6 Best Soy Protein Powders in 2024

You love the idea of boosting your protein intake and have heard soy protein is a great option. Or maybe you want to start off by learning more about the pros and cons of buying a soy-based protein powder supplement. If you decide it’s something you want to add to your health and wellness routine, you probably want to know which is the best soy protein powder out there. Where do you start?

We will review popular soy protein supplements on the market according to supplement facts, nutrition label transparency, taste/flavor, mixability, and best value for your money. 

Our group of medical experts, certified nutritionists, and professional athletes have thoroughly evaluated 26 soy protein powders to bring you the top choices – 6 best currently on the market, and a bonus product. They conducted detailed assessments of soy protein powders across 5 key criteria and collectively spent 7 weeks testing most of them. Besides the extensive testing process, we’ve also looked at hundreds of user reviews online. We update our list regularly, so we encourage you to contribute your thoughts, share your experiences, and start a conversation!

Top 6 Best Soy Protein Powders Reviewed

To determine which is the best soy protein powder, we reviewed 6 solid options to choose from. Below, the main specs are listed for your convenience, including protein source, serving size, price per serving, macronutrient composition, and more. 

The products are listed in order from their highest to lowest cumulative scores, based on the criteria covered in the above table. These soy protein drinks (once mixed in water) were graded on 5 categories: supplement facts, nutrition label transparency, taste/flavor, mixability, and value for your money. Check out the athlete recommendations linked at the end of the main specs list for extra info.

1. MyProteinⓇ Soy Protein Isolate
2. NOWⓇ Sports, Soy Protein Isolate
3. BulkSupplements.com Soy Protein Isolate
4. NutricostⓇ Soy Protein
5. Shaklee – Life Shake Soy Protein Powder (French Vanilla)
6. 365 by Whole Foods Market

Product	Total	Supplement Facts	Nutrition Label Transparency	Taste/Flavor	Mixability	Value for Money
MyProtein	46	9	9	10	9	9
NOW	44	9	10	9	8	8
BulkSupplements	44	9	9	8	9	9
Nutricost	43	8	10	8	8	9
Shaklee	42	8	8	9	9	8
365 by Whole Foods Market	42	9	9	8	8	8

1. MyProteinⓇ Soy Protein Isolate

• Great for: Muscle building
• Suitable for Vegans: Yes
• Protein Source: Soy protein isolate
• Serving Size: 1 scoop (30 g)
• Price per Serving: $1.21
• Protein-by-Weight Ratio (%): 90%
• Protein: 26 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Added Sugar: 0 g
• Company Founded: 2004
• Athlete Recommendation: Gu yuze, Davinder Singh, Bethsfitdiary

MyProteinⓇ Soy Protein Isolate contains pure soy protein isolate, stated right there in the name. It is best used for muscle building, with 26 g of protein in each scoop of soy protein isolate powder. 

Its protein-by-weight ratio is 90% and is chocked full of protein. It has no added ingredients and no added sugars in the unflavored version, but does contain natural and artificial flavorings and sweeteners in the chocolate and vanilla flavors. 

It contains no meat or dairy, so is suitable for vegans. Under Suggested Use on the MyProteinⓇ website, it recommends taking 1 scoop 30-60 minutes after a training session to maximize your results.

2. NOWⓇ Sports, Soy Protein Isolate

• Great for: Muscle building
• Suitable for Vegans: Yes
• Protein Source: Soy protein isolate
• Serving Size: ⅓ cup (24 g)
• Price per Serving: $1.05
• Protein-by-Weight Ratio (%): 83%
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Added Sugar: 0 g
• Company Founded: 2004

The soy protein supplement from NOWⓇ Sports has a lot going for it. It is pure soy protein isolate with very few added ingredients. It is also NPA GMP certified and Informed Sport certified, and has been thoroughly tested not only for stability, potency, and product formulation, but also for a wide range of substances prohibited in sports. It’s even certified kosher. 

NOWⓇ Sports has been around since 1968 (with this product coming out in 2004), so the company has some street cred. It has a little lower protein-by-weight ratio than some of the other products, but is still over 80%. Per the Amazon customer reviews, it only scored high in sheerness, which is another word for mixability.

