The best beef protein powder has grass-fed sourcing, a complete amino acid profile, minimal ingredients, and third-party testing. In 2026, there are about a dozen brands making beef protein isolate — up from maybe three or four just five years ago. The category is growing because more people are figuring out what dairy does to their gut and looking for alternatives that don't involve pea protein and xanthan gum. But "beef protein" on a label can mean wildly different things depending on the brand: muscle protein, collagen protein, bone-derived protein, or some blend of all three. Sourcing ranges from Swedish grass-finished cattle to undisclosed origins. Sweeteners range from monk fruit to sucralose.
Here's the honest breakdown of seven brands worth considering — what each does well, what each gets wrong, and who each one is actually for.
How We Evaluated
Every brand was assessed on six criteria:
- Protein quality — amino acid profile, leucine content, collagen-to-muscle protein ratio
- Ingredient list — number of ingredients, sweetener choice, additives
- Sourcing — grass-fed/grass-finished status, country of origin, certifications
- Third-party testing — independent lab verification, published COAs, certifications (Informed Choice, NSF)
- Price per serving — one-time purchase price divided by servings
- Taste and mixability — based on published reviews and customer feedback
We make PaleoPro, which is one of the seven brands reviewed here. We're disclosing that upfront. We gave ourselves the same honest treatment we gave everyone else — including acknowledging where competitors do things better than we do.
The Comparison Table
| Brand | Protein/Serving | Sweetener | Ingredients (flavored) | Sourcing | Price/Serving | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PaleoPro | 26g | Monk fruit | 4 | USA grass-fed (HydroBEEF) | ~$2.50 | Third-party tested |
| Equip Foods | 21g | Stevia / Monk fruit | 4-7 | USA + Sweden grass-fed | ~$2.13 | Light Labs (COAs published) |
| Transparent Labs | 25g | Stevia | 5 | Grass-fed (country undisclosed) | $2.17 | Informed Choice (pending for beef) |
| Be Well by Kelly | 23g | Monk fruit | 3 | Sweden grass-fed (HydroBEEF) | ~$1.90 | Not prominently advertised |
| Designs for Health | 21-26g | Stevia / None | 3-5 | Sweden grass-fed (HydroBEEF) | ~$3.15 | GMP facility |
| True Nutrition | 29g | Customizable | Varies | EU grass-fed | ~$2.00 | Third-party tested |
| MuscleMeds Carnivor | 23g | Sucralose + Ace-K | 10+ | Not disclosed | ~$0.85 | Halal certified |
1. PaleoPro Paleo Protein — Best for Muscle Building and Complete Amino Acids
What it is: A blend of HydroBEEF (beef protein isolate from grass-fed cattle) and egg white protein, sweetened with monk fruit and emulsified with cold-pressed sunflower lecithin.
What makes it different: PaleoPro is the only beef protein on this list that blends beef with egg white protein. That's not filler — it's a deliberate formulation choice. Pure beef protein isolates tend to be heavy on collagen amino acids (glycine, proline, hydroxyproline) and light on the amino acids that drive muscle building (leucine, isoleucine, valine). Egg white protein has a PDCAAS of 1.0 — the highest protein quality score possible — and fills exactly those gaps.
The result: 26g of protein per serving with 1.8g of leucine. That's the highest protein and leucine per serving on this list.
Ingredients (Ancient Cacao): HydroBEEF, egg white protein, monk fruit, sunflower lecithin. Four ingredients.
Sourcing: USA grass-fed cattle. HydroBEEF is a documented, branded beef protein isolate ingredient — not a generic or proprietary unnamed process.
