9 Best HelloFresh Alternatives for Meal Kit Delivery

Everyone loves a delicious, home-cooked meal. However, cooking a healthy meal every night can be extremely difficult when you are juggling a job, family, and other responsibilities. Luckily, food delivery companies like HelloFresh make it easy to serve a healthy meal without resorting to takeout or frozen dinners.

Meal subscription companies and grocery delivery services are terrific options for people who want to eat a healthy meal but are short on time. While HelloFresh is one of the top meal kit delivery services, there are other options to consider.

If you’re interested in giving companies like HelloFresh a try, this guide shares the nine best food subscription boxes to have healthy meals delivered to your door.

What is HelloFresh?

HelloFresh is one of the most well-known meal delivery companies in the space. It was among the first companies to start delivering ready-to-prepare meals to customers.

Meal prep takes less than 45 minutes. HelloFresh includes recipe cards and provides pre-measured ingredients to make a meal for two to four people.

This service makes it simple to get dinner on the table quickly.

How Much Does the Service Cost?

Meals start at $8.99 per serving. You can typically receive a discount on your first order, reducing the cost of each portion to about $6.99.

Frugal Rules readers receive $80 off and free shipping on their first order.

*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.)

Pros and Cons

While HelloFresh is an excellent meal kit service, there are a few pros and cons to consider.

Pros

• Has low-calorie and vegetarian-friendly options
• Great for single people, couples, and families
• Easily skip a week of delivery if needed
• Recipes take under an hour to make, with most taking under 30 minutes

Cons

• People reported that food portions are slightly smaller than other meal delivery services
• Meals can be expensive
• Limited options for picky eaters

The service has a lot to offer customers and is one of the top Blue Apron alternatives (the other big company in the space) for meal delivery.

Food Options

Besides vegetarian and low-calorie options, HelloFresh offers a wide array of different cuisines and meats.

As of this writing, weekly recipes included Cheesy Smothered Mushroom Chicken, Plant-Based Beyond Burger™, and Wasabi Zinger Salmon.

Read our HelloFresh review to learn more.

What Are Good Alternatives to HelloFresh?

HelloFresh is not the only meal delivery box company in the space. There is a wide array of companies that operate in the space.

All of these options have different price points, menus, and portion sizes. Be sure to keep that in mind as you consider your choices. As a preview, here are how the top substitutes compare.

Here are the top HelloFresh competitors for meal kit delivery.

1. EveryPlate

EveryPlate strives to bring taste, value, and convenience to your meals. While each box uses less packaging materials, the contents are still fresh and easy to prepare.

Depending on which plan you choose, the service lets you cook smaller portions or larger meals.

How Much Does EveryPlate Cost?

Meals are only $4.99 per serving regardless of which plan you select.

Here is what you can expect to pay to subscribe to EveryPlate.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Affordable (and may even be cheaper than dining out)
• Simple ingredients and recipes
• You can skip weeks or cancel at any time
• Student discounts are available
• Great for single people and families alike

Cons

• Shipping is not free
• Only has options for two people or a family of four
• Doesn’t have any other options for those on specific diets

Food Options

Recent food choices included Griddled Onion Burgers, Chicken Scallopini, Mandarin Chicken Stir-Fry, French Onion Meatloaves, and Pork & Poblano Tacos.

Read our EveryPlate review to learn more about the service.

Additionally, you can read our EveryPlate vs. HelloFresh analysis to learn how the two companies compare.

2. Nutrisystem

Nutrisystem is a terrific HelloFresh alternative. If you’re trying to lose weight or want a simple way to portion control, Nutrisystem is a good choice.

The weight loss company offers three different meal options. The base plan sends you a variety of meals, but you don’t get to choose what you receive.

The second plan allows you to choose what meals you receive. The third plan allows you to choose your meals and includes frozen options.

How Much Does Nutrisystem Cost?

Nutrisystem is known for offering monthly plans. However, they also offer daily meals for $8.57, $10.36, and $12.50 per day. The price includes all of your meals, snacks, and shipping.

For a limited time, Nutrisystem is offering 50 percent off on all meals, including shakes. Additionally, Nutrisystem offers numerous customized plans.

These include diabetic-friendly meals to vegetarian meals and more.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Customizable meal plans for those trying to lose weight
• 50 percent off all plans
• 14-day money-back guarantee
• Frozen meals plus snacks you can take on the go
• Shipping is included in the cost of meals

Cons

• Only has meal plans for one individual

If you want to learn more about Nutrisystem, including savings hacks and meals, read our Nutrisystem review. Frugal Rules founder John Schmoll lost 100 pounds on the plan and he shares his expert insights in the review.

Food Options

Nutrisystem offers the most expansive meal choices on our list. You can get items ranging from protein shakes to quality frozen meals.

*Related: Read our analysis of Nutrisystem vs. Jenny Craig to learn how the two companies compare.

The company regularly adds or changes meals based on feedback from users.

