Best Meal Delivery Services

Sunbasket is the top-ranked service for home delivery

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Meal delivery services can offer both adults and families with children the benefits of convenient meals, low-stress meal planning, specific meals for dietary needs, and less time spent grocery shopping and cooking. There are many services available, ranging from prepared meals that arrive fresh or frozen and ready to reheat to more involved meal kits for a homemade meal.

Because it can be hard to know which meal delivery service is right for you, we’ve tried and evaluated them all to make your choices a little easier. Read on to learn about our favorites, highlighted by specialty, so that you can choose which is best for you and your family. A registered dietician from our Medical Expert Board has reviewed this article for medical accuracy and claims.

Tested: The 10 Best Meal Delivery Services of 2023

Best Overall : Sunbasket


Sunbasket

 Sunbasket

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $9.99 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 46 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It 

Sunbasket earns our pick for best overall due to its ever-changing menus that accommodate a range of dietary preferences. Our testers were also impressed by the company’s transparency around its health and wellness guidelines.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Sustainable sourcing and packaging

  • Offers both meal kits and prepared meals

  • Accommodates multiple dietary preferences

Cons
  • No free shipping (other than first order)

  • High prices on some items

Overview

Sunbasket offers a great range of options for customers, including both meal kits and prepared meals made with organic produce. Meals take inspiration from a variety of global cuisines that customers can mix and match. You can also filter meals by dietary preference, such as gluten-free, dairy-free, diabetes-friendly, and vegetarian. Lastly, there is an impressive selection of add-ons for breakfast, à la carte proteins, snacks, pastas, and lunch fixings.

Pricing and Plans

Sunbasket's pricing varies depending on what items you order.

  • Fresh and Ready pre-made meals: $9.99 to $15.49 per serving
  • Meal Kits: $11.49 to $16.59 per serving

Price may vary depending on protein customizations. Shipping is $9.99 per box after the first order.

Meals We Tried

Meal Kits

  • Sea scallops over fresh fettuccine with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach
  • Snapper with romesco, vegetables, and almonds
  • Burmese chicken and sweet potato curry
  • Sirloin strip tacos with zucchini scallion salsa

Prepared Meals

  • Broccoli mac and cheese
  • Chicken chow mein with broccoli, mushrooms, and toasted garlic
  • Beef donburi rice bowl with edamame and kimchi-lime vegetables
  • Burrito bowl al pastor with plant-based Impossible Beef

Best Value : Dinnerly


dinnerly-meal-service

dinnerly-meal-service

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $4.99 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

With a price point that starts at just $4.99 per serving and a rotating menu of comforting favorites, Dinnerly is our top pick when it comes to value.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Low cost per serving

  • Simple packaging and preparation

  • Thoughtful ingredient sourcing

Cons
  • No free shipping

Overview

Dinnerly delivers fresh pre-measured ingredients for easy meal prep at home at an incredible value. Starting at just $4.99 per serving, Dinnerly recipes are simple, prepared in just five steps, but still deliver on quality and flavor. Dinnerly cuts costs by forgoing printed recipe cards for digital versions, also making this an environmentally friendly option. 

Pricing and Plans

Pricing is as follows, including the $9.99 shipping on all orders:

Couples Plan

  • 3 recipes for 2 people: $48.33 ($6.39 per serving plus shipping)
  • 4 recipes for 2 people: $57.91 ($5.99 per serving plus shipping)
  • 5 recipes for 2 people: $68.89 ($5.89 per serving plus shipping)
  • 6 recipes for 2 people: $79.47 ($5.79 per serving plus shipping)

Family Plan

  • 3 recipes for 4 people: $78.27 ($5.69 per serving plus shipping)
  • 4 recipes for 4 people: $97.83 ($5.49 per serving plus shipping)
  • 5 recipes for 4 people: $115.79 ($5.29 per serving plus shipping)
  • 6 recipes for 4 people: $129.75 ($4.99 per serving plus shipping)
Meals We Tried
  • BBQ cheeseburger with sautéed onions and smashed potatoes
  • Low-cal veggie drunken noodles with broccoli, peppers, and cilantro
  • Grass-fed ground beef and cheddar quesadillas with corn
  • Caramel chicken stir-fry with snow peas and jasmine rice

Best Variety : HelloFresh


HelloFresh

HelloFresh

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $7.99 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

HelloFresh leaves the specialty diets to other companies, choosing instead to focus on a diverse selection of meals that our testers called “full of flavor and fun to create.”

