Thanks to the increased interest in plant-based diets, more fitness enthusiasts are turning to plant protein. Like whey, vegan protein powders are used to support the growth of lean muscle, optimize post-workout recovery, and assist with weight loss. One promising plant protein supplement is the Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein powder.
This brand is known for its natural ingredients, but is this product worth the money? Our Transparent Labs Vegan Protein review covers everything from taste, consistency, effectiveness, customer service, and more to help you choose the best plant-based protein powder for your needs.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
Trustworthy Reviews from Protein Experts
Our testers know how to use protein to get real results. As a team of certified personal trainers, registered dietitians, strength and conditioning coaches, and other fitness professionals, we have the expertise needed to provide practical, informative reviews to make your purchasing decisions easier.
Lauren Strong, GGR staff writer and NCSA-Certified Personal Trainer, has extensive experience in using protein supplements to support resistance training. She knows exactly what to look for in a protein powder and uses her expertise to provide an in-depth review of Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein for us. She rated it on a scale of 1 to 5 for a variety of features, including:
- Price per serving
- Formulation
- Taste
- Solubility
- Customer reviews
- Third-party testing
As a vegan registered dietitian and ACSM-Certified Personal Trainer, I’ll provide my thoughts on its nutrition profile and whether I’d recommend it for physically active people on a plant-based diet.
Transparent Labs Vegan Protein
Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Plant-Based Protein Isolate
Product Highlights
- A rice and pea protein powder
- Rated with 4.3 stars on their website
- Comes in 2 flavors
- 24 g of protein per serving
- Organic product with minimal ingredients
Pros & Cons
Pros
- No artificial sweeteners, colors, or preservatives
- Organic and vegan
- Only 5-7 ingredients
- Reviewers love the taste
- 24 g of protein per serving
- Subscribe and save
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only 2 flavors
- Stevia can cause GI issues for some
- Expensive
Bottom Line
This organic rice and pea protein powder is a good choice for people who want a clean plant-based protein option with minimal ingredients.
A Quick Look at Transparent Labs Vegan Protein
Transparent Labs is a fitness supplement brand that aims to prioritize—you guessed it—“transparency” with its products. All supplements are third-party tested for purity, with certificates of analysis for each product linked directly on their website.
Transparent Labs is better known for its grass-fed whey protein isolate, creatine HMB, and pre-workouts, but they also offer plant-based protein.
RELATED: Transparent Labs Protein Review
Transparent Labs Vegan Protein contains a combination of organic rice protein and organic pea protein isolate for a well-balanced amino acid profile. It’s also gluten-free, non-GMO, and free from preservatives, added sugars, and artificial colors, flavors, and sweeteners.
Before You Buy
- Flavors are limited to Chocolate and French Vanilla.
- Availability from other retailers is limited, so you’ll need to order directly from the Transparent Labs website.
- Check out the “Overstock Sale” section on the website for discounted products.
RELATED: Plant-Based Protein Powder Benefits
Is Transparent Labs Vegan Protein Worth It?
If you’re looking for an effective vegan protein made with organic, clean ingredients, Transparent Labs Vegan Protein could be the product for you. At $1.66 per serving, it falls within the upper end of the average price range for this type of protein powder.
Its 24 grams of complete protein are perfect for building muscle mass and strength, so it’s a great option for physically active individuals who prefer eating plant-based.
That said, it isn’t the most affordable pea protein on the market and opinions differ on flavor.
Great for:
- Vegans looking for a high-quality, organic protein powder
- People who need an easily digestible or allergen-friendly protein
- Those avoiding artificial sweeteners and colors
Not recommended for:
- People who like highly sweetened protein powders
- Those on a tight budget
- Omnivores who prefer the mouthfeel of whey protein
Transparent Labs Vegan Protein Specs
| Price per serving | $1.66 |
| Serving Size | 1 scoop (37 g) |
| Type of Protein | Organic rice protein, Organic pea protein isolate |
| Protein Content | 24 g |
| Carbohydrate Content | 7 g (4 g dietary fiber) |
| Fat Content | 2.5 g |
| Notable Ingredients | Organic cocoa powder, Himalayan rock salt, Natural flavor, Organic stevia |
| Flavors | Chocolate, French Vanilla |
| Third-Party Tested? | Yes (Informed Sport) |
Experience Using Transparent Labs Vegan Protein
Lauren Strong, GGR staff writer and NCSA-Certified Personal Trainer, has tried countless brands of protein powder and understands what people need to know about them before committing to one.
