HelloFresh vs Chefs Plate in 2025
HelloFresh and Chefs Plate are two of the biggest meal kit delivery companies in Canada. Both HelloFresh and Chefs Plate provide a great service to Canadians, but there are differences between them. HelloFresh started delivering food subscription boxes in Germany in 2012, quickly expanding to Europe, the USA, and Australia. When HelloFresh came to Canada in 2016, they acquired Chefs Plate in 2018.
Whether you choose Chefs Plate or HelloFresh, they both have a great reputation and you won’t be disappointed. Some Canadians consider Chefs Plate a budget version of HelloFresh. Is that so? Let’s compare Chefs Plate vs HelloFresh to see how similar and different they are.
Hello Fresh vs Chefs Plate – Which is the best?
What is a Meal Delivery Service?
A meal delivery service lets you order food to your door. The best food subscription boxes come with fresh ingredients and instructions to follow to cook each meal. HelloFresh and Chefs Plate are considered two of the leading meal kit delivery services in Canada.
Chefs Plate vs HelloFresh Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed review | Chefs Plate Review | HelloFresh Review |
| Established | 2013 | 2016 |
| Delivery area | ON, BC, AB, SK, PE, NB, NS, MB | ON, QC, MB, SK, AB, BC, NL, NB, NS, PE |
| Number of meals to choose from each week | 24+ | 100+ |
| Meal Plans | 4-20 servings per week | 6-20 servings per week |
| Сooking time (min) | 15-30 min | 20-30 min |
| Google Rating | ||
| Downloadable App | ||
| Price per serving | From $$8.99 | From $9.99 |
| Weekly Total (3 Recipes, 2 people) | Between $46-$180 | $70.93 |
| Packaging | Recyclable or compostable | Recyclable or compostable |
| Discounts | Students, Seniors | Students, Refer a Friend Program |
| Dietary Needs | Gluten-Free and dairy-free options, vegetarian, and flexitarian, limited dietary options | Vegetarian, vegan, low carb, pescatarian, family-friendly, calorie-smart, and quick & easy options |
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Key Takeaways for Chefs Plate vs HelloFresh
✅ HelloFresh is the first global carbon-neutral meal kit company so the most environmentally friendly option. However, when it comes to packaging, both brands deliver your food in packaging that can be recycled or composted.
✅ In terms of meal variety, HelloFresh offers more recipes to choose from, 100+ versus the 24 with Chefs Plate, and serves more areas in Canada.
✅ If we compare cooking time with HelloFresh vs Chefs Plate, we can see that most HelloFresh meals need more time than Chefs Plate meals to cook.
✅ While Chefs Plate meals are simpler and easier to cook than HelloFresh, they taste equally good and use equally fresh ingredients.
✅ If you are on a tight schedule or budget, Chefs Plate will be your best option, as it offers a good variety of healthy and nutritious meals that do not take a lot of time to cook.
✅ HelloFresh, on the other hand, offers more variety, which may be important to you. Both companies provide clear cooking instructions with pictures that even novice home cooks will be able to follow.
✅ Both receive an excellent rating on Google from happy customers, so you could always test each brand first, then decide which one to continue with.
Other customers also find the following meal kit delivery comparisons useful: HelloFresh vs. Goodfood, Fresh Prep vs. HelloFresh, and Chefs Plate vs. Goodfood. You might want to look at these too, to help you pick the perfect meal kits for you and your loved ones.
Pros & Cons: Hello Fresh vs Chefs Plate
Let’s look at the pros and cons of each brand to see what their biggest advantages and disadvantages are:
| Chefs Plate Pros | HelloFresh Pros |
| ✔️ Lowest meal price available | ✔️ Fresh, high-quality ingredients |
| ✔️ Free shipping on most orders | ✔️ Sustainability: carbon-neutral company |
| ✔️ Offers a smaller plan | ✔️ Website and phone app easy to use |
| ✔️ Fresh, high-quality ingredients | ✔️ Some recipes are customizable |
| ✔️ Recyclable packaging | ✔️ More weekly variety in recipes |
| ✔️ Discounts for students and seniors | ✔️ Discount for students |
| Chefs Plate Cons | HelloFresh Cons |
| ✖️ Limited dietary options / No recipes for allergies | ✖️ No free delivery ( only on the first box ) |
| ✖️ Less variety in the weekly menu | ✖️ More expensive than Chefs Plate |
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HelloFresh: Get Up to $200 Off + Free Breakfast for Life
Pricing and Shipping Charges: HelloFresh vs Chefs Plate
The cheapest meal kit serving with Chefs Plate starts at $8.99 and with HelloFresh it starts at $9.99. Both brands offer premium meals, with unique or exotic ingredients that cost extra on top of your weekly subscription.
