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Blue Apron vs HelloFresh — The 2023 Winner is…

Emma

April 26, 2022

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The rise of meal kit subscriptions has made home cooking easier than ever. And we’re here to compare two of the most popular services — Blue Apron vs HelloFresh.

We’ll cover pricing, what’s on the menu, delivery, taste, curation, pros, and cons. 

Let’s jump right in.

Blue Apron & HelloFresh Price Comparison — Pretty Similar

HelloFresh prices start at $7.99–$11.99 per serving. Blue Apron’s pricing is pretty much the same but slightly cheaper — $7.49–$9.99 per serving. 

The services offer almost identical plans, but they differ in minimum orders. HelloFresh is $57.95 per week, while Blue Apron’s minimum order is $47.95 per week. But HelloFresh includes shipping, so the price is nearly the same if we count shipping for both. 

Blue Apron offers free shipping on the box for military veterans. In contrast, HelloFresh has a military discount —15% off each box.

What’s on the Menu?

Looking at Blue Apron meals vs HelloFresh, both subscriptions have a lot to offer. 

Blue Apron has the following plans:

• Vegetarian
• Signature
• Wellness
• Meal Prep

Some menu items include:

• Calabrian Shrimp & Orzo With Zucchini & Parmesan
• Roasted Paneer & Vegetables With Brown Rice, Arugula & Creamy Cilantro
• Zesty Pork Chorizo Tacos With Lemon Mayo & Garlic-Cotija Potatoes
• Sheet Pan Pimento Cheese Chicken with Potatoes & Snap Peas

Additionally, Blue Apron is Weight Watchers friendly, so it’s a big plus if you want to lose a few pounds. 

If we look at HelloFresh vs Blue Apron vegetarian meals, both services offer fantastic veggie options. Blue Apron uses Beyond Meat products to make plant-based burgers and more. Also, you can have a look at our full HelloFresh breakdown for vegetarians. 

HelloFresh offers plans like:

• Quick and Easy
• Veggie
• Meat and Veggies
• Calorie Smart
• Family Friendly

So, if we compare Blue Apron and HelloFresh to find out which is great for families, HelloFresh would win hands down. 

Here are some menu examples:

• Steakhouse Beef Tenderloin With Roasted Potatoes & Lemony Green Beans
• Creamy Pesto Grilling Cheese Ciabattas With Tomato, Balsamic Glaze & Potato Wedges
• Street Cart–Style Turkey Bowls with Yellow Rice & Pitas

Note that all these examples are available at the time of writing this Blue Apron vs HelloFresh review, so they might not be the same when you sign up. Still, they give you some idea of what to expect. 

Neither service focuses too much on vegan or other dietary preferences. Instead, they categorize meals based on your needs, like serving size, family-friendly, or easy prep and clean. 

Taste Test — Is One Better Than the Other?

Looking at HelloFresh vs Blue Apron reviews on taste, the latter is a bit more adventurous. Blue Apron offers a varied menu with authentic taste. So, if you like food with unique ingredients, this would be a good choice.

In contrast, HelloFresh sticks to a more traditional taste. It uses classic recipes and ingredients to bring subscribers the meals they know and enjoy. 

If we have to pick, Blue Apron nudges HelloFresh out of the winning spot but not by much. 

Curation and Creativity

When we compare HelloFresh and Blue Apron, both have expertly trained chefs that curate the menu, ensuring you get the best possible food.

Blue Apron is more creative as it uses unique and exciting combinations. Meanwhile, HelloFresh opts for more conventional ingredients and flavors that customers love. 

So, if you’re looking for unique menu options, Blue Apron is the absolute winner. 

Level of Difficulty — Are They Beginner Friendly?

Both subscriptions are super beginner-friendly. 

If we have to do a comparison of Blue Apron and HelloFresh, the latter is slightly more suitable for amateurs in the kitchen. It’s incredibly simple, whereas Blue Apron is more adventurous in cooking techniques and flavors. 

Blue Apron also has ready-made meals, which are more convenient and require no prep or cooking. Plus, they are freezer-friendly. They’re also a fantastic option for single people since neither meal kit has an individual plan. If you want to check more ready meals, see how Freshly compares. 

Meal Plans — Weekly Options and Frequency

HelloFresh offers 25 or more meals per week. This gives you more than enough opportunity to explore different flavors. In contrast, Blue Apron offers around 15 meals per week. 

Both subscriptions arrive weekly. 

Customization

Looking at reviews for Blue Apron vs HelloFresh, the former doesn’t allow much customization, but you still get the nutritional information for each meal. 

In contrast, HelloFresh is a little more flexible in that you can select your dietary needs. For instance, you can state whether you’re a vegetarian or a pescetarian. 

