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Best vegan protein powders 2026: reviewed by nutrition experts
We've reviewed vegan protein powders from brands including Bulk, Free Soul, Huel and MyProtein to uncover the best
In this article
- Why you can trust our vegan protein powder reviews
- The best vegan protein powders
- The vegan protein powders we reviewed
- How we compared vegan protein powders to find the best
- What's in vegan protein powder and do you really need it?
- How much protein should I have?
- Which vegan foods are high in protein?
- Who shouldn't take vegan protein powder?
Our independent review of vegan protein powders reveals the products you can trust to give you the best value and quality.
Here we explain what's in vegan protein powder vs traditional whey-based options, who might benefit from it and what to watch out for.
Plus, our independent nutrition experts have analysed the contents of 10 vegan protein powders from a range of popular brands to uncover the best.
How our reviews uncover the best supplements
Dose
We rate how much protein is in a serving and whether it's an effective amount or too low/high
Bioavailability of protein
How easily the type of protein in the supplement is absorbed
Complete protein
We check if the protein blend contains all nine essential amino acids (especially leucine) in the right proportions
Additives
Based on the latest research and insights, we rate the amount and type of bulkers, fillers and additives in each supplement.
Why you can trust our vegan protein powder reviews
At Which? our reviews are completely independent and unbiased. We buy everything we test, looking at a range of price points and types to cover different budgets and needs.
Every supplement we review is analysed by me: Which?'s lead health and wellbeing researcher, Shefalee Loth – a registered nutritionist, along with consultant dietitian Sophie Medlin.
We both have many decades of experience in this space. Sophie has advised on supplement development, and I have been scrutinising supplements for Which? for more than eight years.
To assess protein powders, we look at the latest evidence to determine optimal formats and dosages, as well as the additives or extras that are less desirable to include. We also consider claims made, cost per dose and more, so you can be confident our recommendations will help you get the best value and quality.
Looking for whey protein powder? Head to our protein powder reviews instead
The best vegan protein powders
Only logged-in Which? members can view our full vegan protein powder test results, including the two top-rated products that scored over 80%.
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below as well as revealing our Great Value picks.
| Protein powders | Score | Cost per serving | Bioavailability | Complete protein score | Dose | Additives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableDigital £8.99 per month, cancel any time. Already a member? Log in | 84% | |||||
| 81% | ||||||
| 78% | ||||||
| 75% | ||||||
| 75% | ||||||
| 74% | ||||||
| 73% | ||||||
| 71% | ||||||
| 63% | ||||||
| 62% |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableDigital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
Already a member? Log in
Date tested: November 2025. Page last checked: January 2026.
The vegan protein powders we reviewed
The vegan protein powders included in our assessment are listed in alphabetical order below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our full verdict on each. Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and recommendations.
Bulk vegan protein powder
Our score and verdict Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal
Available from Amazon (29.99 for 1kg), Bulk (£29.99 for 1kg)
Cost per serving £1.03
Free Soul vegan protein blend
Our score and verdict Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal
Available from Amazon (£29.99 for 600g), Free Soul (£27.49 for 600g)
Cost per serving £1.37
H&B Precision Engineered plant protein
Our score and verdict Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal
Available from Holland & Barrett (£17 for 840g)
Cost per serving 61p
Huel complete protein
Our score and verdict Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal
Available from Amazon (£25 for 754g), Huel (£25 for 754g)
Cost per serving 96p
MyProtein Impact vegan protein
Our score and verdict Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal
Available from Amazon (£20.94 for 1kg), Boots (£15 for 500g), MyProtein (£30.99 for 1kg)
Cost per serving 94p
Naturya hemp protein powder
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Available from Amazon (£9.26 for 300g), Holland & Barrett (£12.49 for 300g), Naturya (£10 for 300g)
Cost per serving 67p
Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% plant
Our score and verdict Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal
Available from Amazon (£28 for 684g), Holland & Barrett (£29 for 684g), Optimum Nutrition (£28 for 684g)
Cost per serving £1.33
PhD smart protein plant
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Available from Holland & Barrett (£20 for 500g), PhD (£15.99 for 500g)
Cost per serving 80p
Protein Works vegan protein
Our score and verdict Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal
Available from Amazon (£16.09 for 1kg), Protein Works (£38.49 for 1kg)
Cost per serving £1.17
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Pulsin complete vegan protein blend
Our score and verdict Log in or join Which? to instantly reveal
Available from Amazon (£15.90 for 270g), Morrisons (£13 for 270g), Pulsin (£70.99 for 6 x 270g)
Cost per serving £1.18
Note: cost per serving is based on manufacturer's recommended serving size and the RRP (recommended retail price) however products are frequently discounted. We are not able to show every retailer, and cheaper prices may be available.
