Best Budget Meal Delivery Services Compared (2026)

Eating healthy on a budget feels impossible some weeks. Between grocery bills climbing, produce going bad before you use it, and the constant temptation of takeout when you're exhausted, it's easy to see why so many people struggle to make it work.

Meal delivery services have become a genuine solution for a lot of households—not because they're necessarily cheaper than cooking from scratch (though sometimes they are), but because they eliminate the waste, planning stress, and last-minute pizza orders that actually blow your food budget. The question is which service gives you the most value for your money.

We looked at five of the most budget-friendly options on the market, comparing what you actually pay per meal, what you get for that money, and who each service works best for.

How Budget Meal Delivery Services Compare

Before diving into individual services, here's how they stack up on the basics:

The key distinction here is between meal kits (you cook) and prepared meals (you heat). Meal kits run cheaper per serving but require 20-45 minutes of actual cooking. Prepared meals cost slightly more but take 2-5 minutes to heat in the microwave. Your time has value—factor that into the real cost.

EveryPlate: Best for Rock-Bottom Prices

EveryPlate is consistently the cheapest meal kit service on the market, with meals running about $5.99-$6.99 per serving depending on your plan size. They keep costs low by focusing on simple, home-style American recipes with straightforward ingredient lists—think burgers, pasta dishes, and sheet pan chicken dinners.

The recipes are designed for people who want to cook but don't want complicated techniques or obscure ingredients. Most meals come together in 30-45 minutes, and the instructions are genuinely beginner-friendly. If you enjoy the process of cooking and just want someone else to handle the planning and shopping, EveryPlate delivers solid value.

The trade-offs are real, though. The menu offers around 17 recipes per week—less variety than pricier competitors. Options for specialized diets (keto, paleo, gluten-free) are limited or nonexistent. And the ingredients, while perfectly fine, aren't going to be organic or premium. You're paying for convenience and simplicity, not gourmet quality.

Best for: Couples and small families who enjoy cooking and want the absolute lowest cost per serving.

Dinnerly: Best Menu Variety on a Budget

Dinnerly takes a similar approach to EveryPlate but offers significantly more choice—over 40 recipes weekly, including dedicated sections for quick meals, one-pot dishes, kid-friendly options, and vegetarian recipes. They keep prices low (starting around $5.89/serving) through digital-only recipe cards and streamlined packaging.

The recipes tend to use 4-6 ingredients rather than the 10+ you'd find in premium meal kits, which means faster prep times and simpler cooking. Most meals take 20-40 minutes from start to plate. The vegetarian selection is notably better than most budget services, making it a reasonable option if you're trying to eat less meat without committing to a full vegetarian plan.

Like EveryPlate, you won't find extensive diet-specific options here. The focus is on accessible, everyday cooking rather than specialized nutrition plans. But if you want variety without paying HelloFresh prices, Dinnerly hits a sweet spot.

Best for: Home cooks who want more recipe options and don't mind digital instructions.

HelloFresh: Best Mainstream Option

HelloFresh sits in the middle of the market—more expensive than the pure budget options ($7.49-$9.99/serving) but with a broader menu, better ingredient quality, and more customization options. They offer over 25 recipes weekly across categories like calorie-smart, carb-smart, and protein-smart meals.

The real advantage of HelloFresh is brand recognition and reliability. They've been doing this longer than most competitors, and it shows in the recipe development and customer experience. The meals are consistently well-designed, the ingredients arrive in good condition, and the instructions are clear.

For families, HelloFresh works particularly well because they offer family-size plans with recipes designed to appeal to less adventurous eaters. The portions are generous, and there's enough variety that kids can usually find something they'll actually eat.

Best for: Families looking for a reliable, mainstream service with kid-friendly options.

Home Chef: Best for Time-Strapped Cooks

Home Chef bridges the gap between meal kits and prepared meals with their Fresh and Easy line—oven-ready meals that require minimal prep. Instead of measuring and chopping, you essentially assemble pre-portioned ingredients and pop them in the oven. Most meals are ready in 15-20 minutes with only one pan to clean.

The "Customize It" feature lets you swap proteins in any recipe, which adds flexibility if someone in your household doesn't eat certain meats. Prices start around $8.99/serving, landing between the budget meal kits and premium prepared services.

