Protein powders have been around for years. Most of those consumables are made from either whey or casein protein, both of which are derived from dairy products. However, if you’re a follower of the gluten-free diet, at this point you’re probably cringing because most protein powders on the market don’t fall into that category – making them off-limits until you find a suitable substitute.
Gluten-free protein powders are a great way for a person to add some protein powder to their diet without having to worry about any strain on their digestive system. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It can cause an allergic reaction in sensitive people who consume it either by itself or in certain combinations with other foods.
With that said, it’s worth considering that picking the best protein supplement depends on what you’re trying to achieve. After several hours of research and consulting nutrition experts, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best gluten free protein powders. There’s also a buyer’s guide in a later section to help you make an informed purchase decision.
Top 3 Gluten-Free Protein Supplements
| Editor’s Pick | Runner Up | Budget Pick |
| Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein | Muscle Milk Genuine Protein Powder | KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder |
| Best for post-workout recovery | Best for balanced nutrition | Best for Keto diet |
| No Artificial Ingredients, Complies with FDA Guidelines, Not Too Sweet | Amazing Taste, Muscle-Building Amino Acids, Packed with Essential Nutrients | Completely Vegan Friendly, High in Carbs, Great for Meal Replacement |
| Slightly Overpriced | Inconsistent powder | Not Much Effective for Weight Loss |
| Buy at TLabs | Buy at Amazon | Buy at Amazon |
The 12 Best Gluten-Free Protein Powders:
Editor’s Choice
1. Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein
Transparent Labs is based in Utah and they’re best known for their wide variety of sports nutrition supplements, which are completely free from any kind of artificial ingredients. The company’s biggest strength may be its transparency as they not only test products for artificial ingredients, but they provide certificates of analysis on composition.
When you look at Transparent Labs products, it quickly becomes evident that the company strives to provide top quality. The grass-fed whey protein isolate is manufactured in the United States in a facility that complies with FDA good manufacturing practices (GMP) guidelines for food and dietary supplements.
If you have a sweet tooth but are sick of overly sweet protein powders, Transparent Labs will be one of the few brands that will give you the taste you want because this whey isolate is milder than your average variety. The powder also mixes very well with milk (though we didn’t try it with water) and doesn’t leave any noticeable undissolved stuff in the bottom of our shaker bottle.
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The most commonly cited benefit of consuming grass-fed whey is that it contains higher levels of CLA, a type of fat that may improve heart health. Moreover, they’re also better in terms of nutrient content as compared to conventional whey protein.
| Pros | Cons |
| No Artificial Ingredients | Slightly Overpriced |
| Complies with FDA Guidelines | |
| Not Too Sweet |
Bottom Line
Transparent Labs 100% Grass-Fed Whey Protein Isolate has a premium price tag, but it is worth it. If you’re looking for a high-quality protein powder that doesn’t have any carbs or fat, this is the protein powder you should consider.
2. Muscle Milk Genuine Protein Powder
A protein shake can have great macros, but if it tastes terrible then no one will want to drink it. Muscle Milk Genuine Chocolate Protein Powder tastes the best of any protein powder that we’ve tried. For protein shakes, Muscle Milk has a really good reputation for providing savory flavors. Muscle Milk does not minimize the calories in their shakes to the last drop.
They keep them high and pack in as much protein as possible. Some companies, on the other hand, minimize the calories and maximize the protein, but their shakes don’t taste much good. Muscle Milk’s protein shakes include vital nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, along with muscle-building amino acids like Leucine.
The product offers a very fair and balanced mix of nutrients essential to muscle recovery. The serving size is two scoops, which equates to 280 calories, 32 grams of protein, 9g of fat, and 20g of carbohydrates. While it’s not the best product on the market, it does have some significant advantages.
