The 12 Best Vegan Protein Powders of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall Unflavored

Nutiva Hemp Seed Protein Powder

5

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Our Ratings

• Flavor
  4.5/5
• Texture
  3.5/5
• Nutrition
  5/5
• Third-Party Testing
  5/5

We picked Nutiva Organic Cold Pressed Raw Hemp Seed Protein Powder as best overall unflavored because of its subtle flavor and nutrition profile. Testers appreciated the mild flavor it had when blended as a smoothie. They also noted it had minimal to no aftertaste or smell. 

This hemp protein powder also earns top marks because it is third-party tested, which means the product was tested to make sure the actual ingredients match what is on the ingredients list, without potentially harmful contaminants. “Nutritionally speaking, this protein powder really stands out. While many protein powders strip away nutrients other than protein, this powder keeps many of the nutrients found in hemp seeds. For example, it provides a third of the daily recommendation of iron, a mineral many vegetarians and vegans struggle to get enough of,” says Autumn Rauchwerk, MS, RDN, E-RYT. 

It also provides 60% of the daily value (DV) of magnesium, 35% of the daily value of zinc, and an impressive 6 grams of fiber. It also has three grams of heart-healthy omega-3 fat, a nutrient which vegetarian diets sometimes lack. Since one serving of this protein powder is packed with so many other nutrients, it is slightly lower in protein than other options.

Testing Notes: “This blended really well with the other flavors. I would drink this daily in my smoothie. It doesn't add any sweetness, so if you don't mind that, I'd recommend [it].”

One thing to note is hemp protein can have a slightly grittier texture compared to other types of protein powder. This is why we recommend blending Nutiva’s hemp protein powder into a smoothie rather than mixing it into water or non-dairy milk.

Price at time of publication $33 ($0.73 per serving)

_{Key Specs:
Protein type: Hemp Protein amount: 15 grams Added sweeteners: No Other noteworthy nutrients: iron, magnesium, zinc, fiber}

Best Overall Flavored

Sprout Living Epic Protein Vanilla Lucuma

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Flavor
  4.8/5
• Texture
  4/5
• Nutrition
  4.5/5
• Third-Party Testing
  3/5

If you want a vegan protein powder that tastes good but doesn’t have any fillers or artificial ingredients, we recommend Sprout Living's Epic Protein Vanilla Lucuma Powder. This powder scored the highest average for taste when mixed with water, and also received one of the highest average scores for taste when blended as a smoothie. 

Most of the flavor in this protein powder comes from vanilla bean, cinnamon, and ginger root, while it is sweetened by lucuma (derived from a South American fruit), baobab fruit (derived from an African plant), and stevia. It has some interesting additional whole-food ingredients added for flavor and texture, such as coconut sugar, heirloom red banana, Jerusalem artichoke (for fiber), and Himalayan sea salt. One thing to note: this protein powder is higher in sodium than other options, with 320 milligrams per serving. If you are an athlete or active individual, this higher sodium content can help replenish salt lost in sweat.

Because of the careful ingredient formulation, testers noted the vanilla flavor wasn’t overpowering or too sweet, and the powder didn’t have a strong aftertaste. However, because it has less processed ingredients compared to many of the other flavored protein powders, it might have a slightly grittier texture. 

Besides the taste, we like that this powder has (per serving) 20 grams of protein from yellow peas, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, sacha inchi, and cranberry seed. A serving also provides 8% of your daily needs for calcium, and is a good source of fiber, iron, and potassium. It's important to note that Sprout Living does not state if they do third-party testing on their products to verify that the label is accurate or that it’s free from potentially harmful contaminants.

Testing Notes: “I love this protein powder for its unique nutritional profile and neutral vanilla taste!”

If you want other flavors besides vanilla, this protein powder is also available in Chocolate Maca and Green Kingdom flavors; the latter includes added powdered greens.

