Creatine is one of the most-studied, most effective supplements for muscle growth known to mankind. (1) Created in the body from the amino acids arginine, glycine, and methionine, this sports nutrition supplement helps your body produce more adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energetic molecule that powers short, intense muscle contractions like those used in the Olympic lifts.
Our product testers evaluated dozens of creatine supplements, including many that are vegan-friendly. In our testing, we looked at:
- Formula: We only featured products with clinically proven doses.
- Third-party testing: Our team prioritized products backed by independent analyses.
- Taste: It’s got to taste good, or at least decent, or you won’t use it.
We’ve helped nearly 2 million readers find high-quality supplements, and we’re confident our guide to the best vegan creatine supplements will help you do the same.
The Best Vegan Creatine of 2025
- Best Vegan Creatine Overall: Transparent Labs Creatine HMB
- Best Vegan Creatine Gummies: Legion Creatine Gummies
- Best Vegan Creatine Monohydrate: Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate
- Best Vegan Creatine Powder: ProHealth Longevity Creatine
- Best Budget Vegan Creatine: Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate
Medical disclaimer: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.
Best Vegan Creatine Overall: Transparent Labs Creatine HMB
Why We Like It
Also our choice for the best creatine supplement overall (vegan or otherwise), Transparent Labs Creatine HMB earns 4.5 out of 5 points for its formula, which includes a clinically backed dose of creatine monohydrate of 5 grams per serving. The powder also contains ß-hydroxy ß-methylbutyrate (HMB), a metabolite of the amino acid leucine, which is known to play a role in reducing muscle protein breakdown. (2)
On top of that, Transparent Labs Creatine HMB contains BioPerine black pepper fruit extract. Black pepper is a source of piperine, a compound thought to increase the bioavailability of nutrients — meaning, this creatine supplement could be more readily absorbed by your body than those without piperine. Finally, the inclusion of vitamin D may further enhance muscle protein synthesis. (3)(4) According to registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, it’s a really strong formula backed by clinical research.
The one thing that’s missing, Bourgeois notes, is caffeine for those who take creatine pre-workout. “Many people include creatine as part of their workout routine,” she says. “This formula doesn’t contain any caffeine, which might be a bummer if that’s what you’re looking for.”
Our product tester, who tried the Peach Mango flavor, liked the taste well enough, though “there’s something weird about it,” she says. “The flavor itself is good and strong enough, but I think the BioPerine, which is a derivative of black pepper, is altering the taste. When you smell it, it smells spicy in a weird way. When mixed, it tastes a bit bitter unless mixed with more than the recommended amount of water.” Still, she gives it 4 out of 5 points for taste.
Additionally, all three of our testers who tried this product had issues with solubility, collectively awarding it 3.5 out of 5 points. They each noted that the powder didn’t dissolve fully, resulting in “floaties” that needed to be shaken up again before each swig.
Read our full Transparent Labs Creatine HMB Review.
Best Vegan Creatine Gummies: Legion Creatine Gummies
Best Vegan Creatine Monohydrate: Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate
This unflavored micronized creatine is available in two different size options and is Informed Sport certified, vegan, and gluten-free. You can even subscribe to recurring deliveries and save 15 percent.
Why We Like It
It doesn’t get simpler than this: This Sports Research supplement contains creatine monohydrate, and that’s it. No more, no less. “Each dose provides the upper end of what research deems the optimal dose of creatine monohydrate,” our tester says, “and there’s no unnecessary fluff to drive up your cost or potentially cause unwanted symptoms.” As such, this supplement earns 5 out of 5 points for its formula.
“Sometimes, less is more in the supplement world,” says registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois. “You get a research-backed dose of creatine monohydrate here. Because it’s a straightforward supplement, there’s no puzzling it into your routine. It can fit easily.”
If purity is a concern, you’ll be pleased to know that Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate is manufactured in a cGMP-compliant facility, Non-GMO Project Verified, NSF certified gluten-free, and NSF Informed Sport-certified.
This creatine supplement also earns 5 out of 5 points for taste, or the lack thereof. It’s unflavored, and there’s no taste at all, our tester says. The same goes for solubility, which also earns 5 out of 5: “If you didn’t tell me there was creatine in this water I wouldn’t know. It’s truly tasteless and mixes easily,” our tester raves.
