We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research, but also take into account your feedback and our commercial agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.Advertising DisclosureThis is a user-oriented comparison website, and we need to cover hosting and content costs, as well as make a profit. The costs are covered from referral fees from the vendors we feature. Affiliate link compensation does not affect reviews but might affect listicle pages. On these pages, vendors are ranked based on the reviewer’s examination of the service but also taking into account feedback from users and our commercial agreements with service providers. This website tries to cover important meal, coffee and pet food delivery services but we can’t cover all of the solutions that are out there. Information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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Factor Review 2024: Did It Live Up to the Hype?

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Author Jessica White
Jessica White
Updated on Mar 19th, 2024
Fact checked by Deborah Leigh

Overview

Factor promises to be one of the most convenient meal delivery services around thanks to its no-cook meals. Owned by the same company as popular meal-kit service HelloFresh, Factor’s offering is even simpler, with fresh, prepared meals that take just minutes to get on the table. 

I’ve reviewed lots of meal delivery services (including other HelloFresh brands), so I wanted to see if these prepared meals are worth the cost. I ordered a range of Factor meals from across its diet plans. I also looked at overall menu variety, pricing, ease of use, delivery, unboxing, add-ons, and the customer service experience.

Although not without its drawbacks, for me, Factor lives up to the hype. It offers plenty of health-focused meals that will suit most people. They’re easy to heat up in about 2 to 3 minutes. And you also get a bunch of extras, add-ons, sides, snacks, and keto-friendly desserts.

Pros

Cons

Variety of health-conscious plans

$10.99 shipping fee for every delivery

Restaurant-quality prepared meals

Not many plant-based options

Optional access to a team of dietitians

$9.99 surcharge for Gourmet Plus meals

What’s on the Factor Menu

Meal Options

Photo of Factor's delivery box and 12 prepared meals stacked in front

Factor caters to the needs of busy individuals who still want to eat healthy food. Each meal focuses on incorporating lean protein, carbs, and fresh vegetables, resulting in tasty-sounding options like Shredded Chicken Taco Bowl and Chipotle-Rubbed Pork Chop.

It offers a diverse selection of over 35 meals on its menu each week, all of which promise to be "restaurant quality." To choose from the whole menu, you can opt for the Chef’s Choice plan, or select specific meal plans such as Keto, Calorie-Smart, Protein Plus, Flexitarian, or Vegan & Veggie.

a screenshot of factor's weekly menu offerings

Factor takes pride in its commitment to providing high-quality meals. I like the focus on protein-packed meals and minimal use of fillers or preservatives.

You also have the option to add breakfast items, smoothies, snacks, sides, and extra proteins for an additional cost. The smoothies are great for a tasty snack on the go and the sides can make your meals extra filling.

The availability of breakfast add-ons is great for getting a nutritious start to your day. Whether it's a protein-packed breakfast bowl, a satisfying egg scramble, or a grab-and-go breakfast option, you can kickstart your mornings with a fuss-free, balanced meal. a screenshot of factor's weekly menu offerings

Factor's menu impressed me with its clarity and user-friendly layout. Navigating through the options is a breeze, thanks to the clear organization and intuitive design. The menu uses color-coded tags to show whether a recipe is keto, low-calorie, vegetarian, vegan, or high protein.

I also like the chili pepper icon used to identify particularly spicy dishes. It’s on the Turkey Chili & Zucchini dish, which is a keto option, as it doesn’t include beans. It includes smoked Spanish paprika and roasted guajillo chiles to make a spiced and warming dish.

Unfortunately, vegetarian and vegan dishes are in short supply, which is strange considering it has a specific Vegan & Veggie plan. Considering the minimum order is 6 meals per week, it looks like you will have to repeat some of your choices, which isn’t ideal. Factor caters best to those looking for an omnivorous diet.

If you’re looking more for plant-based meal kits and prepared meals, check out Purple Carrot. Its entire menu is vegan, which is a better choice if plant-based is your preferred diet. Learn more in my colleague’s Purple Carrot review. Photo of Factor's Truffle Butter Filet Mignon dish plated and ready to eat

Keep in mind that the Gourmet Plus dishes come at a gourmet cost as well. So if you’re drooling over the Roasted Garlic Filet Mignon & Shrimp or the Parmesan & Basil Mahi Mahi, remember these aren’t part of the standard plan you sign up for. All Gourmet Plus dishes incur a surcharge but you can’t see how much until you are logged in. For example, the Truffle Butter Filet Mignon pictured cost an extra $11.99.

