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Top 5 Alternatives to EveryPlate for Busy Families on a Budget

Head and shoulders photograph of Anju Mobin
Family cooking together in kitchen
While EveryPlate is indeed one of the most budget-friendly meal services, it may not meet all your needs. That's why it may be worth considering these EveryPlate alternatives to find the best meal delivery service for you and your family.

With easy-to-prepare and affordable meal kits, EveryPlate is quite popular among those looking for delicious, budget-friendly meals. However, with their emphasis on keeping prices low, they do not cater to special diets such as low-carb, low-calorie, keto, or gluten-free. Another concern is that there are no options for those with food allergies.

For better allergy-friendly options and more, check out our top picks for the 5 best EveryPlate alternatives for busy families on a budget.

A Quick Look at the Best EveryPlate Alternatives

Factor - Best for simple recipes at low prices

Home Chef - Best for a wide range of budget-friendly recipes

HelloFresh - Best healthy meal plans for families

Green Chef - Best for certified organic ingredients

Sunbasket - Best for working parents

» Want more options? Check out our top picks for the best meal delivery services.

Our Top Picks for the Best EveryPlate Alternatives in 2024

1. Factor

A meal delivery service offering nutritionist-designed, ready-to-eat meals

Best for: Health-conscious individuals looking for convenience

Starting price: From $5.50 per meal serving

Factor is known for its premium, chef-prepared meals that are designed by dietitians, catering to various dietary needs including keto, paleo, and plant-based options. Its unique selling point is providing fully prepared meals, which eliminates the need for meal prep and cooking, ideal for busy lifestyles.

Factor emphasizes high-quality ingredients, using organic produce, grass-fed meats, and sustainably sourced seafood. Customers can choose from a range of meal plans, tailored to their dietary preferences, ensuring a personalized eating experience.

The website provides detailed information on each meal, including nutritional content, ingredients, and heating instructions. Factor focuses on convenience without compromising on the nutritional value of the meals.

» Trying to keep your family healthy? Here's how meal kits can help.

Pros:

  • Ready-to-eat, chef-prepared meals
  • Customizable plans based on dietary needs
  • High-quality, organic ingredients

Cons:

  • Higher cost compared to traditional meal kits
  • Limited options for customizing individual meals
  • Requires subscription for ordering

Factor Factor See Menu

2. Home Chef

A meal delivery service that offers affordable meals to families who are low on time

Best for: Prep-free heat-and-eat meals

Starting price: From $3.60 per serving

If you're short on time, Home Chef has several delicious prep-free meal kits. You just need to pop them in the microwave or oven as instructed to enjoy a warm, delicious meal or dessert with your family.

Home Chef allows you to tailor your meals to your family's specific requirements with plenty of customization options. You can set your preferences to avoid allergens such as peanuts or dairy. Filter easily through low-calorie, low-carb, vegetarian, or gluten-free menus to create your own meal boxes. You can also order two to six meals weekly for up to six people.

» Try these delicious gluten-free Home Chef recipes.

Pros:

  • 20+ recipes in rotating weekly menus
  • Customizable protein preferences
  • Affordable meal plans for large families

Cons:

  • May not be suitable for those on sodium-restricted diets
  • Limited vegan options

Home Chef Home Chef See Menu

3. HelloFresh

A meal delivery service for restaurant-quality meals in 30 minutes

Best for: A wide array of meals in good quantities

Starting price: From $7.99 per serving

HelloFresh has been gaining popularity in the US for its extensive selection of meal kits. With generous portion sizes to satisfy your cravings, HelloFresh is ideal for busy families looking for nutritious meals. From Keto and Calorie Smart to Carb Smart and Easy Prep, HelloFresh has plenty of meal customization options. Even if you're a beginner, you can prepare gourmet meals within 30 minutes with HelloFresh's simple recipe instructions.

You can also order fresh produce, breakfast, snacks, beverages, and side dishes from their HelloFresh Market. While this may be more expensive than buying groceries, most would agree that the convenience and time saved are worth the price.

» Check out our Home Chef vs. HelloFresh comparison to pick the best option for your family.

