9 Best Blue Apron Alternatives 2024: Which Is Yours?

Blue Apron often ranks highly in our top lists, but it’s not ideal for everyone. You may have specialized dietary needs that Blue Apron doesn’t cover, or maybe you just found that Blue Apron’s menu wasn’t right for you.

Whatever your reasons, there are lots of other meal delivery services to choose from. But with so many services on the market, finding the right fit can be overwhelming. To help you out, I have compiled a list of the best Blue Apron alternatives. 

My top choice is Home Chef because, like Blue Apron, it offers a range of meal kits as well as low-prep and prepared options. It also has a much better range of customization options than Blue Apron. Every company on this list has something to offer, so read on to find a meal delivery service that better suits your needs.

The Best Blue Apron Alternatives Reviewed

1. Home Chef – Best Selection of Customizable Meal Kits on the Market

Home Chef shines as a versatile option for singles, couples, and families alike, offering 1-, 2-, and 4-serving dishes. It especially appeals to those with specific tastes, thanks to its wide range of ingredient-customization tools, making it a go-to for even the pickiest of eaters.

What’s on the Menu?

You can order a range of meal options for different dietary preferences, including vegetarian, calorie-conscious, and carb-conscious options. Additionally, Home Chef provides several add-ons, such as meal bundles, proteins, and desserts.

Culinary Collection kits are great for special occasions. For a few dollars more per serving, you get prime ingredients and more sophisticated recipes. The Fried Mahi-Mahi and Pickle Remoulade pictured above is a Culinary Collection meal I find ideal for date night.

Cooking times range from 15 minutes to 50 minutes, with tags like Express or Fast & Fresh to mark the fastest. These speedy meals provide shortcuts like pre-prepped veggies or microwave-ready proteins.

What Makes It Special?

Home Chef lets you swap, upgrade, or double up on protein for most meals. Its Customize It feature is much more extensive than Blue Apron’s customizations. Also, it’s particularly helpful for families with picky eaters, as it lets you modify meals to better suit your preferences.

Each Home Chef meal kit comes with step-by-step recipe instructions, making it easy for culinary beginners to prepare tasty meals. Our expert-tested review found it was easy to cook Home Chef’s recipes.

Home Chef filters let you avoid meals containing allergens like beef, pork, and tree nuts. However, since all Home Chef products are prepared and packed in a single location, there’s a risk of cross-contamination. Those with serious sensitivities should look instead at our list of the best allergy-friendly meal delivery services.

Is It Good Value?

Home Chef offers up to 6 meals per week for 6 people. That works out to a maximum of 36 servings, making it a great option for large households. Your minimum Home Chef order is 2 meals of 2 servings each. Prices start at $9.99 per serving.

2. HelloFresh – Best for Family-Friendly, Easy-To-Follow Recipes

HelloFresh is a great choice if you enjoy Blue Apron but want a bit more variety. Like Blue Apron, HelloFresh uses fresh, responsibly sourced, high-quality ingredients from local producers.

What’s on the Menu?

HelloFresh offers more plans than Blue Apron when it comes to meal kits. And no matter what plan you sign up for, you’re always free to order any item on the menu. 

Each weekly menu offers 100+ new recipes and crowd-favorite classics. The variety includes everything from Easy Prep dishes to higher-end Premium Picks. If you found Blue Apron’s meal kits too demanding, HelloFresh’s recipes are much more user-friendly.

HelloFresh has a varied range of flavors and cuisines to suit different tastes. From Vietnamese Shrimp Skewers to the Mexicali Black Bean Soup, there's something for everyone. There are also lots of family-friendly favorites your kids will love, like Bacon Jalapeño Mac & Cheese.

What Makes It Special?

You can choose any of the following plans:

• Meat & Veggies – traditional meat-based recipes
• Veggie – meat-free selections
• Family Friendly – kid-approved meals
• Fit & Wholesome – low-calorie and balanced nutrients
• Pescatarian – seafood-based dishes 
• Under 20 Minutes – prep and cleanup shortcuts

The HelloCustom feature lets you swap out sides or proteins on some recipes, which also makes the menu much larger. You can top your veggie kale salad dish with steak or chicken, for example. Or swap the potato side with an extra helping of broccoli with your schnitzel dish.

