HelloFresh is undoubtedly one of the most popular meal delivery services out there, but it's not the only one. There are plenty of other meal delivery services that offer similar or even better options than HelloFresh.
After conducting extensive research, I've identified 8 excellent alternatives to HelloFresh that are worth considering, and my team and I have tested them all at home. Whether you're looking for affordable options or meals that cater to specific dietary requirements, there's a meal delivery service on this list that’ll suit your needs.
While I have a top choice, which is Home Chef, all the options on this list are worth exploring, too. So, without further ado, let's dive into the best HelloFresh alternatives and find the perfect meal delivery service for you.
Home Chef – Best family-friendly alternative to HelloFresh
Blue Apron – Best for Mediterranean recipes
Purple Carrot – Best plant-based alternative to HelloFresh
Factor – Best healthy prepared meal alternative to HelloFresh
Customizable recipes
30+ recipes per week
Dietary options include low calorie, carb-conscious, and high protein
Like HelloFresh, Home Chef caters well to families and offers a wide variety of meals, so it’s a great option to consider. Home Chef's family-friendly meals serve 4 people, making them perfect for large families or those who like to have leftovers.
The Home Chef Plan has menu filters for carb-conscious, calorie-conscious, vegetarian, and easy-prep recipes, so you can quickly find the meals that meet your specific needs. The Family Plan filters are Calorie-conscious, < 30min, and Protein-packed.
One of the standout features of Home Chef is the variety of meal options available. With standard meal kits, oven-ready meals, and easy-prep meals, there’s something for every level of cooking expertise. I found lots of options that take less than 30 minutes to prepare, like the Creamy Lemon Sausage Gemelli, which is an easy pasta recipe.
If you're looking to make bigger savings, Home Chef has bundles to choose from like sides, pudding, and soups. You could opt for the Garlic Bread and Avocado Ranch Chopped Salad to make a meal even more filling for hungry kids. Or try the Broccoli Cheddar Soup and Garlic Bread, which makes a quick lunch for 3 people.
I like the fact that the menu can be viewed 6 weeks in advance. This makes it easy to plan ahead and choose meals that fit your dietary preferences, restrictions, and even your schedule.
You can also leave out up to 9 allergens, which is an option HelloFresh doesn’t have. In the third step of account setup, you can eliminate fish, shellfish, pork, poultry, beef, mushrooms, tree nuts, peanuts, and sesame.
Home Chef's Customize It feature is a standout recipe customization tool and a key factor in attracting new users. With it, you can either swap or upgrade the protein in many of its meals. For example, you can choose between ground beef and ground turkey in One-Pan Turkey Chili Skillet. Other meals may have several alternatives. See what happened when we gave Home Chef a try.
Meal kits arrive fresh, conveniently packaged, and ready to refrigerate. Whilst this makes it easy to store and prepare recipes, there is a slight overuse of plastic in the packaging.
It’s nice to find an alternative to HelloFresh that caters to bigger families, just like HelloFresh. You can order up to 6 recipes for 6 people per week and prices start at $9.99 per serving.
Add-ons include prepared meals
Over 80 options per week
Dietary options include carb-conscious, vegetarian, and Mediterranean
One of the things that sets Blue Apron apart is the quality of its ingredients. All of the produce, meats, and seafood used in its meals are sourced from trusted suppliers. For example, the steak used in the Ribeye Steak and Spring Panzanella recipe is pasture-raised.
What’s great about Blue Apron is the range of menu choices and cuisines available. Whether you're looking for classic American dishes, international cuisine, or vegetarian options, Blue Apron has plenty of options to choose from.
Blue Apron now offers both Meal Kits and Prepared & Ready meal plans, showcasing its versatility and ability to cater to different preferences and lifestyles. This move beyond just meal kits reflects its commitment to providing a range of convenient dining options and sets it apart from HelloFresh.
The time it takes to prepare meal kits can depend on your skill level. If you’re a novice chef, choose some Ready to Cook recipes to help build your cooking skills. Take a look at our tested review for details on what it’s like to cook with Blue Apron.
There are plenty of add-ons, like breakfast items and snacks, to make your meal delivery experience even more convenient. The Mint Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding is a sweet option that looks delicious.
The service uses sustainable and environmentally friendly practices whenever possible. You can see the commitment to quality in the delicious and flavorful meals that Blue Apron delivers.
One minor downside of Blue Apron is the limited vegetarian options available. While there are some vegetarian and vegan meals on the menu, they can be limited compared to HelloFresh’s offering. However, if you're not a vegetarian, this is unlikely to be an issue.
