Best Budget Meal Kits: Dinnerly vs EveryPlate vs HelloFresh
These three services dominate the budget meal kit category. We compared them on price, quality, recipe variety, and real customer experience — so you can pick the right one.
Quick Comparison
| Dinnerly | EveryPlate | HelloFresh | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price/serving | $4.99-6.99 | $4.99-6.49 | $8.99-11.49 |
| Shipping | $11.99 | $10.99 | $10.99 |
| Weekly options | 25+ | 20+ | 35+ |
| Recipe complexity | Simple (6-8 ingredients) | Simple-medium | Medium (10-15 ingredients) |
| Recipe cards | Digital only | Printed | Printed |
| Meal bagging | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Absolute lowest price | Best value balance | More variety/flexibility |
Dinnerly: Lowest Price
The cheapest option. Digital recipe cards keep costs down. Good for: budget-first shoppers, families, simple meals. Less good for: foodies, those who want printed cards.
EveryPlate: Best Value Balance
Nearly as cheap as Dinnerly ($4.99+) but includes printed recipe cards and meal-by-meal bagging. Good for: people who want the full meal-kit experience at a budget price. Less good for: those wanting premium ingredients.
HelloFresh: More for More
Higher price ($8.99+) but more recipes, better packaging, and more dietary options. Good for: those willing to spend more for variety and convenience. Less good for: strict budget shoppers.
The Verdict
If price is your #1 priority: Dinnerly. If you want the meal-kit experience without the premium price: EveryPlate. If you want the most variety and recipe options: HelloFresh. All three are solid — the right choice depends on what matters most to you.