That said, “If you’re someone who likes a little flavor in their creatine, you’re out of luck,” Bourgeois says. Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate only comes unflavored.”
Best Vegan Creatine Powder: ProHealth Longevity Creatine
Why We Like It
This no-frills creatine powder earns high marks from our expert product tester. “ProHealth hits all the high points,” they say, awarding it a perfect 5-out-of-5 score for the formula. “You get 5 grams of micronized creatine monohydrate per scoop, and each batch is third-party tested for quality, purity, and potency.”
Registered dietitian Chelsea Rae Bourgeois likes the simplicity of ProHealth Longevity Creatine. “You don’t have to sacrifice research-backed dosing of creatine for other ingredients,” she says. “It’s also free of 10 major allergens: dairy, egg, soy, wheat, gluten, corn, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, and peanuts. Not all creatine products are made in allergen-free facilities.”
Bourgeois points out that ProHealth uses Creavitalis, which is marketed as a high-quality and easily absorbed creatine monohydrate, as opposed to the current standard used in most products, CreaPure. “We know creatine has a lot to offer, but I’d love to see more research on Creavitalis, specifically.” Bourgeois says.
ProHealth Longevity Creatine earns 4 out of 5 points from our tester for taste. “I noticed a slight aftertaste in water, and my wife thought it tasted metallic, but we didn’t notice this when mixed in a sports drink” he says. Our tester gives it 5 out of 5 points for solubility, noting that it’s much more powdery than other creatines he’s tried so it mixes great, but it does settle at the bottom of the glass or bottle eventually.
This product is more expensive than average for a plain creatine monohydrate powder at $0.55 per serving, so it earns 3.5 out of 5 points for price. However, the increased cost may be worth it to those who need a product certified to be free from the 10 major allergens.
Best Budget Vegan Creatine: Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate
This extremely inexpensive creatine is micronized for extra solubility. We also appreciate Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate for its available flavor profiles, although the use of sucralose as a sweetening agent may lead to GI distress in some athletes.
Why We Like It
Fitness enthusiasts on a budget will love that Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate powder costs just 20 cents per serving. A tub of 100 servings will run you a little over $20, or less if you choose to subscribe and save. It earns a perfect score of 5 out of 5 points for price.
It has a winning formula, too, earning 4.5 out of 5 points. While it contains the upper end of the clinically backed dose of creatine—5 grams per serving—a half-point deduction comes from the inclusion of sucralose in flavored options. Sucralose is an artificial sweetener known to cause digestive upset in some individuals, which is something to be aware of if you have a sensitive stomach.
“Nutricost stays true to its name with this one,” says Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, RD, LDN. “Each serving provides a clinically-backed dose of creatine monohydrate at a budget-friendly price. I love that Nutricost doesn’t limit their dosing to keep your cost per serving low.”
In addition to its low price, it tastes good, too. Rather, it tastes like nothing, our tester says, which is ideal for an unflavored creatine product. “It’s actually tasteless, even in water,” they say, awarding it 5 out of 5 points. Nutricost creatine doesn’t score quite as high for solubility, earning a score of 3 out of 5 points. It settles in the bottom of the glass if you don’t drink it in one go, our tester notes.
Read our full Nutricost Creatine Review.
How We Tested and Chose the Best Vegan Creatine
Our team of product testers, which includes certified personal trainers, certified nutrition coaches, and other health and fitness professionals, spent weeks identifying and testing—yes, actually ingesting—dozens of creatine supplements. We evaluated eight criteria for each product we tried, rating each on a scale from 1 to 5: A score of 1-2 is below average; a score of 3 is average for the industry; a score of 4-5 is above average.
- Price per serving: Prices can range from as low as $0.20 to more than $1.50 per serving. We prioritized products with a high-value cost per serving or a clear justification for a higher price, like additional beneficial ingredients.
- Ingredients and formulation: We only included products with the gold standard dose of 5 grams of creatine per serving.
- Taste: Our testers evaluated the taste and aftertaste of each creatine supplement, even unflavored options.
- Solubility: Testers analyzed how well (or not) powders dissolved into cold water, room-temperature water, and mixtures like smoothies.
- Side effects: Testers logged any negative creatine side effects, such as bloating, cramping, nausea. They also logged positive effects, like enhanced muscle pumps during workouts.