Price at time of publication $35 ($2.92 per serving)

_{Key Specs:
Protein type: Yellow pea, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, sacha inchi, cranberry seed Protein amount: 20 grams Added sweeteners: Lucuma and baobab fruit, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, stevia leaf Other noteworthy nutrients: Fiber, iron, potassium, calcium}

Best High Protein

NAKED nutrition NAKED PEA 1LB Pea Protein Isolate

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Flavor
  4/5
• Texture
  3.5/5
• Nutrition
  5/5
• Third-Party Testing
  4.8/5

Peas are a really concentrated source of vegan protein and minerals. But pea protein—maybe more than other vegan protein sources—can have an off-putting flavor or texture for some people. We like Naked Pea Protein because it’s made from just one ingredient—yellow pea protein isolate—and testers mostly noted it did not have a strong flavor when mixed into a smoothie. Pea protein can also thicken a smoothie, so it can have the side benefit of preventing a watery smoothie.

Another reason Naked Pea tops our list is because it provides a source of iron (16% DV) and calcium (7% DV). Compared to other options, it’s one of the highest in protein with 27 grams per serving, and it lists the specific amounts of amino acids on the label. 

Naked Pea Protein Isolate is Informed Choice Certified, meaning it is third-party tested for banned substances. Naked Pea also states it does independent testing for heavy metals. We like that this option is unflavored, so you can sweeten or flavor it to your preference, but they also offer chocolate or vanilla flavors sweetened with organic coconut sugar. 

Price at time of publication $20 ($1.33 per serving)

_{Key Specs:
Protein type: Pea Protein amount: 27 grams Added sweeteners: No Other noteworthy nutrients: iron, calcium}

Best Budget

Now Foods NOW Sports Nutrition Pea Protein

4.3

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Our Ratings

• Flavor
  3.5/5
• Texture
  3.5/5
• Nutrition
  4.5/5
• Third-Party Testing
  5/5

Another pea protein powder that tops our list is NOW Sports Pea Protein. It is also higher in protein—24 grams per serving—and is one of the highest options for iron, providing almost half of your daily requirements per serving. This option is budget-friendly, as it is roughly half the cost (or less) per serving than other vegan protein powders. In addition, NOW thoroughly tests all of their supplements to ensure label accuracy and that products are free from potentially harmful contaminants. On top of that, this product is Informed Choice Verified, making it an excellent choice for athletes who want to be extra-certain no banned substances sneak into their smoothies.

Testing Notes: “NOW Sports is a reputable brand that does third-party testing on all of its products. I like this unflavored protein powder to mix into baked goods for an added protein boost. Plus, the pea protein has a neutral flavor that isn’t as chalky as some other protein powders.”

Similar to Naked Pea protein powder, this unflavored powder may add thickness when blended with a smoothie. Testers noted it was fairly neutral in a smoothie, but some may still be able to pick up the pea flavor notes and grittier texture.

Price at time of publication $50 ($0.52 per serving)

_{Key Specs:
Protein type: Pea Protein amount: 24 grams Added sweeteners: No Other noteworthy nutrients: iron}

Best for Athletes

Vega Sport Premium Protein Powder

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Flavor
  4.5/5
• Texture
  3.8/5
• Nutrition
  4.3/5
• Third-Party Testing
  5/5

We like Vega Sport Premium Protein for athletes because it has one of the highest levels of protein out of all the powders we tested, and it is NSF Certified for Sport. When blended as a smoothie, testers liked the sweet, Tootsie Roll-like flavor, but some testers noticed an aftertaste. 

NSF Certified for Sport verifies that what’s on the label accurately reflects what’s in the container, with no potentially harmful contaminants, plus it does extra testing for substances banned for athletes. This certification is the only independent third-party certification program recognized by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). 

