Author: Kelsea SamsonJune 18, 2023Written byKelsea SamsonKelsea Samson is a writer, content manager, certified yoga instructor and founder of The Mindfulness Program for Kids and Yoga for the Blind in Tampa, Florida.HelloFresh vs. Purple CarrotPros & ConsWhat is Purple Carrot?What is HelloFresh?How they compareFAQSummaryImage by mbg creativeJune 18, 2023Our editors have independently chosen the products listed on this page. If you purchase something mentioned in this article, we may earn a small commission.Oftentimes making nutritious, homemade meals can take a backseat to busy schedules and vibrant social lives. And as much fun as dining out is, research shows high-quality diets can lead to lower obesity rates1. In fact, having healthy, particularly vegan, meals ready to prepare in your fridge is linked with lower disease rates2, a balanced gut microbiome3, and better metabolic health4. The best part? You can save a truckload of money by cooking at home—and to make your life even simpler, there’s a plethora of meal kit delivery services offering healthy, affordable options. Let’s take a closer look at two of our top picks: HelloFresh vs Purple Carrot.
These subscription-based services make it easier to prepare and cook healthy meals at home with minimal effort and little cleanup. While the basic concept is quite similar, there are a few key differences to consider when deciding which is better, HelloFresh or Purple Carrot.
HelloFresh vs. Purple Carrot:
HelloFresh
:view on HelloFreshMeals per week:
Up to 6Cost per meal:
From $9.99 per servingDelivery fee:
$9.99Dietary considerations:
Low-caloriePescatarianVegetarianBeef-freePork-freeSeafood-freeWho should try it?
People without strict dietary preferences or food allergies will enjoy HelloFresh. Anyone with a busy schedule (or who simply doesn't like grocery shopping) should try HelloFresh for quick, simple meals. The 4-serving plan is great for families of three or four.
Who should skip it?
Similar to Purple Carrot, HelloFresh might not be the best choice for those with strict dietary restrictions or preferences.
Who should try it?
Read full reviewPurple Carrot
:view on Purple CarrotMeals per week:
Up to 4Cost per meal:
From $11 per servingDelivery fee:
NoneDietary considerations:
VegetarianVeganGluten-FreeWho should try it?
If you want quick and easy access to plant-based meals at a reasonable cost, Purple Carrot is a great option. It's a convenient choice for people who don't have too many dietary restrictions and who are looking to trying unique recipes.
Who should skip it?
People with dietary preferences or restrictions such as low-carb, keto, or paleo might have a tough time finding enough options with Purple Carrot. Some recipes can also be intimidating for people who aren't comfortable in the kitchen. That said, the instructions are broken down in a very easy-to-follow manner.
Who should try it?
Read full reviewAdvertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.HelloFresh pros & cons:
Pros:- 100+ weekly menu options
- Affordably priced with great deals for first-time customers
- Seasonal, local produce
- Pre-measured ingredients
- Limited organic ingredients
- Can't tailor meals to specific allergens
Purple Carrot pros & cons:
Pros:- Healthy, vegan recipes
- A great way to kick-start a plant-based lifestyle
- Sleek online interface
- Exciting, flavorful vegan recipes
- Limited dietary preferences
- No customizations allowed
- Uses conventional produce
Image by mbg creativeHow does Purple Carrot work?
One thing to love about this plant-based delivery service is the easy-as-(vegan)-pie signup experience. You’ll first set up an account for the weekly meal kit subscription service and select a category preference for recipes. You can choose between high-protein meals which have at least 20 grams of protein per serving, low-prep meals which are designed to use fewer pots and pans, gluten-free, and “no preference” (a great choice if you’re up for anything).
Next, you’ll choose the number of meals you want each week and whether you’d like two or four servings per meal. While the serving sizes aren’t customizable for households of odd numbers, we’ll often plan ahead to have leftovers for the next day. At checkout, your cart is based on the number of meals and serving size you’ve selected.
For the first week of your subscription, Purple Carrot will recommend meals based on your provided preferences. From there, you can select meals from a list of options. Each meal notes dietary preferences such as gluten-free, soy-free, or high protein. Prep time and calories will also be displayed.
Every week features eight rotating dinner recipes, plus options for breakfast, lunch, and snacks. On busier weeks, you can opt to receive prepared meals or frozen meals instead of the meal prep kits. Since Purple Carrot is a weekly subscription service, you’ll pay per week—and you can pause or cancel your subscription at any time free of charge.
Read our detailed Purple Carrot review here.
A few sample menu items:
- Gnocchi al Pesto
- Spicy Curry Noodle Salad
- Romesco Polenta with Cashew Cheese
How does HelloFresh work?
