Medifast VS Nutrisystem Comparison

UPDATED Oct. 2024
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If you want to turn your life around, adopting a healthier diet and losing a couple of pounds along the way is the perfect place to start. Medifast and Nutrisystem allow you to lose weight while eating delicious food and making minimal dietary sacrifices.

Our exhaustive Medifast vs. Nutrisystem comparison can tell you everything you need to know about these two companies and familiarize you with every little aspect of their services.

Medifast
Healthy weight-loss made simple
VS
Nutrisystem
Effective & Affordable Weight Loss Solution

Highlights

Medifast
Medifast is an effective, personalized weight loss solution recommended by thousands of doctors and available at affordable prices.
  • Price Range: $$
  • Average Price Per Meal: $2.36
  • Shipping Cost: $0 *
  • Delivery Area: 50 states
*for orders over $300
Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem is a convenient and affordable weight loss solution that can help you shed pounds thanks to the combined benefits of portion control, balanced nutrition, and frequent meals.
  • Price Range: $$
  • Average Price Per Meal: $11.00
  • Shipping Cost: $0 *
  • Delivery Area: 50 states
*for non-frozen food and a la carte orders for frozen food orders of $50 or more

Compare Features

Medifast
Best For
Best for people who want to lose weight fast
Menu/Meal Plans
Medifast offers several plans, including Go, Flex, and Thrive Healthy Living. It also has several plans for special diets.
Recipes/Meal Options
Medifast offers more than 65 meals on its menu.
Meal & Recipe Variety
Medifast offers an abundance of tasty, healthy, low-calorie breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, desserts, bars, shakes, and smoothies. Its meal selection includes gluten-free, low-carb, low-fat, senior-friendly, diabetic-friendly, and vegetarian meals, all designed to promote fat burning. Most menu items are certified kosher and some of them are soy-free, dairy-free, whey-free, and lactose-free.
Food Quality
Medifast does not provide much information on ingredient sourcing but does generally use healthy, natural products when creating its meals. It uses natural colors like beta-carotene and annatto.
Nutritional Value & Portion Size
Medifast offers dietitian-designed meals that are low in calories and fat and rich in fiber, lean protein, and nutrients. The meals do not come in large portions since the program is designed to allow you to enjoy a light meal every 2 or 3 hours.
Subscription Flexibility
With Medifast, you can modify or cancel your order whenever you wish, but you must inform the company by 6 p.m. Eastern Time the day before your order processing date.
Refunds
Medifast has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so if you are not happy with your order, just return the items within 30 days for a full refund. The company will not refund you for shipping and handling fees.
Nutrisystem
Best For
Best for dieters who want to lose weight while eating 6 times a day
Menu/Meal Plans
With Nutrisystem, you can choose from several plans, including Basic, Core, Uniquely Yours, Vegetarian, Basic - Diabetes, Core - Diabetes, and Uniquely Yours - Diabetes. All plans come in two versions, one for men, one for women.
Recipes/Meal Options
Nutrisystem offers more than 150 meal options on its menu.
Meal & Recipe Variety
Nutrisystem offers diet breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and shakes. The meals are mostly classics and suitable for omnivores, vegetarians, and diabetics. The service offers plenty of options for dieters who are allergic to milk, eggs, and wheat and a limited range of meals for individuals allergic to shellfish, fish, and treenuts.
Food Quality
Nutrisystem makes sure that its meals meet and even exceed the standards set by the US government in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. All menu items are free from artificial sweetners, MSG, and trans fats.
Nutritional Value & Portion Size
Nutrisystem meals and snacks are well-balanced, low-glycemic, rich in fiber and lean protein, and low in calories, with no more than 300 calories per serving. The portions are small due to the fact that you get to eat every two or three hours.
Subscription Flexibility
With Nutrisystem, you can change, pause or cancel your subscription at any time. If you choose to modify your order, you must do it before 6 p.m. EST on the day before your next auto-delivery ship date. If you want to cancel your subscription, you must call the company.
Refunds
If you are not satisfied with your order from Nutrisystem, the company may issue refunds or credits.

