The best vegan protein powder in Australia for most people is a blend of plant proteins, such as pea and brown rice, that gives at least 20 g of protein per scoop at a fair price per serve. Rapid Vegan is our best-selling vegan protein and ticks those boxes, while R1 Plant Protein and GHOST Vegan suit people who want a different formula or flavour range. Below we compare all three on label facts and price, and explain leucine and protein quality in plain words.
Rapid Vegan vs R1 Plant Protein vs GHOST Vegan at a glance
| Rapid Vegan | R1 Plant Protein | GHOST Vegan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein per scoop | 23.3 g per 30 g (Chocolate) | 20 g per 31 g (Vanilla) | 20 g per 32.5 g (brand figure) |
| Protein sources | Organic pea, organic brown rice, pumpkin, watermelon and sunflower | Pea, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed and watermelon seed | Pea, organic pumpkin seed and watermelon seed |
| Sweetener | Stevia | Stevia | Check the flavour label |
| Serves per tub | About 15 (450 g) or 33 (1 kg) | 20 | Check the label |
| Price | $49.95 (450 g) / $69.95 (1 kg) | $79.95 | $99.95 |
| Approx. cost per serve | $2.12 (1 kg) | $4.00 | Not worked out (serves vary by flavour) |
Label figures vary a little between flavours, so check the panel on your tub. Prices are at the time of writing, and cost per serve is a guide based on the serves on each label.
Pea, rice and seed blends: why the mix matters
Plant proteins are not all the same. A 2018 analysis of commercial protein isolates by Gorissen and colleagues found plant proteins were, on average, lower in essential amino acids and leucine than animal proteins such as whey. It also found pea protein is low in methionine while brown rice protein is low in lysine. Put them together and each covers the other's gap, which is why most good vegan protein powders use a blend rather than a single plant.
All three powders here are blends. Rapid Vegan uses organic pea and organic brown rice protein plus pumpkin, watermelon and sunflower seed proteins. R1 Plant Protein combines pea with sunflower, pumpkin and watermelon seed proteins, and GHOST Vegan uses pea with pumpkin and watermelon seed protein.
DIAAS and protein quality in plain words
DIAAS stands for Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score. In simple terms, it rates how well a protein supplies the essential amino acids your body can actually digest and use. A score of 1.0 or more means the protein fully covers those needs on its own.
In the rat data summarised in a 2016 review by Stuart Phillips, whey protein isolate scored 1.09, pea protein concentrate scored 0.82 and rice protein concentrate scored 0.37 when each was tested alone. Two things are worth knowing:
- These scores are for single ingredients. A pea and rice blend should score better than rice alone, but brands rarely publish a DIAAS for the finished powder, so we do not quote one.
- A lower score does not mean the protein is useless. It means you may need a little more of it, or a blend, to get the same amino acids as whey.
Leucine and muscle: do plant proteins work?
Leucine is the amino acid most linked with switching on muscle building after a meal. The ISSN position stand suggests each protein serve should aim for about 700 to 3,000 mg of leucine, alongside 20 to 40 g of protein. The Australian Institute of Sport notes plant proteins are lower in leucine than whey, and says blending sources or using a bigger serve can make up the difference.
The research so far is encouraging, but the studies are small:
- In a 12-week trial of young men starting strength training, 25 g of pea protein twice a day gave similar gains in biceps thickness to the same dose of whey.
- In a 2021 study of 38 young men eating about 1.6 g of protein per kg of body weight a day, vegans using soy protein and meat eaters using whey built similar muscle and strength over 12 weeks.
The takeaway: if you eat enough total protein and train well, a decent plant blend can support muscle gain. Aim for the upper end of a normal serve, for example a full scoop of Rapid Vegan, or one and a half scoops of a 20 g powder.
The three vegan protein powders compared
Rapid Vegan
Rapid Vegan has been our best-selling vegan protein powder over the last six months, by a wide margin. It has the most protein per scoop of the three on its label, it is sweetened with stevia, and it comes in flavours such as Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Vanilla, Banana, Peanut Butter, Choc Brownie and Strawberry. The 1 kg tub works out to about $2.12 per serve, and the 450 g tub is $49.95 if you want to try a flavour first. One label fact to know: the Chocolate panel lists 411 mg of sodium per serve, which is high for a protein powder if you are watching salt.
R1 Plant Protein
R1 Plant Protein gives 20 g of protein per 31 g scoop with 0 g of sugars on the Vanilla panel, sweetened with stevia leaf extract. Rule 1 states it is Informed Choice certified, which matters if you compete in tested sport, though you should always check the current certification for your batch. At $79.95 for 20 serves it costs more per serve than Rapid Vegan.
GHOST Vegan
GHOST Vegan is the pick for fun flavours, with options such as Chocolate Cereal Milk, Pancake Batter and Banana Pancake Batter in stock at the time of writing at $99.95. GHOST lists 20 g of protein per scoop from pea, pumpkin seed and watermelon seed protein. Check the label for the sweetener and serve count, as these can change by flavour.
