Top 10 Cheapest Meal Delivery Services - Our Reviews and Ratings for 2020
Summary
Have you ever considered subscribing or testing the cheapest meal delivery services? If you are a college student or maybe struggling to make ends meet, then you probably have. However, some people still have certain expectations when it comes to quality, regardless of the price point.
Therefore, finding a suitable business that provides quality over quantity is easier said than done, especially when many of us still have a hard time grasping the idea of meal prep companies.
However, just because something is cheap it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad. In this article, we will review a couple of meal delivery services, so you can find the one that meets your needs and preferences.
Keep reading to discover more about them and whether they are worthy of your time and money!
1
Freshly
- Low-carb, gluten-free, paleo-inspired food
- Food is 100% free of processed sugar, peanuts, and gluten
- Low-cost and free shipping on all deliveries
Avg. Meal Price: $10.49 | Shipping Cost: Free | Delivery Areas: 48 states
4.9
2
Veestro
- Plant-based diet
- Delicious ingredients
- Variety of recipes
Avg. Meal Price: $10.99 | Shipping Cost: visit FedEx shipping page | Delivery Areas: 48 states
4.8
3
Balance by BistroMD
- High-quality, ready-made food
- Chef-approved menu
- Plenty of recipes and snacks
- Carefully developed dietary programs
Avg. Meal Price: $10 | Shipping Cost: $19.95 | Delivery Areas: 48 states
4.7
4
Sakara Life
- Plant-based diet
- Highly nutritious
- Premium ingredients
- A bit pricey
Avg. Meal Price: 3 day plan $239/week and the 5 day plan $349/week | Shipping Cost: visit FedEx shipping page | Delivery Areas: 48 states
4.6
5
Silver Cuisine by BistroMD
- Variety of different recipes
- Affordable
- An impressive selection of low-carb options
Avg. Meal Price: $12.50 | Shipping Cost: $19.95 | Delivery Areas: 48 states
4.5
6
MealPro
- Ready-to-eat meals
- Adjustable menu with pre-cooked, proteins, and carbs
- Subscription – free ordering
Avg. Meal Price: $7.99 | Shipping Cost: $0 – $9.99 | Delivery Areas: 48 states
4.5
7
Magic Kitchen
- Ready-made meals for dietary restrictions
- Variety of recipes to choose from, including entrees, sides, and soups
- Rotating menu
Avg. Meal Price: $12 | Shipping Cost: $18.95 | Delivery Areas: anywhere in the continental US
4.3
8
Fresh Direct
- Wide variety of food options
- Organic and natural plans
- Ready-made and meal kits
Avg. Meal Price: $6.99 | Shipping Cost: $5.99 | Delivery Areas: 8 states
4.3
9
Personal Trainer Food
- Adjustable menu
- Zero-sugar meals
- Frozen or pre-cooked dishes
Avg. Meal Price: $16 | Shipping Cost: Free | Delivery Areas: 48 states
4.2
10
Fresh N’ Lean
- Plenty of healthy options
- Free delivery
- Provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Avg. Meal Price: $9.99 | Shipping Cost: Free | Delivery Areas: 50 states
4.2
* All the listed prices are purely informative and subject to change. Even though we strive to place the most accurate figures we can find, some products could display an outdated price. That’s why you should always check the site for the final cost.
Top 10 Affordable Meal Delivery Service
Freshly - Best Low-carb
Are you into fully-prepared, never frozen, all-natural meals? Yes, please! If you take care of your body and prefer natural, low-carb, or gluten-free ingredients, then Freshly is undoubtedly to satisfy your taste buds and make your stomach happy.
It features budget-friendly options, which are a worthy investment, especially for those who are too exhausted to cook. Additionally, Freshly is famous for its two-minute prep dishes and no cleanup commitment.
Since this company takes great pride in its “never frozen” policy, the kits are prepared right before delivery and require minimal reheating. Customers can select a wide variety of recipes, without heavily processed or artificial ingredients. Therefore, if you want to save some time on cooking while enjoying delicious, hassle-free dishes, then Freshly is one of the services to consider.