Strengths:
- Highest protein per serving (26g) and leucine (1.8g) on this list
- Beef + egg white blend provides both muscle-building AND collagen amino acids
- Monk fruit sweetener (no bitter aftertaste)
- Four ingredients across all flavors
- Cold-pressed sunflower lecithin for smooth mixing
Honest weaknesses:
- Contains egg white — not suitable for egg allergies or AIP elimination phase (PaleoPro's Bone Broth Collagen IS AIP-compliant)
- Only 3 flavors (Plain Naked, Aztec Vanilla, Ancient Cacao)
- No published third-party testing certifications (Informed Choice, NSF)
- Premium pricing (~$2.50/serving)
Best for: People who prioritize muscle protein synthesis, want the broadest amino acid coverage in one product, prefer monk fruit, and don't have egg allergies.
Price: ~$2.50/serving | Shop PaleoPro
Full comparison: PaleoPro vs Equip Foods | PaleoPro vs Transparent Labs
2. Equip Foods Prime Protein — Best Flavor Selection and Egg-Free
What it is: Beef protein isolate from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle (USA + Sweden), sweetened with stevia. A separate Low Sugar line uses coconut sugar + monk fruit.
What makes it different: Equip has the widest flavor selection in the beef protein category — 12+ options including Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Peanut Butter, Iced Coffee, and Cinnamon Roll. Founded by Dr. Anthony Gustin (sports chiropractor), the brand has built strong credibility through influencer partnerships and transparent testing.
The amino acid reality: Equip publishes their amino acid profile, and it tells an important story. Glycine (5g) + proline (3g) + hydroxyproline (2.55g) = ~50% of total protein is collagen-derived. Leucine is only 0.93g per serving — roughly half of PaleoPro's. This makes it a better collagen protein than muscle-building protein.
Ingredients (Chocolate): Grass-Fed Beef Protein, Coconut Milk Powder, Sea Salt, Natural Flavors, Acacia Fiber, Beet Juice, Stevia Leaf Extract (7 ingredients).
Sourcing: USA + Sweden, grass-fed, pasture-raised. Swedish sourcing benefits from strict EU animal welfare regulations. Every batch tested by Light Labs (ISO-accredited) with COAs available on their website.
Strengths:
- 12+ flavors — by far the most variety
- Egg-free — best option for egg allergy sufferers
- Published amino acid profile (most brands don't)
- Strong testing transparency (Light Labs, COAs)
- Dual USA + Sweden sourcing
- 90-100 calories per serving (lowest on this list)
Honest weaknesses:
- Only 21g protein per serving (lowest on this list)
- 0.93g leucine (lowest on this list for muscle building)
- ~50% collagen-derived amino acid profile
- Stevia sweetener in original line (20-25% of people taste it as bitter)
- "3 ingredients" marketing claim doesn't match 7-ingredient label
Best for: People with egg allergies, anyone who wants variety in their protein flavors, or those specifically seeking collagen amino acids alongside protein.
Price: ~$2.13/serving
3. Transparent Labs Beef Protein — Best Third-Party Testing
What it is: Hydrolyzed grass-fed beef protein isolate, launched November 2025. Pure beef, no egg white, no blending.
What makes it different: Transparent Labs' brand identity is radical label transparency. Every ingredient is listed with its exact weight in milligrams or grams. Their whey protein line carries Informed Choice and Informed Protein certification — the gold standard for competitive athletes. Their beef protein is new but inherits the same testing infrastructure.
Ingredients (Chocolate): Grass-Fed Beef Protein Isolate (25.3g), Cocoa Powder, Natural Chocolate Flavor, Sodium Chloride, Stevia Extract (50-120mg). Five ingredients, every one dosed.
The sourcing question: "100% Grass-Fed" is in the product name, but the country of origin is not disclosed. Their whey specifies "American dairy cattle." The beef does not make the same claim. For a transparency-first brand, this is a notable gap.
Strengths:
- Exact mg/g dosing of every ingredient on the label
- Informed Choice / Informed Protein ecosystem (pending confirmation for beef product)
- Published COAs and heavy metals testing
- 25g protein per serving
-
95% protein purity, <3% fat
- Clean 5-ingredient formula
Honest weaknesses:
- Brand new product (Nov 2025) — limited customer reviews
- Amino acid profile not published (unusual for a transparency brand)
- Country of sourcing not disclosed
- Stevia sweetener
- Only 3 flavors
Best for: Drug-tested athletes, people who value certified label accuracy, and existing Transparent Labs customers looking for a dairy-free alternative.
