Marley Spoon vs. HelloFresh 2026: Which Is Best?

Marley Spoon and HelloFresh are well-known for healthy, good-quality meal kits. Plus, both companies feature massive menus, with plenty of options for the most common dietary needs. I understand why you may feel a bit confused when trying to decide which one to choose.

I faced the same challenge, so I decided to write this Marley Spoon vs. HelloFresh comparison. Using our tested reviews, plus my own research, I put together a comprehensive comparison.

If you’re in a hurry, I’ll tell you that HelloFresh comes out on top. But only just. While it doesn’t beat Marley Spoon’s ingenuity in the kitchen, HelloFresh features slightly more family-friendly meal kits, and it caters to more household sizes, too.

So if you want to know about menu variety, prices, and more, make sure to keep reading. Both brands have a lot to offer, so hopefully my comparison can help you pick the right option for your needs.

At a Glance: Who Won Each Category?

Menu Variety: Both Have Huge Weekly Menus

Both HelloFresh and Marley Spoon have their strengths and boast over 100 recipes per week. Their offerings are similar, but Marley Spoon has an entire dedicated plan for prepared meals, while HelloFresh takes the lead in family-friendly offerings.

Both services offer kid-friendly meals, but HelloFresh's are better tailored to families. HelloFresh offers a multitude of recipes that are simple and easy to put together, such as burgers and pasta dishes. Also, there’s a good mix of red meat, poultry, seafood, fish (especially salmon and tilapia), and vegetarian recipes.

Most of HelloFresh’s recipes follow the formula: veggies, starch, and protein. Overall, the company is focused on using fresh ingredients and flavors that are ideal for a quick and tasty lunch or dinner.

HelloFresh's menu offers a good representation of various global cuisines. With around half of the recipes falling under Classic American, you can also expect Italian, Asian, and Mexican dishes in their lineup. There are also plenty of options for vegetarians and several for vegans.

HelloFresh provides special meal kits that cater to those short on time. There are 10-minute and 15-minute lunch options as well as meal kits that only take 20 minutes to prepare. For regular meal kits, cook times can range from 25 minutes to up to 55 minutes. And while there are some complex recipes, most fall into the easy category.

Lastly, the HelloFresh Market section expands your options to new horizons. Here, you can find a multitude of meal kits, ready-made meals, smoothies, desserts, bundles, and so on. Also, there are options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you can get sides, boards, or specials. 

Marley Spoon also features over 100 weekly recipes. In all fairness, this is one of the most generous menus I’ve seen on a meal kit service – and it has a separate plan for prepared meals. I also like the cuisine diversity – while there are plenty of classic American dishes, you can find plenty of Mexican, Asian, French, Italian, and Middle Eastern recipes as well.

The menu is mostly focused on dishes that cater to an adult palate. Even though most recipes are marked with the Kid Friendly tag. Of course, it all depends on taste, but I don’t really see many kids enjoying Cashew Chicken Noodle Stir-Fry. Among recipes that kids would enjoy, I have to mention burgers and BBQ Turkey Meatloaf.

Marley Spoon offers a range of meal types that cater to different needs. There’s a whole plan for prepared meals (but you can also add some of these to a Ready to Cook plan, too). There are also lots of quick-prep meals, including sheet pan and one-pot recipes. 

Marley Spoon also caters to a good range of mainstream diets, although I think HelloFresh is better for veggies and vegans. For those with a sweet tooth, Marley Spoon includes dessert recipes like pies and cakes. It also offers a market of extras, although, like HelloFresh, you won’t be able to see these items until you’ve subscribed.

The cook time for Marley Spoon recipes typically falls between 20 and 50 minutes. Around half of the menu falls into quick-prep categories, making it perfect for those busy weeknight meals. In terms of difficulty, Marley Spoon provides options for all skill levels, but the majority of the meal kits are easy. If you only want prepared meals, it's a better choice than HelloFresh as there’s a whole plan of these.

Sample Meals

HelloFresh’s menu is quite large, but you can easily find what you’re looking for. Each meal kit is marked with a series of tags and sometimes a label that gives you a clear idea of the recipe’s main characteristics.

For instance, a meal labeled with Hall of Fame is clearly among most customers’ favorites. Also, tags like Easy Prep, Quick, or Easy Cleanup indicate recipes that are fast and easy – perfect for those nights when the last thing you want to do is spend time in the kitchen.

