A trial was carried out to study the effect of the partial substitution of soybean meal (SBM) by alternative protein sources: black chickpea (Cicer arietinum; BC), narbon vetch (Vicia narbonensis; NV), and winter pea (Pisum sativum; WP) on growth performance of piglets during starter period. The anti-nutritional factors are the main handicap of including in a diet a high proportion of legumes with no previous treatment. The protease inhibitors (PI) (trypsin inhibitor; TI and chymotrypsin; CI) interfere in the absorption of proteins affecting feed intake and feed efficiency in young pigs. A total of 192 animals (96 barrows and 96 gilts), from PIC L-65 sires x Topigs 20 dams, of 11.6 ± 0.56 kg BW and 42 ± 2 d of age were used in the experiment. Piglets were allocated according to sex and initial BW. Four diets were provided: 1) control with 21% SBM, 2) 24% BC + 14.4% SBM, 3) 20% BC + 5% NV + 13.2% SBM and 4) 24% WP + 5% NV + 11.4% SBM. Diets had a similar nutritional profile (10.24 MJ NE/kg, 18% CP, and 1.25% Lys). Trial lasted 20 d (23.35 ± 1.42 kg BW as average). Data were analyzed as a random factorial design 2 (sexes) × 4 (diets) by GLM of SAS. Each experimental treatment was replicated 4 times considering the box, with 6 piglets, as the replicate. The PI content in the experimental diets was 1.03, 2.41, 1.57, and 1.13 units TI/mg feedstuff, and 1.85, 2.66, 2.24, and 2.60 units CI/mg feedstuff for diet 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. No significant difference was detected for any variable studied between barrows and gilts. The average daily gain was not affected by diet (P = 0.42) but piglets fed diets 1, 2 and 3 ate more feed than those fed diet 4 (898, 951, 876 vs 836 ± 25.7 g/d, respectively; P < 0.001). Diet 4 provided better feed to gain ratio than diets 1 and 2, with diet 3 in an intermediate position (1.54, 1.58, 1.51, and 1.44 ± 0.034 g/g, for diets 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively; P < 0.005). Although more studies are necessary, we can conclude that black chickpea, narbon vetch, and winter pea can substitute partial soybean meal in piglet diets during the starter phase.