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Customization options for sides and proteins

  • Budget-friendly

  • Menu options for both individuals and families 

Cons
  • Shipping not included

Overview

HelloFresh offers meal kits for straightforward, low-stress home cooking for individuals and families alike. It has a wide range of menu types to meet different dietary preferences, including meat and veggie, vegetarian, and pescatarian, plus proteins and sides that can be swapped or upgraded for a customized order. HelloFresh also has a Family Plan that features kid-friendly recipes.

Pricing and Plans

Pricing plans are outlined below, plus flat rate shipping is $9.99 for all orders.

  • 2 recipes per week for 2 people: $47.96 per box ($11.99 per serving)
  • 2 recipes per week for 4 people: $75.92 per box ($9.49 per serving)
  • 3 recipes per week for 2 people: $59.94 per box ($9.99 per serving)
  • 3 recipes per week for 4 people: $101.88 per box ($8.49 per serving)
  • 4 recipes per week for 2 people: $75.92 per box ($9.49 per serving)
  • 4 recipes per week for 4 people: $127.84 per box ($7.99 per serving)
  • 5 recipes per week for 2 people: $89.90 per box ($8.99 per serving)
  • 5 recipes per week for 4 people: $159.80 per box ($7.99 per serving)
  • 6 recipes per week for 2 people: $101.88 per box ($8.49 per serving)
  • 6 recipes per week for 4 people: $191.76 per box ($7.99 per serving)
Meals We Tried
  • Crispy buffalo-spiced chicken 
  • BBQ cheddar burgers 
  • Tex-Mex pork with mango salsa 
  • Pork sausage rigatoni rosa

Best Vegan : Hungryroot


Hungryroot

 Hungryroot

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $8.49 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

Hungryroot serves as a meal delivery and grocery delivery service all in one, making vegan meal planning that much easier. Testers also liked the company’s positive outlook on food, noting that it “focused on nutritious foods, rather than restrictive foods.”

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Over 3,000 recipes

  • Good add-ons in addition to meal kits

  • Predictive quiz to tailor food recommendations

Cons
  • May be too many options for some people

Overview

Hungryroot is a meal delivery service that also serves as a virtual grocery delivery and boasts a database of over 3,000 recipes. Customers take a predictive quiz that automatically populates suggestions for each order, which is where you can specify if you follow a vegan eating plan. Customers can choose to receive items for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and desserts, or a combination of meals.

Pricing and Plans

Pricing varies based on the plan chosen, with a minimum spend of $70 for free delivery; otherwise, shipping is $6.99. These prices are for lunch and dinner recipes and do not include add-ons such as breakfast, snacks, and sweets, which are listed under the “other groceries” tab.

  • 3 recipes with 2 servings: $11.39 per serving
  • 4 recipes with 2 servings: $11.39 per serving
  • 5 recipes with 2 servings: $10.89 per serving
  • 6 recipes with 2 servings: $10.29 per serving
  • 7 recipes with 2 servings: $9.69 per serving
  • 8 recipes with 2 servings: $9.69 per serving
  • 2 recipes with 4 servings: $10.29 per serving
  • 3 recipes with 4 servings: $9.69 per serving
  • 4 recipes with 4 servings: $9.69 per serving
Meals We Tried
  • Spinach, artichoke, and mushroom tortelloni
  • Roasted salmon and sweet potato on Brussels
  • Southwest chicken and rainbow veg tacos
  • Thai peanut beef broccoli stir fry

Best Eco-Friendly : Green Chef


Green Chef logo

Green Chef

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $11.99 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

Green Chef takes pride in its whole, mostly organic meals. The company also offsets both its plastic and carbon use, making it our pick for eco-friendly meal delivery.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Sustainable sourcing and packaging

  • Organic produce

  • High-quality fresh ingredients and interesting flavors

Cons
  • Higher price point

  • No customization

Overview

Green Chef is a certified organic meal delivery service offering fresh meal kits that come with pre-measured ingredients for easy home cooking. Its menu includes animal proteins, but there is a consistent emphasis on plant-forward ingredients in every dish. The packaging is especially eco-friendly, using recyclable, reusable, and non-plastic packaging when possible.

