Blue Apron vs. HelloFresh: What You Need to Know Before Subscribing

Meal kits have become a go-to solution for busy households seeking to save time, minimize food waste and still enjoy home-cooked meals. With many options on the market, it can be challenging to determine which one truly delivers on taste, convenience and overall value. Two of the most well-known contenders, Blue Apron and HelloFresh, have earned strong followership, but how do they compare side by side? Testers from around the country and I tried HelloFresh and Blue Apron meals to get a variety of real-world experiences. Plus, experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Nutrition Lab evaluated the meal kits for their nutritional quality, ingredient sourcing, ease of preparation and more.

Whether you're new to meal delivery services or looking to switch things up, this comparison will help you decide which service better fits your lifestyle, cooking habits and wellness goals. With insights from both home cooks and registered dietitians, we break down everything from recipe variety to portion sizes so you can make an informed (and delicious) decision.

HelloFresh

Hello Fresh

Shop at HelloFresh

Pros

• Plenty of variety
• Easy-to-follow recipe cards with step-by-step visuals
• Ingredients arrive well-packaged and organized
• Cost-effective, especially for households of four

Cons

• Recipes are simpler and may lack culinary creativity
• Not ideal for larger families or households

Launched in 2011, HelloFresh is one of the most popular meal kits, operating in 18 countries. It’s known for its fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and rotating weekly menus designed by chefs. Customers can choose from over 40 meal options each week, as well as over 100 seasonal and convenience items, making it one of the most customizable services on the market. Plans include Meat & Veggies, Family Friendly, Quick and Easy, Veggie, Fit & Wholesome and Pescatarian. Sustainability is also a key part of HelloFresh’s mission, with a direct-to-consumer model that the company claims helps reduce your carbon footprint by 31% compared to grocery shopping.

Blue Apron

Blue Apron

Shop at blueapron

Pros

• Appeals to all skill levels
• Offers special seasonal boxes and limited-edition culinary experiences
• Straightforward recipe instructions
• Wide range of plans, including wellness-focused and premade meal options
• High-quality ingredients and unique flavor pairings

Cons

• Limited offerings for specific dietary needs (e.g., vegan, gluten-free)
• Some dishes are higher in sodium

Founded in 2012, Blue Apron helped pioneer the meal kit movement in the U.S. and continues to stand out for its focus on culinary variety and flexible meal plans. Each week, their chefs craft new menus featuring seasonal ingredients and balanced nutrition, including wellness-focused options and quick-prep meals. With a mix of two- and four-serving options, Blue Apron also includes microwavable meals, sides, desserts and à la carte offerings via their Blue Apron Market.

HelloFresh and Blue Apron are industry leaders because they consistently deliver on taste, convenience, and flexibility. Whether you’re a busy parent, a health-conscious eater or just trying to avoid takeout (like me), both offer user-friendly solutions backed by chef-designed recipes. Their broad reach, customizable plans and evolving menus make them two of the most trusted names in the meal kit space today.

HelloFresh delivers across the continental U.S. and extends to select areas in Honolulu and Anchorage, offering broader geographic coverage than many competitors. Shipping comes with a flat fee of $10.99 per box, regardless of order size or location. Their focus on sustainable packaging features adds value for eco-conscious consumers.

Blue Apron, on the other hand, ships to the 48 contiguous states and offers customizable delivery days (typically Monday through Saturday). Orders over $50 qualify for free shipping, which can be more cost-effective than HelloFresh, especially for larger households. Packages are trackable and shipped via various carriers depending on location. HelloFresh has a slight edge in terms of geographic reach and sustainability efforts, while Blue Apron offers more flexible delivery windows and potential savings on shipping costs. Choosing between the two may come down to whether coverage or cost savings are more important to you.

Both HelloFresh and Blue Apron excel in providing high-quality ingredients, but they cater to distinct types of home cooks. HelloFresh prioritizes fresh, seasonal produce and clean, simple recipes. The ingredients appear to be thoughtfully sourced: leafy greens arrive crisp, proteins are neatly sealed and chilled, and the fresh herbs and garnishes are typically generous. Recipes like Lemony Chicken with Roasted Veggies or a Veggie-Stuffed Couscous Bowl come together quickly and carry that just-picked vibe. The meals lean familiar, with crowd-pleasing flavor profiles that make HelloFresh a great choice for families, picky eaters, or anyone looking to cook more at home.

