HelloFresh vs. Blue Apron vs. Home Chef vs. EveryPlate: Which Makes the NO.1 Meal Kit Delivery Service?

1. Our Favorite Meal Kit Delivery Services of 2024

• HelloFresh 

• Blue Apron 

• Home Chef 

• EveryPlate

2. Meal Delivery Services Same Points?

All services – Blue Apron, HelloFresh, Home Chef, EveryPlate, and Sunbasket – work similarly. Their chefs create delicious, balanced, and healthy recipes. The service does the grocery shopping for you and ships you everything you need to cook the meal.

Before I get into the comparison, let’s talk about basics of the 4 services. All of the meal delivery kits:

• Order a weekly box of fresh, pre-portioned ingredients

• Choose from a selection of meal options to match your dietary requirements or preferences

• Deliver fresh ingredients in a refrigerated box right to your doorstep. No food waste (everything comes in the exact amounts you need for the recipes) and no trips to the grocery store.

• Allow you to create delicious, chef-designed recipes at home by following the steps on the recipe cards.

• Offer different plan options based on your needs – a 2 serving plan and a family plan (4 servings). 

• Change their recipes each week, constantly adding new dishes, so you don’t get bored with the same old recipes. 

• There’s also no commitment with the services – you sign up for a weekly plan, but you can cancel or pause/skip weeks at any time if you are out of town or for whatever reason won’t have time to cook. 

• Each meal box comes with moderate calories. Each box’s calories range from 500-700 calories.

• The estimated meal preparation time of meals offered is around 30 - 50 minutes.

• The services reviewed use refrigerated boxes that can last for hours on your doorstep, and most packaging is recyclable.

3. The Most Popular Meal Kit Comparison

Meal delivery kit plans are subscription-based but all of them offer a flexible membership. You can pause, skip weeks, and plan ahead at no extra cost. You only pay for the kits you receive.

And many companies are becoming more conscious of their paper and plastics use. Almost every service stated that their delivery boxes are recyclable and that many of the inside packaging is compostable.

What makes each unique are the diets, skill levels, and budgets they serve. When you know what each service’s unique offering is you can decide which one is right for you in the time you need it.

At a Glance: Who Won Each Category?

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4. Main differences between Blue Apron, HelloFresh, Home Chef and EveryPlate

*1. Brand name: HelloFresh vs. Blue Apron vs. Home Chef vs. EveryPlate

HelloFresh

Get up to $5 cashback with HelloFresh

HelloFresh boasts that it is “America’s most popular meal kit,” and it’s not difficult to see why. Stellar grades from customers, with a remarkable average score of 4.4/5 from nearly 40,000 users at Trustpilot, and from accolades from various publications make it a reliable choice for people who want to try this type of subscription. In a test of five popular meal kit services, Consumer Reports gave HelloFresh the best overall score, mostly praising its nutritional values but warning about high saturated fat content and a reliance on safe recipes.

Green Chef

Get up to $15 cashback with Green Chef

Green Chef puts an emphasis on — you guessed it — eco-friendly ingredients and packaging with its top-rated recipe kits. The service, which is actually owned by HelloFresh, is known for its colorful, USDA-certified organic meals that cater to many dietary needs, including gluten-free, keto, paleo and vegan. 

It scored a rare “excellent” grade from Consumer Reports and has similar marks from customers at Trustpilot, who’ve given it an average mark of 4.5/5.

Home Chef

Get up to $0 cashback with Home Chef

Home Chef got perfect grades across the board by the customers who tested it for Consumer Reports in 2020, while it was also given top honors by Reviewed.com and How Stuff Works. The reviews are rave because the recipes are easy and fun to prepare and the end result looks and tastes great.

There are price points to fit all budgets and delivery schedules to fit all needs, as plans start with two meals per week for two eaters and go up to six meals a week for six eaters.

Blue Apron

Get up to $20 cashback with Blue Apron

Blue Apron is one of the original meal delivery services that set up shop in America, and it remains one of the most recognizable. The company ships ingredients and recipes that you cook yourself and even offers suggested wine pairings and the option to add bottles to your order, which is a unique touch. In a review, Consumer Reports gave Blue Apron a grade of “very good,” praising it for featuring recipes with hard-to-find ingredients but also knocking it for an overabundance of sodium in the meals. Subscribers to WW (formerly Weight Watchers) will love that the two brands have paired together for a plan that makes sticking to their diet a snap.

