In the world of nutritional supplements, protein powder is near the top as some of the most expensive given how many servings you get.
Sure, you can find cheap protein powder. But when you buy bargain-brand supplements, you often get what you pay for. And in most cases, it’s not worth the risk given the health concerns of synthetic ingredients like artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols.
The cost of protein powder largely boils down to its quality. Higher-quality protein supplements are not only sourced from organic, non-GMO ingredients, but some brands also invest in third-party testing to ensure their products are free from heavy metals and other contaminants.
But these are just a couple of major factors that explain why protein powder is so expensive. Below I share other variables that can escalate the retail price of protein supplements.
Factors that Increase the Cost of Protein Powder
The price range of protein powder varies widely, from as little as 50 cents per serving for the cheapest protein powder to over $3 per serving for the most expensive.
But is a protein powder that’s 5x the cost worth it? In many ways, yes. Below are some of the most influential factors that explain why protein powder is so expensive.
Protein Source
The type of protein used in the product can have a tremendous impact on the price. Whey protein, which is the most widely used protein in supplements, comes from processed dairy.
While whey protein powder can be found at a low cost, it can also be notoriously low quality and questionably sustainable.
Other sources of protein, such as egg white and plant-based protein, may be more expensive to produce due to sourcing and manufacturing costs. But they can also provide far greater nutritional value.
A protein sustainability study observed the high cost, limited availability, and health concerns of animal proteins in several countries, drawing attention to the utilization of plant-based proteins as a more sustainable, low-cost source of dietary protein.
The study specifically highlighted legumes as one of the best options as a quality, sustainable protein source that’s more economically feasible at scale.[1]
Quality of Ingredients
The quality of ingredients can significantly influence the cost of vegan protein powder as well as whey protein powder. The source of the product’s main protein ingredients plays a crucial role in determining the cost.
For vegan protein powders, organic and non-GMO plants like grains, legumes, and seeds are desired for their amino acid profile and nutrients. Rice, pea, and peanut protein are generally a bit more economical whereas quinoa, chia seed, and pumpkin seed may be more costly.
Ingredients that are sprouted and fermented are also more expensive. However, research shows that consuming sprouted grains and legumes, two of the most popular plant protein sources, can lead to an increase in the bioavailability of proteins and minerals.[2,3]
For whey protein powders, grass-fed dairy typically indicates a higher-quality protein source. But what’s often more a topic of ‘protein quality’ conversation with both whey and plant protein powder is how it’s processed.
Processing Methods
How protein powder is extracted and processed can dramatically influence its cost.
The extraction process for plant-based proteins can be more complex and costly compared to whey protein extraction. Additionally, plant proteins come from various sources which all may require different extraction techniques.
In terms of processing, or how protein powder is made, the two most common types are protein concentrates and protein isolates. Concentrates retain more of the food’s natural state, including fiber and other macronutrients, whereas isolates are stripped down to mostly just protein.
The isolation process is oftentimes more expensive than the concentration process, as it requires additional filtration steps to remove more fat and carbohydrates, resulting in a higher protein content. This is the case for both vegan and whey protein powder products.
Third-Party Testing and Certifications
Brands that invest in third-party testing and quality-focused certifications incur more production costs, which can escalate the final price of the protein powder they sell. These product stamps mostly focus on:
- Quality assurance: Third-party testing from an accredited lab ensures protein powders meet specific quality standards and are free from contaminants, heavy metals, and banned substances. This can provide consumers with added confidence in the product, which can justify a higher price.
- Certification fees: Obtaining third-party certifications, such as NSF Certified for Sport, Clean Label Project Certified, or USDA-Certified Organic requires companies to pay fees for ongoing testing and certification. These fees can be factored into the final cost of the protein powder.
- Brand reputation: Brands that invest in third-party testing and certifications can enhance their reputation for producing high-quality, safe, and effective products. This can lead to increased consumer trust and potentially higher prices.
- Marketing and promotion: Brands that have their protein powders third-party tested and certified can use this as a marketing tool to differentiate their products from competitors. This can result in higher marketing costs, which may be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.
As more and more consumers look for these important quality-assurance stamps when buying protein powder, the demand for such products is becoming more than just a trend.
Packaging and Branding
Well-known and reputable brands often invest in high-quality packaging and marketing strategies to differentiate their products from competitors. This can result in higher costs, which may be passed on to consumers.
Many brands, particularly vegan and plant-based producers, opt for eco-friendly packaging materials, which can be more expensive than traditional packaging options. However, these environmentally conscious choices can appeal to consumers who prioritize sustainability.
Protein powders packaged in individual sachets or containers tend to be more expensive than those in bulk containers due to the extra cost associated with packaging, labeling, and shipping. This is particularly the case when comparing protein shakes and protein powder supplements.
Additional Components
Many protein powders include added blends to support specific nutritional needs. These products are often positioned around these unique added benefits.
For instance, sport-performance protein powders, like Garden of Life Sport, often contain additional components like added branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), anti-inflammatories, and probiotics.
Similarly, combined protein and greens products like Vega Protein and Greens usually contain a ‘greens blend’ made up of concentrated fruits and vegetables. These added blends can substantially up the nutritional density of a protein powder, but also up the price.
Other commonly added ingredients include digestive enzymes, fiber, vitamins and minerals blends, and specific flavors and sweeteners, such as monk fruit or stevia.
Bottom Line
In short, protein powder can be a costly supplement. Some of the cleanest and most nutrient-dense products can be priced upwards of $60 to $70 per unit. And these aren’t bulk units either, only offering around 20 servings per unit.
The question of whether these expensive protein powders are worth it is an individual choice. How you prioritize your budget, nutrition, sustainability, and body composition goals can all play a role.
Sure, you can find huge tubs of low-cost whey protein for less than $20. But these products typically contain a lot of additives and artificial ingredients that are questionable for your health.
Personally, I think spending a little more on high-quality plant-based protein powder provides all the protein, amino acids, and recovery-enhancing properties I need in a supplement. And many of these top-tier products can be found for a happy medium price of $30 to $40 per unit.
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About the Author
This article is by Tyler Tafelsky, the lead editor here at the Vegan Protein Powder Review. Endurance athlete and experienced writer in the health and nutrition space, Tyler has tried hundreds of different plant-based nutritional products and writes about his favorites here on this blog. View Tyler’s author bio or follow him on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. You can also visit his site TylerTafelsky.com to see what he’s up to.
Scientific References
- Henchion M, Hayes M, Mullen AM, Fenelon M, Tiwari B. Future Protein Supply and Demand: Strategies and Factors Influencing a Sustainable Equilibrium. Foods. 2017 Jul 20;6(7):53. doi: 10.3390/foods6070053. PMID: 28726744; PMCID: PMC5532560.
- Benincasa P, Falcinelli B, Lutts S, Stagnari F, Galieni A. Sprouted Grains: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients. 2019 Feb 17;11(2):421. doi: 10.3390/nu11020421. PMID: 30781547; PMCID: PMC6413227.
- Kårlund A, Gómez-Gallego C, Korhonen J, Palo-oja O-M, El-Nezami H, Kolehmainen M. Harnessing Microbes for Sustainable Development: Food Fermentation as a Tool for Improving the Nutritional Quality of Alternative Protein Sources. Nutrients. 2020; 12(4):1020. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12041020