Plated VS HelloFresh Comparison

UPDATED Apr. 2024
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Meal delivery services are ideal for anyone who enjoys home-cooked, healthy meals but doesn’t have enough time to find and purchase quality groceries. With so many meal delivery companies on the market, choosing just one is definitely not an easy task. If you’re interested in Plated and Hello Fresh but aren’t sure which one is better for you, check out this detailed Plated vs. HelloFresh comparison, which examines the 6 main features of every meal delivery service.

Plated
Cooking with superior ingredients
VS
HelloFresh
Fresh, tasty and healthy cooking

Highlights

Plated
Plated offers incredible ordering flexibility, competitive pricing, and one of the richest menus in the meal kit market, with recipes for a vast range of tastes, diets, and cooking skill levels.
  • Price Range: $$
  • Average Price Per Meal: $9.95
  • Shipping Cost: $0 *
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
*except on weekly plans under $60
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

Plated
Best For
Best for semi-experienced home cooks who value variety and want to eat healthily
Menu/Meal Plans
Plated features one menu that changes on a weekly basis.
Recipes/Meal Options
Plated offers 30 new recipes each week, including dinner, brunch, side dish, appetizer, and dessert ideas.
Meal & Recipe Variety
Every week, the Plated menu features fresh meal ideas suitable for omnivore, vegetarian, gluten-free, low-calorie, and low-carb diets. The recipes are inspired by popular world cuisines, such as French, Italian, Indian, Mexican, Chinese, and traditional American cuisine. Most items are quick-prep recipes with hands-on time ranging from 10 to 30 minutes.
Food Quality
Plated does not only offer sustainably sourced meat & seafood and the freshest seasonal produce from the best local farms but also supplies home cooks with rare artisanal spices that give rich flavor and tantalizing aroma to every dish.
Nutritional Value & Portion Size
Plated carefully calculates its portion sizes to satisfy the needs of an average adult, with no leftovers. By thoughtfully combining high-quality ingredients into satisfying meals, the Plated culinary team ensures all meals are rich in nutrients and well-balanced, with plenty of items under 600 calories.
Subscription Flexibility
With Plated, you can change your box's recipes or servings at any time. You can also skip, pause or cancel your order whenever you want. Keep in mind that all changes to your subscription must be made by noon six days before your delivery is due.
Refunds
If you are not satisfied with your delivery or something is missing from your box, you can contact Plated and they may issue a credit to your account.
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

Plated
Plated Plans & Pricing
2 Servings
Meals per weekMeal kit pricePrice per serving
2$47.80 (first week: $35.85)$11.95
3$65.70 (first week: $49.27)$10.95
4$87.60 (first week: $65.70)$10.95
3 servings
Meals per weekMeal kit pricePrice per serving
2$59.70 (first week: $44.77)$9.95
3$80.55 (first week: $60.41)$8.95
4$107.40 (first week: $80.55)$8.95
4 servings
Meals per weekMeal kit pricePrice per serving
2$79.60 (first week: $59.70)$9.95
3$107.40 (first week: $80.55)$8.95
4$143.20 (first week: $107.40)$8.95
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

Plated
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

Plated
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

Plated
HelloFresh

Compare Extras

Plated
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace
HelloFresh
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace

