Trifecta vs. Factor 2023: Which Has the Best Clean Meals?

Trifecta and Factor both offer healthy and nutritious prepared meals. Both are also geared toward health-conscious eaters, keen gym-goers, and those on specialized diets – but there are some key differences between them. 

I’ve compared the services’ menus, prices, prep time, customer support, and more to help you decide which is the best option for you. And though both Trifecta and Factor clearly have their strengths, Factor wins this contest overall thanks to a more exciting menu and its flavor-packed meals.  

Trifecta scored points for its helpful app, which lets you track your macros, workouts, and calories alongside your meal deliveries. It also offers a dedicated Whole30 menu and has a “Chef’s Choice” option, which might be better for those who want to put their meals on autopilot. 

But Factor is the better choice for most people – and also ranks highly on our list of the best prepared meal delivery services. Read on to find out which is the best option for you. 

At a Glance: Who Won Each Category?

Menu Variety

Winner: Factor

I gave this round to Factor thanks to its more varied selection of entrees, but Trifecta scores points for its flexible Meal Prep menu. Both services offer prepared meals that are designed to be balanced and nutrient-dense, but Factor’s meals are likely to be enjoyed by a wider range of people – not just those counting macros – unlike Trifecta. 

Both Trifecta and Factor’s meals are single-serving. You’ll find a range of cuisines across both menus, including Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mexican/South American-style dishes, and both provide breakfast options as well as lunch and dinner entrees.  

Trifecta has 4 set meal plans, and you can choose between 7 and 21 meals per week made up of breakfast, lunch, and dinner for either 5 or 7 days per week. 

You might also choose to shop a la carte from Trifecta’s Meal Prep menu, which offers pre-portioned, pre-cooked proteins as well as carbs and veggies that you can mix and match to make your own meals. These include everything from grilled chicken breasts and pulled pork to quinoa, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and more. 

Factor meals are also dietitian-designed and have been created in consultation with an in-house chef, so unsurprisingly, they’re widely praised for their flavor. The tastiness of Factor’s dishes was also something our reviewer picked up on, when they gave this service a go for themselves.

Flavor and variety are areas where Factor pulls well ahead of Trifecta. Trifecta’s more basic meals are geared towards those who primarily eat for fuel or who want an easy way to stick to a macro-balanced diet. Factor is aimed at a wider audience with its more complex flavor combinations and use of sauces and seasonings, while still being diet-friendly.

Look out for tasty-sounding options like the Spicy Poblano Beef Bowl with Roasted Broccoli Rice and Scallion Sour Cream, or the Black Pepper and Sage Pork Chop dish, which comes in at 52g of fat, 53g of protein, just 11g of carbs, and 720 calories per serving.

In addition to its 35+ entrees, Factor also gives you access to a wide range of add-ons. Like the main menu, these vary from week to week and include healthy items such as smoothies, cold-pressed juices, soups, high-protein breakfasts, additional proteins, and keto-friendly snacks.

Sample Meals

Factor’s menu changes weekly, and it’s quite easy to browse, despite its size. While there are no filters, you can use the assigned tags and labels to find the meals you want. And to get an idea of what you’ll have on the menu every week, here are some of the dishes that caught my eye:

• Best premium dish: Chimichurri Filet Mignon & Shrimp with Zucchini Pepper Sofrito & Potatoes

• Best Keto meal: Garlic Rosemary Pork Chop with Creamy Parmesan Brussels & Garlic Broccoli

• Best veggie recipe: Vegetarian Tamale Bowl with Spiced Sweet Potatoes & Pickled Jalapeño Crema

• Best low-calorie dish: Spicy Poblano Beef Bowl with Roasted Broccoli "Rice" & Scallion Sour Cream

• Best extra: Pineapple Turmeric Basil Juice

Trifecta’s menu is divided into 4 pre-defined meal plans, which makes sticking to strict  health diet like keto really easy. If you like the idea of pre-defined meal plans, here are some of the most interesting recipes you may find on the menu:

• Best Classic recipe: Salmon, Sweet Potato, Mixed Vegetable Meal

• Best veggie meal: Black Bean Burrito Bowl with fire-roasted tomatoes

• Best Keto dish: Tex-Mex Chicken with guacamole and cauliflower rice

• Best Whole30 Approved meal: Spicy Green Chili Chicken with poblano peppers

• Best Clean Meal dish: Korean Inspired Chicken with kale and carrots

Meal Customization

Winner: Factor

Factor wins this one simply because you get to mix and match meals across its categories.

Trifecta offers 4 different meal plans: Keto, Paleo Whole30-Approved, Clean, and Plant Based. Each week, Trifecta will send you meals based on the plan you signed up for. You can pick your own meals or select “Chef Selected” if you want Trifecta’s chefs to choose for you.

You can choose to exclude 1 ingredient each week from a limited list that includes shellfish, tree nuts, mushrooms, beef, and more, but since the meals are prepared, Trifecta can’t replace these ingredients with another – you’ll simply be sent another dish instead. 

You can also order from the Classics menu, which features the same 9 meals every week. These include options like Chicken Tenders with Brown Rice and Mixed Vegetables. 