3. BulkSupplements.com Soy Protein Isolate

• Great for: Muscle building & muscle recovery
• Suitable for Vegans: Yes
• Protein Source: Soy protein isolate
• Serving Size: 5 Tbsp (30 g)
• Price per Serving: $0.73
• Protein-by-Weight Ratio (%): 90%
• Protein: 27 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fat: 1 g
• Added Sugar: 0 g
• Company Founded: 2016

The soy protein isolate from BulkSupplements.com is great for muscle building and muscle recovery because it contains adequate amounts of BCAAs (leucine, isoleucine, and valine), the building blocks for muscle recovery and repair. 

The protein is pure soy protein isolate. It has an impressive protein-by-weight ratio of 90% and packs 30 g of protein per serving. It is GMP certified and Third Party tested. It is also Lab verified, which means this soy protein powder is tested in their in-house lab at multiple stages throughout production. 

Also a nice feature is they include their amino acid profile per 100g on their packaging, listing percentages of each amino acid. This is perfect for those that want to ensure they are getting adequate amounts of the essential amino acids, including leucine and methionine. It comes in several different sized resealable bags, from 3.5 oz.(3 servings) up to 2.2 lbs. (17 servings). Per the Amazon customer reviews, it scored a 4 out of 5 in sheerness, which shows it mixes well.

4. NutricostⓇ Soy Protein

• Great for: Muscle building
• Suitable for Vegans: Yes
• Protein Source: Soy protein isolate
• Serving Size: ½ scoop or 1 ⅔ Tbsp (11 g)
• Price per Serving: $0.44
• Protein-by-Weight Ratio (%): 91%
• Protein: 10 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Fat: 0 g
• Added Sugar: 0 g
• Company Founded: 2022

NutricostⓇ Soy Protein is another pure soy protein isolate. It has a 91% protein-by-weight ratio with a serving of 10 g of protein. It comes in 3 flavors: unflavored, vanilla, and chocolate. It is Third Party tested, FDA registered, and each batch is tested by ISO-accredited laboratories. 

It’s also a great price at $0.88 per 20 g of protein. The serving size for NutricostⓇ Soy Protein is listed as ½ scoop, but that supplies only 10 g of protein. Most soy protein products recommend ~20 g of protein to get the essential amino acids needed for best results. So keep that in mind when comparing products by price per serving.

NutricostⓇ has been around since 2012 (with the soy protein produced in 2022) and is known for its quality products at wholesale prices.

5. Shaklee - Life Shake Soy Protein Powder (French Vanilla)

• Great for: Healthy weight & maintenance, digestive health & regularity
• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Protein Source: Proprietary protein blend (soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, pumpkin seed protein, & chia seed protein)
• Serving Size: 2 scoops (42 g)
• Price per Serving: $3.29
• Protein-by-Weight Ratio (%): 48%
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fat: 3 g
• Added Sugar: 5 g
• Company Founded: 2018

The Life Shake Soy Protein Powder by Shaklee is a unique soy protein supplement. It conveniently comes as a meal replacement shake, so you don’t have to worry about mixing it into water or a sports drink. It not only contains soy protein but protein from pumpkin seeds and chia seeds as well. 

It is packed full with 24 essential vitamins and minerals, including B-vitamins, zinc, calcium, and vitamin C. It also contains 6 g of fiber, which may help with satiety, making it one of the best soy protein powders for weight loss. The proprietary fiber blend, made from ancient grains, quinoa, chia seeds, and other sources, may help with digestive health. It also scored over 4 out of 5 for good flavor on Amazon customer reviews—it could be one of the best tasting soy protein powders out there based on multiple soy protein powder reviews. 

The downsides include the high price per serving and the low protein-by-weight ratio of only 48%. Another thing to be aware of is this product is not appropriate for vegans, as it is manufactured in a facility that may also process milk, eggs, and fish (as well as tree nuts, peanuts, and wheat).

6. 365 by Whole Foods Market

• Great for: Supports bone health
• Suitable for Vegans: No
• Protein Source: Soy protein isolate
• Serving Size: 1 scoop (27.7 g)
• Price per Serving: $2.62
• Protein-by-Weight Ratio (%): 87%
• Protein: 24 g
• Carbohydrates: <1 g
• Fat: 1 g
• Added Sugar: 0 g
• Company Founded: 2016

The last product we reviewed is 365 by Whole Foods. Its protein-by-weight ratio is fairly high at 87% and has 24 g of protein per serving. It is a pure soy protein isolate. It supports bone and cardiovascular health because it contains 75 mg calcium and is low in fat and carbs. 

