HelloFresh vs. Nutrisystem 2023: Which Is the Winner?

HelloFresh and Nutrisystem are no doubt very different meal delivery services. But the brands share the common goal of making healthy eating easy and efficient. It’s just that each company has a different approach.

For instance, Nutrisystem is best for those focused on weight loss, with its no-effort frozen meals. On the other hand, HelloFresh helps you improve your cooking skills with a wide range of healthy meal kits.

I was curious about which brand is best when you want healthy and convenient meals, so I compared them. For my HelloFresh vs. Nutrisystem comparison, I took a look at the menu variety, meal customization options, delivery, customer service, and prices. 

In the end, I found HelloFresh’s approach to eating to be more sustainable. The meal kits contain fresh whole ingredients as opposed to Nutrisystem’s frozen meals. Moreover, HelloFresh’s menu is more varied and more culinary diverse.

However, Nutrisystem still has its strong points. So if you’re still having a tough time deciding which is the best for your lifestyle and goals, make sure to keep reading!

At a Glance: Who Won Each Category?

Menu Variety

Winner: HelloFresh

HelloFresh wins this round, though both brands offer a varied menu with a wide range of options. Even though HelloFresh’s menu includes fewer options than Nutrisystem’s (60+ options vs. 130+ options), I liked the recipes on HelloFresh more, and the menu changes weekly.

I also like how the HelloFresh menu is inspired by a range of world cuisines. You can find dishes from Asian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Italian, and American cuisines. The menu changes every week, and many of the meals use seasonal ingredients for maximum flavor and nutrients.

HelloFresh’s menu is designed to appeal to a general palate and includes both crowd-pleasers and gourmet meals. So, every week, you have the option to choose between chef-designed meal kits recipes like Tomato Shakshuka with Feta and Ancho BBQ Burgers.

With Nutrisystem, you’ll choose from over 130 options, but the menu doesn’t change every week. Most meals will be available on the menu all year round, and there are a few seasonal recipes that will be available for a limited amount of time. Also, all the items on the menu are ready-made meals (frozen and non-frozen).

Since Nutrisystem is designed to help you lose weight, you’ll be getting a full day’s worth of food. If you don’t want to follow the standard meal programs, Nutrisystem also gives you the option to order à la carte. This option is also great if you’re looking to try out the food without starting a subscription.

As for the menu content, you can expect to find more classic American comfort foods. Recipes like the Chicken & Bacon Ranch Pizza and Meatballs In Marinara Sauce are quite common. But there are some internationally inspired dishes too (such as Merlot Beef With Root Vegetables or Beef Lo Mein). 

Nutrisystem is ultimately a weight loss program, so all of its meals are based on a low-glycemic diet. This means that while the meals will taste like your favorites, ingredient substitutions (such as white rice for brown rice) help create meals that contain fewer calories and simple carbs. However, this also means that the menu is a bit monotonous.

When it comes to extras, both services have something on the side. HelloFresh has a well-stocked Marketplace section where you can find plenty of items, such as cooked proteins, ready-made meals, breakfasts, smoothies, desserts, and many more.

Nutrisystem’s extras are all about supporting a weight-loss diet, so things are a bit different. For instance, after deciding on your meals, you can add on a month’s worth of protein shakes to support your diet journey. Apart from the Uniquely Yours plan, each plan includes snacks to help keep cravings and temptations away.

HelloFresh also has several special meal kits on its weekly menu. These are labeled as Premium Picks, Fast & Fresh, Brunch, 10-Min Lunch, and 15-Min Lunch. Besides Premium Picks, the other labels indicate low-prep meals that take between 10 and 25 minutes to prepare and cook.

The Premium Picks section includes complex recipes and higher-quality ingredients. So if you ever want to impress someone with your cooking skills, you can add a restaurant-worthy recipe like the Dijon Onion Crunch Salmon to your weekly box. But be careful – these recipes come with an upcharge.

Many of HelloFresh’s meal kits are family- and kid-friendly with crowd-pleasing recipes. Every shipment includes recipe cards with simple-to-follow instructions. This makes it easy for kids to help out in the kitchen, learning healthy habits while spending quality time. 

Nutrisystem, on the other hand, offers individual meal plans that cater to very specific dietary needs. Whether you are looking to lose weight or manage diabetes, Nutrisystem has a program tailored just for you. The plans are designed by nutrition experts to ensure that you receive the right balance of nutrients while meeting your unique dietary requirements.

