7 Best Factor Alternatives (2025 Tested)

As a strength coach who’s tested dozens of meal delivery services over several years, I can assure you that selecting the right Factor alternative requires more than comparing price points or browsing menu photos. The key is finding a service that aligns with your specific dietary requirements, training demands, and lifestyle constraints.

Whether you’re an athlete seeking high protein intake, a busy parent balancing work and family obligations, or someone looking for more variety than Factor’s rotating menu offers, this guide examines the critical factors that determine long-term satisfaction with meal delivery services.

Through extensive testing across different services, I’ve identified the essential considerations that separate genuinely useful options from marketing-heavy disappointments.

This analysis focuses on practical evaluation based on my personal experience and consideration of real-world nutrition requirements.

• Best Factor Alternative: Trifecta Nutrition
• Best Factor Meal Kit Alternative: Green Chef
• Best Factor Alternative At Your Local Grocery Store: Purple Carrot
• Best Vegetarian Factor Alternative: Thistle
• Best A La Carte Factor Alternative: ICON Meals
• Best Factor Alternative For Families: Dinnerly
• Best Factor Grocery Alternative: Hungryroot

Best Factor Alternative

Trifecta Nutrition

Trifecta Nutrition nails it as the top alternative to Factor, delivering pre-cooked, organic meals that hit hard on nutrition and convenience.

Unlike Factor’s keto and low-carb focus, Trifecta offers tailored plans like Performance, Clean, Paleo, Keto, and Vegan, with 5-14 meals weekly.

The Performance line, my go-to, packs 700 calories and 50+ grams of protein per meal, perfect for post-workout recovery.

Customization isn’t as granular as Factor’s, but you can pick from 40-50 weekly dishes or let “Chef’s Choice” handle it with exclusions (e.g., no pork).

The app auto-logs macros and syncs with fitness trackers, a game-changer for tracking my nearly 200-gram protein goal.

Quality shines with grass-fed meats and wild-caught fish, though flavors can lean basic compared to Factor’s chef-driven punch.

Meals arrive vacuum-sealed in eco-friendly, recyclable trays, staying fresh 6-10 days in the fridge or 3 months frozen.

At $14.49-$16 per meal plus $9.99 shipping, it’s pricier than Factor’s $11-$13 range, and cancellation requires a call or email, which feels clunky.

Still, for athletes or busy folks like me, Trifecta’s macro precision and zero-prep setup outshine Factor’s smaller portions and less protein-heavy options. If you’re chasing gains or a clean diet without kitchen grind, Trifecta is your move.

My Trifecta review goes into detail about my experience.

Best Factor Meal Kit Alternative

Green Chef

The USDA-certified organic ingredients and high-protein options work excellently to fuel my training. Green Chef offers eight plans like Protein Packed, Keto, Vegan, Mediterranean, and more, with over 50 weekly recipes.

The Protein Packed plan, delivering 40+ grams per serving, keeps me full post-lifting with dishes like Moroccan-Spiced Beef or Spicy Chicken with Poblano Cream.

Unlike Factor’s pre-cooked meals, Green Chef’s kits take 30-40 minutes to prep, with pre-portioned organic veggies, grass-fed beef, and bold premade sauces. Customization is solid: pick 2-4 meals weekly for 2-6 servings and swap proteins or add extras.

The eco-friendly packaging includes recyclable cardboard and compostable insulation, and aligns with Factor’s sustainability but uses excessive plastic baggies.

At $11.49-$13.49 per serving plus $10.99 shipping, it’s slightly pricier than Factor but offers bolder global flavors.

Occasional wilted veggies or leaky meat packs are a bummer, and portions might not satisfy bigger appetites like mine.

Still, Green Chef’s variety and organic quality make it a winner for health-focused cooks who want Factor’s nutrition with a hands-on twist. For busy parents or fitness buffs who don’t mind a quick kitchen session, it’s a strong swap.

My Green Chef review goes into detail about my experience.

Best Factor Alternative At Your Local Grocery Store

Purple Carrot

Available at select grocery stores like Whole Foods, its prepared meals and kits offer Factor-like convenience without the subscription.

As a meat-loving guy, I tested Purple Carrot to see if it could keep up with my high-protein needs. As expected, it’s great for plant-based folks but falls short of my 40+ gram protein goals.

