You love the idea of a home-cooked meal but life happens and going for takeout, or eating something quick (and processed) ends up happening more than you’d like to admit. Meal kit delivery services have grown in popularity as people like you are turning to them for mealtime solutions. Here, we’re going to take a look at two of the most popular meal kit delivery service options: Hello Fresh Vs Blue Apron.
Blue Apron and Hello Fresh meal kit services both entered the scene in the United States at about the same time. In less than a decade, they’ve both built well-respected names for themselves. This is great, but it doesn’t really help you decide between them, does it?
On the surface, Hello Fresh and Blue Apron offer a very similar meal kit service. The difference is in the details, so let’s take a closer look.
Table of Contents
Hello Fresh
Pros
- Above-average variety with approximately 20 meal options each week
- Great meal options for picky eaters
- A range of classical and worldly cuisines
- Frequent discount incentives offered
- Good options for plan choices
Cons
- Few options for special dietary needs
- Lack of transparency about whether they use non-GMO or organic ingredients
- Customer reviews indicate that delivery can take a long time
Blue Apron
Pros
- A better choice for people with special dietary concerns
- Unique takes on classic style dishes
- Uses entirely non-GMO ingredients, and strives for organic whenever possible
- Offers add-ons like their wine service
Cons
- Some meals can take nearly an hour to prepare
- Limited options compared to Hello Fresh
- Canceling a subscription can be troublesome
Dietary Options
Hello Fresh
Diets
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Paleo
- Keto
- Whole30
- Mediterranean
- Gluten-Free
- Dairy-Free
- Diabetic-Friendly
- Weight Loss
Blue Apron
Many people today have special dietary needs, preferences, and food allergies. If you’ve ever asked a server endless questions in a restaurant or scrupulously investigated package labeling, you know exactly how challenging it can be to find foods that fit your dietary requirements. The meal delivery service you choose must offer dietary options that are aligned with your needs.
HelloFresh meals can work for some dietary options but they’re limited. Hello Fresh is best for people who are looking for calorie-smart meals. They have a good number of vegetarian meals too. If you have serious food sensitivities, such as gluten intolerances, or follow one of today’s popular diets (Keto, Paleo, Mediterranean, etc.), you might find the selection from Hello Fresh to be a little limiting.
Blue Apron offers a few more options than Hello Fresh for those with special dietary considerations. In addition to low calorie and vegetarian options, Blue Apron delivery also offers selections that are carb-conscious, diabetic-friendly, and they offer meals that meet the guidelines of the Mediterranean Diet (some weeks have more selection than others)
Dietary Options Winner
Both services could do better for people on Keto, Paleo, or Gluten-Free diets. Blue Apron does come out ahead in that they offer dietary options that Hello Fresh doesn’t, such as their Mediterannean and Weight Watchers selection
Meal Prep & Variety
Hello Fresh
- 20
- 2 meals for 2 people
Diets
- Choose Your Own Meals
- Number of Meals Available
- Minimum Order
Blue Apron
- 50+
- 2 Meals for 2 People
As far as variety goes, Hello Fresh does a good job with an average of 20 menu options offered each week. Almost all of their meals can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. Plus, Hello Fresh offers a category of meals that can be on the table in as little as 15 minutes. This is super helpful if you’re busy or pressed for time.
The flavor profiles offered by Hello Fresh lean to classic flavors, with a few options to try something a little bolder. Overall, Hello Fresh offers well-liked meal options, even for picky eaters.
Blue Apron offers fewer selections, with about 12 meal options per week. Many of the meals that Blue Apron offers take a bit of a twist on classic dishes. Think along the line of curry-spiced burgers or tacos loaded with caramelized onions.
While Blue Apron’s meals are not massive culinary undertakings by any means, on average they do take a bit longer to prepare and cook than those offered by Hello Fresh. The average time for a Blue Apron meal to make it from cutting board to table is 25-40 minutes but a few of their meals do take as long as 50 minutes. Blue Apron’s menu does have some prepared meals, though they’re not as popular as the meal kits.
Meal Variety Winner
Hello Fresh comes out ahead in this category because of how many recipes are offered each week. Their super-fast meal options are also a bonus for those that don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Benefit from no-prep meals, easy-to-read recipe cards with time-saving dinner shortcuts, and flavor that will pass the taste test every time.
Ingredients
Hello Fresh
Diets
- Non-GMO
- Organic
- Grass Fed
- Wild-Caught
Blue Apron
Have you ever looked at a meal that was beautifully prepared, anticipating that first bite, only to be disappointed because the taste and texture just fall flat? You can have all the culinary talent in the world but without quality ingredients, you’re not going to get very far with it.
According to Hello Fresh, they’re committed to sourcing their ingredients straight from the farm whenever possible. They also promote a strong commitment to ethics and sustainability when choosing their suppliers. The problem is, a lot of meal delivery kits say similar. There isn’t a lot of clarity on where Hello Fresh gets ingredients or what their quality checks look like for suppliers.
Blue Apron offers more transparency regarding the quality of their ingredients. They source their ingredients from a network that includes more than 100 family runs farms, all of which adhere to sustainable farming practices. They also require their suppliers to demonstrate that they’re certified non-GMO. Having high standards for quality ingredients helps Blue Apron to create healthy recipes you can feel good about preparing for your family
Ingredients Winner
Taste & Sample Meals
Hello Fresh
- Zucchini Pomodoro Penne Bake
- Bulgogi Chicken Tacos
- Harissa Sweet Potato Pockets
Blue Apron
- Seared Steaks & Calabrian Chile Butter with Collard Greens & Cheesy Potatoes
- Mediterranean Farro Bowls
- White Cheddar Cheeseburgers
The pictures of the meals on both sites look so good that it’s almost torture to look at them when you’re hungry. The images are mouth-watering but how does the actual taste measure up?
