Factor vs Freshly: How do they compare? 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If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. Both Factor and Freshly deliver fully prepared meals. Subscribers choose their meal plans online or by phone. Share on PinterestEach plan includes a certain number of meals per week, which a person selects from a menu of 32–47 options. Factor and Freshly provide very similar services, with slight variations in menus, packaging, and pricing. This article explores some potential pros and cons of each service. Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these services. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication. Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here. What is Factor Factor, formerly Factor 75, is a weekly meal subscription service that offers 32 fresh meals every week. The company states that it employs registered dietitians and chefs who work together to ensure that all meals are nutrient-dense. People can choose to receive 4–18 single-serving meals each week. The meals arrive fresh, not frozen, and a person simply has to heat them before eating. What is Freshly Freshly is also a weekly meal subscription service. The company states that its team of chefs and nutritionists uses quality ingredients to create nutrient-dense, healthy meals. People can choose 4–12 meals per week from a menu of 47 options. The company states that all fully cooked meals simply need reheating before a person eats them. Pros and cons at a glance Before purchasing from Factor, a person may wish to consider the advantages and disadvantages of this service. Prosoffers access to a registered dietitian for nutrition coachinguses fresh ingredientsoffers convenient and easy mealsuses recyclable packagingoffers meals to suit various dietary requirementsoffers breakfast, sides, snacks, and dessertsoffers free shipping Consmore expensive than Freshlyoffers only single-serving mealshas a smaller menu than Freshly Similarly, Freshly has some pros and cons. Prosoffers a menu with 47 optionsoffers convenient and easy mealsuses fresh ingredientsuses recyclable packagingoffers meals to suit various dietary requirementsmore affordable than Factoroffers meals free from hormones, antibiotics, refined sugars, and GMO ingredients Consdoes not offer free shippingdoes not offer breakfast optionsoffers only single-serving meals Factor vs Freshly The following table summarizes what each service offers:FactorFreshlyOffer overview• fully prepared meals• rotating weekly menu• fully prepared meals• rotating weekly menuMenu options• Keto• Calorie Smart• Vegan• Vegetarian• Protein Plus• Crafted Classics• Signature Collection• FreshlyFit• Takeout Twists• Purely Plant• Proteins & SidesMenu plans• 4 meals per week: $15 per serving• 6 meals per week: $12.83 per serving• 8 meals per week: $12.38 per serving• 12 meals per week: $11.50 per serving• 18 meals per week: $11 per serving• 4 meals per week: $11.79 per meal• 6 meals per week: $9.99 per meal• 8 meals per week: $9.49 per meal• 10 meals per week: $9.29 per meal• 12 meals per week: $8.99 per mealShipping costfree shippingdepends on meal plan and locationAdvantages• offers access to a registered dietitian• uses recyclable packaging• caters to several dietary requirements• has a large menu• uses recyclable packaging• more affordable than FactorDisadvantages• more expensive than Freshly• offers only single-serving meals• no free shipping option• offers only single-serving meals• does not offer breakfast options Factor menu options Factor offers 20 meal options each week, including choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The company also provides a complimentary 20-minute consultation with a registered dietitian, who can advise individuals about healthy meal combinations. The company caters to various diets and preferences. Example menu items include:Ketogenic: Creamy Dijon Pork TenderloinLow Calorie: Spicy Turkey Poblano BowlSpicy: Breakfast Tostada BakeVegetarian: Black Bean and Rice Enchilada BowlVegan: Sweet Potato, Kale, and Quinoa Bowl Sample ketogenic meal Creamy Dijon Pork TenderloinCalories: 670Fat: 49 grams (g)Saturated fat: 19 gCarbohydrates: 18 gSugar: 7 gDietary fiber: 5 gProtein: 39 gCholesterol: 195 milligrams (mg)Sodium: 890 mg This meal contains pork tenderloin marinated in Dijon, garlic, and black pepper, along with celery root-cauliflower mash and roasted broccoli.SHOP NOW Freshly menu options Freshly offers menus that contain more than 30 meals every week. The options do not include snacks or breakfasts. The company employs wellness experts with a background in nutrition and public health rather than dietitians. Also, while Freshly offers more meals each week than Factor, these meals are not vegetarian or vegan. All Freshly meals