From easy-to-follow recipe cards to its user-friendly app to a seasonal magazine with menu highlights, HelloFresh has a handle on convenience. To get started, you’ll create your HelloFresh account by personalizing your meal kit plan. Here, you’ll set your preferences so that their system will show you the most relevant recipes for you. You can choose up to six options from meat and veggies, just veggies, family-friendly, fit and wholesome, quick and easy, and pescatarian. You’ll be able to swap proteins and sides if they aren’t a perfect match and choose from over 60 recipes on its website under “weekly menus”. Here, you’ll discover recipes by cook time, notable mentions like “Hall of Fame” and “Best of 2022”, and descriptors like calorie smart, carb smart, protein smart, vegan, and more.
After setting your preferences, you’ll choose your plan to be for two or four people with two to six recipes per week. HelloFresh will then populate meals based on your preferences, and you’ll be notified that you have a certain amount of time to swap meals before your box is out for delivery. You should get your first delivery box containing your pre-measured ingredients and recipe cards with nutritional information and step-by-step cooking instructions within a week of placing your order and is sent in a box with cooling technology that will keep the ingredients fresh for up to 48 hours. If you need to skip a week or cancel your subscription, you can manage your entire account from the mobile app or the website.
Read our full HelloFresh review here.
A few sample HelloFresh meals:
- Balsamic Rosemary Pork Chops
- Silky Sicilian Chicken Penne
- Sweet Thai Chili Burgers
Image by mbg creativeCost of Purple Carrot vs HelloFresh:
If you’re wondering which meal kit delivery service is the least expensive, you should know that HelloFresh is one of the most affordable subscriptions that still prioritizes high-quality, and often locally sourced, ingredients. It’s worth noting that shipping isn’t included with HelloFresh like it is with Purple Carrot. And the more recipes and servings you order, the lower the cost per serving. Generally, HelloFresh meals are under $10 a serving and Purple Carrot meals are right above $10 a serving.
Here’s a quick comparison of costs:
Purple Carrot- 3 meals of 2 servings each: $79.50 per box, $318 per month, $13.25 per serving
- 2 meals of 4 servings each: $88 per box, $352 per month, $11 per serving
- Shipping cost: free
- 3 recipes of 2 servings each: $59.94, $239.76 per month, $9.99 per serving
- 2 meals of 4 servings each: $78.32, $313.28 per month, $9.79 per serving
- Shipping cost: around $9 per box, depending on your location
HelloFresh vs. Purple Carrot
BrandServing PriceMax Meals Per WeekShipping CostDietary ConsiderationsHelloFreshFrom $9.99 per serving6$9.99Low-calorie; Pescatarian; Vegetarian; Beef-free; Pork-free; Seafood-freePurple CarrotFrom $11 per serving4NoneVegetarian; Vegan; Gluten-freeHelloFresh vs. Purple Carrot: dietary considerations
Both Purple Carrot and HelloFresh will note the common allergens when you view your curated weekly menu items and when you’re browsing the weekly menus. So while you can pick recipes free of allergens like soy, nuts, dairy, and gluten, if you have a food allergy, having your box picked for you won’t be as seamless. Also, if you have a severe food allergy, these products might have cross-contamination from being processed in the same facility. It’s also worth mentioning that HelloFresh only lets you swap recipes once the weekly menu they’ve picked for you is set to ship.
The main dietary difference is that all of Purple Carrot’s recipes are vegan and plant-based while HelloFresh has 100+ recipes and many of which have meat. If you are looking to enjoy a plant-based lifestyle, Purple Carrot might be a better option for you than HelloFresh.
HelloFresh vs. Purple Carrot: sustainability and environmental impact
HelloFresh uses some organic ingredients like local and seasonal produce at peak freshness. They state that their produce has a "31% lower life-cycle carbon footprint than those of the same size from a supermarket," according to an analysis the company published in 2022. We also love that their boxes and packaging are recyclable (the only thing you can’t recycle are the water liners).
Purple Carrot, on the other hand, states that most of its non-produce items are organic, but that its produce comes from various sources. Their boxes and packaging are also recyclable, and they take pride in not using as much material to ship their boxes. This is thanks to the fact the ingredients in the box aren’t always pre-measured out for each recipe like HelloFresh.
HelloFresh vs. Purple Carrot: Which should you try?
Vegans, plant-based eaters, and those looking to eat more vegetables would likely enjoy Purple Carrot thanks to its inventive, global recipes that are easy to make. Those looking for an affordable meal kit delivery service that prioritizes quality, organic produce, and easy-to-make recipes should opt for HelloFresh.
The takeaway
A meal kit delivery service makes dinnertime stress melt away with easy and delicious recipes that come right to your door. Between HelloFresh and Purple Carrot, you’ve got two solid options for different palates, dietary preferences, and schedules. If you’re interested in kick-starting a plant-based lifestyle, be sure to check out our line-up of the 7 best plant-based meal kit delivery services to see how Purple Carrot stacks up.
Meet The Experts
Kelsea Samson is a writer, content manager, certified yoga instructor and founder of The Mindfulness Program for Kids and Yoga for the Blind in Tampa, Florida.4 Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5288891/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7232892/#:~:text=People%20who%20cook%20at%20home,foods%20on%20a%20regular%20basis.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6478664/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7999488/
