EveryPlate vs. HelloFresh 2025: Is Low-Cost Best?

EveryPlate and HelloFresh are owned by the same company, but there are some key differences that set them apart. Drawing from my team’s experiences testing these services, I’ve analyzed everything from the menus to the delivery process to help you decide which is right for you.

HelloFresh stands out for its massive, varied menu and convenient meal prep features, while EveryPlate focuses on affordability and simplicity.

Since both services share a parent company, they have a lot in common, including fresh ingredients and a similar ordering system. Deciding the winner wasn’t easy, as each service has its own strengths.

After considering both services, HelloFresh comes out on top. It offers a range of exciting recipes, better ingredient organization, and broader customization options. While it’s slightly more expensive, the extra variety and convenience are worth it.

Read on to discover how these 2 services compare in key areas. Pricing, packaging, and sustainability have all been taken into account to help determine the best fit for your needs.

At a Glance: Who Won Each Category?

Menu Variety: HelloFresh Offers a Lot More Meals

At first glance, EveryPlate and HelloFresh look like they have similar menus, but HelloFresh offers a much larger range of meal kits with a more diverse array of cuisines and ingredients.

EveryPlate Categories & Tags Help You Choose Your Meals

EveryPlate offers 5 flexible categories that act like menu filters more than structured plans. You can always order from the wider menu, and you can select multiple of the below options when you sign up:

• Smart & Fit

• Meat & Veggie

• Quick & Easy

• Family Faves

• Veggie

EveryPlate’s menu items are clearly labeled (with tags), so you know which recipes are vegetarian-friendly, quick to cook, and more. The Customer Fave tag reveals EveryPlate’s most popular dishes, while Veggie reflects the vegetarian-friendly options.

The menu also features a couple of Premium recipes each week. These are created using higher-quality proteins, like steak and salmon, and have fancier sides. These come with an upcharge, however. Each upgrade is a different price, so you’ll have to double-check your order total to know the per serving price. We tested a Premium-tagged dish, but it was missing the potatoes, requiring an improvisation to serve the steak and beans with bread instead.

EveryPlate’s meals take, on average, around 30 to 40 minutes to prepare, though you’ll also find some recipes that take 15 minutes or less. Unlike HelloFresh, EveryPlate doesn’t rate the difficulty of each dish, but they’re generally beginner-friendly.

When we tested EveryPlate, the side dish variety was limited, with lots of the same vegetables – like carrots, broccoli, and potatoes – cropping up. This is one of the trade-offs you get for picking a low-cost service. To compensate, you could spice things up by shopping the add-ons menu for ready-to-mix salads, extra proteins, breakfasts, and pantry items.

HelloFresh’s Plans & Tags Help Narrow the Huge Menu

HelloFresh offers a much richer selection of recipes, promising 100+ menu options, including meal kits and market extras, each week. In fact, thanks to the customization options, it’s often more than that. The menu features a well-balanced combination of American and international cuisines, with recipes like Sesame-Soy Beef Bowls with Jasmine Rice and Sriracha Mayo.

You can narrow down the menu by picking a dedicated plan, but you’ll always be able to mix and match: 

• Meat & Veggies

• Veggie

• Family Friendly

• Fit & Wholesome

• Under 20 Minutes
  

• Pescatarian

You’ll also find tags on the menu that highlight various recipe categories, like low-calorie, spicy, seasonal, and more. Look for the most popular recipes (Hall of Fame), low-prep options (Easy Cleanup, Quick, and Easy Prep), and Premium Picks. There are even some 10-minute lunch options! HelloFresh also has Ready Made Meals on its menu, giving you an even easier option that’s ready to eat in just 3 minutes. 

Subscribers can access the HelloFresh Market, where you can shop from a curated selection of quick-cook meal kits, breakfasts, lunches, snacks, desserts, and more. You can also purchase items to fill your fridge with, including fresh proteins and produce and ready-made spices and seasonings. 

With HelloFresh, you can order for households of 2, 3, 4 or 6, up to 6 recipes per week. The minimum order, in this case, is 2 meals for 2 people. EveryPlate is a bit different, as you can order 2, 4, and 6-serving meal plans, up to 5 recipes per week. For the minimum order, you must order at least 3 meals per week for 2 people. 

Sample Meals: Simple, Tasty, & Mostly Satisfying Meals

EveryPlate Meals

Searching through EveryPlate's menu is straightforward. While the options are limited compared to other services, the ability to customize meals adds some flexibility. The menu changes weekly, but staples like burgers and tacos remain consistent, with slight variations in sauces and sides to keep things interesting.

