Everyone loves a delicious, home-cooked meal. However, cooking a healthy meal every night can be extremely difficult when you are juggling a job, family, and other responsibilities. Luckily, food delivery companies like HelloFresh make it easy to serve a healthy meal without resorting to takeout or frozen dinners.
Meal subscription companies and grocery delivery services are terrific options for people who want to eat a healthy meal but are short on time. While HelloFresh is one of the top meal kit delivery services in the space, there are other options to consider.
If you’re interested in giving companies like HelloFresh a try, this guide shares the ten best food subscription boxes to have healthy meals delivered to your door.
Table of Contents
What is HelloFresh?
HelloFresh is one of the most well-known meal delivery companies. It was among the first companies to start delivering ready-to-prepare meals to customers.
Meal prep takes less than 45 minutes. HelloFresh includes recipe cards and provides pre-measured ingredients to make a meal for two to four people.
This service makes it simple to get dinner on the table quickly.
How Much Does the Service Cost?
Meals start at $8.99 per serving. You can typically receive a discount on your first order, reducing the cost of each portion to about $6.99.
Better Finance Info readers receive $80 off and free shipping on their first order.
*For a limited time only, Better Finance Info readers can get 16 free meals, three surprise gifts, and free shipping with their first HelloFresh purchase!
Pros and Cons
While HelloFresh is an excellent meal kit service, there are a few pros and cons to consider.
Pros
- Has low-calorie and vegetarian-friendly options
- Great for single people, couples, and families
- Easily skip a week of delivery if needed
- Recipes take under an hour to make, with most taking under 30 minutes
Cons
- People reported that food portions are slightly smaller than other meal delivery services
- Meals can be expensive
- Limited options for picky eaters
The service has a lot to offer customers and is one of the top Blue Apron alternatives (the other big company in the space) for meal delivery.
Food Options
Besides vegetarian and low-calorie options, HelloFresh offers a wide array of different cuisines and meats.
As of this writing, weekly recipes included Cheesy Smothered Mushroom Chicken, Plant-Based Beyond Burger™, and Wasabi Zinger Salmon.
Read our full review of the service here to learn more.
What Other Companies Are Like HelloFresh?
HelloFresh is not the only meal delivery box company in the space. Several HelloFresh competitors are worthy of consideration.
All of these options have different price points, menus, and portion sizes. Be sure to keep that in mind as you compare them.
Company | Avg. Meal Price | Shipping | Best For | Sign Up |
---|---|---|---|---|
HelloFresh | $8.99 | $6.99 | Dietary restrictions | Try |
EveryPlate | $4.99 | $8.99 | Easy recipes |
|
Nutrisystem | $8.57 | $0 | Weight loss |
|
Blue Apron | $9.74 | $0 | Wine lovers | Try |
Sun Basket | $8.99 | $6.99 | Organic | Try |
Gobble | $11.99 | $6.99 | Quick prep | Try |
Diet-To-Go | $9.52 | $19.98 | Clean eating | Try |
Freshly | $8 - $11.49 | $12 | Quick Meals | Try |
Dinnerly | $4.80 | $8.99 | Families | Try |
Trifecta | $9.50 | $0 | Healthy meals |
|
Home Chef | $7.99 | $0 | Variety | Try |
1. EveryPlate
EveryPlate strives to bring taste, value, and convenience to your meals. While each box uses less packaging materials, the contents are still fresh and easy to prepare.
Depending on which plan you choose, the service lets you cook smaller portions or larger meals.
How Much Does EveryPlate Cost?
Meals are only $4.99 per serving regardless of which plan you select.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable (and may even be cheaper than dining out)
- Simple ingredients and recipes
- You can skip weeks or cancel at any time
- Student discounts are available
- Great for single people and families alike
Cons
- Shipping is not free
- Only has options for two people or a family of four
- Doesn’t have any other options for those on specific diets
Food Options
Recent food choices included Griddled Onion Burgers, Chicken Scallopini, Mandarin Chicken Stir-Fry, French Onion Meatloaves, and Pork & Poblano Tacos.