Compare Plans & Pricing

Medifast
Medifast Plans & Pricing
Medifast GO!
KitOne-time delivery priceAuto-delivery price
Standard$429.00$329.00
Gluten-free$429.00$329.00
Medifast Achieve
KitOne-time delivery priceAuto-delivery price
Select$395.55$299.00
Complete$460.30$399.00
Medifast Thrive
KitOne-time delivery priceAuto-delivery price
Standard$312.90$312.90
Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem Plans & Pricing
Dinners My Way
Meal PlanMenuAuto Delivery PriceOne-Time Delivery Price
WomenChef’s Choice$199.99 per month$307.68
WomenI’ll Pick My Meals$199.99 per month$307.68
MenChef’s Choice$239.99 per month$369.22
MenI’ll Pick My Meals$239.99 per month$369.22
Basic
Meal PlanMenuAuto Delivery PriceOne-Time Delivery Price
WomenFavorites Pack$284.99 per month$438.45
WomenCustom Menu$309.99 per month$438.45
MenFavorites Pack$324.99 per month$499.98
MenCustom Menu$349.99 per month$499.98
Core
Meal PlanMenuAuto Delivery PriceOne-Time Delivery Price
WomenFavorites Pack$309.99 per month$476.91
WomenCustom Menu$309.99 per month$476.91
MenFavorites Pack$349.99 per month$538.45
MenCustom Menu$349.99 per month$538.45
Uniquely Yours
Meal PlanMenuAuto Delivery PriceOne-Time Delivery Price
WomenFavorites Pack$349.99 per month$538.45
WomenCustom Menu$349.99 per month$538.45
MenFavorites Pack$389.99 per month$599.98
MenCustom Menu$389.99 per month$599.98
Uniquely Yours Plus
Meal PlanMenuAuto Delivery PriceOne-Time Delivery Price
WomenFavorites Pack$389.99 per month$599.98
WomenCustom Menu$389.99 per month$599.98
MenFavorites Pack$429.99 per month$661.52
MenCustom Menu$429.99 per month$661.52
Vegetarian
Meal PlanMenuAuto Delivery PriceOne-Time Delivery Price
WomenFavorites Pack$349.99 per month$538.45
WomenCustom Menu$349.99 per month$538.45
MenFavorites Pack$389.99 per month$599.98
MenCustom Menu$389.99 per month$599.98
Basic - Diabetes
Meal PlanMenuAuto Delivery PriceOne-Time Delivery Price
WomenFavorites Pack$284.99 per month$438.45
WomenCustom Menu$284.99 per month$438.45
MenFavorites Pack$324.99 per month$499.98
MenCustom Menu$349.99 per month$499.98
Core - Diabetes
Meal PlanMenuAuto Delivery PriceOne-Time Delivery Price
WomenFavorites Pack$309.99 per month$476.91
WomenCustom Menu$309.99 per month$476.91
MenFavorites Pack$349.99 per month$538.45
MenCustom Menu$349.99 per month$538.45
Uniquely Yours – Diabetes
Meal PlanMenuAuto Delivery PriceOne-Time Delivery Price
WomenFavorites Pack$349.99 per month$538.45
WomenCustom Menu$349.99 per month$538.45
MenFavorites Pack$389.99 per month$599.98
MenCustom Menu$389.99 per month$599.98

Suitable For

Medifast
Meals For Families
Meals For Kids
Meals For Seniors
Meals For One
Nutrisystem
Meals For Families
Meals For Kids
Meals For Seniors
Meals For One

Compare Meal Options

Medifast
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
Nutrisystem
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

Medifast
Nutrisystem

Compare Extras

Medifast
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace
Nutrisystem
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace

Compare Ratings

Medifast
FINAL RATING
9.2/10
Meal Options
Variety
Nutritional Value
Portion Size
Flexibility
Price
Nutrisystem
FINAL RATING
9.6/10
Meal Options
Variety
Nutritional Value
Portion Size
Flexibility
Price

Compare Customer Reviews

Medifast
  • Submitted By Michelle on 07/03/2019
    Tried this a couple of years ago. The food takes some getting used to but it works! I lost 25 lbs in about 3 mos. You have to stay on the plan or at least a modified version of it. Gained back 30 and can't seem to get it off again, even using Medifast :/
  • Submitted By Amanda on 10/07/2016
    Just wanted to work on maintaining my current weight with a diet plan that is easy to use and that doesn’t take too much time. Medifast doesn’t offer too many pre-made diet plans, but the ones they do are perfect and easy to use. Just had a go with a 30-day Select Kit and I’m very happy with the results. I’d recommend it to every health conscious person.
  • Submitted By Julian on 09/13/2016
    You rarely find a meal delivery service that is able to cater to a specific condition I’m having to live with. Chronic arthritis and gout are very hard to live with, but with the help of dedicated dietitians I’ve managed to formulize a diet plan that helped me very much. Medifast is a great choice for a plethora of people with different health conditions.
  • Submitted By Andrew on 08/05/2016
    If you’re able to get used to snacks and crunch bars, Medfast is for you. I wasn’t able to fully enjoy the flavor in any of the snacks provided in their packs. All that kept me through the program were a couple of meals with a flavor of home. And the fact that I actually started to lose weight. I guess taste and health rarely go together, will have to continue the search.
Nutrisystem
  • Submitted By Benjamin Boyd on 01/24/2019
    Although Nutrisystem definitely is pricey, you will lose weight if you stick to it. I lost more than 60 pounds and still have ways to go so if you want to put your money towards something productive and healthy for a change, this company is definitely one of the good ways to go.
  • Submitted By Emma Murray on 11/06/2018
    I like Nutrisystem a lot but you DO have to try a lot of different things in order to figure out what sits well with you since nobody will like everything on the menu I guarantee it. So just take some time to explore and don’t get discouraged if you hit some things you don’t like in the beginning.
  • Submitted By Nancy Murray on 09/17/2018
    I tried this diet in 2008 and I lost 18 Lbs in 6 weeks. It was amazing, but I followed almost exactly the way was instructed to about 90 %. If you follow it to the T you will get great results. I tried it again, but I was not committed and did it did not work for me, but it was my fault. I recommend it if you are committed and will follow all the instructions if you are not committed then it will be a waist of time and money for you... Great diet!!
  • Submitted By Kate S. on 10/24/2016
    I’ve been using Nutrisystem for more than 5 years now, along with my husband and daughter. We’re all suffering from diabetes and maintaining a healthy diet has never been too easy. This company has finally given us the opportunity to enjoy our lives without constantly thinking about what kind of food will kill us faster.