Blue Apron is a great choice if you have many mouths to feed. The cost per meal is reasonable, and recipes include high-quality ingredients. The price per meal starts from $4.00, with meal kits being more affordable than prepared meals in most cases.
You have the flexibility to choose different order sizes. For example, choose between 2 to 5 Meal Kits for 2 or 4 people or 4, 6, 8, or 10 Prepared & Ready meals in your subscription plan. Furthermore, you can manually add more Meal Kits or Prepared & Ready meals to your weekly order than outlined in your basic plan, with no apparent limit.
Pre-prepped ingredients
45+ recipes per week
8 plans include certified gluten-free, plant-based, and keto
Current deal: 50% Off + 50 FREE Credits with Class Pass!
Green Chef is the only certified organic meal delivery service on this list, making it a great option for anyone looking to eat healthy and sustainably. With a focus on fresh, organic ingredients, Green Chef is a slightly more premium version of HelloFresh. They’re also owned by the same parent company.
There’s a range of recipes to suit different skill levels. From 10 minute lunches like Cheesy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches to the fine dining chef selected Beef Tenderloin with Cherry Sauce recipe, there’s something for all abilities.
There’s an excellent Plant Based meal plan with plenty of choices for vegans, vegetarians, and anyone looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diet.
Green Chef also offers a variety of add-ons, including breakfasts, lunches, and extra proteins. That way, you can customize your meal plan to fit your specific dietary needs and preferences. The Brioche French Toast looks like a nice lazy weekend breakfast option.
With 8 plans to choose from, including Keto, Gluten Free, and Protein Packed, there's something for everyone. Read our full tested review to find out more about the range of dietary options Green Chef covers.
You can select meals from different plans, so you aren't restricted to what you choose when you sign up. I like this flexibility, as it isn’t always an option with some meal delivery services.
Green Chef is also a good option for families, with portion sizes that are similar to those of HelloFresh. And with easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes, even novice cooks can create delicious meals with ease.
I think Green Chef suits individuals who enjoy cooking and want to learn new techniques and recipes well. I find it a great option for health-conscious couples and families. But if you prefer heat-and-eat meals you can serve in a few minutes, Factor would make a better choice.
Prices start at $9.99 per serving, whichever plan you choose. The minimum order is 3 meals for 2 people, but you can order up to 4 recipes for 6 people each week.
Meal kits and prepared meals
30+ recipes per week
Dietary options include gluten-free, low-carb, and high protein
Purple Carrot is a great option if you’re looking for a plant-based meal delivery service. All recipes are 100% vegan, making it an excellent choice if you look to incorporate more plant-based meals into your diet than HelloFresh offers.
There’s a wide range of breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, so you won't be short of ideas for meals throughout the day. Imagine this tempting combination – Farmers’ Market Tofu Scramble for breakfast, Smoky Tempeh BLTs for lunch, and Spring Vegetable Gnocchi for dinner.
However, picky eaters may struggle with the limited options available. If you have specific dietary restrictions, the company does clearly label their recipes for allergens. So, you can choose meals that are safe for you to eat.
If you fancy some extra treats, check out the Purple Carrot Plantry. Here, you'll find a select range of snacks, sauces, and vegan proteins. This is similar to the HelloFresh Marketplace, the main difference being all of the offerings are vegan.
Purple Carrot is perfect for Meatless Mondays or anyone looking for more variety in their diet. With the option to mix and match between meal kits and prepared meals, you can choose the best option for your schedule and preferences.
Purple Carrot is also an excellent choice for the health-conscious. Eating more plants has numerous health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.
A great feature of Purple Carrot is the variety of unique recipes and cuisines on offer. Whether you're looking to try something new or simply enjoy a diverse range of dishes, Purple Carrot has you covered. Read about our tested experience with Purple Carrot.
If you're not vegan, you may want to consider Home Chef instead, as it has more options that cater to non-vegan preferences.
If you prefer meal kits, you can buy 2 or 4 servings per week for 2 to 4 dieters, depending on the number of servings you select. Prices start at $11.00 per serving. The prepared meals serve 1 person, and you can choose 6, 8, or 10 meals per week.
Nutritional support available
35+ recipes per week
Dietary options include keto, flexitarian, and high protein
Factor offers healthy, prepared meals that are perfect for busy individuals who may have found HelloFresh’s kits too time-consuming. With its focus on balanced, nutritious meals that require no prep or clean-up, Factor makes it easy to eat well without sacrificing convenience.