3. Blue Apron

Blue Apron is the largest competitor of HelloFresh and prides itself on providing fresh, high-quality ingredients. They also let you choose your meals and offer you the chance to quickly prepare chef-created meals.

How Much Does Blue Apron Cost?

Blue Apron starts at $8.99 per serving. Frugal Rules readers who sign up can get $80 off their first four boxes.

Here is what you can expect to pay to subscribe to Blue Apron.

*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!

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Portions may be slightly larger than other meal delivery services
• You get to choose your meals each week
• Offers vegetarian and WeightWatchers menus
• You can order wine to go with the meals
• No commitment so you can skip weeks

Cons

• You’ll pay $9.99 per serving if you aren’t ordering for a family
• They don’t separate food by meal like other meal delivery services
• Food options are somewhat limited, especially if you’re vegetarian

Food Options 

Recipes offered this week included Spiced Salmon and Garlic Yogurt, Creamy Tomato Pasta, and Crispy Potato and Kale Hash.

*Related: Read our analysis of HelloFresh vs. Blue Apron to see how the two services compare against each other.

Read our Blue Apron review to learn more about this service.

4. Sunbasket

Sunbasket is the only service on our list of HelloFresh alternatives that offers an all-organic menu plan and food. If your health and the quality of what you eat are non-negotiable, this could be a perfect option for you.

They also offer sustainable fish as well as organic, natural, and hormone-free meats.

How Much Does Sunbasket Cost?

Sunbasket is middle of the road on pricing. Servings start at $8.99 each. This is relatively affordable given that all items are organic, most are fair trade, and meat options are sustainable.

Here is what you can expect to pay to subscribe to Sunbasket.

Frugal Rules readers receive free shipping on all orders. If organic foods are important to you, take advantage of the offer to try them out.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• All options are organic, similar to Green Chef
• Multiple recipe options to choose from each week
• Easily upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time
• You can skip weeks
• Offers different dietary options including Paleo, Mediterranean, Gluten-Free, and Vegetarian

Cons

• Can only choose between meal plans for two and four people

Food Options

The weekly recipes listed included Chipotle Turkey Chili, Stuffed Bell Peppers, Quinoa-Tofu bowls, and Miso-ginger Ground Pork.

Read our Sunbasket review to learn more about the service.

5. Gobble

If saving time in the kitchen is important to you, Gobble is a terrific alternative to HelloFresh. The service specializes in pre-packaged fresh ingredients allowing you to make dinner in 20 minutes or less.

You can choose from three different meal pan options. Those are:

• Classic
• Vegetarian
• Lean and Clean

Unlike many other meal delivery services, Gobble is a great choice for seafood lovers. It’s also a good option for people who enjoy more European-centric dishes.

*Related: Are you looking for a meat delivery service that offers wild-caught seafood? Read our Good Chop review to see if they’re a fit for you.

In addition to meals, you can purchase add-ons from salads to add-on proteins.

How Much Does Gobble Cost?

Gobble is slightly more expensive than other services. Pricing starts at $11.99 per serving. You can choose either three or four meals a week and servings for two or four people.

Here is what you can expect to pay to subscribe to Gobble.

*For a limited time, Frugal Rules readers can order Gobble and get their first two boxes of six meals for $36 each!

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Quick meals
• Numerous plans to choose from
• Easy to follow
• Seafood and European-inspired dishes

Cons:

• More expensive than other meal delivery services
• Must order at least three meals per week

Food Options

Current weekly menu items include Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice and Naan, Potato Pierogi with Butternut Squash Puree and Sauteed Kale, and Asian-Style Tofu Lettuce Cups with Jasmine Rice.

Read our Gobble review to learn more.

6. Diet-to-Go

Many weight loss programs don’t focus on encouraging you to eat vegetables. For meals heavy in vegetables, take a look at Diet-to-Go.

With Diet-to-Go, each meal is customized to fit your goals. Pre-measured ingredients are included to save you time. You can also find out how many calories are in each meal.

Diet-to-Go offers three meal types. These include low-fat, low-carb, and diabetic-friendly meals.

The number of meals you get depends on which plan you sign up for. You can get anywhere from ten to 21 meals each week.

Unlike other diet plans like Nutrisystem, one drawback to Diet-to-Go is that it doesn’t offer free shipping. It’s also a bit expensive when compared to other diet plans.

How Much Does Diet-to-Go Cost?

Prices start at $8.90 per meal with Diet-to-Go. However, it’s possible to reach up to $13.49 per meal.

Here is what you can expect to pay to subscribe to Diet-to-Go.

The company is currently offering a 25 percent off first week discount for new customers.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Personalized meals
• Meals rich in vegetables and whole foods
• Meals created by nutrition specialists
• Wide range of meal options
• Offers delivery to your home
• You have at least five weeks between meals to limit repeats

Cons:

• Only offers weekly delivery
• More expensive than other choices
• You pay for shipping

Read our Diet-to-Go review to learn more.

