I’ve tested both Factor and Hungryroot to see which meal service best supports an active lifestyle while still appealing to everyday eaters. Both promise convenience and nutritional benefits, but they take notably different approaches to meal delivery.
In this comparison, I’ll break down how these services stack up against each other in terms of customization, meal variety, taste, packaging, price, and overall value to help you decide which might work better for your lifestyle.
Quick Verdict
Factor delivers convenience and solid taste with its pre-made meals, particularly excelling with the Protein Plus options that provide 30-40g of protein per serving.
It’s an excellent choice for busy individuals or athletes who prioritize time-saving over customization, backed by a strong 4-star user rating.
Hungryroot offers more flexibility with a grocery-recipe hybrid model, providing fresh ingredients and 10-15 minute recipes that accommodate various dietary preferences. It appeals to those who enjoy minimal cooking and ingredient control.
However, Trifecta Nutrition stands as the superior option for serious athletic performance and optimal recovery nutrition despite its higher price point.
With 35-55g of protein per serving, organic ingredients, and precision-targeted macros, it’s the best investment for anyone treating nutrition as a crucial component of their training program rather than just a convenient meal solution.
| Feature | Winner |
|---|---|
| Customization | Hungryroot |
| Meal Kits and Variety | Hungryroot |
| Taste and Quality | Factor |
| Packaging | Draw |
| User Reviews | Draw |
| Cancelation Process | Draw |
| Price | Hungryroot |
Winner
Based on my experience with each meal delivery service, neither Hungryroot nor Factor hold a light to Trifecta Nutrition.
Trifecta caters to any allergies or dietary preferences and has a Performance Line with meals that don’t skimp on protein or calories.
They are high protein, moderate carb, and lower in fat making them perfect for muscle building, fat loss, or sports performance related goals. Use code “liftbig40” for 40% OFF.
What Is Factor?
Factor is a subscription-based meal delivery service offering fresh, fully prepared meals that require zero cooking. Unlike traditional meal kits, Factor delivers chef-designed, dietitian-approved meals that arrive ready to warm in just 2-3 minutes.
The service focuses on high-quality ingredients, using hormone-free meats, non-GMO produce, and no refined sugars in their rotating menu of approximately 45 weekly options.
Meals are organized into categories like Protein Plus (30-40g protein), Calorie Smart (around 550 calories or less), Keto, and Chef’s Choice, plus vegan and vegetarian selections.
Factor delivers single-serving portions to the contiguous United States, with plans ranging from 6 to 18 meals weekly. Beyond their core meals, Factor offers add-ons, including breakfast items, smoothies, and snacks, at an additional cost.
All meals arrive fresh in insulated packaging, stay good for about 7 days in the refrigerator, and can be frozen for longer storage. My Factor review goes into detail about my experience.
Pros
- Zero-prep, heat-and-eat meals ready in 2-3 minutes, perfect for busy schedules.
- Protein Plus meals deliver 30-40 grams of protein, great for athletes.
- 45 weekly options across Keto, Calorie Smart, and more, ensuring variety.
- Hormone-free meats and no GMOs or refined sugars.
Cons
- Limited customization; no ingredient swaps for allergies or preferences.
- High sodium may deter some.
- $10.99-$12.99 per meal is costly for budgets or families.
- Portions can feel small for high-calorie needs.
What Is Hungryroot?
Hungryroot operates as a hybrid between a meal kit service and an online grocery store, designed to streamline healthy eating for busy people. Rather than delivering pre-made meals, Hungryroot provides fresh groceries paired with simple recipes that typically take just 10-15 minutes to prepare.
The service starts with a detailed quiz about your dietary preferences, restrictions, and household needs, then uses that information to generate personalized grocery lists and recipe suggestions. Whether you follow a gluten-free, vegan, keto, or omnivorous diet, Hungryroot tailors recommendations to match your nutritional goals and taste preferences.
What sets Hungryroot apart is its focus on clean, minimally processed ingredients and beginner-friendly recipes.
