Blue Apron Competitors: 8 Top Alternatives

A made-from-scratch meal is always enjoyable, but many families struggle to find the time to put a home-cooked dinner on the table.

Meal delivery companies like Blue Apron make it possible to save time and still have a variety of healthy meal choices with minimal effort.

There are many options in the subscription box space, so it can be difficult to know which is the best. This guide shares the top Blue Apron alternatives to consider for your needs.

What is Blue Apron?

Blue Apron is a leader in the meal delivery service space. In fact, they were one of the first companies to sell meal kits.

The company provides ready-to-make meals, complete with fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions.

You can read our Blue Apron review to learn more about how the service works.

How Much Does the Service Cost?

Blue Apron starts at $8.99 per serving. Frugal Rules readers qualify for $80 off their first four boxes to make trying the service more affordable.

*For a limited time, Frugal Rules readers can get $110 across their first five orders of Blue Apron plus free shipping on the first order!

Prices vary based on the types of meals you select. For example, if you choose vegetarian or WeightWatchers (WW) Freestyle meals, the price increases a little. 

Pricing is similar to what you will find with Home Chef. Read our Blue Apron vs. Home Chef review to learn more about how the two compare.

Food Options

Meal choices change from week to week. Recipes available this week include Middle Eastern chicken thighs, hot honey brussels sprout and sweet potato grain bowls, and steelhead trout and lemon-caper sauce.

Remember, all Frugal Rules readers get $80 off their first four boxes when they sign up for Blue Apron.

Pros and Cons

There’s a lot to consider when deciding whether or not to try Blue Apron. Here are some of the perks and downsides.

Pros

• You can skip weeks
• Larger portion sizes than other meal delivery subscription services
• You can choose your meals each week
• Blue Apron sells wine to combine with your meals

Cons

• Food isn’t separated by meal like other companies
• Price increases to $9.99 per serving if not ordering for a family

Blue Apron is a perfect choice if you want healthy meals at an affordable price.

What Other Companies are Like Blue Apron?

There are many meal kit services to consider when you want to save time in the kitchen. The best option for you likely depends on your level of cooking expertise and the types of meals you want.

Here are the top nine Blue Apron competitors to consider for unique meal ideas.

1. HelloFresh

HelloFresh is one of the best food delivery programs like Blue Apron. The company sends meals to customers globally, and many people find themselves choosing between the two for service.

This meal kit delivery service shares many similarities with Blue Apron. Pricing, variety, and plans are comparable.

*Related: Read our Blue Apron vs. HelloFresh analysis to see how the two services compare for meal delivery.

Most meals take under 45 minutes to prepare, and there is a wide variety of recipes available.

Where HelloFresh sets itself apart is its focus on simple recipes for newer cooks. It also has more packaging, but all of it is 100 percent biodegradable and recyclable.

How Much Does HelloFresh Cost?

Pricing at HelloFresh is comparable to Blue Apron. HelloFresh starts at $8.99 per serving. One drawback to the service is they also charge shipping fees of $6.99 per box.

You can often find promotions to lower your price in the beginning. For example, Frugal Rules readers currently qualify for $80 off their first four boxes and free shipping.

*For a limited time only, Frugal Rules readers can get Free Breakfast for life + 16 Free Meals! (One free breakfast item per box as long as subscription is active, and free meals are applied as a discount across 9 boxes, new subscriptions only, and varies by plan.)

If you want a more affordable service, Dinnerly could be a good alternative to HelloFresh. Read our Dinnerly vs. HelloFresh analysis to learn more.

Food Options

HelloFresh offers a lot of low-calorie and vegetarian meal choices. They also sell traditional-style meals.

Current meals include buffalo-spiced crispy chicken cutlets and zucchini, mozzarella, and sun-dried tomato paninis.

Pros and Cons

Here are a few benefits and downsides to know when considering HelloFresh.

Pros

• You can skip weeks
• They let you choose your meals each week
• HelloFresh sells wine to combine with your meals
• Recipes often take under 30 minutes to prepare

Cons

• Serving sizes are slightly smaller than other services
• Limited choices for picky eaters

HelloFresh is a good choice for oenophiles who like to pair wine with a home-cooked meal. Read our review of the HelloFresh meals available to learn if the service is for you.

