When it comes to meal kit delivery services, HelloFresh and Dinnerly are two of the most popular options on the market. Both companies offer a convenient way for busy people to prepare delicious, home-cooked meals without the hassle of grocery shopping and meal planning. However, there are some key differences between the two services that may make one more appealing than the other, depending on your needs and preferences.
One of the most significant differences between HelloFresh and Dinnerly is price. Dinnerly is known for being one of the most affordable meal kit services available, with prices starting at just $4.29 per serving. In contrast, HelloFresh tends to be more expensive, with an average price of $8.99 per serving. While both services charge a flat shipping fee of $8.99, the difference in per-serving cost can add up quickly over time.
Overview of HelloFresh and Dinnerly
HelloFresh and Dinnerly are two popular meal kit delivery services that offer a convenient and affordable way to cook meals at home. Both services provide pre-portioned ingredients and recipes that are delivered to your doorstep, saving you time and effort while still allowing you to enjoy home-cooked meals.
HelloFresh
HelloFresh is a meal kit service that offers a wide variety of recipes each week, with options for different dietary preferences such as vegetarian, low-calorie, and family-friendly meals. Their recipes are designed to be easy to follow and take around 30-40 minutes to prepare.
HelloFresh uses high-quality ingredients and sources their produce from local farms whenever possible. They also prioritize sustainable and ethical practices, such as using recyclable packaging and partnering with organizations that fight food waste.
HelloFresh offers flexible subscription plans, allowing you to choose the number of meals and servings you want each week. They also offer add-ons such as breakfasts, snacks, and desserts.
- Cost: 7/10 - $8.75/serve based on 4 people and 5 recipes per week.
- Choice: 9/10 - Over 37 recipes to pick from each week.
- Quality: 9/10 - The best quality vegetables and meat from all we tested, but still not as good as selecting yourself in the grocery store.
- Taste: 8/10 - There are certainly some meals that didn't suit my tastes, but overall I was impressed and I still replicate my favourites.
- Flexibility: Skip a week or cancel anytime.
- Organic: No
- Allergy Safe: No
Dinnerly
Dinnerly is a meal kit service that focuses on simplicity and affordability. Their recipes use fewer ingredients and take less time to prepare, making them a great option for busy weeknights.
Dinnerly offers a smaller selection of recipes each week but still provides options for different dietary preferences such as vegetarian and low-carb meals. Their recipes are designed to be easy to follow and take around 30 minutes to prepare.
Dinnerly uses quality ingredients but keeps costs low by using digital recipe cards instead of printed ones and by using fewer ingredients in their recipes. They also use recyclable and biodegradable packaging to reduce waste.
Dinnerly offers a flexible subscription plan, allowing you to choose the number of meals and servings you want each week. They also offer add-ons such as snacks and desserts.
- Cost: 10/10 - $5.49 per serving
- Choice: 8/10 - 50+ recipes per week
- Quality: 6/10 - There is a noticeable drop in quality compared to Marley Spoon
- Taste: 7/10 - The recipes are noticeably plainer and smaller than the more expensive alternatives
- Flexibility: Skip, pause, or cancel any time
- Organic: No
- Allergy Safe: No
HelloFresh and Dinnerly are both meal kit delivery services that offer convenient and affordable options for cooking meals at home. HelloFresh provides a wider variety of recipes and focuses on high-quality ingredients and sustainable practices, while Dinnerly focuses on simplicity and affordability with fewer ingredients and lower costs.
Menu and Meal Options
When it comes to meal options, both HelloFresh and Dinnerly offer a wide variety of dishes to choose from. However, there are some differences in the types of meals and plans offered by each meal kit service.
Variety
HelloFresh offers a larger variety of meals each week, with over 30 recipes. They also offer a range of meal plans, including a Classic Plan, a Family Plan, a Veggie Plan, and a Calorie Smart Plan. On the other hand, Dinnerly offers a smaller variety of meals but focuses on simple, no-fuss recipes that can be prepared quickly.
Meal Plans
HelloFresh offers four meal plans, each with different options to suit different dietary needs. Their Classic Plan includes meat, seafood, and vegetarian options, while their Family Plan includes meals designed to be kid-friendly. The Veggie Plan is a vegetarian option, and the Calorie Smart Plan is designed to lower calories and higher in protein. On the other hand, Dinnerly offers a two-person plan with three meals per week.
Special Diets
HelloFresh and Dinnerly offer vegetarian options, but HelloFresh also offers a wider range of special diets, including gluten-free, low-carb, dairy-free, and pescatarian options. They also offer the ability to filter out specific ingredients such as shellfish or pork. Dinnerly does not offer as many special diet options, but they do offer some nutritious and low-calorie options.
Both HelloFresh and Dinnerly offer a variety of meal options to suit different dietary needs. While HelloFresh offers a larger variety of meals and meal plans, Dinnerly focuses on simple, no-fuss recipes that can be prepared quickly. HelloFresh also offers a wider range of special diet options, while Dinnerly offers some nutritious and low-calorie options.
Quality and Flavor
When it comes to meal delivery services, quality and flavor are two of the most important factors to consider. In this section, we’ll look closer at the ingredients, flavor, and recipe cards of HelloFresh and Dinnerly.
Ingredients
Both HelloFresh and Dinnerly use high-quality ingredients in their meal kits. HelloFresh sources their ingredients from trusted suppliers, and they prioritize organic and sustainable options whenever possible. On the other hand, Dinnerly focuses on keeping costs low by using fewer ingredients per recipe. While this may mean less variety, it also means that Dinnerly can offer meals at a lower price point.