In summary, HelloFresh wins at menu variety since it’s more focused on culinary diversity. Its menu includes crowd-pleasers, gourmet meals, and everything in between. Also, the offer includes plenty of international recipes that will help you develop new and impressive cooking skills.

Meal Customization

Winner: HelloFresh

HelloFresh is the only service with real meal customization options, since Nutrisystem’s meals are premade in bulk. HelloFresh’s HelloCustom feature allows you to upgrade, swap, or change the protein and side of 12+ dishes each week.

This flexible menu makes it easier to find meals that fit your dietary preferences, though it’s not as powerful as Home Chef’s Customize It feature. For a recipe like Roasted Veggie Kale Salad, your only customization option is to choose between chicken and steak.

HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service, so you also have some room for customization at home. You can add, replace, and subtract ingredients as you want. You can also tailor the spices and meat doneness to your preferences.

Nutrisystem gives you a set menu with no options to customize outside of choosing a plan. Nutrisystem offers 2 weight loss plans (for Women and Men), a Diabetes Plan, a Complete 55 Plan (called Complete 55: Max Vitality for men), and a weight loss plan for couples.

HelloFresh offers 6 meal plans, and you can mix and match when placing your order. The meal plans are Meat & Veggie, Veggie, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, Pescatarian, and Quick & Easy. There are also about 5 vegan meals each week, but this may not be enough to sustain a strictly vegan diet.

Nutrisystem and HelloFresh both have massive menus, so both use filters to help you browse. HelloFresh uses a system of tags to let you know about its most popular meals (Hall of Fame), dietary preferences (Veggie, Calorie Smart, Protein Smart, Vegan), prep requirements (Easy Prep, Quick, Easy Cleanup), and more.

Nutrisystem’s advanced filtering system lets you reorganize the menu based on various criteria. You can choose meals based on dietary preferences, nutrition needs, taste, preparation type, and storage condition (frozen or non-frozen). There is even a list of ingredients you can exclude from your view of the menu.

Overall, I find Nutrisystem's filtering system a bit easier to manage. However, if you apply too many filters, you risk ending up with a pretty limited version of the menu. On the other hand, HelloFresh makes sure you see the entire menu at all times. So it’s easy to see interesting recipes you might have missed otherwise.

HelloFresh wins this round due to the HelloCustom feature and a more flexible menu. Also, HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service, which makes it easier to customize your meals before cooking.

Ordering, Delivery, Unboxing

Winner: HelloFresh

Both services make it easy to subscribe, but the ordering system is different for each brand. With HelloFresh, you choose the meal plan (it can be a combination of the 6 available), select the number of meals you want, and then choose your recipes. The minimum order is 2 meals for 2 people per week, and the maximum is 6 meals for 4 people per week.

It’s also easy to change your order and other information by using your HelloFresh account. You can change the delivery date and address, update payment information, change meals on your order, and cancel or pause your subscription. For any changes, just make sure to respect the cut-off date, which is 11:59 pm PST, 5 days before your next delivery schedule.

With Nutrisystem, you can choose a meal plan or shop à la carte. In à la carte mode, you can order any meal you want and as many servings of the same meal as you want. However, you may not have similar weight loss results as with the predefined plans (since your daily meals won’t follow a nutritionist’s guidance). 

If you choose a meal plan, Nutrisystem will ask you to decide on the type of subscription you want. Each plan offers 3 types of subscriptions: Uniquely Yours, Uniquely Yours Max+, and Complete 55.

If you’re confused and don’t know which plan to choose, Nutrisystem can help. All you have to do is fill in a quick online form, and Nutrisystem will recommend the plan that best suits your weight loss goals based on your current condition.

You’ll have to decide if you want to choose your own meals after you pick your plan and subscription. My recommendation is to go with the Chef’s Choice, especially if this is your first time ordering from Nutrisystem. This way, your meal plan will follow Nutrisystem’s nutritionists' guidance.

Nutrisystem also makes it easy to edit an order or pause/cancel the subscription. The cut-off date, in this case, is 6 pm ET, the day before your order processes. You will also receive an email 4 days prior to your next auto-delivery date.

Both companies deliver to the continental US and to addresses located outside of this area. Nutrisystem also delivers to AK, HI, Puerto Rico, military addresses, APO and PO Boxes, other U.S. territories and possessions, and Canada. HelloFresh also delivers to select zip codes in Honolulu, HI, and Anchorage, AK.

HelloFresh offers weekly deliveries, while Nutrisystem delivers monthly or every 2 weeks. For both services, you can choose which day of the week you want to receive your delivery. Also, with Nutrisystem, you can choose between recurring orders (Auto-Delivery) or a One Time shipment.