I rate the large number of options on HelloFresh’s menu. While it changes weekly, here are a few favorites:

• Best family-friendly recipe: Sweet Chili Pork Bowls with Bell Pepper and Candied Peanuts
• Best quick-prep recipe: One-Pan Cheesy Chicken Tortilla Melts with Chicken Thighs, Green Pepper, and Spicy Cream Sauce
• Best vegetarian recipe: Lemony Spaghetti with Brussels Sprouts sprinkled with Toasted Panko and Scallions
• Best Premium Picks recipe: Miso Maple-Glazed Salmon with Toasted Sesame Rice and Sweet Potato Jumble

Marley Spoon’s menu is just as large, but it’s easy to filter using a wide range of dietary and lifestyle tags. These include Healthy Choice, High Protein, Keto-Friendly, Kid Friendly, Low Calorie, Low Carb, Low Sodium, Mediterranean Diet, Vegan, and Vegetarian, along with filters like Gluten Free Friendly and Dairy Free.

• Best kid-friendly recipe: BBQ Chicken Sloppy Joe with Wedge Salad and Pickles
• Best quick-prep recipe: Cashew Pork Noodle Stir-Fry with Bell Peppers
• Best vegetarian recipe: Hummus and Curried Veggie Wrap with Za'atar Side Salad
• Best Premium recipe: Tandoori Chicken and Turmeric Cauliflower with Rice and Mint Raita

Overall, both companies have a large and diverse menu with options for special dietary needs. You can also find meal kits for all types of cooks, from newbies to experts, and for all types of occasions, from fancy family dinners to something quick and easy.

Meal Customization: Both Allow For Swaps & Upgrades

Both services allow for customization on some dishes, but they both have the same drawback, which is that you can’t find out what the customization options are until you’ve signed up.

With HelloFresh, around half of the recipes can be customized by swapping the protein or side. These swaps often come with a surcharge, but you’ll know this before you select them. Some swaps include removing the meat to create a veggie meal.

Tags are used to indicate dietary needs, cooking difficulty, taste preferences, and more. So, if you want a vegetarian dish that’s high in protein and easy to cook, you should search for the tags Protein Smart, Veggie, Quick, and Easy Prep. There are also lots of useful filters once you’re signed in.

HelloFresh’s massive menu means that the service can cater to several dietary needs. Vegetarians and people on low-calorie or high-protein diets have the most options. There are also a few meals for vegans and low-carb diets.

Allergens are mentioned in each recipe, but you can’t remove them in most cases. In order to swap an ingredient, it has to be a protein or a side dish, and even then, this option isn’t available for all recipes.

Each ingredient is individually wrapped, so you may be able to remove certain allergens while cooking (e.g., swapping out cheese for a vegan alternative). Still, keep in mind that HelloFresh prepares all the meal kits in the same facility. This means that there’s a risk of cross-contamination.

When you sign up for HelloFresh, there are 6 categories you can choose from:

• Meat & Veggies
• Veggie
• Family Friendly
• Fit & Wholesome
• Under 20 Minutes
• Pescatarian

HelloFresh initially selects recipes for you based on these category preferences. If you forget to choose your own meals one week, HelloFresh will do it for you based on these choices. When choosing for yourself, you can mix and match between them in any way you like.

Marley Spoon also has a similar number of customization options. These aren’t easy to spot at a glance when you’re just browsing the initial menu. If you click into an individual recipe, you’ll see a “Customizable” tag in the corner of the image, though. The best way I’ve found to find the customizable options is to go into the Price Category filter and select Upgrade.

The customizable options really expand the menu. They’re great for increasing vegetarian options with plant-based substitutes.

Available customizations also aren’t listed until you’ve completed sign-up and have a live subscription. Then, you’ll see the "customizable" badge in your upcoming orders, which you can change. Many of these come with upcharges, but some swaps are available with no extra charge.

Marley Spoon has a great Ingredient Hub on its website, which makes it easy to check through each recipe for allergens. However, just like HelloFresh, there’s the risk of cross-contamination for allergens.

Both HelloFresh and Marley Spoon offer limited options for strict health diets or allergies. If you’re on a fully vegan diet, you may want to consider other options, such as Purple Carrot or Green Chef (also great for keto and gluten-free options).

Ingredient Quality and Nutrition: HelloFresh Is More Transparent

HelloFresh gets a slight edge due to better supplier transparency. The company even names its suppliers and talks about the agricultural and farming practices of its most important collaborators.

The team at HelloFresh is committed to ensuring all the ingredients are of the highest quality. The white fish is ocean-farmed and Fair Trade-certified, and the meat is produced following constantly evolving animal welfare policies. Moreover, the company is deeply focused on a sustainable and eco-friendly way of doing business and reducing food waste.

HelloFresh also has a more detailed nutritional values section. Each recipe features detailed information not only on the main macronutrients and calories but also on saturated fat, sugar, cholesterol, sodium, and more.

You’ll also find plenty of meals marked with the tag Seasonal. Since the menu changes weekly, HelloFresh wants to make sure you have access to ingredients that are in season. This way, you get access to the best nutrients in a natural way.

