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Head to head · Protein Powder

Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein vs Vega Performance Protein + Recovery (formerly Vega Sport Premium Protein)

Garden of Life and Vega finish level in our scoring (8.1 vs 8.1), so the right pick depends on what you value most — Garden of Life is stronger on value, Vega on transparency.

Updated September 2026 from our full reviews · How we score

Front of Garden of Life Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein Vanilla tub
Garden of LifeSport Organic Plant-Based Protein
8.1
Good

A 30 g vegan protein built for athletes: organic pea and bean proteins, NSF Certified for Sport, plus recovery botanicals and a probiotic.

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Front of Vega Performance Protein + Recovery Creamy Vanilla tub
VegaPerformance Protein + Recovery (formerly Vega Sport Premium Protein)
8.1
Good

Vega's sport protein, formerly Vega Sport Premium Protein: 30 g plant protein, tart cherry and a probiotic per scoop, NSF Certified for Sport.

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We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money

Read the full review

We may earn a commission when you buy through these links — it never affects our scores. How we make money

The short answer

Choose Garden of Life if…

  • Vegan athletes in drug-tested sports
  • Dairy-free lifters who want 30 g protein per serving
  • Shoppers who value organic certification
  • You care most about value

Choose Vega if…

  • Vegan athletes in drug-tested sports
  • Dairy- and gluten-free diets
  • Lifters who want 30 g of plant protein per scoop
  • You care most about transparency

Side by side

Sport Organic Plant-Based ProteinPerformance Protein + Recovery (formerly Vega Sport Premium Protein)
Our score8.1 / 108.1 / 10
Efficacy (30%)8.58.6
Quality & Purity (25%)9.08.9
Value (20%)8.27.0
Experience (15%)6.97.2
Transparency (10%)6.08.0
FormPowderPowder
Serving2 scoops (about 45 g)19 servings per container1 scoop (41 g)20 servings per container
Testing & certifications
NSF Certified for SportUSDA OrganicNon-GMO Project VerifiedCertified Gluten-Free
NSF Certified for Sport
DietaryVegan, Dairy-free, Soy-free, Gluten-free, Organic, Non-GMOVegan, Dairy-free, Gluten-free
Key ingredients
  • Organic performance protein blend (pea protein, sprouted navy bean, lentil and garbanzo bean, cranberry seed protein)30 g protein
  • Leucine (naturally occurring)2,527 mg
  • Organic recovery blend (apple, tart cherry, turmeric, blueberry, goji berry)
  • Bacillus subtilis DE111 (probiotic)2 billion CFU
  • Plant protein blend (pea, pumpkin seed and organic sunflower seed protein)30 g protein
  • Montmorency tart cherry (CherryPURE)480 mg
  • Bacillus subtilis DE111 (probiotic)2 billion CFU
Flavors2 (Vanilla, Chocolate)5 (Vanilla, Chocolate, Mocha…)
Creator video reviews33

Pros and cons

Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein

  • 30 g of protein and about 2.5 g of leucine per serving, high for a plant protein
  • NSF Certified for Sport, USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and NSF gluten-free certified
  • Vegan and made without dairy or soy ingredients
  • Reasonable cost per gram of protein when bought on Amazon
  • Taste and texture are divisive; reviewers mention chalkiness, foam and a stevia aftertaste
  • Recovery blend amounts are not disclosed
  • 460 mg of sodium per two-scoop serving
  • Some buyers dislike recent formula and flavor changes

Performance Protein + Recovery (formerly Vega Sport Premium Protein)

  • 30 g of protein and 2.6 g of leucine per scoop
  • NSF Certified for Sport
  • Tart cherry and probiotic amounts are fully disclosed on the label
  • Vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free
  • Grainy or clumpy texture and a thicker consistency are common complaints
  • 490 mg of sodium per scoop
  • About $2.25 per serving, and considerably more on the brand site
  • Not certified organic

Our verdicts

Sport Organic Plant-Based Protein

For vegan or dairy-free athletes who need certified sport nutrition, this is the plant protein to beat: 30 g of protein per serving, solid leucine and four third-party certifications. Its flavor and texture are divisive, so buy a single tub before committing to a subscription.

Full review

Performance Protein + Recovery (formerly Vega Sport Premium Protein)

Vega Performance Protein + Recovery is a strong, sport-certified plant protein with a whey-like 30 g dose and solid leucine content. Texture and price hold it back, but for vegan athletes who need NSF certification it remains one of the best options, especially when bought at a discount.

Full review

What creators say

Questions people ask

Is Garden of Life better than Vega?
They score about the same in our reviews (8.1 vs 8.1 out of 10). Garden of Life leads on value; Vega leads on transparency. Choose based on the factors that matter most to you.
Are Garden of Life and Vega third-party tested?
Garden of Life carries NSF Certified for Sport; Vega carries NSF Certified for Sport. Sport-level certifications screen for banned substances, which matters for drug-tested athletes.
Who should choose Garden of Life over Vega?
Our reviews suggest Garden of Life is best for vegan athletes in drug-tested sports, dairy-free lifters who want 30 g protein per serving and shoppers who value organic certification, while Vega is best for vegan athletes in drug-tested sports, dairy- and gluten-free diets and lifters who want 30 g of plant protein per scoop.

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