2. EveryPlate

EveryPlate is one of the cheapest alternatives to Blue Apron. The company is environmentally conscious and includes minimal packaging materials.

The service is perfect for couples or small families since it offers plans for either two or four people. If you’re single, this means that the serving size will provide enough for lunch the following day.

Read our guide on meal kits for singles to learn of other possible choices for this need.

Despite the affordable price, you still receive weekly meal options that work for either vegetarians or carnivores.

How Much Does EveryPlate Cost?

Meals start at $4.99 per serving, regardless of what you choose. However, EveryPlate does charge $6.99 for shipping.

Even with that cost, it’s cheaper than many other services like Blue Apron.

*For a limited time, Frugal Rules readers can get $1.49/meal on their first EveryPlate order.

Food Options

EveryPlate offers 16 new recipes per week, ensuring you have plenty of options to fit your dietary needs.

Current meal options include pepper jack stuffed pork burgers and snap pea and carrot stir-fry.

Pros and Cons

Here are few things to know when considering EveryPlate.

Pros

• You can skip weeks or cancel when you wish
• Student discounts are available
• Affordable meal choices
• Easy to follow recipes and fresh ingredients
• Most meals take 30 minutes or less to prepare

Cons

• Only offers plans for two or four people
• Shipping is not free

EveryPlate is fantastic for people who want an affordable and easy-to-prepare meal. Read our EveryPlate review to learn more about the service.

3. Sunbasket

Sunbasket is a fantastic choice if an organic diet is important to you. None of the other Blue Apron alternatives offer completely organic meals.

The company offers meal kits that can be prepared in 15-40 minutes or fresh and ready meals that can be prepared in as little as six minutes.

You can even mix and match these meal types, making it easy to create a meal plan that works for your schedule.

How Much Does Sunbasket Cost?

Sunbasket starts at a competitive $8.99 per serving. This may seem pricey, but since all items are organic and many are fair trade, the company is relatively affordable.

Additionally, all Frugal Rules readers receive free shipping and $90 off your first four boxes when you sign up. If the service is too cost-prohibitive, Daily Harvest is a suitable replacement for a vegetarian meal plan.

Food Options

Sunbasket offers sustainable fish as well as natural, organic, and hormone-free meats. Other meal choices include paleo, gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, and pescatarian.

The company offers new menu items weekly. Current options include lemongrass steak lettuce cups with pickled vegetables and Thai turkey salad with cabbage, basil, and cashews.

If you want nutrient dense meals for plant-based eaters, Hungryroot is a good alternative. Read our Hungryroot review to learn more about that service.

Pros and Cons

Here are a few positives and negatives to think about when considering Sunbasket.

Pros

• All meals are organic, and many are fair trade
• You can skip weeks
• Wide variety of meal options for people with numerous dietary needs
• Minimal packaging, and all containers are 100 percent recyclable
• Meals are easy to prepare and often can be done in under 30 minutes

Cons

• Only two and four-person weekly menu plans are available

Sunbasket is a terrific choice for lovers of organic food without a hefty price tag. Read our review of the Sunbasket meals available to learn more about the service.

*Related: Are you looking for a more affordable meal delivery service? Try our free quiz to identify the best service for your needs.

4. Nutrisystem

If you want to get fit, Nutrisystem is a terrific choice that operates similar to Blue Apron.

You can choose between three different meal options with Nutrisystem. The base plan sends you a variety of meals, but options are pre-selected for you.

The second and third plans allow for customization and let you pick the meals you want, with the third plan including frozen meals.

Read our Nutrisystem review of Nutrisystem to learn more.

How Much Does Nutrisystem Cost?

Nutrisystem was one of the first-mail order meal plans that offered a monthly subscription model. If you want daily meals, they start at $9.99, $12.14, $13.57, or $13.93 per day. Pricing includes shipping, meals, and snacks.

Nutrisystem is currently offering $30 off all meals to Frugal Rules readers, including shipping.