You’ll find at least a dozen veggie recipes each week, plus calorie- and carb-smart options. If you want to learn more about each plan, check out our full-length HelloFresh review to see which option best suits your needs.

Is It Good Value?

While HelloFresh doesn’t cater to most niche diets, like keto, there are a few vegan meals. You can also modify the recipes as you cook them. But a more diet-friendly service like Green Chef will be a better fit for those with more specialized needs.

The minimum HelloFresh order is 2 recipes for 2 people per week, with a maximum order of 6 recipes for 6 people. That’s higher than Blue Apron’s maximum of 5 recipes. Pricing is affordable, especially with larger orders. A 6-meal box for 4 costs $107.75 with our link, and shipping is a flat fee no matter the order size.

3. Factor – Best Blue Apron Alternative for Convenience

Factor is a great choice for people seeking quick, ready meals. While Blue Apron offers a decent selection of prepared meals on its Prepared & Ready plan, Factor gives you dozens of fresh heat-and-eat meals every week. This service is a great Blue Apron alternative if you prefer prepared meals and aren’t bothered about meal kits.

What’s on the Menu?

Factor offers a diverse menu of over 35 weekly options for different dietary preferences and restrictions. These include low-calorie, low-carb, high-protein, and other diets.

The meals are single-serving, which may not be ideal if you have a household to feed. However, the menu covers a range of cuisines, including Italian, Latin American-influenced, French-inspired, and Mediterranean-style meals. So, it can be a good option for couples or small families with a range of tastes and diets.

In addition to the wide selection of lunches and dinners, Factor also offers extras like breakfasts, smoothies, snacks, and sides. You can supplement your meal plan with additional protein and meat add-ons like chicken, salmon, filet mignon, and shrimp.

What Makes It Special?

Factor offers 6 plans, but you’re always free to choose anything on the menu:

• Chef’s Choice – meals that aren’t part of a specific diet
• Keto – high-fat, low-carb dishes
• Calorie Smart – around 550 cal or less per serving
• Vegan & Veggie – plant-based and meat-free recipes
• Protein Plus – 30 g of protein or more per serving
• Flexitarian – meals centered around veggies and purposeful proteins

Factor works with a carefully chosen group of organic farms that adhere to sustainable farming techniques. It also purchases most of its ingredients domestically, with a few exceptions. Its salmon comes from Canada, some meat originates from Australia, and select produce comes from Central and South America. 

Factor’s seafood is sourced sustainably. Salmon, like the Baja Salmon pictured top, has a BAP certification, signifying compliance with The Global Aquaculture Alliance's Best Aquaculture Practices. All shrimp you find in Factor meals are wild-caught as well.

Is It Good Value?

Unlike the frozen meals at your grocery store, Factor uses fresh ingredients and no preservatives, artificial flavors, or colors. All meals are designed by nutritionists and prepared by chefs to be balanced, healthy, and delicious. We tried Factor and found that it’s a great choice for busy individuals who still want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The minimum Factor order is 6 meals, while the maximum is 18 meals. The best-value option offers 18 single-serving meals for $103.41 on your first purchase if you use our link.

4. Green Chef – Best for Certified Organic Meal Kits

Green Chef is the first USDA-certified organic meal delivery service. Green Chef's certification by the CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) marks it as a pioneer in the meal kit delivery sector. If you prioritize organic ingredients, Green Chef stands out as a premier choice, blending nutrition with the convenience of home delivery.

What’s on the Menu?

With over 45 weekly recipes available, you can always find something that meets your dietary needs and preferences. Green Chef's Keto menu is particularly strong, and the service ranks highly on our best keto meal delivery services list. 

Most recipes take around 30 minutes to get on the table. The Pesto Shrimp Couscous Bowls pictured above is a Calorie Smart and Quick & Easy recipe. It combines Italian-spiced shrimp and pesto with North African pearl couscous. Add accents like chard, artichoke hearts, and dates for a vibrant mix of flavors that takes just 25 minutes to prepare.

Green Chef's menu also includes high-quality breakfast and lunch items, such as Cheesy Artichoke Sandwiches and French Waffles. These are perfect if you want to enjoy delicious and healthy meals throughout the day.

What Makes It Special?

All Green Chef meal kits use organic produce and eggs, as well as proteins raised to the highest animal welfare standards. This commitment to clean and sustainable ingredients makes Green Chef great for health- and environmentally-conscious people.

