Blue Apron VS HelloFresh Comparison

UPDATED Mar. 2024
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Choosing the right meal kit delivery service to fit your personal taste and that of your entire family is challenging enough even without having two high-quality options such as Blue Apron and HelloFresh pinned against each other.

This HelloFresh vs. Blue Apron comparison serves as a comprehensive guide about both companies, including their biggest advantages but also their potential shortcomings. If you are torn between these two companies, our objective Blue Apron vs. HelloFresh comparison covers all the essential features of these services in order to make your final choice as easy as possible.

Blue Apron
Healthy cooking made fun and easy
VS
HelloFresh
Fresh, tasty and healthy cooking

Highlights

Blue Apron
Blue Apron is a healthy home cooking solution that allows you to cook impressive meals, save time on meal planning and preparation, and even save some cash by getting premium-quality ingredients in just the right quantity at a good price.
  • Price Range: $$
  • Average Price Per Meal: $9.74
  • Shipping Cost: $0 *
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
*free shipping on all orders except for 2-recipe boxes for 2 people
HelloFresh
HelloFresh is an allergen-friendly, vegetarian-friendly, flexible, and quite affordable meal kit delivery, allowing you to cook meals that suit your taste in little time, hassle-free, while staying on budget.
  • Price Range: $
  • Average Price Per Meal: $8.87
  • Shipping Cost: $6.99 *
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
*$7.99 for 2 recipes for 2 people

Compare Features

Blue Apron
Best For
Best for adventurous foodies with little experience in the kitchen
Menu/Meal Plans
Blue Apron offers two menus, including the 2-Person menu and the Family menu.
Recipes/Meal Options
Blue Apron features 8 new recipes on the 2-Person menu and 4 new recipes on the Family menu each week.
Meal & Recipe Variety
Blue Apron's menu focuses on easy-cleanup, quick-prep recipes that are often ready in just 30 minutes. The recipes are suitable for omnivores, vegetarians, and fans of the Mediterranean diet. The chefs aim to strike a perfect balance between meat, seafood, and veggie options and create innovative meals inspired by international classics.
Food Quality
Blue Apron takes pride in offering nothing but the freshest, sustainably sourced seafood recommended by the Seafood Watch, hormone-free, antibiotic-free meat, and nutritious seasonal produce fresh from the farm, free from GMOs, and organic whenever possible.
Nutritional Value & Portion Size
Blue Apron offers optimally balanced meals with portion size based on the rules of healthy eating, thus allowing you to enjoy satisfying meals without overeating or wasting food.
Subscription Flexibility
With Blue Apron, you can switch from one plan to another or pause your delivery whenever you want. All changes to your subscription must be made before the 'Changeable before' date, which you can view in your account.
Refunds
Blue Apron boasts its unique Freshness Guarantee. If you are not happy with your order, you can contact the company and they will gladly resolve your issue.
HelloFresh
Best For
Best for busy home cooks seeking healthier versions of comforting classics
Menu/Meal Plans
With HelloFresh, you can opt for the Veggie Plan, Classic Plan, Family Plan or Calorie Smart plan.
Recipes/Meal Options
HelloFresh offers 17 new recipes each week, all of which are suitable for omnivores, 3 of which are calorie-controlled, 9 of which are family-friendly, and 3 of which are vegetarian.
Meal & Recipe Variety
HelloFresh converts all-time favorites into more colorful, quick-to-make meals that can be ready to eat in as little as 20 minutes. Its selection includes omnivore, vegetarian, kid-friendly, calorie-smart, egg-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free recipes. Most meals are designed for everyday home dining, with occasional premium dishes for special occasions.
Food Quality
HelloFresh provides locally sourced ingredients of the highest quality. Its seafood is ocean-friendly, wild-caught, and recommended by the Seafood Watch. Its meat originates from local farms that meet the highest standards of quality. Its produce is natural, freshly picked, and comes from family-owned farms.
Nutritional Value & Portion Size
The meals you cook with HelloFresh are made of nutrient-packed ingredients and have optimal nutritional value. Portions are ample enough to keep you full but do not count on leftovers.
Subscription Flexibility
With HelloFresh, you can modify your subscription or switch between plans anytime. You can also pause, skip or cancel your order whenever you wish. All changes to your subscription must be made by 11:59 pm PST 5 days prior to your next scheduled delivery
Refunds
HelloFresh offers refunds if you are not satisfied with your delivery. Refunds can take 3-5 days to process.