are gluten-free, but they are not suitable for people following specific diets, such as the keto diet. Examples of Freshly menu items include:Crafted Classics: Harvest Time Chicken RisottoSignature Collection: Wild-Caught Whitefish CakeFreshlyFit: Ginger–Turmeric Chicken BowlTakeout Twists: Creamy Chicken KormaPurely Plant: Farmstead Baked Lentil PastaProteins & Sides: Masterful Mac and Cheese Sample Crafted Classics meal Harvest Time Chicken RisottoCalories: 530Fat: 20 gSaturated fat: 4.5 gCarbohydrates: 51 gSugar: 11 gDietary fiber: 4 gProtein: 38 gCholesterol: 115 mgSodium: 920 mg This meal contains chicken breast, Arborio rice, butternut squash, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese.SHOP NOW How to get started An individual chooses a plan that includes a certain number of meals per week. Freshly offers either 4, 6, 10, or 12 meals per week, while Factor offers 4, 6, 8, 12, or 18 meals per week. Factor A person needs to create an account through the website to start receiving their meals. There are five meal plans to choose from:Chef’s Choice: Chefs choose a weekly selection of meals, including keto-friendly, low calorie, vegan, and vegetarian meals.Keto: People can choose from keto-friendly meals.Calorie Smart: This plan includes meals low in calories.Vegan and Veggie: People can choose from plant-based and vegan meals.Protein Plus: This plan includes meals with at least 30 g of protein. Changing or skipping meals A person can pause, cancel, or change their subscription at any time before 11:59 p.m. Central Time on the Wednesday prior to their next delivery. Freshly A person needs to choose how many meals they want to receive and then create an account. Next, they need to select their delivery day from a list of options. They can then pick meals from the Freshly menu. Changing or skipping meals A person can pause, cancel, or change their subscription at any time before their weekly shipping deadline. Customers can click the “Skip” button underneath their order to skip a delivery. To cancel a subscription, a person needs to navigate to “My subscription” in the settings. Cost The cost of each service depends on the number of meals a person selects. However, Factor meals are more costly than those from some similar services. Although the per-meal costs of Factor are higher, a person may prefer the service to Freshly because it offers more dietary variety. Factor Factor meals start at $11 per serving. The more meals a person orders, the less expensive the servings are. Factor offers free shipping and delivers throughout the contiguous United States.SHOP NOW Freshly Freshly meals start at $8.99 per serving. The more meals a person orders, the less the servings cost. Freshly does not offer free shipping. The cost of shipping depends on which state a person resides in and which meal plan they choose. The company delivers to the lower 48 states.SHOP NOW Packaging and sustainability Both Factor and Freshly use specialized packaging to keep their meals fresh and avoid the usual chemical preservatives that increase the shelf life of prepared meals. Factor Factor uses plastic packaging that it says is recyclable and safe to heat in the oven or microwave. The packaging is free from bisphenol A, better known as BPA. Notably, there is controversy over the effects of this chemical on human health. Each meal has a use-by date on its label. A person may wish to freeze their meals, which they can do safely before this date. The company ships its products in insulated boxes that contain gel packs to keep the meals cold. A person can recycle these packs, reuse them, or donate them to places such as:sheltersMeals on Wheelsscout organizationsreligious charities A person can also recycle the cardboard delivery boxes and the insulation, which is not the case with Freshly insulation. Freshly Freshly meals come in microwave-safe Go-Green plastic containers. A person can recycle the containers, the plastic seals, and any paper products that arrive with the meals. Freshly encourages people to reuse the gel packs that keep the meals cool during shipping. Otherwise, a person can open the gel pack, toss the contents into the trash, and recycle the plastic casing. The insulation in delivery boxes is made of denim and is 85% biodegradable. Individuals can also reuse it — for example, in pet bedding. Customer reviews and reputation Factor and Freshly both have generally positive customer reviews. Factor Factor does not currently hold accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB gives the company an A- grade. Customers on this website give Factor an average of 1.36 out of 5 stars, and the company has closed 33 complaints in the last 12 months. However, customers give this service an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Customers