Winner

If you’re looking for an effective weight loss meal delivery program with a long tradition, you should take Nutrisystem into consideration. Based on its proven weight loss system that includes frequent meals, balanced nutrition, and portion control, its meals provide the optimal balance of protein, fiber, and smart carbs. Read more in our Nutrisystem review.

Meal Options

Medifast offers doctor-approved meal options designed to provide you with optimal nourishment throughout the day. It features more than 65 different low-glycemic meals formulated for optimal flavor and nutrition. All programs are balanced to keep you feeling full between meals, which eliminates cravings and the need for snacks.

Medifast lets you choose between Medifast meals for weight-loss, lean & green meals, and healthy snacks. Whether you are in the mood for something savory, sweet, crunchy, chewy, hot, cold or hearty, Medifast has all your cravings covered in a healthy way. If you enjoy your Medifast diet, you can also order one of its 30-day kits, including Medifast GO! (gluten-free version also available), Medifast Flex, and Medifast Flex Complete. The company can also accommodate the needs of vegetarians, nursing moms, seniors, and individuals with diabetes and gluten allergies.

Nutrisystem offers a wide variety of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and healthy snacks segmented into different healthy meal plans. The available weight-loss programs include the Basic Plan with pre-selected ready-to-eat foods, Core Plan with more than 100 different options, including access to the Favorites Pack, Uniquely Yours Plan, which offers an incredible range of meal options (150+ foods), and Uniquely Yours Plus, which also includes high-protein shakes. Apart from these options, Nutrisystem offers plans designed specifically for men, individuals with diabetes, and more than 90 meal options for vegetarians.

Nutritional Value

Medifast weight-loss programs are highly customizable and allow you to create your own diet plan based on your personal taste and preferences. All meals are designed to be nutritionally even and provide you with optimal nourishment throughout the day. They are all high in protein and fiber and enriched with more than 20 vitamins and minerals. Every weight-loss plan is based on 6 interchangeable daily meals, so your diet will never become repetitive or boring.

Medifast lean & green meals contain 5-7 ounces of lean protein, 3 servings of non-starchy vegetables, and 0-2 servings of healthy fats. You can simply adjust your portions based on your caloric needs and dietary goals. Balanced meals include a wide variety of foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean protein, and healthy fats. This meal group is most often recommended for maintaining your weight-loss results. Medifast diet is generally based on programs that allow around 1,800 calories spread throughout 6 meals every day.

Nutrisystem is dedicated to making your favorite foods healthier. Its team of expert nutritionists and dietitians design its meal plans to include the right amount of nutrients needed to fuel your body throughout the day. This means plenty of lean protein, enough fiber to keep you feeling full between meals, and low-glycemic carbs that can stabilize your blood sugar. Meals contain no artificial flavors or sweeteners. Nutrisystem’s weight-loss plans are based on 6 meals every day, which translates to one meal every 2-3 hours.

Porton Size

Both Medifast and Nutrisystem base their weight-loss programs on portion control. This means that you will be feeling full between meals, even though it may not seem like it in the beginning. The portions will definitely look smaller than what you are used to, but their high fiber content will keep you feeling satisfied and negate any need for snacking.

Effectiveness

Medifast is a weight-loss program designed by doctors and nutritionists and approved by more than 20,000 doctors all over the world, so there is no doubt about its overall effectiveness. The company does not state any particular numbers over any period of time due to its highly flexible service. Since its programs try to save your lean muscle mass while shredding fat, you may not see the scale drop significantly, which may deter some users from purchasing the programs.

However, if you adhere to the recommendations and follow your chosen program to the letter, you will definitely get your ideal weight and start living a healthier, more proactive life. If you are not satisfied with your order, you can use the company’s full 30-day money-back guarantee and get your money back, no questions asked.

Nutrisystem, on the other hand, guarantees you will lose 1-2 lbs on average every single week with one of its 4-week weight-loss plans. The company also offers a 14-day money-back guarantee in case you are not satisfied with your order.

Price

Medifast 30-day weight-loss kit prices are $395.55 for Flex, $429.00 for Medifast GO! and Medifast GO! Gluten-Free, and $460.30 for Medifast Flex Complete. You can get significant discounts if you apply for Medifast Advantage program. The price tag for most individual meals is $19.50, with some exceptions, $29 for lean & green meals, and between $8 and $44.95 for supplements.

When it comes to Nutrisystem pricing, the average amount you will have to pay per day is between $10.18 and $15.39, which translates to less than $3 per meal.

* 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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