What Is the Cheapest Meal Prep Service?

What Is the Cheapest Meal Prep Service? A 2025 Guide to Eating Well on a Budget

In today’s fast-paced world, meal prep services have become a lifeline for busy individuals who want to eat healthy without spending hours in the kitchen. But with so many options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed especially if you’re on a tight budget. So let’s cut to the chase: what is the cheapest meal prep service in 2025? And more importantly, does cheap mean low quality?

In this article, we’ll explore the most affordable meal prep services available today, compare their pricing, and see what you actually get for your money. We’ll also touch on how to choose the right one for your needs, so you can save both time and cashwithout sacrificing taste or nutrition.

Why Choose a Meal Prep Service?

Before diving into prices, let’s quickly highlight why meal prep services are worth considering:

• Time-saving: No grocery shopping, chopping, or cooking.

• Portion control: Meals are pre-measured and calorie-counted.

• Less food waste: You use exactly what you need.

• Healthier eating: Most services offer balanced, dietician-approved meals.

If you're juggling work, family, or school, meal prep services can be a game changer especially if they're affordable.

What Makes a Meal Prep Service “Cheap”?

When comparing costs, don’t just look at the price per meal. Consider:

• Delivery fees

• Portion size

• Subscription flexibility

• Nutritional value

• Packaging and preparation time

Sometimes, a meal that costs $6 but leaves you hungry ends up being more expensive if you need to supplement it with snacks or takeout.

Top 5 Cheapest Meal Prep Services in 2025

Let’s break down the most budget friendly options currently available.

1. EveryPlate

• Price per meal: Starts at $4.99

• Type: Meal kits (you cook at home)

• Best for: Budget conscious home cooks

EveryPlate remains one of the cheapest meal prep services out there. You get pre portioned ingredients and easy to follow recipes. While you still need to cook the meals yourself, prep time is usually under 30 minutes.

Pros:

• Extremely affordable

• Simple recipes, perfect for beginners

• Generous portion sizes

Cons:

• Limited dietary options (not great for vegans or keto)

• No fully prepared meals

2. Dinnerly

• Price per meal: Starts at $5.29

• Type: Meal kits

• Best for: Families on a budget

Dinnerly keeps costs low by skipping fancy packaging and offering digital recipe cards. You still get fresh ingredients and decent variety for the price.

Pros:

• Low cost, especially for families

• Kid friendly meals available

• Easy to follow

Cons:

• Fewer gourmet or diet-specific options

• Requires cooking

3. Freshly (Now FreshlyFit)

• Price per meal: Starts at $7.99

• Type: Fully prepared meals

• Best for: Busy professionals or gym goers

Freshly delivers fully cooked meals that you just need to heat and eat perfect for people who don’t want to spend time in the kitchen at all. While slightly pricier than EveryPlate or Dinnerly, you're paying for convenience.

Pros:

• No cooking required

• High protein, healthy meals

• Ideal for meal preppers or fitness focused eaters

Cons:

• Smaller portion sizes

• Slightly higher cost per meal

4. Factor Meals

• Price per meal: Starts at $11 (but discounts bring it down)

• Type: Chef-prepared, fully cooked

• Best for: Low carb, keto, or high protein diets

Factor might not seem like the cheapest on paper, but they often run deep discounts (like 50% off your first box). For those following a strict health regimen, this is one of the best values when quality and macros matter.

Pros:

• High quality ingredients

• No prep required

• Tailored for health goals (keto, paleo, etc.)

Cons:

• Base pricing is higher

• Fewer budget meals

5. HelloFresh

• Price per meal: Starts at $7.49

• Type: Meal kits

• Best for: Variety and balanced eating

HelloFresh isn’t the cheapest, but with frequent promotions and family plans, it can become cost-effective. It offers more variety than EveryPlate or Dinnerly and still keeps prep time relatively short.

Pros:

• Tasty, rotating menu

• Flexibility in plans

• Fresh ingredients

Cons:

• Cooking required

• Costs more without promotions

Honorable Mentions

• Home Chef: Good for customization, starts around $7.99/meal.

• Mosaic Foods: Vegetarian frozen meals, around $8.50/meal.

• Trifecta: Organic and fitness-focused, but more expensive.

How to Choose the Right Budget Meal Prep Service

Here are some questions to ask yourself before subscribing:

• Do I want to cook or just heat and eat?

      If you hate cooking, go with Freshly or Factor. If you enjoy light cooking, try EveryPlate or Dinnerly.

• Am I following a specific diet?

          Keto, vegetarian, or high-protein? Factor or Trifecta may be better, though slightly pricier.

• How many meals per week do I need?

          More meals better value. Many services offer discounts the more you order.

• Am I using discounts or promo codes?

          Almost all services offer introductory deals. Use them to test and compare.

Tips to Save Even More

• Start with a promo: Most services offer 40–60% off your first box.

• Pause when needed: Don't let meals pile up pause if you're out of town.

• Refer friends: Many services offer credits or free meals for referrals.

• Try rotating services: Use one service for a month, then switch to another intro deal.

Final Verdict: What’s the Cheapest Overall?

If you’re strictly looking for the lowest price per meal, EveryPlate wins hands down at $4.99/meal. It’s perfect if you don’t mind cooking simple meals.
But if no cooking is a must, Freshly offers the cheapest ready-to-eat option, especially with promos. For health conscious eaters, Factor delivers quality with frequent discounts that bring the cost closer to budget range.