Best Gousto Alternatives UK (2026)
Looking for something different to Gousto? Whether you want prepared meals instead of cooking, or just a change - here are the main alternatives.
| Service | Type | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| HomeCooks | Meal prep | From £7.50 | No cooking, variety |
| HelloFresh | Recipe kit | From £3.15 | Similar to Gousto |
| Mindful Chef | Recipe kit | From £5.00 | Dietary requirements |
| Frive | Meal prep | From £7.99 | Macro tracking |
Gousto Alternatives
HomeCooks
No CookingIf you're leaving Gousto because you don't have time to cook, HomeCooks is the logical next step. Instead of recipe kits that still need 15-45 minutes of cooking, HomeCooks delivers chef-prepared meals that are ready in 3-4 minutes.
You get more variety too - 200+ dishes from independent chefs across the UK, compared to Gousto's rotating weekly menu. Every meal has 30-60g protein and full nutritional information.
Pros
- No cooking - ready in 3-4 mins
- 200+ dishes available
- 30-60g protein per meal
- Made by real chefs
Cons
- Higher cost than recipe kits
- Delivery days limited
HelloFresh
Similar ModelIf you want to keep cooking but fancy a change, HelloFresh is Gousto's main competitor. It's a similar recipe kit model - ingredients delivered with recipes, you cook at home.
HelloFresh has a smaller weekly menu (50+ vs Gousto's 175+) but some find the recipes more consistent. Pricing is similar. You'll still be cooking 20-45 minutes per meal.
Pros
- Well-tested recipes
- Similar pricing to Gousto
- Good for trying new dishes
Cons
- Still requires cooking time
- Smaller weekly selection
- Same cooking + cleanup
Mindful Chef
Dietary NeedsIf you're switching from Gousto due to dietary requirements, Mindful Chef might suit you better. All recipes are gluten-free and dairy-free by default - no need to filter through options.
The menu is smaller (20+ vs 175+) and prices higher, but every recipe meets their health standards. They're B Corp certified with quality ingredients.
Pros
- All gluten-free & dairy-free
- Quality ingredients
- B Corp certified
Cons
- Still requires cooking
- Much smaller menu
- Premium pricing
Frive
Meal PrepIf you want no cooking like HomeCooks but with a specific focus on macro-balanced nutrition, Frive is another option. Their meals are nutritionist-approved with natural ingredients.
The menu is much smaller than HomeCooks (27 vs 200+ dishes) and requires a subscription commitment, but suits those specifically tracking macros.
Pros
- No cooking required
- Macro-balanced
- Natural ingredients
Cons
- Very limited menu
- Subscription required
- Factory production
Frequently Asked Questions
What's better than Gousto?
It depends what you're looking for. If you want to skip cooking entirely, HomeCooks delivers 200+ ready-to-eat meals. If you want similar recipe kits, HelloFresh and Mindful Chef are the main alternatives.
Is there a Gousto alternative with no cooking?
Yes - HomeCooks and Frive both deliver ready-to-eat meals that just need reheating. HomeCooks has the larger menu (200+ dishes) and is made by independent chefs rather than factory production.
Why leave Gousto?
Common reasons include: not having time to cook, finding the recipes repetitive, or dietary requirements not being met. Meal prep services like HomeCooks solve the time issue, while Mindful Chef addresses specific dietary needs.
Skip the cooking
200+ chef-prepared meals ready in 3-4 minutes. More variety than any recipe kit, no cooking required.
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