You can see 3 weeks’ worth of menus, so you know what’s coming up next. I like that new dishes are added each week to increase the variety on the menu. If you aren’t sure which meals you’ll enjoy, try the Top-Rated dishes that have received the best reviews.

Diet

Is Factor Good For This Diet?

Vegan

Sort of, there are a couple of options per week

Vegetarian 

Yes, 3+ options per week

Keto

Yes, there are several options

High-Protein

Yes, you’ll find a Protein Plus meal plan

Low Calorie

Yes, there’s a Calorie Smart meal plan

Balanced

Yes, there are lots of weekly options

Gluten Free

Not guaranteed gluten-free, check ingredients

Customization

Factor is a prepared meal service, so ingredient customization is not possible. Since the meals are pre-prepared, the ingredients used in each dish are already determined and cannot be altered on an individual basis.

I recommend reviewing the ingredients list for each meal before making a selection, particularly if you have specific dietary restrictions or need to exclude certain ingredients. This gives you the chance to choose a different meal from the available options that better align with your dietary needs. a screenshot of factor's protein add-ons

In terms of cuisines, you’ll find plenty to choose from. You’ll find options including Latin American, classic American, Italian, French, and even Filipino. There’s also a great selection of different proteins including salmon, chicken, pork, beef, and even veggie options like beans.

I’d say that most of the meals are fairly kid-friendly. Though each dish is nicely spiced, I don’t find them to be too over-the-top. However, the single-serving nature of this service makes it less suitable for families.

Speaking of proteins, you can add quite a few extra proteins to your order. Choose from chicken wings, extra salmon, sausages, chicken breast, filet mignon, and lots more. Prices for the extras vary and these are in addition to your weekly cost. a screenshot of factor's ingredient list

Factor cannot guarantee that any of its meals are free from any allergens. It states its meals are “produced in a facility that processes eggs, fish, milk, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.” Any allergens are clearly listed on each recipe, so check the details before making your selection.

If you are following a gluten-free diet, I also advise caution. Although there are options on the menu that don’t contain gluten, Factor can’t guarantee its meals are 100% gluten-free. If you are severely allergic, Factor isn’t the choice for you. I recommend checking out Green Chef instead as it has a full Gluten Free plan. 

By choosing a plan, your weekly menu will display the most relevant dishes first. This makes it really easy to select recipes that align with your dietary needs. However, you can choose from all options on the menu (mix and match). This is great if you fancy a change or want to treat yourself to something different.

Unboxing

Meals are delivered in a recyclable cardboard box and must be chilled on arrival. They will stay fresh in your refrigerator for 7 days until your next delivery. In fact, the meal I ate last during the week tasted as fresh as all the previous meals, which was really impressive. Microwaveable meals are super easy to store in your fridge too.

Photo of Factor's meals stored neatly in the fridge with color-coded packs

In terms of sustainability, Factor is actually pretty good. I appreciate that most of Factor's packaging is recyclable. Boxes from Factor can be easily broken down and recycled curbside. The company uses various insulation types; laminated insulation is recyclable curbside, while PET and cotton insulations should be disposed of in the trash. The gel packs, made of 99% salt water, are non-toxic, reusable, and should be drained into the trash to avoid plumbing issues. 

A photo showing an open Factor box with Factor's packaged meals in the box and a photo of the insulation and ice packs

It’s great that the plastic containers and each meal’s cardboard sleeve can be recycled, too. Generally, there’s much less packaging to dispose of compared to meal kit delivery services. 

Cooking and Eating with Factor

If you want convenience then you’re in luck with Factor. With prepared meals, all you need to do is pop them in the microwave or oven. This means you can have a nutritious, hearty meal on the table in just a few minutes. Just check the heating times on the back of the packet.

Even though the portion sizes were decent enough for dinner, I often found myself reaching for Factor meals at lunchtime. They’re so quick and easy, it’s a great way to get a filling, “home-cooked” style meal during a lunch break when you might be more pressed for time.  

Photo of the microwave and heating instructions on Factor's meal sleeve

Factor advises against freezing your meals, as they are crafted to be enjoyed fresh to maintain their taste and nutritional integrity. For the best dining experience, I recommend transferring your meals to plates before serving. It does create extra washing up, but I found this simple step elevated the meal's presentation and my overall enjoyment.

