Meal Kit Cost Comparison: The Real Numbers
Advertised prices don't tell the full story. We calculated the true cost per serving for 8 popular meal kit services — including shipping, minimum order sizes, and what's actually included.
True Cost Per Serving (4 Meals/Week, 2-Person Box)
| Service | Advertised | With Shipping | Weekly Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dinnerly | $4.99 | $6.49 | $51.92 |
| EveryPlate | $4.99 | $6.35 | $50.80 |
| HelloFresh | $8.99 | $10.49 | $83.92 |
| Blue Apron | $7.99 | $9.49 | $75.92 |
| Home Chef | $7.99 | $9.49 | $75.92 |
| Green Chef | $11.99 | $13.49 | $107.92 |
| Marley Spoon | $8.69 | $10.19 | $81.52 |
| Gobble | $11.99 | $13.49 | $107.92 |
What These Numbers Don't Include
- Pantry basics: Some services expect you to have oil, salt, pepper, butter. Dinnerly and EveryPlate require more pantry items than premium services.
- First-box discounts: Most services offer 40-60% off your first box. These prices are regular prices after the intro offer.
- Larger boxes are cheaper per serving: A 4-person, 5-meal box often drops the per-serving price by $1-2.
The Bottom Line
Dinnerly and EveryPlate are nearly identical on price — within $1/week of each other. The difference is experience: EveryPlate includes printed cards and meal bagging; Dinnerly is digital-only. For the absolute lowest grocery bill replacement, either one works. Premium services cost $30-60 more per week for the same number of meals.