These include nutrients and great taste. Each serving will have about 45% of your daily calcium intake. However, we sure had problems with the consistency of this powder as it gets chalky and fluffy when we shake it in a shaker. Personally, it feels very odd to have the powder spread everywhere in the shaker.
| Pros | Cons |
| Amazing Taste | Inconsistent powder |
| Muscle-Building Amino Acids | |
| Packed with Essential Nutrients |
Bottom Line
Muscle Milk Genuine Chocolate Protein Powder is a great post-workout drink. It is clinically and scientifically proven to help you grow and develop your muscles. You can use it as a tool to help you meet that daily protein goal and repair your broken-down muscles.
3. KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder
KOS Organic Plant-Based Protein Powder is a powdered plant-based protein supplement that is fully organic and vegan-friendly. The primary source of protein in this powder is organic pea protein, and other ingredients include organic flaxseed, quinoa, coconut milk, organic pumpkin seeds, organic chia seeds, and many more.
Each 39g serving of this protein powder provides 20g of protein, 7g of net carbs, and 6g of fat. That’s high in carbs and high in fat, though it might be helpful to know that some of the fats are coming from healthy sources like flaxseed. Although pea protein is a great base for a vegan-friendly protein powder, the addition of flaxseed and pumpkin seed makes this a much more complete choice.
This protein powder is ideal for vegans looking to increase their protein intake. It can also be used as a meal replacement for those seeking weight loss, but will not be quite as effective as some other products that are designed for this particular purpose. If meal replacement shakes don’t give you enough energy, then this one might be worth trying, because it still has some fat and carbs.
| Pros | Cons |
| Completely Vegan Friendly | Not Much Effective for Weight Loss |
| High in Carbs | |
| Great for Meal Replacement |
Bottom Line
This is an excellent product, but its nutritional value is probably best used in conjunction with a more general-purpose protein powder. We think the product is perfect for vegetarians/vegans looking to supplement their daily vitamin intake.
4. MusclePharm Combat Protein Powder
Muscle Pharm is a Colorado-based company that sponsors a lot of MMA athletes and makes a popular line of protein bars called Combat Crunch. They’re also big players in the bodybuilding world and they have a female-focused brand called Fitmiss as well. The Combat Protein Powder is one of their bestselling line-ups in the category.
A serving contains 130 calories, 25 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbohydrates (1 gram of fiber), and 1.5 grams of fat. It also contains 70 milligrams of sodium, which is 3% of the recommended daily intake. Keep in mind that there are no additional minerals or vitamins infused in this protein powder and everything is solely based on the ingredients.
This product contains whey isolate and concentrates, which are the first two ingredients. The first ingredient has the most protein per calorie, while the second contains more fat and carbs. There are also other ingredients including cocoa powder, cellulose gum, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, guar gum, soy lecithin, and so on.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great Brand Reputation | Contains Artificial Flavoring |
| Highly Affordable | |
| Good in Taste |
Bottom Line
The Muscle Pharm Combat Protein Powder is good for you if you’re looking to build strength and lean muscle. However, it does contain many artificial ingredients, such as soy, which may cause allergic reactions.
5. TGS 100% Unflavored Whey Protein Powder
If you’re looking for a protein powder that offers you a completely organic experience, look no further than TGS 100% unflavoured whey protein powder. It offers an easy dissolvability in liquids with sunflower lecithin and whey protein powder concentrate. The product is completely free from additives like Soy, Gluten, GMO, growth hormones, preservatives, or artificial colors.
Although it might taste a bit off as it’s unflavored, you can still choose to mix it with fruit, nuts, and extracts to spice things up. If you’re completely against any type of artificial additives in your protein powder, TGS will certainly leave you satisfied. A single serving of this powder consists of 25 grams of undenatured protein and a blend of essential amino acids.