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

7. Dinnerly

Dinnerly claims to be one of the lowest-cost meal kit delivery services in the market. They offer easy and fresh meals for even the most inexperienced cooks looking for a family plan.

This service is an excellent option if you are new to cooking. It’s also perfect if you don’t want to spend a lot of money from week to week.

How Much Does Dinnerly Cost?

Dinnerly is one of the cheapest options on our list. Their meals start at just $4.99 per serving.

Here is what you can expect to pay to subscribe to Dinnerly.

You can read our Dinnerly vs. HelloFresh analysis to see how the two services compare.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Affordable (and sometimes cheaper than dining out)
• Offers vegetarian options
• Uses digital recipe cards to cuts costs and save paper
• Encourages customers to recycle their delivery packaging

Cons

• Shipping is not free
• Only has options for two people or a family of four
• Doesn’t have any other options for those on specific diets

Food Options

Weekly options included Creamy Gnocchi Alfredo, Everything Bagel Burger, Sesame Pork Tenderloin, and Nacho Pie.

Read our review of the Dinnerly menu to learn more about the service.

8. Trifecta

Trifecta is a meal kit subscription service that specializes in helping people manage their calorie intake. While not a diet meal plan like Nutrisystem, Trifecta seeks to help people git fit through healthy eating.

Meals range between 300 and 500 calories, and all are carb-conscious.

Meals are pre-packaged, so all you need to do is heat and eat. If you prefer not to microwave meals, you can also warm them on the stove.

Trifecta has five plans to choose from: Classic, Vegetarian, Paleo, Keto, and Vegan.

Meals are also single-serving so this service may not be best for a large family.

If the vegan or vegetarian options don’t suit you, ButcherBox is an excellent alternative for quality meats.

Read our ButcherBox review to learn if the service is a good choice for you to order meat online.

How Much Does Trifecta Cost?

Meals start at $9.50 per serving. However, if you choose the Paleo or Keto plans, pricing can go up to $15.50 per meal.

You can purchase either dinners, or all three meals. And, you can choose either five or seven days for meals.

Here is what you can expect to pay to subscribe to Trifecta.

New customers can currently receive 40 percent off their first order.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Low calorie meals
• Live support from dietitians
• Excellent choice for meal delivery for one person
• Offers seasonal menus
• Has up to 60 menu items to choose from

Cons

• It’s more expensive than other services
• Not for people who like to cook

Read our Trifecta Nutrition review to learn more.

Food Options

Current meals include Grilled Chicken with Herb Roasted Potatoes and Green Beans, Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower and Navy Beans with Chicken, and Kung Pao Chicken with Sweet Potato and Brown Rice.

9. Home Chef

Home Chef is an excellent choice for meal delivery if you enjoy cooking. They are one of the only meal services like HelloFresh that offers over four days of meals.

They have great meal options if you want to get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.

Home Chef also allows you to order add-ons, extra protein, snacks, and lunches.

How Much Does Home Chef Cost?

Home Chef has a flat rate of $9.95 per serving regardless of order size. Whether you’re feeding multiple mouths or just yourself, you pay the same amount for each serving.

Lunch options cost $6.95 per meal. Here is what you can expect to pay to subscribe to Home Chef.

Read our HelloFresh vs. Home Chef analysis to learn more about how they compare.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Offers more than just dinner, including protein boxes, snacks, smoothies, and more
• Great for bigger families since they offer up to six portions per meal
• 26+ food options each week
• Discounts are available for students

Cons

• More expensive than some of the other HelloFresh alternatives
• Not great if you’re single

Read our review of Home Chef to learn more.

Food Options

Food options for this week included Huli Huli Chicken Rice Bowl, Adobo Chicken Enchiladas, Artichoke and Spinach Salad, and Hawaiian BBQ Pork Tacos.

What to Know About Meal Kit Delivery Services Like HelloFresh

Having ready-to-prepare meals delivered to your door is a terrific way to save time and try new recipes. Many companies like HelloFresh allow you to make healthy meals and not rely on fast food to get dinner on the table.

There are several other things to keep in mind when using a food subscription box company, including:

• Watching costs as you order because it’s easy to overspend
• Taking advantage of promotions to save money
• Most services allow you to order online or with an app
• These services will not replace all of your meals
• There is a lot of packaging, so do your best to recycle what you can
• Skipping weeks if you need to cut costs

If you merely want groceries delivered to your home, read our guide on alternatives to Instacart for suitable choices.

Bottom Line

These meal delivery companies like HelloFresh offer tasty, healthy, and fast meals that help you avoid takeout.

The convenience may seem expensive, but there are ways to save money while adding variety to your meals if you plan correctly. Plus, you can reduce costs for the first few weeks by taking advantage of discount codes.

All companies like HelloFresh have their unique pros and cons. You can always try each one out to see what you like best.

How much time do you spend each week planning and preparing meals?