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We tested the best meal delivery services to help you decide which are actually worth subscribing to. Sunbasket, Factor, and HelloFresh are just a few that made the list.

Finding the time to shop for ingredients, plan meals, and cook just isn’t possible for people leading busy lives working, caring for a family, or running a household.

There are a number of meal delivery services that can help make meal prep easier. However, they differ in meal types, suitability for various diets, quality of ingredients, variety of flavors, and cost.

Healthline editors and registered dietitians tried more than 25 of the most popular meal delivery services on the market to help you decide which one is right for you.

Whether you’re looking for meal kits you cook yourself or fully prepared meals that are ready to heat and eat, keep reading to see our picks of the 12 best meal delivery services.

Related: Best Healthy Meal Delivery Services

Disclaimer: All the services tested below were tried by Healthline writers or editors who received the meals for free. All opinions are our own.

Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:

Price per serving (entree)ShippingMeal options per weekGood for
Sunbasket$9.99–$25.99$9.9930+creative dinner recipes
Factor
(prepared)
$10.99–$13.49$10.9935prepared lunches and dinners
Home Chef$9.99–$11.99$10.9930+quick weeknight meals
Blue Apron$7.99–$12.49$10.9970+simple meal kits for beginners
HelloFresh$8.99–$12.49$10.9930+beginner-friendly & family-friendly dinners
Green Chef$11.99–$13.49$10.9946mostly organic ingredients
EveryPlate$4.99–$7.49$10.9926budget-friendly dinners
Purple Carrot$11–$13.25• free for orders of $99 and up
• $10 for smaller orders
8+fully vegan meal kits
Trifecta Nutrition
(prepared)
$13.79–$15.85• $9.99 for contiguous U.S.
• $49.99 for Alaska and Hawaii
25+low carb meals for weight loss
Splendid Spoon
(prepared)
$9.99–$13.49• free for orders with 14 or 21 items
• $12.99 for smaller orders
60+smoothies, soups, and dishes for singles
Daily Harvest
(prepared)
$6.79–$9.79$9.9990+smoothies
Mosaic Foods
(prepared)
$5.99–$11.99• free for boxes with 12 or 18 items
• $9.99–$19.99 for smaller orders
50+plant-based frozen meals

Note: Many Splendid Spoon items contain two servings per meal or container. However, most people will likely eat the full container in one sitting. So, the price per serving for Splendid Spoon reflects the price per item.

At Healthline, we know that meal delivery services aren’t a small investment, which is why we’ve taken the time to test more than 25 of the most popular meal delivery services on the market.

Testers select a week’s worth of meals from multiple menus to get a well-rounded view of the types of flavors and ingredients offered.

During testing, we consider several factors, including the ease of the signup and meal selection process, the variety and nutritional composition of the meals offered, ingredient quality and freshness, how easy the meals are to cook, and, of course, the taste.

Learn more about how we test meal kits.

Why you can trust us

Every meal delivery service on our list has been reviewed by registered dietitians and vetted to ensure that it aligns with Healthline’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. Each service in this article:

  • is in compliance with USDA and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety and manufacturing regulations
  • uses a trusted shipper to handle its food products
  • lists all ingredients, allergens, and nutrition facts on its website or product packaging
  • promotes a healthy approach to well-being
  • does not make unsupported health claims on its website or marketing materials

You can read more about our vetting process

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When choosing a meal delivery service, it’s important to consider the following factors:

  • Meal kits versus prepared meal delivery: If you like to cook and don’t mind prep work, opt for a meal kit delivery service. On the other hand, if you’re short on time or don’t like to cook, a fully prepared meal delivery service is a better option.
  • Meals provided: Meal kits are generally geared toward dinner, as they provide larger portions and take longer to cook. Meal delivery services often offer prepared options suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Some even offer snacks and desserts.
  • Specialty diets: If you follow a specific dietary pattern, such as a vegetarian, vegan, paleo, or keto meal plan, it’s important to choose a company that offers several menu choices that are appropriate for you.
  • Cost: When selecting a service, be sure to have a weekly or monthly food budget in mind. You’ll also want to factor in costs such as shipping and additional groceries you’ll need for the week.
  • Servings: Many prepared meal delivery services provide only single-serving meals. In contrast, meal kits often cater to households of two or four, with some even offering up to six servings per meal.
  • Sustainability: It’s no secret that meal delivery services use a lot of packaging. However, some companies have made strides to be more eco-friendly by focusing on seasonal or local ingredients and using recyclable, reusable, or compostable materials.

Which food meal delivery is best?

Sunbasket, Trifecta, Daily Harvest, and Factor are all great choices for individuals looking to add more flavor and variety to their diet and spend less time in the kitchen.

Our reviewers also found Mosaic Foods and Purple Carrot to be very tasty options, especially if you prefer plant-based meals with unique flavor combinations.

Which food delivery service is best for one person?

Splendid Spoon is our pick as the best meal delivery service for singles. The service offers a wide range of smoothies and entrees, all of which are gluten-free, vegan, and fully prepared. They’re also easy to stack to help you save space in your fridge or freezer.

What companies deliver ready-made meals?

Many companies offer fully prepped meals that require little to no cooking.

For example, Sunbasket is a meal kit service that also provides many meals that are already prepared and can be reheated in the microwave or oven.

Daily Harvest is another solid option. This service offers fully prepped meals, all of which are vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and mostly organic.

Is food meal delivery worth it?

Meal delivery services may be worth the price tag if you value their convenience.

Many services offer a wide selection of meal kits and ready-to-cook dishes to help streamline meal prep. Some services also offer fully prepared meals, which can be a time-saving alternative to cooking meals at home and may even be more affordable than ordering takeout.

What is the most affordable meal kit?

EveryPlate is one of the cheapest meal delivery service options available, at $4.99–$7.49 per serving, depending on the number of meals you select each week. However, there’s also a $10.99 shipping fee on every order.

Although many meal kit delivery services are available, only some offer both nutritious and delicious options.

The meal delivery services listed above have been tested to ensure they provide satisfying, tasty meals. Many also offer dishes that are suitable for a variety of dietary needs, food preferences, and common food allergies.

You can use the list above to choose the best meal delivery service based on your lifestyle and nutritional needs.