EveryPlate

Get up to $3 cashback with Everyplate

EveryPlate is definitely one of the most affordable options on our list. The company prides itself on offering its recipe kits at less than $5 per serving, which is pretty remarkable for quality, home-cooked meals. Reviews from How Stuff Works (8.9/10), Buyers Guide (8.9/10) and Epicurious have been stellar, with the latter publication naming it one of the best meal delivery services in America.

The recipes take about 30 minutes to prepare, which is a plus, but the knocks against EveryPlate are that it doesn’t cater to special dietary needs, with just one flat plan offered to everyone, and that shipping is never free.

*2. Pricing and discounts: HelloFresh vs. Blue Apron vs. Home Chef vs. EveryPlate

Cost & Availability comparison details

EveryPlate

Pricing: The most affordable cook-at-home meal kit option on our list, EveryPlate meals are available for $4.99 per serving.

Delivery cost: EveryPlate has a set shipping price of $9.99, but with the lower meal costs, the overall value is one of the best available.

Availability: EveryPlate ships to most zip codes in the contiguous United States (you can find out if EveryPlate ships to you by entering your zip code at signup). 

HomeChef

Pricing: HomeChef meals start at $6.99 per serving, and the service’s minimum weekly order is $49.95.

Delivery cost: Shipping varies based on the meal plan and frequency selected.

Availability: Nationwide.

HelloFresh

Pricing: Two-serving meals are $8.99 per serving, and four-serving meals are available for $7.49 per serving.

Delivery cost: Shipping is $8.99 for all HelloFresh meal plans.

Availability: Nationwide, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

Blue Apron

Pricing: Two-serving meals average $9.99 per serving, and a family-friendly, four-serving option offers a slightly better value at $8.99 per serving.

Delivery cost: For two-per-week orders, shipping is $9.99. Customers who choose four meals per week can save with Free Shipping.

Availability: Nationwide.

EveryPlate's meals start at $4.99 per serving, making it the second least expensive meal delivery service we've tried. 

Blue Apron is nearly identical to HelloFresh in cost per serving. Although Blue Apron does charge a $7.99 shipping fee, it’s not unusual for them to offer special promotions for free shipping on meals delivered to your door.

Home Chef can be an economical option, with some meal kits starting at $6.99. The average price of their meal kits is a bit more at about $9.99. Shipping is typically $8.99 per box, but they frequently offer free shipping promotions.

Winner: EveryPlate

Best Deals on Meal Kit Delivery Services Right Now

Blue Apron

Blue Apron is offering $130 off across 6 boxes. Your first box will be $35 off, while the next will be $27 off, then $18 off the following three, and the last will be $14 off. Choose from a signature 2-serving meal, signature 4-serving meal or vegetarian 2-serving meal made with fresh ingredients. Sign up to also get free shipping on your first box.

$130 OFF FIRST 6 BOXES

Buy Now

HelloFresh

Beloved by celebs and influencers like Antoni Porowski, Mindy Kaling and Jessica Alba, HelloFresh is one of the most popular meal kit services in the country. Get delicious, chef-meals that are easy to put together from $7.99 per meal. Right now, get 16 free meals, free shipping and three free gifts with the code HELLOFRESH16.

16 FREE MEALS AND FREE SHIPPING

USE CODE HELLOFRESH16

Buy Now

Home Chef

Home Chef is one of the best meal delivery companies for the picky eater because you can completely customize your experience to fit your diet, food preferences and hectic schedule. 

$90 OFF FIRST 3 ORDERS

Buy Now

Green Chef

For those who stick to a plant-based, keto, paleo or balanced lifestyle, Green Chef will become your go-to meal kit service. Green Chef offers a variety of sustainably-sourced ingredients and chef-crafted recipes. Get $130 off your first five boxes. 

$125 OFF FIRST 4 BOXES

Buy Now

EveryPlate

Every week, EveryPlate debuts 11 new delicious meals to choose from -- think Garlic Rosemary Chicken or Balsamic Steak -- for two or four people. Once you receive the ingredients and six-step recipe cards, you can cook the dishes in 30 minutes or less. Not only are you saving time, but at under $5 per serving, EveryPlate saves you money, too. Order three, four or five dinners per week -- you can skip a week or cancel your subscription up to five days before your next delivery is scheduled, perfect no matter what your work week looks like. Sign up for your first box and get $1.79 per meal and 20% off another two boxes. 