Unfortunately, during the time that this article was written, this product was unavailable due to being out of stock. When available, it comes in 3 different flavors. Even though it says vegan on the label, it is not suitable for vegans because it is produced in a facility that processes milk, eggs, shellfish (as well as tree nuts and wheat). 

Even though it comes up as an organic soy protein powder with a google search, it’s not the case. But it is enrolled in the Non-GMO Project. This means there is a hefty list of “unacceptable ingredients” it won’t put in any of its products, including artificial flavors, colorings, sweeteners, preservatives, and hydrogenated fats. 

Bonus Product: HUGE VEGAN PROTEIN

Another protein powder that we wanted to highlight is Huge Vegan Protein. It is a complete plant protein, an option for vegans who want to be assured of a great product. It is made of ProvegaⓇ Complete Protein, a trademarked blend of 100% plant-based ingredients. Along with soy protein, it contains protein from peas, brown rice, fava and mung beans. 

It has 20 g of protein for 1 scoop of protein powder. It comes in 5 different flavors. Word of caution for those who eat gluten-free: look carefully at the ingredient list because a few of them contain wheat. 

How is Soy Protein Produced?

Soy protein isolate powder is made from defatted (which just means the fat has been removed) soybean flakes that have been washed in either alcohol or water to remove the fiber and sugars. After that, they are dehydrated and powdered. The soy protein powder is then added to products like protein bars and supplements.

What Are the Benefits of Soy Protein?

Soy protein is a high-quality, plant-based protein that can be consumed over one’s lifetime. Even though all plants contain each of the 9 essential amino acids in varying amounts, many sources have low amounts of some of them. Soy has ample amounts of each of the essential amino acids. The soybean is notable for its high protein content and the quality of soy protein, which makes it similar to animal protein. Several studies have been conducted to determine its benefits—check out some of them below.

✅ Preserves Muscle Mass

An important benefit of soy protein is the fact that it preserves muscle mass. Soy protein is known to reduce the loss of lean body mass during a caloric deficit/while losing weight. More clinical trials are needed to compare the effects of soy on obesity-related factors and to examine specific differences between the 2 sexes.

✅ Promotes Muscle Building

A second benefit of soy protein, when consumed after resistance training, is it can help with muscle building. This could result in achieving significant muscle growth.

✅ Improves Cardiovascular Health

Another benefit of soy protein is in the area of heart health. In a review of over 35 studies, soy intake lowered serum LDL cholesterol concentration and increased HDL cholesterol concentration. When LDLs are lowered enough, this can reduce the risk for heart attack, stroke, and other forms of cardiovascular disease.

✅ Soy Protein vs Whey Protein

A common question among athletes or those wanting to boost their protein intake with a supplement is, Which should I buy—soy or whey protein? You should now have a pretty good understanding of what soy protein is, but you may be unclear about the ins and outs of whey protein. 

Whey protein is the protein from whey, the watery portion of milk that separates from the curds when making cheese. There are 3 types of whey protein: concentrate, isolate, and hydrolysate. The isolate whey protein is high in protein and low in fat and lactose. This is perfect for those that are lactose-intolerant, but not for those who have a true milk allergy. You will most likely see the isolate form listed on the ingredient labels of protein drinks and bars.

What are the benefits of whey protein? It may be useful for muscle building, wound healing (if protein deficient), weight gain, or just to provide that extra nutritional boost. Some people can’t eat enough protein through food, whether they are trying to build muscle or put on additional weight, so whey protein is a way to do this simply and effectively.

We’ve learned a lot about soy protein powder and got a brief overview of whey protein. Some things they share in common is they both contain ample amounts of the 9 essential amino acids, they both pack a lot of protein in a serving, and they both are cost-effective. They both sound pretty great, but which one is better? Does one outperform the other? Let’s look at the research.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind study conducted in 2021 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics was done to find out if there were any differences with muscle growth or strength when using soy versus whey protein supplements (with equal amounts of leucine). They followed 61 men and women for 12 weeks.They were either given 19 g of whey protein or 26 g of soy protein. They measured support strength increases and muscle growth following 12 weeks of resistance training while taking one of the protein supplements. 

The result? They both had significant increases in lean body mass and strength. The only thing to note is you may need to consume more plant-based protein than whey protein to achieve similar results.