How we compared vegan protein powders to find the best
When reviewing vegan protein powders, we took the following factors into consideration:
Bioavailability – the bioavailability (accessibility and digestibility) of the protein source. Different plant proteins have varying bioavailability scores, and those that are most easily absorbed score higher.
Complete protein score – the building blocks of protein are amino acids, and different proteins contain different combinations of amino acids. We use amino acids in our bodies to build new protein structures where they're needed. There are nine essential amino acids we need for health, and a protein source containing all of these is considered a ‘complete protein’. Leucine is an amino acid key for muscle synthesis, and it's available in varying quantities in different sources of plant proteins. The complete protein score reflects the leucine content and whether the combination of plant protein sources in the powder provides all nine essential amino acids.
Dose – how much protein you get in a recommended serving size. Analysis from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) in 2017 shows the optimum dose of protein to stimulate muscle growth after exercise is around 25g, with some variation for smaller and larger body weights. Due to the lower bioavailability of vegan protein sources, an optimal vegan protein source is considered to be 30g. Powders with 30g or more protein per dose scored 100%.
Additives – flavoured protein powders typically contain some additives. For fairness, we chose to analyse vanilla flavour powders (the most popular option), and where vanilla wasn't available, we chose the nearest alternative. We penalised powders with a higher number of additives or with additives that are considered unnecessary.
Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent
What's in vegan protein powder and do you really need it?
Many protein powders contain whey protein, but as this is a dairy by-product, it's not suitable for everyone. Vegan protein powders contain blends of vegan protein sources, such as soy, pea, rice, fava bean, and hemp.
The mix of protein sources in vegan protein powders is important to ensure there's enough leucine for muscle building and that all nine essential amino acids are covered, as most vegan protein sources are not 'complete proteins' on their own.
Most people don’t need a protein shake, and it's preferable to get your protein from a varied diet. However, they can be useful for some.
Vegans and vegetarians may find it more difficult to get adequate protein on a daily basis from diet alone or may just prefer to add a protein shake as a safety net.
People who are bodybuilders or who engage in regular, intense exercise may find it convenient and potentially better value to get some of their protein needs from a supplement rather than relying on cooking and eating large portions of protein throughout the day.
At the other end of the spectrum, people who have lost muscle mass due to illness, injury or a poor appetite may benefit from a protein shake to support them in maintaining and rebuilding muscle mass.
How much protein should I have?
British Nutrition Foundation guidelines recommend 0.75g of protein per kg of body weight per day for healthy, sedentary adults.
This means if you weigh 70kg, you need 52.5g of protein a day. However, some people need more. If you're ill or recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, you're advised to increase your protein intake to up to 1.5g per kg of bodyweight to help your body repair tissue.
If you lead an active lifestyle and train regularly, it's recommended you have 1.2g-2g of protein per bodyweight. And adults over the age of 65 are advised to increase their intake to 1-1.2g of protein per kg of bodyweight to minimise muscle loss.
Which vegan foods are high in protein?
If you don’t consume animal products, tofu, tempeh, Quorn and lentils are all good sources of protein.
- 100g of tofu - 14g
- 100g of red lentils - 7.6g
- Half a large tin of baked beans - 10g
- 100g of cooked rice - 10g.
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Who shouldn't take vegan protein powder?
Protein powders are safe for most people, with a few important exceptions:
- People with advanced kidney disease or liver disease shouldn’t take a protein shake without consulting their doctor or dietitian.
- People with certain metabolic inherited disorders such as PKU (Phenylketonuria) and urea cycle disorder should avoid protein shakes.
- Those with a milk allergy or actose intolerance should avoid whey-based protein powders.
Protein powders shouldn’t be relied upon as a meal replacement.
Our supplement experts
Our vegan protein powder assessment was conducted by Which? nutritionist Shefalee Loth and Sophie Medlin, consultant dietitian.
Shefalee Loth, Which? principal researcher and nutritionist
Shefalee is a public health nutritionist with 20 years' experience, and has worked for the NHS, The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and World Cancer Research Fund.
At Which?, Shefalee is a principal researcher, researching and writing food and nutrition content for our magazine and website. She is also a media spokesperson and the research lead for our health and wellbeing reviews. She is a trustee at Sustain, the food and farming alliance.
Shefalee focuses on cutting through the hype to explain what you need to know about nutrition and healthy eating. From 'How bad is ultra-processed food?' to the 'Top gut health myths you need to know about' and 'What really works to cut cholesterol', she gives no-nonsense advice to help you make healthier choices and save money.
Sophie Medlin, consultant dietitian and founder of CityDietitians
Sophie Medlin is a well-recognised consultant dietitian with nearly 20 years' experience working across the NHS and academia and within her own private practice at CityDietitians.
Sophie is chair of the British Dietetic Association for London.
With her in-depth knowledge of nutrition – both theoretical and applied – Sophie has helped to formulate supplements, giving her insight into the strengths and weaknesses of products and the manufacturing process.