$60 OFF FIRST 3 BOXES

Buy Now

*3. Meal plans & diet types : HelloFresh vs. Blue Apron vs. Home Chef vs. EveryPlate

EveryPlate: Four Options

When signing up with EveryPlate, you are given the option to choose from four types of meal kits: classic options with meat, seafood, and vegetables; “vegetable-forward” meals; family-friendly, kid-approved options; and no-fuss meals ready in 30 minutes or less.

Then you select your box size—whether the meals will feed two or four people and whether you want three, four, or five meals per week. You are then prompted to pay for your box and can only then select meals for your first box and the next two boxes.

There are 16 meal kits to choose from each week plus one “premium” meal kit that features “premium proteins and ingredients” and costs an additional $3.99 per serving. Additionally, you are given the option to add on two different protein packs—one featuring six chicken breasts and one featuring chicken breast strips and ground beef.

• The Competition: EveryPlate vs. Dinnerly

EveryPlate and Dinnerly both offer easy-to-prepare meal kits at an affordable price point. EveryPlate's meals start at $4.99 per serving, while Dinnerly's meals start at $4.69 per serving. Everyplate offers 16 recipes to choose from each week while Dinnerly offers 28. Finally, both Dinnerly and EveryPlate primarily cater to regular diets with the exception of a few weekly vegetarian options.

HelloFresh: Pick Your Preference

HelloFresh positions itself as the meal delivery service that gets you back in the kitchen, period. Founded in Germany, this service expanded to the United States in 2012 and quickly established itself as a favorite. HelloFresh now also owns other U.S.-based brands EveryPlate, Green Chef, and Factor, which serve more budget-conscious, sustainability-focused, and keto customers, respectively.

How does HelloFresh work?

Customers will choose from preferences according to certain ingredients and nutrition needs in these categories: meat & veggies, veggie, family-friendly, fit & wholesome, quick & easy, and pescatarian. 

Then Customers select from two and four servings per recipe, and two, three, four, five, and six recipes per week. 

Recipe selection is straightforward as there are no customizations or upgrades, no substitutions or dietary accommodations, and a simple, fairly American palate of menu options. 

There are a few add-ons though (available with six proteins, two desserts, a breakfast item, several grains and pasta, and some fun seasonal items) , and all nutrition and allergen breakdowns are available at the point of menu selection so that customers can make the choices they need to.

A typical weekly menu provides about 25 options to choose from across all categories, including those with animal proteins, seafood options, and vegetarian dishes. 

There are also dishes specified as quick & easy, and premium selections that can be selected for a significantly higher price point. 

HelloFresh offers a middle ground in terms of price point—while not the most expensive, it is also not the most budget-friendly option. As with most services, the more meals you buy per week, the lower the cost per serving. Every order has flat-rate shipping of $9.99.

• The Competition: HelloFresh vs. Green Chef

While not exactly competitors because HelloFresh owns Green Chef, these services both offer a weekly subscription option for those who plan to spend some time in the kitchen. Both kits provide ingredients rather than fully cooked meals, but they differ on price point and ingredient type. While HelloFresh starts at $7.99 per serving, Green Chef is more expensive with a starting price of $11.99 per serving. This is likely due to the ingredient variation, which is perhaps the biggest differentiator between the two services. 

HelloFresh serves some organic produce and does abide by certain guidelines for sustainability and animal welfare, but Green Chef goes above and beyond to prioritize this level of sourcing. The company is a certified organic company, and while not everything can be organic, all produce and eggs are certified unless labeled otherwise. 

Blue Apron: Plans for 2 or 4

Blue Apron offers both a subscription meal kit service as well as ready-to-eat meals, but for the purposes of this review, we’ll be focusing on the meal kits. 

Plans offered are in several food-related categories: Signature, Wellness, and Vegetarian. However, the only plan that gives food for four is the Signature option. There is also a Signature option for two, and two is all you can get for the other choices. The service also offers only two, three, or four meals per week which is a bit restrictive overall; it also indicates that this kit is not designed for families but rather more for couples or individuals. 

Once the plan is selected, customers move on to meal selection, customize proteins a bit, choose from add-ons and specialty items, and then finally enter shipping information. 