Both companies use courier services to make sure your food reaches your door as fast as possible. HelloFresh delivers via UPS, FedEx, and other regional couriers, and Nutrisystem works with FedEx, FedEx SmartPost, DHL, and Purolator (for Canada).

Both services will send an email with tracking information once the order has been shipped. In both cases, the delivery can take between 1 and 5+ business days, depending on 

Upon receiving your order, both companies recommend placing the meals or ingredients in the fridge or freezer. Nutrisystem asks you to store the meals in the freezer as soon as possible to ensure the food will stay fresh until it’s time to consume it.

Both companies ship their meals in mostly or entirely recyclable packaging. You can also find full recycling instructions on each company’s website. However, HelloFresh is more dedicated to sustainability through recycling and cutting back on food waste.

HelloFresh’s packaging includes very little plastic, and most of it is recyclable. Nutrisystem, on the other hand, delivers its meals in microwave-safe sealed containers, which are made from durable plastic. This is not always accepted by recycling centers, so you have to check your community guidelines first.

Inside each box, you’ll find neatly organized ready-made meals or ingredients. HelloFresh places the ingredients for each meal in a paper bag that’s labeled with the number of its corresponding recipe card. Nutrisystem delivers frozen and non-frozen items in separate packaging, and every food container is clearly labeled with information on nutrition, storage condition, best-by date, and more.

While both services offer outstanding ordering and delivery systems, I find HelloFresh to be more flexible. It’s easier to place an order, and I like weekly deliveries best. Also, HelloFresh is more committed to creating a sustainable and eco-friendly business.

Meal Prep

Winner: Nutrisystem

HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service and Nutrisystem delivers ready-to-eat meals, so it’s difficult to make a comparison. But, strictly from the point of view of time spent prepping the meals, Nutrisystem wins this round.

Nutrisystem’s meals are cooked (some are frozen) and then shipped to you. All you have to do is heat them in the microwave, oven, or on the stove and enjoy. There’s also a huge range of snacks and breakfast options that don’t require any prep whatsoever.

On average, a Nutrisystem meal will only take around 3 to 5 minutes to prepare, whether it’s frozen or not. Just follow the instructions on the label, and you will have breakfast, lunch, or dinner ready in no time. 

HelloFresh, on the other hand, requires a little more work on your part. You’ll be shipped a box with all your necessary ingredients for the week, conveniently organized into paper bags and accompanied by step-by-step recipe cards. You’ll have to do the cutting, chopping, and cooking yourself, which can take between 10 and 45 minutes. 

If you’re in a hurry, each week, HelloFresh offers around 20 kits that take 20 minutes or less to prepare. These are simple and delicious recipes of entrees and lunches marked with tags like Easy Prep, Quick, Easy Cleanup, and more.

Most of HelloFresh’s meal kits take between 20 and 35 minutes, and some of the fancier recipes can take up to 45 minutes. For all the kits, the sauces are premade, so you won’t have to do all the work. Also, the ingredients are portioned for each specific recipe to reduce food waste.

Overall, if you like cooking your own meals, HelloFresh may be the best option. However, if you value efficiency and want to spend as little time as possible on your meals, Nutrisystem’s ready-made dishes are a great choice.

Customer Support

Winner: HelloFresh

While both companies have high-quality customer support teams, I think HelloFresh goes the extra mile. The company offers 3 contact channels – an online form to report errors, 24/7 chat with a virtual assistant called Brie, and phone support available during working hours.

If you don’t like making calls (I know I don’t!), you can simply have a chat with Brie, HelloFresh’s virtual assistant. The chatbot is always available and will provide answers to simple questions. However, if they don’t know how to answer a question or if you request it, you’ll be put in direct contact with an available human representative.

HelloFresh also offers a comprehensive and searchable FAQ section that’s extremely useful. There is also a well-detailed section on sustainability and how to recycle all the packaging materials included in your box. Lastly, the company is active on several social media channels, so it’s easy to reach out to them.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that Nutrisystem has poor customer support. It does have a dedicated online chat, a 24/7 email address, and a phone line that is available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on weekdays and 8:00 am to 5:30 pm on weekends. There are also 2 email addresses for specific questions about weight loss and customer service. 

However, the chat is only a way for you to send your questions to the customer support team. You won’t receive a reply right away, as it happens with HelloFresh’s virtual assistant. Also, the Self Service section only connects you to different error reporting forms. 

I do like Nutrisystem’s FAQ section, which is similar to HelloFresh’s and also searchable. Moreover, Nutrisystem is active on social media as well, and you can use the NuMi app to connect with a strong online community that shares your desire for healthy weight loss.

