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Orgain vs Garden of Life: Our Best Vegan Pick
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Which truly fuels our day—Orgain or Garden of Life—and why we picked the vegan winner that gives us cleaner protein, smoother digestion, and real energy?
We’re choosing between Garden of Life and Orgain to help plant‑powered athletes, busy vegans, and health seekers find the best protein. We’ll compare taste, nutrition, digestibility, and value so you can pick the right vegan powder for your goals today.
Digestive Support
Garden of Life Organic Vegan Protein Powder
Amazon.com
We appreciate the combination of strong protein content and targeted digestive support — probiotics and enzymes make it easier to tolerate for many of us. Overall, it feels like a premium, clean plant protein formulated for performance and gut health, though it comes at a premium price.
Everyday Value
Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder Vanilla Bean
Amazon.com
We like the approachable flavor and overall value; it mixes well into smoothies and works as an everyday protein boost. It balances clean ingredients with affordability, making it a practical pick for routine use and family-friendly shakes.
Garden Organic Protein
Orgain Vegan Protein
Garden Organic Protein
Orgain Vegan Protein
Garden Organic Protein
Orgain Vegan Protein
Top Vegan Protein Powders Review: Orgain
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Quick snapshot: what each product is and who it’s for
Garden of Life Organic Vegan Protein Powder (1.2 lb)
We describe this as a performance‑forward, organic plant protein built for recovery. Garden of Life delivers 22 g of protein per serving, 4 g BCAAs, and added live probiotics plus digestive enzymes. It’s sugar‑free, low‑carb, USDA Organic, non‑GMO, gluten‑ and lactose‑free, and comes in a 1.2 lb tub that suits regular but not daily mega‑use.
Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder — Vanilla Bean (2.03 lb)
Orgain is a flavor‑forward, everyday protein powder focused on taste and fiber. It provides 21 g plant protein per serving from pea, brown rice, and chia, plus about 6 g prebiotic fiber to support gut health. Orgain is USDA Organic, non‑GMO, lactose‑free, no added sugar, and comes in a larger 2.03 lb container — better for frequent users or families.
Who should pick which: we recommend Garden of Life for athletes or anyone prioritizing BCAAs and probiotic/enzyme digestive support; choose Orgain if you want a tastier, fiber‑forward shake at a lower price and in a larger tub.
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Nutrition & performance: protein content, amino profile, fiber, and gut support
Protein & amino acids
Garden of Life delivers 22 g of plant protein per scoop plus about 4 g of BCAAs — a clear edge for rapid post‑workout muscle repair and reduced soreness. That extra BCAA dose makes it a practical pick when recovery speed is a priority.
Orgain provides 21 g of plant protein from pea, brown rice, and chia, giving a complete amino‑acid profile. At 21 g, it still supports recovery and helps curb hunger after workouts, especially when paired with its higher fiber content.
Fiber, probiotics & digestion
Sugars, sweeteners, labels & macronutrient balance
Both are lactose‑free, USDA Organic, and Non‑GMO. Garden of Life markets itself as sugar‑free and very low net carbs (about 120 kcal/serving), while Orgain is marketed with no added sugar and about 150 kcal/serving (check label for exact sugar grams — Orgain lists ~1 g). Neither uses dairy ingredients; Orgain avoids artificial sweeteners and erythritol.
We recommend checking the exact serving size, calorie count, sugar, and ingredient order on the Amazon product pages before buying — those details affect how each powder fits your recovery, satiety, and daily macros.
Feature Comparison
Garden Organic Protein vs. Orgain Vegan Protein
VS
Brand
Garden of Life
VS
Orgain
Flavor Options
Unflavored plus various natural flavors
VS
Vanilla Bean plus multiple flavors
Protein per Serving
22 g
VS
21 g
Fiber per Serving
1 g
VS
6 g (prebiotic + fiber blend noted)
BCAAs per Serving
4 g
VS
Present via plant blend (amount varies by formula)
Probiotics & Enzymes
Yes — live probiotics (e.g., Bacillus subtilis DE111) and digestive enzymes
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No live probiotics or specialty digestive enzymes listed
Certifications
USDA Organic, Non‑GMO Project Verified, Vegan, Kosher, NSF Certified Gluten Free
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USDA Organic, Non‑GMO, Vegan, Kosher
Net Carbs per Serving
1 g
VS
Low net carbs; product emphasizes lower sugars
Serving Size
1 scoop (~120 calories)
VS
2 scoops (~150 calories per serving as packaged)
Container Size
1.2 lb
VS
2.03 lb (20 servings; packaging may vary)
Texture & Mixability
Silky smooth; designed to blend well in shakes and recipes
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Generally smooth when blended; minimal clumping with a blender
Price Range
$$$
VS
$$
Best For
Users seeking organic plant protein plus digestive support
VS
Everyday shakes, family use, budget‑minded consumers
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Taste, mixability & digestive comfort: real-world use
Taste & sweetness
We find Orgain’s Vanilla Bean to be mild, creamy, and gently sweet — an easy everyday flavor that most people like straight with water. Garden of Life (unflavored) is essentially neutral: mostly clean, but occasionally slightly earthy on sensitive palates. Orgain has a detectable vanilla aftertaste; Garden of Life leaves little to no lingering sweetness.
Mixability & texture
Garden of Life mixes very smoothly — silky mouthfeel whether stirred, shaken, or blended — and rarely clumps. Orgain is generally smooth in a blender and can be slightly thicker because of the prebiotic fiber; in a hand-shaker it sometimes needs more vigorous shaking to avoid small lumps. Both improve noticeably when mixed with plant milk versus plain water.
