What Is The Best Plant-Based Protein Powder to Build Muscle?

Building muscle comes with a great deal of stress on the body, so it’s important to support it with a balanced lifestyle. Introducing a vegan protein powder (instead of whey protein powder) into your health regimen is a great way to support your body—especially your muscles—while you’re building muscle.

Whether you’re new to vegan protein powders or simply want to optimize your results, it’s important to understand what makes a plant protein ideal for building muscle. In this guide, we’ll break down the best types of plant-based proteins, explain exactly what to look for, and help you find the right one to support your muscle-building journey.

What Makes a Good Plant-Based Protein for Muscle Gain

Before diving into the best plant proteins for muscle building, it’s helpful to know what sets a great one apart. Not all proteins are created equal, and when it comes to maximizing your results, certain qualities really matter.

Here’s what you want to look for:

• Complete Protein: A complete protein contains all nine essential amino acids that your body can’t make on its own. These are critical for building and repairing muscle tissue.

• High in BCAAs (Branched-Chain Amino Acids): BCAAs—especially leucine—play a major role in muscle protein synthesis, which is the process your body uses to build muscle.
  

• Easily Digestible: Your body needs to absorb and use the protein you’re taking in. The easier a protein is to digest, the better your body can utilize it for muscle repair and growth.
  

• Minimal Fillers or Additives: Clean formulas without unnecessary gums, fillers, or artificial ingredients are gentler on your digestive system and better for your overall health.
  

Keeping these factors in mind will help you pick a plant-based protein powder that truly supports your muscle-building goals—not just your daily protein count.

Which Plant-Based Protein Is Best for Muscle Gain?

Pea protein, soy protein, and hemp protein can all be very effective plant-based proteins for muscle gain. Let's look at each of these plant-based protein sources a little more deeply.

Pea Protein

Pea protein is one of the most popular plant-based options—and for good reason. It’s made by extracting protein from yellow split peas (higher quality than green peas) and packs a serious nutritional punch.

• Complete Protein? Almost! Pea protein contains all nine essential amino acids, though it’s a little lower in methionine.
  

• BCAA Content: It’s rich in branched-chain amino acids like leucine, isoleucine, and valine, which are key players in muscle growth.
  

• Digestibility: Very easy on the stomach, making it a great choice if you’re sensitive to heavier proteins.

• Bonus: Naturally rich in iron and allergen-friendly, so it’s a great choice for many diets.

Nourify® PLUS uses a blend of pea and rice protein to create a complete, easy-to-digest option perfect for muscle-building support.

Soy Protein

Soy protein is another powerhouse option for building muscle. It’s a complete protein by itself, meaning you don’t have to blend it with anything else to get all your essential amino acids.

• Complete Protein? Yes!
  

• BCAA Content: Strong, similar to animal-based proteins, with plenty of leucine to kickstart muscle protein synthesis.
  

• Digestibility: Generally good, but some people are sensitive to soy, so it’s worth noting.

• Things to Watch: There are some concerns with soy protein. Some soy products contain phytates, which can limit mineral absorption, and many soybeans are genetically modified. Always look for non-GMO, organic soy if possible.

Hemp Protein

Hemp protein offers more than just muscle support—it brings added fiber, healthy fats, and minerals to the table too.

• Complete Protein? Yes!
  

• BCAA Content: Decent, although slightly lower compared to pea or soy.
  

• Digestibility: Very easy to digest, making it a smart choice if you tend to experience bloating or digestive discomfort with other powders.
  

• Bonus: Packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, hemp protein helps support overall health while you build strength.
  

Plus, its high fiber content can be a major win since most Americans don't get nearly enough fiber in their diets. Studies also show that less than five percent of Americans get enough fiber in their diet, so high-fiber foods like hemp protein can help. Hemp protein also has unsaturated fats, which are beneficial for overall health. It’s also rich in key minerals and antioxidants. 

Can You Build Muscle with Plant-Based Protein Powder? 

In short, yes! Plant-based protein powder is just as effective as animal-based protein powder for building muscle, especially if you get one that is a complete protein. Getting enough protein is imperative for building muscle mass and your overall health. Muscle protein synthesis is the process by which your body converts amino acids into skeletal muscle, and the overall process of creating protein molecules—these are needed to help you build muscle mass. 

Vegan Protein Powder: What Protein Powder Do Vegan Bodybuilders Use?

It is possible to build muscle with vegan protein powder. Qualities to look for in plant-based protein powder are ensuring it’s a complete protein, contains BCAAs, and has a high protein content. Some of the most popular vegan protein powders for bodybuilding are: 

• Vega Sport Premium Vegan Protein Powder - this protein powder is NSF-certified for sport, gluten-free, non-GMO, and vegan. It has 30 grams of protein per serving, 5 grams of BCAAs, and has no added sugar. However, this plant-based protein powder is not pharmaceutical-grade and contains gums. 

• NAKED Nutrition Pea Protein Powder - this protein powder has 27 grams of protein per serving, no additives, and is vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free. It’s also third-party tested, non-GMO, and only has one ingredient: pea protein extracted from yellow split peas. 

• Thorne Research VeganPro Complex - this plant-based protein powder has 20 grams of protein per serving, is a complete protein—a pea, rice, and chia blend—is free of major allergens, and is NSF certified for sport. 

• Nourify® PLUS - this vegan protein powder is high-quality, non-GMO, pharmaceutical-grade, gluten, dairy, and soy-free, and boasts 20+ grams of protein per serving. It’s a complete protein and has all BCAAs. Something that sets this protein powder apart is that it contains one billion probiotics and a digestive enzyme blend to help with your overall digestion. Previnex® takes into consideration that sometimes, protein powder can cause stomach upset, so to mitigate that risk, we included digestive enzymes directly into every serving of Nourify®!

Chocolate and Vanilla Protein Powder for You

When it comes to building muscle and upping your protein intake, finding the right protein powder is key. The best vegan protein powders will be high-quality, pharmaceutical-grade, non-GMO, and without added ingredients, emulsifiers, or gums. Nourify® PLUS is all of this and more! It is gluten, dairy, and soy-free, boasts 20+ grams of protein per serving, contains all BCAAs, and contains one billion probiotics with digestive enzymes per serving. As a pea and rice protein blend, it is great for building muscle and contributing to your overall health. Grab yourself Nourify® PLUS in vanilla or chocolate to experience a vegan protein powder that doesn’t compromise taste or quality!