Whether you’re a fitness professional or a person looking to improve their fitness in general, the protein powder helps you maintain lean muscle and allows you to follow low-carb diets like keto. Moreover, as it has a significantly low-calorie count, the powder works great for weight loss plans and meal replacement as well.
| Pros | Cons |
| No additives or Sweeteners | No Flavor Profiles |
| Low Calorie Count | |
| Ideal for Keto Diet |
Bottom Line
All in all, the TGS 100% unflavored whey protein powder certainly excels from the rest in terms of purity. The organic list of ingredients and low-calorie count of this protein powder makes it one of the best gluten-free protein powders on the market.
6. BODYLOGIX Natural Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder
Bodylogix Natural Whey has a mix of three different whey forms – whey protein concentrate, whey protein isolate, and whey protein hydrolysate. Each serving contains 24 grams of protein, 11 grams of essential amino acids, and 5.7 grams of naturally occurring BCAA’s. It is a high protein and amino acid product.
The protein can provide you with fuel for your workout, and can also help you build more muscle, amplifying your workout results. The amino acids may also help you recover better after workouts and may decrease the chance of injury or muscle soreness. It’s good that they’re transparent about the source of their whey.
Regardless, if you are intolerant of dairy, this product is not for you. This product is sweetened with stevia and contains only 2 grams of sugar per serving. Most protein powders use an artificial sweetener, which is not good for you. However, Bodylogix uses it minimally compared to other protein powders.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great Value for Money | No Digestive Enzymes |
| Mixes Perfectly | |
| Zero Artificial Sweeteners |
Bottom Line
This protein powder is probably going to be a little cheaper than other grass-fed protein powders. Also, even though it contains soy and lactose, it has fewer artificial ingredients and additions than other protein powders.
7. Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey Protein Powder
As far as protein powders go, Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey is a great product for anyone who wants a high-quality whey protein at a low price. This is why we’ve done a deeper look into this protein powder to find out what it’s really made of and whether or not it has what it takes to compete with the best gluten-free protein powders on the market.
This product contains a fair amount of protein, calories, and creatine per serving. Using the label as a guide, it seems the Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey contains all of the nutrients you’d expect from such a supplement. However, we noticed that there isn’t much flavor variety available, which may disappoint some consumers with varying taste preferences.
Body Fortress has workable macronutrient content and a shortlist of ingredients, which is a plus for those wary of excessive additives. High sodium content and a small but mentionable amount of soy are potential drawbacks of this product. However, it still manages to provide you a great value for money through its quality product.
| Pros | Cons |
| Great Quality | Limited Flavor Variety |
| Rich in Proteins and Calories | |
| No Excess Additives |
Bottom Line
Protein powders can never be used to replace whole foods, but they can help support muscle growth when combined with other healthful foods. The Body Fortress Super Advanced Whey is an acceptable choice for people on a budget who do not want to overspend.
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8. Dymatize ISO 100 Hydrolysed Protein Powder
Dymatize produces a lot of sports nutrition products, including bars, protein powders, mass gainers, creatine, glutamine, and many others. We get the impression they have a good reputation with third-party testing sites like Labdoor to ensure the top-notch quality of their products. The ISO 100 Hydrolysed Protein Powder is one such quality-oriented whey protein powder in their line-up.
A scoop of this protein powder in either flavor will give you 120 calories, 25 grams of protein, and 2 grams of sugar, and no fiber. This is a little bit salty, with 160 milligrams of sodium or 7 percent of the recommended daily intake, but if you’re consuming this around your workouts, you probably need the extra salt.
There’s a small amount of soy lecithin and sucralose in the powder. Some people on the internet seem to have a problem with these ingredients, but it is used by pretty much every other protein-based supplement on the market. If you’re looking for an inexpensive gluten-free protein powder, this one certainly fits the bill for you.
| Pros | Cons |
| Low in Cholesterol | Not Completely Hydrolysed |
| Ample Protein Per Calorie | |
| Inexpensive for the Value |
Bottom Line
Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolysed Protein Powder has surprisingly little fat and carbs, making it perfect for those looking to get super-lean (low carb, low fat) or for those with lactose intolerance or digestion issues.