Food Options

Nutrisystem has a wide variety of menu choices. The company offers multiple meal plans, including traditional options and diet choices.

The diet meal plan offers various customized plans, including diabetic meals.

*Related: Are you looking for other weight loss meal plans to get fit? Read our review of BistroMD to see how they compare.

Most meals can be prepared in 15 to 30 minutes. Current meal options include spinach and cheese pretzel melt with cucumber slices and supreme pizza bowl.

Pros and Cons

Here are a few things to know when considering Nutrisystem.

Pros

• $30 off any plan of your choice
• Seven-day money-back guarantee
• Shipping is included
• Customizable meal plans
• 24/7 support

Cons

• No family meal plans, only available for individuals

Nutrisystem is best for people wanting to lose weight without sacrificing variety.

5. Diet-to-Go

Most diet meal programs don’t make consuming vegetables a strong focus of their meals. That is not the case with Diet-to-Go.

While Nutrisystem pre-packages meals, each meal from Diet-to-Go is customized to your special diet plan. They provide pre-measured ingredients that are vegetable-rich with all of the calorie information provided.

How Much Does Diet-to-Go Cost?

Diet-to-Go meals start at $9.52 per serving. Pricing depends on how many meals your plan includes.

Unlike other weight loss programs like Nutrisystem, Diet-to-Go does not offer free shipping. Shipping is $19.98 per delivery.

Frugal Rules readers qualify to receive 25 percent off for the first week of orders.

Food Options

You can get low-fat, low-carb, or diabetic-friendly meals with Diet-to-Go. Depending on the plan you choose, you receive ten to 21 meals a week.

Diet-to-Go ensures that you will not see a meal repeat within a five-week period. Current meal choices include a black bean and feta cheese wrap and herb-crusted tilapia.

Pros and Cons

Here are few things to know when considering Diet-to-Go.

Pros

• You can skip weeks
• Meals won’t repeat for five weeks
• Personalized daily meals
• Meals heavy in vegetables and whole foods

Cons

• You pay for shipping
• More expensive than other plans

Diet-to-Go is an excellent vegetable-friendly alternative to Nutrisystem. Read our review of the Diet-to-Go meals to learn more.

6. Dinnerly

If you want affordable food delivery like Blue Apron, Dinnerly is an excellent choice. Dinnerly compares well against EveryPlate.

Read our EveryPlate vs. Dinnerly comparison to see how they stack up against each other.

The service doesn’t provide pre-packaged meals. Instead, Dinnerly provides fresh ingredients for you to prepare meals.

The meal delivery company also specializes in meals for inexperienced cooks. Each meal only has six ingredients, and preparation takes less than 30 minutes.

If you’re new to cooking, Dinnerly is a legitimate choice.

How Much Does Dinnerly Cost?

Dinnerly costs start at $4.69 per serving. They also charge $8.99 for shipping to help reduce the per serving cost.

Frugal Rules readers can receive $15 off their first order.

Food Options

Dinnerly offers 14 new recipes each week. Meal kits include vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options.

Current recipes include a broccoli and ricotta calzone and pulled pork tacos with guacamole and jalapenos.

Pros and Cons

Here are a few things to know when considering Dinnerly.

Pros

• You can skip weeks
• 14 different dinner recipes available weekly
• Uses digital recipe cards to reduce waste
• Cheapest subscription box on our list
• You can switch between the two-person and family box

Cons

• Ingredients aren’t organized by meal, but instead are mixed together in your box
• Shipping not included in the per-meal price

Dinnerly is best for bargain hunters looking to save time in the kitchen. Read our review of the Dinnerly menu to learn more about the service.

7. Marley Spoon

Marley Spoon is a newer meal kit service that’s growing in popularity in the United States. The company specializes in sending customers meals that can be prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients.

Marley Spoon is known thanks to its partnership with Martha Stewart. As you might imagine, this means meals are for the avid cook who likes to use ingredients similar to grass-fed beef or artisanal cheeses.