- Low-carb, gluten-free, paleo-inspired food
- Food is 100% free of processed sugar, peanuts, and gluten
- Low-cost and free shipping on all deliveries
Veestro - Best Vegan
A lot of times, vegans are limited when it comes to food choice. However, Veestro is one of the few companies inspired by fresh fruits and vegetables while providing maximum nutrition for its customers. Their services might be suitable for singles or couples seeking a more affordable approach to healthy, sustainable dishes derived from plants.
Meals arrive frozen to your doorstep, and there is no prep time, guessing the portion size, or messing up the kitchen. You can choose a subscription plan based on your needs, and select various plant-based options, such as mushroom stroganoff, lentil and spinach tagine, and many others.
On the other hand, if you are interested in losing some weight, then the Veestro team can recommend the best diet plans. On top of that, customers have the ability to choose between many kosher, gluten-free, high-protein, meatless dishes, which significantly reduce cooking time. Don’t waste time on grocery shopping, while you can use Veestro services to taste the best affordable vegan meals available on the market.
Take a closer look at best vegan meal kit deliveries in our guide!
Balance by BistroMD - Best Gluten-free
People suffering from allergies often require special dietary needs to fuel their bodies. However, Bistro MD might be one of the companies to help you explore various meal plans, without endangering your health. This is a low-cost food delivery service that primarily focuses on your wellbeing while helping you achieve a nutritional balance.
You can choose breakfast, lunch, or dinner delivered to your doorstep, and each meal is packed with delicious and flavorful ingredients. Bistro MD enables customers to adjust the menu and select only the ingredients they prefer. Additionally, the company provides dedicated vegetarian and gluten-free options, while women in menopause can explore individual plans.
Overall, if you are looking to incorporate a healthy eating routine, but without breaking your bank account, then Balance by BistroMD might be the right choice for you.
- High-quality, ready-made food
- Chef-approved menu
- Plenty of recipes and snacks
- Carefully developed dietary programs
Full Review Is Coming Soon
Sakara Life - Best Low-fat
It’s no secret that Sakara Life is a top-rated meal delivery service, and we weren’t surprised to learn that many A-list celebrities frequently order their meals. This company offers a 100% organic, gluten-free, vegan, and plant-based ingredients.
Their signature program includes 15 dishes, breakfast, lunch, and dinner for five days, and it costs a couple of hundreds of dollars. However, many customers agree – you get what you pay for, and that’s fresh and healthy food.
When it comes to delivery, you can select the time windows according to your needs, while everything is well-organized and packed. Meals arrive fully prepared, minus the occasional heat and eat components. Sakura Life features already designed nutritional plans, which aim to provide the best results.
If you are one of those people who prefer a premium-quality food, regardless of the price point, then Sakura Life will definitely fulfill your expectations.
- Plant-based diet
- Highly nutritious
- Premium ingredients
- A bit pricey
Full Review Is Coming Soon…
Silver Cuisine by BistroMD - Best Heart Healthy
Silver Cuisine is a subsidiary of Bistro MD, which recognizes the unique needs of seniors, as well as other people, who require proper nutrition but aren’t always able to provide it for themselves. For that reason, the sole purpose of Silver Cuisine is to satisfy the dietary requirements of the elderly population and individuals struggling with health disorders.
Dr. Caroline Cederquist, who is a certified professional in bariatric medicine, designs all the recipes. For those who don’t know, bariatric medicine examines how the human body dissolves the food we eat and turns it into fuel.
Chefs carefully prepare each meal while they contain zero trans-fats, fillers, MSG, or nitrates. Here you can experience the finest ingredients and select between 150 meal options.
Customers have an opportunity to choose breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks. Additionally, you can explore specially designed health plans, which are heart-healthy, gluten-free, low carb, diabetic friendly, dairy-free, and so on. So, whether you have some health issue, or you wish to improve your eating habits, Silver Cuisine is one of the few companies on the market that aims to deliver a health-based diet.