All Trifecta meals are gluten-free and peanut-free, and you’ll find plenty of dairy-free and soy-free options, too.

Factor’s plans work differently in that there are 5 main categories to choose from, but you can always order from the wider menu. When you sign up, you can choose from Chef’s Choice (meals designed to fit every kind of lifestyle), Keto, Calorie-Smart, Vegan and Veggie, and Protein Plus (meals that contain 30g or more of protein per serving).

In essence, Factor caters to many of the same specialized diets as Trifecta but offers more flexibility, allowing you to mix and match plant-based options with those that contain animal protein, for example.

If you have serious gluten intolerance, you’ll do better with Trifecta. Many of Factor’s meals have no added gluten, but they may be prepared or stored in facilities that also process wheat, and there’s no guarantee of avoiding cross-contamination.

Ingredient Quality and Nutrition

Winner: It’s a tie

Both companies feature ready-made meals and focus on delivering high-quality nutrition. The main difference is that Factor takes a more general approach, while Trifecta is focused on creating specialized menus for specific diets.

Factor’s motto is “every meal matters,” and it upholds it by using only high-quality ingredients. The company only works with suppliers who have a strong animal welfare policy and practice sustainable agriculture.

While there are no organic ingredients, all the meals are designed by registered dietitians. Also, your meals are never frozen. From the moment a chef completes your meal to the moment the box reaches your door, Factor makes sure the food stays chilled and fresh.

Trifecta works with local family-run suppliers with sustainable practices. Therefore, all your meals are cooked using the best quality ingredients available. Trifecta’s main concern is to make sure each meal contains high-quality, nutrient-dense foods.

The meats are humanely raised, and the seafood is non-GMO and antibiotic-free. Also, the beef is non-GMO, antibiotic-free, and grass-fed (which was scientifically proven to be healthier for your heart). Trifecta also uses organic ingredients whenever possible, but it is not an organic-certified service.

Both companies offer well-detailed nutrition facts and information on calorie content. The only difference is that when you browse the mean, Factor shows the nutrition facts for each individual meal (you have to click on a meal to see it).

Overall, Factor’s meals range from 350 to 900 calories (about 600 calories per meal, on average). Since all the meals come ready-made and in one serving, It’s easy to track your calories and calculate your macros for the day.

Trifecta, on the other hand, offers nutrition facts per meal plan (when browsing the menu online). Each meal will also include its own nutrition facts on the label, but they will all respect the ranges of the meal plan.

All of Trifecta’s meals are portion-controlled and range between 350 and 500 calories per meal. You also have easy access to details like macros, sodium content, sugar content, and other information that may impact your diet.

Ordering, Delivery, Unboxing

Winner: Trifecta

Trifecta wins here thanks to its wider delivery area and more flexible options. Both services do a fine job, but Trifecta delivers to all 50 states and allows you to order every 1 to 4 weeks, depending on your needs. 

Factor delivers to 48 states, meaning Alaska and Hawaii miss out. It also charges $10.99 for shipping each week, compared to Trifecta’s slightly-more-reasonable $9.99. Though if you live in Alaska or Hawaii, shipping goes up to a whopping £49.99 due to additional travel costs. 

Trifecta delivers on a Friday or Saturday, which tends to suit most people better. Factor is slightly less convenient, promising delivery between 8am and 8pm, Monday through Wednesday. 

Trifecta also offers bi-weekly, tri-weekly, and monthly deliveries in addition to weekly shipments, making it the more flexible option. While it is easy to skip a week with Factor through its app or by contacting customer support, it only offers weekly subscriptions.

You can track your Factor order on the app. While Trifecta’s app has lots of great features, it doesn’t let you track your shipment. Instead, Trifecta will email you a tracking number when your box is out for delivery. 

Factor’s website also feels easier to navigate thanks to the color-coded tags which let you see keto, vegan, high-protein, and low-calorie entrees at a glance. Trifecta’s website, by contrast, contains much less information. For example, you don’t even get to see the menu for your chosen plan until you sign up – just a couple of sample dishes. 

Both services do a solid job when it comes to offering sustainable packaging. The meals from both Trifecta and Factor come in food-grade plastic and are 100% recyclable, while the ice packs and insulation used to keep the meals cold are also recyclable and/or reusable. Be sure to check out the detailed FAQ to find out how to dispose of each item. 

Both Trifecta and Factor’s meals are delivered fresh and should be stored in the refrigerator as soon as you open your box. Generally the meals will last around 7 days in the fridge – though this will be specified on each dish – or you can store in the freezer for up to 2 months. 

Any changes to your Factor order must be made by 11.59pm CT on the Wednesday before your delivery is due to arrive. Trifecta’s cutoff date to place an order, make changes, or skip an order is the Friday before your next expected delivery date.

Meal Prep

Winner: It’s a tie!

Both Factor and Trifecta deliver prepared meals that are cooked before they even reach your door. All you need to do is heat them up in a microwave or oven. So when it comes to meal prep, there isn’t much to compare. 