EveryPlate meals (pictured left to right above):

• Creamy Chicken Curry in a Hurry: A simple dish that lacked depth of flavor. While the curry sauce was rich, the absence of vegetables made it feel incomplete. The prep was easy overall, though cooking rice on the stove added extra time.
• Melty Mozz & Mushroom Panini: A standout meal with delicious umami flavors from caramelized onions and mushrooms. The garlic mayo added a satisfying kick. Though the prep was slightly more involved, the result was worth the effort. The portion size felt a bit small, but the flavors were excellent.
• Creamy Mushroom Steak (Premium): This premium dish fell short due to missing potatoes, which required improvisation. The steak and mushroom cream sauce was flavorful, and the green beans were a nice addition, but the missing potato rounds left the dish feeling incomplete. The prep was easy but marred by the missing ingredients.

HelloFresh Meals

The menu is well-organized, with filters to narrow down choices based on dietary preferences or prep time. The ability to customize some dishes with protein swaps or side upgrades is a nice feature. The menu changes weekly, but customer favorites frequently return, making it easy to find reliable options.

HelloFresh meals (pictured left to right above):

• Pork Katsu: A standout dish featuring a crispy pork cutlet, tangy katsu sauce, and aromatic ginger rice. The sesame-roasted carrots added a complementary touch. The prep was straightforward, though frying the pork required attention. Overall, the flavors were well-balanced and restaurant-quality.
• Vegan Mushroom French Dip Sandwiches: A highlight from HelloFresh, this dish delivered rich umami flavors from the sautéed mushrooms and caramelized onions. The vegan garlic aïoli and mushroom broth for dipping elevated it further. The prep was simple, and the dish was hearty and satisfying.
• Banh Mi Pork Burgers: A creative take on a classic banh mi, featuring a pork patty, pickled veggies, and sriracha mayo. While the flavors were enjoyable, the pork patty's wet texture made it challenging to achieve a proper sear. The potato wedges served as a side were standard and unremarkable.

Meal Customization: HelloFresh Has a HelloCustom Feature

HelloFresh wins in this category thanks to its HelloCustom feature. With HelloCustom, you can swap or upgrade the proteins and sides on a select number of recipes each week. Typically, HelloFresh offers 1 alternative protein and 1 alternative side per customizable dish – for example, you can trade potato wedges for broccoli or swap the main protein like chicken for beef. 

EveryPlate, on the other hand, offers limited customization at the dish level. While it doesn’t provide options like HelloFresh’s HelloCustom, some EveryPlate dishes allow small tweaks, such as swapping side dishes (e.g., replacing potatoes with broccoli for $0.49 per serving) or upgrading a vegetarian dish by adding a protein like bacon. However, this is available for only a few recipes each week, and the choices are more limited compared to HelloFresh.

Neither Service Caters to Niche Diets, but Both Suit Picky Eaters

Neither service is ideal for those with severe allergies since their ingredients are prepared in shared facilities, making cross-contamination a possibility. While HelloFresh allows you to mark some “dislikes” during sign-up, you can’t completely exclude allergens like nuts, soy, or dairy from the menu. Both services lack accommodations for special diets like keto or paleo, though HelloFresh offers 10-15 veggie options each week (with 2-3 being plant-based) compared to EveryPlate’s 5-6 vegetarian dishes.

Both give you the option to choose a plan during sign-up to help organize your menu. Both brands excel at offering family-friendly recipes, with options tailored to younger children and picky eaters. The ability to swap proteins and sides really helps with this too. EveryPlate leans more toward classic American comfort food, while HelloFresh’s wider menu includes some internationally inspired dishes.  

Ingredient Quality & Nutrition: Both Offer Fresh, Seasonal Ingredients

HelloFresh and EveryPlate are owned by the same company, so the ingredient quality is quite similar. The main difference between the 2 is that HelloFresh offers some organic ingredients, but the overall focus is on providing fresh and seasonal ingredients for each delivery.

HelloFresh is more transparent when it comes to its meat and fish sources, but both services make it clear that their animal products are sourced domestically and hormone-free. While HelloFresh shares some details about its sourcing philosophy and partnerships, EveryPlate provides less information about the origins of its meat and fish products, making its practices less transparent.

