Meal delivery services like HelloFresh are a lifesaver for working moms (and dads) who don't have time to cook healthy food for their families during the week. But for many, HelloFresh prices seem to be on the higher side for larger families, with prices starting at $7.49 per serving. Another concern is that there are limited options for allergy-related dietary restrictions.
Whatever your reason, here are our top picks for the 5 best alternatives to HelloFresh if you're a busy mom looking for a better meal delivery service for you and your family.
» Want even more options? Check out our top picks for the best meal delivery services.
A Quick Look at the 5 Best Alternatives to HelloFresh for 2024
- Home Chef - Best for a wide variety of recipes on a budget
- Freshly - Best for fully prepared heat-and-eat meals
- Factor_ - Best for families with dietary restrictions
- Fresh and Easy - Best for families who are short on time
- Sunbasket - Best for health-conscious families
Our Top Picks for the Best Alternatives to HelloFresh for 2024
1. Home Chef
A meal delivery service that fits every budget
Best for: Prepared dishes that are oven- or grill-ready
Starting price: From $6.99 per serving
Home Chef offers meal kits, microwave or oven-ready meals, side dishes, and desserts that do not require any prep time. You can choose from various low-calorie, carb-friendly, and vegetarian menu options and customize your meals according to your dietary preferences to avoid allergens such as soy or wheat.
You can choose your meals from Home Chef’s wide variety of delicious restaurant-quality recipes. Build your own meal boxes and order two to six meals every week for two, four, or six people. Every meal kit comes with a detailed recipe card. Recipes are also sorted according to skill levels (beginner, intermediate, and advanced), so make your choice accordingly.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly meal kits
- Customizable protein sources
- Rotating weekly menus with 20+ recipes
Cons:
- Limited plant-based or vegan choices
- High sodium content in some recipes
» Interested in oven-ready meal kits? Check out our top picks for the best oven-ready prepared meal delivery services.
2. Freshly
Freshly has delicious ready-to-eat meals for nearly any palate
Best for: Busy singles moms who want heat-and-eat meals
Starting price: $8.99 per serving
Freshly has captured the US market with their fresh and healthy meal kits. As the name suggests, only the freshest ingredients are used in their meal kits. They cater to busy professionals who want to eat healthier but don't have the time to make such dishes.
Although you can set your dietary preferences to keto, low-carb, and gluten-free, those with dietary restrictions may have difficulty finding meal kits to suit their needs. And since the meals are already prepared in advance, it leaves no opportunity to adjust the ingredients to your taste or requirements. You can pick only up to 12 single-serve meals per week, so it may be best to pick another meal delivery service if you have a large family.
Pros:
- Certified gluten-free kitchens
- Large menu with 30+ unique entrees weekly
- Recyclable packaging
Cons:
- No breakfast options
- No allowances for food allergies
- No add-ons
3. Factor_
A meal delivery service that offers fresh and fully-prepared healthy dishes
Best for: Families looking to enjoy healthy meals at home
Starting price: From $11 per serving
Formerly known as Factor 75, Factor_ is a meal delivery service with a large variety of meal options. With their weekly rotating menu of delicious dishes from various flavor profiles, you'll never get bored with their food choices. Factor_ also offers various add-ons in the form of snacks and drinks.
Using Factor's extensive menu, you can create your own custom plan for the week. You'll get a complete list of ingredients and detailed nutritional information for every item on the menu. Unlike other meal delivery services that offer prepped ingredients and a recipe card, Factor_ provides you with fully prepared and pre-portioned fresh and healthy meals that are ready to eat.
Pros:
- Organic, non-GMO meals
- Made and packed in a gluten-free facility
- Add-ons available
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
- Not suitable for large families
» More: 10 Gluten-Free Recipes for Busy Moms With Picky Children
4. Fresh and Easy
Fresh and Easy sends chef-prepared, low- or no-prep meals straight to your door
Best for: Beginner-friendly meal kits
Starting price: From $8.99 per serving
A new venture by Home Chef, Fresh and Easy offers chef-prepared meals with minimal prep. All ingredients are washed, pre-portioned, and packaged in heat-safe containers. From single-parent households to large families, Fresh and Easy provides chef-designed meal plans for two to six people.
For grill-ready meals, you simply have to assemble the ingredients in the grill-safe bag provided before grilling. If you'd prefer to cook yourself, opt for the 15 Minute Meal Kits. Existing diet plans can be customized to be calorie-or carb-conscious to help achieve blood sugar or weight loss goals (1). Higher-end meals are also available for special occasions. All the food is delivered in recyclable boxes designed to keep the food refrigerated for about eight hours.
Pros:
- Oven- and grill-ready dishes
- Minimal prep work required
Cons:
- Limited options for those with dietary restrictions
5. Sunbasket
Sunbasket is well-known for its high-quality and organic ingredients
Best for: Busy, health-conscious families
Starting price: From $9.99 per serving
Sunbasket caters to busy professionals who want fresh, flavorful, and nutritious meals made using high-quality, organic ingredients. However, Sunbasket is relatively expensive compared to other meal delivery services and does not offer many options for those with dietary restrictions.
You can opt for ready-to-eat meals if you are short on time or buy meal kits with recipe instructions and premeasured ingredients if you prefer to cook your own meals. Add-ons are available for protein, snacks, and breakfast. Meal plans include carb-conscious, Paleo, gluten-free, Mediterranean, pescatarian, and more. After selecting a plan, you can further customize your personal weekly menu with your own recipe choices.
Pros:
- High-quality, organic ingredients
- Highly customizable meals
- Multiple add-on options for snacks, breakfast, etc.
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
- Limited options for those with dietary restrictions
» More: Top 10 Fun Ways to Get Your Kids Involved in Cooking
Why Choose These Alternatives Over HelloFresh?
HelloFresh has a wide selection of recipes for you to choose from, with options for Carb Smart, Easy Prep, Easy Clean-up, and more. You can set your weekly menu orders for up to four people, making this a family-friendly choice. You can also change your orders up to five days before the delivery.
So why look for an alternative?
For a More Affordable Option
For many, HelloFresh prices are on the more expensive side, starting at $7.49 per serving. Home Chef starts as low as $6.99 per serving, making it a better alternative if you are looking for a more budget-friendly meal service provider.
For Allergy-Safe Meals
HelloFresh has limited options for allergy-related dietary restrictions. Factor's meal kits are made and packed in a gluten-free facility, and HomeChef meal kits can be customized according to your dietary preferences to avoid allergens such as soy or wheat.
For High-Quality Organic Ingredients
Although HelloFresh does use fresh, high-quality produce, they do not claim to use fully organic, non-GMO ingredients like Factor_ or Sunbasket.
For Add-Ons
HelloFresh does not offer any add-ons beyond their main meal offerings. Other than the main meals, Factor_ also offers snacks and drinks, while Sunbasket has a massive selection of add-ons for protein, snacks, breakfast, and more.
Bottom Line: The Best Alternatives to HelloFresh for 2023
From Sunbasket, HomeChef, Factor_, Fresh and Easy, and Freshly, there are plenty of viable alternatives to HelloFresh. The convenience offered by these meal delivery services can benefit working parents who recognize the importance of enjoying mealtimes as a family (2).
» Want to get your kids to eat better? Try these hacks.
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