Best Meal Delivery Service for Singles in 2026: 9 Services Compared
How we put this together: we compare official feature and pricing pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public user reviews. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you pay.
Key takeaways
- Factor is the strongest pick for busy singles who want single-serve prepared meals with no cooking.
- HelloFresh and Home Chef suit singles who like to cook, if they are happy to eat leftovers or choose a two-person plan carefully.
- EveryPlate and Dinnerly are the cheapest meal kit options, but they offer simpler recipes and fewer premium ingredients.
- CookUnity and Sunbasket suit singles who want chef-made or premium meals and are willing to pay more per serving.
- Check the full weekly price, including shipping and the smallest order, not just the advertised price per serving.
Quick comparison
| Name | Who it suits | Starting price | Free option | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-serve prepared meals, no cooking | See website | No | Visit | |
| Cooking at home with wide variety | See website | No | Visit | |
| Flexible kits and easy recipes | See website | No | Visit | |
| Cheapest meal kits for singles | See website | No | Visit | |
| Chef-made prepared meals | See website | No | Visit | |
| Organic and diet-focused kits | See website | No | Visit | |
| Cooking skills and better recipes | See website | No | Visit | |
| Grocery plus meal planning flexibility | See website | No | Visit | |
| Premium ingredients and diet plans | See website | No | Visit |
The best meal delivery service for singles
Singles face a specific problem with meal delivery: most kits are built for two or four people, which leads to waste, repetition, or a fridge full of leftovers. The services below work better for one person because they offer single servings, small orders, or flexible plans that suit cooking for one.

Factor is our pick for singles who want dinner solved with no cooking. Meals arrive prepared in single servings, so you heat one meal and eat it, with no leftovers to plan around. That format fits a busy schedule, a small kitchen, or anyone who does not enjoy cooking after work.
Price is the trade-off. Prepared meals cost more per serving than a kit you cook yourself, and shipping adds to the weekly total. If you like to cook and want the lowest cost, a kit will beat Factor. If you want zero prep and a true single portion, Factor is hard to beat.
- Single servings made for one person
- Heat in minutes with no cooking
- Diet-focused menus including keto and high-protein options
- Higher price per meal than kits
- Prepared meals can feel less fresh than cooking from scratch

HelloFresh suits singles who enjoy cooking and want variety without planning meals. Recipes are clear, ingredients are pre-portioned, and the menu changes weekly, which helps avoid cooking the same meals on repeat. Skipping weeks and changing plans is also straightforward.
The single-person catch is portion size. HelloFresh plans are built mainly for two or more people, so a single person often cooks a two-person recipe and eats it twice, or shares it. If you are happy with leftovers for lunch, that works well. If you want a fresh single meal each night, a prepared service like Factor fits better.
- Wide menu variety
- Clear recipes for new cooks
- Flexible skipping and plan changes
- Smallest plans are often for two people
- Singles may face leftovers or higher per-serving costs