Purple Carrot’s 100% vegan menu includes meal kits (30-45 minutes prep) and single-serve prepared meals (2-5 minutes to heat), like General Tso’s Tofu or Spicy Dan Dan Noodles.

With up to 16 kits and 15 prepared meals weekly, variety is decent, leaning on global cuisines. Ingredients are fresh, with mostly organic non-produce (tofu, beans), but protein maxes out at 20-25 grams per serving. only half what I need.

Customization is limited; you pick from preset recipes with dietary tags (gluten-free, high-protein) but can’t tweak ingredients.

Pricing at stores varies but aligns with Factor’s $11-$13 per meal, though no shipping fees. Eco-friendly packaging (recyclable boxes, lower carbon footprint) mirrors Factor’s sustainability.

While flavors impress, the vegan-only menu and low protein make it a tough sell for athletes like me. For vegans or plant-curious shoppers wanting Factor’s health focus without delivery, Purple Carrot’s a reliable grocery store grab—just don’t expect it to fuel heavy workouts.

My Purple Carrot review goes into detail about my experience.

Best Vegetarian Factor Alternative

Thistle

The pre-made, ready-to-eat meals offer Factor-like convenience with organic, gluten-free, dairy-free ingredients. While Thistle adds meat for omnivores, its vegetarian menu shines for those skipping animal proteins.

Customization is decent: pick vegan meals, flag allergies, and choose 5-16 weekly meals for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Local delivery (select cities) allows specific meal picks; shipped boxes (West Coast only) are pre-selected.

With 5-7 weekly options, variety is solid but limited to bowls and salads, packing 15-20 grams of protein from tofu or legumes, not enough for my needs but fine for lighter diets. Flavors are fresh and bold, with crisp veggies and no processed aftertaste.

At $11.50-$16.32 per vegan meal plus $4.95 local delivery, it’s pricier than Factor’s $11-$13 range. Eco-friendly packaging matches Factor’s sustainability. Drawbacks include limited variety, regional availability, and moderate protein.

For vegetarians wanting Factor’s ease and clean eating, Thistle’s a strong pick. For athletes or meat-lovers like me, many other services are a much better fit. My Green Chef review goes into detail about my experience. My Thistle review goes into detail about my experience.

Best A La Carte Factor Alternative

ICON Meals

I need high-protein options to fuel my lifting and grappling, and ICON’s customizable, pre-cooked meals deliver.

Unlike Factor’s set menus, ICON offers Signature Meals with around 30 weekly options, Custom Meals (build your own), and Bulk Items, which include proteins by the pound. Dishes like BBQ Brisket Sliders or Beef Medallions with Saffron Rice pack 50+ grams of protein, rivaling Factor’s nutrition but with more control.

The “Build Your Own Meal” feature lets you tweak protein, carbs, and veggies, perfect for hitting my 200-gram protein goal. Meals are prepared daily in a USDA-certified kitchen, ensuring quality, though flavors can be mild compared to Factor’s bolder profiles.

Veggies, like broccoli, sometimes reheat limp, but proteins stay juicy. Eco-friendly, vacuum-sealed trays keep meals fresh and stack neatly.

Pricing ranges from $8 to $22 per meal, averaging $11 to $15, which matches Factor’s cost. Subscriptions save 5%, and free shipping applies over $115 with promos. Cancellation is a breeze—pause or stop online, no calls needed, unlike Factor’s stricter cutoff.

Limited plant-based options make it less versatile for vegetarians. For athletes or busy folks like me who want Factor’s ease with a la carte freedom, ICON’s a solid swap. My Green Chef review goes into detail about my experience. My ICON Meals review goes into detail about my experience.

Best Factor Alternative For Families

Dinnerly

Dinnerly, a budget-focused meal kit service, shines as a Factor alternative for families. Unlike Factor’s pre-cooked meals, Dinnerly delivers affordable meal kits with digital recipe cards, keeping costs low at $4.99-$6.49 per serving, half Factor’s price.

I tested it for a couple of weeks, cooking dishes like Cheesy Beef Tacos and Chicken Parmesan for my crew.

With over 100 weekly recipes, Dinnerly offers variety for picky eaters, including kid-friendly options, vegetarian meals, and low-calorie options. Prep takes 20-40 minutes, faster than Factor’s occasional 45-minute kits, with pre-portioned ingredients.