If you want an unflavoured plant protein for baking or smoothies, Honest to Goodness Organic Sprouted Pea Protein (750 g, $52.95) is a certified organic, single-source pea option. Being pea only, it works best alongside other protein foods across the day.
Which vegan protein powder should you choose?
For most people, Rapid Vegan 1 kg is the best all-round choice: the most protein per scoop of the three, a pea and rice blend, and good value per serve. Choose R1 Plant Protein if you compete in tested sport and want a product the brand says is Informed Choice certified. Choose GHOST Vegan if flavour variety matters most to you.
Whichever you pick, total daily protein matters more than the brand. If you are fully vegan, also read our vitamin B12 guide, and if you are simply avoiding dairy, our lactose free protein guide covers more options. Compare more products in our best vegan protein powder guide or browse the full plant-based protein range.
How our price compares
Here is what the same products cost at other Australian supplement stores, so you can check the difference yourself.
| Product | Supps247 | Nutrition Warehouse | ASN | Elite Supps | Supplement Mart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Vegan 1 kg | $69.95 | $69.95 | $69.95 | Not listed | Not listed |
| Rapid Vegan 450 g | $49.95 | $44.95 | $39.95 (out of stock) | Not listed | Not listed |
| R1 Plant Protein 20 serves | $79.95 | $59.46 (sale) | Not listed | Not listed | $79.95 |
Supps247 prices come from our website. Other prices were checked on the websites of Nutrition Warehouse, Australian Sports Nutrition (ASN), Elite Supps and Supplement Mart on 29 October 2026 (same product and size, price for one unit) and can change at any time. Sale means it was on sale that day. Out of stock means it was listed but not available that day. Not listed means we could not find that exact product on their site. Supps247 members can use our Price Match Guarantee against Nutrition Warehouse, ASN, Elite Supps and Supplement Mart: we beat their full price by 5% or match their sale price (conditions apply).
Shop the products in this guide
Rapid Vegan 1 kg Chocolate$69.95Rapid Vegan 450 g Chocolate$49.95
R1 Plant Protein Vanilla Creme$79.95
GHOST Vegan Chocolate Cereal Milk$99.95
Browse all plant-based protein and vegan supplements.
FAQs
Is vegan protein as good as whey for building muscle?
It can be, as long as your total daily protein is high enough. Plant proteins are usually lower in leucine than whey, so a blend such as pea and rice, or a slightly bigger serve, helps close the gap. Small studies have found similar muscle gains with pea protein and whey, and with soy protein and whey when total protein was matched at about 1.6 g per kg of body weight a day.
What is the best vegan protein powder in Australia?
There is no single best for everyone, but Rapid Vegan is our best-selling vegan protein powder and gives 23.3 g of protein per 30 g scoop (Chocolate) from a pea, brown rice and seed blend at a good price per serve. R1 Plant Protein suits people in tested sport, as Rule 1 states it is Informed Choice certified, and GHOST Vegan suits people who want dessert-style flavours.
Is pea protein a complete protein?
Pea protein contains all nine essential amino acids, but it is relatively low in methionine. Brown rice protein is low in lysine instead, so blending pea and rice gives a more balanced profile. That is why many vegan protein powders, including Rapid Vegan, use a blend. Eating a range of protein foods across the day also helps cover any gaps.
How much vegan protein powder should I use per shake?
The Australian Institute of Sport suggests 20 to 40 g of protein per serve meets the needs of most situations. Because plant proteins tend to be lower in leucine, aim for the upper part of that range. For example, one scoop of Rapid Vegan gives 23.3 g, while one and a half scoops of a 20 g powder gives about 30 g. Always follow the directions on the label.
Is Rapid Vegan dairy free?
The Rapid Vegan ingredients and allergen statement do not list milk, and the protein comes from pea, brown rice and seed proteins. If you have a severe allergy, read the full allergen statement on the tub, as it covers what else is handled in the factory, and speak to your GP or an allergy specialist if you are unsure.
Sources: Gorissen et al. 2018, amino acid composition of plant-based protein isolates (Amino Acids); Phillips 2016, protein quality and resistance exercise (Nutrition & Metabolism); ISSN position stand: protein and exercise (2017); Australian Institute of Sport, isolated protein supplement fact sheet; Babault et al. 2015, pea protein vs whey (JISSN); Hevia-Larrain et al. 2021, plant-based vs omnivorous diet and muscle (Sports Medicine); product labels and brand nutrition panels, checked October 2026.
Order online with Australia-wide delivery, free on orders of $99.99 or more, with Afterpay available at checkout. You can also use click and collect at a store that offers it, or visit a Supps247 store in Melbourne, regional Victoria or Brisbane to compare products in person. Members can use our member price match on full-priced items.
Prices and stock were checked on 29 October 2026 and can change at any time. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If you have a medical condition, are pregnant or take regular medication, check with your doctor first.