Compare Ratings

Plated
FINAL RATING
8.8/10
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

Plated
  • Submitted By D Simon on 09/04/2019
    I've tried several meal delivery services, and so far Plated is my favorite. The reason? The recipes are far more interesting than Blue Apron, Martha Stewart, EveryPlate, and HomeChef (the other services I've tried). Ingredients are good quality, I've had only a handful of occasions where ingredients were not included, and customer service credited me in each instance without delay. I'm quite satisfied with this company.
  • Submitted By Alicia Allaire on 08/30/2019
    After cooking 1458 recipes, I've cancelled Plated. The Service began with great quality ingredients. Occasionally there would be a leaking vinegar, or sauce. We would provide feedback and often there would be improvements made in packaging. But, for the most part, everything was great! In the past 6 months the quality has deteriorated severely. The produce has been horrible. The spinach in my shipment last week was ROTTEN in 2 days from receipt. This week it was already starting to spoil when I opened the box. Previously we noticed that after providing feedback they would make GOOD changes. Now they're just making cheaper decisions and providing less quality every shipment. We have moved on and cancelled our subscription. Plated, get it together! There is too much competition out there these days to cut SO many corners.
  • Submitted By Robin K Holmes on 04/27/2019
    I just wanted to comment on the reason why I cancelled my weekly subscription box from Plated. I was a brand new customer, very excited to try their products, so I opened an account and set up a weekly delivery and made meal plans for several future weeks. I was so excited to receive my first order...and then it didn't come. I contacted customer service and they apologized and refunded me. I was told that everything was straightened out and I would definitely receive a box the very next week. A few days later I received an email from Plated saying "Yay! we're going to ship your order!" So I shopped light at the grocery store, confident that Plated would send me a box...and then it didn't come. Again. (I had nothing planned for dinner for the next 3 days and had to go out and buy more groceries after working a 12-hr shift.) I contacted customer service and received a refund to my bank account. But really? Two weeks in a row? No delivery, no explantion? Did they even want my business? Why would they not make certain that the order was shipped given the failure of the previous week? It was a very disappointing experience, and I would not recommend their service to anyone else. Plated gave me another refund, and when I told the customer service rep that I felt I should cancel my service if they could not deliver food I was told "We understand, sorry to see you go." No offer of a coupon or any type of customer recovery, just sorry to see me go. Don't bother to order from them, they can't seem to guarantee delivery.
  • Submitted By Maria Foster on 01/16/2019
    7 meals in and we love love love Plated! Everything arrived super fresh which is way more than we expected in this age of online frauds and dishonesty. One important thing though, NEVER EXPERIMENT with the recipes! We did it once and it was a disaster. The recipes are laser precise and you have to follow them to a T for good results.
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

HelloFresh provides you with incredibly fresh ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes, helping you create tasty, home-cooked dishes without all the hassle of having to shop and plan. Find out more about this famous meal kit delivery service in our objective HelloFresh review.

Meal Options

With both Plated and HelloFresh, you get to choose different meal options for you and your family according to your dietary needs, budget, and other important factors.

If you go with Plated, you don’t have to opt for a specific meal plan. Instead of meal plans, they offer a great variety of new recipes every week, including vegetarian options and desserts. You can choose to get amazing recipes for 2, 3 or 4 days of the week. You can order 2 servings for a romantic dinner, 3 for a small gathering or 4 for a family dinner.

HelloFresh provides 3 meal plans for your dietary needs: Classic, Vegetarian, and Family. The Classic plan and the Veggie plan offer 2 or 4 servings. Every meal from the Family plan comes in 4 servings.

Variety

Both companies provide new creative recipes every week, meaning there are dishes for everyone’s taste.

Plated offers 12 innovative main course recipes, plus 8 encore recipes and 2 delicious desserts weekly. You can choose between hearty beef, mouthwatering salmon, or delicious salad, as Plated always has a recipe for you sensitive palate.

Hello Fresh introduces 29 new dinner recipes every week, divided into 3 menus. The Classic menu features 17 omnivore recipes, the Veggie menu includes 3 vegetarian recipes, and the Family menu features 9 kid-friendly dinner ideas per week.

Nutritional Value

Plated and Hello Fresh both provide you with the best ingredients available for healthy, well-balanced meals.

Plated provides high-quality ingredients for your home-cooked dinners. You can select any recipe from the menu according to your dietary preferences. Every recipe contains detailed information on the nutritional value of the meal, which can help you choose dishes suited for your diet.

HelloFresh cooperates with reliable food producers in order to bring the best ingredients to your table. Every meal is carefully planned and all the recipes include the number of calories of the chosen meal.

Portion Size

Both companies pay close attention to the preparation of the ingredients for your meals.

Everything you receive from Plated is carefully measured to satisfy the belly of a grown-up or 2 kids.

HelloFresh prepares recipes for the Family plan in order to provide enough food for 2 adults and 2 children while each serving from the Classic or Vegetarian plan is tailored for an adult.

Flexibility

You don’t have to worry about flexibility with either of these two companies. They both allow you to skip a delivery or cancel your subscription whenever suits you. You just need to notify them before your next order is processed.

Price

Compared to Plated, the prices of Hello Fresh meals are slightly lower. The price per serving ranges from $6.99 to $9.99 and shipping costs range from $6.99 to $7.99.

On the other hand, Plated is a bit more expensive than Hello Fresh. If you are cooking for 2 people, the price is $11.95 per serving while meals with 3 or 4 servings cost $9.95 per serving. Shipping is free on orders over $60.

* 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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