Both services have premium options on their weekly menus (Premium Picks at HelloFresh and Premium at EveryPlate). These options include high-end ingredients and feature restaurant-worthy recipes, but they also come at an additional cost, so make sure to check the final price.

If you care more about sustainability and eco-friendliness, HelloFresh may be the best option since the brand is involved in various social actions. EveryPlate is less active, but it does support the environment by reducing the amount of packaging waste. 

Both brands make it easy to find the nutritional values for each meal. First, you’ll see the details on the website, once you open an individual dish, on the right side of the screen. Second, you’ll see the same values printed on the label of each food container. 

Both brands offer details on the main macros (fats, carbs, and protein), calories, sugar, fiber, cholesterol, sodium, and more. The nutritional information is available per serving, so you have to keep in mind that a regular meal kit recipe serves 2 people or more.

Ordering & Delivery: HelloFresh Has More Delivery Options

While both services were pretty evenly matched in this regard, HelloFresh takes the win for its wider range of delivery options and organized ingredients. HelloFresh delivers across the lower 48 US states, plus selected zip codes in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Anchorage, Alaska. 

EveryPlate, while vague in its coverage, states that it delivers to most of the continental US. From our experience testing the service in Brooklyn, New York, we found the delivery options to be consistent, but the choice of days was slightly narrower compared to HelloFresh.

Both services offer delivery 7 days a week, but this largely depends on your location. HelloFresh offered delivery on all 7 days for my location, but EveryPlate only provided Tuesday through Friday as options. This can vary depending on where you live, so I’d recommend inputting your zip code early in the process to check availability.

Order Changes & Tracking Details

You have until 5 days before your scheduled order to make changes with either of these services. This includes swapping your meal selections, skipping a week, updating your delivery day, and more. HelloFresh’s website and app feel slightly more intuitive for meal swapping and skipping weeks.

Both offer tracking information and shipping updates via email and the apps. EveryPlate uses regional couriers, who might be less familiar compared to larger carriers. HelloFresh’s tracking is detailed and reliable, whereas EveryPlate’s system requires logging in to the website or app for updates. Since the software behind signing up and ordering is essentially the same for these 2 companies, there’s no real difference in the process.

When you receive your shipment, the differences become clear. For instance, when an EveryPlate delivery arrived a day late, the company assured us in an email that the contents would still be safe to use – which they were. HelloFresh, on the other hand, delivered on time and with no issues.

Unboxing: Both Services Shine in Their Own Way

It’s a tie when it comes to unboxing. Both HelloFresh and EveryPlate have their own unique advantages depending on what you value most.

Recipe Organization: Structured vs. Simplified

HelloFresh’s packages arrive neatly organized, with each recipe discreetly packaged in brown paper bags and labeled for your convenience. Each HelloFresh paper bag contains all the ingredients for a single recipe, making it easy to grab what you need from the fridge without additional sorting. In contrast, EveryPlate delivers ingredients in a cardboard tray with minimal packaging, which might appeal to those who value simplicity and cost-saving measures.

For some people, having unsorted ingredients won't be an issue. Although, EveryPlate’s approach can lead to extra work when gathering ingredients for cooking. For instance, items like potatoes often require careful checking and weighing to ensure the correct portions for each dish. HelloFresh’s organized system eliminates this step entirely, saving time during meal prep.

Recycling: Both Companies Have Clear Guidelines for Recycling

Both companies use recyclable materials in the packaging and prioritize sustainability. HelloFresh’s packaging includes clear labeling on recipe bags and specific storage instructions for ingredients. On the other hand, EveryPlate’s labeling is sparse, and storage guidance is more intuitive than explicitly stated.

EveryPlate is perhaps a slightly more eco-conscious option because it forgoes the additional packaging, but it’s hard to deny the convenience of HelloFresh’s organization. However, HelloFresh has made strides in reducing plastic usage by shifting to more paper-based materials. Both services include recyclable ice packs, and information on how to recycle everything is also available on the website.

Meal Prep: Both Services Offer a Similar Experience

When it comes to meal prep, HelloFresh and EveryPlate deliver a similar experience. Both services provide fresh meal kits. However, this means the ingredients should ideally be used within a few days of delivery for peak freshness. From our experience, all the ingredients arrived fresh and ready to use, even with a minor delay in EveryPlate’s delivery.

