Meal kit services: HelloFresh vs. EveryPlate

Quick Verdict

EveryPlate is the better option for budget-conscious consumers who don't have strict dietary restrictions. HelloFresh is a better choice for those who are willing to pay more for a wider variety of meal options and more specialized dietary plans.

EveryPlate is significantly more affordable than HelloFresh, with meals starting at $2.99 per serving compared to HelloFresh's $5.17.
HelloFresh offers a wider variety of meal options each week, with over 38 meals compared to EveryPlate's 25-27.
Both services offer flexible subscriptions and allow customers to skip weeks or cancel their subscription.
HelloFresh caters to more dietary restrictions, including Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low Carb, and Low Calorie options, while EveryPlate primarily focuses on Vegetarian meals.
Both services prioritize fresh ingredients and use recyclable packaging materials.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	HelloFresh	EveryPlate
Price per serving	$5.17 - $11.49 per serving	Starting at $2.99 to $5.99 per serving, plus a flat shipping fee of $10.99 each week.
Weekly menu options	Over 38 meals every week, upwards of 40 meals per week, over 100 weekly options	Rotating menu of 25-27 meals each week
Meal plans offered	Meat & Veggies, Veggie, Family Friendly, Fit & Wholesome, Under 20 minutes, Pescatarian. Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low Carb, Low Calorie.	Meat & Veggies, Veggie, Family Faves, Quick & Easy, and Smart & Fit
Dietary restrictions catered to	Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low Carb, Low Calorie	Vegetarian meals
Gluten-free options	No	No
Delivery schedule	Once a week, between 8 am to 8 pm	Any day of the week between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Delivery area	Anywhere in the United States, except Alaska and Hawaii	Not available
Flexibility	Flexible subscription management, ingredient substitutions/swaps/upgrades, skip weeks or cancel anytime	Skip a week or cancel their subscription up to five days before the next delivery, flexible delivery options, CustomPlate offering to swap out certain ingredients
Ingredient quality	Fairly high-quality ingredients, sometimes organic	Ingredients are fresh and sourced from trusted suppliers
Packaging	Mostly recyclable, compostable, or reusable materials, actively working to reduce their carbon footprint	Uses less packaging than many meal kits, and what they do use is mostly recyclable
Recipe complexity	Simple and quick recipes	Easy to follow recipes, typically take around 30 minutes or less to make, but can involve several sub-steps
Customer service	Extremely helpful and responsive	Fantastic
Ratings	Not available	Meals received a solid 4.2 out of 5 rating for flavor from the Good Housekeeping Nutrition Lab

Overall Comparison

EveryPlate offers meals starting at $2.99 per serving, while HelloFresh starts at $5.17. HelloFresh offers over 38 meals per week, compared to EveryPlate's 25-27. EveryPlate received a flavor rating of 4.2/5 from the Good Housekeeping Nutrition Lab.

Pros and Cons

HelloFresh

Pros:

Offers a wide variety of recipes
Flexible subscription management
Customer service is helpful and responsive
High-quality ingredients
Environmentally conscious packaging

Cons:

Does not offer gluten-free meals

EveryPlate

Pros:

Budget-friendly with meals starting at $5.99 per serving
Offers a variety of meal plans including Meat & Veggies, Veggie, Family Faves, Quick & Easy, and Smart & Fit
Rotating menu of 25-27 meals each week with options to swap proteins and add extras
Flexible delivery options with the ability to skip a week or cancel at any time
Ingredients are fresh and sourced from trusted suppliers
Uses less packaging than many meal kits, and what they do use is mostly recyclable
Recipes are easy to follow and typically take around 30 minutes or less to make
Offers CustomPlate option to swap out certain ingredients
Generous portion sizes
Streamlined and user-friendly account management page

Cons:

Doesn't cater to specific diets like keto, gluten-free, paleo or vegan (other than vegetarian meals)
Cooking can involve several sub-steps and require more effort than expected
Need to cancel 5 to 6 days before your next delivery to avoid being charged

User Experiences and Feedback

HelloFresh

What Users Love

The food is always delicious.
All the vegetables I received were well packaged, arrived in good condition, and were about as fresh as possible.
The food is definitely fresh.
One of the things that I think sets HelloFresh apart from other meal kits is their ability to provide a wide variety of different types of recipes, catering to different lifestyles and preferences.
HelloFresh offers a wide array of flavorful and nutritious meal kit menu options that cater to a range of dietary needs, including vegetarian
I've never once finished a HelloFresh meal and felt unsatisfied or hungry.
The meals were the perfect amount for my wife and me. We didn't feel overly stuffed, and it was filling enough that I didn't find myself reaching for a snack later in the evening.
In cases where an order or its ingredients have been an issue, reviewers say HelloFresh's customer service is extremely helpful and responsive.
Canceling HelloFresh is very simple.
Skipping weeks or canceling is painless through the app You can order only during the weeks you need meals, with options for up to 5 meals for 2 to 6 people.
They are actively working to reduce their carbon footprint.
These deliveries contain mostly recyclable, compostable, or reusable materials.
HelloFresh sends everything I need for delicious, home-cooked meals. Their recipes start at 25 minutes and generally take about half an hour to prepare.
HelloFresh meals come with prep instructions, so I knew exactly how long it would take to cook.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

HelloFresh is worth it if you're after a meal delivery service that offers variety, quality, and flexibility.
HelloFresh's pricing is in line with many other meal delivery services, offering decent value for the quality of ingredients you get.

User Recommendations

With a focus on taste, quality, flexibility, and ease of use, HelloFresh is a meal kit that offers a variety of options for busy individuals and families.
The variety with HelloFresh is honestly one of its strongest selling points. With over 100 options rotating weekly, I never felt like I was stuck eating the same thing twice You can order only during the weeks you need meals, with options for up to 5 meals for 2 to 6 people.

EveryPlate

What Users Love

Easy to make meals with recipe cards, comprehensive written instructions, and step-by-step photos
Ingredients arrived fresh, with vegetables looking vibrant and proteins sealed tightly
Offers a variety of options with hearty chickpeas, vibrant noodles, and light, flavorful lettuce wraps
Flexible subscription with the ability to pause weeks, add more meals, or add on premium meals
Customer service is fantastic
Offers flexible delivery options

Common Complaints

Cooking was mostly straightforward, but the 6-step recipes often involved several sub-steps and required more effort than expected.

Value Perception

Lowest price point without sacrificing quality
Offers a decent level of customization
Simpler packaging felt like a more eco-friendly approach

User Recommendations

The food was fresh on arrival, even with UPS being delayed a day. It sat on my porch all day at 98 degrees, and everything was still cold and fresh.
EP customer service has always been FANTASTIC, the price point is the lowest we have found without sacrificing quality, and we have accumulated a LOT of favorite meal kit recipes over the course of our subscription.
Each recipe Every Plate has sent me has worked so to speak, and other than having to dice up an inordinate amount of garlic, I haven't had to do anything too weird to make any of the meals.