Both services provide detailed heating instructions on each meal for both microwave and conventional ovens, though Trifecta also includes instructions for stove-tops and air fryers and will include these in order of recommendation for the tastiest results.  

If you choose to freeze your Factor or Trifecta meals, put them in the fridge the day before you plan on eating them to give them time to thaw before cooking. 

Customer Support

Winner: Trifecta

Trifecta's customized programs, dietary assistance, and community forums come out on top in this round. Given that this service is designed for a specific athletic demographic, it has many smart tools that simplify the achievement of your health objectives - although Factor also provides excellent customer service.  

Trifecta’s handy app helps you track your macros, calorie-intake, workouts, and more, and it also helps you create a step-by-step program, features daily articles and tips on fat loss and fitness, and allows you to reach out to other members of the Trifecta community through the forum. 

You can also upgrade to the Trifecta Premium ​​app for $9.99 per month (or $69.99 per year) where you’ll get access to demos from well-known athletes, can customize your macro counts based on your needs, and quickly log foods for when you can’t take a picture of the barcode. 

Factor’s approach to dieting isn’t quite so targeted, but it does offer nutritional coaching. When you sign up, you’ll get a free 20-minute virtual consultation with an in-house dietitian who can help you select the meals that are right for you. Then, if you want further support managing your diet, Factor also offers 1-month and 3-month packages for an additional fee.

Both companies have 4 avenues when it comes to answering your questions: detailed FAQ pages, email, live chat, and a phone line. If you need to pause or cancel your order, both also make this easy to do. Trifecta asks for 7 days’ notice, so you’ll need to contact customer support by Friday before your order is due to be shipped, while Factor requests any changes are highlighted by 11.59 CT on Wednesdays. If you decide you want to cancel your Factor subscription outright, our short blog post on how to cancel your Factor subscription will tell you all you need to know.

You’ll also need to keep time zones in mind when contacting each company. Trifecta is based in California and is available from 8am to 5pm PST every day. Factor is in Illinois, and available from 6am to 11pm ET, Monday to Friday, and 7am to 7pm ET on weekends. 

Pricing

Winner: Factor

Factor costs less per serving than Trifecta, whichever way you spin it. This is not entirely surprising since most meal delivery services that focus on niche markets typically charge premium prices – but Trifecta’s prices are higher than most. 

Trifecta meals start at $6.00 per portion, based on the Meal Prep menu that requires you to assemble the meals yourself. But when 16oz of cooked broccoli costs $15.99 and 16oz of grilled chicken breast costs $24.99, it’s clear that even assembling your own Trifecta meals is going to be a costly endeavor.

Trifecta’s set meal plans start from $104.93 per week, when you select either the High-Protein Vegan or High-Protein Vegetarian plan. All the others cost £110.99 per week, likely due to the more expensive animal proteins included, when you order the minimum 7 entrees a week. 

You can order 5, 7, 10, or 14 lunch/dinner entrees each week, plus 5 or 7 breakfasts. Though if you only order 5 entrees, 5 breakfasts are mandatory so you’ll receive 10 meals in total. A complete 7-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner plan will cost vegans and vegetarians $289.59 per week (or $13.79 per serving), while the other plans cost $310.99 per week ($14.81 per serving).

Factor’s meals start from $6.19 per serving when you order the maximum number of 18 meals per week. But dishes can go as high as $13.49, plus shipping, depending on how many you choose. Since you’re always able to order from the wider menu, all Factor’s meals cost the same, regardless of the dietary preferences you choose. 

Don’t forget, Factor’s add-ons will also change the total cost of your box. Its smoothies cost around $29.99 for a selection of 6, while its high-protein breakfast options range between $10.99 and $12.99 per serving.  

Trifecta vs. Factor — Quick Overview

And The Winner Is: Factor

If you're looking for healthy ready-to-eat meals, Factor is better. It offers a variety of tasty meals and is also cheaper, but it still uses high-quality ingredients. 

However, if you're a devoted athlete or a fitness fan, Trifecta could be a great choice. It offers a meal delivery service that delivers not only tasty and healthy meals but also includes a macro tracking app and an online community for support and tips. It's designed to meet the needs of those aiming for maximum results and top performance. 

Not convinced either of these are the right service for you? Head over to our ranking of the best meal delivery services of the year for even more fantastic options.

FAQ

Where does Trifecta deliver?

Trifecta delivers to all 50 US states. Shipping across the 48 contiguous states costs $9.99 per week, but if you live in Alaska or Hawaii, you’ll pay a hefty $49.99 shipping fee due to additional travel costs.   

Can you cancel Trifecta?

Trifecta is easy to cancel, and its plans require no commitment. Any changes to your order should be made by Friday the week before your next delivery is scheduled, otherwise they won’t have time to go into effect. Our blog post on how to cancel Trifecta will walk you through the process.

Can Factor meals be frozen?

Factor recommends you store its meals in the fridge, where they’ll last for up to a week. However, you can also freeze them for up to 2 months – just remember to thaw in the fridge before cooking. Always check the individual labels on the packaging for storage and cooking instructions.