Factor is an excellent choice for singles, as all meals are single-serving portions that make it easy to enjoy a healthy and satisfying meal without any waste. Check out Factor’s current menu for the latest recipes.
Factor serves meat-eaters as well as those following plant-based diets. Look for tags such as Calorie Smart and Carb Conscious to find options that match your dietary preferences. For plant-based eaters, there are some nice options to choose from, including vegetarian and vegan meals that are packed with flavor and nutrition. I like the look of the Three Bean Vegan Chili with Cornbread Casserole and Tofu-Based Crema.
Further, the company offers a broad range of add-ons. It has beverages (such as juices and smoothies), desserts (like cheesecakes), and single-serving proteins (including Pan-Seared Salmon), among other offerings.
This meal subscription service caters to strict diets like keto, vegan, and high protein. The company's meals are designed by dietitians and chefs to ensure they're both healthy and delicious, making it a great option for anyone looking to stick to a specific diet plan.
Our review highlighted that the plastic containers are recyclable. They can be added to your curbside recycling easily, which makes Factor even more environmentally friendly than HelloFresh.
Factor's meals are delicious and nutritious, but may not be the best choice for picky eaters. The meals are designed to be adventurous, featuring a range of unique and exotic flavors that may not be to everyone's taste. If you like the sound of Ancho Chile-Glazed Pork Chop or Jalapeño-Lime-Cheddar Chicken, it could be the choice for you.
With Factor, the more meals you order, the lower the serving cost. Prices start at $10.49 per serving and you can order a minimum of 6 meals per week up to a maximum of 18.
Doctor-designed meals
150+ recipes on the menu
Dietary options include balanced, carb-conscious, and vegan
HelloFresh may not have enough diabetic options, but BistroMD is here to fill that gap with their doctor-designed weight-loss meal delivery service. This particular service is also a great provider of meals suitable for weight loss.
With 150 meals to choose from every week, depending on the plan, BistroMD offers a wide variety of delicious, healthy meals. These are perfect for busy people who want to lose weight without the hassle of cooking and meal planning.
BistroMD offers unique plans for men and women, as well as gluten-free and menopause plans, among others. The meals are nutritious and balanced, with the right balance of macronutrients to help you achieve your weight loss goals.
When you're ready to eat, simply take the meal out of the freezer and heat it up. Once you take out the meal from the freezer, you can store it in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. This means that you can enjoy the convenience of BistroMD's meals without having to worry about meal planning or cooking, and without sacrificing quality or freshness.
The meals are delivered frozen and should be stored in the freezer until you're ready to eat them. They can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months, which means you can stock up on your favorite meals without worrying about them going bad.
If you prefer prepared meals delivered fresh, Factor is a better alternative. If you follow a plant-based diet, BistroMD has a vegan plan with over 20 lunch and dinner options on its menu.
I’m happy to report that the meal trays and cardboard packaging can be easily recycled. Simply throw it in the recycling bin and feel happy to have chosen an eco-friendly option. Check out our tested BistroMD review for more details.
One of the best things about BistroMD is how easy it is to enjoy its meals. Simply heat and eat, and you don't have to worry about anything else. All meals are delivered flash-frozen and ready to eat, with no prep or cooking required. This makes it perfect for people who are always on the go and don't have time to cook or plan meals.
You can decide whether to have 7 days or 5 days worth of meals a week. You can also opt for 3 or 2 meals a day, plus optional snacks. Prices start at $6.59 per serving.
Menu filters for quick search
Over 40 recipes per week across all plans
Dietary options include vegetarian, paleo, and vegan
Eat Clean is best for busy individuals who want to eat healthily but don't have time to cook. Its simple meals are rotated weekly, and you can choose from regular or large portions. It also caters to more niche diets compared to HelloFresh.
With 4 plans to choose from, including Traditional, Plant-Based, Paleo, and Keto, you can find a plan that works best for your dietary needs. However, keep in mind that you can't mix and match the plans like you can with HelloFresh.
It’s great to see a Paleo plan that makes it even easier to eat good food and meet the restrictions. Some of the options are Paleo Turkey Picadillo with Sweet Plantains and Kung Pao Chicken Bowl with Sweet Potato Noodles. Also, the menu changes every week, so you don’t have to keep eating the same thing over again.
Our tried-and-tested review covers the interesting cuisine options, including Caribbean and Hawaiian, in greater detail.
