EveryPlate vs Hello Fresh: Which One is Right for You?
In the battle of meal kit delivery services, EveryPlate and Hello Fresh are two distinctly different meal kits, which may leave you wondering which is the best option for you. In this article, I’ll dig into the details from recipe variety to cost efficiency, dissecting both options to help you decide which one suits your taste and busy lifestyle. Both offer the allure of gourmet meals without the hassle of meal planning and grocery shopping. But when it comes to making a decision that can impact your dining experience and your wallet, which one truly reigns supreme? Read on to find out.
EveryPlate
Self-appointed as America’s best value meal kit, EveryPlate allows you to dive into the heart of accessible culinary options, all while keeping your wallet and taste buds equally satisfied. Founded in 2018 in New York City, EveryPlate operates in multiple countries, bringing its affordable culinary variety to households across the globe.
EveryPlate was born with a simple yet revolutionary mission: to make delicious and wholesome meals with unique flavors and freshness accessible to all budgets. By providing pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes, they empower home cooks of all levels to create mouthwatering meals. Plus, their emphasis on affordability ensures that gourmet dining experiences remain within reach.
Hello Fresh
With a rich history dating back to 2011, Hello Fresh has reimagined home cooking by presenting a convenient and inspiring meal kit subscription service. Hello Fresh prides itself on its commitment to offering high-quality ingredients and chef-curated recipes, supplying both beginner and experienced cooks.
Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Hello Fresh operates its culinary empire across numerous countries. The company’s passion for sourcing fresh and sustainable produce is obvious in each handpicked ingredient that arrives at your doorstep, ensuring that every dish bursts with flavor and nutrition.
By delivering pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step recipes, you can embrace the joy of creating delicious, restaurant-quality meals from the comfort of your home.
Is EveryPlate and HelloFresh the same?
While EveryPlate and HelloFresh are sister companies, they’re distinct brands. Both cater to meal prep and weekly meal planning needs, offering convenient and chef-curated meal delivery services brought to your doorstep.
EveryPlate is famous for its budget-friendly approach, making delicious meals accessible at an affordable price. They’re also based in New York City, USA, and are more conveniently located for deliveries to the continental US and Canada. This also makes a difference with the acquisition of their ingredients and the quality, using domestically sourced meat and produce.
On the other hand, HelloFresh offers a wider variety of recipes and meal options, appealing to a wider range of tastes and preferences. Since they’re based in Berlin, Germany, their ingredients are sourced from a wide variety of sources and can cater to locations in Europe and Asia more easily.
So, while they share the same commitment to simplifying your mealtime routine, each brand offers its unique spin on convenience.
Comparing EveryPlate and Hello Fresh
Let’s delve into a head-to-head comparison between EveryPlate and HelloFresh. From affordability to recipe variety, I’ll take a look at which meal kit service is a perfect match for you.
Cost
EveryPlate is always a winner when it comes to affordability, with prices as low as $4.99 per serving. Although budget-friendly, they don’t compromise on taste or quality allowing me to savor fresh produce and diverse flavors without feeling a pinch in my wallet. This is a lifesaver, especially during busy weeks when cooking from scratch isn’t an option.
But why is EveryPlate cheaper? They’re continuously optimizing their packaging and menu options to pass the savings on to the customer. These minor changes and tighter scoped menus add up, giving people a way to enjoy great dinners at a low price.
HelloFresh comes in at a slightly higher price, starting from $7.49 per serving. The quality and variety are remarkable, but it’s reflected in the cost. Exploring global cuisines and experimenting with new recipes is fun, but I’ve noticed the difference in my grocery budget.
Winner: Everyplate
Meal Plans and Customizations
EveryPlate’s focus on simplicity shines through its meal plan options. While they offer fewer choices compared to HelloFresh, I’ve found that the streamlined selection actually makes decision-making easier.
You can choose from a variety of meal styles, like Meat & Veggie, Family Faves, Quick & Easy, Nutrish & Delish, and vegetarian meals. You then choose between the number of servings, 2 or 4, and the number of meals per week, ranging from 3 to 6 meals.
You can always change or edit your meals, choosing from 17 different recipes per week, but selections and all changes must be made 5 days prior to delivery by 11:59 PM EST. This is also the timeframe in which to skip or pause your delivery for the week, which is easy and convenient on EveryPlate’s website.
HelloFresh offers a wider array of meal plans. HelloFresh also offers more customization options, allowing me to adjust recipes and make choices based on my preferences. With recipes for vegan, gluten free, dairy free, heart-healthy, and low carb diets, their variety can’t be beaten.
Meal kit preferences can be chosen before you order and range from Veggie, Fit & Wholesome, Quick & Easy, Pescatarian, and Family Friendly. Then, you can choose between the number of servings, 2 or 4, and how many meals per week you’d like, ranging from 2 to 6.