Price: $2.17/serving
4. Be Well by Kelly — Best Budget Clean Option
What it is: Swedish grass-fed beef protein isolate (HydroBEEF), sweetened with organic monk fruit. Created by celebrity nutritionist Kelly LeVeque.
What makes it different: This is one of the cleanest labels at the best price point. The vanilla flavor has three ingredients. The unflavored has one. It uses the same HydroBEEF ingredient as PaleoPro and Designs for Health, sourced from Swedish grass-fed and grass-finished cattle. And it uses monk fruit — not stevia.
Ingredients (Vanilla): Swedish Grass-Fed Beef Protein Isolate, Organic Vanilla Bean Powder, Organic Monk Fruit Extract. Three ingredients.
Strengths:
- Monk fruit sweetener (stevia-free)
- 3 ingredients or fewer
- Swedish grass-fed AND grass-finished (HydroBEEF)
- ~$1.90/serving — one of the most competitive prices for a premium beef protein
- Clean, no-compromise label
Honest weaknesses:
- Influencer brand — some skepticism about whether the product lives up to the marketing
- Limited flavor variety
- No prominently advertised third-party testing
- Lower protein per serving (23g) than PaleoPro (26g) or Transparent Labs (25g)
- No egg white protein means amino acid profile is purely beef-derived (collagen-heavy)
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want HydroBEEF quality with monk fruit sweetener and a minimal label.
Price: ~$1.90/serving
5. Designs for Health PurePaleo — Best Practitioner-Grade
What it is: The original HydroBEEF product, marketed to healthcare practitioners. Recently rebranded from "PurePaleo" to "Bone Broth Protein" (the product hasn't changed — it's still beef protein isolate, not bone broth).
What makes it different: Designs for Health is a practitioner-grade supplement company that distributes primarily through healthcare professionals. Their products are designed for clinical settings, not retail shelves. If your functional medicine doctor recommends a beef protein, this is likely what they're recommending.
Ingredients (Unflavored): HydroBEEF. One ingredient. Flavored versions add stevia.
Strengths:
- The original HydroBEEF product — longest track record
- Practitioner-grade manufacturing (GMP certified)
- Swedish grass-fed, hormone-free cattle under EU regulations
- 26g protein per serving (unflavored — matching PaleoPro)
- Trusted by healthcare professionals
Honest weaknesses:
- Most expensive on this list (~$3.15/serving)
- Hard to find — primarily sold through practitioner channels
- Rebranded to "Bone Broth Protein" which is confusing and inaccurate (it's beef protein isolate)
- Stevia sweetener in flavored versions
- No Informed Choice / NSF certifications prominently advertised
Best for: People working with a healthcare practitioner who recommends it, or anyone willing to pay a premium for the original HydroBEEF product with the longest market history.
Price: ~$3.15/serving
6. True Nutrition Beef Protein Isolate — Best Customizable and Highest Protein
What it is: European-sourced grass-fed beef protein isolate with a customizable flavoring system. You choose from three sweetener tiers: TrueFlavors (stevia-based, cleanest), Natural Premium (stevia + maltodextrin), or Standard (sucralose + acesulfame K).
What makes it different: Two things. First, 29g of protein per serving — the highest in the category. Second, the customizable flavoring system. You pick your flavor AND your sweetener tier, which means you can have the exact same protein with either stevia or sucralose depending on your preference.
Ingredients: Beef protein isolate, sunflower lecithin. Flavoring varies by tier.
