Cheapest Meal Delivery Services for 2023

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

Portion food in foil disposable containers. Food delivery. Balanced diet. Proper nutrition — Photo:
Maryna Terletska / Getty Images

There are a lot of factors when weighing whether or not to sign up for a meal delivery service, and cost is often a big one. Meal delivery services can provide a convenient option for busy customers, but prices can vary widely. Luckily, there are plenty of affordable options out there. Whether you’re looking for help keeping track of food spending, cheaper meal options, or an alternative to grocery store shopping, these affordable meal delivery services could be a great fit.

Cheapest Meal Delivery Services of 2023

Starts at $4.99: EveryPlate
Starts at $4.99: Dinnerly
Starts at $6.79: Daily Harvest
Starts at $6.99: Revive Superfoods
Starts at $7.99: HelloFresh
Starts at $8.99: Blue Apron
Starts at $7.99: Mom's Meals

Starts at $4.99: EveryPlate

EveryPlate

Learn More

Key Specs

Starting Price: $4.99 per serving
Delivery Area: Most states in the continental U.S.
Products Arrive: Fresh

Why You Should Try It

EveryPlate provides affordable, straightforward, fresh meal kits delivered to your door, and for a couple or family of four, it delivers on that goal.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Add-ons can be added to your order
Veggie and Quick & Easy recipe options available

Cons

Not focused on dietary accommodations

Overview

EveryPlate aims for comforting, simple meals; testers often noted that the selection wasn’t overly adventurous in terms of flavors or unique dishes. The company instead focuses on offering a weekly, rotating menu of entrées to choose from, with items like turkey shepherd’s pie and potato and black bean enchiladas. Preparation is simple, and the service is designed to give those with little interest in the intricacies of cooking a budget-friendly way to serve freshly made meals.

Pricing and Plans

For two or four people
Three to six meals per week
Pricing ranges from $4.99 to $5.89 per serving

Meals we tried

Crispy Caesar chicken
Steak frites
Blackened shrimp salad
Hotel butter barramundi

Starts at $4.99: Dinnerly

Learn More

Key Specs

Starting Price: $4.99 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh

Why You Should Try It

An excellent option for families, Dinnerly handles meals on a budget while still providing a well-balanced menu of choices.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Works with some diets, like low-carb and keto-friendly
Recipes are labeled No Chop! for even less work

Cons

No add-ons are available

Overview

Dinnerly’s entrées are reminiscent of comfort food classics but often with a little twist. Meals are designed with busy families in mind and include recipes that are labeled as “kid-friendly,” making selections for picky eaters easier to spot. Past menu offerings have included a pesto chicken meatloaf and a 20-minute BBQ pulled pork pot pie.

Pricing and Plans

Couples Plan (two people): Three meals for $38.34; up to six meals for $74.88
Family Plan (four people): Three meals for $73.68; up to six meals for $119.76

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

Starts at $6.79: Daily Harvest

Learn More

Key Specs

Starting Price: $6.79 per serving
Delivery Area: 50 states
Products Arrive: Frozen

Why You Should Try It

Daily Harvest’s menu differs from most meal delivery services by offering some fun, flavorful options to liven up your routine.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Organic items with budget pricing
Good alternative for on-the-go products

Cons

May not be the cheapest option for families

Overview

Not all meal delivery services are built the same and Daily Harvest’s menu is definitely an outlier, offering hundreds of organic, plant-based meals. Keeping price at the forefront alongside nutrient-rich dishes makes this a winner when trying to balance your money and your dietary goals. Try one of its popular smoothies, like Avocado + Greens, or Forager Bowls for breakfast. There are flatbreads and soups that make quick, healthy lunch or dinner options, and Scoops (frozen, plant-based desserts) to finish off the day.

