HelloFresh and Dinnerly are two very different meal kit services in Australia — one is the market leader with nearly 19,000 reviews, the other is a budget-tier brand with serious service complaints. The core question: is saving $2–3 per serving worth the trade-off in reliability?

After reviewing the data from over 20,000 verified Australian customers, our answer is clear. For the vast majority of households, HelloFresh is the better choice. Here's why.

Caution — Dinnerly score below threshold

Dinnerly holds a 3.2/5 score on ProductReview.com.au, below our 3.5 caution threshold. The most common complaints include missing ingredients, late deliveries, and charges continuing after customers have cancelled. Read recent reviews before subscribing.

Price — where Dinnerly has the edge

Price per serving
HelloFresh
From $8.75/serving
Dinnerly
From $5.99/serving
Cheaper
2 people, 3 meals/week
HelloFresh
~$52.50/week
Dinnerly
~$35.94/week
Save ~$16/week
Delivery fee
HelloFresh
$9.99 per box
Dinnerly
$9.99 per box

Dinnerly is cheaper per serving — that much is clear. But it's worth noting that EveryPlate is cheaper still at $4.44/serving and carries a 4.1/5 score. If price is your main driver, EveryPlate beats Dinnerly on both cost and reliability.

Customer scores — a dramatic difference

ProductReview score
HelloFresh
4.1 / 5 · 18,672 reviews
Much higher
Dinnerly
3.2 / 5 · 1,010 reviews
Positive sentiment
HelloFresh
~79% positive reviews
Stronger record
Dinnerly
~62% positive reviews

The score difference between HelloFresh (4.1/5) and Dinnerly (3.2/5) is not marginal — it's substantial. HelloFresh has nearly 19 times as many reviews, giving its score much stronger statistical weight. Dinnerly's complaints cluster around delivery failures and billing issues, which are particularly frustrating for a weekly subscription service.

Recipe variety and format

Weekly recipes
HelloFresh
50+ recipes per week
Far more choice
Dinnerly
~25 recipes per week
Recipe cards
HelloFresh
Printed cards included in every box
More convenient
Dinnerly
Digital only — no printed cards, app or website access required
Pantry staples
HelloFresh
Most pantry items pre-portioned and included
Dinnerly
Minimal inclusions — oil, salt, butter not included

Dinnerly's digital-only recipe format is one of its most debated trade-offs. To keep costs down, Dinnerly doesn't include printed recipe cards — you access instructions via their app or website while cooking. For households without a tablet or stand-up phone holder in the kitchen, this creates friction. HelloFresh's laminated recipe cards are part of the experience and eliminate this issue.

Delivery coverage

States covered
HelloFresh
All 7 states — NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT, TAS
Wider coverage
Dinnerly
6 states — NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA, ACT
No TAS delivery
In Tasmania?

Dinnerly does not deliver to Tasmania. If you're in TAS, HelloFresh is your only meal kit option. See all meal kits available in Australia.

Parent company — Marley Spoon Group

Dinnerly is owned by Marley Spoon Group, the same parent company behind Marley Spoon Australia. Both Dinnerly and Marley Spoon carry below-average ProductReview scores — Dinnerly at 3.2/5 and Marley Spoon at 3.0/5. The shared ownership means similar infrastructure and some overlapping complaints (billing after cancellation, missing ingredients).

Who wins overall?

Choose by your situation
Best overall
HelloFresh — superior score, wider coverage, printed recipe cards, 50+ recipes per week. Safer choice for most households.
On a tight budget
Consider EveryPlate before Dinnerly — it's cheaper ($4.44/srv vs $5.99) and has a 4.1/5 score, far ahead of Dinnerly's 3.2/5.
In Tasmania
HelloFresh only — Dinnerly does not deliver to TAS.
Want digital recipes
Dinnerly — if you prefer accessing recipes on your phone, and understand the reliability trade-off.
Experienced cook
HelloFresh — broader recipe range and dietary filter options including Low Calorie and Carb Smart.

Full side-by-side comparison

HelloFresh Dinnerly
Price from $8.75/serving $5.99/serving
ProductReview score 4.1 / 5 3.2 / 5 ⚠
Number of reviews 18,672 1,010
Recipes per week 50+ ~25
Recipe cards Printed, included Digital only
Pantry staples Most included Not included
Delivery states All 7 (incl. TAS) 6 (no TAS)
Delivery fee $9.99/box $9.99/box
Skip/pause Yes Yes (read terms)
Cancel anytime Yes Yes (read terms)
Parent company HelloFresh Group Marley Spoon Group

Compare all meal kits side by side

HelloFresh, EveryPlate, Dinnerly and Marley Spoon — all in one view.

Open comparison tool →

Frequently asked questions

Is Dinnerly cheaper than HelloFresh in Australia?
Yes. Dinnerly starts from $5.99 per serving vs HelloFresh at $8.75 per serving. However, EveryPlate is even cheaper at $4.44 per serving and carries a far better customer score (4.1/5 vs Dinnerly's 3.2/5), making it a stronger budget alternative to HelloFresh.
Are Dinnerly and Marley Spoon the same company?
Yes. Dinnerly is owned and operated by Marley Spoon Group. They share infrastructure but operate as separate brands — Dinnerly is positioned as the budget tier and Marley Spoon as the premium tier. Both carry below-average ProductReview scores (Dinnerly 3.2/5, Marley Spoon 3.0/5).
Is Dinnerly worth it in Australia?
For most Australians, Dinnerly is not the best choice. Its 3.2/5 ProductReview score is below our 3.5 caution threshold, and the most common complaints include missing ingredients, late deliveries, and charges continuing after cancellation. If budget is your priority, EveryPlate at $4.44/serving offers a better experience at a lower price.
Does Dinnerly deliver to Tasmania?
No. Dinnerly does not deliver to Tasmania. It covers NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT only. HelloFresh delivers to all 7 Australian states and territories, including Tasmania.
Can you pause Dinnerly?
Dinnerly allows you to skip weeks or pause your subscription, but several verified reviewers on ProductReview report difficulty managing their account and unexpected charges after attempting to pause or cancel. Read the subscription terms carefully before signing up and consider using a credit card that allows easy dispute resolution.