Flavors are simple but satisfying, and my daughter devoured the tacos, though sauces lack Factor’s gourmet edge. Quality is decent, using fresh produce and basic proteins, but it’s not organic like Factor.

Customization lets you pick 3-6 meals for 2-6 servings, fitting family sizes, and you can swap proteins or sides occasionally. Shipping is $11.99, slightly more than Factor’s $10.99. Packaging is recyclable but plastic-heavy.

Cancellation is easy online, with a 5-day cutoff. For families wanting Factor’s health focus on a budget, Dinnerly’s a win—quick, affordable, and flexible. Athletes like me might miss Factor’s macro precision, but for feeding a household, it’s tough to beat.

You can read more in my Dinnerly review including my experience.

Best Factor Grocery Alternative

Hungryroot

Unlike Factor’s pre-cooked meals, Hungryroot sends fresh groceries—pre-cut veggies, proteins, sauces—and 10-15 minute recipes, with over 100 weekly meal combos.

Customization starts with a quiz tailoring to vegan, gluten-free, or high-protein needs. I tweaked my cart for extra chicken to hit at least 30 grams of protein, though portions can feel small for lifters.

Ingredients are clean, non-GMO, and sometimes organic, matching Factor’s quality, but flavors are simpler. The grocery add-ons (snacks, breakfasts) make it a one-stop shop, unlike Factor’s meal-only focus. Meals cost $9.69-$11.39 per serving, slightly below Factor’s, with free shipping over $70.

Packaging is recyclable but plastic-heavy, a step behind Factor’s eco-efforts. Cancellation is easy online before Monday/Thursday cutoffs.

Hungryroot’s flexibility and grocery vibe make it ideal for health-conscious folks who want Factor’s convenience with more control.

For athletes like me, Factor or Trifecta’s higher protein wins, but Hungryroot is a smart pick for versatile, quick meals and pantry stocking. My Hungryroot review goes into detail about my experience.

How To Pick The Best Factor Alternative

Customization

Effective customization extends beyond simple protein swaps to include precise macronutrient control and portion flexibility. For athletes and fitness enthusiasts tracking specific nutritional targets, this distinction becomes critical in service selection.

Trifecta’s integrated app automatically logs macros and syncs with fitness trackers, providing valuable data for performance optimization. This contrasts with meal kit services like HelloFresh, where nutritional content requires manual calculation during preparation.

ICON Meals offers deeper customization through their “Build Your Own Meal” feature, allowing precise protein targeting with customizable carbohydrate ratios for specific training phases.

However, many services market “customization” while offering limited preset options. Green Chef permits allergy flagging and basic protein substitutions but maintains fixed recipe frameworks.

For individuals with specific macro requirements, this level of flexibility proves insufficient. Effective services provide genuine control over portion sizes and ingredient ratios rather than merely flavor variations.

Meal Variety, Kits and Recipes

Most services advertise extensive variety while rotating similar base recipes with minor modifications. After extended use, this limitation becomes apparent as menu predictability increases.

Services like Purple Carrot and Sunbasket address this issue by incorporating diverse global cuisines that maintain engagement over longer periods.

However, variety requires alignment with nutritional demands. Fresh salads and lighter fare may appear appealing but fail to support intensive training schedules.

Services like ICON Meals and Trifecta maintain simpler presentations while consistently delivering 700+ calories and 50+ grams of protein per serving, prioritizing functional nutrition over visual appeal.

Optimal services offer 40+ weekly options across different meal categories. Hungryroot exemplifies this approach by combining meal kits with grocery essentials, providing recipe variety alongside customization flexibility. This model effectively addresses both meal planning and grocery procurement needs.

Catering To Allergies

Effective allergy accommodation requires understanding the difference between “allergen-free options available” and comprehensive safety protocols.

Cross-contamination presents real risks, and most meal delivery facilities operate without complete ingredient separation.

Sunbasket and Thistle implement dedicated preparation processes with documented allergen protocols. These services provide detailed explanations of kitchen procedures and contamination prevention methods rather than basic meal labeling.

Green Chef extends this approach by sourcing from certified facilities for specific allergen-free product lines.

