If you're looking for the cheapest meal kit in Australia, the answer is straightforward: EveryPlate, from $4.44 per serving. What makes it interesting is that it doesn't sacrifice quality to hit that price — it carries the same 4.1/5 ProductReview score as the market leader HelloFresh, at roughly half the cost.
But per-serving prices don't tell the whole story. Delivery fees, the number of meals you order, and household size all affect what you actually pay each week. This guide breaks down the real weekly cost for Australian households and flags the hidden charges to watch out for.
Real weekly cost: 2 and 4 people compared
The table below shows what you'll actually pay each week at different household sizes — including the standard $9.99 delivery fee where applicable.
| Service | 2 people · 3 meals | 2 people · 5 meals | 4 people · 3 meals | 4 people · 5 meals | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EveryPlate | ~$37 | ~$54 | ~$63 | ~$99 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Dinnerly | ~$46 | ~$70 | ~$82 | ~$130 | 3.2 / 5 ⚠ |
| HelloFresh | ~$63 | ~$96 | ~$115 | ~$175 | 4.1 / 5 |
Estimates include standard $9.99 delivery. Actual costs vary by plan and promo status. Marley Spoon excluded — pricing similar to HelloFresh but with a significantly lower score (3.0/5).
For a couple ordering 3 dinners a week, EveryPlate is $26 cheaper than HelloFresh every single week — that's over $1,300 saved per year. For a family of 4, the annual saving exceeds $2,700.
1. EveryPlate — Cheapest meal kit in Australia
- Lowest price per serving of any Australian meal kit
- 4.1/5 score — strong quality at this price point
- Simple, reliable recipes — easy for beginners
- No lock-in contracts, cancel anytime
- Pantry staples not included (oil, salt, butter)
- Same vegetables repeat every week
- No delivery to SA or TAS
- Fewer recipe choices than HelloFresh
EveryPlate is the budget arm of the HelloFresh Group, launched specifically to compete at the low end of the Australian market. The stripped-back model keeps costs down in two ways: fewer recipe options (~20/week vs HelloFresh's 50+) and digital-only recipe cards instead of printed inserts.
The quality isn't compromised. Its 4.1/5 ProductReview score from 2,602 verified reviews is identical to HelloFresh — a remarkable result for a service at this price. The 81% positive sentiment means 4 out of 5 customers are genuinely happy.
The main thing to know before ordering: EveryPlate doesn't include pantry staples like olive oil, butter, salt or pepper. You need these in your kitchen before the box arrives. Reviewers also note that the weekly vegetable selection repeats heavily — most boxes will include carrots and zucchini regardless of which recipes you pick. For budget-focused households who can live with that, it's hard to beat.
EveryPlate frequently runs introductory offers of 50–60% off your first 3 boxes. This can cut your first few weeks to under $20. Just set a calendar reminder to review your plan before the promotional rate expires — the jump to full price catches people off guard.
2. Dinnerly — Budget pricing, but a below-average score
- Second cheapest meal kit in Australia
- Delivers to SA (unlike EveryPlate)
- Wide dietary options: vegan, pescatarian
- Digital recipes via app — no paper waste
- 3.2/5 score — 38% of reviewers dissatisfied
- Charges continue on accounts after cancellation
- Late deliveries and wrong addresses reported
- Missing ingredients in multiple orders
Dinnerly sits between EveryPlate and HelloFresh on price at $5.99/serving. It's the second cheapest option, and unlike EveryPlate it delivers to South Australia. But its 3.2/5 ProductReview score — with 38% negative reviews — tells a different story to its budget positioning.
The pattern in verified reviews is consistent: missing ingredients, deliveries arriving late or at the wrong address, and — most critically — subscriptions continuing to charge after customers have cancelled. This isn't an isolated complaint. It appears regularly enough in recent reviews to be treated as a systemic issue rather than bad luck.
If you're in SA and EveryPlate doesn't reach you, Dinnerly may be your only budget option. In that case, use a credit card that allows easy disputes, screenshot your cancellation confirmation, and set a reminder to check your bank statement after cancelling.
For everyone else: at $1.55 more per serving but with far fewer service problems, EveryPlate is the better call.
Is HelloFresh worth paying more?
- 50+ weekly recipes vs ~20 on EveryPlate
- All pantry staples included (oil, butter, spices)
- Delivers to all 7 states including TAS
- 18,672 reviews — the most reliable score of any AU kit
- Roughly double the cost of EveryPlate per serving
- Heavy packaging from pre-portioned ingredients
- Surprise billing after pausing reported by some
HelloFresh costs almost double EveryPlate per serving, but for some households that premium is justified. The 50+ weekly recipe options mean you won't repeat the same rotation every month. All pantry staples are included — no need to check if you have oil or butter before cooking. And delivery reaches TAS, which EveryPlate and Dinnerly don't.
The honest answer is: if you're primarily cost-driven, EveryPlate is the better choice. It achieves the same 4.1/5 score at half the price. The $26/week saving for a couple adds up to over $1,300 a year — a real number. HelloFresh earns its premium for households that value variety and don't want to think about pantry staples.
Hidden costs to watch for
The per-serving price is only part of the picture. Here's what can add to your actual weekly spend:
- Delivery fee: Both EveryPlate and Dinnerly charge $9.99 per delivery regardless of order size. On a small order (2 people, 2 meals), this delivery fee represents a significant percentage of your total. Order more meals to dilute the delivery cost.
- Pantry staples (EveryPlate): EveryPlate recipes require oil, butter, salt and pepper that aren't included. If you don't already have these, factor in the cost of restocking them.
- Introductory price trap: All three services offer heavy first-box discounts (40–60% off). The trap is the auto-renewal at full price after 3–4 boxes. Set a reminder before the promotional period ends.
- Cancellation charges: Dinnerly (and historically Marley Spoon) have received consistent complaints about charges continuing post-cancellation. Always screenshot your cancellation confirmation and check your bank statement the following week.
- Add-ons: HelloFresh offers premium meal upgrades, wines and extras that can silently inflate your basket. Review your order before the weekly cutoff.
Start with EveryPlate's introductory offer (typically 50%+ off first 3 boxes). After the promo ends, reassess: if the variety feels limiting, switch to HelloFresh on their next introductory offer. You can move between services — you're not locked in with either.
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