Home Chef vs. HelloFresh

Home Chef and HelloFresh are the names highly applauded when we talk about the best meal delivery services in town. Both meal kits offer tremendous family-friendly dishes and an incredible range of meals worth their price. They have different cuisines ranging from Italian to Mexican to Classic American and even Mediterranean meal kits. Sounds tasty, right? 

But what sets them apart, and which is the best service that suits your family and dietary needs? Home Chef has excellent customizable options and offers low-calorie and low-carb dishes. In contrast, the world’s largest delivery service Hello Fresh brings farm-fresh, sustainably sourced products to your doorstep that can be transformed into healthy meals instantly. 

We know all this sound pretty delicious. So, let’s take you on a further comparison between Home Chef and HelloFresh and see which is the clear winner of this battle.

HelloFresh vs Home Chef : Quick Comparison at a Glance 

Detailed reviewHelloFresh ReviewHome Chef Review
Established20112013
Delivery area

Canada

USA

(Not Delivering in Canada)

Number of meals to choose from each week6035 +
Сooking time (min)20-45 min10-60 min
Groupon Rating
Downloadable App
Price per serving$9.99 $7.99
Weekly Total (3 Recipes, 2 people)$77.94$50.95
Get $200 off your first
HelloFresh recipe boxes
Claim Promo Now
No Promo Available

Pricing Comparison: Which Offers More Value?

HelloFresh Pricing Breakdown

HelloFresh meals range from $7.49 to $8.99 per serving depending on plan size and meals per week. A two-person plan with three meals costs around $69.93 including shipping. Pricing is transparent and consistent, which makes it easier to budget.

Promotions are frequent—first-time users often receive 40–50% off the first box and free shipping.

Home Chef Pricing Breakdown

Home Chef starts as low as $6.99 per serving (primarily for salad or basic meals). Most standard meals are $9.99. Shipping fees start at $7.99 and may vary by region and order size. Premium meals or protein upgrades add $3–$8 per portion.

Verdict: Home Chef appears cheaper at first glance, but HelloFresh is often more affordable for standard meals after factoring in promotions and consistency in pricing.

HelloFresh vs Home Chef: Meal Variety & Menu Flexibility

HelloFresh Weekly Options



Each week, HelloFresh offers over 20 recipes, ranging from globally inspired dishes to comfort classics. Plans include:

  • Meat & Veggies

  • Family Friendly

  • Quick & Easy

  • Calorie Smart

  • Pescatarian

There’s limited protein swapping, and you can’t fully customize recipes, but the options cover a wide audience.

Home Chef Weekly Options

keto diet

Home Chef goes further with over 22 meals per week and a standout “Customize It” feature that allows you to swap or upgrade proteins in most meals. Meal formats include:

  • 15-Minute Meal Kits

  • Oven-Ready trays

  • Fast & Fresh (microwaveable)

  • Culinary Collection (premium gourmet meals)

Verdict: Home Chef takes the lead for personalization and convenience. If you want more control over what you eat, it’s the better fit.

HelloFresh vs Home Chef:  Taste Test: Flavor, Ingredients & Freshness

HelloFresh Taste & Ingredients

HelloFresh delivers fresh, locally sourced produce and high-quality proteins. The meals lean toward well-balanced, family-friendly flavors. Think roasted chicken with herby potatoes, or beef tacos with fresh salsa. Reliable, consistent, and ideal for health-conscious eaters.

Home Chef Taste & Ingredients

Home Chef meals cater to more adventurous or bold flavor profiles. Dishes like Cajun shrimp pasta or Korean BBQ beef bowls stand out. The Culinary Collection includes chef-inspired options that taste restaurant-worthy.

Verdict: For flavor variety and indulgence, HelloFresh. For clean eating and lighter meals, Home Chef is a better pick.

HelloFresh vs Home Chef: Cooking Experience & Time Commitment

HelloFresh Cooking Time & Difficulty

Most HelloFresh recipes take 30–45 minutes. Instructions are easy to follow with numbered, illustrated steps. Great for beginner cooks looking to build confidence in the kitchen.

Home Chef Cooking Time & Difficulty

Home Chef offers faster options, including 10-minute no-cook salads, 15-minute kits, and oven-ready trays. Even standard recipes rarely exceed 40 minutes, and prep tends to involve fewer steps.

Verdict: Home Chef is perfect for busy weeknights. HelloFresh is ideal if you enjoy hands-on cooking or want to sharpen your skills.

HelloFresh vs Home Chef: Dietary Preferences & Special Diets

HelloFresh Diet Options

HelloFresh supports common dietary preferences like:

  • Vegetarian

  • Pescatarian

  • Calorie Smart

  • Carb Smart (limited)

It does not cater to keto, paleo, or gluten-free diets directly, though labels help identify meals that may align.