Compare Plans & Pricing

Blue Apron
Blue Apron Plans & Pricing
2-Serving Signature plan
Meals per weekMeal kit pricePrice per serving
2$39.96$9.99
3$59.94$9.99
2-Serving WW Freestyle Plan
Meals per weekMeal kit pricePrice per serving
2$39.96$9.99
3$59.94$9.99
2-Serving Vegetarian Plan
Meals per weekMeal kit pricePrice per serving
2$39.96$9.99
3$59.94$9.99
4-Serving Signature Plan
Meals per weekMeal kit pricePrice per serving
2$71.92$8.99
3$95.88$7.99
4$119.84$7.49
HelloFresh
HelloFresh Plans & Pricing
Classic Plan (2 servings)
Meals per weekPrice per servingPrice per week
2$9.99$39.96
3$8.99$53.94
4$8.99$71.92
Classic Plan (4 servings)
Meals per weekPrice per servingPrice per week
2$8.99$71.92
3$7.49$89.88
Veggie Plan (2 servings)
Meals per weekPrice per servingPrice per week
2$9.99$39.96
3$8.99$53.94
Veggie Plan (4 servings)
Meals per weekPrice per servingPrice per week
2$8.99$71.92
3$7.49$89.88
Calorie Smart Plan (2 servings)
Meals per weekPrice per servingPrice per week
2$9.99$39.96
3$8.99$53.94
Calorie Smart Plan (4 servings)
Meals per weekPrice per servingPrice per week
2$8.99$71.92
3$7.49$89.88
Family Plan (4 servings)
Meals per weekPrice per servingPrice per week
2$7.87$62.96
3$7.49$89.88

Suitable For

Blue Apron
Meals For Families
Meals For Kids
Meals For Seniors
Meals For One
HelloFresh
Meals For Families
Meals For Kids
Meals For Seniors
Meals For One

Compare Meal Options

Blue Apron
Vegetarian Meals
Vegan Meals
Paleo Meals
Keto Meals
Low-Carb Meals
Low-Fat Meals
Meals For Diabetics
Gluten-Free Meals
Organic Meals
Weight Loss Meals
HelloFresh
Vegetarian Meals
Vegan Meals
Paleo Meals
Keto Meals
Low-Carb Meals
Low-Fat Meals
Meals For Diabetics
Gluten-Free Meals
Organic Meals
Weight Loss Meals

Compare Sample Meals

Blue Apron
HelloFresh

Compare Extras

Blue Apron
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace
HelloFresh
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace

Compare Ratings

Blue Apron
FINAL RATING
9.2/10
Meal Options
Variety
Nutritional Value
Portion Size
Flexibility
Price
HelloFresh
FINAL RATING
9.0/10
Meal Options
Variety
Nutritional Value
Portion Size
Flexibility
Price