• The Competition: Blue Apron vs. Green Chef

Blue Apron and Green Chef both offer an elevated meal kit experience with a rotating weekly menu of diverse dishes to choose from. Blue Apron costs less, with a starting point of $7.49 per serving compared to Green Chef’s $10.49, but that’s likely due to differences in product. While both services offer animal proteins that abide by certain human certifications, of the two companies, only Green Chef is also certified organic. Menus from both companies also offer enticing options, but Blue Apron has more selections with some customization and add-ons while Green Chef’s menu is small and has no ability to customize.

Home Chef : Fits a Variety of Budgets

Pricing starts at a set price per meal type but can increase with protein customizations. Despite selecting meal preferences and choosing the number of meals per week during account setup, you can add as many or as few meals as you like when selecting your weekly meals, as long as the minimum price per order of $49.95 is met. Shipping is $7.99 per order.

Meal kits start at the following prices per serving and increase with protein customization:

Standard meal kits: $8.99

Culinary collection: $11.95 to $13.95 

15-minute meal kit: $8.99

Family meal: $6.99 

Fast and fresh: $9.99

Oven-ready: $8.99 

Home Chef makes an effort to accommodate folks with certain eating preferences by offering vegetarian, calorie-conscious, and carb-conscious options.

Once you’re ready to order, select your menu preferences by choosing between Home Chef and Home Chef Fresh and Easy; choosing optional dietary preferences; and then selecting any foods you wish to avoid—a list that includes pork, beef, poultry, fish, shellfish, mushrooms, tree nuts, and peanuts. Next, you’ll build your box by indicating the number of people you’re cooking for (either two, four, or six) and then the number of recipes you want to receive (between two and six). 

Meal offerings are mostly American fare as well as other familiar cuisine types. If opting for the Fresh and Easy plan, you’ll find that there are significantly fewer meal options—about five per week compared to about 20 per week with the Home Chef plan. 

• The Competition: Home Chef vs. Sunbasket

Home Chef and Sunbasket are similar in terms of delivery model and user interface, but that’s where it ends. Home Chef offers calorie-rich, comfort food with few plant-based options while Sunbasket offers lighter meals in a variety of plant- and meat-based options. Sunbasket can accommodate multiple eating patterns including Mediterranean, paleo, diabetes-friendly, and pescatarian, while Home Chef covers just a few. Per serving, meals are more reasonably priced with Home Chef. Finally, Sunbasket puts sustainability at the forefront, with both food sourcing and packaging. 

Home Chef is a great option for beginner to experienced cooks looking to provide easy, satisfying, and affordable home-cooked meals for their family. However, if your eating pattern is dictated solely by the nutrition facts label or if your beliefs about health are strictly tied to caloric ranges and macros, you may need to look elsewhere. 

Winner: HelloFresh

*4. Dietary Restrictions

Do you follow a special diet? Have food allergies? If so, finding the right meal kit can be challenging. Let's take a look at EveryPlate and HelloFresh to see whether their plans might work for you:

Does EveryPlate accommodate special diets?

Unfortunately, no. To keep their prices so affordable, they do not cater to special diets such as keto, gluten-free, paleo, low carb, or vegan. Although, they do have several veggie-only options now, and they may offer more options in the future.

Does Home Chef accommodate special diets?

Yes – somewhat. They offer low-calorie and low-carb options, and you can also customize meals with or without meat, seafood, vegetables, pork, wheat, milk, nuts, etc.

Does HelloFresh accommodate special diets?

Somewhat. HelloFresh offers a few menu options, like Meat & Veggies, Veggie, Calorie Smart, Quick and Easy, Pescatarian, or Family-Friendly. While HelloFresh offers a variety of meal preferences, they do not offer a Keto/Paleo meal plan or any meals for specific diets.

Does Blue Apron accommodate special diets?

Yes, somewhat. Blue Apron accommodates a few dietary preferences and offers these options – WW Freestyle, vegetarian, or Signature (an ever-changing mix of meat, fish, Beyond Meat, and vegetarian recipes along with repeating customer favorites).

*5.  Time？

Blue Apron offers pre-portioned ingredients and a delicious plate of food, but they’re not the fastest meal kit delivery service on the market. Some of their meals take up to 45 minutes to prepare.

We like that Blue Apron puts their entire recipes on their site. You have the chance to look over all the ingredients and steps without needing to wait for recipe cards to arrive in your box.