While some dishes impressed me, not every dish reheated with equal success in the microwave. Particularly, fish dishes and pasta meals fell short of my expectations after microwaving, often not warming evenly or losing their intended texture.

Additionally, Factor favors certain sides more than others, so look at every aspect of the meal when you’re picking dishes to avoid repetition. I didn't do this and ended up with green beans as a side dish across numerous meals.

Shortlist of My Favorite Meals

Truffle Butter Filet Mignon

Image of the Truffle Butter Filet Mignon on a plate ready to eat with a wine glass and bottle of wine next to it

This was easily the most gourmet microwavable meal I’ve ever tried. The highlight was the steak's charry, grilled flavor, offering an authentic taste of outdoor grilling that's hard to come by in city living. Priced at over $20 for a single serving, it’s a significant consideration for some.  However, it’s a unique indulgence if you want a convenient and special treat.

Image of chopped steak showing the pinkish meat in the center on a bed of mashed potato with carrots

The meal's presentation and the quality of the sides were pretty impressive. The steak, cooked to a medium well to well-done state, avoided being tough or dry, which is commendable for a microwaveable dish. The truffle mashed potatoes and roasted carrots stood out as my favorite sides for the week, making the overall presentation remarkably gourmet. 

Black Pepper & Sage Pork Chop

Photo of the Black Pepper & Sage Pork Chop in a microwaveable tray in front of the Factor cardboard sleeve

This dish offered a gourmet experience without the Gourmet Plus price tag. The authentic grill flavor and the juicy, thick cut of the pork chop impressed me, making it a close contender to the premium steak offering. This meal proves that you can find high quality and indulgence even with Factor’s standard dishes. photo of a piece of pork chop on a fork next to a photo of a broccoli side dish in cheese sauce

Accompanying the pork chop, the brussels sprouts in cream sauce added a delicious twist to incorporating vegetables into a meal, a welcome change from the often bland side of steamed greens. While the broccoli side dish was my least favorite, the cheesy sauce was a delight when combined with the pork chop. 

Dijon Cream Chicken Thighs

Photo of the Dijon Cream Chicken Thighs on a plate with a fork next to the Factor cardboard sleeve

Cooking this meal in the oven rather than the microwave brought out an element of crispiness in the dish. The sautéed mushrooms were a personal favorite, far surpassing the typical green bean accompaniment in flavor and texture, and they heated really well in the oven. Although it took longer to oven-cook, this method spared the mushrooms from potentially getting slimy in the microwave.

Photo of the components of the meal on a baking sheet inside an oven

While the Dijon cream sauce and mustard-forward flavor of the chicken were highlights, I would have preferred a whole cut. The abundant cabbage slightly overshadowed the chicken. A larger chicken portion with less cabbage could potentially improve this dish.

Thai Roasted Vegetable Green Curry

Photo of the Thai Roasted Vegetable Green Curry in the microwaveable tray

The Thai Roasted Vegetable Green Curry was a miss for me. Similar to previous experiences with green beans in other meals, their texture was disappointing. This meal suffered from a lack of definition, with the curry, vegetables, and rice mixing together to create just one big bowl of food. I’d have preferred the rice on the side. 

Photo of the meal covered by the film next to a photo of the meal in the tray with rice and curry mixed together

Although this dish was a good vegan option, the taste and texture didn't impress me much. I liked that it was healthy and plant-based, but it struggled to shine on culinary merits alone. The mushy rice might make it less appealing even to those who enjoy curry flavors. 

Chorizo Chili

Photo of the Chorizo Chili served in a bowl with sour cream and shredded cheese on top of the chili

Anticipating a unique twist on chili with the inclusion of chorizo, this dish fell short of my expectations. The lack of beans and one-dimensional taste profile rendered it more akin to a meat-heavy, sauce-drenched concoction. I certainly didn’t get the hearty, chili experience I wanted.

Photo of a bowl of meat-based chili next to a photo of the added cheese and sour cream toppings and a spoonful held towards the camera

While the addition of sour cream and shredded cheese usually enhances chili, their presence couldn't salvage the dish from its flat flavor. The resulting taste was reminiscent of a sloppy joe from my childhood and I felt that this dish struggled to stand on its own. 