Other Vegan Creatine Supplements We Researched
These products are also great choices for anyone, including those on a vegan diet.
- BulkSupplements Creatine Monohydrate Micronized Powder: This is pure micronized creatine with a low price per serving of about $0.24.
- Naked Nutrition Naked Creatine: Another 100% creatine powder, this one comes in tubs as large as 200 servings. It’s tested for heavy metals and allergens, including gluten.
- Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Powder: Affordable and easily available at in-store retailers, this affordable formula is tested for banned substances.
Benefits of Vegan Creatine
Making a case for creatine isn’t hard: There’s a very long list of creatine benefits.
- Strength and power: Perhaps the best-documented benefit of creatine is that it enhances your ability to perform intense exercise, like lifting near-maximal loads. It’s consistently associated with increased physical performance, particularly for strength and power lifts. (5)(6)(7)
- Muscle mass: Aspiring bodybuilder? Add creatine to your supplement stack. Senior struggling with muscle loss? Creatine. Regardless of life status, taking creatine may increase lean muscle mass, especially in conjunction with resistance training. (8)(9)
- Speed and stamina: Because creatine plays a huge role in the body’s phosphocreatine energy system (the one that powers very short bouts of high-intensity exercise), higher creatine levels have a substantial positive impact on sprint performance. And not just a single sprint: repeated sprint performance, i.e., stamina, is improved with supplementation. (10)
- Recovery boost: Higher intramuscular creatine levels may protect against some level of post-workout muscle damage, leading to quicker recovery from your training sessions. (11)
- Brain function: Creatine is also known to boost cognitive function and protect brain health. (12)(13) Specifically, memory and speed of intelligence appear to be positively affected by supplementation. (14)
- Heart health: Among the seemingly ever-growing list of creatine benefits is heart health. In 2024, researchers studied the effects of creatine supplementation (20g/day) in older men. They found positive effects on arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis parameters after just one week. (15)
How Much Do the Best Vegan Creatine Supplements Cost?
Vegan creatine supplements range in price from about 20 cents per serving to nearly $2 per serving. Expect to pay about $20 to $50 per month, depending on the brand.
| Best Vegan Creatine Overall | Transparent Labs Creatine HMB | $49.99 (30 servings) |
| Best Vegan Creatine Gummies | Legion Creatine Gummies | $44.99 (30 servings) |
| Best Vegan Creatine Monohydrate | Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate | $21.66 (100 servings) |
| Best Vegan Creatine Powder | ProHealth Longevity Creatine | $49.94 (90 servings) |
| Best Budget Vegan Creatine | Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate | $21.50 (100 servings) |
What to Consider Before Buying Vegan Creatine
As you shop for creatine, keep these factors in mind.
Form of Creatine
Creatine monohydrate remains the gold standard. For enhanced bioavailability, look for micronized creatine powder. Other forms of protein, like creatine hydrochloride (HCl) and creatine ethyl ester, have not been proven more effective or beneficial. (16)
Formula
Look out for fillers. Except for flavors—and in some cases, depending on the type of supplement (i.e., gummies), preservatives—creatine supplements don’t need many ingredients at all. In fact, some of the best creatine supplements contain just one ingredient: creatine.
One common con of creatine is bloating, and minimizing artificial sweeteners and additives can help keep digestion smooth. If you plan to use your creatine pre-workout, consider a formula with caffeine to boost energy levels and further enhance exercise performance.
Third-Party Testing
If you want to be sure about the quality and purity of your creatine, look for independent analyses of the contents. The best indicator of quality is a certification from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), but certificates of composition from any lab can tell you if the product contains any contaminants and if it is properly dosed.
Best Vegan Creatine FAQs
What is the cleanest vegan creatine?
The cleanest vegan creatine supplements are those that contain only pure creatine monohydrate powder. Examples include Sports Research Creatine Monohydrate and Nutricost Creatine Monohydrate, both of which have a single ingredient: micronized creatine monohydrate.
Is vegan creatine as effective?
Yes. Vegan creatine is synthesized in a lab, and most creatine supplements on the market are made that way. Look out for gelatin in capsules and gummies if use of animal products is not negotiable for you.
What is a vegan substitute for creatine?
