Looking for the best vegan protein powder in the UK but don’t want to commit to a giant bag right away? I’ve got you covered!
I’ve personally tested all the most popular vegan protein powders, focusing not just on taste and texture but also on the quality of the ingredients.
Short on time? Jump straight to my top pick!
🏆 Vegan Wondershake 🏆
Vegan Wondershake is hands-down the best-tasting vegan protein shake I’ve tried.
Otherwise, keep reading for an honest review of each brand…
I’ll admit, my first experience with vegan protein powder was awful. The chalky, gritty texture made me gag, and finishing a single shake felt like torture.
After scouring countless “best protein powder” lists, I quickly realised most writers hadn’t actually tried the shakes they were recommending. Many didn’t even take the time to check the quality of the ingredients!
And let’s not forget those UK protein powder reviews written by people overseas, pushing products shipped from the US. Every protein powder on this list is made right here in the UK.
The Best Vegan Protein Powders
1. Vegan Wondershake
🏆 Best Tasting!
Per serving: 20g protein, 94 calories, 0g sugar
Vegan Wondershake is hands-down the best-tasting vegan protein shake I’ve tried.
Why we love it…
This vegan protein shake tastes just like a milkshake. I have the Double Chocolate flavour almost every day. Sometimes, I like the Chocolate Bueno flavour for a change – that onen tastes exactly like a Kinder Bueno!
The Vanilla Creme flavour is excellent in protein oats. There are 12 flavours to try, and I haven’t tried them all, but out of the ones I have, I’ve never had a bad one.
There’s zero grittiness, it’s not too sweet and it mixes really easily in just a few seconds. I even love how the tin fits into the cupboard better than a bag.
Vegan Wondershake protein powder is made from a combination of pea protein, pumpkin protein, brown rice protein and soy protein, which creates a well-balanced amino acid profile.
The downsides?
Protein Works is one of those brands that almost always has a sale on, they’re a bit like DFS. So make sure you don’t pay full price!
If it’s currently showing at under £1 per serving, you’re getting a great deal.
2. Vegan Protein Extreme
Per serving: 30g protein, 134 calories, 0.1g sugar
Vegan Protein Extreme is cheaper than Vegan Wondershake, and each scoop has 50% more protein. Plus, it comes with vitamins and minerals.
Why we love it…
Vegan Protein Extreme is a great all-rounder. It tastes very nice and has a massive 30g of protein per scoop.
The powder is a mix of soy protein, pea protein, pumpkin seed protein, brown rice protein and flaxseed. Plus, each scoop has 15% of your RDA of Vitamins B6, B12, C, folic acid, panthothenic acid and calcium, which is a nice bonus.
There are a whopping 18 flavours to choose from, so if you get bored easily, then flavours like ‘Chocolate Coconut Party’ or ‘Mango Smoothie’ might be right up your street,
The downsides?
Although Vegan Protein Extreme tastes great, it’s not quite as delicious as Vegan Wondershake. It does have a slight grittiness. Not much, but just a tiny bit.
And the packaging isn’t quite as nice, as it comes in a standard bag, rather than the luxurious cylinder of the Wondershake.
Want to know more? Read our full Vegan Protein Extreme review or watch our review video on YouTube.
3. Free SOUL
Per serving: 20g protein, 101 calories, 0.1g sugar
Free Soul Vegan Protein Blend is specifically designed for women – and while I usually roll my eyes at overpriced “for her” products (looking at you, pink razors!), this one actually earns makes sense.
Why we love it…
Free Soul includes a carefully formulated blend of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals tailored to support female hormone balance. Beyond boosting your protein intake, it offers added perks for your skin, hair, nails, bone health, and energy levels.
One unexpected bonus? While using this protein powder daily, I noticed my nails growing longer and stronger than ever!
The protein powder is a blend of pea protein isolate and white hemp protein. There are four flavours to choose from. I loved the strawberries and cream but it is has sadly been discontinued.
The downsides?
You don’t get a scoop included, so you have the problem of not knowing whether your ‘heaped tablespoon’ is the right amount of heaped or not. I suggest weighing it if you’re tracking your calories and macros.
It’s also a little more expensive than some other brands, although you can save 20% if you subscribe to a regular delivery.
Any others to consider?
I’ve tried plenty more protein shakes over the years, including Amazing Grass, MyVegan Clear Protein, MyVegan Protein Blend, Neat Nutrition, BOXD and Form.
Honestly, I’m not going to write too much about them here because I don’t recommend them.
Sure, some of them contain superfoods like spinach and wheatgrass and others have exotic flavours like raspberry mojito. But at the end of the day, if they taste rank, I’m not going to drink them.