9. Quest Nutrition Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder
Quest Nutrition makes protein powders with low carbohydrate content and is a familiar name in the fitness industry. One of their newer products is Quest Protein Powder Chocolate Milkshake Flavor, which contains protein from the best sources and has a higher protein-to-calorie percentage that makes it an ideal post-workout drink.
This protein powder contains 23 grams of protein in every scoop, enough to boost muscle growth after a workout. This makes it ideal for people who need protein to build muscle. It contains a Protein Blend, cocoa, and natural flavors. The product label mentions that it has less than 1 gram of active carbohydrates in each serving.
This makes it a low-carb protein powder. Compared to other protein supplements, you get a lot of protein for the number of calories you consume. Talking about the taste, the product is claimed to have a rich, chocolatey milkshake flavor that turns a post-workout ritual into frosty, made-to-order diner decadence, even if you are mixing it with water.
| Pros | Cons |
| High Protein-to-Calorie Percentage | Only Five Flavor Options |
| Contains Natural Flavors | |
| Low-Carb Proteins |
Bottom Line
The Quest Protein Powder Chocolate Milkshake Flavor is a protein powder that not only tastes delicious but also provides nutritional value, a rare combination of both among protein supplements.
10. IsoPure Zero Carb Keto-Friendly Protein Powder
IsoPure is a brand that’s known for offering low-carb and zero-carb products. This IsoPure low-carb protein powder can help with your daily protein intake, and it’s very popular among keto dieters. A quality supplement like the IsoPure Low Carb Protein Bar gives the energy you need to speed up recovery and strengthen your muscles.
This supplement is the best when it comes to quality and has various flavors that allow you to choose the one that matches your tasting preferences. While many of its competitors are high in carbs, this brand has 3 grams of carbs per 50 grams, which makes it the preferable choice for those looking to lose weight.
Along with being keto-friendly, the product also includes a blend of important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Isopure Low Carb Protein Powder is a product for anyone who wants to keep their body healthy. If you are trying to build muscle tone, but are looking for an alternative to weight-gaining supplements, then Isopure Low Carb Protein Powder is the perfect match for you.
| Pros | Cons |
| Mixes well in Liquids | Way Too Sweet for Many People |
| Very Reasonably Priced | |
| Low Calorie Count |
Bottom Line
This product is impressive overall. Pure hydrolyzed whey protein tends to be more common than pure whey protein isolate, but the isolate is what you get with this one. It’s also available at a very convenient price tag, which makes it highly popular among consumers.
11. Organic Store Plant-Based Protein Powder
This is a supplement made with minimally processed plant-based ingredients. It promises to deliver good-tasting, high-quality protein without any specific health claims, and they don’t use any artificial flavors or colors in their product. It contains only vegan-friendly plant-based ingredients. However, the specific amounts of each ingredient are not listed on the product packaging.
One scoop contains 21 grams of protein, 3.5 grams of fat (no saturated fat), and 15 grams of carbs (5g fiber, 5g sugar alcohol, 1 gram sugar), ideally served in two scoops. There is not much in terms of vitamin content here, but there are some minerals to help with your daily diet. There is 15% of the daily recommended amount of iron that you need, and 4% of calcium.
This protein powder is not particularly low carb, with 15g of carbs per serving, of which 3g are fiber and 1g are sugar alcohols. Some people believe that fiber or sugar alcohols don’t “count” as carbs, or that they don’t get absorbed the same way as starches or sugar. Moreover, sugar alcohol can also cause digestive problems to some people.
| Pros | Cons |
| Completely Organic | Not a Low-Carb Protein Powder |
| Zero Artificial Ingredients | |
| Mixes With Ease |
Bottom Line
This product is a top choice among plant-based protein powders. It doesn’t claim any specific health benefits, but it’s clear that this company cares about the quality of the ingredients they use.