Whether you’re craving something down-home or a meal with a bit of worldly flair, Hello Fresh has you covered. With a diverse range of delicious meals, you’re going to find something that will appeal to the tastebuds of even the pickiest eaters at your table. A lot of Hello Fresh menu items are family-friendly, even the healthy meals.
Honestly, reviews for Hello Fresh are all over the board. With a long history in the meal delivery kit industry, they’ve had plenty of time to build up a reputation and collect reviews. Some customers absolutely love Hello Fresh, while others feel a little more “meh”.
The flavors of Blue Apron’s meals fall just outside the ordinary. If you like the idea of trying new spices, sauces, and flavor combinations, a Blue Apron box is a great option. Like Hello Fresh, Blue Apron’s customers have a range of comments on the taste. Overall, Blue Apron’s customers seem to be more satisfied with the taste of their meals.
Taste Winner
Honestly, Blue Apron and HelloFresh are on fairly even ground in terms of taste. Blue Apron wins because they stray a little off the beaten path. Most meals have bold flavor profiles and they’ve collected more favorable customer reviews regarding the taste of their meals.
Pricing
Hello Fresh
RECIPES PER WEEK | 2 PEOPLE | 4 PEOPLE (Price Per Serving) |
2 | $12.49 | $9.49 |
3 | $9.99 | $9.49 |
4 | $9.79 | $9.29 |
5 | $9.79 | $9.29 |
6 | $9.79 | $8.99 |
Blue Apron
RECIPES PER WEEK | 2 People | 4 People |
Two | $3.24 | $5.12 |
Three | $4.16 | $5.57 |
Four | $5.12 | $5.80 |
For many, the one drawback of meal delivery services is the cost. Some of them can make quite a dent in your food budget. Hello Fresh and Blue Apron are two of the more economical options. Here’s how they compare to each other from a price standpoint.
All meals from Hello Fresh cost less than $9 per portion. This is reasonable, especially considering you’re getting a restaurant-quality meal without the hassle of shopping for ingredients. You can order as little as three meals per week. Hello Fresh does charge a flat rate shipping fee of $7.99 per order.
Blue Apron’s meals are in a similar price range as Hello Fresh. With Blue Apron, the cost of your meals will determine on the plan you choose and the quantity of portions order. The highest you’ll pay for a meal from Blue Apron is $9.99. Meal prep bundles come with 2, 3, or 4 recipes each week.
Blue Apron also charges a flat rate shipping fee of $8.99, although there are circumstances in which shipping is completely free.
Pricing Winner
25 Free Meals Across 5 boxes + First Box Ships Free + 3 Surprise Gifts
Get up to 16 meals free across 6 orders (a $130 value)—plus, your first order ships free!
New Customers: Enjoy $110 off across your first 5 orders + free shipping on your first order!
Packaging & Recycling
Hello Fresh
Blue Apron
How your meal kits are packaged is a major factor in your overall experience and the quality of your meals. While proper packaging is important, there’s also the challenge of disposing of it afterward.
Hello Fresh and Blue Apron package their meal kits similarly. Ice/gel packs are used to keep temperature-sensitive items properly chilled and ingredients are all packed to preserve freshness.
Both companies also do a good job of using mostly recyclable materials. Hello Fresh uses mostly recyclable materials, the only exceptions being the gel inside their ice packs and BPA-free plastic and mylar liners.
Blue Apron also uses almost exclusively recyclable packing components. They also have a very detailed guide on their website that breaks down how to recycle or dispose of each type of packaging. Their only non-recyclable packaging appears to be their spice packets and some lids.
Packaging Winner
Customer Service
Hello Fresh
Diets
- Skip a Week
- Pause
- Cancel
Blue Apron
- Difficult
If it were as easy as placing an order, receiving your box, and enjoying a great meal, customer service might not be such a big deal. However, we all know things come up and a company’s ability to satisfactorily handle issues that arise is key to a positive experience.
Both companies take a hit on reviews for their customer service. In all fairness, this seems to be a common trend as meal delivery has become more popular as people are quarantined at home. This equals overloaded customer service departments for many businesses.
Hello Fresh and Blue Apron are similar in terms of their willingness to refund, change plans, etc., although it appears to be somewhat more difficult to cancel your subscription through Blue Apron.
Customer Service Winner
Winner
Blue Apron
In the battle of Blue Apron Vs Hello Fresh, each company stands out as a winner in their own ways. Blue Apron wins overall because they offer more dietary options, the quality of their ingredients, and the taste of their meals. Did we mention that Blue Apron also offers wine? That’s a perk that’s hard to argue with.
Honestly, the choice depends on what your priorities are. If you don’t have any dietary restrictions, you might find Hello Fresh is a better service for you. Here are a few things to consider before making your choice.
Choose Hello Fresh if you:
- Enjoy worldly cuisines
- Like a little more variety in meal choices
- Favor classical dishes or have picky eaters in your home
- Want a calorie-conscious meal kit delivery option
Choose Blue Apron if you:
- Enjoy meals that offer new flavor combinations
- Have special dietary needs
- Appreciate that shipping is free with some plans
- Like the idea that you can easily find out how to recycle packaging materials
- Enjoy adds-ons like their wine selection