*6.  Taste? 

Blue Apron and HelloFresh are two of the most famous names in the world of meal kit delivery. They both have strong brand recognition and are sometimes viewed as almost interchangeable with each other. When comparing the two, the one difference that stands out to us is that people with more adventurous palates will be more satisfied with Blue Apron’s recipe selection.

Blue Apron meals are a bit bolder and feature flavors that some of their competitors shy away from. Blue Apron aims to pack a flavor punch with each meal kit.

*7. Ingredients? 

Now, let’s talk about ingredients. Blue Apron is committed to using non-GMO ingredients, and they opt for organic when possible, as long as doing so doesn’t compromise the quality of their meals. They’re also committed to supporting farmers who adhere to ethical and sustainable farming practices.

*8. Packaging & Ordering Process

*9. Customer Support 

*10. Overall rating: Which one is the best?

• HelloFresh – Overall rating: 5.0 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

HelloFresh has been amazing lately. I’m honestly impressed with their chef-designed recipes, quality ingredients, and easy shipments. 

It’s so much healthier than opting for take-out. Plus I have learned a few new cooking skills too. 

I have been blown out of the water with every meal from HelloFresh. They have all been delicious! I have been trying the “calorie smart” meals and other ones that are healthier options. 

I have tried HelloFresh, Blue Apron, Plated, Sunbasket, and Home Chef. Out of all of them, I found Hello Fresh to have the most approachable grocery list. I’ve made several recipes again and the ingredients were not so obscure it required much “special” shopping.

How did the HelloFresh meal delivery kits rate?

Freshness of ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Packaging/presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Easy-to-understand directions: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Taste of meals: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recyclable materials: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Portion Size: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Price/Value: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Somewhat on the expensive side)

Overall rating: 5.0 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• EveryPlate – Overall rating: 4.9 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is one of my favorite meal boxes! Not only is EveryPlate THE most affordable meal kit delivery box on the market, but their meals are amazing and the quality is fantastic! 

The only downside is that EveryPlate does not cater to special diets or allow customization, but they do offer extremely low prices for their meal kit delivery service and have great customer service. If you’re wanting the convenience of a meal box but at an affordable price, I think that EveryPlate offers the best bang for your buck!

How did the EveryPlate meal delivery kits rate?

Freshness of ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Packaging/presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Easy-to-understand directions: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Taste of meals: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recyclable materials: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Portion Size: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Price/Value: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Best bang for your buck!)

Overall rating: 4.9 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Home Chef – Overall rating: 4.8 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Home Chef offers various recipes each week, and you can even upgrade, double-up, add, or swap protein on select meals! Plus, with their “Customize It” feature, you can choose from up 20+ fresh weekly options including steak, chicken, pork, fish, and vegetarian.

I was impressed with the Home Chef packaging and loved that all the items you need for each recipe were organized in separate bags (except for meat). The meat was packaged nicely at the bottom of the box with plenty of ice packs to keep it fresh. Plus, the photos on the recipe cards were really eye-catching!

How did the Home Chef meal delivery kits rate?

Freshness of ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Packaging/presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Easy-to-understand directions: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Taste of meals: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recyclable materials: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Portion Size: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (the portions were sufficient but not overly generous)

Price/Value: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall rating: 4.6 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Blue Apron – Overall rating: 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was excited to try Blue Apron, as I have been doing WW (formerly Weight Watchers) for a while and wanted to see how their Freestyle menu plans tasted. I was a little shocked that both of the recipes I received were each 11 SmartPoints per serving, which seems like a lot of points for one meal (my daily points allowance is 23).

Also, I was surprised at some of the additions that the recipes called for – like sugar, Crème fraîche, or golden potatoes. While most foods are “allowed” on the WW diet, it seems they could have used other items with lower WW point values instead.

All of the ingredients were super fresh, the meats were high-quality, and it was convenient that they included a barcode you can scan with your WW app to track the SmartPoints! I also really liked the way their recipe card was laid out as it was very easy to follow. The meals tasted pretty good, but we didn’t discover any new family favorites.

How did the Blue Apron meal delivery kits rate?

Freshness of ingredients: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Packaging/presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Easy-to-understand directions: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Taste of meals: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recyclable materials: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Portion Size: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Price/Value: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Somewhat on the expensive side)

Overall rating: 4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Final Verdict: Which one is best for me?