- Variety of different recipes
- Affordable
- An impressive selection of low-carb options
Full Review Is Coming Soon…
MealPro - Best Pescatarian
There is a reason why many fitness enthusiasts rave about MealPro meals and their subscription plans. Compared to other services, this one provides dishes prepared by chefs and nutritionists; while professional bodybuilders have significant input in how the MealPro menu looks like and how does it taste.
With an impressive array of dishes, this company offers home delivery, while you can customize recipes according to your needs. So, whether you need additional proteins in your diet, or you prefer carb-free meals, this online service offers plenty of choices.
As you can imagine, they mostly focus on lean meats and grains to improve their customers’ eating habits. Additionally, MealPro offers individual pescatarian plans for people who still enjoy eating fish. Food packages arrive frozen to your doorstep, so it’s best to transfer them from your freezer to your refrigerator about two days ahead to achieve the best combination of flavors. People who prefer natural and healthy ingredients will love the selection MealPro has to offer.
- Ready-to-eat meals
- Adjustable menu with pre-cooked, proteins, and carbs
- Subscription – free ordering
Full Review Is Coming Soon…
Magic Kitchen - Best for Seniors
In the last couple of years, meal delivery services have become an increasingly attractive option for a lot of seniors who live alone or have difficulty preparing their meals. However, Magic Kitchen offers a convenient way of cooking food without going to a grocery store or worry if you are combining the right set of ingredients.
This company helps you explore several options when ordering food. However, none of them involve permanent commitment. Customers can select their meal plans, according to specific dietary needs and guidelines.
You have an opportunity to filter their menu by dietary restrictions, price points, and type of food. Additionally, Magic Kitchen provides different kinds of ingredients, which ensure you get highly nutritious, but at the same time, tasty dishes. You can select gluten-free, low carb, vegetarian, diabetic-friendly, low cholesterol, dairy-free, low fat, and many other options, which specifically target particular health disorders.
Moreover, if you dislike cooking, but you have specific nutritional needs, then Magic Kitchen could be a suitable option for you.
- Ready-made meals for dietary restrictions
- Variety of recipes to choose from, including entrees, sides, and soups
- Rotating menu
Full Review Is Coming Soon…
Fresh Direct - Best Kid-friendly
Many would agree that Fresh Direct is more than just a meal delivery service. In fact, this could be a one-stop-shop for all your dietary requirements. Working parents often have a hard time managing their household and ensuring their children consume fresh and healthy ingredients.
However, as soon as you visit the Fresh Direct website, you might be overwhelmed by the delicious goodies they have to offer. The company has a wide selection of natural and organic groceries, meal kits, and chef-prepared dishes for various preferences and budgets.
If you are not in the mood for cooking, then pick one of their ready-made options. On the other hand, when you don’t have enough time to fix dinner, go for their meal kits, which significantly reduce prep time and cleanup.
Fresh Direct offers hundreds of dishes, among them low-calorie, organic, vegetarian, and kid-friendly, as well as 3,000 varieties of unprocessed food items. You have to admit this an impressive number. Therefore, you can ensure your kid eats delicious and at the same time, healthy ingredients.
This company has managed to prove to us that high-quality ingredients don’t have to break our bank accounts. For that reason, their service helps you experiment with flavors to offer your children the diet they deserve.
- Wide variety of food options
- Organic and natural plans
- Ready-made and meal kits
Full Review Is Coming Soon…
Personal Trainer Food - Best for Diabetics
Diabetes is a disease that often imposes many dietary restrictions, and people have a hard time finding the right balance between the things they can eat and the ingredients that are forbidden. However, Personal Trainer Food offers strict plans which reduce the intake of sugar to a minimum, and not even fruit is permitted, except for an occasional apple.
The full menu includes breakfasts, entrees, veggies, and snacks. On the other hand, you can navigate between a vast selection of meals and adjust the menu based on your taste. For instance, there are plenty of vegetarian, diabetes-friendly, or low-sodium options, while each portion is pre-measured and contains absolutely no sugar.
