Gousto and HelloFresh are the UK's two biggest meal kits, and the most common question for anyone choosing one is which to pick. We have ordered and cooked both - here is an honest head-to-head on price, choice, flexibility and quality.
| Gousto | HelloFresh | |
|---|---|---|
| Our rating | 8.4/10 | 8/10 |
| Value | £3.84 / portion | £4.06 / portion |
| Recipes/week | 2-5 | 2-5 |
| Cook time | 10-45 min | ~30 min |
| Diets | Dairy-free, Family-friendly, Gluten-free, High-protein, Low-calorie | Family-friendly, High-protein, Low-calorie, Pescatarian, Vegan |
| Delivery | Most of mainland UK; £3.99 per box. Excludes Scottish Highlands and islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and Scilly | Mainland UK; £4.99 per box; some Highland and island postcodes excluded |
| Subscription | One-off available | Subscription only |
| Packaging | B Corp, Recyclable | Recyclable |
| Get the deal - 70% off your first box | Get the deal - Up to 60% off your first box |
Price and value
At a four-recipe box for four people - the size where both are at their best value - Gousto edges it, from around £3.84 a portion against HelloFresh's £4.06. The gap is small, and both add a delivery charge (Gousto £3.99, HelloFresh £4.99). On smaller boxes the per-portion cost rises sharply for both, so neither is good value for one or two people doing just a couple of recipes.
Recipe choice
Gousto wins here. It offers the largest weekly menu of any UK kit - around 75 recipes - against HelloFresh's still-large but smaller selection, including roughly 20 vegan options a week. If variety matters and you do not want to repeat yourself, Gousto gives you more to play with.
Flexibility and servings
Gousto is more flexible. It does boxes for one to five people and lets you order a genuine one-off without a subscription. HelloFresh only does two or four servings and is subscription-only, though you can skip and cancel freely. For a single person, or anyone who wants to order occasionally rather than weekly, Gousto is the clear pick.
Dietary range
Gousto again has the edge, with gluten-free and dairy-free filters alongside vegan, vegetarian and high-protein. HelloFresh covers vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian and low-calorie but has no dedicated gluten-free or dairy-free plan. If you have a specific need, check Gousto first - or look at Mindful Chef, which is gluten- and dairy-free by default.
Portion size and quality
This is where HelloFresh answers back. Its portions are generous - independent taste tests have rated it the best value by weight - and its recipe cards are clear and beginner-friendly. If you want filling portions and a gentle introduction to cooking from scratch, HelloFresh is a strong choice.
Packaging and ethics
Gousto is a certified B Corp, with packaging around 72% recyclable and a carbon-neutral target. HelloFresh uses recyclable, insulated packaging but is not a B Corp. If sustainability is a deciding factor, Gousto has the stronger credentials.
Which should you choose?
Choose Gousto if you want the widest recipe choice, the most flexibility (one to five people, one-off orders), gluten-free or dairy-free options, or stronger eco credentials. Read our full Gousto review.
Choose HelloFresh if you want generous portions, the simplest beginner experience or a dedicated family range. Read our full HelloFresh review. For most households it is close, and the deciding factor is often whichever has the better first-box offer when you sign up.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gousto or HelloFresh cheaper?
At a four-recipe box for four people, Gousto is slightly cheaper per portion (from around £3.84 vs £4.06), and both add a delivery charge. On small boxes they are similar. The bigger saving usually comes from whichever has the better first-box offer.
Which has more recipe choice, Gousto or HelloFresh?
Gousto, with around 75 recipes a week - the largest menu of any UK meal kit. HelloFresh's menu is large too, but smaller.
Can you get Gousto or HelloFresh without a subscription?
Gousto lets you order a one-off box; HelloFresh is subscription-only, though you can skip weeks and cancel any time.