Overall, HelloFresh’s customer support team and systems win this round. The 24/7 virtual assistant and the impressive FAQ section tip the balance in its favor.

Pricing

Winner: HelloFresh

Prices are structured differently for each company, so it’s a bit tricky to compare them. However, I found HelloFresh’s system to be the easiest to understand and use. Nutrisystem features 3 different pricing systems for each meal plan, so it takes a while to figure it out.

Prices at HelloFresh start at $3.32 per serving for the largest box size (6 meals for 4 people per week). The final cost varies depending on your order size, but the price per serving only goes up from here. 

For instance, if you order the minimum box size, you’ll pay $12.49 per serving. But you can get a great deal for the most popular meal plan – 3 meals for 2 people per week. Shipping is $10.99 per order for addresses within the continental US. For addresses outside of this area, you’ll have to pay an additional fee. For instance, if I want my meals delivered in Anchorage, AK, it will be $49.99 extra.

HelloFresh also offers a wide selection of add-ons and snacks, but these are priced separately. Each item available in the Marketplace is individually priced, so it will directly impact your final cost.

Nutrisystem offers 2 main pricing systems – subscription and à la carte. With a subscription, you can choose between 3 pricing systems for each meal plan: Uniquely Yours, Uniquely Yours Max+, and Complete 55. 

The Uniquely Yours starts at $8.54 per day and features 3 main meals. Nutrisystem plans are sold by the month, so for 30 days, with auto-ship, that’s $299.99. Without auto-ship, the Uniquely Yours plan is $19.48 per day.

Keep in mind that each meal plan comes with a different cost per day. For instance, the Men’s Uniquely Yours plan costs $11.96 per day. Also, the men’s Uniquely Yours Max+ plan costs $13.75 per day with auto-shipments or $22.73 per day without. Shipping is free if you prepay for 2-3 auto-shipped orders; otherwise, it’s $7.99 per month.

If you choose to order à la carte, what you’re buying will determine the final cost. There is no limit to what or how much you can buy, but it will affect your shipping charge.

Both companies offer refunds, but Nutrisystem is more straightforward in this matter. The company offers a Money Back Guarantee policy that allows you to get a full refund, minus the shipping cost, for the first initial 4-week plan. This offer is limited to once per customer and is not valid for returning customers.

HelloFresh will also offer refunds, but you have to talk with the customer service team. The process is not as clear as Nutrisystem’s, and your request may take up to 5-10 business days to fully process.

Ultimately, which plan is the right price for you depends on what you’re looking for in a meal delivery service. If you want a full day’s meals covered, then Nutrisystem is the better deal. But, if you’re okay with supplementing your kit for any meals that aren’t covered, then HelloFresh can be a great time and money saver. 

HelloFresh vs. Nutrisystem – Quick Overview

And The Winner Is: HelloFresh 

HelloFresh comes out on top  in several key areas. Its strength lies in its diverse menu, flexible delivery options, and fresh approach to healthful meals.

Quality and customization are hallmarks of HelloFresh. This service not only ensures top-notch ingredients but also offers an abundance of family-friendly dishes. The added perk of tailoring some meals and accessing the extensive Marketplace underscores its superiority in my eyes. You'll also find HelloFresh on our best meal delivery services list.

Nutrisystem is tailored for weight loss objectives. If your primary goal is shedding pounds, then Nutrisystem presents a more suitable choice. It crafts its meal plans to align with a low-calorie diet without compromising on nutrition or individual dietary requirements.

Each service caters to distinct needs. While HelloFresh emphasizes variety and fresh ingredients, Nutrisystem focuses on structured, weight loss-centric meal plans.

FAQ

Which is healthier, Nutrisystem or HelloFresh?

Both of these meal delivery services are designed to be healthy. So the healthiest choice for you will depend on your goals. Nutrisystem is designed to be a healthy weight loss system, while HelloFresh is a great way to source healthy recipes and fresh ingredients for less specific diets.  

Is Nutrisystem better than HelloFresh for losing weight?

Nutrisystem is, at its core, a weight loss system. So it might be better for helping you lose weight. However, HelloFresh has the Fit & Wholesome plan, which can help support weight loss without being as strict as Nutrisystem. 

Is HelloFresh cheaper than Nutrisystem?

Yes, when comparing the basic plans, HelloFresh is more affordable. However, if you add meals that come with a surcharge and ingredients from the Marketplace, HelloFresh’s total price can get quite steep.