With over 100 meal combinations available from a catalog of fresh proteins, vegetables, grains, sauces, and snacks, the service emphasizes variety while keeping preparation simple.
Unlike traditional meal kits with rigid recipes, Hungryroot offers flexibility, making it adaptable to changing schedules and cravings. My Hungryroot review goes into detail about my experience.
Pros
- Flexible customization via quiz and cart edits for vegan, gluten-free, or high-protein diets.
- Over 100 weekly meal options, preventing menu fatigue.
- Fresh, minimally processed ingredients with transparent nutritional info.
- Quick 10-15 minute recipes, ideal for light cooking.
Cons
- Pricy at $9.69-$11.39 per serving, with add-ons pushing weekly costs to $140-$240.
- Small portions may not satisfy larger appetites or athletes.
- Simple recipes lack depth for experienced cooks.
Factor vs Hungryroot Main Differences
Customization
Factor focuses on meal selection rather than ingredient customization. You choose from roughly 45 pre-made meals each week across categories like Protein Plus, Keto, or Calorie Smart, but you can’t modify individual recipes.
There’s no swapping broccoli for green beans or adjusting spice levels. This works well if you’re comfortable picking from their options, but it’s limiting for those with specific allergies or strong preferences about certain ingredients.
Hungryroot, by contrast, offers more flexibility through its hybrid grocery-recipe model. The service starts with a comprehensive quiz about your dietary needs and preferences, then builds a personalized shopping cart with both groceries and recipe suggestions.
You can easily swap ingredients, add extra proteins, or completely replace suggested meals before finalizing your order. This approach gives you more control over what arrives at your door and how you use it.
For someone with specific nutritional goals like me, Hungryroot’s customization edge is significant.
Whether I need extra protein after heavy training days or want to adjust carb levels for different phases of my routine, Hungryroot’s model accommodates those needs more readily than Factor’s fixed-meal approach.
Meal Variety, Kits and Recipes
Factor and Hungryroot offer contrasting approaches to meal variety and preparation.
Factor delivers fully cooked, heat-and-eat meals with zero prep required beyond 2-3 minutes in a microwave or oven. Their weekly rotation of about 45 options spans categories like Protein Plus (30-40g protein per meal), Calorie Smart, Keto, and Chef’s Choice selections.
The Protein Plus line features hearty options like Grilled Chicken with Garlic Herb Cream or Smoky Bacon Pork Tenderloin, perfect for post-workout recovery.
While Factor offers breakfast add-ons and shakes to supplement your main meals, you’re essentially choosing from a set menu of pre-made dishes.
Hungryroot takes a different route by sending fresh groceries paired with simple recipes. With over 100 meal combinations available weekly, recipes typically require 10-15 minutes of minimal preparation with things like stir-fries, grain bowls, tacos, and pasta dishes.
Unlike traditional meal kits with precise portions and rigid instructions, Hungryroot provides full-size grocery items that can be used flexibly. You might follow their suggested avocado toast recipe for breakfast, whip up a quick pasta bowl for lunch, or create something entirely your own with the ingredients provided.
The key difference is control versus convenience: Factor maximizes convenience with zero cooking required, but limits your input on the final meal.
Hungryroot requires cooking but gives you more flexibility in how ingredients are used. For busy athletes or professionals who prioritize nutrition without kitchen time, Factor’s approach is more straightforward, while Hungryroot appeals to those who enjoy simple cooking and more meal adaptability.
Taste & Quality
Factor delivers chef-designed, pre-made meals that arrive fresh and ready to heat. In my test, Factor’s meals impressed with flavor that surpassed typical microwaveable fare.
The Grilled Chicken with Garlic Herb Cream was surprisingly juicy, and the Smoky Bacon Pork Tenderloin maintained its tenderness even after reheating. Factor uses hormone-free meats, non-GMO ingredients, and skips refined sugars, though meals aren’t certified organic.
One notable consideration is that some Factor meals, especially in the Protein Plus line, contain higher sodium levels (800-1,000 mg per serving), which might be a concern for some, but worked well for me.