After using it in her regular supplementation and exercise routine, she was ready to give us her opinion.
As an omnivore, Lauren was impressed by the protein content and was OK with the flavor. She prefers the consistency of whey protein, but recommends this product for plant-based eaters looking for an effective protein without artificial ingredients.
Price Per Serving
Transparent Labs Vegan Protein comes in a 30-serving container priced at $1.66 per serving. This is on the higher end for pea protein powders, likely due to the organic ingredients, third-party testing, and “clean” ingredient list.
The price is likely worth it to those who value these things, but overall, it’s a bit pricey for the average consumer. We gave it a 3 out of 5.
Formulation
I love that Transparent Labs combines rice protein with pea protein to balance the amino acid profile of this protein powder. Rice protein is slightly lower in the amino acid lysine, while pea protein is slightly lower in methionine, so they’re great to pair together for optimal amounts of all nine essential amino acids.
RELATED: Pea Protein Benefits
It isn’t necessary to combine complementary plant-based proteins at every meal, but I do like to see this done for protein powders—especially when using them to stimulate muscle protein synthesis for muscle growth.
This product offers 24 grams of protein per scoop, making it easy to get 20 to 40 grams of protein every 3 to 4 hours as recommended by the International Society of Sports Nutrition1 for building muscle mass.
With 24 grams of high-quality protein per serving, this supplement earned a 5 out of 5 for formulation.
Taste and Solubility
Lauren tried the chocolate flavor, which she liked but wasn’t blown away by. She said, “It tastes like a basic dark chocolate drink with an earthy hint, due to the rice and pea protein.”
You might not like the chocolate if you have a sweet tooth. “I would not suggest this to people who prefer a sweet-tasting protein drink. There isn’t that much sugar and you can really taste the cocoa powder,” Lauren said. However, the absence of an artificial flavor-related aftertaste was nice. She felt that this protein mixed very well in liquid, but that it differs from whey. “It’s not gritty but there is more residue and film in the shaker. I can feel that extra texture in my mouth, too,” she said.
GGR Editor Frieda Johnson, CNC, tried the vanilla flavor and thought it had an artificial taste to it that was unpleasant. “I’m pretty sensitive to stevia, so that may be what I was tasting,” she said. “It also upset my stomach a little bit, which is not uncommon with products containing stevia.”
We gave it a 3 out of 5 for taste, which was OK, and a 4 out of 5 for solubility.
Side Effects
Some people experience uncomfortable digestive side effects such as bloating, gas, or cramps with protein powder. This is especially common with whey protein concentrate, which can be hard for people with lactose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome to digest.
Lauren didn’t experience any side effects with this protein, which makes sense considering how easily digestible pea protein is. We rated it a 5 out of 5 here.
RELATED: Best Time to Drink a Protein Shake
Third-Party Testing
Dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, so it’s a good idea to look for brands that ensure third-party testing of their products. Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein gets a 5 out of 5 here.
Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein is Informed-Sport Certified, meaning it’s been tested for banned substances like steroids and stimulants. It’s also certified USDA Organic2, which restricts the use of certain synthetic pesticides.
Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein vs Kaged Plantein
Kaged Plantein
Kaged Plantein
Product Highlights
- Pea protein isolate vegan protein powder
- Soy-, dairy-, and gluten-free
- Third-party tested for quality
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Best-tasting plant protein you’ll ever try or your money back
- Customers say mixes well
- Free from banned substances
Cons
- Limited reviews
- Customers complain too sweet
- Reports of strong aftertaste
Bottom Line
Kaged Plantein is a vegan protein option with a high protein content and a money-back guarantee.
Deciding on a protein can be tough, so we’ve tried to make it a little easier for you. We’ve directly compared Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein and a similar pea protein, Kaged Plantein, in the helpful chart below.
