Pea Protein vs Whey Protein: Differences, Pros and Cons
Pea protein and whey can both support muscle building and a high-protein diet. The real differences are in amino acids, digestion, taste, price and what suits your diet. This guide compares them fairly. We make a dairy-free pea, faba and rice blend with 34.9g of protein per serve, so we're biased, but we'll tell you where whey wins too.
- 34.9g protein per serve
- Dairy and lactose free
- No gums or thickeners
- Australian made, 84%+ Aussie ingredients
- Gluten free
- About $3.50 per serve
We make Green Choice, so this guide isn't independent. Allergen note: contains pea. Made in a facility that also handles milk, soy, gluten and egg. Shipping calculated at checkout. Free shipping on orders over $150.
What customers say
★★★★★ 4.94 average · 913 reviews★★★★★“The chocolate is definitely my favourite as I don’t have a sweet tooth. I use the protein powder as a top up or a quick boost when I feel I need to hit my protein goals.”
★★★★★“Loved the taste and thickness of powder as a shake. Will be adding it to my oats in the morning as well!”
★★★★☆“I am not really a fan of protein powder, but the texture was good. The Salted Caramel is ok. The Vanilla I mixed with Milo and it was quite nice. The chocolate sample I had was not to my liking. To be fair, I don’t usually like any of the chocolate protein powders.”
★★★★★“Great produce fantastic taste.”
Reviews collected by Judge.me from Green Choice customers. Rating and count cover all products. Individual experiences vary.
Pea protein vs whey at a glance
Neither is better for everyone. Here is a quick side-by-side. Figures for other products vary by brand, so always check the label.
| Pea protein | Whey protein | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Dried yellow peas | Cow's milk, a by-product of cheese making |
| Essential amino acids | All nine. Rich in lysine, lower in methionine. | All nine. Rich in leucine. |
| Leucine | Lower than whey | Higher than most plant proteins |
| Dairy and lactose | None | Contains dairy. Concentrates contain lactose; isolates contain very little. |
| Allergens | Pea. Legume allergies can matter. | Milk |
| Taste and texture | Can be earthy or slightly gritty on its own | Usually smooth and creamy |
| Suits vegans | Yes | No |
| Price | Often lower per serve | Varies widely by brand and type |
| Environmental footprint | Generally lower | Generally higher |
Try a dairy-free pea, faba and rice blend
34.9g protein per serve, about $3.50 a serve.
Shop Green Choice plant protein
Every 1kg pouch has 20 serves, which works out to about $3.50 per serve. Not sure which flavour you'll like? Start with the sample pack.
Chocolate
Rich cocoa (8% cocoa powder). 35.3g protein and 2.2g sugar per serve.
$69.99 · 1kg $3.50/serve
Vanilla
Clean and creamy. The most versatile flavour for smoothies, oats, baking and coffee.
$69.99 · 1kg $3.50/serve
Salted Caramel
Sweet caramel with a hint of salt. Great as a dessert-style shake or in iced coffee.
$69.99 · 1kg $3.50/serve
3-Flavour Sample Pack
One serve each of Chocolate, Vanilla and Salted Caramel. Find your favourite first.
$9.99 · 3 serves
Which is better for building muscle?
Whey is naturally higher in leucine, an amino acid that helps trigger muscle protein synthesis, and it's absorbed quickly. Pea protein has less leucine, but research suggests that when total daily protein is matched and you train regularly, plant and animal proteins can both support muscle gains.
In practice, that means pea protein users may want to make sure they get enough protein across the whole day, and some choose a slightly larger serve. Read what the research shows on pea protein and recovery and our pea protein amino acid chart.
Our blend and leucine
We blend pea with faba and rice to balance the amino acid profile, but we don't publish a full amino acid breakdown for our powder, so we can't give a leucine figure.
Digestion, taste and price
Digestion
Whey concentrate contains lactose, which some people don't tolerate. Pea protein is lactose free, though some people find legume proteins noticeable at first. Start with a smaller serve either way. See how to introduce a new protein powder.
Taste and texture
Whey is usually smoother. Pea can be earthier on its own, which is why flavouring and blending with other proteins matter. Compare in our taste comparison.