Compare Customer Reviews

Blue Apron
  • Submitted By George on 07/02/2019
    We have had Blue Apron for over a year now. They have cleaned up alot of mistakes from the past - missing ingredients, etc.. Their food is very good, they know how to spice a dish and great sauces. We will keep using them. However, I have to say, there are now several competitors with fully organic food and a wider choice of meals each week. We are going to check them out. Organic food matters. If BA wants to survive for another year (I hope they do), they are at least going to have to expand their choices to 18 a week.
  • Submitted By LISA on 03/23/2019
    I have tried many different delivery services. I love to cook and have no problems in the kitchen, however sometimes shopping and planning...well there is no time. I love that you can choose which recipes you like which meats ect. Why better than fast food and takes just about the same time. things I would like they change, less pots to clean, and tripe the veggies in each recipe; CUSTOMER SERCVICE IS THE BEST. However I wish they would not send a box unless I order, trying to remember to cancel for the week because I wont be home is something
  • Submitted By Virginia Cole on 11/28/2018
    When I first started using Blue Apron, I was amazed! The meals were delicious, flavorful, and very easy to prepare. We slowly switched to eating Blue Apron meals six days every single week and it was all great until a couple of months ago when they started sending the shipments late and missing the ingredients. Sometimes they don’t pack a garnish or a spice which isn’t a deal breaker but I’ve missed main ingredients a couple of times as well. Hope Blue Apron ups their game since I would really hate to switch companies after such pleasant experiences in the past.
  • Submitted By Jan on 09/04/2018
    I have been using Blue Apron for about 10 months now. The ingredients are always fresh. The recipes have been delicious. And the variety and portion sizes make BA a top meal delivery service. I would recommend BA to anyone looking to cook healthy meal options. I love BA and can't imagine what I'd do without them now. I can't remember how we cooked prior to BA. Our meal planning before BA was so blah now that I think about it. Sign up for BA and you really will be glad you gave them a try.
HelloFresh
  • Submitted By Ann on 10/25/2019
    We think the meals are terrific because they are tasty, ingredients are fresh, we don't get palpitations after eating, prices are more than fair, a good variety, and huge portions.
  • Submitted By Esther on 10/23/2019
    I've given HelloFresh too many chances because I actually do like the concept and recipes. When I went to order my first free box they ended up charging me full price for it. I worked with customer services (was on hold for an atrociously long time). The second time I ordered it for my fiance and used a free box coupon and I was afraid it was going to charge me again so immediately after trying to place the order I called customer service because I'd put my payment info in but never got a confirmation that I had gotten the box for free (It showed up that it was charging me full price). When I got on the line the woman was incredibly condescending and rude to me say that it was free and I wasn't charged. I'm sorry HelloFresh--if you can get better customer service and checkout platform then maybe I'd be worth it. To top it all off I never even got my box...
  • Submitted By Rachael on 09/27/2019
    Hello Fresh is TERRIBLE. I've tried Blue Apron (fantastic!) and Home Chef (just ok) in the past, and didn't ever have any issues with them. But Hello Fresh has been a nightmare. Messed up the address of the first box. Produce that goes bad VERY quickly (like the very next day). Twice in a row, the wrong ingredients were shipped. It's such a mess! I complained each time and got a credit instead of a refund which is frustrating. On top of it all, I've been very unimpressed with the meals. Very rarely has something been truly delicious. My kids will barely touch these meals, and I don't blame them. They're barely edible. (My kids are not picky eaters.) So yeah, never going back to Hello Fresh.
  • Submitted By Alissa on 03/29/2019
    This is my first meal delivery service and I just finished my 2nd week and have loved every meal! There have been some meals that I look at the ingredients and think it is hardly going to make much but each meal has been at least 2 servings. And usually I get a lunch out of them too. I'm become a pescatarian and I have subbed one of the veggie meals each week with fish, which is great. There have some slight issues with a few of the bags but not a big deal and I think the instructions could be clearer. Prior to this I meal planned and grocery shopped on Sundays and made dinner every night, with some meals taking me forever to make. This service seems to have meals down to less than 30 mins and that is awesome. Also, the packaging is great. I appreciate the environmentally friendly packaging and even though I compost, it is definitely great to get exactly the right amount of veggies per meal (no more buying a bunch of scallions and only using 2). Having said all this, I have a feeling that I will get tired of the veggie options. There are only 3 choices each week but if you eat fish like I do, then you get an extra one. I feel there is too much dairy and rice, which is not something I normally eat much of. I love the service so far but may try another one at some point to change up my vegetarian options.

Winner

Blue Apron is a meal delivery service geared toward suiting your particular eating preferences, so you have a lot of freedom when it comes to choosing your ingredients. It focuses on responsible food and animal growing practices, which sets it apart from other meal kit deliveries. Read our Blue Apron review to discover if it is the right service for you.