Strengths:
- 29g protein per serving (highest available)
- 90% protein concentration
- Customizable sweetener/flavoring options
- Available in bulk (1 lb to 5 lb bags)
- EU-sourced, grass-fed, hormone/antibiotic free
- Third-party tested
Honest weaknesses:
- Grass-fed claims not backed by third-party certification
- Standard flavoring tier includes sucralose, acesulfame K, and maltodextrin
- Mixed customer service reputation
- Smaller brand — less market presence and review volume
- No NSF / Informed Choice certification
Best for: People who want maximum protein per serving, bulk buyers, and those who appreciate choosing their own flavoring system.
Price: ~$2.00/serving
7. MuscleMeds Carnivor — Best Budget Option
What it is: Hydrolyzed beef protein isolate with added creatine monohydrate and BCAAs. One of the original beef protein brands, targeting bodybuilders and strength athletes.
What makes it different: MuscleMeds Carnivor is the most affordable beef protein isolate on the market by a wide margin. At ~$0.85/serving, it's less than half the price of every other brand on this list. It also adds creatine monohydrate and BCAAs — two ingredients with strong evidence for performance.
Ingredients (Chocolate): Hydrolyzed beef protein isolate, creatine monohydrate, BCAAs, maltodextrin, natural and artificial flavors, silica, salt, acesulfame potassium, sucralose. 10+ ingredients.
The trade-off: The price is low because the ingredient quality is lower. Carnivor doesn't claim grass-fed sourcing, uses artificial sweeteners (sucralose + acesulfame K), contains maltodextrin (a filler with a glycemic index of 95-136 — higher than table sugar), and uses artificial flavors and colors. The added creatine and BCAAs are genuinely useful, but they're offsetting a protein that has 8g of carbs per serving from filler.
Strengths:
- Cheapest beef protein on the market (~$0.85/serving)
- Added creatine monohydrate (evidence-backed performance ingredient)
- Added BCAAs for recovery
- Widely available (GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Walmart, Amazon)
- Many flavors (8+)
- Halal certified
Honest weaknesses:
- Artificial sweeteners (sucralose + acesulfame K)
- Maltodextrin filler adds 8g carbs per serving
- No grass-fed sourcing claims
- No sourcing transparency (country of origin undisclosed)
- Artificial flavors and colors
- "Bioengineered" label on some products
- Polarizing taste — reviewers report "funky" or "meaty" off-notes
- Misleading "350% more concentrated than steak" marketing
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want beef protein + creatine in one product and aren't concerned about grass-fed sourcing or artificial sweeteners.
Price: ~$0.85/serving
The Decision Framework
Choosing a beef protein powder comes down to four questions:
1. What's your primary goal?
- Muscle building: PaleoPro (highest leucine) or True Nutrition (highest total protein)
- Collagen/joint support: Equip Foods (highest collagen amino acid ratio)
- General daily protein: Any of the top 5 — pick based on taste/price preference
2. Do you have dietary restrictions?
- Egg allergy: Equip, Transparent Labs, True Nutrition, MuscleMeds, Be Well by Kelly
- AIP (elimination): PaleoPro Bone Broth Collagen (not Paleo Protein — has egg)
- Whole30 (during 30 days): Any unflavored option with no sweetener
- Keto: All options except MuscleMeds (8g carbs from maltodextrin)
3. How much does sweetener matter?
- Monk fruit preferred: PaleoPro, Be Well by Kelly, Equip (Low Sugar line)
- Stevia is fine: Equip (original), Transparent Labs, Designs for Health, True Nutrition (TrueFlavors tier)
- Artificial is fine: MuscleMeds, True Nutrition (Standard tier)
- No sweetener: PaleoPro Plain Naked, Equip Unflavored, DFH Unflavored, BulkSupplements
4. What's your budget?
- Under $1/serving: MuscleMeds Carnivor (trade-off: ingredient quality)
- $1.50-2.50/serving: Be Well by Kelly, True Nutrition, Equip, Transparent Labs, PaleoPro
- $3+/serving: Designs for Health (practitioner-grade premium)
FAQ
What's the best beef protein powder overall? For most people, PaleoPro or Equip Foods. PaleoPro delivers the best amino acid profile for muscle building (26g protein, 1.8g leucine) with monk fruit and four ingredients. Equip is the best egg-free option with the most flavor variety. If third-party testing certification matters most, Transparent Labs. If budget is primary, MuscleMeds Carnivor.