The meals arrive fresh, so you can store them in the fridge or freezer. Then, heat them in the microwave for 3 minutes or in the oven for around 30 minutes. It's a straightforward process that won't take up too much of your valuable time.
It's important to note that there’s no allergen information available. So, if you have specific dietary restrictions, you may want to consider Green Chef, which provides allergen information on all recipes.
Eat Clean is great for a simple and healthy meal plan without too much variety. However, if you prefer more variety in your meal options, Factor may be a better choice.
You can choose 6 to 20 meals per week, and the more you order, the cheaper the cost. Prices start at $4.30 per serving.
Plans for men, women, and partners
More than 130 meal and snack options
Dietary options include diabetic-friendly, low-carb, and balanced
Nutrisystem is a weight-loss meal delivery service that offers a 28-day weight-loss plan. It specializes in providing balanced and nutritious meals that are designed to help you lose weight.
The meals are mainly frozen, and snacks and shakes are also available. Nutrisystem's menu is constant, which means you won't have the same flexibility to choose from a variety of cuisines as you might with other meal delivery services.
However, you can customize your meal plan to your liking, so you won't be stuck with meals you don't like. Our full review breaks down the complexities of the plans and ordering.
The meals are well-balanced and provide all the nutrients you need. However, the service doesn't offer a wide range of cuisines. So, if you're looking for a meal delivery service that offers a more diverse menu, you might want to try other services, such as Green Chef.
If you're looking for low-calorie meal kits for families, you might want to try Blue Apron instead. However, if you're a single person looking for a weight-loss meal delivery service, Nutrisystem might be a good option for you.
You can access dietitian support to help you achieve your weight-loss goals. This is ideal if you want to lose weight and need a structured approach to your meal planning. It also has an app called NuMi where you can track your progress along the way.
Nutrisystem offers meals labeled clearly for allergens, which is important if you have food allergies. The service also offers a variety of snacks and shakes, which can help you stay on track with your weight-loss goals.
Nutrisystem is more suitable for singles rather than families, as most of the meals are single servings. It also comes with a hefty price tag, but if you’re serious about losing weight, the convenience can support your journey. It’s a better option for short-term weight loss than more mainstream services like HelloFresh.
Nutrisystem offers a money-back guarantee, which means that if you're not satisfied with your meals, you can get your money back. The minimum order is a 1-month subscription and prices start at $9.64 per day.
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Our Rating | ||||||||
Our Rating | 9.5 | 9.6 | 9.7 | 9.4 | 9.8 | 9.5 | 9.3 | 9.4 |
Starting Price | ||||||||
Starting Price | $9.99 Per Serving | $4.00 Per Serving | $9.99 Per Serving | $11.00 Per Serving | $10.49 Per Serving | $6.59 Per Serving | $4.30 Per Serving | $9.64 Per Serving |
Minimum Order | ||||||||
Minimum Order | 2 meals for 2 people | 2 meals for 2 people | 3 meals for 2 people | 3 meal kits for 2 people/6 prepared meals | 6 prepared meals | 10 prepared meals | 6 meals | 6 meals for 4 days |
Meal Types | ||||||||
Meal Types | Kits, speedy kits, oven-ready | 5 - 60 min meal kits and prepared meals | 10-45 minute meal kits | Meal kits, prepared meals | Prepared meals | Prepared meals | Prepared meals | Prepared meals, shelf-stable, and frozen food |
Prep Time | ||||||||
Prep Time | 5-50 min | 5-45 min | 25-40 min | 3-40 min | 2-3 min | 2-3 min | 3 minutes | 0-3 min |
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Active Deals |
After consulting with our reviewer, who tested HelloFresh, I’ve compiled 4 tips that can help you find the best alternative to HelloFresh based on your preferences and needs.
My top alternative to HelloFresh is Home Chef as it offers a similar menu with great family-friendly options. Kits are just as straightforward to make as HelloFresh’s, and some of the Oven Ready and Fast & Fresh options are even easier. Of course, the best alternative for you depends on personal preferences and dietary restrictions, so one of my other choices may suit you better.
Yes, there are several meal delivery services that offer vegan options, including Factor, Purple Carrot, and Green Chef. These specialize in plant-based meals and offer a variety of vegan recipes to choose from. Some other meal delivery services, such as Blue Apron, also offer vegan options, but their selection may be more limited.
Yes, Home Chef offers family-size portions and is designed to accommodate larger households. You can order up to 6 recipes per week for 6 people making it a great option for larger families. It's important to research different options and read reviews to ensure that a meal delivery service can accommodate your family's needs.