Blue Apron, on the other hand, leans more gourmet and globally inspired. While the ingredient quality is equally strong, with neatly packed fresh veggies, aromatic spice blends, and rich sauces, the recipes tend to be a little more elevated. Meals like Pecan-Crusted Trout or a Mushroom Cavatappi pasta feel restaurant-quality, with complex flavors and attention to texture. Even their plant-based dishes, like the Vegan Pearl Pasta and Bean Soup with garlicky bread, delivered deep flavor and satisfying richness. Blue Apron feels best suited for someone who enjoys cooking as a creative experience and wants a bit more excitement on their plate.

When it comes to variety, both platforms rotate a generous weekly menu, but the feel is different. HelloFresh focuses on comfort classics and balanced meals with an occasional global twist, so you'll see things like teriyaki stir-fries, Mediterranean bowls or pasta bakes. Blue Apron offers a more adventurous selection with globally inspired flavors, seasonal techniques and some niche ingredients that cater to the culinary curious. If you're the kind of person who enjoys discovering a new spice or pairing, Blue Apron may surprise you more often.

For dietary preferences, HelloFresh is easier to navigate if you're aiming for specific health goals. They have clear filters for low-calorie, carb-smart, vegetarian and pescatarian meals. Recipes are generally lighter and easier to modify, allowing you to swap proteins or skip garnishes without compromising flavor. Blue Apron offers vegetarian, lower-calorie and plant-forward options, and allergens are clearly labeled. However, some meals can feel more indulgent, especially if you're watching your sodium or saturated fat intake.

So, if you're looking for fresh, approachable meals with broad appeal and a lighter nutritional profile, HelloFresh delivers on all fronts. But if you're craving bold flavors, a more elevated cooking experience, and meals that feel like a mini date night, Blue Apron adds more flair to your weekly dinner routine.

Both HelloFresh and Blue Apron offer user-friendly ordering experiences with customizable plans to suit different household sizes, dietary preferences and schedules. Their platforms are easy to navigate, allowing you to edit upcoming deliveries, swap recipes, skip weeks or pause your subscription altogether.

HelloFresh offers one of the most extensive weekly menus in the category, with over 40 recipes to choose from across categories like Veggie, Fit & Wholesome and Family Friendly. Their plan options cater to two or four people, with meal pricing ranging from $9.79 to $12.49 per serving, depending on the plan and the number of meals selected. A typical plan with three meals for two people costs $59.94, plus a $10.99 flat-rate shipping fee. Larger plans offer better per-serving value. In addition to meals, HelloFresh’s Marketplace features a variety of add-ons, including breakfast items, desserts and snacks, some of which are discounted by 10% to 15% each week.

Blue Apron, meanwhile, offers fewer weekly options but still provides variety through its Wellness, Fast & Easy and Chef Favorites categories. Their pricing structure offers both prepared meals and traditional meal kits. Meal kit plans start at $35.97 for two meals (two servings each), and go up to $119.85 for five meals serving four. Prepared meals come in packs of four, six, eight or ten, starting at $35.97. Blue Apron often offers promotions with free shipping or reduced costs, and the price per serving decreases as you add more items to your box.

Overall, HelloFresh offers a greater variety and flexibility, particularly for larger households or those seeking diverse recipe options. Blue Apron’s pricing is slightly more budget-friendly for smaller orders and offers the convenience of ready-made meals alongside traditional kits, which can be appealing for busier weeks.

Both HelloFresh and Blue Apron provide a smooth and efficient delivery experience, with meals arriving reliably on time and well-insulated to keep ingredients fresh. Each service uses a combination of sturdy cardboard boxes, thermal liners and ice packs to preserve food quality during transit. HelloFresh organizes ingredients for each recipe into labeled brown paper bags, which makes unpacking and meal prep incredibly convenient. Proteins are packed separately at the bottom of the box, sandwiched between large ice packs to maintain a safe temperature. The brand also stands out for its eco-conscious packaging, using more paper-based and recyclable materials overall.

Blue Apron also delivers on freshness and food safety with reliable packaging. Their boxes arrive with thermal insulation and chilled gel packs that effectively protect perishable items. Ingredients are grouped and labeled by recipe, although some items, such as spices and condiments, may be packaged individually in plastic, resulting in more packaging waste compared to HelloFresh. That said, the visual presentation of Blue Apron’s box feels elevated. Recipe cards are sleek and informative, and the inclusion of chef-curated tips adds a professional touch that some users appreciated. In terms of produce quality, HelloFresh is consistent but not flawless; some testers noted that more delicate vegetables, such as mushrooms or scallions, were occasionally a bit wilted or bruised.

