Cheapest Meal Delivery Services of 2023

Photo composite of pasta dish plated in bowls with fresh greens — Simply Recipes / Designed by Amelia Manley

The cheapest meal delivery services are proof that convenience doesn’t have to be costly. There are many companies offering to plan, shop, and prep your meals, and some of them set themselves apart with competitive pricing. Whether you don’t have the time or the interest in doing it all yourself, cheap meal delivery services help you get dinner on the table in a flash without breaking the bank.

Meal delivery services may choose to cut costs by reducing their packaging, the number of ingredients, or even their marketing budgets in order to pass those savings on to you. And, while they still may not be as cost-effective as grocery shopping yourself, they’re certainly less expensive—and typically healthier—than ordering takeout. Read on for the cheapest meal delivery services.

Cheapest Meal Delivery Services of 2023

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

Starts at $4.99: Dinnerly

Dinnerly

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 4.3

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

Why You Should Try It
Dinnerly is the most affordable meal kit service on the market with unfussy recipes that make dinner a snap.

Pros
Wide variety of new meals weekly
Prep is easy and approachable
Brunch and dessert items available for holidays

Cons
Few options for allergy-free and special diets
No recipe cards included

Overview
With meals starting at $4.99 per person, Dinnerly takes the stress out of both cooking and budgeting. Dinnerly uses the same quality ingredients as other meal kits but is able to charge less for a few reasons—digital recipes instead of printed ones, fewer ingredients per dish, simple packaging, and no fancy marketing campaigns. Although Dinnerly doesn’t have personalized meal plans, the recipes are tagged to show you quick info at a glance, such as Low Carb, Low Calorie, Vegetarian, No Added Gluten, and Dairy Free.

Pricing and Plans
3 meals with 2 servings each: $6.39 per serving
4 meals with 2 servings each: $5.99 per serving
5 meals with 2 servings each: $5.89 per serving
6 meals with 2 servings each: $5.79 per serving
3 meals with 4 servings each: $5.69 per serving
4 meals with 4 servings each: $5.49 per serving
5 meals with 4 servings each: $5.29 per serving
6 meals with 4 servings each: $4.99 per serving

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 $4.99: EveryPlate

EveryPlate

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 3.9

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

Why You Should Try It
EveryPlate offers satisfying comfort foods at about half the price of other meal delivery services.

Pros
Family-friendly recipes
Satisfying meals with reasonable prep times
Add-on protein packs

Cons
No options for restricted diets
Fewer healthy options

Overview
Starting at $4.99 per serving, EveryPlate is self-described as America’s Best Value Meal Kit. It is owned by HelloFresh, so it’s no wonder taste is prioritized even at this lower price point. These crowd-pleasing meals usually take 35 or 40 minutes to prepare with some taking less and some taking a bit more. In order to keep prices low, EveryPlate does not cater to special diets and there are no personalized meal plans. Weekly menus lean into crowd-pleasing comfort food classics like barbecue chicken, mac and cheese, burgers, pastas, and tacos.

Pricing and Plans
3 meals with 2 servings each: $6.49 per serving
3 meals with 4 servings each: $5.49 per serving
4 meals with 2 servings each: $5.99 per serving
4 meals with 4 servings each: $5.29 per serving
5 meals with 2 servings each: $5.79 per serving
5 meals with 4 servings each: $4.99 per serving

Meals We Tried
Crispy Caesar chicken
Steak frites
Blackened shrimp salad
Hotel butter baramundi

Starts at $6.79: Daily Harvest

Daily Harvest

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 4.5

Key Specs
Starting Price: $6.79 per serving
Delivery Area: 95% of continental U.S.
Products Arrive: Frozen

Why You Should Try It
Daily Harvest boasts a wide selection of plant-based, gluten-free offerings with volume-based discounts for large orders.

Pros
Entire menu is plant-based and gluten-free
Focus on organic ingredients
Volume-based discounts

Cons
Single servings only
Must order a minimum of nine items

Overview
Daily Harvest specializes in plant-based heat-and-eat meals, smoothies, soups, and snacks made with sustainably-sourced ingredients and no fillers, gluten, GMOs, or artificial additives. To order, you'll build a box of either nine, 14, or 24 items, with volume-based discounts that increase the more items you purchase. While all items arrive frozen instead of fresh, that just means they'll last a while in the freezer until you're ready to enjoy them.

