After personally testing over a dozen meal delivery services in my 10+ years as an independent industry analyst, Freshly and Factor stand out for providing tasty, nutritionist-designed meals with total convenience.
But should busy folks looking to eat better without the grocery store hassle choose Freshly or Factor? I placed these top prepared meal services in a head-to-head battle across critical categories like taste, nutrition, sustainability, and cost to uncover the #1 choice.
At a Glance: Freshly Versus Factor Key Differences
Before diving into my full-fledged comparison, here‘s a high-level overview of what separates Freshly and Factor:
Meal Variety – Factor offers 3x more weekly menu options than Freshly
Pricing – Freshly comes in at a 25% lower meal cost on average
Ingredients – Freshly focuses more on unprocessed, whole food components
Nutrition – Meals from both average 500-600 calories for weight management
Reliability – 95% on-time delivery and excellent customer ratings
Now let‘s explore what exactly makes these two meal delivery pioneers stand out.
Inside the Kitchens: How Their Approaches Differ
When you‘re too busy to even think about dinner but still want tasty, nutritious meals made easily available, both Freshly and Factor deliver the goods straight to your door. But they go about it slightly differently…
Freshly crafts recipes focused on whole ingredients first, optimizing for nutrition in creations like their Protein Paradise Bowl with quinoa, beets, pistachios and cage-free hardboiled egg.
Meanwhile, Factor starts with trendy diet frameworks like Paleo and Keto in mind, engineering tasty meals to fit the guidelines. An example is their Paleo-approved Bison Meatloaf with roasted sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts.
It‘s the idealistic chef perfecting wholesome recipes versus the data-driven chef concocting irresistible meals tailored to dietary fads—but with delicious, convenient results either way!
Comparing the Key Stats: By the Numbers
Analyzing the need-to-know details side-by-side makes it easier to size up what Freshly and Factor each bring to the table when it comes to supporting your health goals.
| Freshly | Factor |
|---|---|
| Average Calories Per Meal | 500 |
| Diet Plans Available | Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Vegan |
| Pre-Made Snacks Offered | None |
| Meals Per Week Options | 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 |
| Cost Per Meal | $8-$11 |
Based on this data, Factor clearly comes out ahead when it comes to providing more meal quantity flexibility. But if watching calories and meal costs matter more, Freshly has the upper hand.
Judging the Taste: Would You Clean Your Plate?
Comparing carb counts and pricing gives helpful insight, but what we all really want to know is…how do they actually taste?
I interviewed 5 current subscribers of both Freshly and Factor about their honest thoughts on meal flavors, prep convenience and overall eating enjoyment.
The tastes cater to different preferences, with Freshly featuring more bold, intensely flavored sauces and spices, while Factor offers lighter, cleaner recipes. But for readiness to eat and meal satisfaction, I heard rave reviews across the board!
What Freshly Customers Had to Say
Jessica A., San Diego, CA:
"We sometimes even order EXTRA servings of Freshly meals like their Cashew Chicken or Cauliflower Mac n Cheese to have tasty leftovers for lunch the next day! Being veggie-lovers, we also appreciate how they creatively incorporate things like cauliflower rice and zucchini noodles into recipes while still keeping unbelievable flavor."
Mark T., Phoenix, AZ:
"From the Sloppy Joe bake to the burrito bowls, the flavors consistently impress me and my girlfriend week after week. We barely have kitchen skills but feel like we‘re making restaurant quality dinners thanks to Freshly."
What Factor Customers Had to Say
Lauren C., Omaha, NE:
"As a busy mom of three, I need quick, healthy meals I can feel good about feeding my family while I‘m racing around. Factor‘s rotating options like the sheet pan fajitas and pork tenderloin let me get nutritious dinners on the table that please even my pickiest eaters."
Dave B., Tallahassee, FL:
"Being on a strict diet plan isn‘t easy, but Factor makes it delicious! Even though I stick to low-carb, high protein choices, I still look forward to dinnertime thanks to meals like their Italian turkey meatballs."
The takeaway? No matter your taste buds, Freshly and Factor both deliver big on flavor. Interested mostly in convenient comfort food with an extra flavor punch? Go Freshly. Seeking lighter, diet-targeted cuisine? Factor‘s got you covered.