Price
Pea protein is often cheaper per serve than whey, but prices vary by brand. See the real cost per serve.
Decide for yourself
Try all three flavours for $9.99, or go straight to a 1kg pouch.
How to choose between pea protein and whey
| Choose pea protein if you… | Choose whey if you… |
|---|---|
| Avoid dairy or lactose, or follow a vegan or plant-based diet | Tolerate dairy and want the highest leucine per serve |
| Want a lower environmental footprint (see our footprint comparison) | Prefer a usually smoother texture |
| Don't have a pea or legume allergy | Don't have a milk allergy |
| Are happy to match your total daily protein | Want a fast-digesting protein after training |
For the full decision guide, read our 2026 pea vs whey buyer's guide and which one beginners should choose. For the wider picture, see plant protein vs whey, our pea protein guide and vegan protein powder guide.
Ingredients and nutrition
Serving size 50g (2 level scoops). 20 serves per 1kg pouch. Figures are per serve.
| Per 50g serve | Chocolate | Vanilla | Salted Caramel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | 866kJ (207 Cal) | 866kJ (212 Cal) | 866kJ (212 Cal) |
| Protein | 35.3g | 34.9g | 34.9g |
| Total fat | 4.9g | 4.6g | 4.6g |
| Saturated fat | 1.4g | 1.2g | 1.2g |
| Carbohydrates | 4.2g | 6.9g | 6.9g |
| Sugars | 2.2g | 4.8g | 4.8g |
| Sodium | 183mg | 121mg | 121mg |
| Omega-3 (ALA) | 231mg | 231mg | 231mg |
Chocolate ingredients
Plant Protein Blend (Pea, Faba, Rice), Cocoa Powder (8%), Natural Flavouring, Cane Sugar, Coconut Milk Powder, Linseed, Sweetener (960, Steviol Glycosides), Salt.
Vanilla ingredients
Plant Protein Blend (Faba, Pea, Rice), Cane Sugar, Natural Flavouring, Coconut Milk Powder, Linseed, Sweetener (960, Steviol Glycosides).
Salted Caramel ingredients
Plant Protein Blend (Faba, Pea, Rice), Cane Sugar, Natural Salted Caramel Flavouring, Coconut Milk Powder, Linseed, Sweetener (960, Steviol Glycosides).
Allergen information: contains pea. Manufactured in a facility that also processes milk, soy, gluten and egg. Full nutrition panels are on each product page.
Pea protein vs whey FAQs
Is pea protein as good as whey?
For muscle building, research suggests pea and other plant proteins are comparable to whey when total daily protein is matched. Whey has more leucine and is usually smoother, while pea is dairy free and lactose free.
Which is better for muscle gain, pea protein or whey?
Both can support muscle gain with regular training and enough total protein. Whey has an edge in leucine per serve. Pea users may choose a slightly larger serve.
Is pea protein easier to digest than whey?
It depends on the person. Pea is lactose free, which helps if you're lactose intolerant, but some people find legumes noticeable at first. Whey isolate contains very little lactose.
Is pea protein cheaper than whey?
Often, but it varies by brand and type. Compare price per serve and protein per 100g.
Does pea protein taste worse than whey?
Pea can taste earthier on its own, while whey is usually smoother. Flavoured and blended powders help. Taste is personal, so try a sample pack.
Is your protein powder pea protein or whey?
It's a dairy-free blend of pea, faba and rice protein. It contains no whey.
Is it gluten free and dairy free?
Yes. It contains pea and is made in a facility that also processes milk, soy, gluten and egg, so speak to your doctor if you have a severe allergy.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping is calculated at checkout based on your location, and orders over $150 ship free. Orders are usually dispatched via Australia Post within 1–3 business days. See our shipping policy.
Can I try it before buying a full pouch?
Yes. The 3-flavour sample pack costs $9.99 and includes Chocolate, Vanilla and Salted Caramel.
Written by the Green Choice Proteins team, Horsham, Victoria. Nutrition figures are taken from our product labels. This guide is general information, not medical advice.
Taste a dairy-free alternative to whey
Try all three flavours for $9.99, then choose a 1kg pouch or bundle.
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