Unfortunately, it’s tough for vegans to get enough creatine from diet alone, since the most potent natural sources include red meat, poultry. and fish. Vegetarians can get small amounts through eggs and dairy products. Luckily, most lab-created creatine products are, in fact, plant-based creatine. Since they are synthesized chemically from the amino acids sarcosine and cyanamide, they do not contain animal byproducts. Exceptions include gelatin in capsules and gummies.
Can vegans build muscle without creatine?
Yes, of course. People on a vegan diet can build muscle by following a hypertrophic strength training plan, eating in a calorie surplus, and prioritizing protein and amino acid intake. Creatine is not directly involved in muscle-building processes like muscle protein synthesis. (17) However, it can improve athletic performance and muscle recovery, leading to increases in muscle strength and power. (18)
References
- Wang Z, Qiu B, Li R, et al. Effects of Creatine Supplementation and Resistance Training on Muscle Strength Gains in Adults <50 Years of Age: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2024;16(21):3665.
- Courel-Ibáñez J, Vetrovsky T, Dadova K, Pallarés JG, Steffl M. Health Benefits of β-Hydroxy-β-Methylbutyrate (HMB) Supplementation in Addition to Physical Exercise in Older Adults: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2082.
- Zhang W, Zheng Q, Song M, et al. A review on the bioavailability, bio-efficacies and novel delivery systems for piperine. Food Funct. 2021;12(19):8867-8881.
- Agoncillo M, Yu J, Gunton JE. The Role of Vitamin D in Skeletal Muscle Repair and Regeneration in Animal Models and Humans: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2023;15(20):4377.
- Wax B, Kerksick CM, Jagim AR, Mayo JJ, Lyons BC, Kreider RB. Creatine for Exercise and Sports Performance, with Recovery Considerations for Healthy Populations. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1915.
- Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:18.
- Rawson, Eric S; Volek, Jeff S. Effects of Creatine Supplementation and Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Weightlifting Performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 17(4):p 822-831, November 2003.
- Wu SH, Chen KL, Hsu C, et al. Creatine Supplementation for Muscle Growth: A Scoping Review of Randomized Clinical Trials from 2012 to 2021. Nutrients. 2022;14(6):1255.
- Candow DG, Forbes SC, Chilibeck PD, Cornish SM, Antonio J, Kreider RB. Effectiveness of Creatine Supplementation on Aging Muscle and Bone: Focus on Falls Prevention and Inflammation. J Clin Med. 2019;8(4):488.
- Bogdanis GC, Nevill ME, Aphamis G, et al. Effects of Oral Creatine Supplementation on Power Output during Repeated Treadmill Sprinting. Nutrients. 2022;14(6):1140.
- Wax B, Kerksick CM, Jagim AR, Mayo JJ, Lyons BC, Kreider RB. Creatine for Exercise and Sports Performance, with Recovery Considerations for Healthy Populations. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1915.
- Forbes SC, Cordingley DM, Cornish SM, et al. Effects of Creatine Supplementation on Brain Function and Health. Nutrients. 2022;14(5):921.
- Roschel H, Gualano B, Ostojic SM, Rawson ES. Creatine Supplementation and Brain Health. Nutrients. 2021;13(2):586.
- Rae C, Digney AL, McEwan SR, Bates TC. Oral creatine monohydrate supplementation improves brain performance: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial. Proc Biol Sci. 2003;270(1529):2147-2150.
- Aron A, Landrum EJ, Schneider AD, Via M, Evans L, Rawson ES. Effects of acute creatine supplementation on cardiac and vascular responses in older men; a randomized controlled trial. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2024;63:557-563.
- Eghbali E, Arazi H, Suzuki K. Supplementing With Which Form of Creatine (Hydrochloride or Monohydrate) Alongside Resistance Training Can Have More Impacts on Anabolic/Catabolic Hormones, Strength and Body Composition?. Physiol Res. 2024;73(5):739-753.
- Antonio J, Candow DG, Forbes SC, et al. Common questions and misconceptions about creatine supplementation: what does the scientific evidence really show? J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021;18(1):13.
- Wax B, Kerksick CM, Jagim AR, Mayo JJ, Lyons BC, Kreider RB. Creatine for Exercise and Sports Performance, with Recovery Considerations for Healthy Populations. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1915.
