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Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
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Sunbasket is our pick for the best overall meal delivery service thanks to its high quality ingredients, exciting flavor combinations, and large variety of menu options.
- Best meal delivery service overall: Sunbasket | Jump to review
- Best prepared meal delivery service: Factor | Jump to review
- Best healthy meal delivery service: Green Chef | Jump to review
- Best meal delivery service for families: HelloFresh | Jump to review
- Best meal delivery for quick dinners: Home Chef | Jump to review
- Best meal delivery service for weight loss: Trifecta Nutrition | Jump to review
- Best plant-based meal delivery service: Purple Carrot | Jump to review
- Best meal delivery service for singles: Splendid Spoon | Jump to review
- Best organic meal delivery service: Daily Harvest | Jump to review
- Best cheap meal delivery service: EveryPlate | Jump to review
- Best prepared meal delivery service for families: Mosaic Foods | Jump to review
- Best meal delivery service for kids: Nurture Life | Jump to review
- Best meal delivery service for beginners: Blue Apron | Jump to review
Getting a healthy meal on the table can be a difficult task, especially after a long day.
Finding the time to shop for ingredients, plan meals, and cook just isn’t possible for some people who lead busy lives working, caring for a family, or running a household.
There are a number of healthy meal delivery services available. However, they differ in meal types, suitability for various diets, quality of ingredients, variety of flavors, and cost.
Healthline editors and registered dietitians tried over 25 of the most popular meal delivery services on the market to help you decide which service is right for you.
Whether you’re interested in prepared meals for singles or healthy meal kits for families, keep reading to see our picks of the 13 best meal delivery services.
We tested more than 25 meal delivery services. To determine the best, we considered the following factors:
- Ingredient quality and freshness: We tried every service and paid close attention to the freshness of the ingredients upon delivery. We gave extra points to services that featured higher quality items, such as organic produce and grass-fed beef.
- Menu variety: To keep your taste buds happy, we looked for menus offering a good variety of flavors and ingredients. We also included services that cater to specialty diets, such as vegan, gluten-free, and low carb.
- Taste: We personally tried each service to make sure the meals are tasty and satisfying.
- Ease of preparation: We tested each service to find out whether the meals are easy to make or require an extra set of hands in the kitchen. We also noted whether the meals took longer than the company’s estimated time to prepare.
- Nutrition: We included services that offer nutritionally balanced meals. Most of the services listed here offer meals containing lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, and a generous serving of vegetables. Registered dietitians also reviewed all the services.
- Price: We included options to suit a range of budgets. The meal delivery services on our list range from $4.99 to $14.49 per serving, with EveryPlate being the most affordable option.
- Vetting: All the services included have been thoroughly vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards. You can read more about Healthline’s vetting process.
Disclaimer: All of the services tested below were tried by Healthline writers or editors, who received the meals for free. All opinions are our own.
A note on price
Pricing information is current as of publication and is subject to change.
Best meal delivery service overall
Sunbasket
- Why we love it: Sunbasket is our pick for the best overall meal delivery service thanks to its high quality ingredients, exciting flavor combinations, and large variety of menu options.
- Price: starts at $11.49 per serving for meal kits and $9.99 per serving for Fresh & Ready meals
- Shipping: $9.99
- Menus: Gluten-Free, Paleo, Carb-Conscious, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Vegetarian, Keto-Friendly, and Diabetes-Friendly
How it works: This popular healthy meal kit delivery service offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner options prepared with whole, nutrient-dense ingredients.
Each week, you can select 2–5 recipes, with two or four servings each, from the extensive rotating menu.
For those short on time, Sunbasket also offers single-serving Fresh & Ready meals, which take just 4 minutes to heat in the microwave.
The company offers meals that fit into a number of popular dietary patterns, and all recipes are approved by an in-house dietitian.
