Comparing Factor to Freshly: What's the Difference?
In the realm of prepared meal delivery services, two names that often come up are Factor and Freshly. While both services aim to provide fresh, nutritious meals, they differ notably in their approach, offerings, and focus.
Menu and Dietary Options
Factor, a weekly meal subscription service, offers over 35 dietitian-designed meals every week. The service caters to a wide range of dietary needs, with plans like Keto, Protein Plus, Calorie Smart, and even GLP-Balance. Users can select between 6 and 18 meals per delivery, and meals are labeled with tags indicating their nutritional focus. Factor also provides add-ons like shakes, smoothies, snacks, and desserts. A complimentary consultation with a registered dietitian is included in all subscriptions, helping with meal guidance and nutrition coaching [1][3].
Freshly, on the other hand, offers fresh, fully prepared meals designed for convenience with a focus on balanced nutrition but fewer specialized diet plans compared to Factor. Freshly typically offers weekly rotating menus catering to general healthy eating rather than specific diets like keto or calorie smart [4].
Meal Freshness and Packaging
Factor meals are freshly prepared and delivered chilled; packaging keeps meals fresh for up to 48 hours out of the fridge, and meals can stay fresh for a whole week refrigerated. Meals can also be frozen if not consumed promptly. The packaging is mostly recyclable except for some insulation material [2].
Freshly meals come fresh and fully cooked but may use different packaging approaches focused on sustainability and easy reheating, though specific details are not provided in the current data [4].
Customization and Portion Size
Factor provides a high level of customization through detailed meal plans and add-ons, with portion sizes praised for satisfying testers. The option to choose meals weeks in advance enhances planning [3].
Freshly offers a more streamlined approach, typically allowing choice among weekly rotating meals, catering to convenience without extensive customization [4].
Pricing and Subscription Details
Factor's pricing is somewhat premium due to the dietitian involvement and variety in meal plans, with the flexibility of choosing up to 18 meals per week [1][3].
Freshly usually markets to those seeking convenience and balanced meals at a moderate price but specifics aren’t in the current search results [4].
Special Features
Factor includes a free nutrition coaching session with a dietitian as part of the subscription, which is unique among meal delivery services [1][3].
Freshly is generally known for ease of use and suitability for those wanting quick, healthy meals but without specialized diet support [4].
Comparison Summary
In summary, Factor is more tailored toward health-conscious users with specific diet needs, offering detailed meal plans and nutritionist support, while Freshly focuses on general convenience with fresh, balanced meals and simpler choices [4]. Packaging and freshness are similarly designed for refrigerating and reheating convenience, but Factor emphasizes meal variety and dietary personalization more strongly [2][4].
Additional Information
Research suggests 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 [5]. Freshly's team of chefs and nutritionists use quality ingredients to create nutrient-dense, healthy meals [6]. Meal delivery services like Freshly and Factor may provide a way to prepare meals at home with the nutritional value of home-cooked meals [7].
Freshly does not offer free shipping, and the cost of shipping depends on the state and meal plan chosen [4]. Factor offers free shipping and delivers throughout the contiguous United States [8]. Freshly meals start at $8.99 per serving, with the cost decreasing as more meals are ordered [9]. Freshly encourages the reuse of gel packs that keep the meals cool during shipping [9].
As of January 2023, Medical News Today recommends trying similar prepared meal services such as Trifecta or Factor or viewing their roundup of the best meal delivery services to try [2]. As for Freshly, Medical News Today does not provide detailed information about the service for direct feature comparison [2]. However, Freshly has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, despite not holding accreditation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and having an F grade from the BBB [1][2]. Factor, on the other hand, has an A- grade from the BBB and an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot [1][2].
[1] - Trustpilot [2] - BBB [3] - Factor's Website [4] - Freshly's Website [5] - Mayo Clinic [6] - Freshly's Website [7] - Healthline [8] - Factor's Website [9] - Freshly's Website
- In the health-and-wellness and lifestyle sector, Factor stands out as a weekly meal subscription service offering over 35 dietitian-designed meals with various nutritional focus, catering to diverse dietary needs such as Keto, Protein Plus, Calorie Smart, and GLP-Balance. It also offers customization through add-ons like shakes, smoothies, snacks, and desserts.
- Freshly, an alternative meal delivery service, offers fresh, fully prepared meals with a focus on balanced nutrition but fewer specialized diet plans compared to Factor. Instead, it typically provides weekly rotating menus catering to general healthy eating.
- In terms of science and nutrition, research suggests 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. Both Freshly and Factor use quality ingredients to create nutrient-dense, healthy meals, but Factor distinguishes itself by providing a complimentary consultation with a registered dietitian as part of all subscriptions, offering nutrition coaching and meal guidance.