Another advantage Green Chef has over Blue Apron is its specialized options. The service offers 8 plans, but you can always order any item on the weekly menu: 

• Keto – high-fat, low-carb dishes
• Plant Based – vegetarian and vegan recipes
• Gluten Free – Gluten Intolerance Group-certified gluten-free
• Mediterranean – healthy fats and whole grains
• Calorie Smart – 650 calories or less per serving
• Quick & Easy – ready in 25 minutes or less
• Protein Packed – high protein content
• Gut & Brain Health – nutrient-dense recipes with high-fiber and fresh ingredients

Is It Good Value?

We had a great experience when we tried Green Chef at home. Both the quality of the meals and clarity of Green Chef’s recipe cards were impressive. 

Green Chef offers exotic ingredients and sophisticated recipes, which may not make it a good choice for families with picky eaters. But if your household loves culinary adventures, you can order between 2 and 4 meals for up to 6 people, depending on the number of dieters. The cost per meal starts at $9.99 per serving for the largest order and increases the fewer dishes you buy.

5. BistroMD – Best Weight Loss Meal Delivery Service

BistroMD sends convenient, low-calorie single-serving prepared meals that can be heated in the microwave within minutes. Besides people seeking to shed pounds, it caters to individuals dealing with specific health issues.

What’s on the Menu?

The menu offers low-calorie, single-serving portions of classic comfort food. For example, you’ll find meatloaf dishes along with more upscale options like the Barramundi Seabass with Sweet Coconut Pineapple Sauce pictured above (and our tested image pictured below).

You can customize the weekly menu to exclude meals you don’t like. The menu includes meat and seafood offerings for the most part. But BistroMD offers a Vegan option for plant-based dieters, which Blue Apron doesn’t have.

BistroMD also recommends Essential and Tasty Snacks (EATS) to prevent cravings. EATS include protein shakes and diet bars, as well as desserts like cheesecake. You get 2 daily EATS on the women’s plan, while the men's plan recommends 3.

What Makes It Special?

BistroMD offers programs tailored to different dietary requirements and lifestyles, with a particular focus on individuals with medical or health conditions. In addition to signature meal plans designed for both men and women, the company provides specialized programs, such as diabetes, menopause, and heart-healthy plans.

The women's plan averages 1,200 daily calories, while the men's plan averages 1,400. All plans include access to a dietitian who can help customers achieve their goals. Our expert review found BistroMD to be reliable for those seeking significant weight loss.

Is It Good Value?

BistroMD offers nutritionally balanced meals with less than 450 calories per serving. (The Sweet Coconut Barramundi has just 330). The menu is curated by expert chefs, but this service prioritizes health over flavor.

The minimum BistroMD plan includes 10 meals (5 lunches and 5 dinners per week), and the maximum plan includes 3 meals for 6 days of the week and 2 meals for the seventh day. For the remaining meal, called My Night, eat whatever you want. The cost per meal starts at $6.59.

6. Dinnerly – Our Most Affordable Meal Delivery Service

Dinnerly is the most affordable meal delivery service on our list. And it offers great value for the price. The company accommodates various dietary requirements and provides ingredient swaps in selected dishes.

What’s on the Menu?

Unlike some low-cost meal delivery services with few menu selections, Dinnerly provides over 100 items to choose from each week offering more choices than many higher-priced companies including Blue Apron. See our tested Dinnerly review for more menu details.

The menu features many family-friendly versions of American classics, with plenty of easy-prep options. The One-Pot Tomato Ravioli with Basil Pesto pictured above is ready in 20-30 minutes. And there’s no chopping; you just prepare the sauce, assemble, bake, and eat.

Tags make the extensive menu much easier to navigate, with options like Dairy Free, One Pot Meal, Under 30 Minutes, Kid Friendly, and more. Dinnerly’s Ingredient Hub allows you to check every item on the menu for allergens, which is great for people with food sensitivities.

What Makes It Special?

Dinnerly keep prices low by limiting its pacaking materials. While many meal delivery services wrap each ingredient in wasteful plastic, Dinnerly bundles things together in a single box. Sorting ingredients out is a bit of an inconvenience, but it’s easier on your wallet and much better for the environment. 