Recipes Summary


Cook Time

Calories Per Serving

Suitable Diets

Allergens

Best For

Truffle Butter Filet Mignon

2 to 7 minutes

560 calories

High-protein, low-carb

Milk

Fine dining

Black Pepper & Sage Pork Chop

2 to 7 minutes

720 calories

Keto, high-protein

Milk

Gourmet-style meal

Dijon Cream Chicken Thighs

2 to 7 minutes

630 calories

Keto

Milk

Keto dieters

Thai Roasted Vegetable Green Curry

2 to 7 minutes

540 calories

Vegan, low-calorie

Tree nuts

Plant-based lunch

Chorizo Chili

2 to 7 minutes

610 calories

Keto, high-protein

Milk

Spicy meal

Prices

Starting From

Order Size and Price (Before Shipping)

Shipping Fee

$10.99 per portion

18 single-serving meals per week: $197.82

$10.99

$11.49 per portion

14 single-serving meals per week: $160.86

$10.99

$11.99 per portion

12 single-serving meals per week: $143.88

$10.99

$12.49 per portion

10 single-serving meals per week: $124.90

$10.99

$12.99 per portion

8 single-serving meals per week: $103.92

$10.99

$13.49 per portion

6 single-serving meals per week: $80.94

$10.99

The lowest price per meal from Factor is $6.19, but that’s for the largest order of 18 single-serving meals per week. If you decide to go for orders containing fewer meals, you’ll pay more per serving.

Each smaller box size you go for will increase your price by 50 cents. For example, choosing 14 meals instead of 18 will cost you 50 cents more, and so on and so forth. 

However, you can always use our coupon code – Get $130 Off + Free Wellness Shots for Life! to help you with the cost of your first box. Shipping fees are $10.99 per delivery wherever you are located. This means that placing a larger order will save you more money in the long run, as you are paying for fewer deliveries. 

As mentioned, the add-ons are priced separately and the cost varies. As a guide, you can expect to pay $10.99 for the Chorizo & Chive Scrambled Eggs and $9.99 for the Pancake recipes. Protein add-ons range from $9.99 to $24.99 for the Oven Roasted Mahi Mahi. Keto desserts like the Keto Cookies cost $14.99 and cheesecakes are $19.99. 

The Wellness Shots, Juices, and Smoothies start at $23.99. You can also order picnic packs, which make a great lunch option on the go starting at $12.99.

There’s also a money-back guarantee. After speaking with a live chat agent, I was reassured that if I was unhappy with my delivery or the standard of my meals, then I would be compensated. If you have any concerns, you can reach out to customer services.

Shipping & Delivery

Factor delivers to all 48 contiguous states. You’ll be informed of your delivery day options when you sign up based on your location. The specific delivery carrier will vary depending on your location too. 

For my NYC location, I was offered any day Sunday to Wednesday and my box was shipped by Axlehire. Tracking updates were limited, with notifications for shipment and when the order was out for delivery. Despite the broad delivery window provided, the package arrived promptly after the final alert, which was very efficient.

Screenshot of Factor's account page with the Change or skip delivery button highlighted

You don’t need to be home to receive your delivery. According to Factor, its insulated boxes and gel packs have been tested “in all seasons across all climates.” Deliveries can be skipped and orders edited easily via your online account. Any changes must be made before the cutoff time of Wednesday 11:59 pm Central Time. 

How Factor Works

Factor offers a simple subscription where you can select between 6 and 18 meals per week. You can conveniently explore the available menu options before you sign up. Let’s take a look at how easy it is to place your first order.

How to Sign Up

  1. Click Get Started and set your preferences. You’ll be able to change your order size in the future if you want to.

Screenshot of Factor's menu page with the Get Started button highlighted

  1. Choose your preferences. Pick your menu (meals can be mixed and matched) and select the number of meals you want for the week. 

Screenshot of Factor's preferences and meals page on signup

  1. Enter your email address and choose a password.

Screenshot of Factor's make an account email

  1. Enter your address. In order to see available delivery days, enter your address. This is also the time to input our unique discount code.

Screenshot of Factor's delivery address screen

  1. Pay and choose your meals. Choose a credit card or PayPal as your payment method, check out, and choose your meals!

Screenshot of Factor's payment screen

Factor will automatically select your meals based on your dietary preferences. You can easily edit these meals to suit you as well as choose any extras from the range of Factor’s add-ons. Your order cost will automatically update if you add anything else and you are charged when your order is shipped.

Managing Your Subscription

Factor's user interface is somewhat unconventional. You need to click on Settings after selecting your name on the website. This section provides basic information but not an order history section, which you can only find by navigating through the menu to previous weeks. The design is not as intuitive as other services I’ve tried.