Chefs Plate doesn’t charge for shipping, except on the smallest plan. HelloFresh charges for delivery on all orders, regardless of the subscription box you choose. Only the first box has free delivery. HelloFresh now offers a flat delivery fee of $10.99 per week across Canada, including Newfoundland.
HelloFresh has more than 100 recipes to choose from and bases its pricing solely on the number of people you’re ordering for and the number of recipes you want. You can choose from any of the meals available each week. That means that vegetarian vs meat meals don’t differ in price, unlike with many meal kit companies.
Here are the prices per serving on the different weekly plans available. Shipping is included in these figures:
HelloFresh:
| 3 Recipes | 4 Recipes | 5 Recipes | |
| 2 People | $14.82 | $13.86 | $13.59 |
| 4 People | $12.41 | $11.68 | $10.54 |
Chefs Plate also lets you choose from all of the items on the weekly menu (24 meals), rather than make you pick a specific plan based on diet. That means that the price of meals doesn’t change for Chefs Plate either. Whatever you see on the Chefs Plate menu, will work out to the price per serving outlined below:
| 2 Recipes | 3 Recipes | 4 Recipes | 5 Recipes | |
| 2 People | $11.99 | $9.99 | $9.99 | $9.99 |
| 4 People | $8.99 | $8.99 | $8.99 | $8.99 |
You’ll note from the Chefs Plate prices that there are only two pricing tiers, additionally, prices don’t come down with the more recipes you order, only with the amount of people you order for. This is probably because they’re already among the cheapest prices on the market, so they probably can’t be reduced any further.
Meal Plans and Customization
HelloFresh lets you swap ingredients for some meals, so this could be an important factor if you have a fussy eater at home. Just look for recipes labeled ‘Custom Recipe’ and it will give you options for ingredients you can swap.
HelloFresh also offers a wider range of categories and more specialized dishes like family-friendly, low-carb, low-calorie, vegetarian, high protein, and more.
Chefs Plate doesn’t have as wide a range but they do offer recipes that are vegetarian and family-friendly. They also have a limited number of customizable meal options where you can swap ingredients.
HelloFresh vs Chefs Plate Meal Choices
| | | |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed review | Chefs Plate Review | HelloFresh Review |
| Mutton, Lamb | 0 | 0 |
| Pork | 3 | 8 |
| Beef | 3 | 3 |
| Chicken | 2 | 10 |
| Vegetables | 3 | 12 |
| Mushrooms | 1 | 0 |
| Seafood | 2 | 2 |
| Turkey | 1 | 1 |
| Cheese | 2 | 2 |
| Low Carb Meals | ||
| List Of Allergens | ||
| Promo Codes | Visit website | Visit website |
Overall, both Chefs Plate and HelloFresh offer similar food categories, but HelloFresh offers more variety with pork, chicken, and vegetable meals. Chefs Plate offers mushroom-based meals, and both companies have an equal amount of seafood, turkey, and cheese meals on their menus as well. (Neither Chefs Plate nor HelloFresh offers mutton or lamb meals. For these, you may try Goodfood, as they usually offer at least one lamb meal per week.)
A vegetarian meal kit plan isn’t necessary with either of these companies since you can order anything on the menu. Both HelloFresh and Chefs Plate offer some vegetarian meals from different world cuisines. Here are some sample meals (including one vegetarian) that have been offered by these meal kit companies.
| Chefs Plate | HelloFresh |
| • Texan-inspired beef enchiladas with creamy charred applewood corn | • Fresh mozzarella and farro bowls with marinated chickpeas |
| • Chipotle black bean bowls with fresh tomato salsa | • Sheet pan chicken tikka with buttery flatbreads |
| • Air fryer tuxedo shrimp with edamame and sugar snap peas | • Seasoned shrimp and roasted potatoes with feta salad |
Chefs Plate: Try Chef's Plate Meal Kits From $2.99 Per Serving!HelloFresh: Get Up to $200 Off + Free Breakfast for Life
Dietary Friendliness
HelloFresh provides a variety of options to accommodate different dietary preferences, including:
Calorie Smart recipes: Meals with 650 kcal or less per serving.
Carb Smart recipes: Dishes containing 50g or less of carbohydrates per serving.
Vegetarian and Pescatarian options: Plant-based meals and seafood selections.