Dinnerly also cuts costs by making it optional to receive paper recipe cards. It also doesn’t include images of each step on the recipe cards like Blue Apron does. This can make it more challenging for beginner chefs, and it doesn’t help if you prefer visual cues. The recipes are easy enough to follow, but if you need photographs to help you, try HelloFresh.

Is It Good Value?

Despite its low cost, Dinnerly still uses quality ingredients like antibiotic-free chicken and vegetables sourced from family-run farms. The menu includes vegetarian and vegan dishes, but it doesn't cater to keto or other specialized diets. Like Blue Apron, it also offers extras like desserts and prepared meals.

Dinnerly prices start at just $2.12 per serving. You can subscribe to receive between 2 and 6 meals every week, serving either 2 or 4 people. You need to subscribe to the largest possible plan to get the best deal.

7. Purple Carrot – Best Vegan Meal Delivery Service

Purple Carrot offers 100% plant-based meals and is the only fully-vegan service on my list. It’s basically the vegan version of Blue Apron as it offers kits, prepared meals, and a marketplace of extras.

What’s on the Menu?

The menu has a range of recipes, including classic favorites with a plant-based twist. The Mac n’ Cheese pictured above uses vegan cheddar and panko crumbs for a delicious, dairy-free dinner.

You can choose from a selection of meal kits and prepared meals every week. Take advantage of Less Prep options that require only 25 minutes of prep and cooking time. In addition, Purple Carrot's Plantry has plant-based breakfast and lunch items, pantry staples, and vegan desserts. 

Purple Carrot's prepared meals are designed for convenience and are ready in 5 minutes or less. If you have trouble finding vegan options near your workplace, simply pop a Purple Carrot prepared meal in your office microwave and you have an easy plant-based lunch.

What Makes It Special?

Menu labels let you sort meals based on further dietary preferences, such as high-protein, low-calorie, soy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free. Most non-produce items (like nut milk, beans, tofu, and tempeh) are organic. In this regard, Purple Carrot prioritizes using organic, GMO-free fruits and vegetables in its meal kits. 

Purple Carrot only shows the current week's menu. Its menus are consistent and feature a good variety of vegan food each week. I’d prefer it, though, if we could see meals a few weeks in advance, like with HelloFresh.

Is It Good Value?

You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy Purple Carrot meals. Even omnivores will love this service, as we found in our tested Purple Carrot review.

Purple Carrot meal kits start at $11.00 per serving, with a minimum weekly order of 3 recipes for 2 people and a maximum order of 3 meals of 4 servings. The single-serving prepared meals cost a flat $13 each and come in bundles of 6, 8, or 10 per week.

8. Eat Clean – Clean Meals for Fitness-Conscious Eaters

Eat Clean provides prepared oven- and microwave-ready single-serving meals. They’re perfect for single individuals, couples, and smaller families. What’s more, it offers different portion sizes depending on your appetite. 

What’s on the Menu?

Eat Clean meals feature a good selection of different cuisines, with Italian, Chinese, Indian, and Caribbean recipes featured alongside classic American recipes. Each dish is relatively basic, with a focus on clean proteins, fresh vegetables, and low sodium levels.

You get 4 diet plans to choose from: Traditional, Keto, Paleo, and Plant Based. The first 3 plans offer antibiotic-free proteins like chicken breast, pulled pork, grass-fed ground beef, shrimp, and steak. Plant-based meals feature vegetarian proteins like beans, chickpeas, vegan Chik’n strips, and Beyond Sausage.

Eat Clean’s keto meals are low in carbs and high in fat. High-protein almond flour takes the place of wheat, while cheese and other dairy products keep your body in ketosis. The Paleo plan provides meals free of grain or dairy products. The General Tso Chicken pictured above is from Eat Clean’s Traditional menu, with just 359 calories, 29 g protein, and 49 g carbs.

What Makes It Special?

There is no prep or cooking required. And all produce is organically-grown so you don’t have to worry about synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Our expert review confirmed that Eat Clean is an easy and convenient way to get the nutrients you need. 

Unlike many other meal delivery services, you can’t mix and match between plans. Since each plan has only 10-14 meals, you may find Eat Clean's selection quite limited. For a wider variety of meals for different diets, check out BistroMD. 

Is It Good Value?