Marley Spoon is also extremely careful in selecting only the highest-quality ingredients. The fruits and veggies are fresh, and the chicken is NAE (No Antibiotics Ever). All the meats used are antibiotic-free at the moment of harvest. All the meats come from the USA, except for some premium grass-fed beef from Australia.

There are even some organic products sourced from local suppliers (when possible). However, this isn’t an organic-certified service like Green Chef. Also, there’s no added MSG, and all dairy products are pasteurized for your safety.

All Marley Spoon recipes display the basic nutritional values (calories, fat, proteins, and carbs). There’s also a detailed list of ingredients, information on allergens, and other details that tell you more about the meal.

The fish and seafood are sourced from responsibly managed fisheries and aquaculture. In terms of sustainability, Marley Spoon supports several carbon offset projects. Both companies have premium meal kits that include top-of-the-line recipes with higher-quality ingredients. This is why these kits come with a surcharge.

Ordering, Delivery, Unboxing: Both Services Offer a Streamlined Process

Both companies make it easy to place an order and manage your subscription using your online account. You can change an order, pause or cancel your subscription, skip a week, and update your contact details without having to get in touch with customer support.

But it’s important to keep in mind that there’s a cutoff date you must respect. For HelloFresh, you have to make your edits by 11:59 pm PST, 5 days prior to your next scheduled delivery. Otherwise, your current order will stay as is, and the changes will apply after it’s been delivered.

Marley Spoon says it won’t be able to make any changes once your box is billed. This happens 6 or 7 days in advance of your delivery day, depending on your location. The good news is that you can check your account and see how many days you have left to make changes.

Both Marley Spoon and HelloFresh offer flexible meal plans with your subscription. HelloFresh has plans for 2, 3, 4, and 6 people, and you can order between 2 and 6 meals per person per week. This makes HelloFresh better for larger families.

Marley Spoon’s offer is similar, except you can only order kits for 2 or 4 people, and the minimum order starts at 2 meals per person per week. The maximum order is 6 meals per person per week, which for 4 people means 24 portions in total. For single-serving prepared meals, the minimum order is 6 meals.

HelloFresh delivers 7 days a week to all states across the continental US. The company also delivers to select zip codes in Honolulu, Hawaii, and Anchorage, Alaska. Whether or not HelloFresh will be able to deliver to you depends on your zip code.

Your delivery day also varies depending on your location, and you can’t choose a time slot. All HelloFresh has to say about this is that deliveries typically arrive between 8 am and 8 pm. The company uses couriers such as UPS, FedEx, and others to ensure timely deliveries.

Marley Spoon delivers to most of the contiguous US states, and delivery days and times vary depending on your location. Therefore, you’ll only see which days are available in your area.

Once you have your delivery day(s), you can choose one of the time slots available. These can vary depending on the courier assigned to your area. Marley Spoon works with several delivery partners.

Both companies will send a tracking number via email once the order is shipped. Also, it’s easy to reschedule a delivery as long as you respect the cutoff dates mentioned above.

Inside both boxes, you’ll find each meal kit’s ingredients bundled together in a recyclable paper bag. Each paper bag is labeled and marked with the name of the recipe. The meat and other ingredients that need to be kept cold are usually at the bottom, under the ice insulation, and individually wrapped in plastic (for food safety reasons).

You’ll find several other ingredients wrapped in plastic, but both companies work on reducing use. Recyclable items like cardboard boxes, paper bags, insulation liners, and more are marked and easy to dispose of. Also, some of the plastic wrappers are recyclable, but it’s best to check each company’s instructions on their website.

All the ingredients arrive fresh, and you must place them in the fridge for storage. Fruits and veggies can be stored in the pantry or on the countertop, but make sure to check the storage instructions available on the packaging or website.

Both companies recommend preparing and consuming seafood dishes within 2 days of delivery. The rest of the ingredients will stay fresh if stored properly for about 5 days. But make sure to check the Best By dates printed on each ingredient’s packaging.

Meal Prep: Both Have Easy Options, But Marley Spoon Offers More Prepared Meals

Both HelloFresh and Marley Spoon lay out the serving time and level of skill needed. You’ll also be provided with a list of any pantry items or equipment you’ll need to make sure you’re prepared.

Overall, I think that HelloFresh features simpler recipes, but both companies are great for beginners and advanced cooks. You’ll find that both menus feature several easy prep meal kits that don’t take more than 10 to 15 minutes to put together.

HelloFresh has quick lunches and a few prepared options, while Marley Spoon has a whole separate plan for ready-made meals. On the other hand, both have premium meals that, on average, take longer to prep and cook. This way, you can choose whichever type of meal kit fits your skills and time availability.

All the sauces and seasonings come pre-made and pre-mixed, which can be a big help. However, the veggies and meat need a bit of work since they don’t come pre-chopped or peeled. But this activity doesn’t usually take long.