What our tester says
“Sunbasket was by far my favorite meal delivery service. The ingredients arrived fresh, the flavor combinations were delicious and not ones I’d regularly make, and most entrees took 30 minutes or less to prepare.
“I also enjoyed the Fresh & Ready meals — the White Chicken Chili was my favorite — though I still prefer the taste of the meal kits over the convenience of the premade dishes.
“Read more about why this meal kit delivery service was my favorite in this comprehensive review.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros
- large variety of meals, which change weekly
- excellent taste and exciting flavors
- easy to skip weeks when needed
- provides premeasured ingredients
- requires less than 30 minutes to prepare most meals
- nutrient-dense meals suitable for a variety of diets
- all organic produce and some organic eggs, dairy, meat, and poultry
- eco-friendly packaging
Cons
- not suitable for severe food allergies or intolerances
- expensive and doesn’t include shipping
- not available in Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of Montana, New Mexico, and North Dakota
Best prepared meal delivery service
Factor
- Why we love it: Factor, formerly known as Factor 75, offers chef-created, dietitian-approved, fully prepared meals that reheat well, are nutritionally balanced, and are satisfying to eat.
- Price: starts at $10.99 per serving
- Shipping: $10.99
- Menus: Chef’s Choice, Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegan & Veggie, and Protein Plus
How it works: Made with fresh, never-frozen ingredients, Factor meals can be heated and enjoyed within minutes.
Factor offers a weekly rotating menu and allows customers to build their own custom box with 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 18 meals per week.
Customers can choose meals based on dietary preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, low carb, paleo, and dairy-free.
What our tester says
“I’m usually skeptical when it comes to prepared meals, since it’s hard to compete with freshly made dinners. However, Factor pleasantly surprised me. Not only were the dishes flavorful, but the textures of the ingredients were also spot-on.
“Specifically, the salmon was moist and not fishy, the chicken was juicy, and the vegetables were tender without being mushy. Even the quinoa in the Herbed Quinoa Pesto Bowl had a soft yet chewy texture.
“See why Factor won out as my pick for the best prepared meal delivery service in our comprehensive review.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros
- no cooking required
- appropriate for many popular dietary patterns
- can freeze meals for longer shelf life
- great taste and texture
Cons
- expensive per serving
- limited number of plant-based meal options
- offers only single-serving meals
- not available in Alaska or Hawaii
Best healthy meal delivery service
Green Chef
- Why we love it: Green Chef is a healthy, certified organic meal kit subscription service that provides ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions for creating nourishing meals.
- Price: starts at $11.99 per serving
- Shipping: $9.99
- Menus: Keto, Mediterranean, Vegan, Vegetarian, Fast & Fit, Protein Packed, and Gluten Free
How it works: With six meal types to choose from, Green Chef caters to several dietary patterns, including keto, paleo, and plant-based, as well as anyone who is simply looking to improve the quality of their diet.
Customers can choose to receive weekly, biweekly, or monthly shipments with 2–4 meal kits each.
Keep in mind that because it offers two, four, or six servings per meal, Green Chef is also a great option for families.
What our tester says
“Deserving of the best runner-up for meal kits, Green Chef meals were the fastest and easiest to make, as many of the ingredients came chopped or shredded.
“Perhaps most importantly, the meals were flavorful and fresh and contained a generous portion of vegetables — an aspect that’s often lacking with other meal delivery services. Read my full review after trying 1 week of Green Chef meals.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros
- good mix of family-friendly recipes and exciting flavor combinations
- easy-to-make recipes with premeasured ingredients
- less than 30 minutes required to cook most meals
- easy to skip or change your weekly order
- certified organic company with all organic produce and eggs
- eco-friendly packaging
Cons
- not suitable for severe food allergies or intolerances
- additional shipping fee
- not available in Alaska or Hawaii
- no prepared meals available
Best meal delivery service for families
HelloFresh
- Why we love it: HelloFresh offers more than 100 menu options each week, including several kid-friendly recipes. Additionally, because HelloFresh is moderately priced, it’s a more realistic choice for families on a budget.
