Which Meal Delivery Subscription Offers the Best Value and Deals?

Where can you get the best deal for your meal delivery subscription? We compare Thrive Market, Vitacost, Direct Eats, Blue Apron, and Freshly.
Emily Finlay
Updated October 24, 2016

Organic and allergen-free foods are often hard to find and too expensive to afford, especially when the nearest Whole Foods is an hour away. If you’re looking for a cheaper, more accessible alternative for your organic food and meals, meal delivery services such as Thrive Market, Vitacost, Direct Eats, Blue Apron, and Freshly are excellent options.

We have compared the prices, products, and overall value for these online stores to give you the knowledge you need to make your shopping decision.

Thrive Market

Thrive Market offers high-quality, organic products delivered right to your door. Subscribers have access to over 3,000 products from 400 top brands at low prices.

Prices

Thrive Market is a meal delivery subscription service, which can be used for an annual fee of $59.95. A free 30-day trial is offered after your first purchase and all products are guaranteed to cost 25-50% lower than retail prices. If your membership doesn’t pay for itself within a year, Thrive Market will give you the difference in store credit when you renew. Shipping costs vary depending on order amount and free shipping is offered for all orders over $49. Discounts and coupons are accepted.

Products

Find food options for a variety of diets, including raw, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, organic, vegan, and more. You can also get health, beauty, home, pet, and children’s products.

Overall Value

Thrive Market is an ideal option for those who buy a lot of organic and specialty foods. With the savings guarantee and lower costs, you can save money, though you may not find everything you need.

Vitacost 

Vitacost sells organic and specialty foods for a discounted price and ships orders to your home. It offers over 45,000 products from 2,500 leading brands.

Prices

Vitacost does not require a membership fee and operates as a store instead of a meal delivery subscription service. All products are discounted up to 50% off retail price. Clearance items, limited time sales, and coupons offer further discounts. Shipping is free for orders over $49 and $4.99 for all other orders.

Products

Vitamin, supplement, pet, diet, sport, health, beauty, food products and more are offered. Get food for your vegan, paleo, non-GMO, allergen-free, and organic diets. You can request items that aren’t carried in the store and purchase them at reduced prices.

Overall Value

Vitacost prices are comparable to Thrive Market, though its lack of membership fee can lower costs. You can find the most products for a reasonable price at Vitacost.

Direct Eats

Direct carries both popular brands and local products to fit any diet. Over 20,000 organic, allergen-free, and specialty items are available for a low cost. Use 17 different lifestyle and diet search filters to find the products you need.

Prices

Direct Eats guarantees the lowest price and will price match by sending a coupon for the difference plus a little more. Shipping is always free and specials, deals, and promotions can save money. No membership fee applies.

Products

Find food for every diet, plus health, beauty, and pet products. Local artisan products are available nationwide.

Overall Value

Direct Eats always offers the best price and free shipping. The addition of local artisan products is a bonus, though they might not carry every item you need. This is the best place to save money.

Blue Apron

If you want to eat organic food, but don’t have the time to prepare your meals, Blue Apron offers pre-planned meals and recipes for your use. Meals are customized to your preferences and allergies and shipped every week.

Prices

Choose from three weekly plans: three-recipe two person ($59.94), two-recipe family ($69.92), and four-recipe family ($139.84). Shipping is free and subscribers can skip a week or cancel at any time. You can save money with coupons.

Products

Each meal box includes spices, meats, vegetables, and recipes for two, three, or four meals you choose. All ingredients have to be washed and prepared before use.

Overall Value

Blue Apron eliminates meal planning, but meals still take time and preparation to make. Some complain that the contents are not grouped by meal, which can be confusing. This is not a cheap option, though the high-quality ingredients and lack of meal preparation may be worth it.

Freshly

Freshly is a gourmet meal delivery subscription service that offers multiple pre-prepared, organic meals every week. Dietary preferences and customization are available for every subscriber.

Prices

Four weekly plans are available: four meals ($49.99), six meals ($59.99), nine meals ($89.99), and 12 meals ($107.99). You can skip weeks and cancel at any time. Shipping is free and coupon codes offer savings.

Products

You can choose your meals from a variety of weekly options. All meals are ready to warm and eat.

Overall Value

If you don’t want to spend any time on preparing gourmet meals, Freshly is the best option. These high-quality meals are pricey, but save on time and preparation.