HelloFresh Is Good For

HelloFresh makes the most sense for folks who are just looking to get in the kitchen with a no-frills approach to tasty food. We think the service works best for those looking to feed at least two people at least three times per week, as long as they don't have specific dietary restrictions. 

Home Chef Is Good For

Home Chef caters to a wide range of households that enjoy eating a good home-cooked meal together. It’s a good fit for people looking to enjoy approachable, flavorful meals without being bombarded with diet, macro, and calorie information at every turn. For those who do want to be aware of that information to honor their unique health needs, Home Chef can still work because the details are there in small print. Plus, portions can be adjusted once the meal is prepared, giving you the autonomy to choose how much to eat rather than being restricted to the tiny portions that many meal delivery companies dish out. 

Home Chef is also a good fit for those who are short on time and prefer a more reasonable price point. It is not a good fit for people who prefer low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, and organic produce and meats. 

EveryPlate Is Good For

EveryPlate caters to those looking for a flexible meal kit subscription service that offers filling, classic, home-style recipes on an everyday budget. We would recommend this service to folks looking for a healthier alternative to take-out meals and who are beginner home cooks. EveryPlate is not for those with specific dietary needs and for those with a more adventurous palate beyond meat and potatoes.

Blue Apron Is Good For

Blue Apron functions best for individuals or couples looking for a slightly more upscale take on meal kits and who aren’t turned off by spending time in the kitchen. This service may not be as functional for those with strict dietary needs or larger groups who need a lot of food, but there’s no denying that Blue Apron brings flavor, technique, and a touch of luxury. 

Know more: Cost vs. Convenience: Are Meal Kits Really a Good Deal?

There’s no denying the convenience factor of having chef-inspired recipes and ingredients delivered right to your door. But is all that convenience worth the price? That’s something you’ll have to determine for yourself.

When you consider that the average cost of a restaurant meal is $13.00, the $8.99 price of a meal kit serving offers clear savings. But if you were to do your own grocery shopping and make meals for $5.00 (or less, if you shop for sales and bargains), meal kits are more expensive.

However, if saving time is your main concern, the time you’d spend creating meal plans, making grocery lists, and shopping for the ingredients yourself can add up. From that standpoint, having a meal service select the recipes, package the ingredients, and provide the prep instructions can save you a few hours a week — and you know what they say, time is money.

Last but certainly not least, you’ll need to factor in the prep time for each meal — and this is where your love of cooking (or lack thereof) comes into play. Since most pre-packaged meal kits take between 30-45 minutes to prepare, you can probably factor in a full hour for prep, cooking, and clean up. If you love spending time in the kitchen, this may not be a big deal. It might even be a way for you to relax. But if you view cooking as a necessary evil, the extra time in the kitchen may not be worth the financial savings you get by not ordering takeout.

Ultimately, your decision will come down to whether time savings or financial savings are more important. If you find yourself constantly dining out because you don’t have time to do your own grocery shopping, meal kits can help you save some money by making your meals at home. If your budget is already stretched thin, the financial cost of home meal kit delivery may not be worth the time savings.

Make Sure Meal Kit Delivery Services Work for Your Budget

If you’re trying to figure out how to make meal kit delivery services work for your budget, most of the services we listed in this article offer trial subscriptions at fantastic savings. Visit their websites, compare the meal selections, and find a deal (or several deals) that works for you. Even if the service isn’t a long-term solution for you and your family, you’ll wind up with some tasty meals — and that’s always a good thing!

Home Chef vs HelloFresh

If price is one of your main concerns, HelloFresh is a bit more affordable than Home Chef. Home Chef does, however, excel when it comes to variety and customer reviews point to Home Chef as having better flavor. On the other hand, HelloFresh is the largest meal delivery service in the United States; that has to be worth something! Although both accommodate dietary restrictions, Home Chef has far more customizability.

Home Chef vs Blue Apron

Home Chef and Blue Apron both aim to inject some zest into your dinner-time routine. Although both strike a nice balance between ease and variety, Blue Apron tends to favor finer dishes that take more advanced prep work, whereas Home Chef emphasizes the ease of making chef-developed meals at home. Home Chef offers more options for food restrictions, but Blue Apron isn’t necessarily lacking in that department. Ultimately, the decision mostly comes down to ingredient quality, and you get what you pay for.

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