Pricing and Plans

Per-Item Pricing:
Lattes: $5.99
Forager Bowls: $6.79
Mylk & Bites: $7.99
Smoothies & Soups: $8.49
Scoops: $8.99
Harvest Bowls & Flatbreads: $9.79
Harvest Bakes: $11.99

Volume Discounts:
9-11 items: $5 discount
12-23 items: $10 discount
24-26 items: $25 discount

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

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 3.4

Key Specs
Starting Price: $6.99 per serving
Delivery Area: U.S. and Canada
Products Arrive: Frozen

Why You Should Try It
Revive Superfoods specializes in pre-portioned plant-based smoothies, soups, snacks, and supermeals that can be ready to enjoy in minutes.

Pros
Nutritious foods with minimal prep
Zero-waste philosophy
Can order up to 24 items at a time

Cons
Limited variety of non-smoothie items
Shipping costs extra

Overview
If you're looking to incorporate more superfoods into your meal rotation, Revive Superfoods is a great option. The company specializes in pre-portioned smoothie kits, featuring 20 different flavors including Cherry & Açai, Dragonfruit & Strawberry, and Mango & Papaya. Simply add your choice of liquid and blend the ingredients until smooth. You can also choose from soups, oat bowls, frozen desserts, "supermeal" grain bowls, and "bites" made of chewy oatmeal filled with jam.

Pricing and Plans
Pricing depends on what you order. Begin by selecting a box size of either nine, 12, or 24 items, then simply fill it with your choice of menu selections. Per-item pricing is as follows:

Oats: $6.99
Smoothies: $6.99
Bites: $6.99
Soups: $6.99
Frozen Desserts: $7.99
Supermeals: $8.49

Meals We Tried
Hazy Cocoa smoothie
Pink Dragon smoothie
Acai Twist smoothie
Chipotle and black bean supermeal
Lentil and sundried tomato supermeal
Avocado and quinoa supermeal
Chickpea and pomegranate supermeal
Guajillo tortilla soup
Artisan bean and tomato soup

Starts at $7.99: HelloFresh

HelloFresh

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 4.8

Key Specs
Starting Price: $7.99 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh

Why You Should Try It
Despite its low cost, HelloFresh offers a huge selection of delicious meals that are easy to prepare.

Pros
Dozens of weekly menu and market items
Great-tasting creative and classic recipes
Responsible ingredient sourcing and packaging

Cons
Not many options for restricted diets
Shipping isn’t free

Overview
HelloFresh's chef-created meals start at just $7.99 and, despite being one of the most cost-effective meal delivery services on the market, its selection rivals them all. Recipes are made of high-quality ingredients shipped in sustainable packaging, and they're each tested 45 times to ensure deliciousness and simplicity. On the menu, you’ll find familiar favorites like spaghetti, pork chops, and burgers, plus globally-inspired offerings such as bulgogi wraps and curry chickpea bowls.

Pricing and Plans
6 meals with 4 servings each: $7.99 per serving
6 meals with 2 servings each: $8.49 per serving
4 meals with 4 servings each: $7.99 per serving
4 meals with 2 servings each: $9.49 per serving
2 meals with 4 servings each: $9.49 per serving
2 meals with 2 servings each: $11.99 per serving

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

Starts at $7.99: Home Chef

HomeChef

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 4.3

Key Specs
Starting Price: $7.99 per serving
Delivery Area: 98% of the United States
Products Arrive: Fresh

Why You Should Try It
Home Chef offers delicious, family-friendly meals, including minimal prep options, at a competitive price.

Pros
Easily customizable meals
Easy prep options
Serves up to six people

Cons
Not focused on organic food
Cannot accommodate strict dietary restrictions like vegan and keto

Overview
HomeChef is known for its easily customizable, great-tasting meal kits. Of the two plans—Home Chef and Fresh and Easy—the Fresh and Easy option provides the most convenience. This plan includes 15 Minute Meal Kits with pre-portioned ingredients that cook in under 15 minutes; Oven-Ready and Grill-Ready Meals that are fully prepped and ready to cook; and Fast and Fresh Meals that arrive cooked and only need reheating.

Pricing and Plans
According to Home Chef's website, the weekly cost will depend on the size of your order and the meal options you select. Prices start at $7.99 per serving.

