Trying to decide between Factor vs. HelloFresh? We tried both meal delivery services—and they're different animals entirely.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
Factor vs. HelloFresh: How Do the Heat-and-Eat Meals Compare to Meal Kits?
Published on Nov. 17, 2024
Meal delivery services, a la Dinnerly and Home Chef, are peaking in popularity. It’s not surprising when you consider that most families have to contend with work, school and childcare before putting dinner on the table. In fact, dinner prep oftentimes takes more than an hour—and most of us simply don’t have that much time in a day. If you’ve done any research into these time-savers, you’ll quickly realize there are tons of meal delivery services out there. Two of the most popular are Factor and HelloFresh.
While the differences between some meal services like Home Chef and HelloFresh are rather minimal, Factor vs. HelloFresh is a much broader comparison. Sure, both services offer fresh, filling meals in under an hour. However, one focuses on ready-made meals, whereas the other is something more akin to a meal prep kit that requires cooking, cutting and stirring. We tried both services to get the full experience—and we realized that these are two different animals entirely.
What’s the difference between Factor vs. HelloFresh?
While both meal delivery services put dinner on the table, they are far from the same. Whereas HelloFresh has a number of cooking kits available that require prep with step-by-step instructions, Factor75 falls more into the “heat-and-eat” category. While the meals aren’t frozen, they arrive prepped, cooked and chilled ahead of time. This means that making dinner is as simple as popping them in the oven or microwave.
Cost and Plan
HelloFresh focuses on filling their customer’s carts with anywhere from two to six meals per week, each with two, four or six servings. You can also add additional meals for an extra charge. Because these meals offer multiple servings, this is a good meal service for families. The price of each week’s box depends on many different factors, including the number of meals, servings, customizations and add-ons chosen.
Factor75 offers as few as four meals per week or as many as 36, which is great if you want to substitute both lunches and dinners. All meals are single-serving and arrive in their own oven- and microwave-safe tray, so there’s no need to dirty any dishes. Factor’s meal kits also cost a bit less per meal than HelloFresh, though keep in mind that servings are smaller.
Recipe Variety and Dietary Options
HelloFresh offers around 60 meals each week in its rotating menu, including a few gluten-free meal kits. It also offers the following labels for meals: Calorie Smart, Carb Smart, Protein Smart, Easy Prep, Veggie, Family Friendly, Easy Clean-up, Quick and New. While its dietary menu isn’t expansive, it has a comparable number of options to a service like Gobble. With HelloFresh, customers can also alter most recipes by swapping out or adding proteins and doubling up servings, if desired.
Factor doesn’t offer recipe customizations like HelloFresh since the meals are already prepped. However, its keto meal kits are some of our favorites. Factor sorts its meals into the following categories: Calorie Smart, Protein Plus, Keto, Carb Conscious and Vegan & Veggie. While it doesn’t have as many meat-free options as a fully plant-based service like Purple Carrot, there are still plenty of picks to satisfy the vegan palate.
Unique Add-Ons and Product Lines
HelloFresh offers lots of add-ons and upgrades. These include lunch items (e.g., Caesar salad, Cajun wings, soups, mac & cheese, etc.), and proteins including meat boxes. Subscribers also get access to the HelloFresh Market, which is like an online grocery store. Inside, shoppers can add apps or sides, desserts, breakfasts and brunch, lunches, snacks or drinks, pizza or pasta, proteins and even healthy dog food. They also offer Beyond the Box, which provides food to community members in need.
In a similar vein, Factor75 has its own grocery page. Add-ons include breakfast bundles (e.g., pancakes, scrambles, egg bites), cold-pressed juices, protein shakes, desserts (e.g., cheesecake, macaroons), keto cookies, plain proteins, snacks (e.g., wellness shots, nuts, PB bites), frozen foods (e.g., empanadas, smoothies), protein powder, basic sides and no-heat lunches. These are offered to you after building a box of meals.
Delivery and Packaging
HelloFresh meals come in a sturdy, branded, insulated cardboard box. Each meal is packed in its own bag, except the meat, which arrives separated on the bottom and is laid on top of an ice pack. There’s also a shiny, metallic bubble wrap insulation sleeve on all sides. HelloFresh uses Veho for delivery. Customers can track each week’s box via a confirmation text or the HelloFresh or Veho app. Deliveries take place seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Factor also uses Veho for delivery. However, you cannot track the box through the Factor app, so you need to download the Veho app or use the text confirmations. Factor meals arrive in a pretty compact branded box with a thick layer of fluffy, paper-sided insulation and two large ice packs. Deliveries take place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Factor sends an estimated delivery time, which depends on the location.
All About HelloFresh
HelloFresh is one of the most well-known meal delivery services, and for good reason. The meals are creative, come in a variety of dietary options and offer step-by-step instructions that make them easy to prepare and cook. Whether you’re a working professional or looking for a waste-free way to cook for the whole family, HelloFresh is an excellent option.
Curious how HelloFresh compares to other meal prep services? Read our EveryPlate vs. HelloFresh and Blue Apron vs. HelloFresh comparisons.
EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME
We Tried It
HelloFresh
Pros:
- Affordable price point
- HelloFresh market
- Strong recipe variety
- Easy-to-follow recipes with accurate cook and prep times
- Appropriate portion sizes
- Abundant sides and add-ons available
Cons:
- Not always the freshest ingredients
- Considerable cleanup and prep time
- Hard to find low-sodium meals
- Premium dishes are on the pricey side
All About Factor75
Factor75 meals are perfect for busy students or singles. These healthful meals are nutrient-rich without taking any more than a few minutes from tray to table. The directions for each meal are very clear: put the oven rack in the middle rung, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, remove the sleeve and film, place on a baking sheet and bake for seven minutes, adding additional minutes as needed. These directions are pretty inflexible from meal to meal, meaning that prep is quick and routine.
Similar services include CookUnity and Tovala, which both require minimal prep prior to cooking.
EMIKO FRANZEN FOR TASTE OF HOME
We Tried It
Factor 75
Factor shops, preps, cooks and delivers fresh meals to your door—just heat and eat!
Pros:
- Dietitian-designed, healthful meals
- Strong meal and add-on variety
- Optional nutrition coaching program
- Hearty portions
- Good customer service
Cons:
- Doesn't deliver to Alaska and Hawaii
- Poorly designed website
- Small menu
- Poor tracking
The Bottom Line
Both services impressed us with their meal variety, ease of ordering and transparency with pricing. No matter which you choose, you’ll enjoy fresh, filling meals in less time than traditional cooking takes. That said, these are definitely geared towards different types of consumers. HelloFresh is an excellent meal kit for families that offers flexible servings, customization and lots of add-ons. In contrast, Factor75 is geared towards singles who want to eat healthy meals without spending time on prep. If you’re still on the fence, consider trying Marley Spoon. After testing more than 10 options, it was our favorite overall meal kit.
Why You Should Trust Us
These meal delivery services were tested by various Taste of Home team members, all with varying degrees of cooking expertise. Our testers’ needs, wants and budgets reflect those of the average shopper. Plus, since many factors can affect delivery, we tested most services several times to ensure the experience was consistent for multiple testers.
We also aren’t new to testing this product category. In addition to several meal kits, our team has reviewed meat and chicken delivery services like ButcherBox, Snake River Farms and Good Chop. Our testing extends to grocery services, like Misfits Market and Thrive Market, as well.