Read our review of EveryPlate here to learn more about the service.
2. Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem is a terrific HelloFresh alternative. If you’re trying to lose weight or want a simple way to portion control, Nutrisystem is a good choice.
The weight loss company offers three different meal options. The base plan sends you a variety of meals, but you don’t get to choose what you receive.
The second plan allows you to choose what meals you receive. The third plan allows you to choose your meals and includes frozen options.
How Much Does Nutrisystem Cost?
Nutrisystem is known for offering monthly plans. However, they also offer daily meals for $8.57, $10.36, and $12.50 per day. The price includes all of your meals, snacks, and shipping.
For a limited time, Nutrisystem is offering 50 percent off on all meals, including shakes. Additionally, Nutrisystem offers numerous customized plans.
These include diabetic-friendly meals to vegetarian meals and more.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Customizable meal plans for those trying to lose weight
- 50 percent off all plans
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- Frozen meals plus snacks you can take on the go
- Shipping is included in the cost of meals
Cons
- Only has meal plans for one individual
If you want to learn more about Nutrisystem, including savings hacks and meals, read our review of Nutrisystem here. Better Finance Info founder John Schmoll lost 100 pounds on the plan and he shares his expert insights in the review.
Food Options
Nutrisystem offers the most expansive meal choices on our list. You can get items ranging from protein shakes to quality frozen meals.
*Related: Read our analysis of Nutrisystem and Jenny Craig here to learn how the two companies compare.
The company regularly adds or changes meals based on feedback from users.
3. Blue Apron
Blue Apron prides itself on providing fresh, high-quality ingredients. They also let you choose your meals and offer you the chance to quickly prepare chef-created meals.
How Much Does Blue Apron Cost?
Blue Apron starts at $8.99 per serving. Better Finance Info readers who sign up can get $80 off their first four boxes.
*Now through December 31st, 2022 Better Finance Info readers can get $110 off their first four boxes of Blue Apron plus free shipping on the first box!
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Portions may be slightly larger than other meal delivery services
- You get to choose your meals each week
- Offers vegetarian and WeightWatchers menus
- You can order wine to go with the meals
- No commitment so you can skip weeks
Cons
- You’ll pay $9.99 per serving if you aren’t ordering for a family
- They don’t separate food by meal like other meal delivery services
- Food options are somewhat limited, especially if you’re vegetarian
Food Options
Recipes offered this week included Spiced Salmon and Garlic Yogurt, Creamy Tomato Pasta, and Crispy Potato and Kale Hash.
*Related: Read our analysis of HelloFresh vs. Blue Apron to see how the two services compare against each other.
Read our review of Blue Apron here to learn more about this service.
4. Sunbasket
Sunbasket is the only service on our list of HelloFresh alternatives that offers an all-organic menu plan and food. If your health and the quality of what you eat are non-negotiable, this could be a perfect option for you.
They also offer sustainable fish as well as organic, natural, and hormone-free meats.
How Much Does Sunbasket Cost?
Sunbasket is middle of the road on pricing. Servings start at $8.99 each. This is relatively affordable given that all items are organic, most are fair trade, and meat options are sustainable.
*Related: Want to order dinner in, but don’t want to spend a lot? Read our review of the best food delivery apps to save money and stay out of the kitchen.*
Better Finance Info readers receive free shipping on all orders. If organic foods are important to you, take advantage of the offer to try them out.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- All options are organic, similar to Green Chef
- Multiple recipe options to choose from each week
- Easily upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time
- You can skip weeks
- Offers different dietary options including Paleo, Mediterranean, Gluten-Free, and Vegetarian
Cons
- Can only choose between meal plans for two and four people
Food Options
The weekly recipes listed included Chipotle Turkey Chili, Stuffed Bell Peppers, Quinoa-Tofu bowls, and Miso-ginger Ground Pork.
Read our review of Sunbasket here to learn more about the service.
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5. Gobble
If saving time in the kitchen is important to you, Gobble is a terrific alternative to HelloFresh. The service specializes in pre-packaged fresh ingredients allowing you to make dinner in 20 minutes or less.