The packages delivered to your doorstep are either frozen or pre-cooked, which means it takes only a couple of minutes to heat the food in the oven. So, if you are ready to get serious and change your eating habits, then Personal Trainer Food is a good way to start.
- Adjustable menu
- Zero-sugar meals
- Frozen or pre-cooked dishes
Full Review Is Coming Soon…
Fresh N’ Lean - Best Paleo
Are you looking for pre-made, organic dishes that are rich in nutrients, while still being delicious? Do you find it challenging to browse through recipes and prepare food every day? Well, if that’s the case, then Fresh N’ Lean can save you a lot of time and effort.
This online meal delivery service offers various plans, with pre-made breakfast, lunch, and dinner straight to your doorstep. While the majority of meal services only provide dinner, Fresh N’ Lean wants to ensure you get a healthy meal every time you order.
The company features a chef-approved menu, using only fresh and natural ingredients. To enjoy their flavor, you only have to pop them into the microwave, and within a couple of minutes, they are ready for serving. When it comes to quality, Fresh N’ Lean provides premium animal proteins, and foods like salmon, grass-fed beef, and all-natural poultry.
Additionally, this company offers plans which are suitable for people on keto, low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 diet. Therefore, it’s safe to say that Fresh N’ Lean will satisfy your dietary needs and ensure you eat delicious and high-quality ingredients.
- Plenty of healthy options
- Free delivery
- Provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Full Review Is Coming Soon…
Benefits of Choosing an Inexpensive Meal Service
Budget-friendly meal delivery services allow you to save money, but at the same time, experience delicious food. A lot of companies work with trusted suppliers, enabling them to offer below-retail prices while maintaining the premium quality ingredients.
Additionally, you don’t have to visit countless grocery stores, plan cooking, or browse through online recipes. All meals and frozen and arrive at your doorstep according to schedule.
Just because some company offers cheap dishes and snacks, it doesn’t mean they don’t follow strict rules when it comes to meal preparation. A lot of online food delivery businesses involve nutritionists, chefs, and physicians to offer their clients the best meal plans.
What Makes Budget-friendly Meal Service Different?
Affordable meal services aren’t primarily focused on profits, and that’s one of the features that set them apart from more expensive counterparts. In other words, you will receive reliable service, ingredients with great nutritional value, and an opportunity to try various healthy and wholesome dishes, without paying a fortune.
Besides monetary benefits, inexpensive meal delivery companies can save you a lot of time, and eliminate the majority of cooking steps related to a healthy diet. Specifically, you don’t have to look for a recipe, combine ingredients, and measure calories to prepare a healthy dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cheapest meal delivery service for families?
Having to cook dinner for the entire family is often exhausting and tiresome experience, especially if you just spent the whole day at work. However, affordable food delivery services allow you to taste various dishes and combine different ingredients.
Since we all have different eating habits, choosing the best meal company mostly depends on your personal preferences. However, if you don’t know which one to choose, please refer to our article, which focuses on the best meal delivery services for families. Here you will find a lot of useful recommendations.
Are Cheap Delivery Services for bodybuilders worth It?
Bodybuilders usually rely on a diet packed with proteins, regardless of whether they are meat-based or plant-based proteins. As long as one meal delivery services offer a healthy selection of proteins, it should satisfy the bodybuilder’s needs.
However, finding the right food delivery company is a time-consuming process. Since a lot of affordable services offer frozen meals, you can hardly evaluate a number of healthy ingredients, unless they state it otherwise.
But, if you are ready to experiment with Bodybuilding Meal Delivery Services, then make sure to focus on those that offer wholesome ingredients, a vast selection of proteins, lean meats, as well as protein snacks.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for fully prepared dishes, organic ingredients, or vegetarian options, there is a food delivery service out there ready to make your life more convenient and delicious. With so many companies on the market, people have a hard time making the right choice.
But, we hope this article can help you make the right decision, regardless of your perfectness and needs. We included some of the most popular meal delivery services, which don’t only provide healthy and nutritious ingredients but also come at a reasonable price point.
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