Generally, neither service is suitable for vegans. If you’re on a plant-based diet, you might be better off with a subscription like Hungryroot.

Nutritional Information

When we check out HelloFresh compared to Blue Apron, both include the complete nutritional information of each meal. You can check the ingredients, sodium level, calories, fat, and proteins. And you can do that before you place your order to make the most out of it.

Customer Service

Both services have in-depth FAQ sections with all the information you could possibly need. If you need personalized help, Blue Apron is more inclusive as it has a direct phone line, email, and online form. HelloFresh only has a direct phone line.

Customer service could also play a role in the battle between Blue Apron vs HelloFresh. For instance, some customers struggled to get proper assistance from HelloFresh. And while Blue Apron offers many ways to contact the support team, it’s not very helpful in resolving issues. 

Blue Apron Versus HelloFresh — Who Wins the Eco Race?

Blue Apron and HelloFresh take being carbon neutral seriously. They use recyclable cardboard boxes with insulated liners to cool the ice packs. 

While you can’t recycle the ice packs as they are, you can cut them open and discard the contents before recycling the outside. 

Packaging is definitely a tie, but HelloFresh wins overall. It uses 25% fewer carbon emissions than grocery store items since it streamlines production and cuts out the need for customers to drive around. 

HelloFresh also works with Plastic Bank to limit the plastic heading into the ocean each year. The service opened three plastic distribution centers in Indonesia, preventing 37,5 million plastic bottles from entering the ocean.

Where Are the Subscriptions Available?

Looking at Blue Apron delivery vs HelloFresh, both subscriptions are available throughout the lower 48 US states. Unfortunately, this doesn’t include Alaska or Hawaii. 

Shipping costs come to $9.99, but Blue Apron doesn’t charge for that if your order is over $50. 

The good news is that you don’t have to be home to receive your orders. Thanks to the cool insulation, they can stay outside for a few hours.  

Making Changes to Your Subscription — User Friendly or Difficult?

Reviewing Blue Apron vs HelloFresh in 2022, we found that the latter is a super manageable subscription. You can skip a week or cancel straight from your online profile with no cancellation fee. 

Blue Apron also allows you to skip a week, but you have to email the subscription directly if you want to cancel.

Both services allow you to make changes as long as it’s before the allotted date. 

Add-Ons — Which Offers More?

Blue Apron wins this round. It offers wine and other items from its online market. You can add that to your order and make your subscription much more enjoyable. 

Blue Apron vs HelloFresh — Pros and Cons

Like all other subscriptions, each has its pros and cons. Let’s explore them all. 

Industries Comparisons

Blue Apron vs HelloFresh vs Home Chef

The biggest difference between Blue Apron and HelloFresh compared to Home Chef is the latter’s customization option. You can choose from over 30 meals per week. 

Green Chef vs HelloFresh vs Blue Apron

The biggest difference between these services is the menus.

Out of all three, Green Chef offers the most traditional options, even more than HelloFresh. Blue Apron uses more unconventional and interesting ingredients. 

If you want more information, check how we compare meal delivery services in full. 

Comparison Table

And the Winner Is…

In our book, HelloFresh is the true winner. The subscription offers easy-to-use ingredients and quick recipes. Also, you can make changes as needed from your online profile. 

Additionally, we appreciate the eco-friendly efforts of this service. HelloFresh works super hard to do the best for you and the planet. 

Bottom Line

Our top pick is HelloFresh. While similar to Blue Apron, it does slightly better in convenience, eco-friendliness, and ease of subscription management.

FAQ 

Is HelloFresh healthier than Blue Apron?

Both subscriptions have healthy options. It all depends on the week’s menu. Plus, both are fantastic for weight loss. 

Is Blue Apron healthy?

Yes, the subscription is one of the more healthy options among the best monthly subscriptions. Chefs and specialists curate each meal, and all ingredients are sustainably sourced. 

Does HelloFresh or Blue Apron have vegan options?

Neither offers vegan meal plans, which is a big con. But you can try the vegetarian plans and substitute the dairy with products you have at home. 

Is Blue Apron or HelloFresh cheaper?

HelloFresh includes shipping, so the weekly total is roughly the same for both services.

Blue Apron vs HelloFresh, can you select your meals? 

Absolutely! Both meal subscriptions allow you to select the meals you want to try. You order in advance, receive your items, cook, and enjoy.

Do HelloFresh or Blue Apron use organic ingredients?

Neither subscription uses organic ingredients, but both use sustainably sourced items. Some ingredients may be organic if they’re in season. 

Is HelloFresh a healthy option?

Yes, chefs curate the menu to bring you balanced and well-rounded meals.