You can choose from three different meal pan options. Those are:
- Classic
- Vegetarian
- Lean and Clean
Unlike many other meal delivery services, Gobble is a great choice for seafood lovers. It’s also a good option for people who enjoy more European-centric dishes.
*Related: Are you looking for a meat delivery service that offers wild-caught seafood? Read our Good Chop review to see if they’re a fit for you.
In addition to meals, you can purchase add-ons from salads to add-on proteins.
How Much Does Gobble Cost?
Gobble is slightly more expensive than other services. Pricing starts at $11.99 per serving. You can choose either three or four meals a week and servings for two or four people.
First-time customers qualify to receive their first six meals for $36. Shipping is also free for the first order.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Quick meals
- Numerous plans to choose from
- Easy to follow
- Seafood and European-inspired dishes
Cons:
- More expensive than other meal delivery services
- Must order at least three meals per week
Food Options
Current weekly menu items include Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice and Naan, Potato Pierogi with Butternut Squash Puree and Sauteed Kale, and Asian-Style Tofu Lettuce Cups with Jasmine Rice.
Read our review of Gobble here to learn more.
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6. Diet-to-Go
Many weight loss programs don’t focus on encouraging you to eat vegetables. For meals heavy in vegetables, take a look at Diet-to-Go.
With Diet-to-Go, each meal is customized to fit your goals. Pre-measured ingredients are included to save you time. You can also find out how many calories are in each meal.
Diet-to-Go offers three meal types. These include low-fat, low-carb, and diabetic-friendly meals.
The number of meals you get depends on which plan you sign up for. You can get anywhere from ten to 21 meals each week.
Unlike other diet plans like Nutrisystem, one drawback to Diet-to-Go is that it doesn’t offer free shipping. It’s also a bit expensive when compared to other diet plans.
However, the company is currently offering a 25 percent off first week discount for new customers.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Personalized meals
- Meals rich in vegetables and whole foods
- Meals created by nutrition specialists
- Wide range of meal options
- Offers delivery to your home
- You have at least five weeks between meals to limit repeats
Cons:
- Only offers weekly delivery
- More expensive than other choices
- You pay for shipping
Read our review of the weight loss meal service here to learn more.
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7. Freshly
Freshly is a meal delivery service that takes away the hassle of shopping and cooking nutritious meals. If you don’t have time to prepare meals, Freshly might be a good choice for you.
Freshly strives to make convenient, pre-cooked meals with less sugar and processed ingredients. Meals can be heated and ready to eat in three minutes or less. Gluten-free options are available.
How Much Does Freshly Cost?
Freshly is the most expensive option on this list. Servings start at $11.49 each. Their prices are higher because they’ve already done the cooking and clean-up for you.
*Related: If you like to involve your kids in the cooking, take a look at Raddish Kids. You can get kits, free recipes, and cooking videos to cook simple meals with the help of your children.*
From time to time, Freshly offers promotions that help decrease the cost of your meals. If you’re looking for a gluten-free food delivery service, check out Freshly’s offer and give them a try.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Multiple recipe choices each week
- Many dietary restrictions can be met
- Lower sugar meals and less processed foods
- Around the clock customer service
Cons:
- More expensive than other meal plans
- There may be more packaging as meals are portioned for one person
Food Options
Freshly’s weekly menu include choices such as Sicilian-Style Chicken Parmesan, Steak Peppercorn, Sausage and Peppers, and Savory-Sweet Chicken Teriyaki.
Read our review of Freshly to learn more.
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8. Dinnerly
Dinnerly claims to be one of the lowest-cost meal kit delivery services. They offer easy and fresh meals for even the most inexperienced cooks looking for a family plan.
This service is an excellent option if you are new to cooking. It’s also perfect if you don’t want to spend a lot of money from week to week.
How Much Does Dinnerly Cost?
Dinnerly is one of the cheapest options on our list. Their meals start at just $4.99 per serving.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Affordable (and sometimes cheaper than dining out)
- Offers vegetarian options
- Uses digital recipe cards to cuts costs and save paper
- Encourages customers to recycle their delivery packaging
Cons
- Shipping is not free
- Only has options for two people or a family of four
- Doesn’t have any other options for those on specific diets
Food Options
Weekly options included Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo, Everything Bagel Burger, Sesame Pork Tenderloin, and Nacho Pie.