Home Chef is a good middle ground for singles who like to cook but want flexibility. You can customise proteins, choose oven-ready meals for low-effort nights, and pick express recipes when time is short. That range helps a single person mix cooking nights with easier nights in the same week.
Check the minimum order before you sign up. Home Chef has a minimum weekly order that can be more than a single person wants in one week, especially if you also eat out. If you cook most nights and like variety, it works well. If you only want two or three meals a week, a single-serve service may fit better.
- Flexible recipes and customisation
- Easy oven-ready and express options
- Good for beginners
- Minimum order can be high for one person
- Prices rise with premium ingredients
EveryPlate is the pick for singles who want the lowest kit price and do not mind simpler food. Recipes use fewer premium ingredients and shorter steps, which keeps costs down and cooking time manageable. For a student, a new graduate, or anyone watching a food budget, that value matters.
The trade-off is choice and polish. You will see fewer organic, premium, or diet-specific options than with Green Chef or Sunbasket. If budget is the main driver and you are happy with straightforward meals, EveryPlate is the cheapest way to get a kit habit started.
- Lowest prices among major kits
- Simple recipes
- Good value for budget-conscious singles
- Simpler ingredients and recipes
- Fewer diet-specific options than premium kits
CookUnity suits singles who want prepared meals with more variety than a single kitchen menu can offer. Different chefs create meals each week, so you can try new dishes without cooking or repeating the same few recipes. Single servings also solve the portion problem that kits create for one person.
Price and delivery area are the limits. CookUnity costs more per meal than a budget kit, and not every menu is available in every area. Check your ZIP code and the full weekly total, including delivery, before you commit. For a food lover who wants variety without cooking, it is a strong pick.
- Single-serve chef-made meals
- Wide variety from different chefs
- No cooking required
- Higher price per meal
- Menu and availability vary by delivery area
Green Chef is the pick for singles with a specific diet or a preference for organic ingredients. Diet plans are structured, ingredients are pre-measured, and recipes are designed around keto, paleo, plant-based, and other eating patterns. That structure helps if you want to stick to a plan without researching every meal.
Like HelloFresh, Green Chef plans are mainly for two or more people, so singles should expect leftovers or a higher weekly total. Shipping also adds to the cost. If diet and ingredient quality matter more than the lowest price, Green Chef justifies its premium.
- Organic ingredients
- Clear diet plans including keto, paleo and plant-based
- Pre-measured ingredients
- Higher price per serving
- Plans are mainly for two or more people
Blue Apron suits singles who actually enjoy cooking and want to learn. Recipes are more involved than a basic kit, with techniques and flavours that go beyond a quick weeknight meal. That makes it satisfying for a home cook, even if it takes a bit longer in the kitchen.
Time and portion size are the catches. Blue Apron is not the fastest kit, and its plans are built for two or more people, so a single person will often have leftovers. If you cook for pleasure and do not mind a second serving for lunch, Blue Apron is a rewarding choice.
- Recipes that teach cooking skills
- Good ingredient quality
- Wine and add-on options in some areas
- Recipes can take longer than express kits
- Plans suit couples better than singles
Hungryroot is different from a fixed kit. You get credits to spend on groceries, meal kits, and prepared items, and the service suggests meals based on your preferences. That flexibility suits singles who do not want the same kit every week and who like to mix a quick prepared item with a cooked meal.
Flexibility needs attention. You must choose items each week, and value depends on picking credits wisely. If you want a set box that just arrives, a simpler kit or Factor will feel easier. If you like to choose and want grocery flexibility, Hungryroot is a smart single-person option.
- Mix of groceries and meal kits
- Flexible credits system
- Good for singles who like to choose
- Planning takes more thought than a fixed kit
- Value depends on how you use credits
Sunbasket suits singles who prioritise ingredient quality and diet structure over the lowest price. It offers both meal kits and prepared meals, with plans for paleo, keto, vegetarian, and other diets. That mix lets a single person choose a kit on a cooking night and a prepared meal on a busy night.
Cost is the barrier. Sunbasket is a premium service, and its minimum order may exceed what a single person wants each week. If quality and diet focus matter most and the budget allows it, Sunbasket is a strong premium pick for one.
- Premium and organic ingredients
- Diet-focused plans
- Prepared meals plus kits
- Higher price
- Minimum order can be high for singles
How we picked these
We compared official menu, pricing, and delivery pages, and we checked public reviews for portion size, taste, delivery reliability, and cancellation ease. We kept only services that are still offered in 2026 and that can work for one person, either through single servings, small orders, or flexible plans. We left out family-only services with no practical single-person option, and services that do not deliver to a wide area.
What to check before you choose a meal service for one
Start with the weekly total, not the per-serving headline. Add shipping, check the minimum order, and count how many meals you will actually eat that week. A cheap per-serving price means little if you throw food away or pay for meals you skip. Also check delivery day, fridge space, and how long prepared meals last in the fridge.
Kits versus prepared meals for singles
Kits cost less per serving and suit singles who like to cook, but they often mean leftovers. Prepared meals cost more but give a true single portion with no cooking or waste. If you cook three or more nights a week, a kit can work. If you cook rarely or want dinner in minutes, a prepared service like Factor or CookUnity will fit daily life better.
Frequently asked questions
What meal delivery service is best for singles?
Factor is the best overall pick for singles who want single-serve prepared meals with no cooking. HelloFresh and Home Chef suit singles who like to cook and are happy with leftovers, while EveryPlate suits budget-conscious singles. The best choice depends on whether you want to cook, how much you want to spend, and how many meals you need each week.
What is the cheapest meal delivery service for one person?
EveryPlate is usually the cheapest major meal kit, with Dinnerly also competing on price in some areas. Prepared meals cost more per serving than kits, so a kit will almost always beat Factor or CookUnity on price alone. Check the full weekly total, including shipping and minimum order, before you judge cost.
What are the best meal delivery services for singles who do not cook?
Factor and CookUnity are the strongest picks for singles who do not cook, since both offer single-serve prepared meals that only need heating. Sunbasket also offers prepared meals alongside kits. Avoid standard kits if you do not want to cook, since they require prep and cooking time.
Are meal kits good for one person?
Meal kits can work for one person if you are happy to eat leftovers for lunch or cook a two-person recipe over two nights. They work less well if you want a fresh single meal every night with no waste. Single-serve prepared meals solve that problem, but at a higher price per meal.
How many meals should a single person order per week?
Most singles do well with three to five delivered meals per week, leaving room for eating out, leftovers, and simple home cooking. Ordering every meal can get expensive and repetitive, while ordering only one or two meals may not meet a minimum order. Start small, test a service for two weeks, then adjust.
Can I skip or cancel a meal delivery service easily?
Most major services let you skip weeks or cancel online, but the exact steps vary. Check the cancellation policy before you sign up, and avoid long commitments tied to an introductory discount. A service that is hard to pause is a poor fit for a single person whose schedule changes.
Sources we checked (9)
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