- Price: starts at $8.99 per serving
- Shipping: $9.99
- Menus: Veggie (vegetarian), Quick and Easy, Pescatarian, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, Meat & Veggies
How it works: HelloFresh is an ideal option for families with children. The service offers more than 100 menu items to choose from each week, including many that would appeal to younger kids.
Most of the recipes are fairly straightforward and take 30 minutes or less to prepare. Because of this, HelloFresh is also great for families who want to get their older kids involved in the kitchen.
The meals are packed with vegetables and highlight flavors from around the world, and most are kid-friendly.
You can order 2–6 meal kits per week with two or four servings each.
What our tester says
“As a dietitian and mom of two, I appreciated that HelloFresh offered lots of healthy options that were still kid-friendly. I appreciated that the ingredients arrived organized by recipe, which made it easy to get dinner started every night.
“My kids also really liked the meals, especially the Salmon in a Creamy Lemon Chive Sauce with Roasted Potato Wedges & Lemony Zucchini. I have saved several of my HelloFresh recipe cards to make again later because we enjoyed the recipes so much.
“You can read more about my experience trying HelloFresh in this hands-on review.”
— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, Healthline writer
Pros
- more than 100 menu options each week
- several kid-friendly menu items
- recipes that are easy for kids to help prepare
Cons
- additional shipping fee
- not a good option for families of more than four people
- not appropriate for households with dietary needs such as gluten-free or vegan
- not available in Alaska or Hawaii
Best meal delivery for quick dinners
Home Chef
- Why we love it: Home Chef offers several types of easy-prep meal kits, including Oven Ready, Fast & Fresh, Express, and meal bundles such as pizza and salad. These meal kits make it easy to get dinner on the table, especially on busy weeknights.
- Price: starts at $7.99 per serving
- Shipping: $7.99–$13.99
- Menus: Calorie Conscious, Carb Conscious
How it works: Home Chef is a meal kit service offering a variety of family-friendly recipes, as well as several easy-to-prepare meal kit options.
Home Chef’s Oven Ready meals come ready to bake in oven-safe trays. The service also offers Express meals, which take about 15 minutes to prepare, and Fast & Fresh meals, which are healthier options that can be prepared quickly.
Additionally, Home Chef offers add-on bundles that can make quick and easy meals, such as soup and salad or pizza and salad.
With Home Chef, you can order 2–6 meals per week for two, four, or six people.
What our tester says
“My family really enjoyed trying Home Chef. We tried two meals from their Carb Conscious selections: Chicken Lorraine and Turkey Burrito Skillet.
“Everyone really liked the Chicken Lorraine. It came together really quickly, and the sauce for the chicken was delicious. I was pleasantly surprised by how much my kids liked the Turkey Burrito Skillet too — especially since it was full of vegetables. We would definitely use the service again if we ever needed some easy, quick weeknight meals.”
— SaVanna Shoemaker, MS, RDN, LD, Healthline writer
See how Home Chef compares to HelloFresh in our head-to-head comparison.
Pros
- offers a variety of traditional and easy-prep meal kits
- includes low calorie and low carb options
- provides meals for up to six people
Cons
- not appropriate for food allergies or specific dietary needs
- additional shipping fee
- limited vegetarian options
Best meal delivery service for weight loss
Trifecta Nutrition
- Why we love it: Featuring dietitian-designed meals that are calorie- and portion-controlled, Trifecta Nutrition is one of the best options for those looking to lose weight.
- Price: starts at $11.42 per serving
- Shipping: $9.99
- Menus: Clean, Paleo, Keto, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Whole30
How it works: Trifecta Nutrition delivers fresh, fully prepared meals that are suitable for several popular diet patterns, designed to be nutritionally balanced, and made with whole foods.
