David vs Quest Protein Bars
David and Quest are the two most compared protein bars right now, and they solve the same problem in opposite ways. David chases the maximum protein for the fewest calories, using a modified fat (EPG) that mostly passes through undigested. Quest keeps the classic formula: solid protein density plus a lot of fiber, sweetened mainly with erythritol. Every number below is transcribed from the manufacturer’s nutrition label and verified by hand, then compared across every flavour we have checked.
The numbers, side by side
Values are shown as the range across every flavour we have verified (12 David Protein Bar flavours, 11 Quest Bar flavours). Winner is decided on the median flavour.
| Per bar | David Protein Bar | Quest Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Protein per bar | 20–28gWinner | 20–21g |
| Calories per bar | 150 kcalWinner | 170–190 kcal |
| Protein per 100 kcal | 13.3–18.7gWinner | 11.1–11.8g |
| Sugar per bar | 0gWinner | 0.5–2g |
| Fiber per bar | 1–6g | 12–15gWinner |
| Fat per bar | 2–5gWinner | 6–9g |
| Bar size | 58–62g | 60g |
| Sugar alcohols | Maltitol | Erythritol |
| Other sweeteners | Sucralose, Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), Allulose | Sucralose, Stevia |
| Protein sources | Milk Protein Isolate, Collagen, Whey Protein Concentrate, Egg White | Milk Protein Isolate, Whey Protein Isolate, Caseinate |
Ingredients worth noting
David Protein Bar
- Maltitol: A sugar alcohol that does raise blood glucose, with a glycaemic index around 35 where most polyols are near zero.
- Allulose: A rare sugar the body absorbs but barely metabolises, contributing about 0.4 calories per gram with little effect on blood glucose.
- Glycerin: Chemically a sugar alcohol, used to keep bars soft and moist rather than to sweeten.
- EPG (Modified Plant Fat): A fat substitute made from rapeseed oil modified so digestive enzymes cannot break it down, so around 92 percent passes through unabsorbed and contributes almost no calories.
- Palm Oil: Pressed from the fruit of the oil palm rather than its seed, so it is not one of the seed oils.
- Carmine: A red colour made from crushed cochineal insects farmed on cactus.
Quest Bar
- Erythritol: A sugar alcohol that is close to zero calorie, does not raise blood glucose, and is better tolerated digestively than most polyols.
- Palm Oil: Pressed from the fruit of the oil palm rather than its seed, so it is not one of the seed oils.
Where they rank
David Protein Bar
- #1 of 10 in Best Protein Bars
- #1 of 42 in Highest Protein Bars Per Calorie
- #1 of 10 in Low Sugar Protein Bars
- #5 of 6 in Best Protein Bars for GLP-1 Users
- #5 of 6 in Best Protein Bars for Ozempic Users
Quest Bar
- #2 of 10 in Best Protein Bars
- #2 of 6 in Best Protein Bars for GLP-1 Users
- #2 of 6 in Best Protein Bars for Ozempic Users
- #2 of 10 in Protein Bars Without Sugar Alcohols
- #3 of 10 in High Fiber Protein Bars
- #3 of 10 in Low Sugar Protein Bars
- #3 of 10 in Protein Bars Without Maltitol
- #4 of 42 in Highest Protein Bars Per Calorie
Frequently asked questions
- Which has more protein per calorie, David Protein Bar or Quest Bar?
- David Protein Bar, with 18.7g of protein per 100 calories against 11.1g for Quest Bar (median across all verified flavours).
- Which has more fiber, David Protein Bar or Quest Bar?
- Quest Bar, with 12–15g of fiber per bar against 1–6g for David Protein Bar.
- Do David Protein Bar and Quest Bar contain sugar alcohols?
- David Protein Bar: Maltitol. Quest Bar: Erythritol. This comes from the verbatim ingredient list of every flavour we have verified.
Every David Protein Bar flavour we have verified
Blueberry Pie28g protein · 150 kcal · 18.7g / 100 kcal
Cake Batter28g protein · 150 kcal · 18.7g / 100 kcal
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough28g protein · 150 kcal · 18.7g / 100 kcal
Cinnamon Roll28g protein · 150 kcal · 18.7g / 100 kcal
Cookie Dough Caramel Chocolate20g protein · 150 kcal · 13.3g / 100 kcal
Double Chocolate20g protein · 150 kcal · 13.3g / 100 kcal
Fudge Brownie28g protein · 150 kcal · 18.7g / 100 kcal
Peanut Butter Chocolate20g protein · 150 kcal · 13.3g / 100 kcal
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk28g protein · 150 kcal · 18.7g / 100 kcal
Red Velvet28g protein · 150 kcal · 18.7g / 100 kcal
S'mores Chocolate20g protein · 150 kcal · 13.3g / 100 kcal
Salted Peanut Butter28g protein · 150 kcal · 18.7g / 100 kcalEvery Quest Bar flavour we have verified
Birthday Cake20g protein · 180 kcal · 11.1g / 100 kcal
Blueberry Muffin20g protein · 180 kcal · 11.1g / 100 kcal
Chocolate Brownie20g protein · 170 kcal · 11.8g / 100 kcal
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough21g protein · 190 kcal · 11.1g / 100 kcal
Cookies & Cream21g protein · 190 kcal · 11.1g / 100 kcal
Double Chocolate Chunk20g protein · 170 kcal · 11.8g / 100 kcal
Lemon Cake20g protein · 180 kcal · 11.1g / 100 kcal
Mint Chocolate Chunk20g protein · 180 kcal · 11.1g / 100 kcal
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip20g protein · 180 kcal · 11.1g / 100 kcal
S'mores21g protein · 190 kcal · 11.1g / 100 kcal
White Chocolate Raspberry20g protein · 180 kcal · 11.1g / 100 kcalAll numbers on this page are transcribed from each manufacturer’s published nutrition label and verified by hand, then compared across every flavour in our database. If you are tracking a daily protein target, the Protein Pal app lets you scan either bar and log it in seconds. See everything from David Protein Bar and Quest Bar, or browse all rankings and brands.