In another nod to athletes, Vega Sport includes tart cherry and beet root powder, which some research suggests may be beneficial for muscle repair. However, the exact amount of each ingredient in this protein powder is not listed. This powder is another pick that is higher in sodium, at 400 milligrams per serving, which could be beneficial for replacing electrolytes after exercise, but those who do not exercise intensely may not appreciate the higher amount. 

Besides having 30 grams of protein, a serving provides 5 grams of BCAAs (branched chain amino acids, which are useful for muscle growth and repair), and provides a good source of iron and calcium. The protein is mainly from pea protein as the first ingredient, but other protein sources include pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, and alfalfa protein. 

While this powder has alfalfa listed at the end of the ingredient list, this may be an important consideration, especially if you are taking other supplements with alfalfa. High doses of alfalfa may be unsafe for pregnant or breastfeeding people, or those with other medical conditions or on certain medications. 

Other ingredients include xanthan gum, stevia leaf extract, turmeric extract, black pepper extract, bromelain (digestive enzyme found in pineapples), and a probiotic blend which some may not want or need. If you’re looking for something besides chocolate, this protein powder is also available in vanilla, mocha, and peanut butter flavors. 

Lastly, we wanted to note this protein powder is free of common allergen ingredients, but it is processed in a facility that also processes milk, peanuts, soy, eggs, and tree nuts. Therefore, it may not be the best choice if you have a common food allergy.

Price at time of publication $59 ($3.11 per serving)

_{Key Specs:
Protein type: Pea, pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, alfalfa Protein amount: 30 grams Added sweeteners: stevia leaf Other nutrients: iron, calcium}

Best Neutral Smell and Taste

NorCal Organic Premium Pea Protein

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Flavor
  4.5/5
• Texture
  3.5/5
• Nutrition
  4.5/5
• Third-Party Testing
  4.5/5

If you are looking for a single ingredient vegan protein powder, but really don’t want a strong taste or smell, we recommend NorCal Organic Premium Pea Protein. Testers gave this protein powder some of the highest scores for having minimal to no aftertaste,  smell, or texture when blended in a smoothie. 

NorCal Organics does third-party testing to check for contaminants and heavy metals in their products, and you can access the  general results of this testing on their website. NorCal also claims to have third-party testing for ingredient amounts and purity.

The company uses only organic ingredients, was founded by a dietitian, and prioritizes environmentally-friendly packaging and ingredients. The peas used to make this product are only sourced from organic farms in Canada.

Testing Notes: “[This protein powder is] very neutral in a good way. I taste the ingredients of the smoothie, not the protein powder.”

While pea protein is typically a good source of iron, the iron amount in each serving is not listed on the package, suggesting that this particular powder does not contain significant amounts of iron. A serving of this protein powder provides 22 grams of protein, trace amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and 25% of your daily needs of phosphorus. It provides an impressive 4.8 grams of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) which can play an important role in building and maintaining muscle mass.

Price at time of publication $46 ($1.31 per serving)

_{Key Specs:
Protein type: Organic yellow pea protein isolate Protein amount: 22 grams Added sweeteners: No Other noteworthy nutrients: Phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium}

Best Stevia-Free

Aloha Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder

4.3

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Our Ratings

• Flavor
  4.8/5
• Texture
  4.3/5
• Nutrition
  4/5
• Third-Party Testing
  3.5/5

It can be hard to find a flavored protein powder without stevia. If you are looking specifically to avoid stevia, but want a good flavored protein powder, we suggest trying Aloha Vanilla Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder. The five grams of added sugar per serving come mainly from coconut sugar, with some added monk fruit extract. 

Besides 18 grams of protein per serving, this powder provides 5 grams of fiber and 35% DV of iron. Note the fiber comes partly from the blue agave inulin, which acts as a prebiotic fiber in the gut. While this can help promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria, inulin may have unpleasant digestive side effects for some people, especially in higher doses.

The protein blend is made up of pea, brown rice, hemp, and pumpkin seed protein. Other filler or flavoring ingredients for this powder include cinnamon, unspecified natural flavors, xanthan gum, medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), and ground vanilla bean. Aloha does not state if their products are third-party testing for ingredient amounts or contaminants.