Hungryroot focuses on fresh, minimally processed ingredients and quick, simple recipes you assemble yourself. Their proteins, like grilled chicken strips and lean ground beef, arrive fresh and well-packaged.
The vegetables stay crisp, and the sauces provide good flavor balance without tasting artificial. Dishes like their spicy chicken stir-fry with quinoa deliver satisfying flavors despite the quick preparation time.
However, portion sizes tend to run smaller, which is an issue for someone with higher calorie needs.
The quality comparison comes down to preparation style: Factor excels at delivering restaurant-quality prepared meals with consistent execution but occasionally less-than-perfect vegetable textures.
Hungryroot provides fresher ingredients but leaves final execution up to you, which can lead to varied results depending on your cooking skills. For pure convenience with solid flavor, Factor wins, while Hungryroot offers fresher ingredients with marginally more work required.
Packaging
Factor’s packaging centers around convenience and food safety. Meals arrive in BPA-free plastic trays with film lids, clearly labeled with nutrition information and heating instructions.
The meals come in an insulated box with ice packs to maintain proper temperature during transit. According to Factor, these materials are recyclable, though local recycling capabilities may vary.
The downside is volume: order 18 meals, and you’ll have 18 plastic trays to dispose of, which feels excessive despite recyclability claims. The box itself breaks down easily, but the overall packaging footprint is substantial.
Hungryroot uses similar insulated packaging for delivery. While the packaging is largely recyclable, it still relies on single-use plastics, making it less than ideal from an eco-friendly perspective.
Price
| Meal Delivery Service | Plan | Price per Serving | Weekly Total |
| Factor | 6 meals | $12.99 | $77.94 |
| 10 meals | $11.99 | $119.90 | |
| 18 meals | $10.99 | $197.82 | |
| Hungryroot | Small (6 servings) | $11.39 | ~$70 + $6.99 shipping |
| Medium (8-12 servings) | $10.39 | ~$100-120 | |
| Large (16+ servings) | $9.69 | ~$135-155 |
Factor’s pricing decreases as you order more meals, ranging from $12.99 down to $10.99 per serving, with free shipping nationwide. Additional items like shakes cost $5-7, and premium proteins run $10-14. First-time customers often receive significant discounts, sometimes up to $75 off.
Hungryroot uses a credit system rather than fixed pricing per meal. Servings range from $9.69 to $11.39, depending on plan size, with shipping free on orders over $70. Add-ons like snacks and breakfast items can increase the total cost, potentially reaching $240 for comprehensive orders. Like Factor, first-time users typically receive 30-40% off their initial order.
For comparable serving quantities, Hungryroot appears slightly less expensive per meal than Factor, but requires preparation time. Both services are more expensive than grocery shopping, but offer significant time savings.
Cancellation Process
Both Factor and Hungryroot offer straightforward cancellation processes designed for ease of use without requiring phone calls or lengthy discussions.
Factor allows you to cancel your subscription through your online account. Simply log in, navigate to account settings, and click “deactivate.”
The key, as always, is timing, and cancellations must be made before the Wednesday cutoff, or you’ll receive and be charged for another week of meals. Factor also offers a pause option for temporary breaks without full cancellation. The process is clean and hassle-free.
Hungryroot follows a similar online cancellation approach. You can cancel through the “Account Details” section under “Settings” on their website or app.
Their deadline is either Monday or Thursday, depending on your delivery schedule. Hungryroot also offers a pause feature for up to 8 weeks if you just need a temporary break.
Like Factor, there’s no cancellation fee, and the process doesn’t require phone calls or customer service interactions.
User Reviews
Factor and Hungryroot both maintain generally positive reputations online, though with different strengths and common criticisms.
Factor holds a strong 4-star average rating from over 72,000 reviews with roughly 70% giving it 4 or 5 stars. Users consistently praise Factor’s convenience and taste, particularly busy professionals and fitness enthusiasts who appreciate the Protein Plus meals.
