After testing meals from more than 20 companies, we named Factor the best prepared meal delivery service. See which other services made our list.
Meal delivery services can be an easy way to add more variety to your diet while saving time on meal prep.
Prepared meal delivery services are especially convenient. Many offer premade meals delivered directly to your door — no cooking, cutting, or cleaning required.
However, not all prepared meal delivery services are created equal.
Healthline writers and editors tested more than 20 of the most popular prepared meal delivery services to find out which ones are worth your money.
Disclaimer: All the services tested below were tried by Healthline writers or editors, who received the meals for free. All opinions are our own.
Service (Healthline score) | Price per serving | Shipping | Menu options per week | Good for |
---|---|---|---|---|
Factor (4.1) | varies | $10.99 | 35+ | healthy meals and specialty diets such as vegan and keto |
Splendid Spoon (4.3) | $9.99+ | • free for orders with 14 or 21 meals • $12.99 otherwise | 50+ | plant-based smoothies and light lunches |
Home Chef (4.3) | $9.99+ | $10.99 | 35+ | family-friendly, oven-ready meals |
Territory Foods (4.1) | $10.95+ | $9.99 to $17.99 | 50+ | specialty diets such as Mediterranean and Whole30 |
Provenance Meals (4.3) | $13.95+ | $10.99 to $15.99 per delivery | 70+ | nutritionally balanced meals, specialty diets, longer shelf life options |
Magic Kitchen (4.0) | $5+ | calculated at checkout | 250+ | senior-friendly meals |
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate menus and ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the meal delivery services on this page, we considered all the services that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further. Read more about how we test meal delivery services.
At Healthline, we know that meal delivery services are an investment, so we’ve taken the time to test more than 20 of the most popular prepared meal delivery services on the market. Testers select a week’s worth of meals from multiple menus to get a well-rounded view of the types of flavors and ingredients offered.
During testing, we consider several factors, including the ease of the sign-up and meal selection process, the variety and nutritional composition of the meals offered, ingredient quality and freshness, how easy the meals are to cook, and, of course, the taste. You can learn more about how we test meal kits.
Here are several factors to consider when selecting a prepared meal delivery service that’s right for you:
- Menu selection: Look for a company that offers a diverse menu with a variety of options to fit your specific food preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Ingredient quality: In addition to freshness, some people may prefer a service that uses organic or sustainably sourced ingredients.
- Nutritional quality: Opt for services that prioritize meals containing lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, and plenty of vegetables. When possible, try to avoid meals that contain artificial additives or large amounts of sodium or added sugars.
- Cost and availability: As these services vary greatly in price, be sure to select a service that fits your monthly budget, including shipping. It’s also important to check whether the service is available in your area.
Here are some other prepared meal delivery services we tried that ultimately didn’t make the cut.
- Daily Harvest (3.6 out of 5): This plant-based service is similar to Splendid Spoon in the types of entrees offered: smoothies, grain bowls, soups, etc. While we appreciated the creative ingredient combinations and high quality ingredients, many of the items we tested fell flat in terms of texture and satiety power.
- Epicured (4.1 out of 5): Following a low FODMAP diet isn’t easy, so the convenience factor alone makes this service worth considering. Our tester was also pleasantly surprised to find that the service delivered on taste and texture. Just keep in mind that Epicured isn’t cheap.
- Mosaic Foods (3.8 out of 5): Mosaic Foods is a great option for plant-based diets for vegans and vegetarians alike. The service offers family-size and single-serve portions with menu options that match, but it didn’t make our list because some of the meals were hit-or-miss, according to Healthline contributor Kelli McGrane.
- Halal Meal Prep (3.4 out of 5): Our tester liked that she didn’t need a subscription to get meals and that she could see the full menu and choose items before purchasing. But this service didn’t make our list because the website was not easy to navigate, and some meals were hit-or-miss.
- Trifecta Nutrition (3.8 out of 5): While our testers mostly liked Trifecta meals, they had mixed reviews on the textures and flavors.
- Veestro (3.3 out of 5): This service offers prepared vegan meals. While the shipping was fast and the meals arrived well-packaged, the meals weren’t very flavorful or filling.
Fully prepared meal delivery services provide ready-made fresh or frozen meals, which require little to no cooking or preparation. These meal delivery services are designed to help you spend less time in the kitchen and can be a convenient alternative to meal kits or buying ingredients and preparing meals at home.
Meal delivery services might be worth the investment if you’re looking for a convenient way to save time on cooking each week. Prepared meals can also be a simple way to enjoy nutritious foods and include a wider variety of ingredients in your weekly menu.
Factor is our favorite healthy prepared option because it crafts many of the meals to be nutritionally balanced, featuring lean proteins, complex carbs, and plenty of vegetables. It also features menus to suit certain diet patterns.
However, if you’re looking for services that focus on whole foods and plant-based meals, Splendid Spoon features vegetable-forward meals with plant-based protein sources.
Factor is our favorite prepared meal delivery service, thanks to its diverse menu and innovative flavor combinations.
Home Chef is another popular service that offers an assortment of oven-ready meals and meal kit options, depending on your preferences.
Many meal delivery services are available and can help you enjoy healthy meals at home.
There are options for many specific diets and food preferences, including services tailored to older adults, vegetarians, athletes, and more.
When picking a prepared meal delivery service, be sure to consider factors such as cost, availability, variety, and quality.