Price at time of publication $33 ($2.20 per serving)

_{Key Specs:
Protein type: Pea, brown rice, hemp, pumpkin seed Protein amount: 18 grams Added sweeteners: Coconut sugar, monk fruit extract Other nutrients: iron, fiber}

Best for Tropical Smoothies

Navitas Organics Hemp Powder

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Flavor
  4.8/5
• Texture
  3.5/5
• Nutrition
  4.5/5
• Third-Party Testing
  4/5

Navitas Organic Hemp Powder is another hemp protein powder we love. Out of all the unflavored vegan protein powders, Navitas had the highest ratings for taste. Testers noted it would pair especially well with a green smoothie or tropical flavors such as pineapple, mango, or coconut. If you like to make tropical or a greens-based smoothies, Navitas Organic Hemp Powder can add a boost of protein without overpowering other flavors.

We love that this protein powder has just one ingredient, organic hemp seeds, and that it's cold-pressed, which means it retains more nutrients. This protein powder is high in fiber, iron, magnesium, and also provides a source of potassium. 

Navitas states it does third-party testing, but the details of the testing are not clear. Note this pick is one of the lowest in total protein at 13 grams per serving. Also keep in mind that hemp can have a more gritty texture compared to other types of protein powder.

Price at time of publication $15 ($1.36 per serving)

_{Key Specs:
Protein type: Hemp Protein amount: 13 grams Added sweeteners: No Other noteworthy nutrients: fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium}

Best for Digestion

Garden of Life Raw Organic Vanilla Protein Powder

4.3

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Our Ratings

• Flavor
  3.5/5
• Texture
  4/5
• Nutrition
  4/5
• Third-Party Testing
  5/5

Garden of Life’s Raw Organic Vanilla Protein Powder may be a good choice for you if other vegan protein powders cause digestive discomfort. Whether due to the fiber amount, protein type, or other added ingredients, sometimes protein powder can cause stomach issues.

Garden of Life Raw Organic Vanilla Protein Powder may be easier for your body to digest, as the nuts and grains used for the protein blend are all sprouted. Sprouting can increase the bioavailability of certain nutrients, and sprouting can make it easier for the body to digest nuts and grains. 

There is also a raw probiotic and digestive enzyme blend added, but these ingredients may not be best for everyone—especially people who are on certain medications and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Read more about probiotics and digestive enzymes to see if these ingredients are safe for you, and ultimately check with a healthcare professional if you have questions before trying this product.

This protein powder provides 22 grams of protein per serving from pea protein and a variety of sprouted nuts, seeds, and grains. The nuts, seeds, and grains make this powder especially a good source of many nutrients including vitamin D, vitamin E, iron, zinc, manganese, and selenium. 

We also love that it is Informed Choice third-party tested for banned substances for athletes, but it is not clearly third-party tested for ingredient amounts and levels of heavy metals. Testers noted this protein powder has a strongly sweet flavor, which may work best in a plain protein shake. Some noted when mixed as a smoothie the flavor was too sweet. It was also noted this powder had a pleasant, creamy, not-too-thick texture. Besides vanilla, other flavor options include chocolate, vanilla chai, or unflavored. 

Price at time of publication $47 ($2.35 per serving)

_{Key Specs:
Protein type: Organic pea protein, organic and sprouted brown rice protein, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, chia seed, chlorella, quinoa, garbanzo,lentil, adzuki bean, flaxseed, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, sesame seed Protein amount: 22 grams Added sweeteners: Erythritol, stevia leaf Other nutrients: vitamin D, E, iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium}

Best with Greens Powder

Vega Protein & Greens Plant-Based Protein Powder

4.3

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Our Ratings

• Flavor
  4.5/5
• Texture
  3.8/5
• Nutrition
  4.3/5
• Third-Party Testing
  3.5/5

If you are looking for a vegan protein powder with powdered greens, try Vega Protein and Greens Vanilla. Testers noted this choice had a great texture, and had a nice level of sweetness when blended with water and into a smoothie. Some may appreciate the sweetness in this protein powder comes from stevia leaf, so there is no added sugar. However, stevia can have an aftertaste, which may be especially noticeable when blended with plain water.

