In January 2023, Freshly announced that it would be ceasing operations.
Freshly was one of the first meal delivery services to launch healthy gluten- and dairy-free heat-and-eat meal kits. It was successful among professionals and other busy people who didn't have the time to prepare healthy food.
Meal delivery services are a great help for everyone who's looking for food on the go, whether you’re a die-hard Freshly devotee or you're new to the meal delivery scene and want to find a service that fits your budget and lifestyle. There are several other delivery services you may want to try that offer customizable plans for affordable, family-friendly meals.
» Looking for even more options? Check out our top picks for the best meal delivery services.
Our 5 Best Alternatives to Freshly in 2024:
Factor - Best Freshly alternative overall
HelloFresh - Best for customizble meal kits
Blue Apron - Best for a larger selection of recipes
Nutrisystem - Best for weight loss
Green Chef - Best for certified organic ingredients
An in-depth look at our favorite meal delivery services that are just as good as Freshly, if not better:
1. Factor
Offers fresh, chef-prepared meals with diverse diet options.
Best for: Easy-to-follow recipes
Starting price: From $11/serving
Factor is a meal delivery service that offers a diverse selection of over 29 chef-designed, dietitian-approved recipes every week. All meals are made with organic and non-GMO ingredients, catering to various diets including keto, paleo, dairy-free, low-carb, vegan, and gluten-free.
Factor has evolved over the years, expanding its menu beyond its initial focus on fitness enthusiasts and those following a keto diet. Unlike Freshly, whose menu remained mostly static, Factor’s menu changes weekly and includes a full marketplace with breakfast items, desserts, snacks, drinks, smoothies and more.
Factor is more expensive than other meal delivery services but the value for money and quality of food definitely outweighs the slightly higher pricing.
What makes Factor a good alternative to Freshly
Factor is a great alternative to Freshly because it offers a convenient and reliable solution if you're looking for healthy, pre-prepared meals. It allows for all three main meals of the day, while Freshly primarily focused on lunch and dinner. What sets Factor apart is their complimentary 20-minute nutritional coaching session with a registered dietician, which doesn't just help me pick the right meals but also set nutritional goals. Factor’s meals are delivered fresh (not frozen) to your door and cost an average of $11-$15 per meal/person, depending on the subscription you choose.
Pros
- Convenient heat and serve meals
- Nutritional consultation services
- Organic dietician-approved recipes and meals
Cons
- Above average cost per meal
- Mainly low-carb meals
2. HelloFresh
An affordable meal delivery service that offers highly customizable meal kits
Best for - Customizable meal kits
Starting price - From $7.49/serving
HelloFresh is a meal delivery service for people who love to cook. Rather than delivering heat-and-eat ready meals, it send you a box of ingredients that you prepare yourself. So it takes the stress out of shopping and lets you get creative in the kitchen. Opt for servings of 2 or 4 people.
There are many meal plans with this Freshly alternative, like "Calorie Smart," "Carb Smart," "Easy Clean Up," "Easy Prep," and "Veggie," as well as catering to those who follow keto and low-carb diets.
Like Freshly, HelloFresh saves you time and energy. Once a meal kit arrives at your door, you can prepare a delicious gourmet feast within 20-50 minutes. Recipes are super simple, which makes them a fit for anyone, inexperienced cooks included.
What makes HelloFresh a good alternative to Freshly
HelloFresh is all about convenience without taking the joy out of cooking. So you still get fresh ingredients (as opposed to the pre-prepared meals of Freshly), but the recipes are easy to follow and don't take up too much time.
Pros
- Choose from 30+ recipes
- Change selections up to five days before delivery
Cons
- Don’t cater to all dietary needs
- Limited plant-based protein options
» More: Home Chef vs. HelloFresh: Clash of the Meal Kits
3. Blue Apron
A nutritionist-approved meal delivery service that uses farm-fresh ingredients
Best for - Large selection of recipes
Starting price - From $7.49/serving
Blue Apron works directly with trusted suppliers, artisanal producers, and farms to source high-quality ingredients. Its meat and poultry are free of antibiotics and hormones, and all ingredients are non-GMO.
This is one of the most well-known and longstanding meal delivery services, and it's come a long way since its early days.
Today, options are varied with "Signature," "Wellness," and "Vegetarian" meal plan categories, made up of three to 15 recipes. Blue Apron also offers special meals for diabetics. Some of the popular world cuisines they offer are Mediterranean, Continental, and Asian inspired.
You can order two to four weekly meals for either two or four people.
What makes Blue Apron a good alternative to Freshly
Blue Apron's meals feel like they could come straight out of a contemporary restaurant, so it's a great choice for upping your game in the kitchen. It's not just about making dinner but learning new techniques that may not suit someone after quick'n'easy dinners.
In contrast, Freshly only provided pre-cooked meals that sometimes lacked the same level of customization and the joy of preparing meals from start to finish.
Pros
- Ability to preview the menu before ordering
- Vegetarian, health-conscious, and diabetic-friendly options
Cons
- Meal kits are more expensive and take longer to prepare
- Unable to filter by allergens
» More: Blue Apron Best Alternatives & Competitors in 2024
4. Nutrisystem
A meal delivery service for healthy weight loss without counting calories
Best for - Weight loss meals
Starting price - From $9.99/day for women and $11.63/day for men
While diets are often labeled as unsustainable, Nutrisystem allows you to choose between 160 prep-free meals carefully designed by dieticians to help you lose weight the healthy way. This means a good balance of controlled portions and considered ingredient choices with those all-important indulgences. Diabetics can also order high-protein, low-GI food to keep blood sugar steady.
If followed closely, Nutrisystem can help you lose between one to two pounds per week. It's as simple as ordering the food and sticking to your meal plan. If you don't lose weight in seven days, Nutrisystem also offers a money-back guarantee.
What makes Nutrisystem a good alternative to Freshly
Nutrisystem is a great alternative to Freshly, especially if you're looking for a holistic approach to nutrition and weight management. With Nutrisystem, you get portion-controlled meals designed to support your weight loss or maintenance goals. While Freshly focused more on pre-cooked meals, Nutrisystem focuses on specialized nutrition and personalized options.
Pros
- Meal plans are designed by dieticians to ensure safe weight loss
- Money-back guarantee
Cons
- Unable to dine out or make your own meals on this meal plan
- Not all snack foods are provided in meal kits
» More: Top 10 Best Oven-Ready Prepared Meal Delivery Services for 2024
5. Green Chef
An eco-friendly meal delivery service that uses certified organic ingredients
Best for - Certified organic ingredients
Starting price - From $11.99/serving
As the name suggests, Green Chef provides recipes that use mainly organic ingredients. In fact, it specializes in organic meal kits. Its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly packaging sets it apart from other meal kit delivery services on the market today.
Green Chef offers keto, paleo, Mediterranean, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and a"Fast and Fit" diet plan.
Most meals can be made in 30 minutes or less, which makes it great for health-conscious families.
What makes Green Chef a good alternative to Freshly
Green Chef is a good alternative to Freshly due to its emphasis on organic, sustainably sourced ingredients and a wider range of dietary options. And while it takes more prep time than Freshly, meals are easy to prepare and cook, and instructions are simple too, leaving you more time out of the kitchen.
Pros
- Robust plant-based options
- Customizable menu
Cons
- More on the expensive side
- Frequent shipping delays
Saying Goodbye To Freshly With Tasty Alternatives
While you may not be able to order from Freshly anymore, there are so many alternatives on the market that you probably won't miss it. No matter what type of food needs you have, or your level of experience in the kitchen, one of these five meal delivery systems will suit your needs, budget, and palate.
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