Hungryroot vs Freshly (+11 Features of each)
The current post will be discussing the features of Hungryroot and Freshly, and then comparing them with each other. Hungryroot is a meal kit delivery service which delivers fresh ingredients along with recipes to customers. On the other hand, Freshly delivers fully prepared meals to its users. Both of these platforms only operate in the US as of now.
In the end, we will give you our opinions on which of these two may be the better choice based on first-hand experiences.
Hungryroot vs Freshly
In the table below, we have shown you the main characteristics and advantageous features which you can find in Hungryroot and Freshly. We have also mentioned their delivery areas and also the price ranges of the food items in these platforms. By checking out the information in this table, you will be able to decide whether Hungryroot or Freshly works in your favor.
| Feature | Hungryroot | Freshly |
| Delivery areas | 98% of the United States aside from Alaska & Hawaii | 98% of the United States aside from Alaska & Hawaii |
| Price range | $99 to $129 per week | $8.49 to $11.49 per week |
| Price per plate | $8.49 per plate | $8.49 per plate minimum |
| Difficulty levels | Easy | Easy |
| Avg. cooking time | 10 minutes or lesser | 3 minutes of heating |
| Avg. calorie count | 300-400 calories per serving | 400-500 calories per serving |
| Supporting material | Recipe card,Online information | Nutritional information |
| Recipes supported | Vegan,Vegetarian,Omnivore,Dairy-free,Gluten-free,Soy-free,Nut-free,Egg-free,Shellfish-free | Gluten-free,Dairy-free,Plant-based,Carb-smart,Calorie-conscious |
| No. of choices | Differs from person to person | 12 per week |
| Introductory deal | 30% off on first order + free gift with every delivery | $100 off on first four orders |
| Avg. shelf life | 14 days | 5-7 days,Longer while frozen |
Types of Plans: Hungryroot vs Freshly
| Hungryroot | Freshly |
| 6-Serving Plan 3 recipes,$9.99 per serving | 4-5 meals per week $11.79 per portion + shipping |
| 8-serving plan 4 recipes,$8.99 per serving | 6-7 meals per week $9.99 per portion + shipping |
| 10-serving plan 5 recipes,$8.75 per serving | 8-9 meals per week $9.49 per portion + shipping |
| 12-serving plan 6 recipes,$8.49 per serving | 10-11 meals per week $9.29 per portion + shipping |
| 14-serving plan 7 recipes,$8.49 per serving | 12 meals per week $9.99 per portion + shipping |
| 16-serving plan 8 recipes,$8.49 per serving |
In Hungryroot, the user can choose from various types of plans based on the number of recipes they require every week. They can also choose the types of recipes they want in their cart, be it shell-fish free dishes, soy-free dishes and even keto-meals. The customer can also add more items to their weekly cart if they wish to do so.
When it comes to Freshly, the user is allowed to choose various types of meal plans. The meals are fully cooked and therefore the user does not need to put in any effort in the kitchen. They can simply heat the meals in the microwave oven before consumption. Freshly also offers a lot of variety in choices such as gluten-free, low-calorie and even low-carb meals.
Winner: Freshly wins the Types of Plans segment.
Types of Ingredients: Hungryroot vs Freshly
| Ingredient type | Hungryroot | Freshly |
| Produce | Organic,Non-GMO | US-based vendors |
| Meat, eggs, fish | Antibiotic-free,Hormone-free | Free from fillers, chemical additives and even preservatives |
| Other ingredients | Condiments,Sauces | None |
In the meal kits from Hungryroot, the user can only find completely organic and GMO-free ingredients. This is definitely the biggest advantage of using Hungryroot. The meat and the poultry products which are offered in Hungryroot are free of any antibiotics or even hormones and thus safe to consume on a long-term basis.
Freshly ties up with local vendors and farms which are guaranteed to use only safe farming practices to harvest their crops. The meat and the poultry are free of any hormones and the seafood is sustainably sourced. All in all, the meals in Freshly are free of any chemical additives and preservatives.
Winner: Hungryroot wins the Types of Ingredients segment.
Add-Ons: Hungryroot vs Freshly
| Hungryroot | Freshly |
| All types of grocery items | Proteins,Sides |
When it comes to the add-ons in Hungryroot, the user is free to choose from a large selection of ready to eat salads and sides. Hungryroot is also one of the largest organic grocery stores and the customers can access these products as well. The grocery items in Hungryroot are also pretty affordable even if they are completely organic in nature.
In Freshly, the user can add more items to their cart in addition to the fully-prepared meals. However, the add-on menu in Freshly is not that diverse, especially when we compare it with other meal delivery services. The only add-ons which are available in Freshly include healthy sides and even low-fat proteins like chicken breasts.
Winner: Hungryroot wins the Add-ons segment.
Packaging of Meal kit: Hungryroot vs Freshly
| Hungryroot | Freshly |
| Box,Paper cooler,Food protector,Ice pack | Meal box,Denim insulation,Non-toxic ice packs |
| Fully recyclable | Fully recyclable |
The meal kits in Hungryroot come in very efficient packaging which is also pretty eco-friendly. The meal boxes in Hungryroot are mostly made of recycled cardboard and contain paper coolers which are also very environmentally-friendly. The ice packs in Hungryroot come with non-toxic gels which can be simply disposed of into the trash.