You have until 11.59 pm CT the week before your delivery to make any changes. Your cutoff day is shown in your account. This includes canceling your subscription or making any necessary modifications to your order. This gives you a reasonable timeframe to adjust your plan. While the platform lacks active reminders for these deadlines, it does support meal ratings and feedback.

Customer Service

You can easily reach customer support via phone (during business hours) or use the 24/7 chat. If you want to speak to a customer advisor, you can call the team at 1 (888) 573-5727. Agents are available between 6 am and 11 pm ET Monday to Friday and 7 am to 7 pm ET on weekends. 

Factor also has an FAQ page, but it’s not the most thorough I’ve seen. If you can’t find the answer to your question there, I recommend just reaching out to a chat agent. Image of Factor's canceling questionnaire next to confirmation of Factor being canceled

Canceling my Factor subscription was uncomplicated, done through the account page without needing to contact customer service. The process involved responding to a quick feedback questionnaire. This approach is notably more user-friendly compared to smaller vendors I’ve tested, where you often have to speak to someone on the phone. I received confirmation of my cancelation immediately. 

How Factor Compares to Other Meal Delivery Services

Factor vs. Green Chef

Green Chef has a similar number of recipes on the menu and is USDA-certified organic. The main difference is it only offers meal kits and not prepared meals. If you don’t mind cooking, it could be a good option. Additionally, it has more specialized diets like Mediterranean and Gluten Free. 

Factor vs. HelloFresh

HelloFresh offers a vast array of globally inspired recipes that cater to a wide audience, from beginners to seasoned cooks. Its user-friendly approach, coupled with pre-portioned ingredients, promotes convenient home cooking. HelloFresh meal kits are cheaper than Factor’s prepared meals, and their larger serving sizes may suit couples and families better.

Factor vs. Home Chef

Home Chef offers customizable meals, allowing you to tweak ingredients to your liking. Its varied menu, coupled with the option to swap, upgrade, or double-up on proteins, gives you a more tailored cooking experience than Factor. It offers a range of low and no-prep meals, but Factor’s prepared dishes will be better for people who don’t want to cook at all.

The Bottom Line: Is Factor Worth It?

I definitely recommend Factor if you have a busy lifestyle but still want to eat healthy. It’s particularly suitable for you if you follow a keto diet or want low-calorie and high-protein options. It isn’t the best choice if you prefer plant-based meals, but it’s great if you just want a few meat-free nights a week.

I also love that you can access free nutrition consultations to keep you on track. This is a nice bonus if you’re trying to lose weight or start a new diet. Factor is a great service if you are looking for convenient, fresh, and healthy meals that save you the time and effort of cooking from scratch.

As with any premium service, I always recommend trying it out with a discount code first to decide if the quality and convenience are worth it for you. You can also check out our 10 Best Meal Delivery Services of 2024 article to help you compare and contrast our top recommended services to find the best option for your budget.

FAQ

Is Factor owned by HelloFresh?

Yes, Factor is a subsidiary of HelloFresh. This partnership allows Factor to leverage HelloFresh's extensive experience in the meal delivery service industry, ensuring that customers receive high-quality, chef-prepared meals that cater to various dietary preferences.

Do Factor meals go in the fridge or the freezer?

Factor meals are designed to be stored in the fridge. They are freshly prepared and should be consumed within a week of delivery, ensuring you enjoy the meals at their peak freshness and nutritional value.

How hard is it to cancel Factor meals?

I found canceling my Factor meals very straightforward. You can cancel your subscription directly from the account page, without needing to contact customer service. This process was user-friendly and allowed for a hassle-free way to end the subscription.

Are Factor meals expensive?

Factor meals can be considered a premium offering. While they may be pricier than some other meal delivery services, Factor’s pricing reflects the quality of ingredients, the convenience of having chef-prepared meals, and the diet plans available.

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We rank vendors based on rigorous testing and research, but also take into account your feedback and our commercial agreements with providers. This page contains affiliate links.Advertising DisclosureThis is a user-oriented comparison website, and we need to cover hosting and content costs, as well as make a profit. The costs are covered from referral fees from the vendors we feature. Affiliate link compensation does not affect reviews but might affect listicle pages. On these pages, vendors are ranked based on the reviewer’s examination of the service but also taking into account feedback from users and our commercial agreements with service providers. This website tries to cover important meal, coffee and pet food delivery services but we can’t cover all of the solutions that are out there. Information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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