Meal Options

Blue Apron takes the lead in this category since it offers 4 different meal plans. HelloFresh has only 3.

If you decide to go with HelloFresh, you can choose between the Classic, the Vegetarian, and the Family plan. With the Classic plan, you can pick 2, 3 or 4 out of 17 recipes available every week. The Veggie plan brings you 2-3 out of 3 chef-selected recipes per week. With the Family plan, you can choose 2 or 3 out of 9 picky-eater-friendly recipes on the weekly menu.

On the other hand, Blue Apron lets you choose from the following plans: 2-Serving Signature (omnivore), 4-Serving Signature (kid-friendly), 2-Serving Vegetarian, and 2-Serving WW Freestyle, designed in cooperation with WW, Weight Watchers reimagined. With 2-serving plans, you can order 2 or 3 recipes per week while the 4-Serving Signature plan lets you cook 2, 3 or 4 meals per week. 

Variety

Both HelloFresh and Blue Apron introduce various creative recipes to their customers each week.

HelloFresh crafts 29 fresh recipes every week. The options include omnivore, vegetarian, kid-friendly, calorie-smart, gourmet, egg-free, nut-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free recipes. You can also opt for the handy 2-in-1 kits that let you cook a great dinner and use the leftovers and extra ingredients to quickly make a healthy lunch the next day.

Blue Apron’s culinary team designs 22 new recipes every week. However, not all recipes are available with all meal plans. The 2-Serving Signature plan brings you 8 omnivore and vegetarian recipes per week. The 2-Serving Vegetarian plan includes 3 meat-free recipes per week. The 2-Serving WW Freestyle plan includes 6 WW-approved recipes per week. Finally, the 4-Serving Signature plan allows you to choose from 5 omnivore, kid-friendly recipes every week. 

Nutritional Value

HelloFresh and Blue Apron both provide recipes for meals that perfectly satisfy the dietary needs of the whole family.

Every recipe from HelloFresh features the number of calories the meal contains. Moreover, HelloFresh is very careful with the choice of their ingredients, so you can be sure that you will eat only healthy, wholesome food.

Blue Apron works hard to provide ingredients of the highest quality for you and your family. The nutritive value of their meals can be found on their recipe cards, so you can choose dishes according to your diet.

Portion Size

Every ingredient you get from both HelloFresh and Blue Apron is carefully measured and prepared. You always receive just the right amount of ingredients needed to cook the perfect meal, never too much and never too little.

Both meal delivery services tailor their servings to meet the needs of an average adult. HelloFresh’s Family plan and Blue Apron’s 4-Serving Signature plan are created for sumptuous dinners for a family of four.

Flexibility

This isn’t a category that’ll help you make up your mind since both companies are very flexible when it comes to orders and subscriptions.

HelloFresh allows you to change or skip your delivery any time you want. You just need to be careful and do it at least 5 days before the delivery date. You can also cancel your subscription without any penalties.

Blue Apron accepts any changes as well. All you have to do is log in to your account and check whether your order is “changeable.” In case it is, you can choose to change something or to skip a delivery. Subscription cancellation can also be done online in a few simple steps.

Price

HelloFresh meal kits cost between $6.99 and $9.99, depending on the meal plan you choose. The shipping costs range from $6.99 to $7.99.

With Blue Apron, the prices vary depending on meal plan type and recipe quantity. If you opt for one of the 2-serving plans, you pay $9.99 per serving regardless of how many recipes you order. With the 4-serving plan, you pay $8.99 per serving with 2-recipe boxes, $7.99 per serving with 3-recipe boxes, and $7.49 per serving with 4-recipe boxes. Shipping is free on all orders except for 2-recipe boxes for 2 people, which come with a $7.99 shipping fee.

* All the prices on this website are subject to change without notice. While we put a great deal of effort into making sure that all the prices are accurate, one or more products may have outdated prices. Please visit the specific product’s official website for exact prices.
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