The Best Pea Protein Powders of 2025, According to an RD and a Nutrition Coach

Why We Like It

Our pick for best overall protein is Transparent Labs Rice & Pea Protein. As a certified nutrition coach, I like that it’s a complete profile of all essential amino acids. It can be difficult to get all the essential amino acids with dairy-free protein powders, and your body needs all nine for a number of health benefits. (1)

Another great feature of this protein powder is that it’s third-party tested. You can find the results of these tests directly from the website. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so third-party testing holds supplement companies accountable, ensuring that their products only include what they say they do on the label.

Our certified nutrition coach expert testers have mixed reviews about the flavor of this protein powder, specifically calling out the stevia taste. One of these testers gives it a 2 out of 5 and remarks that, “It tastes very artificial for a vanilla flavor. Maybe it’s the stevia? I would not drink this plain. It also smells gross; not to the point where I think there’s something wrong with the batch, but more than expected.”

But our other expert tester rates it a 3 out of 5 saying, “Not too bad for a vegan protein powder; it tastes like a dark chocolate drink (not milk chocolate), but with an earthy hint because of the rice and pea protein. I would not suggest this for people who like sweet/sugary protein drinks. There is not that much sugar and you can really taste the cocoa powder.”

A common feature of non-whey proteins is the lack of solubility and distinct texture and mouth feel. Transparent’s Rice & Pea Protein is not immune to these features. One of our expert testers describes it as “… not gritty but there is more residue/film in the shaker and I can feel that extra texture in my mouth, too. It’s kind of like you can feel the cocoa powder. It’s really not terrible but it’s not comparable to whey.” They give it a 4 out of 5 overall. 

Read our full Transparent Labs Vegan Rice & Pea Protein Review.

Why We Like It

We chose Nutricost Organic Pea Protein Isolate as our budget-friendly pick because you won’t find another option that is more affordable with such great ingredients. Containing only two vegan protein powders, salt, and stevia, I like that this formula makes Nutricost’s vegan protein a great option for a quick snack or as a foundation for a hearty protein shake. I am impressed that the cost is so reasonable for a USDA-certified organic pea protein powder.  

Users report that the texture can be chalky and hard to dissolve, which can make it a great choice for blending into smoothies and protein shakes. As a nutrition coach, I like this for individuals with high protein goals. With 20 grams of protein, 2 grams of fat, and 1 gram of carbohydrates, this simple formula will help you hit protein goals without adding too much of anything else. 

This can be great for individuals who want to lose weight, as a high protein diet is satiating and it takes a while to digest keeping you full for longer. Plus, protein is key for hypertrophy — that is, building muscle — which can help you burn more calories at rest.  

Not only is Nutritcost third-party tested, but it’s also GMP Compliant. This standard is granted to manufacturing facilities that meet industry-standard quality specifications. To earn and maintain this label, Nutricost has to ensure they consistently produce high-quality, safe, reliable, and ethical products that meet FDA mandates.

As a certified nutrition coach, that GMP compliance is important to me, as is the fact that all of their ingredients are certified organic. For such an affordable protein powder, this is quite an impressive feat. Few supplement companies conduct third-party testing, and even fewer have both that testing and GMP compliance.

An added bonus of Nutricost’s Organic Pea Protein Isolate? For the aspiring fitness influencers out there, you can apply for their ambassador program straight from their website.

Why We Like It

Plant-based protein powders often don’t contain as much protein as their whey counterparts, but Legion Plant+ has an impressive 24 grams of protein per serving and only 130 calories. This protein supplement has a great macro profile and, as a certified nutrition coach, I think this makes a great high-protein snack without adding other macronutrients. 

Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, a registered dietitian and our expert reviewer, also likes the macros, saying, “I really like Legion Plant+ as a vegan protein powder. You get 24 to 25 grams of protein per scoop, all from high-quality, plant-based sources. Plus, there’s no added sugar, and the fat and carb content is controlled so you can boost your protein intake without skewing your other macros much.”

Overall, Bourgeois gives Legion Plant+ a 3.75 out of 5, attributing the deductions to the “sodium content and limited vitamin and mineral profile.”

A lot of our testers mention the taste being overly sweet and in some cases making them more hungry. One of our product testers says, “I feel like drinking this made me more hungry. I had this before I made dinner and then I was craving a sweet dinner option. So I feel like it would be hard for me to say this would make me feel satiated.”

Another product tester of ours describes the Dutch Chocolate flavor as “smooth and a mid-level thickness (think a viscous chocolate milk). I liked it.”

The good news is that Legion Plant+ mixes well even without a shaker. One of our product testers says, “I didn’t have a shaker so I mixed it with water in a glass with a knife (not recommended), but I was surprised that it actually mixed! It got smooth after about a minute of stirring.” They rate the solubility 4 out of 5 “because there were clumps but again I mixed it in a way that I wouldn’t have… I’m sure if I used a shaker it would have been 5 out of 5.”

Read our full Legion Plant+ Protein Review.

Why We Like It

Ritual’s Essential Protein 18+ is a great pea protein for athletes because it’s third-party tested by Informed Sport. This certification means that it meets the gold standard in quality control and manufacturing standards for sports nutrition. Essential Protein passes rigorous testing for more than 250 banned substances in sports competitions. This is vital for athletes who cannot take certain substances before their competitions. 

Registered dietitian and our expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois likes the third-party testing, remarking, “I’m a huge fan of companies that are transparent with their formulas, and Ritual’s got that down to a science. Essential Protein Daily Shake is third-party tested and made with traceable ingredients, so you know exactly what you’re putting in your body and where it came from.” Bourgeois ultimately scores Ritual Essential Protein as 4.5 out of 5 “for its formulation with deductions for the sodium content.”