Meals are also calorie- and portion-controlled, making this a good option for those interested in losing weight.
To suit a variety of needs and preferences, Trifecta offers meal plans with 5, 7, 10, or 14 entrees per week. You can also choose to add 7 breakfasts to your delivery.
Just keep in mind that meals are selected for you, though you can purchase extra proteins and side dishes individually.
Learn more about how this prepared meal delivery service can support your nutritional goals in our comprehensive review.
What our tester says
“Trifecta’s meals feature a good amount of variety of ingredients and textures. I also found that the foods maintained their flavor and texture, even after reheating.
“With that said, as you can only avoid up to two ingredients and meals are preselected for you, the service isn’t ideal for picky eaters. I also found that I occasionally needed to add a few extra spices and seasonings to add a little oomph to certain dishes.”
— Rachael Link, MS, RD, Healthline writer
Pros
- meals suitable for many popular dietary patterns
- fully prepared, fresh meals
- prioritizes organic produce and humanely raised meat
- can freeze meals for longer storage
Cons
- not ideal for picky eaters
- offers only preselected meals
Best plant-based meal delivery service
Purple Carrot
- Why we love it: Purple Carrot makes it easy to eat more plant-based meals by offering creative flavor and ingredient combinations as well as a line of prepared meals for dinner in a flash.
- Price: starts at $11 for meal kits and $13 for prepared meals
- Shipping: $10, or free for orders of $85 or higher
- Menus: plant-based
How it works: Catering to those who are vegan, Purple Carrot provides customers with nutritious plant-based ingredients to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It also sells premade snack foods.
The meal delivery service offers two- and four-serving meal plans and allows you to order 2–4 meal kits per week, so it’s a good choice for couples and families.
For those short on time, the service offers single-serving microwaveable meals, as well as Less Prep meals, which are recipes that feature shortcuts to help you put dinner on the table faster, such as pre-chopped vegetables.
You can choose 6, 8, or 10 of these meals per week, which are ready to heat and enjoy.
What our tester says
“While the recipes took a bit longer to prep and cook compared with other meal kits I tried, I appreciated the variety of flavors and textures in each dish.
“If you’re looking for creative plant-based recipes and don’t mind spending a little extra time in the kitchen, chances are you’ll really enjoy Purple Carrot.
“Read more about the types of meals I made and how long they took to prep in my full Purple Carrot review.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros
- tasty and creative flavors
- gluten-free and high protein meal options
- easy-to-follow recipes
- option to pause or cancel your subscription at any time
- offers both meal kits and prepared meals
Cons
- offers only vegan meals
- not suitable for severe food allergies or intolerances
- uses conventional produce in many meals, which isn’t ideal if you prefer to eat organic
- not available in Alaska or Hawaii
Best meal delivery service for singles
Splendid Spoon
- Why we love it: Easily stackable in the fridge or freezer, Splendid Spoon’s prepared soups, noodle dishes, entrees, and smoothies are a convenient option for singles.
- Price: starts at $8.67 per serving
- Shipping: $12.99, or free for orders with 10+ items
- Menus: gluten-free, plant-based menu with the ability to filter by dietary need
How it works: Splendid Spoon is a plant-based meal delivery service offering a variety of frozen prepared meals and snacks, all of which are vegan and gluten-free.
The company has several plans to choose from, which include breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner. Depending on which plan you select, you can customize your order with a wide range of ready-to-eat smoothies, soup and grain bowls, noodle bowls, and Dishes, which are larger entree items.
Though Dishes are designed to be a bit more filling than other items on the menu, you still may need to pair each entree with a side, such as fresh fruit, plant-based yogurt, or nuts, depending on your calorie needs.
The company also offers on-demand boxes if you prefer to occasionally stock up on your favorites rather than commit to weekly deliveries.
What our tester says
“While I’m not a fan of some of the company’s health claims around its wellness shots and reset days, I thoroughly enjoyed every meal and smoothie I tried.