Digestive comfort & bloating
Orgain’s 5–6 g prebiotic fiber helps regularity and satiety, but some people sensitive to fermentable fibers may notice gas or bloating for the first few days. Garden of Life’s blend of live probiotics (e.g., Bacillus strains) plus digestive enzymes (lipase, lactase, papain) tends to reduce bloating and aid absorption for those with sensitive stomachs. For immediate gentleness, we generally recommend Garden of Life; for longer-term regularity and fullness, Orgain is a strong choice.
Practical mixing tips
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Price, value & extras: which gives the most bang for your buck
Raw cost-per-serving (approximate)
We compared the Amazon sizes listed: Garden of Life (1.2 lb) and Orgain (~2.03 lb). Using the labeled servings or typical scoop sizes, the math looks like this:
These are approximations based on the package sizes on Amazon, but the takeaway is clear: Orgain gives you much more protein per dollar on a per-serving basis.
Subscription & bulk savings
We factor in Subscribe & Save and multi-pack discounts:
Certifications & practical extras
Price isn’t the only value — extras matter:
Which scenario favors which product
Final verdict: our best vegan pick
We choose Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder as our clear winner. It beats Garden of Life for most people thanks to a strong combination of taste, 21 grams of plant protein per serving, meaningful prebiotic fiber, larger package size, and no added sugar—delivering excellent everyday value. The mixability and scoop-to-protein ratio make it ideal for regular shakes, smoothies, and post-workout refuels. For most daily users looking for a reliable, tasty, sugar-free protein boost, Orgain is the pick.
Garden of Life remains our top alternative when digestive support or specific amino-acid focus matters: its probiotic and enzyme blend plus BCAAs support gut comfort and recovery after hard sessions. If you prioritize recovery, gut health, or a cleaner ingredient list with functional extras, pick Garden of Life. Buy Orgain when you want the best everyday value, a larger tub, taste, and no added sugar; choose Garden of Life when probiotics, enzymes, and BCAAs are your priority. Ready to order?
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Digestive Support
Amazon.com
Garden of Life Organic Vegan Protein Powder
2
Everyday Value
Amazon.com
Orgain Organic Vegan Protein Powder Vanilla Bean
Thanks for the write-up — super helpful! I tried both powders last month. Garden of Life felt a bit… grassy? But I liked that it mixes well with almond milk and the probiotics helped my stomach. Orgain tasted sweeter (vanilla bean ftw) and made smoother shakes.
If you’re sensitive to sugar substitutes, watch out tho — Orgain’s sweetness caught me off guard. Overall I went with Garden of Life for the probiotics, but keep Orgain in the rotation for dessert shakes 😅
I actually prefer the vanilla Orgain in oats rather than shakes — the sweetness is perfect there.
Agree on the grassy note. Chocolate goes a long way. Also, mixing temp matters — cold almond milk clumps less imo.
Thanks Claire — great real-world split test! Which flavor of Garden of Life did you try? Some of their chocolate options mask the ‘grassy’ note better.
Good breakdown. Quick Q: anyone notice energy differences after drinking one vs the other? I’m using it for post-workout recovery.
Neither has caffeine, so energy ‘boost’ is more about macronutrients + calories. Garden of Life’s added BCAAs might help perceived recovery for some users.
I use Orgain post-workout — 21g protein does the trick and the prebiotic fiber didn’t bother me. No huge energy spikes, just steady recovery.
Long story short: Orgain = dessert in a shaker. Garden of Life = health lecture from your supplement jar. Both are fine, depends if you want taste or probiotics. 😂
Haha love this summary. Weekday vs cheat-day split is a great way to alternate.
This is accurate and extremely funny. Sometimes I want the lecture tho, so Garden wins on weekdays.
I favored Garden of Life for the cleaner ingredient list and the probiotics/enzyme blend. Felt less ‘processed’ to me. Orgain is great taste-wise but I was picking labels through a magnifying glass.
If you’re new to vegan protein, start with sample packs or small tubs. Don’t commit to a big container until you know if the flavor/texture works for you. Pro tip: chocolate masks most flavors better than vanilla.
Haha been there. Smaller tubs are worth the extra $ if you end up hating the flavor.
Solid advice, Becca. Sampling is the best way to avoid wasted tubs.
Agreed — I bought a big tub and regretted it. Lesson learned lol.
Orgain’s 6g prebiotic fiber is a nice touch — filling and helps my morning routine. Garden’s BCAAs are cool for gym-goers tho. Pick based on goals.
Exactly — choose by priorities: digestion/fiber vs BCAAs + probiotics.
I alternate depending on whether I’m cutting or bulking. Orgain when I want fullness, Garden after heavy lifting.
Good strategy Rachel. Alternate tubs makes life interesting 😂
Also watch macros — if you’re tracking carbs/sugars strictly, compare labels. Orgain has no added sugar but still tastes sweet.
I swapped to Garden of Life because of digestion. The added enzymes and probiotics actually made a difference for me — less bloat and no weird aftertaste after a few weeks.
I do mix both into things: Orgain in my morning smoothie for taste, Garden in post-dinner shakes. The texture varies by liquid and how I blend, so don’t give up after one try. Also FYI, I saw differences across flavors of the same brand (vanilla vs chocolate), so sample sizes are clutch if you’re picky.
PS — packaging sizes differ so check servings per container before comparing price per lb.
Also, I recommend adding a teaspoon of cocoa to vanilla Orgain if you want chocolate without buying a new tub 😉
Yep, pre/probiotics are a game-changer for me too. Garden was worth the premium.
Some users report skin improvements, but it’s anecdotal. Overall diet and intake matter more than the specific brand for those outcomes.
Anyone notice any differences in skin/hair after switching? I heard protein quality affects that.
Great tip about servings vs weight — that’s something many overlook. Glad enzymes helped your digestion!