How to Find the Best Soy Protein Powder?

We did a deep-dive on 6 different soy protein powders, comparing apples to apples. We looked at several factors, but what if you just want to know if one specific product is a good choice? You may not have the time to compare 3 or 4 different brands. What are the non-negotiables or the characteristics of a high-quality soy protein powder?

1. Protein Type

Soybeans are processed into 3 main types of protein-rich products: soy flour, soy concentrate, and soy isolate. Soy flour contains about 50-54% protein, soy concentrate contains 65-70% protein, while soy isolate has the highest at 90%+ protein. This is why you want to find a soy protein powder that is made from soy isolate.

2. Protein-by-Weight Ratio

Another important consideration when choosing a soy protein powder is the actual amount of protein you get in each gram of powder. This is called the “protein-by-weight ratio.” To figure this out for any product, just divide the grams of protein into the grams per scoop x 100. For example, if there are 24 grams of protein in 1 scoop (that weighs 28 g), divide 24 into 28, which equals 0.857. Then multiply by 100 to get 85.7%, or about 86%. Any product close to 90% is a great choice.

3. What to Avoid?

A few things to avoid when choosing a soy protein powder are extra ingredients that you don’t need, such as additional sugars, calories, preservatives, or flavorings. You may want to go with an unflavored supplement if you prefer to avoid natural or artificial flavors and colors. Something else to consider are the customer reviews for flavor and blending feel. Everyone has different ideas on what constitutes a deal-breaker for a protein powder, but chalkiness could be one of them!

FAQ

Does Soy Protein Build Muscle?

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of soy protein intake for preserving muscle mass while gaining lean body mass. Because of its impressive essential amino acid profile, it can be useful for building muscle all on its own.

Which Protein Powder Is Best—Soy or Whey?

Since there is evidence that both whey powder and soy protein powder may improve muscle growth and strength, the decision comes down to you. If you are vegan or have a milk allergy, soy protein is a clear choice. If you are mostly concerned about the cost, soy protein tends to be less expensive. But don’t forget you need a larger amount of soy protein than whey. You may also want to consider taste, mouthfeel, and mixability. It comes down to personal preference. The ball is in your court!

Conclusion

In summary, soy protein powder has its place among the top types of protein supplements. With it being the only plant-based protein to have adequate amounts of the 9 essential amino acids, soy protein powder is helpful in building muscle. It also is a great vegan-friendly option and is cost-effective.

After reviewing 6 soy protein powders in 5 key areas, our Top Pick is MyProteinⓇ Soy Protein Isolate! It did very well in most categories, particularly value for money and taste/flavor. Not far behind was our Runner Up, or NOWⓇ Sports, Soy Protein Isolate. This product impressed us because of all the additional testing done to ensure its high quality ingredients.

Which soy protein powder are you ready to try, and why? Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you!

Also read:

• Best Lactose Free Protein Powder
• Best Egg White Protein Powder
• Do Protein Shakes Cause Constipation
• Can You Mix Creatine With Protein Powder
• Collagen Protein vs Whey Protein
• Best Whey Isolate Protein Powder
• Best Protein Powder Without Heavy Metals
• Best Vanilla Whey Protein Powder
• Does Protein Help You Poop

References:

1. What Is Soy Protein? All You Need to Know // Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/soy-protein-good-or-bad
2. Dietary Protein and Amino Acids in Vegetarian Diets // Ncbi: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893534/
3. Soy and Health Update: Evaluation of the Clinical and Epidemiologic Literature // Ncbi: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5188409/ 
4. Evidence Supports the Use of Soy Protein to Promote Cardiometabolic Health and Muscle Development // Pubmed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26400436/
5. Whey protein: Uses, Side Effects, and More // Webmd: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-833/whey-protein
6. Is Whey Protein Good for You? // Health: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-whey-protein-good-for-you
7. No Significant Differences in Muscle Growth and Strength Development When Consuming Soy and Whey Protein Supplements Matched for Leucine Following a 12 Week Resistance Training Program in Men and Women: A Randomized Trial // Ncbi: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7312446/
8. Soy Protein Products: Processing and Use // Academic: https://academic.oup.com/jn/article-abstract/125/suppl_3/573S/4730873
9. Effect of Soy and Soy Isoflavones on Obesity-Related Anthropometric Measures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials // Sciencedirect: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322008031