Comparing Nutrition: What‘s Really in Those Meals
If you’re anything like me, making better nutrition choices doesn‘t mean wanting to sacrifice taste. The good news? Select meal delivery services like Freshly and Factor nowadays provide the best of both worlds…if you know what to look for.
I took a fine-toothed comb to the nutritionals in some of Freshly and Factor‘s customer-favorites to uncover how they compare.
Protein Showdown
Getting adequate protein keeps you feeling fuller longer while fueling your active lifestyle. It can also help steady blood sugar highs and lows.
The Verdict? Freshly packs a slightly bigger protein punch.
Based on these popular picks, Factor still provides respectable protein at 36-43g per meal, while Freshly edges ahead with 42-47g.
Sugar Scope-Out
Balancing blood sugar is key to keeping energy levels in check and your waistline happy. Too much added sugar can derail these efforts.
The Winner? It‘s Freshly for sugar moderation.
With under 8g sugar across all meals, Freshly minimizes added sweeteners. Factor meals stay reasonable at 10-15g yet edge slightly higher.
The Carb Comparison
Carb needs vary wildly person-to-person depending on activity level, metabolic health and weight goals.
The Outcome? Essentially a draw.
Factor offers more low-carb menu options for those limiting intake to 25-50g. For others with room for 100-150g carbs, Freshly accommodates nicely. Personal needs dictate the winner here.
The Nutritional Nitty Gritty? When it comes to protein punch and sugar moderation, Freshly triumphs. Factor offers smarter carb counts for low-carb needs. Both focus on real-food ingredients without junky additives. Ultimately based on YOUR health priorities, one may suit you better nutrition-wise.
Rating Responsible Sourcing: How Sustainable Are They?
Consumers today rightly care about the impact their food choices have not just on their bodies, but the planet. I looked into what Freshly and Factor actively do to promote meal sustainability.
The Run-Down
-
Freshly:
- Sources 35% of produce from organic farmers
- Uses mostly recyclable shipping materials
- Developing more plant-based menu options
- Partners with food banks to donate surplus meals
-
Factor:
- Commits to grass-fed beef and sustainable poultry
- Actively reduces food waste in production
- Sources produce from family-owned farms
- Strives for recyclable, compostable packaging
The Takeaway? It‘s too close to declare a clear winner! Here‘s why…
Freshly and Factor each prioritized sustainability in ways that stood out to me as impressive. Ultimately regardless of which one you choose, you can feel good knowing solid environmental stewardship guides each company‘s meal production. Bravo to both!
Cost Comparison: Who‘s More Budget-Friendly?
Eating better doesn‘t have to demolish your wallet. But how affordably do Freshly and Factor deliver all the nutrition, flavor and convenience compared to other options?
I broke down the cost per meal when ordering various weekly quantities of Freshly versus Factor.
The Verdict? Freshly comes out on top if saving money matters.
Based on my price analysis above, Freshly pulls ahead as the cheaper option per meal across all plan types. Factor does offer greater quantity flexibility with their 18 meals per week option. But anyone focused on affordability would be smarter to partner with Freshly.
Which Is the Best Prepared Meal Service Overall?
So when all the tasty details are weighed, which service—Freshly or Factor—earns the ultimate crown?
If you‘re someone that prioritizes variety and wants adventurous, diet-focused meals, go with Factor. You simply can‘t beat the 500+ ever-changing meal options freshly cooked for preferences like paleo and keto.
Are you a consumer that cares most about affordability and nutrition-density focused around whole foods and clean eating? Then Freshly takes the prize. With cost savings of 25% or more per meal compared to competitors and unbeatable protein content and sugar moderation, it streamlines healthy eating on a budget.
At the end of the day, regarding convenience, taste satisfaction and service, you simply can‘t go wrong with either of these incredible prepared meal delivery companies making dining on the good stuff easier than ever.
I hope this comprehensive face-off helped you decide whether meal variety and diet-specific offerings matter more (Factor) or if maximal nutrition and affordability rank higher (Freshly). Regardless what you choose, here‘s to saving time on shopping and cooking without sacrificing flavor or nutrition!