High Protein choices: Meals designed to be rich in protein.
Additionally, HelloFresh offers flexibility by allowing customers to swap proteins and sides in select meals, enabling further customization to suit individual preferences or dietary needs.
Chefs Plate, while not offering specialized plans for specific diets, provides a diverse weekly menu with over 24 recipes, including:
Family Friendly: Tasty recipes suitable for the whole family.
Vegetarian: Fresh vegetarian dishes featuring hearty grains and plant-based proteins.
Speedy & Simple: Quick and easy recipes designed to get meals on the table fast.
Chefs Plate also allows protein swaps on select meals, offering some degree of customization to better fit your dietary preferences.
It’s important to note that while both services offer customization features, they may not be able to accommodate all allergy-related restrictions. Therefore, it’s advisable to review the ingredient lists carefully and consult with customer service representatives to ensure the meals meet your specific dietary requirements.
Discounts / Promo Codes: Hello Fresh vs Chefs Plate
HelloFresh Offers & Discounts:
Welcome Offer: HelloFresh provides a generous discount for new customers, offering up to 20 free meals and free sides for life. This promotion allows you to enjoy complimentary items with each box while your subscription remains active.
Refer a Friend Program: By participating in HelloFresh’s referral program, you can earn credits towards your account when friends subscribe using your unique referral code. Specific details and amounts may vary, so it’s advisable to check HelloFresh Canada’s official website for the most current information.
Student Discount: HelloFresh offers special discounts for students through partnerships with platforms like Student Beans. Eligible students can access exclusive deals, though the exact number of free meals or discount percentages may vary. Verification through the respective student platform is typically required.
Chefs Plate Offers & Discounts:
Introductory Offer: New customers can enjoy meals starting at $3.99, along with free shipping and access to a $1 menu. This promotion provides an affordable way to experience Chefs Plate’s meal kits.
Senior Discount: For customers aged 60 and above, Chefs Plate offers a 50% discount on the first box and a 10% discount on all subsequent boxes. This initiative aims to make meal kits more accessible to seniors.
Student Discount: Students can benefit from up to 22 free meals and access to $1 steak promotions by using Chefs Plate’s student discount code. This offer is designed to provide affordable meal options for students.
Packaging / Delivery
When it comes to packaging, both brands place an emphasis on using environmentally friendly materials and use boxes that are recyclable and kit bags that are compostable.
HelloFresh delivers to 95% of Canada’s population. The company covers Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Québec, Newfoundland, and the Maritimes. The first delivery is free, then it costs $4.99, except for deliveries to Newfoundland which cost $19.98.
Chefs Plate delivers to Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba. Chefs Plate offers free delivery on all plans except the two-person box with two meals per week, with a $6 delivery charge.
Customization Options: HelloFresh vs Chefs Plate
Understanding the customization options available can significantly influence the Chefs Plate vs HelloFresh decision for many users. HelloFresh offers an extensive range of customizable meals, which is ideal for individuals with specific dietary needs or preferences. You can modify ingredients in many of their dishes, ensuring that what you cook aligns perfectly with your dietary goals.
Conversely, Chefs Plate provides fewer customization options, focusing instead on simplicity and speed in meal preparation. However, they do offer some flexibility with their recipes, which can be appealing for those who prefer a straightforward cooking experience without the fuss of too many choices.
Ultimately, when comparing HelloFresh vs Chefs Plate regarding customization, potential subscribers should consider their need for personalization against the backdrop of each service’s offerings. This could be a deciding factor for those who value a tailored eating experience.
Customer Reviews: Chefs Plate vs Hello Fresh
You may find customer reviews a useful way to get up-to-date, firsthand information on a company. We’ve given you an overview of HelloFresh vs Chefs Plate below on Trustpilot and Google. But, if there’s an important factor that would sway you (e.g. deliveries are on time in your area), do a quick search online and filter by your need. Or, you can just try both of these companies out with our heavily discounted starter prices and make the decision after a few weeks of receiving and cooking your meals.
Trustpilot
HelloFresh Canada got an average of 3.9 stars out of five on Trustpilot. To give you an idea of the most positive and negative ratings, 45% of reviewers gave five stars and 6% gave one star. Most are really happy with HelloFresh and some of the most common positive themes were around the variety of recipes to choose from, the convenience and ease of ordering, and how simple the recipes are to follow. Some of the negative experiences were around ingredients going off before the use-by date, and the plastic packaging some items come wrapped in. Here are some user reviews we found :“Very fresh ingredients, a lot better meal selection than other comparable meal plans. Great selections for different types of diets (eg. vegan, high protein, low-fat, etc.) and lots of flexibility for ordering week-to-week.