Is beef protein powder actually from beef? Yes, but the source material varies. Some brands use muscle tissue, some use bones and connective tissue, and most use a combination. The amino acid profile reveals the ratio: high glycine/proline/hydroxyproline means more collagen (connective tissue), while higher leucine/isoleucine/valine means more muscle protein. Very few brands publish this data.
Is beef protein powder as good as whey for muscle building? A direct comparison study found that beef protein isolate and whey protein isolate produced comparable increases in lean mass and strength over 8 weeks of resistance training (Sharp et al., 2018). The key variable is leucine content per serving. Whey typically delivers 2.5g+ leucine; beef protein varies from 0.93g (Equip) to 1.8g (PaleoPro) depending on the formulation.
Why is beef protein more expensive than whey? Sourcing. Grass-fed beef is more expensive than commodity dairy. Smaller production volume means less economy of scale. And the hydrolysis process for beef protein is more complex than whey separation. The price premium reflects genuine cost differences — grass-fed beef protein powders cost more to make.
Do I need grass-fed beef protein? Grass-fed beef has a different fatty acid profile: up to 5x more omega-3s and 2-3x more CLA than grain-fed (Daley et al., 2010). Whether this difference carries through to protein isolate (which removes most fats) is debated. The stronger argument for grass-fed is animal welfare and environmental practices. At minimum, grass-fed sourcing indicates a higher standard than undisclosed or conventional sourcing.
What's the difference between beef protein isolate and collagen? They come from different parts of the animal. Beef protein isolate is marketed as whole-beef protein but often includes significant collagen-derived amino acids (from bones and connective tissue). Collagen peptides are specifically extracted from connective tissue and are always missing tryptophan. The honest distinction: beef protein isolate is usually a blend of muscle and collagen protein, while collagen peptides are pure collagen. PaleoPro's addition of egg white protein addresses the amino acid gaps that beef isolate's collagen content creates.
Are there any beef protein brands to avoid? Avoid any brand that doesn't disclose sourcing (grass-fed vs. conventional), uses artificial sweeteners without disclosure, includes maltodextrin or fillers, or uses "proprietary blends" that hide individual ingredient amounts. Budget brands save money somewhere — usually on sourcing, testing, or ingredient quality.
Sources
- Sharp MH, et al. (2018). "The Effects of Beef Protein Isolate and Whey Protein Isolate Supplementation on Lean Mass and Strength." J Am Coll Nutr, 37(2), 175-183. PMID: 29135688
- Daley CA, et al. (2010). "A review of fatty acid profiles and antioxidant content in grass-fed and grain-fed beef." Nutr J, 9:10. PMID: 20219103
- Allen AL, et al. (2013). "Polymorphisms in TAS2R Bitter Taste Receptors Are Associated with Variation in the Perception of Stevia." Chem Senses, 38(5), 379-389.
- Munoz-Labrador A, et al. (2022). "Sensory and Physicochemical Characterization of Monk Fruit Sweetener." J Food Sci, 87(4), 1684-1695.
We tried to write the beef protein comparison we'd want to read — specific, honest, and based on data rather than affiliate deals. We make PaleoPro, and we think the beef + egg white blend, monk fruit sweetener, and four-ingredient formula make it the best choice for most people. But "most people" isn't all people. If you have an egg allergy, Equip is excellent. If third-party certification matters most, Transparent Labs is your brand. If budget is everything, MuscleMeds works. The right protein powder is the one that matches YOUR priorities — not ours. If that's PaleoPro, great. If not, we still wrote this guide to help you find what works.