And I’m not going to bother adding them here.
But, myself and the team here at Vegan Wins will continue to test out different protein powders.
Will anything beat Vegan Wondershake? I don’t think so. But I’m open to finding out.
How to Choose the Best Vegan Protein Powder
Finding the perfect vegan protein powder isn’t one-size-fits-all — it depends on your preferences. Here’s everything you should consider to make an informed choice.
What to Look for in a Vegan Protein Powder
- Ingredients – Choose complete proteins with no artificial additives or added sugars
- Taste – Opt for a smooth, non-gritty texture in a flavour you’ll actually enjoy
- Packaging – Environmentally friendly options like recyclable or compostable packaging are a win
- Vegan Accreditation – Not all plant-based powders are truly vegan. Some may include honey or lanolin-derived vitamin D. Look for “suitable for vegans” or the Vegan Trademark from The Vegan Society
Types of Plant-Based Protein
Vegan protein powders are made from single or blended sources.
Popular options include:
- Pea
- Hemp
- Soy
- Brown rice
- Pumpkin seed
- Sunflower seed
- Chia seed
Some people argue that whey protein is better because plant proteins aren’t complete – meaning that they are missing at least one of the nine essential amino acids.
So, you should either look out for protein powders that contain more than one source of protein, or, make sure that you eat lots of vegetables, beans and legumes to add any missing amino acids to your diet.
How Much Protein Do Vegans Need?
The NHS recommends:
- Men: 55.5g per day
- Women: 45g per day
That’s not a lot, and most people will get that much from food.
However, if you’re wanting to increase your muscle mass (or prevent muscle loss as you lose fat), then you should definitely consume more than this.
For muscle gain, aim for up 1.6g to 2.2g of protein per kg of body weight , per day.
For example, I’m an average 60kg woman and I want to build muscle while maintaining my bodyweight. So I aim for 120g per day of protein and 2000 calories.
That is VERY hard to acheive on a plant-based diet. But two scoops of Vegan Wondershake per day gives me an extra 40g of protein with under 200 calories. And it stops me snacking on crisps in the afternoon.
How and When to Use Vegan Protein Powder
You can safely take vegan protein daily, with some people having two or three shakes per day. But, if you’re replacing meals, consider a vegan meal replacement shake for added nutrients and calories.
Best Times to Take It
- Breakfast: Mix into oats, pancakes, or smoothies
- Pre-Workout: A quick shake boosts energy levels
- Post-Workout: Within 60 minutes to aid muscle recovery
- Snacks: Add to brownies, cookies, or cakes for a protein-packed treat
How to Prepare
- Shake it: Combine with water or plant milk (oat, almond, soy, etc.).
- Blend it: Make smoothies with fruit or try vegan chocolate protein pancakes
- Prep it: Add to overnight oats or baked goods like protein brownies
Jenny has been vegan for five years and vegetarian since the age of ten. She lives in Bristol, England, with her husband, kids and dogs. Jenny loves weightlifting and cooking up plant-based receipes that will help her hit those protein goals while also keeping the fusspot kids happy. Jenny wishes that it was Veganuary every month, because it’s always so sad when the vegan aisle shrinks at the end of the season.
Has anyone tried mixing the Vegan Wondershake with non-dairy milk? I’m curious if it enhances the flavour or texture since it’s already touted as best tasting.
Yeah, I’ve tried it with almond milk, and it’s pretty decent. Makes it a bit creamier, which I’m all for.
Honestly, I reckon water’s just fine. Keeps the calorie count down, and you’re not really missing out on taste.
Been using Vegan Protein Extreme for a while now. Massive fan of the protein to calorie ratio. Definitely helps in recovery without the calorie overload. Highly recommend!
Vegan Wondershake being the best tasting is quite the claim. I mean, has anyone actually tasted all the vegan proteins out there? Doubt it.
Interesting to see how Vegan Wondershake compares in baking. In my experience, some protein powders can really alter the texture of baked goods. Wonder if this is any different.
Has anyone actually checked the amino acid profile for the Vegan Wondershake? Just curious because while 20g of protein sounds great for 94 calories, I’m wondering if it’s got a complete profile or if we’re missing out on some essentials here. Not all proteins are created equal after all.
That’s a great question, SammyB! From what I’ve researched, the Vegan Wondershake does include a blend of different plant proteins to ensure a more complete amino acid profile. It’s always wise to look into this, especially on a vegan diet.
Wait, amino what now? So you’re saying the protein in my shake might not be the full deal? How do I know if I’m getting the good stuff?