taste and blendable texture. It contains superfoods such as lucuma, baobab fruit and prebiotics such as Jerusalem artichoke, which may promote healthy digestion. It's great for mixing with your favorite ingredients or just adding water or your non-dairy milk of choice for a quick meal on the go. It is available in other flavors including chocolate maca, coffee and mindful matcha.

• Serving size: One scoop
• Nutrition per serving: 19g protein, 146 calories, 2g fat, 0g sat fat, 180g sodium, 15g carbs, 4g fiber, 5g total sugar, 4g added sugar

This certified vegan option is non-GMO and packs in 30 grams of plant-based protein from sources like pea and pumpkin seed. It is NSF Certified for Sport and contains 5 grams of BCAAs, as well as tart cherry for recovery. Also, it contains 2 billion CFU probiotics, which help to support healthy digestion. Our experts noted that it mixes well but is on the thicker side. Take note that it has 430mg sodium per serving, which may be beneficial for serious athletes but not ideal for someone following a low-sodium diet.

• Serving size: One scoop
• Nutrition per serving: 30g protein, 160 calories, 3g fat, 0.5g sat fat, 430mg sodium, 4g carbs, 1g fiber, 2g total sugar, 0g added sugar

This USDA-certified organic, grain-free, stevia-free, plant-based powder is made from a mix of pea, hemp, chia, pumpkin and coconut protein. It blends well when added to your favorite smoothie recipe or to give your pancakes a protein boost, and it can be used in baking — try adding a scoop or two to your favorite recipe. It also contains a superfood blend of organic functional mushrooms such as chaga, reishi and lion's mane and adaptogens such as ashwagandha, which may help to reduce stress and anxiety. Our experts found this powder to be smooth and added a "tropical flair" to their smoothie with a hint of coconut and vanilla. There was also no artificial aftertaste. It's also available in unflavored, cacao, cafe mocha and peanut butter.

• Serving size: One scoop
• Nutrition per serving: 18g protein, 190 calories, 8g fat, 7g sat fat, 10g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g total sugar, 2g added sugar

This no-nonsense certified vegan protein from Naked Nutrition is made exclusively from raw yellow peas grown in the USA and Canada. We liked that the simple flavor was not overpowering in smoothies and blended well. A serving has 120 calories, only 2 grams of carbs, and a whopping 27 grams of protein. It's also a certified gluten-free pick, and the brand is very transparent with all products undergoing independent third-party testing. Heavy metal analysis results are published on their website too. Some tasters found the texture gritty, while others commented it tasted better when mixed with fruit and nut milk over the bland taste when consuming it alone.

If you don't tolerate pea protein, they also make a Naked Rice variety made from brown rice protein and a Naked PB powdered peanut butter that has 6 grams of protein per scoop. This protein powder is also available in vanilla and chocolate flavors.

• Serving size: Two scoops
• Nutrition per serving: 27g protein, 120 calories, 0.5g fat, 0g sat fat, 110mg sodium, 2g carbs, 0g fiber, 0g 0f added sugars

This certified vegan and non-GMO choice contains 21 grams of protein from peas, artichokes and algae. It also contains enzymes to support digestion. PlantFusion as a brand is committed to being free of dairy, soy, rice, eggs, nuts, fish, tree nuts, shellfish and artificial flavors and colors. Taste is subjective, but overall the vanilla flavor was rated better than other brands by our experts, and we found that it blended well in smoothies. Just note that it has about 390mg sodium per scoop.

• Serving size: One scoop
• Nutrition per serving: 21g protein, 120 calories, 3g fat, 2g carbs, 390mg sodium

If you're looking for a flavored vegan protein powder, it can be hard to find varieties made without stevia or erythritol. But ALOHA, known for its protein bars, offers this organic protein powder that uses a bit of coconut sugar, monk fruit and ground vanilla beans for flavor. It only has 3 grams of sugar in two scoops, but packs in 18 grams of protein and only 120 calories. If a pre-made shake is more your thing, they offer that too.

Our experts found that it blended well in smoothies and most liked the hint of vanilla, coconut and cinnamon flavors. Plus, there was no off-putting aftertaste.

• Serving size: Two scoops
• Nutrition per serving: 18g protein, 130 calories, 2.5g fat, 0g sat fat, 250mg sodium, 10g carbs, 5g fiber, 5g sugar

While a lot of protein powders on the market contain animal-derived or dairy proteins, such as whey or casein, plant-based powders get their protein from grains, seeds and legumes. The most common vegan protein sources are soy, pea, brown rice, quinoa and hemp. More recently, seed-based protein sources are gaining popularity and include pumpkin seed, watermelon seed, sunflower seed, sacha inchi and chia, among others.

While complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids, many of these are considered incomplete sources of protein since they are low in one or more essential amino acid. That's why you'll notice many vegan protein powders contain a blend of ingredients to reach the desired essential amino acid profile or have a base of soy which is one of the complete sources of vegan protein.

As Deputy Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Nutrition Lab, Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, CSO, CDN, NASM-CPT, handles all nutrition content, product testing and evaluation. She stays up-to-date on the latest research to provide evidence-based reporting on all things diet and nutrition, and she also runs large-scale tests and analyses for products ranging from protein bars and sweet snacks to supplements and meal delivery kits. She has a master's degree in clinical nutrition from New York University and has been a registered dietitian for six years, working in the clinical setting prior to joining Good Housekeeping and obtaining advanced credentials and board certifications in the nutrition field.

Amy Fischer, MS, RD, CDN, has a B.A. in journalism from Miami University of Ohio and an M.S. in clinical nutrition from New York University. Prior to working at Good Housekeeping, she worked at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City as a cardiac transplant dietitian. She has authored numerous chapters in clinical nutrition textbooks and has also worked in PR and marketing for food company start-ups. She has worked as a recipe developer for several food companies, and she also has extensive experience in the commercial side of the food business.