HelloFresh recipe cards

HelloFresh meals

Blue Apron’s produce, on the other hand, was praised for its freshness and crispness across the board. Both brands include recycling instructions in the box or on their websites; however, HelloFresh leans more towards simplified, eco-friendly materials, while Blue Apron’s packaging, although effective, contains more plastic overall.

Blue Apron package

Overall, HelloFresh makes the unboxing and organization process slightly more straightforward, ideal for beginners or busy households. Blue Apron delivers a more polished and premium-feeling presentation with reliably fresh ingredients, though it comes with a bit more packaging complexity.

Preparing and cooking HelloFresh recipes was an enjoyable experience with minimal prep work, usually limited to chopping vegetables. The step-by-step instructions were straightforward and featured helpful visual cues, making the process less intimidating, even for those new to cooking. I felt comfortable adjusting recipes to suit my preferences, and the meals typically took around 30 minutes to prepare, with a quick cleanup afterward.

One tester shared, "I really struggle with motivating myself to cook, even though I like it and I'm good at it. HelloFresh makes it so much easier because it's hard to justify not cooking when I don't have to come up with what to make, go to the store and then cook for an hour." HelloFresh clearly caters to home cooks seeking convenience without sacrificing satisfaction.

Blue Apron, meanwhile, offers a slightly more elevated culinary experience. Their recipe cards are clear, easy to follow and include estimated cooking times, which is great for planning busy days. Most meals take about 25–35 minutes to prepare, while their microwavable options are ready in around 5 minutes.

The inclusion of the chef's notes, which highlight special ingredients or techniques such as the Calabrian chile paste in the Hand-Cut Pappardelle recipe, adds excitement to the cooking process. Beyond the meal kits, Blue Apron's blog and digital cookbook offer fun and helpful cooking tips, such as a guide for making fresh spring rolls, which helped boost my confidence in the kitchen. One tester noted, "The instructions are clear with the right balance of details and great photos. The meals are adventurous but not too out-there, so it's fun but still relevant for traditional palates." A standout meal for me was the Sheet Pan Cajun Salmon, which was fresh and perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of heat, paired with easy-to-prep sweet potatoes that even yielded leftovers.

Blue Apron Meal

Nutritionally, both HelloFresh and Blue Apron strike a solid balance of protein, fats and carbohydrates, aiming to deliver meals that are both satisfying and nourishing. HelloFresh’s recipes consistently feature a good combination of protein and fiber, which helps with overall fullness and satisfaction. For example, the Vegan Pearl Pasta and Bean Soup packs plenty of fiber from various beans, making it a hearty plant-based option. However, the sodium content in some HelloFresh meals can be on the higher side. To manage this, I followed recipe tips, such as rinsing canned beans and reducing added salt, which made a noticeable difference. Some recipes, like the Mushroom Cavatappi, incorporate richer ingredients such as garlic butter, cream cheese and milk. These enhance flavor and texture but also increase calorie and fat content, which might not appeal to those seeking lighter meals. Exploring lighter alternatives or smaller portions of these ingredients could make HelloFresh dishes more aligned with health-conscious eating.

Blue Apron’s meals generally fall within a moderate calorie range, typically ranging from 500 to 700 calories per serving. The protein portions are generous and paired well with a balanced mix of carbohydrates, fats and fiber-rich ingredients like kale and beans. While some of Blue Apron’s meals also have elevated sodium levels, I was pleasantly surprised that the dishes didn’t taste overly salty — a common concern with pre-prepped meals. The variety sampled, from Sheet Pan Cajun Salmon to New York Strip Steak with Mushroom Cream Sauce, felt fresh and flavorful without feeling heavy. Premade meals, such as Creamy Mushroom Chicken with Orzo, provide convenient, lighter options ideal for quick lunches or post-workout refueling. Blue Apron’s transparent nutritional labeling, accessible online, helps users track calories and macros, although including this information on recipe cards would be a helpful addition.

