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. But in January 2023, Freshly announced that it would be ceasing operations.
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 a number of 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.
Check out our top picks for meal delivery services in 2023
HelloFresh - Best for larger families
Blue Apron - Best for a larger selection of recipes
Nutrisystem - Best for weight loss
Green Chef - Best for certified organic ingredients
EveryPlate - Best for budget-friendly meal kits
An in-depth look at our favorite meal delivery services
1. HelloFresh
An affordable meal delivery service that offers highly customizable meal kits
Best for - Lots of meal options in good quantities
Starting price - From $7.49/serving
The German company HelloFresh has taken America by storm. They offer a wide selection of meal choices that can serve two or four people. HelloFresh provides you with a lot of options such as Calorie Smart, Carb Smart, Easy Clean Up, Easy Prep, and Veggie, as well as catering to those who adhere to keto and low-carb diets.
HelloFresh recently launched the HelloFresh Market, where customers can order fresh produce, snacks, breakfast, side dishes, and even beverages from popular vendors such as Pillsbury, Annie’s Homegrown, and Sargento.
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.
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
2. Blue Apron
A nutritionist-approved meal delivery service that uses farm-fresh ingredients
Best for - Wide range of recipes from different cuisines
Starting price - From $7.49/serving
Blue Apron promises the highest-quality ingredients, sourced directly from farmers. Their meat and poultry are free of antibiotics and hormones, and all ingredients are non-GMO.
Menu options are varied. You can choose from the Signature, Wellness, and Vegetarian categories, made up of five to 15 recipes. Blue Apron also offers special meals for health-conscious people and for diabetics. You can order two to four weekly meals for either two or four people. Some of the popular cuisines they offer are Mediterranean, Continental, and Asian inspired.
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 2023
3. Nutrisystem
A meal delivery service for healthy weight loss without counting calories
Best for - Prep-free heat-and-eat meal kits
Starting price - From $9.99/day for women and $11.63/day for men
Nutrisystem was founded by Harold Katz in 1970. Today, it allows you to choose between 160 prep-free meals carefully designed by dieticians to help men and women lose weight fast. Diabetics can also order high-protein, low-GI food designed 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 7 days, Nutrisystem also offers a money-back guarantee.
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 2023
4. Green Chef
An eco-friendly meal delivery service that uses certified organic ingredients
Best for - Eco-friendly, easy-to-prepare meal kits
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 Fast and Fit diet plans, making it easy to find something that suits your dietary needs and lifestyle.
Pros
- Robust plant-based options
- Customizable menu
Cons
- More on the expensive side
- Frequent shipping delays
5. EveryPlate
A budget-friendly meal delivery service for any cooking skill level
Best for: Easy-to-follow recipes
Starting price: From $4.99/serving
EveryPlate is one of the most affordable meal delivery services available today. You can choose from 17 delicious meals per week, broken down into four meal plan options: ClassicPlate, VeggiePlate, FamilyPlate, and EasyPlate. Each meal can be prepared in a few easy steps, usually within 30 minutes.
This meal delivery service is perfect for families without any dietary requirements who enjoy simple meals and classic comfort food. In fact, it has over 10,000 five-star reviews on TrustPilot.
Pros
- Clear allergen notices
- Fuss-free and simple meal options
Cons
- Limited menu
- Extra shipping fees
.20190221090028.png){kind=icon}
Goodbye Freshly, Hello… Everyone Else
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 definitely suit your needs, budget and palate.
.20190221085848.png){kind=small}