Home Chef Diet Options

Home Chef offers low-carb, low-calorie, vegetarian, and some keto-friendly options. The filtering system on the menu is more advanced, allowing you to exclude allergens or choose meal types easily.

Verdict: Home Chef is the better choice for special diets and dietary restrictions.

HelloFresh vs Home Chef: Packaging, Delivery & Sustainability

HelloFresh Delivery & Eco Efforts

  • Consistent delivery windows

  • Packaging includes recyclable ice packs and paper bags

  • Transparent sustainability policies (carbon neutrality goals, local sourcing)

Home Chef Delivery & Packaging

  • Similar delivery experience

  • Also uses recyclable packaging

  • Less marketing focus on sustainability, but still meets basic standards

Verdict: Both services are reliable and eco-conscious, but HelloFresh is more transparent and ambitious about sustainability.


Is Home Chef Available in Canada?

No, Home Chef is currently not available in Canada. The service only ships to U.S. addresses, so if you’re located in Canada, you won’t be able to order Home Chef meal kits.

However, HelloFresh is available in Canada and has built a strong presence across major provinces with local delivery, Canadian-specific meal plans, and ongoing promotions.

If you’re in Canada and trying to choose between the two, HelloFresh is the only viable option at this time.


Pros and Cons Overview

HelloFresh

Pros:

  • Transparent, straightforward pricing

  • Fresh, balanced meals for all tastes

  • Perfect for beginner and busy home cooks

  • Strong sustainability focus

  • Easy-to-follow recipe cards

Cons:

  • Limited ability to swap proteins

Home Chef

Pros:

  • Highly customizable meal options

  • Quick-prep and oven-ready kits

  • Excellent filtering for dietary needs

Cons:

  • Pricing varies with upgrades

  • Shipping fees can fluctuate


Final Verdict: Is HelloFresh or Home Chef Better?

HelloFresh and Home Chef Meal kit services performed exceptionally well in our testing. We couldn’t stop lauding their benefits, from sustainably sourced ingredients to nutritious meals, supportive customer care, and a seamless buying experience. We noticed that Home Chef has only one meal plan option, but their menu choices are more comprehensive and varied. Whereas we cannot reject the other service as their special Customize It feature gives them an extra benefit over others. You get to personalize your meal selections quite conveniently. 

HelloFresh source all the ingredients locally and ensure well-balanced nutritious meals at all cost in eco-friendly packaging. But we found their recipes quite classic with simple flavours and less excitement to offer. 

However, Home Chef makes a better option when you need to explore savoury meals and have a better flavourful journey with more variety. Additionally, if you are short on time, Home Chef should be your pick because their meals require little to no preparation, while HelloFresh is best when you want to hon your cooking skills and impress your guest with an exotic meal.

 

What do You get With Hello Fresh or Home Chef Meal Delivery Services?

HelloFresh and Home Chef are the powerhouses of delicious meals and alluring deals. Starting with HelloFresh, you will get four plans: Classic, Family, Veggie, and Low calorie. You get eight new recipes on Classic Plan, five on a family plan, and three on the veggie plan weekly. On the contrary, when we talk about Home Chef, you will get a maximum of 15 dishes per week. The weekly menu is ideal for 2, 4, and 6 people. From 16 new recipes, including a fruit basket and a smoothie, you can even go for three 5-minute no-cooking lunch dishes and three to four vegetarian.

In terms of style, you are lucky to get Italian, Classic, Asian, Mexican, etc. They have poultry, fish, vegetables, meat, and more as ingredient bases. Although HelloFresh has more plans, Home Chef seems to be the more diversified option despite its single plan. As for nutritional value, HelloFresh has around 650 calories each; portions are fulfilling. At the same time, the calorie count for Home Chef differs in all dishes. Calorie-rich dishes are appropriately labelled. Dishes are generally nutritious and keep your stomach full for a couple of hours.

Bothe meal kit services are good choices if you want easy-to-follow delicious recipes to cater to several dietary restrictions like gluten-free and soy-free food. Opt for HelloFresh if you’re going to cater to a group of 4 or 6; however, if you need more than five meals a week, Home Chef will be the better option.

 


HelloFresh Review

  • Budget-friendliness
  • Flexible ordering system
Get $200 off your first
HelloFresh recipe boxes
Claim Promo Now



Home Chef Review

  • Extensive meal variety
  • less meal in each plan
No Promo Available


Read about other meal kits comparison articles

Looking for the cheapest meal kits? Use our cost comparison tool to find your best budget-friendly option now!

Not sure which meal kit is right for you? Compare Canada’s top meal kit delivery services and find your perfect match!