Many favourites I order over and over. Free items available are great too!”
“I enjoy all my meals I’m cooking and using items I’ve never used before. The protein and veggies are alway fresh. Being by myself I was throwing out a lot of veggies I was buying and not able to use them up quick enough, this way I get just what I need. The cost is good and the products are Canadian”
Customers give Chefs Plate (Canada) an average star rating of 3.7 out of 5. On the whole, customers like the variety, portion sizes, how easy the recipe cards are to follow, and how fresh the ingredients are. Some customers have mentioned that more kid-friendly meals would help and that they’d like to be able to swap vegetables and not just the protein portion of a meal. Here are some user reviews we found :
“We have had 6 meals so far and only one was average. The spice blends are very flavorful. Most vegetables arrive at their peak and last for the seven days as advertised.There is more non-recyclable packaging than I would prefer, and I’d like to get the recipes electronically to save paper.”
“We have enjoyed HelloFresh for over a year. Excellent portion sizes, we tried new things, my other half takes over while I wait for dinner to be read and its economical. We have paused our account without any hassle and engaged when we could enjoy HelloFresh meals based on our schedule. We easily skip weeks, add extra meals other weeks and some months we enjoy a weekly delivery. HelloFresh delivers what they are promoting.“
Customers give Chefs Plate 3.8 out of 5 stars on Google. Many customers love how tasty the meals are and are easy to cook (plus, they include photos of meals they’ve cooked). Most say the freshness and quality of the food is one of their favorite aspects, whereas some customers said they’d had the opposite experience and received vegetables that were wilted or had gone rotten.
“Love it!! The meals we have picked are very easy to make and exceptional in flavour! I love that everything is included in the perfect portion. No guesswork! In less than 30 minutes we’re sitting and enjoying our supper! I would highly recommend Chefs Plate to anyone who has time limitations and wants nutritional meals. Lots of different choices in whatever category you choose. We are really enjoying our selections!“
Verdict: HelloFresh vs Chefs Plate
Since Chefs Plate is a subsidiary of HelloFresh, the two meal kits have a lot in common. They both deliver fresh and high-quality ingredients for your dinners, along with detailed instructions on how to cook them. They both utilize well-engineered packaging that can keep your order fresh on your porch until you place it in the fridge. Both meal kits will help you save food waste, save time on grocery shopping and meal planning, as well as allow you to learn new cooking skills and experience new cuisines.
While Chefs Plate and HelloFresh share many similarities, they also cater to slightly different needs and preferences. Chefs Plate focuses on flexibility and affordability, offering a variety of meal plans designed to suit different household sizes and budgets. Their recipes are generally quicker to prepare, thanks to simpler cooking steps and fewer ingredients.
HelloFresh, on the other hand, emphasizes premium quality and variety. It features a broader weekly menu with more diverse meal options, ideal for those who enjoy trying out new dishes. However, this also comes at a higher price point. HelloFresh also delivers to a wider range of locations across Canada, though it doesn’t offer free shipping—something Chefs Plate includes on most of its plans.
The Bottom Line: Which One Should You Choose?
Both HelloFresh and Chefs Plate are strong contenders in the meal kit space, and each has its own appeal. Chefs Plate is the more budget-friendly option, but that doesn’t mean a compromise on quality. In fact, both brands deliver fresh, high-quality ingredients and well-balanced meals. The main trade-off is that Chefs Plate offers less menu variety and a smaller delivery area—but in return, you save money and time.
If your priority is cost and convenience, Chefs Plate is a great choice. If you’re after premium recipes and broader delivery coverage, HelloFresh might be the better fit.
Still undecided? Both services frequently offer generous first-time discounts, so you can try them out and see which one suits your lifestyle best.
Read our other meal kits comparison articles:
- HelloFresh vs Blue Apron
- Blue Apron vs Home Chef
- HelloFresh vs Goodfood VS Chefs Plate
- Chefs Plate vs Fresh Prep
- HelloFresh vs Cook It
- Chefs Plate vs Goodfood
- Fresh Prep vs HelloFresh
- HelloFresh vs Goodfood
- HomeChef vs HelloFresh
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Frequently Asked Questions:
HelloFresh acquired Chefs Plate in October 2018, enhancing its presence in the Canadian market. They are part of the same company but the brands operate separately and offer slightly different services and features. Both are leading food box companies in Canada and each has an excellent reputation and a loyal customer following.