Conversely, services like Factor and Trifecta offer allergen-friendly meal options while utilizing shared preparation facilities. This approach accommodates mild sensitivities but may prove inadequate for severe allergic reactions.

Packaging

Here’s something that hit me after months of meal deliveries: the packaging waste is insane. Those vacuum-sealed trays, ice packs, and insulation materials add up fast.

If you are someone trying to minimize environmental impact while maximizing convenience, this can become a real consideration.

Green Chef and Sunbasket lead the pack with recyclable materials and detailed disposal instructions. Their ice packs are drain-safe, boxes are made from recycled materials, and they’ve minimized plastic usage without compromising food safety.

Factor and ICON Meals prioritize food preservation over eco-friendliness, which is effective but wasteful.

The real change can be made by services that use returnable packaging or partner with recycling programs. Some newer companies are experimenting with reusable containers, though they’re not mainstream yet.

Price

Let’s cut through the marketing BS around pricing. HelloFresh meals range from $8.99 to $12.49 per serving, while Trifecta costs $15-16 per meal plus shipping. But comparing raw per-meal costs is misleading without considering what you’re getting.

Dinnerly’s $5-6 per serving sounds amazing until you factor in 30-40 minutes of prep time, additional grocery runs for basics they don’t include, and portions that won’t satisfy serious appetites.

Meanwhile, Trifecta’s premium pricing includes organic ingredients, precise macro tracking, and zero prep time, making it worth it if you value efficiency and quality.

The hidden costs also matter: shipping fees, premium upgrades, and customization charges. Most charge a flat $9.99 shipping fee, while services like Hungryroot offer free shipping over $70 but make it hard to hit that threshold with small orders.

User Reviews

Customer reviews reveal what marketing materials hide. Factor consistently gets praised for convenience but criticized for repetitive menus and small portions.

ICON Meals reviews highlight excellent macro accuracy but bland flavors. These patterns matter more than individual complaints.

Look for review themes across multiple platforms. If three different reviewers mention “meals arrived warm” or “proteins were overcooked,” that’s a systemic issue, not bad luck. I’ve found Reddit threads and fitness forums more honest than company websites or sponsored reviews.

Pay attention to reviews from people with similar lifestyles. A busy parent’s needs differ vastly from a competitive athlete’s. Reviews praising “perfect portions” might be red flags if you train hard and need substantial meals.

Cancelation Process

Every service makes signing up easy and it’s the getting out that reveals their true colors. Factor requires five days’ notice for changes, standard across the industry.

But ICON Meals’ no-commitment approach and easy online cancellation process shows they’re confident in their product quality.

I’ve been burned by services with hidden cancellation requirements or impossible-to-find cancellation pages. Trifecta makes you call or email, which feels deliberately difficult compared to one-click pause options elsewhere.

Test their customer service early. Email with a simple question about customization or scheduling. Their response time and helpfulness preview what cancellation will be like if the service doesn’t work out.

The Performance Factor: Matching Service to Lifestyle

Here’s what most guides miss: your training intensity and schedule should drive your meal service choice. Light yoga twice weekly? Factor’s portions and variety work fine. Heavy lifting plus cardio six days weekly? You need services that understand performance nutrition.

Trifecta gets this. Their Performance line specifically targets athletes with higher calories and protein ratios. ICON Meals’ bulk protein options let you scale portions based on training cycles.

Meanwhile, services like Purple Carrot, despite quality ingredients, max out around 20 grams of protein per meal, which is inadequate for muscle building, recovery, or even for a guy doing physical labor.

Consider meal timing too. Pre-made services work for post-workout nutrition when you need food immediately. Meal kits work better for planned dinners when you have prep time. Mixing services based on your weekly schedule often beats committing to one approach.

Summary

Selecting an appropriate Factor alternative requires systematic evaluation of individual requirements rather than pursuing a universally “best” option.

Trifecta and ICON Meals consistently demonstrate superior performance nutrition focus, while Dinnerly and HelloFresh better serve family-oriented budgets and variety needs. Plant-based requirements are best addressed through Purple Carrot or Thistle rather than services with limited vegan selections.

Effective decision-making requires honest assessment of actual usage patterns versus aspirational goals. The optimal meal delivery service integrates seamlessly with existing lifestyle demands while supporting specific health and fitness objectives.