who have left positive reviews on Trustpilot state that the food arrives on time and is tasty and that the portions are plentiful. However, those who have left negative reviews report experiencing delivery delays and missing meals. Some customers also say the service is too expensive. Freshly Freshly does not hold accreditation with the BBB. The BBB gives the company an F grade, and the average customer rating is 4.54 out of 5 stars. The company has closed 19 complaints in the last 12 months. Reviewers on Trustpilot give Freshly an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Positive reviews state that the quality of the food is consistent and that the meals are satisfying and have varied flavors. However, negative reviews report that the portions are very small. Some customers also report delays in deliveries. Meal delivery and health Meal delivery services have become increasingly popular. They may provide a convenient way to prepare meals at home. Researchers have analyzed the nutritional qualities of meal kits — boxes of premeasured ingredients and cooking instructions delivered to people’s doors by services similar to Freshly and Factor. The researchers found that meal kits containing reduced amounts of salt and fat and increased amounts of dietary fiber may be more nutritious than takeout or convenience foods. Overall, research into the health effects of meal delivery services is lacking. While these meals may be healthier than carryout, few studies have compared them with regular home cooking. Who are meal deliveries for Meal delivery services may be beneficial for those who do not have the time to source and cook fresh ingredients. These services generally state that they provide the convenience of takeout meals with the nutritional value of home-cooked meals. Many meal delivery services offer options that are suitable for several diets, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan. Some services may also offer lower calorie or diabetes-friendly options. These services may help prevent food waste. Many companies also use recyclable packaging, helping make food more sustainable. Frequently asked questions about Factor and Freshly Here we answer some common questions about these meal delivery services. Are Freshly and Factor 75 the same Freshly and Factor are not the same company. Both meal delivery services ship fresh single-serving meals directly to a person’s home. Customers can select which meals and how many they want to order each week. How much does Factor 75 cost per week Factor meals start at $11 per serving, going up to $15 per serving as a person orders fewer meals. People can expect to pay $60–$198 per week, depending on how many meals they order. Where do Freshly meals come from Freshly states that it makes all of its meals in kitchens in Phoenix, Arizona; Linden, New Jersey; and Savage, Maryland. Summary Freshly and Factor deliver prepared meals that only require reheating. The companies have many similarities. Freshly offers more choices per week and may be less expensive, while Factor provides more variety and caters to a broader range of diets and preferences. Get started with: Get started with Factor Get started with Freshly Interested in trying Factor? Interested in trying Freshly? Order up to 18 meals per week, and easily create your own custom plan to mix and match entrees from their rotating menu. Simply choose a plan and pick a convenient delivery date — then, browse 30+ rotating meals to mix-and-match your favorites for the week.I'm in!I'm in! Last medically reviewed on October 27, 2021Uncategorized 4 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Cho, M., et al. (2020). Home chef meal kits: Product attributes, perceived value, and repurchasing intentions the moderating effects of household configuration. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7480982/Gibson, A. A., et al. (2019). Nutritional qualities of commercial meal kit subscription services in Australia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893801/Mao, J., et al. (2019). Bisphenol A and bisphenol S disruptions of the mouse placenta and potential effects on the placenta–brain axis.https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1919563117Moores, C. J., et al. (2021). Are meal kits health promoting? Nutritional analysis of meals from an Australian meal kit service [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32944742/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI — By Jessica Caporuscio, Pharm.D. and Anne deLeeuw — Updated on August 10, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageFactor meal delivery service review 2022Medically reviewed by Kathy Warwick, RD, LD Factor is a meal delivery service that provides fresh meals. 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