Not only is Essential Protein athlete approved — it’s also has a great taste and solubility. Almost all our testers rate it 5 out of 5 in both. One says, “When mixed with water alone I was surprised at how thick the solution was. Pro-tip: throw it in a blender for 10 seconds if you want an extra smooth and creamy finish.”

Kate Meier, a certified personal trainer and BarBend editorial team member, gives the texture a 5 out of 5, saying, “This has a shockingly great consistency. Mixed in water, it dissolves, and it also has a really smooth texture. It’s not thick, but it’s not watery like some proteins are.” 

Meier goes on to say, “Even just with water, this has a nice taste. It’s not super plant-y or hemp-y like some vegan protein powders are. There is a very slight chalky aftertaste with water — but I could drink this with water alone and be fine with it. That’s how decent I think this taste is.” She scores the taste 4 out of 5. 

The one thing Meier doesn’t like is the closing mechanism. “It’s almost like a Velcro, and the protein gets stuck in it and makes it hard to seal.”

Why We Like It

It’s no secret that some plant-based protein powders can leave a bitter, unpleasant taste in your mouth. Luckily, that’s not the case with Naked Pea Protein Isolate — our top pick for the best-tasting pea protein. While you can get an unflavored version, this single-ingredient supplement also comes in Vanilla, Chocolate, Chocolate Peanut, and Double Chocolate.

Although our expert tester (a certified nutrition coach) says the unflavored version can have a strong pea protein flavor, many customers speak highly of the taste of the vanilla, chocolate, and other varieties. “I love the taste (especially the peanut butter) mixed in with oat milk,” wrote one verified buyer. “And it produces excellent results!”

In addition, you can expect a smooth sipping experience. “I used it to make protein oatmeal and it gave it a rich, creamy texture,” our tester notes, rating this protein powder at 4 out of 5 for solubility.

Earning a perfect formulation score of 5 out of 5, this supplement only contains one ingredient: yellow pea protein. One serving delivers 18 grams of protein and just two grams of sugar. If you’re new to the world of pea protein, however, heed our product tester’s advice. “A serving is 2 pretty large scoops, so I would definitely recommend starting with half-serving if you’re not used to pea protein,” she says.

We also appreciate that this product has an Informed Choice Trusted by Sport certification, leading to a third-party testing score of 5 out of 5. This should give you pea(ce) of mind that you won’t run into issues with banned substances, making Naked a great choice for competitive athletes.

At $0.76 per serving, this is one of the more affordable options on this list. However, if you want a similarly simple formula at an even cheaper price point, check out Nutricost Organic Pea Protein Isolate.

Why We Like It

Bulk Supplements Pea Protein Isolate is our favorite unflavored protein because of its basic and straightforward formula. It’s unflavored and only contains pea protein isolate. Because it’s unflavored, it won’t add any additional flavors to the baked goods, so that makes it great for baking protein snacks. 

Our expert tester, a certified nutrition coach, says that if you’re not used to pea protein, you may be in for a surprise in beverage form. “If you don’t know what pea protein tastes like, you’ll find out very quickly with this,” they explain. But drinks are not your only option with this supp. “It works excellently with baking,” our tester reports, scoring this a 3 out of 5 for taste.

Another one of our experts and BarBend editorial team member Alex Polish — whose go-to protein powder is of the pea variety — says it’s easy to dress up the flavor. “All you have to do is toss this into the blender with your favorite fruits and it’ll take care of the pea flavor. You can also go for a solid peanut butter and chocolate mix to cancel any unwanted flavor right out.”

As a certified nutrition coach, I like its minimal formula and that it’s third-party tested. On the other hand, I don’t like that the certifications and the documentation of this testing are harder to find than some other brands. Brands like Legion and Transparent include the certificate in the photo carousels on the website — these were a bit hard to find.

It’s unfortunate that each container only has 17 servings — that’s not that much if you’re going to put away a shake each day. Luckily, you can buy in bulk, which will also help you save more. 

[Related: Pea Protein Vs. Whey Protein]

Why We Like It

Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder is a certified USDA organic, vegan pea protein powder. We’ve named this our best organic protein powder because we love the blend of rich organic ingredients as well as the variety of flavors available. The organic nature of the ingredients does mean you will be paying a bit more than some of the other proteins ($1.90 per serving or $1.61 with a subscription), but the plus side is that you’re getting all the organic goodness in there. 

Most of our testers recommend using a blender to mix this protein. One tester says, “It’s difficult to mix in a regular blender bottle, so definitely use an actual blender.” Another mentions that “it mixed really well for me in a shaker bottle with a shaker ball. It also mixes up really well in a blender.” 

One of our other testers speaks very highly, saying, “This is my favorite plant-based protein  — specifically the Creamy Chocolate Fudge — because it tastes good, like hot cocoa, and the texture isn’t as gritty as most other protein powders I’ve tried. And even though it’s made with pea protein, it tastes less like peas than most of the other pea proteins I’ve tried.” 

Another tester mentions the texture positively, explaining, “This is one of the smoother plant protein powders I’ve tried. There is definitely a little grit, but the creamer case really does give it a creamy texture. I don’t notice the grit at all when I blend this protein powder in a smoothie. The Chocolate flavor tasted less gritty than the Vanilla Bean, which is unusual, in my experience.”

As a certified nutrition coach, I am wary of anything containing erythritol as it can cause inflammation in the gut for some people, but one of our testers points out they were also worried about the erythritol, but experienced no side effects. They say, “I drink this protein regularly and never have any issues. Sometimes it even helps my digestion (if you know what I mean).”

Read our full Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder Review.