Unless you opt for a HelloFresh Ready Made Meal, you’ll need to prep and cook every dish from scratch. For those looking for convenience, HelloFresh recipes might be slightly easier to handle because all the ingredients for each meal are pre-portioned and packed into individual bags. This eliminates the guesswork of sorting ingredients, which can be time-consuming with EveryPlate’s approach of delivering everything loosely packed in a single tray.

One thing we noticed is that HelloFresh includes more pre-prepared components, such as sauces or spice mixes, to speed up the cooking process. For example, recipes often came with premade garlic aïoli or seasoned dressings, which was a nice touch. EveryPlate leans more on your own pantry items like butter or sugar and requires slightly more prep, but the simplicity of its recipes makes this manageable.

Author's Tip: HelloFresh’s pre-sorted bags make meal prep easier and prevent mix-ups, but with EveryPlate, take a moment to sort your ingredients by recipe upon arrival. Be sure to check for missing items right away to avoid disruptions when you start cooking.

As for precut ingredients, both services include some basic prep work, like pre-chopped chicken breast or pre-measured seasoning packets. However, most of the chopping and slicing – whether it’s vegetables or herbs – will be up to you. This makes the meal kits feel more like real cooking rather than just assembling, which you might appreciate.

Clean-up is comparable between the 2 services, but it depends on the recipe. HelloFresh generally provides more detailed steps to minimize mess, and its recipe cards often include tips for efficient cooking and cleaning. With EveryPlate, the simpler recipes naturally result in fewer dishes, though adjustments like toasting bread in the oven instead of using an extra pan can help streamline the process further.

Customer Support: HelloFresh Stands Out for Accessibility

HelloFresh is the clear winner when it comes to customer support. It offers greater accessibility and ease of use compared to EveryPlate.

It’s Easier to Connect to an Agent With HelloFresh

Contacting HelloFresh customer service is a straightforward process. The website and app prominently display links to the Help Center, making it easy to find answers or connect with a representative. Initial inquiries are handled by a chatbot named "Brie," which is functional for simple questions and quickly connects users to a real person when necessary. For example, when a question about a delivery schedule arose, the representative was prompt, polite, and resolved the issue within minutes.

EveryPlate’s customer service experience is slightly less user-friendly. Contact options are not as prominently displayed, requiring navigation through the FAQ section to access the support chat. The chatbot, "Colby," handles initial queries but frequently redirects users to the FAQ or requires additional steps to connect with a representative. While this process is not overly difficult, it feels like an unnecessary extra step compared to HelloFresh’s more streamlined approach.

When the delayed EveryPlate delivery was reported, the agent was friendly and assured that the ingredients would still be safe to use, which proved accurate. However, the compensation – a $5 voucher – felt underwhelming for the inconvenience. Reporting missing potatoes was also a hassle, requiring an explanation to the chatbot before being directed to a resolution.

Cancelation: Both Services Can Be Canceled Online

Canceling your subscription is a relatively smooth process with both services. HelloFresh allows you to cancel directly through your account without speaking to a representative. However, you’ll need to confirm your decision multiple times, which can feel like a deliberate attempt to dissuade you from leaving. Similarly, EveryPlate’s cancelation process is also self-managed online and involves completing an exit survey. Neither service requires a phone call to cancel, but HelloFresh’s design makes the process slightly more intuitive.

Overall, HelloFresh’s support system feels more polished and professional, with better integration of self-service tools and quicker access to help. EveryPlate’s service is adequate but less seamless, which reflects its focus on budget-friendly simplicity. If customer support is a key factor for you, HelloFresh has a clear advantage. 

Pricing: EveryPlate Is More Affordable

Here’s the only category where EveryPlate really excels, with meal kits starting at $2.99 per serving when you sign up to the largest plan of 5 recipes for 6 people per week. In fact, even when you order the minimum number of 3 meals per week for 2, EveryPlate’s dishes are highly affordable and still cheaper than HelloFresh.

HelloFresh is also affordably priced, especially for larger orders that offer a lower per-serving rate. For example, new users can get 6 meals for 4 people for just $107.75 when using our link.

Author's Tip: If you’re a student or qualify for HelloFresh’s Hero’s Discount (for military, healthcare workers, and first responders), you can save more. Students get special introductory offers, while the Hero’s Discount gives 55% off your first order and 15% off for up to a year. Make sure to check these out if you’re eligible!

