The cheapest meal kit service available — but does cheap mean good? We ordered, cooked, and ranked everything so you don't have to.
EveryPlate is a HelloFresh subsidiary that strips out the fancy branding and premium ingredients to deliver genuinely budget meal kits. At $4.99–$7/serving, it's the most affordable meal kit we've reviewed — and surprisingly solid for what it costs. But it's not for everyone.
EveryPlate advertises from $4.99/serving — one of the lowest prices in the meal kit industry. But the true cost depends on your plan:
The shipping fee ($10.99/week) is the hidden cost. For small plans, it makes the per-serving price significantly higher than advertised. Larger plans spread the shipping cost further, making the per-serving deal better.
Compared to cooking at home: A typical home-cooked meal for 2 runs $4–$7 in ingredients — similar to EveryPlate's per-serving cost. But EveryPlate provides pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step instructions, which saves planning time and eliminates food waste.
EveryPlate recipes are simple and classic — think pasta bolognese, sheet pan chicken, and BBQ pork chops. These are comfort food staples, not adventurous cuisine. That's by design.
The ingredient quality is decent for the price. You'll get fresh vegetables, real proteins, and pre-measured spices. What you won't get: sustainably-sourced meats, organic produce, or premium sauces. The trade-off is savings.
Recipes typically take 30–45 minutes with 5–8 steps. They're written for beginner cooks — clear, visual, and forgiving. If you're experienced in the kitchen, you might find them a bit basic. If you're just learning to cook, they're excellent.
| Service | Price/Serving | Format | Variety | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EveryPlate | $4.99–$7.99 | Meal kit (you cook) | Limited | Budget families |
| HelloFresh | $8.99–$12 | Meal kit (you cook) | Good | Variety seekers |
| CookUnity ★ | $10.99–$15 | Prepared (2-min reheat) | Excellent | Busy professionals |
| Blue Apron | $9.99–$13 | Meal kit (you cook) | Good | Foodies |
| Fresh N Lean | $9.49–$13 | Prepared (no cooking) | Good | Health-focused |
EveryPlate is a good fit if you:
EveryPlate is NOT a good fit if you:
EveryPlate does exactly what it promises: the cheapest meal kit delivery with simple, satisfying recipes. For budget-conscious families or beginner cooks, it's a genuinely useful service. The value is hard to beat when you account for no food waste, pre-portioned ingredients, and step-by-step recipes.
But if you're looking for restaurant-quality meals you don't have to cook, CookUnity is the better investment at $10–15/meal. You get fully prepared chef meals — ready in 2 minutes — from 100+ rotating options. For busy professionals, that's worth the premium.
EveryPlate starts at $4.99 per serving on their base plan. Most users pay $7–$9 per serving after the $10.99 weekly shipping fee. This makes it one of the cheapest meal kit options available.
Yes. EveryPlate is a budget subsidiary brand owned by HelloFresh. It uses similar logistics infrastructure but targets a price-sensitive audience with simpler recipes and fewer premium ingredients.
EveryPlate is significantly cheaper than HelloFresh, but offers a smaller menu and fewer add-on options. HelloFresh has more premium recipes, more variety, and better dietary filtering. EveryPlate is better if budget is the top priority.
Yes, EveryPlate is excellent for beginner cooks. Recipes are simple, clear, and usually take 30–45 minutes. The smaller menu actually helps new cooks avoid decision fatigue.
EveryPlate requires 30–45 min of cooking. CookUnity sends fully prepared chef meals that reheat in 2 minutes — and new subscribers get 50% off their first week.
Try CookUnity — 50% Off →