HelloFresh VS Home Chef Comparison

UPDATED Dec. 2024
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Both Home Chef and HelloFresh were developed with the goal of allowing you to enjoy cooking for your family. They offer gourmet, chef-created recipes that will actually have you feeling happy to spend some time in the kitchen. Choosing between the two services, on the other hand, is anything but easy and straightforward.

Our exhaustive Home Chef vs. HelloFresh comparison was created to help you define your own needs and expectations and then give you all the necessary info to choose between these two superb companies. Scroll down to discover which meal kit delivery service is just right for you.

HelloFresh
Fresh, tasty and healthy cooking
VS
Home Chef
Planet-friendly meal service

Highlights

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
Home Chef
Home Chef offers budget-friendly prices, great flexibility, a diverse menu, and time-saving recipes suitable for all cooking skill levels.
  • Price Range: $
  • Average Price Per Meal: $8.97
  • Shipping Cost: $0 *
  • Delivery Area: 48 states
*free shipping on all orders worth $45+

Compare Features

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.
Home Chef
Best For
Best for home cooks with a busy schedule
Menu/Meal Plans
Home Chef does not separate its meals into distinct meal plans but instead offers one weekly menu to choose from.
Recipes/Meal Options
Home Chef offers 18 new recipes each week plus 3 add-ons including ready-to-cook protein packs and smoothies.
Meal & Recipe Variety
Home Chef’s weekly selection always includes omnivore, vegetarian, carb-conscious, and calorie-conscious recipes. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose to receive recipes that do not contain pork, red meat, gluten, mushrooms, soy, nuts, dairy or shellfish. Lunches and smoothies take just 5 minutes to make and dinners are usually ready in around 30 minutes.
Food Quality
Home Chef sources its ingredients from trusted suppliers and farmers that employ the best sustainability practices. It sources locally whenever possible and makes sure that the food you receive is fresh, natural, and good for you.
Nutritional Value & Portion Size
The calorie count of Home Chef meals significantly varies, from under 200 calories to more than 750 calories. Calorie-conscious meals are clearly labeled. The meals are rich in all valuable nutrients and come in ample portions, keeping you full for hours.
Subscription Flexibility
With Home Chef, you can edit or customize your subscription anytime you want. You can also skip, pause or cancel your order whenever you wish. All changes to your order must be made by 12pm(CST) on the Friday prior to the scheduled delivery day.
Refunds
If you are not satisfied with your delivery from Home Chef, you may be eligible for a refund or credit.

Compare Plans & Pricing

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
Home Chef
Home Chef Plans & Pricing
2 Servings
Meals per weekMeal kit pricePrice per serving
2$39.80$9.95
3$59.70$9.95
4$79.60$9.95
5$99.50$9.95
6$119.40$9.95
4 Servings
Meals per weekMeal kit pricePrice per serving
2$79.60$9.95
3$119.40$9.95
4$159.20$9.95
5$199.00$9.95
6$238.80$9.95
6 Servings
Meals per weekMeal kit pricePrice per serving
2$119.40$9.95
3$179.10$9.95
4$238.80$9.95
5$298.50$9.95
6$358.20$9.95

Suitable For

HelloFresh
Meals For Families
Meals For Kids
Meals For Seniors
Meals For One
Home Chef
Meals For Families
Meals For Kids
Meals For Seniors
Meals For One

Compare Meal Options

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
Home Chef
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

HelloFresh
Home Chef

Compare Extras

HelloFresh
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace
Home Chef
A La Carte Menu
Gift Cards
Marketplace

Compare Ratings

HelloFresh
FINAL RATING
9.0/10
Meal Options
Variety
Nutritional Value
Portion Size
Flexibility
Price
Home Chef
FINAL RATING
9.8/10
Meal Options
Variety
Nutritional Value
Portion Size
Flexibility
Price

