But with so many options, it can be difficult to figure out which service is the right fit for your needs. There’s a variety of factors to consider: Is budget the top priority? Or a solution that will provide multiple dietary options? To help you decide, we’ve rounded up the best meal delivery services by category.
Best Meal Delivery Services
Best Overall: Sunbasket Best on a Budget: Dinnerly Best Variety: Hungryroot Best Vegan: Mosaic Foods Best Gluten-Free: ModifyHealth Best Meal Kits: Blue Apron Best Prepared Meals: CookUnity Best for Kids: Nurture Life Best for Families: HelloFresh Best for Seniors: Magic Kitchen
Pros and Cons
Overview
Global flavors influence Sunbasket’s menu items, where choices include ancho chicken with Cuban mojo or a Persian herb frittata with white bean and barberry salad. But comfort food classics like broccoli mac and cheese are also available for quick, go-to dishes. Additionally, Sunbasket offers a well-stocked pantry of grocery items to include in your weekly shipment, so you can pick up your coffee, charcuterie items, and protein or plant-based main dishes alongside ready-to-prepare meals.
Pricing and Plans
Fresh & Ready meals: start at $9.99 per servingMeal Kits: start at $11.99 per servingOrder minimum of $45
Meals We Tried
Meal Kits
Sea scallops over fresh fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes and spinachSnapper with romesco, vegetables and almondsBurmese chicken and sweet potato currySirloin strip tacos with zucchini scallion salsa
Prepared Meals
Broccoli mac and cheeseChicken chow mein with broccoli, mushroom, and toasted garlicBeef donburi rice bowl with edamame and kimchi-lime vegetablesBurrito bowl al pastor with plant-based Impossible Beef
Pros and Cons
Overview
Dinnerly’s meals have a homemade vibe, with selections that can include casseroles or comfort foods with a twist. Meals are designed with busy families in mind, so menus include fewer ingredients and items that are labeled No Chop! for even faster cleanup. The menu is well balanced and there are a few options to fit some dietary plans, including vegetarian, vegan, or keto.
Pricing and Plans
3 meals with 2 servings each: $6.39 per serving4 meals with 2 servings each: $5.99 per serving5 meals with 2 servings each: $5.89 per serving6 meals with 2 servings each: $5.79 per serving3 meals with 4 servings each: $5.69 per serving4 meals with 4 servings each: $5.49 per serving5 meals with 4 servings each: $5.29 per serving6 meals with 4 servings each: $4.99 per servingShipping is $9.99
Meals We Tried
BBQ cheeseburger with sautéed onions and smashed potatoesLow-cal veggie drunken noodles with broccoli, peppers, and cilantroGrass-fed ground beef and cheddar quesadillas with cornCaramel chicken stir-fry with snow peas and jasmine rice
Pros and Cons
Overview
Hungryroot not only provides dishes for a variety of dietary plans, including vegan and gluten free, but it also includes seven different allergen restrictions in meal planning. Its online recipe catalog provides ideas for its large selection of grocery items so you can build your own meals in addition to its meal kits. Recipes can be rather simple, like a three-ingredient spinach, mushroom, and artichoke tortelloni or two-ingredient Korean BBQ chicken with jasmine rice.
Pricing and Plans
3 recipes with 2 servings: $11.39 per serving4 recipes with 2 servings: $11.39 per serving5 recipes with 2 servings: $10.89 per serving6 recipes with 2 servings: $10.29 per serving7 recipes with 2 servings: $9.69 per serving8 recipes with 2 servings: $9.69 per serving2 recipes with 4 servings: $10.29 per serving3 recipes with 4 servings: $9.69 per serving4 recipes with 4 servings: $9.69 per servingShipping is $6.99 for orders less than $70
Meals We Tried
Spinach artichoke and mushroom tortelloni Roasted salmon and sweet potato on Brussels sproutsSouthwest chicken and rainbow veggie tacos Thai peanut beef and broccoli stir-fry
Pros and Cons
Overview
Mosaic Foods has put a lot of thought into its plant-based offerings, providing oat bowls and smoothies for breakfast along with premium chef-crafted lunch and dinner entrées. Veggie bowls are packed with a hefty 10 to 20+ grams of plant protein, and flavors can range from spicy chipotle to creamy pesto. While Mosaic Foods is geared mainly toward one-serving meals, it does offer some family-style dishes that are easy to whip up when you need to feed a crowd.