If you’re a picky eater or an athlete in training, the company’s simple approach may be great for you. But if you’re looking for a variety of healthy meals, I would advise checking out Factor, as it has a better selection of diet-friendly recipes. 

You can order a minimum of 6 Large or Regular Size prepared meals from Eat Clean each month, with a maximum order of 20. Prices start at $4.30 per serving.

9. Nutrisystem – Great for Short-Term Weight Loss Dieting

Nutrisystem is great for those wanting a structured short-term low-calorie meal plan. Its weight loss program is designed and supervised by a team of dietitians and nutritionists who ensure that your low-calorie diet contains all the vitamins and minerals you need. Its 6-meal daily plan helps you avoid the temptation to binge.

What’s on the Menu?

Nutrisystem offers a variety of plans that cater to different dietary needs and goals. It focuses on providing high-fiber and protein meals that help you feel full and decrease your overall calorie intake. The pre-portioned meals are designed to create a calorie deficit that leads to your body burning fat to make up the difference.

You get breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as shakes and other replacements each day. The small portions keep your calorie intake low: roughly 1,200 daily calories for women and 1,500 for men. For example, the Stuffed Chicken Breast pictured above has just 180 calories.  

You can choose fresh or frozen meals from the weight-loss service's menu. Nutrisystem marks frozen meals with the eponymous label for easy identification. Note that you'll likely receive fresh and frozen meals at different times if you mix them in a single order.

What Makes It Special?

The portion sizes may leave your stomach rumbling occasionally. But Nutrisystem keeps you eating multiple times a day. This minimizes those moments when you’re craving food and staring at the clock until your next meal time. When we reviewed Nutrisystem, we noted that its 6-meal plan made it much easier to stick to a diet. 

NuMi, Nutrisystem’s app, serves as a digital diet coach that logs your meals and exercise, encourages you to stay hydrated, and more. NuMi lets you monitor both Nutrisystem and non-Nutrisystem meals and provides you with informative articles, useful tips, and tasty recipes.

Is It Good Value?

Nutrisystem’s restricted-calorie menu is intended for fast, short-term weight loss. You’ll need to transition to a more balanced diet after you’ve achieved your weight loss goals. Nutrisystem also provides a lot of processed meals that are tasty for diet food but won’t win any culinary awards. 

This service has a huge number of plan options. But pricing generally starts at $9.64 per day plus shipping. The smallest plan includes enough meals to eat 5 days a week for 4 weeks.

Quick Comparison Table

Tips for Choosing the Best Blue Apron Alternatives

My colleague tested Blue Apron and many other services to compile some helpful tips. When you are looking for a new delivery service, here are some things to keep in mind. 

• Consider your schedule: Check the cooking and prep times for each meal and assess whether they fit your schedule. If you enjoy cooking, go for services that offer fresh ingredients and recipe cards. If you’re short on time, a prepared meal delivery service like Factor might be a better option.  

• Check for dietary options: Look for meal delivery services that offer menus tailored to your needs. For example, Purple Carrot is a better choice for a vegan diet than a more generalized service with few plant-based options. 

• Evaluate the cost: Compare the cost per serving of each service and factor in additional costs such as shipping fees. Choose a service that’s affordable and provides value for money. Dinnerly is a budget-friendly option that doesn't compromise on quality.

• Assess the flexibility: Opt for a meal delivery service that provides easy cancelation policies and options to skip weeks, change orders, and adjust subscriptions. If a service doesn't meet your expectations, don't hesitate to consult our list of the best meal delivery services.

FAQ

What’s the difference between Blue Apron and HelloFresh?

HelloFresh has a larger menu and more family-friendly recipes. Blue Apron has a wider selection in its marketplace and a plan for prepared meals as well as meal kits. Both are excellent meal delivery services with long track records of culinary excellence.

Does Blue Apron have prepared meals?

Blue Apron has a selection of 16 prepared meals at the time of my Best Blue Apron Alternatives overview. If you’re interested in a weekly menu that offers a wider selection of prepared meals, you should check out Factor instead.  

Is Blue Apron good for losing weight?

Blue Apron has a Wellness menu with low-calorie and holistically healthy meals. It also has suggestions to reduce calories in its meal kits. If you’re looking for a more dedicated weight loss delivery service, however, I recommend BistroMD.

Best Blue Apron Alternatives in 2024 — Final Score