“Although the noodle bowls were frozen, I found their texture to be great after reheating — I still regularly crave the Vegan Meatballs & Marinara Noodles. I also appreciated that the smoothies were tasty but not overly sweet.
“See which items I’d order again in our comprehensive review.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros
- offers meals that can be stored in the fridge or freezer
- offers both subscription-based and on-demand boxes
- quick and easy to reheat
- great flavor and texture despite being frozen
- options for some dietary needs, including high protein, low fat, low sodium, and low carb
Cons
- not designed for keto or paleo diets
- some health claims about the company’s wellness shots aren’t strongly supported by research
- certain items may be better suited for breakfast or lunch than dinner
- not available in Alaska or Hawaii
Best organic meal delivery service
Daily Harvest
- Why we love it: Designed to help people eat more fruits and vegetables, Daily Harvest’s meals are based around sustainably sourced produce, most of which is certified organic.
- Price: starts at $6.79 for meals, with some items (such as Bites and Lattes) available for less
- Shipping: free
- Menus: plant-based
How it works: Daily Harvest is a meal delivery subscription company that offers healthy smoothies, snacks, and meals made from high quality plant-based ingredients.
Though the company is best known for flavorful and nutrient-dense smoothies, it also offers oat bowls, chia bowls, flatbreads, harvest bowls, and energy bites.
Customers create their own boxes, which can be delivered weekly or monthly and include 9, 14, or 24 items.
What our tester says
“Overall I found the items easy to prepare and particularly enjoyed the smoothies, oat bowls, chia bowls, and snack bites.
“However, some grain and harvest bowls were a bit too mushy for my liking and not filling enough for a full meal.
“Find out more about the products I tried and which were my favorite in my Daily Harvest review.”
— Rachael Link, MS, RD, Healthline writer
Pros
- whole, unprocessed ingredients, such as fresh fruit and veggies, whole grains, and nuts, in every recipe
- easy to cancel, skip, or change your order
- all items free of refined sugar, gluten, fillers, and preservatives
- meals are premade, frozen, and easy to prepare
- dishes are flavorful and enjoyable to eat
- uses mostly organic ingredients
Cons
- may not be filling enough for a main meal
- high powered blender required for smoothies
- texture of some products may be too soft for some
Best cheap meal delivery service
EveryPlate
- Why we love it: Owned by the parent company of HelloFresh and Green Chef, EveryPlate is an affordable, family-friendly alternative to pricier meal kit services.
- Price: starts at $4.99 per serving
- Shipping: $10.99
- Menus: Meat & Veggie, Veggie, Quick & Easy, Nutrish & Delish, and Family Friendly
How it works: EveryPlate is designed for people without dietary restrictions or preferences and features five meal plans to choose from.
The Veggie plan features vegetable-forward recipes that aren’t necessarily vegetarian or vegan, while the Nutrish & Delish plan includes meal kits that contain fewer than 650 calories per serving.
When signing up, customers can choose to receive 3–6 meals per week with two or four servings each.
What our tester says
“Compared with others on this list, EveryPlate’s flavor and ingredient pairings aren’t quite as exciting. Plus, while EveryPlate’s ingredients are good quality, I found Green Chef’s and Sunbasket’s meat and seafood to be a bit better.
“Still, EveryPlate is a great option if you want the convenience of a meal kit at a more affordable price. After all, the ingredients arrive fresh, the recipes are easy to follow, and the meals are tasty.
“Learn more about this budget-friendly meal kit delivery service in my comprehensive review of EveryPlate.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros
- affordable
- family-friendly flavors
- easy-to-follow recipe cards
Cons
- additional shipping fee
- limited variety of flavors and ingredients
- not suitable for specialty diets or severe food allergies or intolerances
- not great for those who prefer to eat organic
Best prepared meal delivery service for families
Mosaic Foods
- Why we love it: Offering a line of bake-and-serve frozen meals, Mosaic Foods makes it easier than ever to serve a balanced, veggie-packed meal that the whole family can enjoy.