Both HelloFresh and Blue Apron prioritize convenience, but they approach cleanup and ease on weeknights slightly differently. HelloFresh recipes generally involve fewer steps and minimal prep, which keeps mess to a minimum. Most meals require just one or two pots or pans, making cleanup straightforward and quick. The compact recipe design and pre-measured ingredients help reduce kitchen clutter, perfect for busy weeknights when time and energy are limited.

Blue Apron meals can sometimes involve a few more components or steps, especially with their more adventurous recipes. This may mean washing an extra pan or bowl, but the clear instructions help keep the process organized and efficient. Like HelloFresh, ingredients come pre-portioned and grouped by meal, which helps streamline cooking and cleanup. Blue Apron’s meals strike a nice balance between home-cooked flavor and manageable kitchen time, suitable for weeknights when you want something tasty without spending hours cleaning up afterward.

HelloFresh leans slightly more toward simplicity and quick cleanup. At the same time, Blue Apron appeals to those willing to invest a bit more time for a more flavorful, hands-on cooking experience without overwhelming cleanup.

When deciding between HelloFresh and Blue Apron, the choice ultimately depends on your cooking preferences, lifestyle needs and budget. Both services deliver fresh, pre-portioned ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes, but they cater to slightly different audiences in terms of experience level, dietary flexibility and overall mealtime goals.

HelloFresh stands out for its wide range of tasty recipes that are approachable and designed with beginner home cooks in mind. Its streamlined packaging and user-friendly recipe cards make the cooking process smooth, even on busy weeknights. The portions are balanced, and meals are typically ready in about 30 minutes, which is ideal for couples or small families who want variety without the time commitment of traditional meal planning. However, HelloFresh's meals tend to have a more basic flavor profile and higher sodium content, which may not appeal to those seeking more adventurous or health-conscious options. It's a practical pick if you're someone who often falls into repetitive meals and wants to shake up your routine without overthinking dinner.

Blue Apron, on the other hand, leans into more elevated, restaurant-style meals with complex flavor combinations that feel gourmet yet accessible. It's particularly appealing to seasoned home cooks or those who want to experiment in the kitchen without diving too deep into new culinary territory. The rotating menu offers flexibility and surprise, and the portions are generous enough to satisfy couples or families of four. Although slightly pricier and better suited to those without significant dietary restrictions, Blue Apron excels in delivering variety and quality, especially if you're drawn to globally inspired dishes and don't mind a bit more prep time.

I personally lean toward Blue Apron because of its exciting flavors and high-quality ingredients, which make cooking feel like a more creative and rewarding experience. It's like having a mini culinary adventure without leaving your kitchen, turning mealtime into something I genuinely look forward to rather than just another task to check off the list.

In comparing the two, HelloFresh may be the better fit for those who value speed, simplicity and consistency. At the same time, Blue Apron caters more to food enthusiasts looking for new flavors and a more elevated at-home dining experience. Both services reduce the burden of meal prep and food waste, but your best match comes down to how adventurous you want your dinner plate to be and how much time you're willing to spend in the kitchen.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we rigorously test a variety of food products and services, from snacks and supplements to meal delivery services. For our latest comprehensive evaluation, we tested over 50 meal delivery services, including traditional kits with pre-measured ingredients and recipe cards, as well as fully-prepared options. We recruited more than 300 at-home chefs nationwide and had our in-house experts test the services in our Lab. Each service was carefully analyzed based on key factors like overall satisfaction, food quality, cost, sustainability efforts and availability.

Valerie Agyeman, a women’s health dietitian with over 10 years of experience in nutrition and wellness, has reviewed various meal delivery services, including Blue Apron, Gobble, Factor, HelloFresh and Thistle and Sakara Life in the Good Housekeeping Nutrition Lab. This included testing the meals for taste, convenience and how well they fit into a healthy lifestyle. She also evaluated ingredient freshness, portion size, ease of preparation and how these services help make healthy eating easier for busy people.

Valerie Agyeman, R.D.

Contributing Writer

Valerie Agyeman (she/her) is a women's health dietitian and the host of the Flourish Heights podcast, where she produces science-driven content covering overlooked nutrition, wellness and women’s health topics. She has over 10 years of combined nutrition communications, corporate wellness and clinical nutrition experience. Valerie is a trusted expert in the media, regularly appearing on networks such as Fox 5 DC, PIX-11, and ABC’s Good Morning Washington. She is also a contributing expert to publications like Women’s Health Magazine, Prevention, Good Housekeeping, and The Everygirl.