12. PlantFusion Complete Plant-Based Vegan Pea Protein Powder
When we first looked at this product, we were excited to try it. Unlike most vegan proteins, it contains pea protein, which is a little bit clever. This powder provides 21 grams of protein with only 2 grams of carbs per 30-gram of a scoop. It utilizes only the easiest-to-digest and nutrition-dense plant sources so you can reap their benefits.
It has 15 grams of protein per serving and is made of pea protein isolate, artichoke protein, organic sprouted amaranth powder, and organic sprouted quinoa powder. To augment the pea protein, they have added some branch chain amino acids. With such a fine list of ingredients, this plant-based protein powder is ideal for lean muscle development.
We really liked the Creamy Vanilla Bean flavor, which was sweet and had an earthy vanilla flavor almost like caramel. It mixed very easily, especially compared to other plant protein products we’ve tried. Moreover, while this isn’t the cheapest vegan product, it offers exceptional quality and effectiveness for a reasonable price.
| Pros | Cons |
| High Protein Content | Higher Sodium Content |
| Vegan and Sugar Free | |
| Mixes Well with Milk and Water |
Bottom Line
We really liked the product. The taste was not to perfection but it did a good job of resembling a whey isolate, and that’s a great accomplishment for a vegan and all-natural product.
How to Choose the Best Gluten-Free Protein Powder
1. Muscle Gain
If you’re looking to develop your body muscles, you may consider consuming protein powders with a greater biological value. Among the various types of protein powders, whey isolates are known to have a higher biological value compared to others.
Biological value is used to determine how well the body can utilize and absorb a protein. You can also choose protein powders with added branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) as they also help promote muscle growth and weight gain.
Additionally, a high-protein plant-based diet consisting of plant-based whole foods and soy protein isolate supplementation can also help support mass accrual and muscle strength.
Find your daily protein intake.
2. Weight Loss
In case you’re trying to lose some weight, a good protein powder can help you with that too. However, be sure that you make an informed choice and not pick any protein powder that consists of starch-based sweeteners or sugar additives. It is also worth looking at the protein-to-calorie ratio of your desired powder. A good protein powder for weight loss will be higher in protein and lower in fats and carbs.
3. Vegan or Vegetarian
Whether you’re a vegan or a vegetarian, both require you to stay away from dairy-based consumables. This means you should choose a protein powder that’s free from milk protein or other dairy-based products.
4. Health Conditions
If you’re diagnosed with a particular health condition, you need to be extra cautious with your choice of protein powder. For people with diabetes, you should definitely stay away from products with added sugar. On the other hand, if you’re diagnosed with kidney disease, your body may not be able to tolerate excessive amounts of proteins, which require you to choose a protein powder with low protein content.
5. Consumption Schedule
Different protein powders have varying amino acids included. The way these amino acids react to your body depends majorly on your consumption schedule. That’s why it is crucial to be insightful about when you consume your protein powder. For instance, if you plan to consume protein right after a workout session, you may want to choose one with whey isolate as it is easier to digest.
Learn more about top Protein Supplements, we have an entire section that we recommend you check out!
- Best Protein Powders Without Artificial Sweeteners
- Best Low Calorie Protein Powders
- Best Lactose-Free Protein Powders
- Best Casein Protein Powders for Post-Workout
- Top Whey Protein Powders
- Best Vegan Protein Powders
- Best Tasting Protein Powders
- BSN Syntha-6 Protein Powders Reviewed
The Takeaway
Protein is vital to maintain muscle mass and stay in shape. It also aids the body in the recovery from injuries. There are many different types of proteins out there, and if you’re reading this far, you already know how to make your bet on the best.
As there are very limited genuinely gluten-free protein powders on the market, we’ve tried our best to compile some of the top picks. Whether you’re looking to gain some muscle mass or recover from an injury, there’s always something that fits the bill for you.
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