- Price: $19.95 per family meal ($4.99 per serving), $5.99+ for individual meals
- Shipping: free for boxes with 12 or 18 items, otherwise $9.99
- Menus: plant-based
How it works: While most prepared meal delivery services offer only single-serving entrees, Mosaic’s lineup includes dishes to serve a family of two or four, along with single-serving smoothies, soups, veggie bowls, and oat bowls.
Each week, you can build your own box with 6, 12, or 18 items from the full menu.
All of Mosaic’s Family Meals come fully prepared and frozen, so you can keep a stack of quick and nutritious dinner options in your freezer.
What our tester says
“Mosaic’s Family Meals were a hit in my household. While my husband and son loved the flavors and textures, I appreciated the plant-forward and nutritionally dense ingredients.
“Plus, as the entrees are stored, baked, and served in the same container, cleanup was a breeze.
“The only downside was that some of the meals took more than 75 minutes to reheat in the oven.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros
- offers family-size bake-and-serve frozen dinners
- at least four types of vegetables in each entree
- creative flavor and ingredient combinations
- free of added sugar and artificial ingredients
Cons
- offers only plant-based meals
- not suitable for larger families
- can take 60 minutes or longer to reheat
- limited delivery area
Best prepared meal delivery service for kids
Nurture Life
- Why we love it: Nurture Life provides nutritionally balanced, dietitian-designed meals that are ready in 1 minute or less.
- Price: starts at $7.49 per meal ($3.75 for smoothies)
- Shipping: $8.99
- Menus: kids’ meals, finger foods, smoothies, snacks
How it works: Designed by dietitians, Nurture Life makes it easy and convenient to serve your kids healthy meals. In addition to kid-friendly entrees, the service offers superfood smoothies, snack bites, and finger foods — precut entrees that are suitable for babies and toddlers.
Each week, you can order 6, 9, 12, or 15 items. The company offers discounted rates for boxes that contain more items.
Nurture Life meals are prepared in a facility that’s free of peanuts and tree nuts, except for coconut. You can also filter meals to avoid common allergens, such as eggs or milk, though there is a risk of cross contamination.
What our tester says
“As a mom and registered dietitian, I loved how quick the meals were to reheat and that each entree contained a balance of protein, carbs, and vegetables.
“My 18-month-old also seemed to be a fan. He particularly loved the egg bites with sweet potatoes and kept asking for more of the Berry-Full smoothie — a win for a veggie-avoidant toddler since the smoothie contains avocado and kale.
“I just wish that there were more vegetarian meals and some vegan ones, as my son tends to prefer meatless dishes.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Learn more about Nurture Life in our comprehensive review.
Pros
- multiple filters to find suitable recipes for your child, including picky eater meals
- peanut- and tree nut-free facility
- nutritionally balanced meals and snacks designed by dietitians
- meals that take less than 1 minute to reheat
- kid-friendly foods that still feature a variety of flavors and ingredients
- free of artificial ingredients, trans fats, and high fructose corn syrup
Cons
- no vegan meal options
- limited variety of vegetarian options
- potential for cross contamination with allergens other than peanuts and tree nuts
- not available in Alaska or Hawaii
Best meal delivery service for beginners
Blue Apron
- Why we love it: Blue Apron provides a range of simple, easy-to-make recipes that can help you build confidence in the kitchen while bringing more diversity to your diet.
- Price: starts at $7.99 per meal
- Shipping: $9.99
- Menus: Chef Favorites, Veggies (plant-based), Wellness, Family Friendly, Fast & Easy
How it works: Blue Apron offers a variety of oven-ready meals and flavorful meal kits, many of which are easy to prepare and feature fresh and seasonal ingredients.