Pricing and Plans

Vegan Plan

  • 3 meals per week for 2 people: $13.49 per serving plus $9.99 shipping 
  • 8 meals (4 meals per week for 2 people or 2 meals per week for 4 people): $12.99 per serving plus $9.99 shipping
  • 3 meals per week for 4 people: $12.49 per serving plus $9.99 shipping
  • 4 meals per week for 4 people: $11.99 per serving plus $9.99 shipping
  • 3 to 4 meals per week for 6 people: $11.99 per serving plus $9.99 shipping
Meals We Tried
  • Harissa-spiced shrimp 
  • Sesame ginger bavette steak and shrimp 
  • Middle Eastern-style chickpea bowls 
  • Maple-glazed carrots with figs

Best for Keto : Factor


Factor

Factor

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $11 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

Factor’s keto-compliant meals got rave reviews from testers who loved its fresh, ready-to-heat meals made from responsibly sourced ingredients.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Backed by a team of registered dietitians 

  • High-quality sourcing, including animal proteins

  • Robust flavors

Cons
  • Single servings only

  • No customization

Overview

Factor offers prepared meals that arrive fresh and ready to heat in minutes, all in convenient single-serving sizes. All meals are made with ingredients free of refined sugars and GMOs, and animal proteins are free of hormones and antibiotics. Factor’s meal plans include Chef’s Choice, Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegan and Veggie, and Protein Plus, but the majority of the menu items will fall in line with a high-fat, low-carb keto diet. 

Pricing and Plans

Pricing is the same for all plans. Each box also incurs a $9.99 flat rate shipping fee.

  • 4 meals per week: $15 per meal
  • 6 meals per week: $12.83 per meal
  • 8 meals per week: $12.38 per meal
  • 10 meals per week: $11.99 per meal
  • 12 meals per week: $11.50 per meal
  • 18 meals per week: $11 per meal
Meals We Tried
  • Mango salsa salmon with coconut rice & black beans
  • Creamy parmesan chicken with broccoli & tomatoes
  • Vegetable ratatouille with mascarpone polenta
  • Smoked tofu almond stir-fry with edamame succotash

Best for Gluten-Free : ModifyHealth


Modify Health
Modify Health.

Modify Health 

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $12.95 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

ModifyHealth takes gut and chronic health issues seriously, offering meals that are all gluten-free and low in sodium.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Evidence-based guidelines 

  • Option for supplementary expert support for therapeutic diets

  • Free shipping

Cons
  • Limited plan options

  • Can’t select delivery date

Overview

ModifyHealth provides prepared meals that are all 100% gluten-free. Customers can choose between two plans, Low FODMAP and Mediterranean, and can exclude certain ingredients based on allergies or preferences. You can also opt for expert support from a dietitian as part of your plan.

Pricing and Plans

All orders must include six meals per week or more.

Mediterranean Meal Plan

Entrées:

  • 7 meals per week or less: $13.50 per meal
  • 8 meals per week or more: $12.95 per meal
  • Weekly Plan (10 or more entrées): starts at $129.50 per week

Low-FODMAP Meal Plan

Breakfast: $9.99 per meal

Entrées

  • 7 meals per week or less: $13.50 per meal
  • 8 meals per week or more: $12.95 per meal
  • Weekly Plan (14 entrées or 21 breakfasts and entrées): $180 per week

Expert Support: $99 for up to three virtual consultations with a registered dietitian 

Meals We Tried
  • Greek chicken and rice
  • Longevity stew with black-eyed peas and kale
  • Shrimp chimichurri with black beans and rice
  • Lemon thyme chicken with tahini cauliflower and za'atar quinoa
  • Blackened salmon with quinoa, broccoli, and red bell pepper
  • Roasted pistachio salmon with white beans and kale

Best Prepared Meals : CookUnity


Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $7.27 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 45 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

Our testers liked that CookUnity’s menus are full of diverse options across a range of dietary habits; even better, meals arrive fresh and ready to heat, making prep time a thing of the past.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Chef-designed meals

  • Weekly rotating menu with a lot of variety

  • Includes filters for dietary preferences and restrictions

  • Flexible delivery scheduling

Cons
  • No customization

  • Only single-serving sizes

Overview

CookUnity stands out for its chef-designed meals that arrive fresh, fully cooked, and ready to reheat in a matter of minutes. CookUnity operates with regional “chef collectives” nationwide to provide an impressive variety of cuisines. Customers can sign up for home delivery of anywhere from four to 16 meals per week and have the flexibility to change delivery dates at any time.