*Related: Are you looking for a meat delivery company that specializes in grass-fed beef and other sustainably sourced meats? Read our Good Chop review to see if they’re a fit for you.

Most meals take less than 30 minutes to prepare.

How Much Does Marley Spoon Cost?

Pricing for Marley Spoon is competitive, starting at $7.99 per serving for meal kits for four or $9.49 for two. This is for three meals per week.

Marley Spoon also charges $8.99 for shipping.

Food Options

Marley Spoon offers over 29 unique recipes weekly. You can choose meals that range from vegetarian-friendly to traditional meals for the entire family.

Current meals include chorizo-spiced shrimp tostadas and sausage and roasted tomato bake.

Pros and Cons

Here are few things to know when considering Marley Spoon.

Pros

• You can skip weeks
• Fresh, quality ingredients
• Terrific for foodies who love to cook
• More than 29 recipe choices per week

Cons

• More expensive than other services
• Not for beginners
• Shipping not included in the cost

Read our review of Martha and Marley Spoon to learn more.

8. Purple Carrot

Having a restrictive diet doesn’t mean you can’t use a meal subscription service. Purple Carrot is a good solution that specializes in meals for vegetarian and vegan customers.

Purple Carrot has three different menu tracks to select, and most meals can be prepared in under 30 minutes.

As a plant-based meal kit service, Purple Carrot also reduces packaging to further help the environment. Additionally, meals aren’t bland but are flavorful and full of nutrients instead. If you’re not a vegan, and looking for a meat delivery service, Crowd Cow is a good alternative.

Read our review of the meat delivery service Crowd Cow review to learn more.

How Much Does Purple Carrot Cost?

Purple Carrot offers plans for two and four-person families. Pricing is $11.99 for two-person plans and $9.99 for four-person plans. That’s for two dinners per week, and shipping is included.

Purple Carrot’s different menu tracks for vegetarians and vegans include quick and easy, high protein, and chef’s choice.

The service offers roughly a dozen new meals each week. Current meals include gnocchi al pesto and crispy tofu burritos. Read our guide on the top vegan meal delivery companies to identify other meal kits that have a vegan menu if Purple Carrot isn’t for you.

Pros and Cons

Here are few things to know when considering Purple Carrot.

Pros

• You can skip weeks
• Fresh, quality ingredients
• Vegetarian and vegan focused meals
• Shipping is included
• Also sells breakfasts, lunches, and snacks

Cons

• More expensive than other services

Read our review of Purple Carrot to learn more.

FAQs About Meal Kit Delivery Services

Before signing up for a cheap meal delivery kit, it’s important to know what to expect. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

What should I know about meal kit delivery services?

Ready-to-prepare meals are an excellent way to save time and enjoy new recipes. Many companies like Blue Apron let you have healthy meals without resorting to fast food to put dinner on the table.

You should keep the following in mind when using a food subscription box company:

• Watch costs so you don’t overspend
• Skip weeks when you need to
• Use promotions to save money
• Recycle as much of the packaging as possible
• These services will not replace all of your meals

If you don’t always have time to go to the store, meal delivery services like Blue Apron are a great way to have a home-cooked meal.

Are meal kits worth the money?

Compared to dining out or getting fast food, meal kits are often cheaper. However, if you compare the per serving cost of buying ingredients on your own, subscription boxes are often more expensive.

Is Blue Apron worth the price?

A service like Blue Apron is perfect for couples and small families that want to save time on meal planning and grocery shopping.

If you dine out regularly but want to cook at home and don’t mind leftovers, Blue Apron is worth the price.

Is Blue Apron cheaper than grocery shopping?

Blue Apron, and companies like it, have the potential to be cheaper than grocery shopping. However, the service is often more expensive than buying groceries.

The benefits and cost-savings are found in reduced time at the store and easy meal planning.

Bottom Line

Meal delivery companies like Blue Apron provide fresh, healthy, and tasty meals that let you avoid takeout.

Convenience often comes at a cost, but there are ways to save money if you plan wisely. If you take advantage of promotion codes, you can reduce costs.

How much time do you spend each week at the store and preparing meals? What do you do to save money on groceries?