Vega does third-party testing on some of their products, but this protein and greens powder is not clearly third-party tested. But Vega notes that they test all of their products in-house for safety, texture, nutritional value, and taste. While this protein powder is free of common food allergens, it should be noted it is processed in a facility with milk, soy, peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, and sesame.

This protein powder is unique in that it contains spinach, kale, broccoli, and alfalfa grass powder; these handy additions mean that one serving provides 20% DV of vitamin K. In addition, a serving provides a good source of iron and smaller amounts of vitamin A,C, and potassium. 

While some may like that this protein powder has added powdered greens, if you take medication—especially blood thinners—check with a healthcare professional before adding this to your diet. Changes in the amount of vitamin K you get from foods like leafy greens could affect the way your medication works. 

It’s important to note high amounts of alfalfa taken long term may be unsafe for people with autoimmune disorders or those who are pregnant, breast feeding, or taking certain medications. While this powder has alfalfa listed at the end of the ingredient list, this is an important consideration, especially if you are taking other supplements with alfalfa such as a greens powder. 

Testing Notes: “This blended well into the smoothie, it was not too sweet or too overpowering. I would definitely buy this and put it in my smoothies.”

If you like what this product has to offer but want a less-sweet option, Vega has plain unsweetened plant protein with greens. They also have chocolate, berry, and coconut almond flavors.

Price at time of publication $25 ($1.39 per serving)

_{Key Specs:
Protein type: Pea, brown rice Protein amount: 20 grams Added sweeteners: stevia leaf Other nutrients: iron, calcium, vitamin A, C, K, and potassium}

Best for People Over 50

Ritual Essential Vegan Plant-Based Protein Powder

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Flavor
  4/5
• Texture
  3.5/5
• Nutrition
  4.5/5
• Third-Party Testing
  5/5

If you are looking for a vegan protein powder that is not overly sweet and can be used in a variety of ways, we recommend Ritual Essential Protein. We love that Ritual prides itself on being both Informed Sport third-party tested and that their ingredients are all traceable with a visible supply chain.

This vanilla protein powder is sweetened without added sugar, stevia, or sugar alcohols. Instead Ritual uses organic monk fruit and a sugar-free sweetener from fermented sugar cane that they claim to have less aftertaste compared to stevia. Each serving provides 20 grams of protein from organic peas, and each serving is a good source of calcium and iron. 

In addition, this protein powder provides choline—a nutrient needed for the brain, nervous system, and to regulate muscle control. This is especially notable because many people may not be getting enough choline, and many supplements don’t include it.

This specific powder is designed for adults over 50 years old, as it has added calcium HMB to help protect against age-related muscle loss. While more research is needed, some research has shown calcium HMB may help lower muscle loss associated with aging. Anyone of any age can enjoy this protein powder, but Ritual also makes a plant-based protein powder geared for adults 18-49 years of age that does not have the calcium HMB.

Testing Notes: “I love how neutral this one is—it would be a good addition to lots of different types of smoothies. It's not sweet, so you could sweeten as much (or as little) as you like.”

Besides mixing with water or added to a smoothie, testers noted this versatile, fairly neutral choice would be great for other uses, such as in oatmeal, pancakes, or other baked goods.

Price at time of publication $45 ($2.97 per serving)

_{Key Specs:
Protein type: Organic pea protein Protein amount: 20 grams Added sweeteners: Reb-M from fermented sugarcane, organic monk fruit Other nutrients: choline, calcium, iron}