Pricing and Plans
  • 4 meals per week: $12.69 per meal
  • 6 meals per week: $11.29 per meal
  • 8 meals per week: $10.89 per meal
  • 12 meals per week: $10.49 per meal
  • 16 meals per week: $10.39 per meal
Meals We Tried
  • Coconut lime hanger steak
  • Carnitas street tacos
  • Butternut squash ravioli
  • Chili-roasted shrimp

Best for Organic : Trifecta


Trifecta
Trifecta.

Trifecta 

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $11.49 per serving 
  • Delivery Area: 50 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

Trifecta’s menu of chef-crafted gluten-free meals includes organic, non-GMO produce and humanely raised meats, along with environmentally friendly packaging materials.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Good value

  • Customizable protein choices

  • Variety of meal types and menus

Cons
  • Minimal sourcing info

  • Not ideal for special diets

Overview

Trifecta boasts a number of chef-curated meal plans, plus coaching and support materials to assist you in reaching your health and fitness goals. Trifecta's meal plans accommodate various dietary preferences, including paleo, keto, Whole30, vegan, and vegetarian. Meals are gluten-free, calorie- and portion-controlled, and made with organic produce and humanely raised meats. Additionally, Trifecta's packaging is 98% biodegradable.

Pricing and Plans

Pricing varies depending on the plan you select. The keto, paleo, Whole30, and “Clean” meal plans, which each include seven entrées, start at $110.99 per week, while the vegan and vegetarian plans come in at $99.99 per week. Meals can also be purchased in an à la carte style. Shipping is a $9.99 flat rate per delivery. 

Meals We Tried
  • Kung pao grilled chicken with broccoli and roasted sweet potato
  • Beef skillet with roasted sweet potato and marinated cabbage
  • Herb-roasted cod with walnut basil pesto and vegetables
  • Slow-cooked rosemary thyme beef with root vegetables
  • Salmon Mexican bowl with tomato salsa and vegetables
  • Ginger shrimp with herb-marinated sweet potato
  • Cajun chicken andouille sausage and roasted vegetables

Best for Families : Home Chef


Home Chef

Home Chef

Key Specs
  • Starting Price: $6.99 per serving
  • Delivery Area: 49 states
  • Products Arrive: Fresh
Why You Should Try It

Home Chef is one of the few meal delivery services that offers up to eight servings per meal, making it a good choice for busy families.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Good value

  • Customizable protein choices

  • Variety of meal types and menus

Cons
  • Minimal sourcing info

  • Not ideal for special diets

Overview

Home Chef offers a lot in terms of its overall value, and the many options customers can choose from—the type of meal, number of recipes received per week (up to 36), and the type of protein to include. Its extensive menu includes meal kits for more involved home cooking (Culinary Collection), quick and easy recipes (15-Minute Meal Kits), oven-ready meals that require minimal prep and cleanup, and fully prepared Fast & Fresh meals that only need reheating. The number of potential combinations, portions, and add-ons makes this a great pick for feeding families with different likes.

Pricing and Plans

For 2 People

  • 2 recipes per week (4 servings): $39.96 plus shipping
  • 3 recipes per week (6 servings): $59.94 plus shipping
  • 4 recipes per week (8 servings): $79.92 plus shipping
  • 5 recipes per week (10 servings): $99.90 plus shipping
  • 6 recipes per week (12 servings): $119.88 plus shipping

For 4 People

  • 2 recipes per week (8 servings): $79.92 plus shipping
  • 3 recipes per week (12 servings): $119.88 plus shipping
  • 4 recipes per week (16 servings): $159.84 plus shipping
  • 5 recipes per week (20 servings): $199.80 plus shipping
  • 6 recipes per week (24 servings): $239.76 plus shipping

For 6 People

  • 2 recipes per week (12 servings): $119.88 plus shipping
  • 3 recipes per week (18 servings): $179.82 plus shipping
  • 4 recipes per week (24 servings): $239.76 plus shipping
  • 5 recipes per week (30 servings): $299.70 plus shipping
  • 6 recipes per week (36 servings): $359.64 plus shipping
Meals We Tried
  • Crispy sweet chili shrimp rice bowl 
  • Creamy tomato and steak penne 
  • Gnocchi and red pepper cream 
  • Moo shu pork lettuce cups

Final Verdict

Sunbasket is our pick for best overall because of the variety it offers across the board. Customers can order a mix of both pre-made meals and meal kits across a range of prices, flavors, and dietary preferences, plus add-ons and some grocery items. We also like that Sunbasket clearly labels organic produce and prioritizes environmentally friendly packaging. Unlike many meal delivery services that are designed for individuals and only offer single servings, Sunbasket provides both single-serve Fresh and Ready items and meal kits that can feed two to four people.