In Freshly, the meals come in boxes made of recycled cardboard. These boxes can be simply flattened and placed in the recycling bin. The meal boxes are insulated with denim cotton which can be recycled. Freshly also uses ice packs which can be emptied into the drain after the gel is mixed with some salt.
Winner: Hungryroot and Freshly win the Packaging of Meal kit segment.
Customer Support: Hungryroot vs Freshly
| Feature | Hungryroot | Freshly |
| Chat support | – | + |
| Email support | + | + |
| Phone support | – | + |
| Availability | All days of the week | All days of the week |
In case Hungryroot customers are facing any issues with their meal kits or their orders, they can simply reach out to the customer support through the email id given. The customer support of Hungryroot can be reached at any time since it operates throughout the week. Unfortunately, Hungryroot does not allow chat support or even phone support.
Freshly excels in its customer support. The customer support can be reached through the live chat feature and also through email support. In addition to chat support and email support, there is also phone support in Freshly which can be reached on any day of the week. Users have found the Freshly customer support to be very active and responsive.
Winner: Freshly wins the Customer Support segment.
Sample Meals: Hungryroot vs Freshly
| Sample | Hungryroot | Freshly |
| Sample 1 | Name: Grilled Chicken Tahini WrapPreparation time: 12 minsCalorie count: 540Serving size: 2 servings | Name: Steak Peppercorn with Sauteed Carrots & French Green BeansCalorie count: 500Heating time: 3 minsSpice level: Mild |
| Sample 2 | Name: Lemon Pepper Chicken + Broccoli Cheddar Baked PotatoPreparation time: 22 minsCalorie count: 730Serving size: 2 servings | Name: Sausage Baked Penne with Sauteed Zucchini & SpinachCalorie count: 470Heating time: 3 minsSpice level: Mild |
| Sample 3 | Name: Coconut Curry Chicken Power BowlPreparation time: 16 minsCalorie count: 580Serving size: 2 servings | Name: Protein-Packed Chicken Parm with Mozzarella & Garlicky BroccoliCalorie count: 410Heating time: 3 minsSpice level: Mild |
Hungryroot’s menu consists of recipes which are super-easy to prepare. Some of the ingredients in Hungryroot even come pre-cooked and pre-cut, thus reducing the time and effort from the customer’s side. The recipes cover both local and international cuisines and therefore this meal kit delivery service is pretty kid-friendly.
Freshly’s meals are fully-cooked and only need a little heating in the microwave oven or even a conventional oven. The meals in Freshly are limited in calories, but are certainly wholesome and nutritious. The meals include many crowd-favorites which can definitely please everyone in the family, but also include interesting items to bring variety to the dinner table.
Winner: Freshly wins the Sample Meals segment.
App rating: Hungryroot vs Freshly
| Platform | Hungryroot | Freshly |
| Google Play Store | Not available | 4.4 |
| Apple App Store | 4.9 | 4.8 |
| TWP Rating | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
Final Verdict: Freshly wins this showdown because of its fully-cooked meals which are delicious and very healthy.
Hungryroot is one of the best-known e-grocers which sell organic foods. Since the ingredients used are completely organic, the meal kits are also tasty and healthy at the same time. The recipes are pretty easy to prepare, making this meal kit delivery service perfect for anyone who is trying to reduce work in the kitchen.
In Freshly, the meals are fully-prepared and therefore only need a little heating in the microwave. Freshly is also pretty affordable but healthy at the same time. Even those who are following certain diets can opt for Freshly since the meals come with a range of customizations. Freshly also offers several add-ons for its customers.
When we compare Hungryroot and Freshly, the latter takes the crown. While Hungryroot is definitely a superb platform, the meal kits still need to be cooked. On the other hand, in Freshly, the meals are already prepared and only need a little heating. Therefore, Freshly is the winner here.
Methodology
To bring you the best reviews of each and every meal delivery service, we spoke to testers and real life users, reviewed the information provided by each service on their respective websites, carried out primary research on social media platforms and checked out the user reviews of these platforms on various social media sites. We have also used the reviews presented by current users of these services on their respective Google and Apple apps.
We are currently conducting our own internal review and we will update this page with videos and pictures of our experiences. If they differ extensively from what our external reviewers said then we will update this post so you get both points of views and can decide which service provider is more suited to your needs based on the information above.
The main types of criteria which we have used in order to assess and evaluate these meal delivery services is the simplicity of the recipes, the variety of meals in the service, the inclusiveness of diets and cuisines and even the supporting material.
In addition to these, we have also highly taken into regard the sustainability and recyclability of the packaging of these services. Lastly, we have also considered the delivery services and customer services of these platforms.
Frequently asked questions: “Hungryroot vs Freshly”
Is Hungryroot free?
No, Hungryroot is not free. You will need to pay for the meal kits and the grocery items from this platform. However, the meal kits in Hungryroot have been found to be pretty affordable. As far as the grocery essentials are concerned, Hungryroot is one of the most affordable organic retailers in the market today.
Is Freshly precooked?
Yes, Freshly is precooked. The meals in Freshly are fully-prepared and therefore only need to be heated for a bit in the microwave oven or even a conventional oven as per the preferences of the customer. The meals in Freshly require an average of three minutes of heating while using a microwave oven.
How long will Freshly meals last?
Freshly meals last for five days to seven days. If you freeze these meals, they can last for much longer. Freshly meals do not contain any artificial preservatives and therefore may not be fresh for that long.
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