HelloFresh vs Gousto: Which is Better?
HelloFresh and Gousto are the UK's two biggest recipe box services. Both deliver ingredients with recipes to cook at home. Here's how they compare.
Don't want to cook at all?
Recipe boxes require 20-40 minutes cooking time. If you'd rather skip the prep entirely, try HomeCooks - 200+ chef-prepared meals ready in 3-4 minutes.
Quick Comparison
| HelloFresh | Gousto | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per serving | From £4.50 | £3.20 - £10.25 |
| Recipes per week | 50+ | 175+ |
| Cooking time | 20-40 mins | 10-50 mins |
| Dietary options | Basic filters | More variety |
| Ease of cooking | Simpler recipes | More adventurous |
HelloFresh
The world's largest recipe box service. HelloFresh focuses on simple, family-friendly recipes that are reliable and easy to follow. They offer 50+ recipes per week with a focus on accessibility - most recipes can be cooked by beginners without issues.
Gousto
The UK's most popular recipe box with 175+ recipes per week. Gousto offers more variety including adventurous cuisines and better dietary filters (vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.). Recipes range from quick 10-minute meals to more elaborate dishes.
Key Differences
Price
Gousto starts lower at £3.20 per portion for larger boxes, though premium recipes cost more (up to £10.25). HelloFresh starts from £4.50 per serving. Both offer heavy first-box discounts.
Recipe Variety
Gousto offers 175+ recipes per week compared to HelloFresh's 50+. If you want more choice and cuisines, Gousto has the edge.
Ease of Cooking
HelloFresh recipes tend to be more straightforward and beginner-friendly. Gousto has more adventurous options but some require more skill or time.
Dietary Requirements
Gousto has better filtering for dietary requirements - more vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free options with clearer labelling.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose HelloFresh if you want simple, reliable recipes with minimal fuss. Better for beginners or families who want straightforward meals.
- Choose Gousto if you want more variety, better dietary options, or enjoy trying different cuisines. More recipes means less chance of menu fatigue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gousto cheaper than HelloFresh?
Generally yes - Gousto's entry price is lower (from £3.20 vs £4.50 per serving). However, premium Gousto recipes can cost more. Both offer first-box discounts.
Which has more recipes?
Gousto offers 175+ recipes per week, HelloFresh offers 50+. Gousto has significantly more variety.
Which is easier to cook?
HelloFresh recipes are generally simpler and more beginner-friendly. Gousto has a wider range from very easy to more complex.
Can you cancel both easily?
Yes - both allow you to pause, skip weeks, or cancel through your account. Neither locks you into long contracts.
Don't Want to Cook?
Try HomeCooks instead
Both HelloFresh and Gousto require cooking - typically 20-40 minutes of prep, cooking, and washing up. If you'd rather have meals ready in 3-4 minutes with no effort, HomeCooks is the alternative.
- Ultimate convenience - No prep, no cooking, no washing up
- 200+ dishes - More variety than any recipe box
- 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 made by independent chefs across the UK. Heat and eat in 3-4 minutes.