HelloFresh offers 50% more meal variety with 30+ weekly options compared to Blue Apron's 8-12 options, and costs $2-3 less per serving, making it better for budget-conscious households. Blue Apron focuses on premium ingredients and chef-curated recipes, appealing to cooking enthusiasts willing to pay more.
Blue Apron vs HelloFresh — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Premium meal kit service with chef-curated recipes and high-quality ingredients.
Flexible meal kit service with extensive variety, affordable pricing, and diverse dietary options.
Weekly Meal Options. Cost Per Serving. Prep Time Average. Organic Ingredient Option. Customer Satisfaction Rating. Dietary Plan Options. Packaging Recyclability
Choose HelloFresh if you want maximum choice, lower costs, and variety—it's ideal for families seeking flexibility and value with 30+ weekly options at $9-11 per serving. Choose Blue Apron if you prioritize premium ingredients, chef-curated experiences, and don't mind paying $12-13 per serving for restaurant-quality meals with detailed technique guidance.
Blue Apron: 100+ chef-designed meals | HelloFresh: 30-40 recipes
Blue Apron: Not publicly specified | HelloFresh: 23,800+
Blue Apron: À la carte variable pricing | HelloFresh: Fixed subscription-based
Blue Apron: 3-6 person customizable meals | HelloFresh: 3-6 person family sizes
Blue Apron: Improved flavors per Good Housekeeping | HelloFresh: Excellent consumer satisfaction
Blue Apron: Skip, modify, and cancel Autoship | HelloFresh: Skip/pause options
Blue Apron: Orders down 12.3% to 100.53 million | HelloFresh: Growth trajectory with influencer partnerships
Blue Apron: Variable based on meal selections | HelloFresh: Stable regardless of order frequency
Blue Apron: 30-40 minutes | HelloFresh: N/A
Blue Apron: No | HelloFresh: Not certified
Blue Apron: 2 programs | HelloFresh: N/A
Blue Apron: 14+ recipes | HelloFresh: N/A
Blue Apron: 14+ cuisines | HelloFresh: N/A
Monthly Cost for 3-Person Household (4 meals/week)
Blue Apron: $309.96 ($299.97 + $9.99 shipping) | HelloFresh: N/A
Blue Apron: 40+ recipes | HelloFresh: N/A
Blue Apron: 8-12 meals | HelloFresh: 30+ meals
Blue Apron: 30-40 minutes | HelloFresh: 25-35 minutes
Blue Apron: 6 plans | HelloFresh: 10+ plans
Blue Apron: $240-260 | HelloFresh: $180-220
Blue Apron: 2-3 servings | HelloFresh: 2-4 servings
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: Premium pricing
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: Standard recyclable materials
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: Limited swaps
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: Best Overall Meal Delivery
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: Established leader
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: $2.99-$3.99
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 20-25 options
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 30-60 minutes
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 15+ countries
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: Yes, weekly commitment
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: Carbon-neutral certified
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: High (choose each week)
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 0% certified organic
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 25-35 minutes
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: Partial/Unverified
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: $120-144 (6 meals)
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: Non-GMO sourced (unverified)
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 0-5% certified organic
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 30 minutes
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 25% vegetarian options
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: No, standard shipping
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 4+ million customers
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: $215 (estimated)
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 8.5 million
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 600-850 cal
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 8 programs
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 13 countries
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: $1.99-$2.99
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 40-50 options
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 20-30 minutes
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 10+ dietary filters
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 550-850 kcal
Blue Apron: N/A | HelloFresh: 4-6 servings
How to choose between Blue Apron and HelloFresh
Blue Apron vs HelloFresh — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Blue Apron vs HelloFresh. Contains 102 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Blue Apron vs HelloFresh — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Blue Apron vs HelloFresh.
HelloFresh is significantly cheaper at $9-11 per serving versus Blue Apron's $12-13 per serving. For a family of four over one month, HelloFresh costs approximately $50-70 less per week. HelloFresh also frequently offers first-week discounts of 50% off, while Blue Apron's promotional offers are less aggressive.
HelloFresh offers substantially more variety with 30+ meal options weekly compared to Blue Apron's 8-12 options. HelloFresh also provides 10+ dietary plans (vegan, keto, gluten-free, low-calorie, etc.) while Blue Apron offers only 6 plans, making HelloFresh better for households with diverse dietary needs.
Blue Apron justifies premium pricing through chef-curated recipes with advanced cooking techniques, premium ingredient sourcing (wild-caught seafood, grass-fed beef), and educational value. However, customer satisfaction is lower at 3.8/5 stars versus HelloFresh's 4.1/5, suggesting the premium may not align with perceived value for most customers.
HelloFresh is faster overall with average prep times of 25-35 minutes and express meals taking as little as 15 minutes. Blue Apron typically requires 30-40 minutes due to its focus on technique-forward cooking and more complex recipes. HelloFresh prioritizes convenience while Blue Apron prioritizes culinary education.
HelloFresh edges ahead with 90% recyclable packaging compared to Blue Apron's 85%. Both services focus on sustainability, but HelloFresh has stronger commitments to carbon-neutral shipping and higher recyclability rates. Blue Apron offers 100% compostable packaging as an optional add-on but it's not standard.
How to Choose Between Blue Apron and HelloFresh
Weekly Meal Options: Blue Apron has 8-12 meals, while HelloFresh has 30+ meals.
Cost Per Serving: Blue Apron has $12-13, while HelloFresh has $9-11.
Prep Time Average: Blue Apron has 30-40 minutes, while HelloFresh has 25-35 minutes.
Organic Ingredient Option: Blue Apron has Limited (select meals), while HelloFresh has Available in most regions.
Customer Satisfaction Rating: Blue Apron has 3.8/5 stars, while HelloFresh has 4.1/5 stars.
Dietary Plan Options: Blue Apron has 6 plans, while HelloFresh has 10+ plans.
Packaging Recyclability: Blue Apron has 85% recyclable, while HelloFresh has 90% recyclable.