Most reviews highlight that dishes taste significantly better than frozen store options, though some mention issues with vegetable textures or portion sizes. Delivery reliability is strong, with 80-90% reporting good experiences, while 10-15% mention late or problematic deliveries.
Price perception splits evenly – half see it as worth the premium over takeout, while others find it too expensive for regular use. C
ustomer service reviews are mixed, with some praising quick resolutions and others complaining about unresponsive support or difficult cancellations.
Hungryroot maintains a slightly higher 4.3-star average on Trustpilot. Positive reviews frequently highlight the variety of recipes and grocery items available and the platform’s ease of use.
Customers particularly appreciate how quick and simple the recipes are to prepare, with most requiring less than 15 minutes. The user-friendly website interface receives specific praise for reducing meal planning overwhelm.
Critical reviews most often mention logistical issues like missing or incorrect items in deliveries, with portion sizes and pricing being other common concerns.
Some reviewers note that while the service is convenient, it’s significantly costlier than buying similar groceries directly from stores.
My Experience With Factor And Hungryroot
Hungryroot’s hybrid model, part grocery delivery, part meal kit, is an interesting proposition in the world of meal delivery services and caught my attention.
After a quick quiz to dial in my high-protein needs, it sent fresh groceries like pre-cut veggies, lean meats, and sauces, paired with meal recipes.
The prep was a breeze, taking 10-15 minutes, and the ingredients felt clean and fresh, with crisp produce and well-seasoned proteins. I loved the flexibility to tweak my cart or improvise dishes, which kept things interesting.
But the portions, like the beef and black bean bowl, often left me hungry, forcing me to add extra rice or protein. At $9.69-$11.39 per serving, plus add-ons pushing my weekly tab to $140, it felt steep compared to grocery runs.
Factor, on the other hand, is all about zero-prep convenience. Its fully cooked meals, like Grilled Chicken with Garlic Herb Cream, were ready in 2-3 minutes and packed a solid 30-40 grams of protein. The
flavors pleasantly surprised me. The Smoky Bacon Pork Tenderloin was tender and bold, though some sides, like zucchini, got mushy. With 45 weekly options across Keto, Calorie Smart, and Protein Plus, variety wasn’t an issue, but the lack of ingredient swaps was a bummer for my picky side.
Priced at $10.99-$12.99 per meal, it’s comparable to Hungryroot but felt like a better deal since I didn’t need to cook. The high sodium didn’t faze me at all, but it could for others.
Both services delivered fresh, but Factor’s heat-and-eat ease edged out Hungryroot’s prep time for my busy days.
Should You Pick Factor Or Hungryroot?
When deciding between Hungryroot and Factor, your lifestyle, budget, and nutrition goals steer the choice. However, for athletes like me or anyone prioritizing high-performance nutrition, Trifecta Nutrition often outshines both.
Hungryroot’s grocery-meal kit hybrid offers flexibility, delivering fresh ingredients like pre-cut veggies and proteins with recipes for 10-15 minute meals. With over 100 weekly options and a quiz to tailor your box, it’s great if you enjoy light cooking and customizing dishes. But at $9.69-$11.39 per serving, it’s pricey given the small portions.
Factor delivers no-prep convenience with pre-made meals ready in 2-3 minutes, packing 30-40 grams of protein. Its 45 weekly options span Keto, Calorie Smart, and Protein Plus, perfect for busy folks or gym-goers. At $10.99-$12.99 per meal, it’s a touch pricier than Hungryroot’s base cost but saves cooking time.
While both are solid, Trifecta Nutrition takes the crown for serious athletes. Its fully prepared, organic meals deliver 35-55 grams of protein and up to 750 calories per serving, tailored for muscle recovery and performance with zero prep.
Priced at $16 per meal, Trifecta’s macro precision and quality make it the go-to for training-focused diets.
Trifecta
Trifecta Nutrition
A clean, high protein meal delivery service that doesn’t skimp on quality or portions. Use code “liftbig40” for 40% OFF.