Pricing and Plans

Weekly and monthly plans of nine to 26 items per order
Items are individually priced from $5.99 to $11.99

Meals We Tried

Mint and cacao smoothie
Mango papaya smoothie
Hazelnut and chocolate bites
Tomatillo and pepper flatbread
Portobello and pesto flatbread
Sweet potato and wild rice hash
Brussels sprouts and tahini harvest bowl
Spinach and shiitake grits
Tomato and zucchini minestrone soup

Starts at $6.99: Revive Superfoods

Revive Superfoods

Learn More

Key Specs

Starting Price: $6.99 per serving
Delivery Area: Varies; see website for details
Products Arrive: Frozen

Why You Should Try It

Canadian-based Revive Superfoods is a terrific way to have frozen smoothies and other types of single-serving foods on hand for quick meals and snacks, all in a cost-conscious way.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Quick, single-serve items
Arrive frozen for easy storage
All items are plant-based

Cons

Nutrient and allergy info on packaging differs from U.S. labeling

Overview

Smoothies are Revive Superfoods’ primary focus, and there is a large variety to choose from, with classics like Strawberry and Banana to more unique flavor combos like Green Apple and Moringa. However, some testers felt some items on the menu (like the supermeal bowls) fell short on flavor. Although the menu is slightly limited, it still provides enough options to cover three square meals a day, all for a reasonable price.

Pricing and Plans

Weekly subscriptions include nine, 12, or 24 items
Monthly subscriptions are 12 or 24 items
Items are priced individually from $6.99 to $8.99 each

Meals We Tried

Hazy Cocoa smoothie
Pink Dragon smoothie
Acai Twist smoothie
Chipotle and black bean supermeal
Lentil and sun-dried tomato supermeal
Avocado and quinoa supermeal
Chickpea and pomegranate supermeal
Guajillo tortilla soup
Artisan bean and tomato soup

Starts at $8.99: HelloFresh

Hello Fresh

Learn More

Key Specs

Starting Price: $8.99 per serving
Delivery Area: 50 states
Products Arrive: Fresh

Why You Should Try It

With recipes that span global flavors and family-friendly choices, HelloFresh is a meal delivery service that serves everybody at the table while going easy on the wallet.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Clear recipe instructions
HelloCustom allows swaps or upgraded sides and proteins in a weekly order

Cons

Doesn’t accommodate many specialty diets

Overview

A large weekly menu ensures plenty of selections to accommodate everyone’s tastes, all for a good price. Choices can range from a beef with cheddar-gouda fondue board to sweet corn & green pepper chowder to shrimp pomodoro penne bake. There are even quick 10-minute lunch options to help make the whole week go smoothly and inject a bit of variety into those in-office lunches.

Pricing and Plans

Plans are for two or four people
Two to six meals per week, starting at $7.99
Shipping is calculated at checkout

Meals We Tried

Crispy buffalo-spiced chicken
BBQ cheddar burgers
Tex-Mex pork with mango salsa
Pork sausage rigatoni rosa

Starts at $7.99: Blue Apron

Blue Apron

Learn More

Key Specs

Starting Price: $7.99 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh and frozen

Why You Should Try It

Blue Apron aims to elevate the approach of a price-conscious meal delivery service with entrées that may not be as simple as popping a tray into the microwave but reach those who are more than happy to tend to a sauce.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Diabetes-friendly options are available

Cons

Not a good option for those with severe food allergies

Overview

Although some recipes can take upward of 50 minutes or so to cook, Blue Apron’s meals are worth the wait. The menu items are involved and include a significant hands-on approach for the customer, which is perfect if you love to cook but aren’t always sure what to buy at the store. Previous selections have included a rosemary-walnut-crusted cod and harissa-fig chicken thighs and orzo salad.

Pricing and Plans

Two meals with two servings each: $11.99 per serving
Four meals with two servings each: $9.49 per serving
Two meals with four servings each: $9.49 per serving
Four meals with four servings each: $7.99 per serving
Shipping 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

Starts at $7.99: Mom’s Meals

Learn More

Key Specs

Starting Price: $7.99 per serving

Delivery Area: 48 states

Products Arrive: Fresh

Why We Chose It

Mom's Meals’ main objective is to provide healthy and convenient meals to the elderly while also ensuring that the price is affordable.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Nine dietary plans offered, including Heart Friendly and Cancer Support
Medicare and Medicaid plans available

Cons

Meals may not have the best taste or look

Overview

The single-serving meals provided by Mom’s Meals are a way to help ease the burden of grocery shopping and meal preparation for the elderly without compromising on cost. The company works with case managers, caregivers, and state governments to set up plans for seniors that fit their dietary needs. Sample menus include beef goulash with whole-wheat pasta or chicken with southwestern vegetable hash.