HelloFresh has a variable shipping rate. This is normally in the region of $10.99 but could be more depending on your location. EveryPlate has a flat rate of $10.99 shipping, so it’s also worth taking that into account when you work out your food budget. However, EveryPlate splits charges for base meals and add-ons into 2 separate transactions, which can be confusing when reviewing the bill. While this may seem unexpected, it is simply how the system processes payments.

Extras & Premium Dishes: What to Expect

Both also let you add extra items to your standard order, like more proteins, snacks, or breakfast options. With EveryPlate, some small customizations, like swapping potatoes for broccoli or adding bacon to a vegetarian dish, come with minor additional costs (e.g., $0.49-$0.99 per serving). These options are more limited than HelloFresh’s HelloCustom upgrades, which offer more variety but are typically priced higher.

Premium recipes can be added to your order at an additional cost. For example, EveryPlate’s Premium dish, Creamy Mushroom Steak, costs $4.99 per serving, while HelloFresh’s Premium Picks are slightly more expensive but often feature more complex or gourmet-style ingredients.

EveryPlate vs. HelloFresh – Pros & Cons

EveryPlate

Pros

• Meals start at just $2.99 per serving

• Affordable side swaps and protein upgrades

• Minimal packaging reduces waste

Cons

• Limited menu variety and veggie options

• Ingredients arrive unsorted in a single tray

• Fewer delivery day choices

HelloFresh

Pros

• Large menu with international options

• HelloCustom allows protein and side swaps

• Pre-sorted recipe bags make prep easier

Cons

• Recipes can take longer to cook

• Costs more than EveryPlate

• Premium upgrades are pricey

EveryPlate vs. HelloFresh — Quick Overview

And The Winner Is: HelloFresh

Ultimately, EveryPlate feels like a simplified, budget-friendly version of HelloFresh. It offers a streamlined menu and fewer features, but it truly shines in one crucial area: affordability.

If you’re on a tighter budget, EveryPlate is a great option. Its straightforward approach to meal kits makes it an ideal choice for families or couples looking to save money without sacrificing fresh, home-cooked meals.

That said, HelloFresh justifies its slightly higher price with more variety, better packaging, and added convenience. HelloFresh’s pre-sorted bags make meal prep quicker and less stressful, especially on busy days. And the extra customization options, like protein and side swaps, gives you more control over the dishes you make.

If you’re willing to spend a little more, HelloFresh rewards you with diverse, creative recipes and the ease of a well-organized delivery. It’s a service we recommend for most family households, foodies, or anyone who enjoys exploring new flavors without much hassle.

In the end, the choice comes down to your priorities: consistent savings with EveryPlate or greater variety and convenience with HelloFresh. HelloFresh is still very affordable and definitely worth the extra cost for the overall experience it offers, and it’s easy to see why it ranks in our top 5 best meal delivery services.

How to Choose Between EveryPlate and HelloFresh

• Look at the menu variety: Both services specialize in family-friendly dishes, but HelloFresh has a larger menu and takes the edge with a greater variety of global cuisines and diets.

• Consider dietary needs: Neither service has plans for niche diets such as keto or gluten-free, but both have dietary preferences you can select at sign-up, which shows you the best meals for your needs. You can choose from the full menu of both services every week.

• Determine your budget: EveryPlate is one of the most budget-friendly meal delivery services out there, but that’s not to say that HelloFresh is expensive either. Both services offer great discounts. which can be accessed using one of the links on our page.

FAQ

Is EveryPlate the same as HelloFresh?

HelloFresh and EveryPlate are separate services owned by the same parent company. They have many similar features, including the same quality of ingredients. EveryPlate is the more affordable option, while HelloFresh has a bigger and better menu.

Why is EveryPlate so cheap?

EveryPlate is able to maintain its low prices by offering a no-frills service, but it doesn’t compromise when it comes to the quality and freshness of its ingredients. The menu is more limited than HelloFresh and other services, but the recipes are still tasty.  

How long does EveryPlate meat last in the fridge?

Once refrigerated, EveryPlate’s proteins should stay fresh for 3-5 days. The same is true for HelloFresh, which uses many of the same suppliers. EveryPlate’s insulated packaging ensures all meat and other ingredients are chilled when they arrive at your door, but you should transfer all perishables to the fridge as soon as possible.

Is EveryPlate really $1.99 per meal?

Prices as low as $1.99 per serving are only possible with one of EveryPlate’s introductory offers. With our current deal, prices start at $2.99 per serving. However, even without discounts, this service remains affordable, with prices for the largest order starting at $4.99 per serving.