Pricing and Plans
Per Item Pricing:
Smoothies: $7.99Pizzas: $11.99Veggie bowls: $9.99Soups: $8.99Oat bowls: $5.99Mosaic+ chef-crafted meals: $11.99Family meals (4 servings): $19.95
Volume Discounts:
12 items: free shipping18 items: free shipping + $10 off
Meals We Tried
Spicy dan dan noodlesBuffalo cauliflower pasta bake (family size)Mac and greensPozole verdeVeggie kebab platterCoconut chickpea curry
Pros and Cons
Overview
ModifyHealth’s meal delivery service targets those looking for help in managing digestive issues or chronic conditions like celiac disease or diabetes. The company even provides dietitian support for customers with its full program. Meal options include both meat- and plant-based dishes with some items, like the kale pesto pasta or BBQ tofu with carrots and kale, featured on both meal plans.
Pricing and Plans
Low-FODMAP
Meals: start at $9.95 for breakfast, $12.95 for entréesFull Program: starts at $180.00 per week
Mediterranean
Meals: start at $12.95 per meal, minimum of 6Full Program: starts at $129.50 per week
Meals We Tried
Greek chicken and riceLongevity stew with black-eyed peas and kaleShrimp chimichurri with black beans and riceLemon thyme chicken with tahini cauliflower and za’atar quinoaBlackened salmon with quinoa, broccoli, and red bell pepperRoasted pistachio salmon with white beans and kale
Pros and Cons
Overview
Blue Apron’s meal kits are great for those who have the time to enjoy the intricacies of cooking. Some meals can take 45 minutes or longer to prepare and could include everything from crafting sauces to pounding out meat. But when your time and energy are low, Blue Apron’s fully prepared Fast & Easy options still provide an elevated meal—and some even come with their own recyclable bakeware.
Pricing and Plans
2 meals with 2 servings each: $11.99 per serving3 meals with 2 servings each: $9.99 per serving4 meals with 2 servings each: $9.49 per serving2 meals with 4 servings each: $9.49 per serving3 meals with 4 servings each: $8.49 per serving4 meals with 4 servings each: $7.99 per servingShipping is $9.99
Meals We Tried
Meal Kits
Togarashi shrimp and vegetable fried rice Space Ranger chicken enchiladas One-pan white bean and poblano shakshuka Baked meatballs and romesco mayo
Heat and Eat
Sweet and spicy beef bowl with rice, peppers, and edamame Chicken alfredo pasta with peas
Pros and Cons
Overview
A collective of over 70 chefs (and counting) make up the creators of CookUnity’s menus. The hundreds of weekly items to choose from include regional specialties, unique flavors, and creative entrées, like tonkatsu ramen with chashu pork belly and a Tuscan butter chicken. While there are some selections for different diets, including vegan, low carb, and gluten free, the real draw here is for adventurous eaters who are game for anything.
Pricing and Plans
16 meals a week: $11.09 per meal 12 meals a week: $11.19 per meal8 meals a week: $11.69 per meal6 meals a week: $12.29 per meal4 meals a week: $13.59 per meal
Meals We Tried
Coconut lime hanger steakCarnitas street tacosButternut squash ravioliChili roasted shrimp
Pros and Cons
Overview
Nurture Life’s service gives flexibility to parents on a busy weeknight or easy options to leave with the babysitter, all with selections that can be tailored to a list of allergens. All meals contain a well-balanced mix of veggies and protein as well as low salt and sugar levels. “Finger Food” items are good for those not quite ready for utensils, and there’s a “Picky Eater” category with options that should satisfy finicky little ones.
