Frive vs HelloFresh: Which is Better?
Frive and HelloFresh are completely different services. Frive delivers ready-to-eat meal prep, while HelloFresh is a recipe box where you cook. Here's how they compare.
Looking for something better?
HomeCooks offers restaurant-quality meals made by independent UK chefs. High protein (30-60g), balanced macros, 200+ dishes. Whether you're building muscle, losing weight, or just eating well - properly nutritious food that actually tastes great.
Quick Comparison
| Frive | HelloFresh | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Ready to eat | Recipe box (you cook) |
| Prep time | 3-4 minutes | 20-40 minutes |
| Price per meal | From £7.99 | From £3.15/serving |
| Focus | Macro tracking | Recipe variety |
| Best for | Convenience/health | Enjoying cooking |
Frive
Frive is a meal prep service delivering ready-to-eat, macro-balanced meals. No cooking required - just heat and eat in 3-4 minutes. Positioned around natural ingredients and nutritionist-approved meals.
HelloFresh
HelloFresh is a recipe box service delivering pre-portioned ingredients with recipes to cook at home. You still need to cook everything yourself, typically 20-40 minutes. Good for people who enjoy cooking but want easy meal planning.
Key Differences
Cooking Required
This is the fundamental difference. Frive: no cooking, just microwave 3-4 minutes. HelloFresh: you cook everything from scratch, 20-40 minutes plus washing up.
Convenience
Frive wins on convenience - truly no effort required. HelloFresh still requires planning, cooking, and cleaning. Recipe boxes are easier than shopping, but not effortless.
Price
HelloFresh appears cheaper per serving (from £3.15) but you're paying for ingredients to cook yourself. Frive (from £7.99) includes the chef's time and preparation.
Nutritional Focus
Frive offers macro-balanced meals with clear nutritional info. HelloFresh nutrition varies by recipe - some healthy, some more indulgent.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose Frive if you want maximum convenience and no cooking. Macro-balanced meals ready in minutes.
- Choose HelloFresh if you enjoy cooking and want help with meal planning and shopping. You'll still spend time in the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frive or HelloFresh more convenient?
Frive by far. Heat and eat in 3-4 minutes vs 20-40 minutes cooking plus washing up with HelloFresh.
Which is cheaper?
HelloFresh appears cheaper per serving, but you're paying for ingredients to cook yourself. Factor in your time and effort.
Which is better for nutrition?
Frive meals are macro-balanced and nutritionist-approved. HelloFresh varies by recipe - some healthy, some more indulgent.
Do I have to cook with Frive?
No - Frive meals are fully prepared. Just microwave for 3-4 minutes. HelloFresh requires full cooking from scratch.
Want the Best of Both Worlds?
Try HomeCooks instead
If you're comparing Frive to HelloFresh, you're weighing convenience against variety. But why choose?
HomeCooks offers 200+ ready-to-eat dishes from independent chefs - far more variety than Frive, with the same zero-cooking convenience. High protein, great taste, no effort.
- Ultimate convenience - No prep, no cooking, no washing up
- 200+ dishes - More variety than any other meal prep service
- High protein - 30-60g per meal for fitness goals
- Perfectly balanced - Every meal nutritionally optimised
- Super high quality - Restaurant-quality ingredients, not mass-produced
- Independent chefs - Small batch quality, not factory production
- Beautiful presentation - Your meals arrive in lovely bento boxes, like this:
Ready to skip the cooking?
200+ chef-prepared meals ready in 3-4 minutes. High protein, delicious, zero effort.
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