Ordering meal kits can simplify your weekly cooking routine, but with so many services available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Each meal kit company offers different menus, pricing structures, and ordering flexibility. This guide breaks down the top meal kit services so you can compare them side by side and choose the one that fits your lifestyle and budget before placing your first order.
What to Consider When Choosing a Meal Kit Service
Before comparing specific services, understand what matters most to you. Different meal kit companies excel in different areas. Some prioritize menu variety, while others focus on affordability or dietary flexibility. Knowing your priorities helps you narrow down your options quickly.
Key Factors to Evaluate
- Ordering flexibility: Can you skip weeks, pause, or change your order frequency?
- Menu variety: How many meals can you choose from each week?
- Pricing: What’s the cost per serving, and are there hidden fees?
- Delivery options: How often can you receive orders, and is shipping included?
- Dietary options: Do they offer vegetarian, vegan, keto, or allergen-friendly meals?
- Prep time: How long do meals take to prepare?
Popular Meal Kit Services Compared
HelloFresh
HelloFresh is one of the largest meal kit services, known for its wide variety and flexible ordering. The service delivers pre-portioned ingredients with easy-to-follow recipes.
Ordering Flexibility: You can customize your order each week, skip weeks anytime, or pause your subscription without penalties. You choose how many meals and servings per week.
Menu Variety: HelloFresh offers 20+ recipes each week across categories like classic, vegetarian, fitness, and seasonal options. You can swap meals in and out before your cutoff date.
Pricing: Plans start around $7-$9 per serving depending on the number of meals and servings you select. Shipping is included in most areas.
Delivery: Weekly deliveries are standard, and you can choose your delivery day. Available in most U.S. states.
EveryPlate
EveryPlate is a budget-friendly option owned by the same company as HelloFresh. It focuses on simplicity and affordability without sacrificing quality.
Ordering Flexibility: Similar to HelloFresh, you can customize weekly, skip deliveries, or pause anytime. You control portion sizes and meal counts.
Menu Variety: EveryPlate offers about 10 recipes per week, which is fewer than competitors but still diverse. Meals are simpler and faster to prepare.
Pricing: This is where EveryPlate shines—plans start around $5-$6 per serving, making it one of the most affordable options available.
Delivery: Weekly deliveries with flexible scheduling. Shipping is included in most areas.
Green Chef
Green Chef specializes in organic ingredients and health-focused meals. It’s ideal if dietary restrictions or organic produce are priorities.
Ordering Flexibility: You can customize your weekly order, skip weeks, and adjust portion sizes. Changes can be made until your cutoff date.
Menu Variety: Green Chef offers 15+ recipes weekly, with dedicated categories for keto, paleo, vegan, and gluten-free diets.
Pricing: Plans range from $8-$12 per serving, reflecting the organic and specialty ingredients used.
Delivery: Weekly or bi-weekly delivery options. Shipping is included.
Factor
Factor is a prepared meal delivery service, not a traditional meal kit. Meals arrive ready to heat and eat, requiring minimal prep work.
Ordering Flexibility: You can skip weeks and adjust your plan, but you have less control over meal selection compared to traditional meal kits.
Menu Variety: Factor offers 20+ meals each week with options for various diets including keto, vegan, and high-protein.
Pricing: Meals cost $11-$15 each, making it pricier than ingredient-based kits but cheaper than restaurant food.
Delivery: Weekly deliveries. Shipping is included in most areas.
Home Chef
Home Chef offers a balanced approach with flexible ordering and diverse meal options. It’s a good middle-ground choice for many households.
Ordering Flexibility: You customize your weekly order, skip weeks, and adjust portions. You can change your order up until the cutoff date.
Menu Variety: Home Chef provides 20+ recipes weekly, including quick meals (20 minutes or less), plus options for various dietary needs.
Pricing: Plans range from $7-$10 per serving depending on your selections.
Delivery: Weekly delivery with flexible scheduling options.
How to Decide: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Identify Your Priority
Decide what matters most to you. Is it budget? Menu variety? Quick prep time? Dietary options? This single factor often eliminates several options from consideration.
Step 2: Check Your Delivery Area
Not all services deliver everywhere. Visit each company’s website and enter your zip code to confirm they service your location.
Step 3: Calculate Your Cost
Compare the cost per serving across services. Factor in your preferred number of meals per week and servings. Don’t forget to check if shipping is included or if there are additional fees.
Step 4: Review Sample Menus
Most services display their upcoming week’s menu online. Spend a few minutes browsing to see if the meal options appeal to you and match your dietary preferences.
Step 5: Check Cancellation Policies
Even though flexibility is important, understand how easy it is to cancel if you’re unhappy. Most services allow cancellation anytime without penalty, but it’s worth confirming.
Ordering and Re-Ordering Made Easy
Once you’ve chosen a service, the ordering process is straightforward. Most meal kit companies follow a similar workflow:
- Create an account on the company’s website or app
- Choose your plan (number of meals and servings per week)
- Browse the weekly menu and select your meals
- Review your order and confirm your delivery address
- Complete payment and wait for delivery
Re-ordering is even simpler. Most services automatically suggest your previous week’s meals, which you can keep or swap. You can usually make changes up until a cutoff date (typically 5-7 days before delivery). If you want to skip a week, you can pause your subscription with one click.
Money-Saving Tips
- Use first-order discounts: Most services offer 50% off your first box or similar promotions. Take advantage of these deals.
- Choose fewer meals: Ordering 2 meals per week instead of 4 reduces costs and gives you flexibility to eat out or use pantry items.
- Compare per-serving costs: A service with a higher plan price might have a lower per-serving cost if you order more meals.
- Look for seasonal promotions: Services often run special offers during holidays or specific times of year.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right meal kit service depends on your unique needs, budget, and preferences. If affordability is your main concern, EveryPlate offers the best value. For maximum menu variety and flexibility, HelloFresh is hard to beat. If you prioritize organic ingredients and dietary options, Green Chef is worth the investment. For those who want zero prep time, Factor is the answer.
The best approach is to try a service with a first-order discount and see how it fits into your routine. Most services make it easy to skip or cancel if it’s not right for you. Once you’ve placed your first order and found your rhythm with re-ordering, you’ll appreciate the time and stress saved on meal planning.
Ready to explore more? Check out our guides on how to meal prep on a budget and best grocery delivery services for additional ways to simplify your food routine.