When it comes to modifying, cancelling, or skipping meals, HelloFresh’s user-friendly interface takes the lead over EveryPlate. With the option to modify or skip meals a week in advance, I’ve found it convenient to align my meal plan with my schedule. The ability to manage my account seamlessly from their website or app is also convenient.
In the realm of meal plan options, flexibility, and customizations, HelloFresh wins my vote. The diverse range of meal plans, ease of managing my account, and ability to customize meals truly create a meal plan that suits me and my tastes.
Winner: HelloFresh
Recipe and Ingredient Quality
To keep their prices low, EveryPlate doesn’t cater to special diets such as keto, gluten-free, paleo, low carb, or vegan. But, they do offer a varied selection of recipes that reflect their commitment to ingredient sourcing. They spotlight locally sourced produce from trusted farms, guaranteeing freshness and backing local communities. Moreover, EveryPlate prides itself on presenting chemical-free produce, and advocating healthier and environmentally sensible meal choices.
Hello Fresh, known for its diverse meal plans, brings a diverse touch to recipes and ingredients from trusted sustainable business partners to ensure quality and seasonal ingredients.
The ability to explore a range of global flavors with top-notch ingredients elevates the cooking experience, which is reflected in the price. Hello Fresh sources its meat from USDA inspected suppliers, including hormone-free chicken and pork.
While both EveryPlate and HelloFresh excel in delivering quality ingredients, Hello Fresh’s ability to provide remarkable freshness and taste at an affordable price makes it a winner in this category. Even their uncomplicated recipes showcase a dedication to quality ingredients that create a delightful dining experience.
Winner: Hello Fresh
Delivery Locations
EveryPlate delivers to 20 countries worldwide, including the USA, Canada, Australia, and a majority of European countries.
Within the continental USA and Canada, shipping costs $9.99 per delivery. EveryPlate also delivers 7 days a week for the continental USA and Canada.
When it comes to delivery areas, HelloFresh takes the crown, delivering to 40 countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, U.K. Germany, and many European countries.
Delivery varies on your location but within the continental USA and Canada, it’s $9.99 per delivery.
Winner: Hello Fresh
Packaging and Sustainability
EveryPlate has a straightforward packaging approach, ensuring the essentials arrive intact. While they’ve made strides towards using sustainable materials, the packaging might not be as eco-friendly as some may desire.
The boxes and dividers themselves are 100% recyclable but the gel from the gel ice packs, plastic film, and containers are not. Having said this, I do appreciate their efforts to strike a balance between affordability and sustainability.
HelloFresh impresses with its sustainable packaging efforts, reflected in its higher cost. The packaging materials they use are recyclable, emphasizing reducing unnecessary waste wherever possible by using seasonal packaging, BPA free-plastic, and recycled fibers.
Hello Fresh provides recycling instructions on their website and are transparent about the materials that aren’t recyclable. This commitment to sustainability resonates with me, knowing that I’m enjoying my meal while minimizing my environmental impact.
In the realm of packaging and sustainability, HelloFresh’s dedicated efforts stand out. Their focus on recyclable materials and reduction of waste aligns with the growing concern for our planet.
Hello Fresh not only takes care of the Earth, but our fellow humans as well. Their Beyond the Box program is continually dedicated to helping those facing food insecurity while their Meals with Meaning program provided free meal kits to those facing food insecurity during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. Their Hunger Matters program also focuses on charities that give back to underprivileged communities facing food scarcity and insecurity.
Winner: Hello Fresh
The Final Verdict
After savoring and researching both EveryPlate and HelloFresh, the verdict is in: HelloFresh emerges as the definitive winner of this meal kit delivery services face-off. However, I want to break down who stands to gain the most from the victor:
For the Solo Adventurers
If you’re a single person seeking a balance between diverse flavors and convenience, HelloFresh’s expansive range of recipe choices and customization options offer an exciting culinary journey for one.
For the Family Gatherings
For families, HelloFresh’s diverse meal plans, accommodating both young and discerning palates, provide a solution to the ever-lingering question of “What’s for dinner?”
For Dietary Trailblazers
People on special diets find solace in HelloFresh’s array of options, including vegetarian, vegan, kosher, gluten-free, diabetic, and heart-healthy meals. This ensures a variety of choices that cater to specific dietary needs without compromising on taste.
For the Rural Residents
Even for those tucked away in rural areas, HelloFresh’s expansive delivery areas ensure that you’re not excluded from the culinary journey. Their sustainable packaging aligns with responsible eco-friendly packaging and their sourcing supports small family-owned farms and ranches.
HelloFresh secures victory through its global presence, sustainable packaging initiatives, diverse meal plans, and commitment to varied dietary needs. By catering to a wide range of preferences and lifestyles, HelloFresh is the epitome of what meal kit services should be—convenient, flavorful, eco-conscious, and suited for all walks of life. If you’d like to compare Hello Fresh vs. other meal kits further, I’ve put together this detailed comparison of Hello Fresh vs. Blue Apron.