You can order 2–4 meals per week with two or four servings each and can choose from an assortment of meals on the Chef Favorites, Veggies, Wellness, Family Friendly, and Fast & Easy menus.
Optional add-ons are available, including salads, soups, proteins, and heat-and-eat meals.
What our tester says
“Overall, I enjoyed my two Blue Apron meals and saw plenty of other recipes that I would’ve been excited to try as well.
“While it doesn’t cater to many specialty diets, based on the price, ingredient quality, and recipe variety, I’d say it’s tied with Green Chef as my second-favorite meal kit delivery service.”
— Kelli McGrane, MS, RD, Nutrition Editor II
Pros
- offers meal kits and heat-and-eat options
- provides many health-conscious recipes, including some WW-recommended meals
- uses sustainably sourced seafood and hormone-free meat
Cons
- not suitable for certain dietary restrictions or severe food allergies
- not available in Alaska or Hawaii
- may not be ideal for larger families or households
Here’s a quick look at how our top picks compare:
| Price per serving (entree) | Shipping | Meal options per week | Good for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Apron | $7.99+ | $9.99 | 50+ | simple meal kits for beginners |
| Daily Harvest (prepared) | $6.79+ | free | 65+ | plant-based breakfasts, lunches, and snacks |
| EveryPlate | $4.99+ | $10.99 | 25 | budget-friendly dinners |
| Factor (prepared) | $10.99+ | $10.99 | 35 | healthy lunches and dinners |
| Green Chef | $11.99+ | $9.99 | 30 | healthy meals with organic ingredients |
| HelloFresh | $8.99+ | $9.99 | 30+ | family-friendly dinners |
| Home Chef | $7.99+ | $7.99–$13.99 | 30 | quick weeknight meals |
| Mosaic Foods (prepared) | $4.99+ | • free for boxes with 12 or 18 items • $9.99 for smaller orders | 50+ | plant-based frozen meals |
| Nurture Life (prepared) | $3.75+ | $8.99 | 40+ | meals for toddlers and kids |
| Purple Carrot | • meal kits: $11+ • prepared meals: $13+ | • free for orders $85 and higher • $10 for smaller orders | 8 | fully plant-based meal kits |
| Splendid Spoon (prepared) | $8.67+ | • free for orders with 10+ items • $12.99 for smaller orders | 40+ | smoothies, soups, and bowls for singles |
| Sunbasket | • meal kits: $11.49+ • prepared meals: $9.99+ | $9.99 | 21 | healthy dinners |
| Trifecta Nutrition (prepared) | $11.42+ | $9.99 | chef-selected | low carb meals for weight loss |
*Many Splendid Spoon items contain two servings per 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.
When choosing a meal delivery service, it’s important to consider several factors, including:
- Meal kits versus meal delivery services: If you like to cook and don’t mind prep work, opt for a meal kit company. 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 vegetarian, vegan, keto, or paleo, it’s important to choose a company that offers several menu choices that are appropriate for you.
- Cost: When selecting a service, 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.
While they aren’t cheap and may cost more than cooking meals at home, meal delivery services offer several benefits that may make them worth the price tag.
For example, some services can help you eat healthier, while others offer a great way to discover new flavor combinations and ingredients. Of course, these services can also save you time throughout the week.
Here are a few reasons you may want to consider trying a meal delivery service:
- Convenience: The main benefit of a meal kit delivery service is that it can save you time on planning and shopping for meals. If you opt for a prepared meal delivery service, you don’t even have to worry about cooking.
- Diet adherence or weight loss: If you’re trying to lose weight, a meal kit delivery service can make it easier by providing recipes that are nutritionally balanced and potentially lower in calories to help you meet your goals. Many also offer menus that cater to specialty diets, such as keto, Whole30, and vegan.
- Healthier eating habits: Many meal delivery services offer recipes or prepared meals featuring whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and fresh vegetables. Many also use healthier cooking methods, such as baking rather than frying.
