As for the overall effectiveness of protein powders, so I have no means of comparison to workout without the same. However, I am quite zurfrieden with the successes of my training (gym with target strength / endurance, not body-building). I drink before and after exercise always a shake Whey Protein. On the day after a workout then I take a longer-acting protein powder (Whey protein is quickly absorbed, but also is not as long).
So I have to just 2.5 months net ~ 8 kg bacon off and visible simultaneously built muscle. With net I mean real weight loss, because at the same time a few kg muscles are probably gotten :-)