Both companies focus on 6-step or less recipes that are easy to put together. You may have to add a few kitchen staples, such as salt, pepper, olive oil, sugar, and so on. And you’ll be the one providing the cooking utensils, so make sure you have everything you need before you get cooking.

Customer Support: Both Services Have Great Customer Service

Both customer support teams are professional, with friendly, knowledgeable representatives. You can contact both teams via phone, email, or contact form, and you’ll receive a reply as soon as possible, depending on the team’s availability and working hours.

However, both companies make sure that you can find most of the answers yourself. You can do this by browsing HelloFresh and Marley Spoon’s FAQ databases. HelloFresh calls its FAQ section a Help Center, while Marley Spoon bundles everything under Customer Support.

Both FAQ sections are searchable and offer well-detailed information on a wide range of topics. Also, HelloFresh features several self-help action buttons that’ll help you perform various account management tasks, such as changing your delivery address, updating payment details, or editing a delivery.

Marley Spoon’s FAQ section is simpler, but it looks friendlier. Both companies have apps for Android and iOS. This means that you can manage your account and find out the information you need using your smartphone.

Whether you’re using the app or the website, you’ll have access to the virtual assistant feature. HelloFresh’s virtual assistant is called Brie and can help you find information on various topics a lot faster. I asked it about people with special dietary needs, and Brie provided a comprehensive summary of HelloFresh’s offers and policies for special diets.

Marley Spoon’s assistant doesn't have a name, but it’s just as helpful. It’ll offer detailed information on a variety of topics, such as subscriptions, account management, dietary needs, and so on.

Both companies offer extra information on sustainability, recycling, and more. Moreover, HelloFresh and Marley Spoon each have great culinary blogs where you can find new and interesting recipes and learn more about healthy eating.

Canceling your Marley Spoon or HelloFresh account is very easy and can be done online. For Marley Spoon, just log into your account and click the Stop Subscription button. For HelloFresh, the process is very similar. The button to look for in this case is Cancel Plan. Just remember to cancel before the cutoff date for both services so you don’t receive another box.

Pricing: Close, But HelloFresh Is Slightly More Affordable

HelloFresh and Marley Spoon have similar ordering and pricing systems. With their current new customer deals, their lowest cost per serving is basically the same. I gave this round to HelloFresh, as Marley Spoon has a plan of prepared meals that are a bit more expensive. But for kits, both services offer great value.

With competitive pricing, HelloFresh sits in the mid-range among meal kits. The smallest order will mean the highest per-serving prices. As a first-time user, you can get 3 meals for 2 people for only $29.93 by using our link. 

Prices in the HelloFresh Market vary depending on the type of items you purchase. The shipping fee will be calculated based on your location, but it should be around $11 per order.

Marley Spoon’s best price per serving is $4.99 (with a new customer discount). If you choose to order the minimum amount (2 meals for 2 people each week), you’ll pay $12.99 per serving. Prepared meals start from $9.99 per portion. Shipping is $10.99 per order.

Both services charge extra for premium meals, upgrade swaps, and extras from their marketplaces.

Marley Spoon vs. HelloFresh – Quick Overview

And the Winner Is: HelloFresh

Both popular brands are good value and have much to offer, but HelloFresh just took the lead in my comparison. When we tested both kits, HelloFresh provided slightly more family-friendly meal options and simpler meal kits. You can also order for households of 3 and 6, which you can’t with Marley Spoon.

Marley Spoon is notable for its classic recipes. It also offers a great range of meal kits, and I found the menu to be slightly more adventurous both in terms of flavor and cooking processes. This makes it slightly less kid-friendly, but may appeal more to foodies and aspiring home cooks. It’s also better for those who only want prepared meals.

Both brands rank highly, so you likely won’t go wrong with either. They have both secured spots in our expert-ranked 10 best meal delivery services list. Your preference will ultimately depend on personal taste (literally), which is why it can be a good idea to make the most of new customer deals and try out a box from each service to see how you find them (I’ve included the latest active deals in the table above). 

FAQ

How much is HelloFresh for a family of 4?

The final cost depends on how many meals you order. If you're ordering for a family of 4, you'll likely get the lowest cost-per-serving for your plan. Currently, 4 meals for 4 people costs $159.84 per box (although this can be lowered significantly with a new customer discount).

Where is Marley Spoon shipped from?

Marley Spoon ships its insulated boxes from 3 locations in the US, called fulfillment centers. These are located in New Jersey, Texas, and California, and your box will come from the center that’s nearest to your location.

Is HelloFresh healthier than Marley Spoon?

Both companies strive to use the freshest and most nutritious ingredients. And, while each company has its own suppliers, the quality of the ingredients is quite similar. Both services offer a large menu with healthy dishes, but how healthy a service is will depend on which meals you choose.