The trade-off is that you're paying more for less cooking involvement. If you actually enjoy the cooking process, you might find the simplified recipes less satisfying. But if cooking feels like a chore and you just want dinner on the table fast, Home Chef's oven-ready meals deliver genuine convenience.

Best for: Busy professionals who want some cooking involvement but prioritize speed.

Clean Eatz Kitchen: Best Prepared Meal Value

If you don't want to cook at all, Clean Eatz Kitchen offers the best value in the prepared meal space. Meals run approximately $8.99 each, ship frozen, and heat in 2-3 minutes in the microwave. No chopping, no pans, no planning.

What sets Clean Eatz Kitchen apart from other prepared meal services is the no-subscription model. You order when you want, as much as you want, without committing to weekly deliveries. For people with unpredictable schedules or those who travel frequently, this flexibility matters.

The menu rotates monthly and includes plans specifically designed for different goals: the Weight Loss Meal Plan features meals under 600 calories, the High Protein Meal Plan emphasizes protein for fitness goals, and there are gluten-free options throughout the menu. Orders over $85 qualify for free shipping, which effectively reduces the per-meal cost further if you're stocking up.

Because the meals are frozen rather than fresh, they last up to 12 months—no pressure to eat everything within a week. Stock your freezer, grab what looks good each night, and you've solved dinner without any daily decision-making.

For more guidance on how meal prep supports healthy eating habits, see our Complete Meal Prep Guide.

Best for: Singles, busy professionals, and anyone who wants zero cooking with maximum flexibility.

Which Service Actually Saves You Money?

The honest answer: it depends on what you're replacing. If you're comparing meal delivery to cooking everything from scratch with carefully planned grocery trips, home cooking usually wins on pure cost. But most people aren't doing that consistently.

Meal delivery tends to save money when it replaces takeout and delivery, reduces grocery waste (Americans throw away 30-40% of the food they buy), and prevents expensive "I'm too tired to cook" decisions. A $9 prepared meal is cheaper than a $15-20 restaurant order plus tip and delivery fees.

The biggest savings come from portion control. Meal delivery services send exactly what you need for each meal. No half-used vegetable bags rotting in the crisper, no bulk purchases that seemed smart but went bad before you used them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest meal delivery service?

EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kit services, with prices starting around $5-6 per serving. For ready-to-eat prepared meals, Clean Eatz Kitchen offers meals starting at approximately $8.99 each with no subscription required.

Are meal delivery services cheaper than grocery shopping?

It depends on your habits. Meal delivery typically costs $5-15 per serving, while home-cooked meals average $4-5. However, meal delivery can save money by reducing food waste, eliminating impulse purchases, and preventing expensive takeout orders.

What's the difference between meal kits and prepared meal delivery?

Meal kits deliver pre-portioned raw ingredients with recipes, requiring 20-45 minutes of cooking. Prepared meals are fully cooked and just need reheating (2-5 minutes). Meal kits cost less per serving but require more time.

Do I need a subscription for meal delivery services?

Most meal kit services operate on subscriptions (though you can skip or cancel). Clean Eatz Kitchen requires no subscription—order when you want without commitment.

Which budget meal delivery service is best for weight loss?

Clean Eatz Kitchen's Weight Loss Meal Plan offers calorie-controlled meals under 600 calories. The built-in portion control eliminates guesswork. For more on foods that support weight loss, see our Complete Guide to the Best Foods for Weight Loss.

The Bottom Line

There's no single "best" budget meal delivery service—the right choice depends on whether you want to cook, how much time you have, and what kind of meals you're looking for.

If you enjoy cooking and want the lowest possible price: EveryPlate or Dinnerly.

If you want reliable family meals with good variety: HelloFresh.

If you want minimal cooking with oven-ready convenience: Home Chef Fresh and Easy.

If you want zero cooking, no subscription, and meals you can stock up on: Clean Eatz Kitchen.

Most services offer first-time customer discounts, so there's little risk in trying one to see if it fits your routine. The real savings come from consistency—finding a service you'll actually use week after week, rather than letting subscriptions lapse while you order takeout anyway.