Compare Customer Reviews

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.
Home Chef
  • Submitted By N. Chamousis on 12/05/2019
    My wife and I really enjoy the Home Chef meals. They've come up with some great, easy to prepare recipes that are healthy quite good. It's just unfortunate that they can't get their act together on the delivery service. A real shame.
  • Submitted By Merrie Smith on 09/24/2019
    I have had several shipments from Home Chef and there has been poor quality produce in every box. At first I thought maybe it was just that the shipping service had mishandled the package. But that turned out not to be the case. I have been sent cauliflower that had a strong odor and turning brown, bruised pablano peppers, damaged zucchini on two occasions, and wilted, browning green onions. It's really a shame because the other ingredients and recipes are of good quality. The first occasion that I received bad produce, I called customer service and received very generous credits to my account and was hoping that future shipments would be better. I started avoid ordering the produce that I had issues with. But most of the produce I received from Home Chef was of poor quality and I have decided that it's just not worth the cost.
  • Submitted By Barbara II on 06/18/2019
    Only 3 weeks in, 6 dinners, but have been able to make third and fourth servings from leftovers. Have added some veggies of our own to be able to do that and remain on healthy portions. Everything delicious! We are ready to see some repeat offerings because they were so good. Starting with easy courses because it has been a while since we have cooked, but an accidental inclusion of one rated intermediate confirmed there are good things to come. I’m not sure that I won’t ‘steal’ some recipes to make again soon. There have been items cooked together we would not have put together and were surprised by how good they were together as well. Everything fresh, nicely packaged, beautiful. THANKS!
  • Submitted By Julie Patterson on 02/20/2019
    A lot of my friends had very positive experiences with Home Chef and they recommended it highly when I started looking for a good meal delivery after getting a new job and having way less time to shop for groceries, plan the meals and cook. The food is great and the customer service answered every single question I had regarding the company and the service in general. The delivery driver is also very nice, which is a very refreshing change.

Winner

Home Chef is a meal kit delivery service that supplies you with only the freshest, highest quality ingredients. What sets it apart is the amazing variety of recipes you can choose from. To discover how the service works, what kind of recipes it offers, how much it costs, and whether it is right for you, read our detailed Home Chef review.

Meal Options

HelloFresh brings you three different meal plans to choose from: Classic, Vegetarian, and Family. The recipes in the Family plan are specially designed to suit the tastes and needs of both children and adults while the recipes in the Vegetarian plan are created in complete accordance with the rules of the vegetarian diet.

Unlike HelloFresh, Home Chef does not offer specialized meal plans. However, it does allow you to state your preferences in order to avoid the ingredients you are allergic to or simply do not like.

Variety

If you like to pick your meals yourself instead of having them picked out for you, you may be happier with Home Chef. It allows you to choose from 16 different recipes every week. You can also purchase add-ons. These include smoothies and fruit baskets.

HelloFresh allows you to choose from 15 dinner recipes on the Classic menu, 9 recipes on the Family menu, and 3 meal ideas on its Veggie menu.

Nutritional Value

Both HelloFresh and Home Chef work hard on making their meals incredibly nutritious, with just the right amount and ratio of valuable nutrients. However, unlike Home Chef, HelloFresh also takes special care of the nutritional needs of children.

Portion Size

The meals at HelloFresh and Home Chef are perfectly portioned, keeping you full until your next meal. However, you shouldn’t count on any leftovers, as you get exactly as much food as your body needs.

Flexibility

Home Chef is incredibly flexible when it comes to ordering and allows you to order 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 meals for 2, 4 or 6 people. HelloFresh lets you cook 2, 3 or 4 meals for 2 or 4 people. Both companies allow you to skip a delivery or cancel your subscription at any time, without any penalties, as long as you do it before they start preparing your next delivery.

Price

Hello Fresh meals cost between $6.99 and $9.99. The price depends on the meal plan you choose. Shipping costs $6.99 with all orders, except for 2-person boxes including 2 recipes, which come with a $7.99 shipping fee per delivery.

Home Chef dinners cost $9.95 per serving, lunches cost $7.99 per serving, and add-ons cost $4.95. Shipping is free for orders that cost more than $45. For orders below that amount, you need to pay an additional $10 for shipping.

* 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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