- Exposure to new ingredients: Even the best home cooks can find themselves in a recipe rut. Meal kits offer an easy and delicious way to discover new ingredients, flavors, and cooking methods.
Just keep in mind that there are more than 100 meal delivery services on the market, and some are healthier, tastier, or more cost-effective than others.
Be sure to do your research to find a meal delivery service that’s right for your lifestyle needs, budget, and dietary preferences.
During testing, we considered the following factors:
- Sign-up and meal selection process: Was the sign-up process complicated or straightforward? Were there diet-specific menus or filter options that made it easy to find meals suitable for specific dietary needs or preferences?
- Meal variety: How many recipe options were there to choose from? Was there a good variety of cuisines, flavors, and ingredient combinations?
- Nutritional composition: Was it easy to select nutritionally balanced meals? Did each recipe include at least one serving of vegetables?
- Packaging: Did the meals arrive in mostly recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging? Did the service explain which items could be recycled or reused?
- Ingredient quality and freshness: Did the ingredients arrive fresh and in good condition? Did the service offer an option for some higher quality items, such as organic produce, sustainable seafood, or grass-fed beef?
- Ease of preparation: Were the meals relatively easy to make, or did they require some expertise in the kitchen? Did the meals take longer than the estimated time to make?
- Taste: Were most of the meals well seasoned, or did we need to add ingredients to boost the flavor, such as spices, herbs, or condiments?
For services that feature multiple menus, we requested entrees from each menu to get a more comprehensive view of the types of flavors, cuisines, and meals each service offers.
Which prepared meal delivery service is the healthiest?
While several prepared meal delivery services can support a healthy diet, Trifecta, Factor, and Mosaic Foods stand out for offering balanced meals containing lean proteins, healthy fats, whole grains, and plenty of vegetables.
Which meal delivery service is best for diet and weight loss?
Sunbasket is one of the best meal kit services for weight loss, as it offers a large variety of plans to suit a range of dietary needs and health goals. For example, its Lean & Clean menu provides whole foods-based recipes containing fewer than 600 calories per serving.
It’s also one of the few services with a dedicated menu for the Mediterranean diet — an eating pattern that has been associated with multiple health benefits, including weight loss and a lower risk of chronic disease (
For prepared meals, Trifecta Nutrition, Factor, and Mosaic all offer portion-controlled and nutritious meals that can support weight loss.
What is the most affordable meal delivery service?
EveryPlate is one of the least expensive meal delivery services, at $4.99–$5.89 per serving, depending on the number of meals you select each week. However, keep in mind that there’s also a $9.99 shipping fee on every order.
Purple Carrot is another affordable option. While meal kits start at $9.99 per serving, Purple Carrot is one of the few meal kit services to offer free shipping.
If you’re interested in prepared meals, Daily Harvest is the least expensive for single-serving items, and Mosaic Foods is the cheapest for family-style entrees.
What’s the best meal delivery service for families with young children?
The best meal delivery service for your family depends on the ages and preferences of your kids.
For example, there are several great baby food delivery services, such as Serenity Kids, which offers purees and puffs, and Nurture Life, which provides various types of finger foods and bites.
If you have slightly older kids, HelloFresh is a great option because it offers a Family Friendly menu to make it easier to find recipes to satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Plus, most HelloFresh meals are ready in 30 minutes or less.
What is the best fresh meal delivery service?
There are many great fresh meal delivery services to choose from. Sunbasket and Green Chef stand out for their high quality ingredients and use of organic produce. Among prepared meal delivery services, Factor is known for its premium ingredients and fresh, never frozen meals.
Although many meal kit delivery services are available, only some offer both nutritious and delicious options.
The meal delivery services listed above offer healthy and tasty meals, and many also offer dishes that are suitable for popular dietary patterns and people with food allergies.
Use the list above to choose the best meal delivery service based on your lifestyle and nutritional needs.