Meals We Tried
Crispy sweet chili shrimp rice bowl
Creamy tomato and steak penne
Gnocchi and red pepper cream
Moo shu pork lettuce cups

Starts at $7.99: Blue Apron

Blue Apron

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 4.6

Key Specs
Starting Price: $7.99 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh (meal kits) and frozen (prepared meals)

Why You Should Try It
Offering both meal kits and pre-made Heat & Eat meals, Blue Apron offers a gourmet culinary experience for every type of home cook.

Pros
Weekly rotating meal choices
Easy to skip orders
Helpful customer support options

Cons
Not the cheapest choice
Few customization options

Overview
With dozens of flavorful menu choices each week, Blue Apron is the ultimate service for gourmet food lovers. Customers can choose from multiple meal preferences, including chef favorites, family-friendly, and vegetarian. Blue Apron's meals come in the form of either meal kits or fully-prepared Heat & Eat entrees, with options for two or four servings and two to four meals per week. And, in select areas, customers can add on marketplace items, such as pantry essentials, kitchen tools, and even wine.

Pricing and Plans
2 meals with 2 servings each: $11.99 per serving
3 meals with 2 servings each: $9.99 per serving
4 meals with 2 servings each: $9.49 per serving
2 meals with 4 servings each: $9.49 per serving
3 meals with 4 servings each: $8.49 per serving
4 meals with 4 servings each: $7.99 per serving

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

Prepared Meals
Sweet and spicy beef bowl with rice, peppers, and edamame
Chicken alfredo pasta with peas

Starts at $7.99: Mom's Meals

Mom's Meals

Simply Recipes Star Rating: 3.7

Key Specs
Starting Price: $7.99 per serving
Delivery Area: 48 states
Products Arrive: Fresh

Why You Should Try It
Mom's Meals' main mission is to provide affordable, convenient, and nutritious meals to senior citizens.

Pros
Menus designed by dietitians
Senior-friendly meal options
Multiple dietary needs accommodated

Cons
Shipping costs extra
Ordering process can be confusing for some

Overview
Mom's Meals provides an easy and cost-effective way for seniors to get nutritious dinners on the table. Featuring an extensive menu of dietitian-designed meals, the company delivers nutritionally balanced, fully-prepared foods that only require a few minutes of heating to enjoy. Meals cater to various dietary needs, including low sodium, gluten-free, and heart-, renal-, and diabetes-friendly. The company also works with agencies like Medicaid and Medicare to allow customers to receive their meals at affordable prices.

Pricing and Plans
According to Mom's Meals' website, meals cost an affordable $7.99 each, with renal-friendly, pureed, and gluten-free meals slightly higher at $8.99. Customers may also be eligible to receive subsidized meals through health plans and agencies like Medicaid and Medicare.

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 fry vegetables with teriyaki sauce, white rice, applesauce
Sweet and sour chicken with stir fry 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

Affordable meal delivery services are able to offer the convenience of meal planning and preparation without compromising the quality of food. That said, different companies cut costs in different ways. Once you decide what’s most important to you, whether it’s nutritional considerations or convenience, you're bound to find a service you love at the price you need. When it comes to the cheapest meal delivery services, Dinnerly and EveryPlate both have meals as low as $4.99 per serving, making them the most affordable options on our list.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Meal Delivery Service?

A meal delivery service is a subscription plan that delivers meal kits or fully prepared meals to your home based on your preferences. Meal kits include portioned ingredients and instructions for you to prepare the recipes, while fully prepared meals just need to be heated before serving.

How Much Does a Meal Delivery Service Cost?

Prices depend on a number of factors, including the company, type of meal, and quantity. Often, the more meals you include in your plan, the cheaper your plan typically becomes. There are also usually sign-up promotions that offer a significant discount off the standard price. The cheapest meal delivery service we found was Dinnerly, which starts at $4.99 per serving.

Do Meal Delivery Services Require a Commitment?

Most meal delivery services are commitment-free. All of the options in our list allow you to skip a week, pause your subscription, or cancel any time before a weekly deadline.

Methodology

We researched 40 different meal delivery services and narrowed them down by price. We also considered menu options, plans, and other factors. The companies that made our list were selected because they are the least expensive, with meals priced under $8 each.