Read our review of the Dinnerly menu to learn more about the service.
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9. Trifecta
Trifecta is a meal kit subscription service that specializes in helping people manage their calorie intake. While not a diet meal plan like Nutrisystem, Trifecta seeks to help people git fit through healthy eating.
Meals range between 300 and 500 calories, and all are carb-conscious.
Meals are pre-packaged, so all you need to do is heat and eat. If you prefer not to microwave meals, you can also warm them on the stove.
Trifecta has five plans to choose from: Classic, Vegetarian, Paleo, Keto, and Vegan.
Meals are also single-serving so this service may not be best for a large family.
If the vegan or vegetarian options don’t suit you, ButcherBox is an excellent alternative for quality meats. If you’re interested in ordering meat online, read our review to see if it’s a good choice for you.
How Much Does Trifecta Cost?
Meals start at $9.50 per serving. However, if you choose the Paleo or Keto plans, pricing can go up to $15.50 per meal.
You can purchase either dinners, or all three meals. And, you can choose either five or seven days for meals.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Low calorie meals
- Live support from dietitians
- Good for singles
- Offers seasonal menus
- Has up to 60 menu items to choose from
Cons
- It’s more expensive than other services
- Not for people who like to cook
Read our Trifecta Nutrition review to learn more.
Food Options
Current meals include Grilled Chicken with Herb Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans, Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower and Navy Beans with Chicken, and Kung Pao Chicken with Sweet Potato and Brown Rice.
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10. Home Chef
Home Chef is an excellent choice for meal delivery if you enjoy cooking. They are one of the only meal services like HelloFresh that offers over four days of meals.
They have great meal options if you want to get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
Home Chef also allows you to order add-ons, extra protein, snacks, and lunches.
How Much Does Home Chef Cost?
Home Chef has a flat rate of $9.95 per serving regardless of order size. Whether you’re feeding multiple mouths or just yourself, you pay the same amount for each serving.
Lunch options cost $6.95 per meal.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers more than just dinner, including protein boxes, snacks, smoothies, and more
- Great for bigger families since they offer up to six portions per meal
- 26+ food options each week
- Discounts are available for students
Cons
- More expensive than some of the other HelloFresh alternatives
- Not great if you’re single
Read our review of the meal kit delivery service to learn more.
Food Options
Food options for this week included Huli Huli Chicken Rice Bowl, Adobo Chicken Enchiladas, Artichoke and Spinach Salad, and Hawaiian BBQ Pork Tacos.
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What to Know About Meal Kit Delivery Services Like HelloFresh
Having ready-to-prepare meals delivered to your door is a terrific way to save time and try new recipes. Many companies like HelloFresh allow you to make healthy meals and not rely on fast food to get dinner on the table.
There are several other things to keep in mind when using a food subscription box company, including:
- Watching costs as you order because it’s easy to overspend
- Taking advantage of promotions to save money
- Most services allow you to order online or with an app
- These services will not replace all of your meals
- There is a lot of packaging, so do your best to recycle what you can
- Skipping weeks if you need to cut costs
If you can’t cook every night and enjoy having meals delivered to your home on occasion, there are options for that as well. Consider a few of the best food delivery apps that provide a discount on your first order.
Below are a few of the top offers currently available:
Finally, if you just want groceries delivered to your doorstep, read our guide on alternatives to Instacart.
Bottom Line
These meal delivery companies like HelloFresh offer tasty, healthy, and fast meals that help you avoid takeout.
The convenience may seem expensive, but there are ways to save money while adding variety to your meals if you plan correctly. Plus, you can reduce costs for the first few weeks by taking advantage of discount codes.
All companies like HelloFresh have their unique pros and cons. You can always try each one out to see what you like best.
What are your favorite meal delivery services? How much time do you spend each week planning and preparing meals? What’s your favorite way to save money on groceries?
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