Pros:

  • Groceries and meal kits delivered to your doorstep
  • Plenty of dietary options

Cons:

  • Not suitable for those with allergies
  • High shipping costs

HelloFresh HelloFresh See Menu

4. Green Chef

A meal delivery service for families who want healthy, home-cooked meals

Best for: Health-conscious consumers who want to eat organic

Starting price: From $11.99 per serving

Green Chef uses the freshest organic ingredients to bring you highly nutritious meals. Unless labeled otherwise, all their ingredients are certified organic.

Green Chef is sought after by health-conscious families with specific diets such as paleo, keto, or vegan. Plus, they have certified gluten-free plans that can be safely consumed by those with celiac disease (1). They offer six-serving meal options, making them a great choice for large families.

» Can't get your kids to enjoy gluten-free eating? These gluten-free recipes for busy moms with picky children can help!

Pros:

  • Certified organic ingredients
  • Suitable for those with dietary restrictions

Cons:

  • Expensive compared to similar meal delivery services
  • Additional shipping charges

Green Chef Green Chef See Menu

5. Sunbasket

A meal delivery service for busy families with dietary restrictions

Best for: Busy professionals and families

Starting price: From $9.99 per serving

Although Sunbasket is more expensive compared to other meal delivery services, they offer nutritious meal kits that contain high-quality organic ingredients. Even their ready-to-eat meals are fresh and flavorful!

You can customize and personalize your weekly menu with any recipe of your choice. Pescatarian, Mediterranean, Paleo, or carb-conscious, Sunbasket has numerous meal plans for you to choose from. However, those with food allergies may find it difficult to find suitable dishes. Other than meal kits, add-ons are available for breakfast and snacks. You can also add protein according to your needs.

» Try these hacks to get your kids to eat healthier.

Pros:

  • Organic ingredients
  • Add-ons for protein, snacks, and breakfast

Cons:

  • Not suitable for those with food allergies
  • Extra shipping charges

Sunbasket Sunbasket See Menu

Why Choose These Alternatives Over EveryPlate?

EveryPlate definitely has its share of ardent followers, especially for the budget-friendly classic comfort foods they offer. However, due to their focus on keeping prices low, they miss out on a few key points. Here are some reasons an alternative to EveryPlate might be better for your family.

For Add-Ons

If you are looking for add-ons such as beverages, side dishes, or even breakfast, most meal delivery services will disappoint you. Sunbasket and HelloFresh offer a massive selection of add-ons, including protein, fresh produce, and snacks.

For Free Shipping

If you include shipping charges, you may be surprised to find that some 'cheaper' meal delivery services (including EveryPlate) are actually more expensive. Luckily, HomeChef offers free shipping for boxes over $40.

For Allergy-Safe Meal Options

EveryPlate offers limited gluten- or dairy-free recipes, making it difficult for those with food allergies or other dietary restrictions to find what they need. HomeChef is a great alternative as you can set your meal preferences to avoid allergens.

» Check out our top picks for the best gluten-free meal delivery services.

For High-Quality Organic Ingredients

Being a low-budget meal delivery service, EveryPlate does not claim to use organic ingredients. Sunbasket and GreenChef use certified organic ingredients and are two of the best meal delivery services for health-conscious families.

Bottom Line: The Best EveryPlate Alternatives for Busy Families on a Budget

Dinnerly, Home Chef, HelloFresh, Green Chef, and Sunbasket are the perfect EveryPlate alternatives for families on a budget who are short on time. When we are short on time, we often struggle to prepare healthy meals for our families. Thankfully, you can stay healthy with meal kits. Researchers have even noted that "home-delivered meals improve the well-being of older adults, specifically by reducing feelings of loneliness" (2).

» Try one of our top picks for the best oven-ready prepared meal delivery services.

References

  1. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmra071600
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK541214/
Head and shoulders photograph of Anju Mobin
Anju Mobin is a certified nutritionist, Diet and Fitness Consultant at numerous medical clinics, founder and editor of fitnesshacks.org, and a writer for Top10.com. Anju strives to simplify complex information about nutrition, health, and fitness for the general public.

*The information on this site is based on research, but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new diet plan, we recommend consulting with a physician or other professional healthcare provider. Results may vary based on various health factors, individual weight loss plans and adherence to the meal plan.