Compare the Best Meal Delivery Services

Company Starting Price  Delivery Area  Products Arrive  Can Customers Choose Delivery Date?  Free Shipping? 
Sunbasket Best Overall $9.99 per serving 46 states Fresh Yes No, except first order
Dinnerly Best Value $4.99 per serving  48 states  Fresh  Yes  No 
HelloFresh Best Variety $7.99 per serving  48 states Fresh  Yes  No 
Hungryroot Best Vegan $8.49 per serving  48 states  Fresh  Yes  Yes, for orders over $70 
Green Chef Best Eco-Friendly $11.99 per serving  48 states  Fresh  Yes  No 
Factor Best Keto $11 per serving  48 states  Fresh  Yes  No 
ModifyHealth Best Gluten-Free $12.95 per serving  48 states  Fresh  No  Yes 
CookUnity Best Prepared Meals $7.27 per serving  45 states  Fresh  Yes  No 
Trifecta Best Organic $11.42 per serving  50 states  Fresh  No  Yes (within continental U.S.) 
Home Chef Best for Families $6.99 per serving  49 states  Fresh  Yes  No 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is it easy to cancel a meal delivery service?

    Yes, it is very easy to cancel meal delivery services directly within your account profile or preferences. The important thing to pay attention to is the cutoff date for any changes or cancellations so you don’t miss the deadline. Most services also allow you to pause delivery for several consecutive weeks if you plan on resuming delivery later on. 

  • Are meal kits expensive?

    The cost of meal kits is influenced by the cost of the ingredients, number of portions, volume ordered, and shipping costs. Plant-based meals are typically less expensive than those with animal protein, but organic produce will drive costs up. You can also expect to pay more for sustainable proteins such as grass-fed beef or antibiotic-free chicken. Meal delivery companies incentivize larger orders by offering volume discounts or free shipping above a certain dollar amount. The starting prices of meals from companies on this list range from $4.99 per serving (Dinnerly) to $12.95 per serving (ModifyHealth). 

  • Which meal kit is best for diabetics?

    Individuals with diabetes who are looking for carbohydrate-controlled meal plans that are also high in fiber and protein can turn to Sunbasket for some great options. Sunbasket offers diabetes-friendly meals that prioritize fiber, protein, high-quality carbs, good fats, and lower sodium and are between 400 and 700 calories per serving. All their meals are made with minimally processed ingredients.

    Factor is another option for individuals wanting no-prep, pre-made meals. Its Keto, Calorie Smart, Vegan + Veggie, and Protein Plus options could all easily fit into a diabetic meal plan due to its emphasis on high fiber, high protein, and low sugar. Just keep in mind that some are also high in saturated fat and/or sodium, so while they may be appropriate for blood sugar control, they may not all be heart-healthy. 

    Sunbasket’s meals are designed as meal kits, so will require some preparation at home, whereas Factor’s are fully prepared and can simply be reheated.

  • Are meal kits healthy?

    Meal kit menus vary significantly between companies and even within the same company, unless the service is extremely niche, such as a service designed for those with diabetes or for weight management. Otherwise, most meal delivery companies offer menus with a mix of nutrient-dense items and comfort foods that are less nutrient-dense and more energy-dense (higher in calories, lower in nutrients).

    Also, because individual health needs vary, there is no one-size-fits-all plan. What may be healthy for one person may not be for another. We recommend looking at the nutrition information and ingredient lists and utilizing any additional nutrition resources the company offers to determine whether the menus will meet your health needs.

Methodology

We ordered from and tested 40 meal delivery services before finalizing the list for this article. We evaluated a variety of quantitative and qualitative factors including the user-friendliness of ordering and modifying orders, meal pricing and shipping costs, menu variety, dietary accommodations, sourcing transparency, use of environmentally friendly packaging, and overall quality of flavor and texture. We also considered whether the service is designed for individuals, families, or both.

Asian fusion food in takeout boxes for online deliveries

Nazar Abbas Photography / Getty Images

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