Read our full Kaged plant protein review to learn more.
| Transparent Labs Vegan Protein | Kaged Plantein | |
| Price per serving | $1.66 | $1.99 |
| Serving Size | 1 scoop (37 g) | 1 scoop (35.8 g) |
| Type of Protein | Organic rice protein, Organic pea protein isolate | Pea protein isolate |
| Protein Content | 24 g | 25 g |
| Carb Content | 7 g | 2 g |
| Fat Content | 2.5 g | 4 g |
| Notable Ingredients | Organic cocoa powder, Himalayan rock salt, Organic stevia | Organic quinoa, medium-chain triglycerides, steviol glycosides, sucralose |
| Flavors | Chocolate, French Vanilla | Cinnamon Roll |
| Third-Party Tested? | Yes (Informed Sport) | Yes (Banned Substance Tested) |
Customer Experience
Transparent Labs seems to value providing a great customer experience. We didn’t have any issues that required us to contact customer service, but we noted that their email address (support@transparentlabs.com) and phone number (1-866-324-9557) are clearly listed in the footer of their website.
Lauren appreciated that they offer “email, live chat function, and social media if you want to get in touch with the brand.”
Their return policy is quite reasonable, giving you up to 30 days to make returns on a product you’re not completely happy with.
Transparent Labs got a 5 out of 5 for the customer experience.
Ordering Transparent Labs Vegan Protein
Transparent Labs makes it easy to order from their website:
- Choose your preferred flavor.
- Decide between making a one-time purchase and the “Subscribe & Save” option. The latter allows you to receive auto-deliveries every 30, 45, or 60 days.
- Add to your virtual cart.
- Click on the “Cart” tab and proceed to checkout.
Shipping to Texas, where I live, was $7.99. You can get free shipping by spending $99 or more or by choosing the Subscribe & Save option, which also saves you 10%.
Note: This product isn’t available on Amazon.
Customer Reviews
The Organic Vegan Protein is rated 4.2 out of 5 stars by 314 reviews on the Transparent Labs website. Most customers enjoyed the flavors and praised its mixability and easy digestibility.
A few people wished for a bulk-buy option or larger containers but loved the product itself.
Their website seems to be the only place to find customer reviews apart from a single vague review on the Nutrition Faktory website.
Final Verdict of Our Transparent Labs Vegan Protein
It’s exciting to see the rise in well-formulated vegan protein powders, and Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein is one such product. It’s on the pricy end for pea protein and opinions on taste were mixed, but we were impressed by its strengths:
- 24 grams of complete plant protein per scoop
- Blends smoothly in water and non-dairy milk
- Easy to digest
- Third-party tested
- Excellent customer service from Transparent Labs
Is this the plant protein for you? Our review of the Best Pea Protein Powders can help you decide!
Full Rating
Transparent Labs Organic Vegan Protein
This organic rice and pea protein powder is a good choice for people who want a clean plant-based protein option with minimal ingredients.
Product Brand: Transparent Labs
Product Currency: $
Product Price: 49.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
4.27
Transparent Labs Vegan Protein: FAQs
How legit is transparent labs?
Transparent Labs appears to be a trustworthy brand. Their products are third-party tested and certificates of analysis from independent labs are listed directly on their website.
What are the healthiest vegan proteins?
Vegan proteins like beans, lentils, tofu, and tempeh are rich in dietary fiber and antioxidants, making them great additions to a healthy diet. Protein powders made from soy or peas can also be used to meet your health and fitness goals.
Is vegan protein easier on the kidneys?
According to a 2023 study published in the American Journal of Kidney Diseases3, higher plant protein intake was associated with a lower risk of developing chronic kidney disease. This may be because vegan proteins reduce the acid load on the kidneys.
RELATED: Is Protein Powder Bad for Your Kidneys?
What are the disadvantages of vegan protein?
Some vegan protein sources are less bioavailable than animal proteins, meaning they aren’t absorbed as efficiently. Some, like soy, are comparable to whey in terms of their amino acid profile, while others are a little lower in branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).
Combining complementary plant proteins in protein powder and mixing plant protein with soy or pea milk are ways that vegans can optimize protein intake.
RELATED: Best Protein Powder for Muscle Gain
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Kerksick CM, Arent S, Schoenfeld BJ, et al. International society of sports nutrition position stand: nutrient timing. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:33. Published 2017 Aug 29. doi:10.1186/s12970-017-0189-4
- United States Department of Agriculture. Organic 101: Allowed and Prohibited Substances. USDA website. Accessed 1/26/24.
- Heo GY, Koh HB, Kim HJ, et al. Association of Plant Protein Intake With Risk of Incident CKD: A UK Biobank Study. Am J Kidney Dis. 2023;82(6):687-697.e1. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.05.007