Pricing and Plans
6 items per week: $7.99 per serving9 items per week: $7.43 per serving 12 items per week: $7.16 per serving 15 items per week: $6.99 per serving Shipping is $8.99
Meals We Tried
White mac and cheese Chicken and mac Beef taco pockets Tortellini Bolognese Chicken dumplings Pesto and cheese ravioli
Pros and Cons
Overview
Two of the six plan preferences HelloFresh offers are Family Friendly and Quick and Easy, one of the reasons that makes them such a good fit for a family meal delivery service. Entrées run the gamut from spiced apricot-sumac chicken to a comforting and creamy ranch beef cavatappi skillet. To make sure things don’t get too routine, HelloFresh’s new program, HelloCustom, allows swaps or upgraded sides and proteins in a weekly order, letting customers give meals their own personal touch.
Pricing and Plans
6 meals with 4 servings each: $7.99 per serving6 meals with 2 servings each: $8.49 per serving4 meals with 4 servings each: $7.99 per serving4 meals with 2 servings each: $9.49 per serving2 meals with 4 servings each: $9.49 per serving2 meals with 2 servings each: $11.99 per servingShipping is $8.99
Meals We Tried
Crispy buffalo-spiced chicken BBQ cheddar burgers Tex-Mex pork with mango salsa Pork sausage rigatoni rosa
Pros and Cons
Overview
While Magic Kitchen isn’t solely for seniors, its meal plans and programs are designed to be senior friendly. The plethora of entrées gives those with restrictive diets a decent amount of choice to help prevent repetition, along with snacks and à la carte items to help reduce dependence on grocery shopping. Magic Kitchen even offers trial packs of 15 meals and multi-month subscription plans to make it as simple as possible.
Pricing and Plans
Meal programs provide one to three meals a dayAuto-ship with weekly, biweekly, or monthly optionsÀ la carte items can be ordered as a “bundle”Price varies; average cost of Complete Meals is $10 to $14À la carte items and Complete Meals can be ordered individually
Meals We Tried
Vegetable caponata with orzo and spinachBeef and broccoli over noodles and vegetable blendBalsamic glazed chicken with roasted potatoes and green beansChili with beans with carrots and broccoli florets
Are Meal Delivery Services Worth It?
Meal delivery services are a great way to add some flexibility to your weekly meal routine. They can be an easy way to introduce different types of meals into your diet and take some of the pressure off of the never-ending question, “What’s for dinner?” Plus, you have control over your deliveries—stop them while you’re out of town and start them back up so you come home to fresh meals at your door.
What Is the Cheapest Meal Delivery Service?
As you evaluate meal delivery service options, a lot of factors come into play, including price. The cheapest option in this list is Dinnerly, which offers meals as low as $4.99 if you order the maximum plan of 24 servings per week. However, while it’s important to find a service that fits your lifestyle and your budget, it’s best not to pick a plan based solely on the price you see on the screen. Some plans may be cheaper because portions are small and not a fit for a family. Or perhaps the price is lower because there are fewer selections available. Ask yourself what you want from a meal delivery service—the cheapest price may not be your best value.
Are Meal Delivery Services Cheaper Than Eating Out?
Take into consideration what you enjoy the most about eating out—is it the chance to enjoy a different cuisine? Do you like the ease of not having to prepare a meal? There are meal delivery plans that offer cook-it-yourself kits with global flavors and ones where meals are simply heat and eat, with no preparation required. Just like going out to a restaurant, prices vary across services depending on quality, effort, and ingredients. Meal delivery prices are often based on multiple meals, so consider that, at a restaurant, you’re paying for one meal, while service prices should be broken down into a per-serving price.
What Is the Healthiest Meal Delivery Service?
When it comes to finding the healthiest meal delivery service, it depends on how you define “healthy” for your lifestyle. Lots of meal services include a wide range of dietary options for their plans, like vegan or keto. Perhaps you need something more tailored to help support a medical need? Plans like ModifyHealth offer foods to help with digestive and chronic conditions. The customization of meal delivery services makes it easy to find one that is healthiest for you.
Methodology
Our panel of testers reviewed 40 different companies to assess the best meal delivery services. The review criteria for services consisted of sustainability practices, customer service, flavor, dietary selection and information, ingredient freshness, as well as the process of meal preparation. Our testing team contains a variety of people, including food writers and dietitians, to capture as many voices as possible.