Pricing and Plans

Self-Pay program $7.99 to $8.99 per meal

Other plans available for those with governmental assistance or health plan; prices vary based on location and situation

Meals We Tried

Curry vegetables with pineapple and brown rice, string cheese, vanilla pudding

Cheeseburger and seasoned mixed vegetables, whole-wheat bun, orange

Chicken and stir-fried vegetables with teriyaki sauce, white rice, applesauce

Sweet and sour chicken with stir-fried vegetables, white rice, grape juice, ginger spice cookie

BBQ chicken with potato medley, seasoned green beans, applesauce

Beef goulash over whole-wheat pasta, seasoned carrots, orange

Salisbury steak with mushroom gravy, potatoes, seasoned vegetables, whole-wheat dinner roll, gelatin

Mushroom risotto, seasoned peas and carrots, whole-wheat roll, grape juice

Korean-style BBQ meatballs with white rice, seasoned broccoli, ginger spice cookie

Creamy macaroni and cheese, seasoned vegetables, mandarin orange cup, blueberry applesauce

Final Verdict

EveryPlate and Dinnerly are our choices for the two cheapest meal delivery services. With servings that start at only $4.99, they provide straightforward, home-cooked meal kits that go easier on the wallet. With the ability to help customers stay home for dinner and save some money without compromising on meal selections, they are a great resource to have.

Compare the Best Cheapest Meal Delivery Services

Company	Delivery Area	Products Arrive	Can Customers Choose a Delivery Date?	Free Shipping?
EveryPlate: Starts at $4.99	Most states in the continental U.S.	Fresh	Yes	No
Dinnerly: Starts at $4.99	48 states	Fresh	Yes	No
Daily Harvest: Starts at $6.79	50 states	Frozen	Yes	Yes
Revive Superfoods: Starts at $6.99	Varies; see website for details	Frozen	Yes	No
HelloFresh: Starts at $8.99	50 states	Fresh	Yes	No
Blue Apron: Starts at $7.99	48 states	Fresh and frozen	Yes	No
Mom’s Meals: Starts at $7.99	48 states	Fresh	Yes	No

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Cheapest Meal Delivery Service?

When looking to subscribe to a meal delivery service, price is a good variable to keep in mind, but it’s not the only one. Meal delivery services with the lowest price may not always be the best choice for you and your family. You may need special dietary plans or want access to only organic options; perhaps fresh versus frozen meals is a big factor. A meal delivery service should be one that you actually use, enjoy, and complements your life.

Are Meal Delivery Services Cheaper Than Going to the Grocery Store?

Meal delivery services can be much easier than dealing with the grocery store. Orders are sent conveniently to your door and the items in those orders can be as hands-off or hands-on as you want them to be. But you’ll want to look at the meal options of your chosen delivery service; does it include add-ons or pantry items to choose from? Do the meal options available cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Are there enough choices for everyone in your household? Meal delivery services can be a great way to supplement or cut down on your grocery shopping, possibly at a lower cost, but it is only worth it if it fills the needs of your daily life.

Do Meal Delivery Services Help Me Lose Weight?

A meal delivery service is a great tool to help all of their customers through various life needs. One of the great things that a service can offer is a way to portion-control meals automatically, especially with single-serve entrées. There’s a great range of options from services that cover many types of specialty diets that may help you achieve your weight loss goals. Ultimately, meal delivery services are there to make your life easier and that can also include losing weight if you find one that can help support the type of diet you and your doctor believe is best.

Is Meal Prep Worth Buying?

Sometimes, one of the hardest things about crafting meals at home is the amount of time it takes to plan and prepare them. A benefit of meal delivery services is that a lot of them do the prep for you; ingredients are portioned out, sometimes requiring little to no chopping or effort on your part! Companies offer smoothies and bowls for quick morning breakfasts so you don’t need to plan before you dash out the door or for a dinner that just needs a quick reheat in the microwave. If the cost of the service outweighs the time saved on meal prep and provides foods you enjoy eating, then it’s worth considering when looking at potential meal delivery services.

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 consisted of a variety of people, including food writers and kids, to capture as many voices as possible.

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!