Flavor
When it comes to flavor, both HelloFresh and Dinnerly deliver delicious meals. HelloFresh offers a variety of flavors and cuisines, from classic American dishes to international favorites. Dinnerly, on the other hand, focuses on simple, straightforward flavors that are easy to prepare and enjoy. While both services offer tasty meals, the flavor profiles may appeal to different tastes.
Recipe Cards
Both HelloFresh and Dinnerly provide recipe cards that are easy to follow and understand. HelloFresh’s recipe cards are more detailed, with step-by-step instructions and photos to guide you through the cooking process. Dinnerly’s recipe cards are more streamlined, with fewer steps and simpler instructions. While both services provide clear recipe cards, the level of detail may be a factor for those new to cooking or needing more guidance.
Both HelloFresh and Dinnerly offer high-quality ingredients and delicious flavors. The main difference lies in the variety of ingredients and flavors offered, as well as the level of detail provided in the recipe cards. Ultimately, choosing between the two services will depend on personal preferences and cooking experience.
| Criteria | HelloFresh | Dinnerly |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Organic and sustainable options | Fewer ingredients per recipe |
| Flavor | Variety of flavors and cuisines | Simple, straightforward flavors |
| Recipe Cards | Detailed with step-by-step instructions and photos | Streamlined with simpler instructions |
Price and Value
Cost
Regarding meal kit delivery services, cost is a significant factor for many people. Dinnerly is the more affordable option, starting at just $4.29 per serving. In contrast, HelloFresh’s meals start at $8.99 per serving. Both subscriptions charge a flat $8.99 shipping fee, but Dinnerly’s overall cost is still lower than HelloFresh’s.
Affordability
Dinnerly’s affordability is one of its main selling points. With meals starting at less than $5 per serving, it’s an excellent option for those on a budget. HelloFresh, however, is more expensive, but it offers more meal variety and options.
Delivery Options
Both Dinnerly and HelloFresh offer flexible delivery options. Customers can choose the number of meals they want to receive each week and how many servings per meal.
In terms of delivery options, Dinnerly charges a flat fee of $9.99, while HelloFresh charges between $9.99-10.99, depending on the size of your order. All things considered, Dinnerly is the obvious choice for affordability.
Here’s a comparison table of the two meal kit delivery services:
| Meal Kit Service | Cost per serving | Shipping fee |
|---|---|---|
| Dinnerly | Starting at $4.29 | $9.99 |
| HelloFresh | Starting at $8.99 | $9.99-10.99 |
In conclusion, while HelloFresh offers more meal variety, Dinnerly is the clear winner regarding affordability. With its lower prices and flexible delivery options, it’s an excellent choice for those on a budget who still want to enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals.
Convenience and Ordering
Regarding convenience and ordering, both HelloFresh and Dinnerly offer easy-to-use platforms that allow customers to select their meal plans, choose their preferred delivery options, and customize their orders. Here’s a breakdown of the different aspects of convenience and ordering for both services:
Meal Prep
HelloFresh and Dinnerly offer meal kits with pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step recipe cards. However, HelloFresh’s recipes tend to be more complex and time-consuming, while Dinnerly’s recipes are simpler and quicker to prepare. This makes Dinnerly a great option for those who want to save time in the kitchen.
Packaging
Both services use eco-friendly packaging designed to keep ingredients fresh and safe during transit. However, HelloFresh’s packaging is a bit more elaborate and includes ice packs and insulation to keep ingredients at the right temperature. Dinnerly’s packaging is simpler and more streamlined, which helps keep costs down.
Ordering
Both services offer online ordering that is easy to use and navigate. Customers can choose their meal plans, customize their orders, and select their preferred delivery options. However, HelloFresh offers a bit more flexibility regarding delivery options, with customers able to choose from a wider range of delivery dates and times.
Regarding menu options, both services offer a range of different meal plans, including vegetarian and family-friendly options. However, HelloFresh tends to have a wider range of menu options, with more variety in flavors and ingredients.
HelloFresh and Dinnerly offer convenient and easy-to-use services that make it easy to prepare delicious meals at home. While HelloFresh may offer more variety and flexibility, Dinnerly is a great option for those who want to save time and money without sacrificing flavor.
Customer Service and Reviews
Regarding meal kit delivery services, customer service plays a crucial role in ensuring that customers have a positive experience. Both HelloFresh and Dinnerly have customer service teams available to help customers with any issues or concerns they may have.
HelloFresh has a reputation for having excellent customer service, with a team available 24/7 to assist customers via phone, email, or chat. They also have a comprehensive FAQ section on their website covering various topics, from meal selection to delivery issues.
On the other hand, Dinnerly has received mixed reviews regarding their customer service. Some customers have reported difficulty reaching the company’s customer service team, while others have praised the team’s responsiveness and helpfulness.
Regarding reviews, both HelloFresh and Dinnerly have received a mix of positive and negative feedback from customers. HelloFresh has generally received more positive reviews, with customers praising the quality of the meals, the convenience of the service, and the helpfulness of the customer service team. However, some customers have criticized the portion sizes and the limited selection of vegetarian and vegan meals.
Dinnerly has received praise for its affordability, with many customers noting that it is one of the most budget-friendly meal kit delivery services available. However, some customers have criticized the quality of the ingredients and the lack of variety in the meal options.
Both HelloFresh and Dinnerly have their strengths and weaknesses in customer service and reviews. While HelloFresh has a reputation for excellent customer service and generally positive reviews, Dinnerly’s affordability may make it a more attractive option for customers on a budget.