Whey protein and plant protein can both provide clean sources of protein for people looking to increase their consumption of this essential nutrient. While they can both be great options, there are a few key differences between them. Whey protein powders are derived from whey, a product of cow’s milk. Whey protein isolate excels at supporting muscle growth. It’s a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids. It also contains branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) like leucine, which are important for muscle building. Plant protein can come from a variety of plant sources, such as brown rice, pea, soy, and hemp. Since this powder comes from plants, it's a good option for people who follow a lactose-free or vegan diet. Of all the potential plant sources, only soy is considered a complete protein. Plant-based powders often contain fewer BCAAs than whey powders, although this depends on the specific formula. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28642676/ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/whey-vs-plant-protein https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26403469/ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/whey-vs-plant-protein#muscle-growth