Dept. 05 · Evidence checked September 24, 2026

The meal-delivery showdown without the fake winner.

A small appetite changes the question. Instead of pretending four different box sizes have one fair price, start with the routine you will actually keep: split and store, eat one tray, follow a plan, or skip subscriptions entirely.

No sponsored placements

Start here

Choose the routine, then the box.

Read the detailed review →

01 “I will portion on delivery day.” Start with Trifecta, if its checkout math works for you. 02 “I want one tray and no leftovers.” Factor is the simplest single-serve workflow. 03 “I want a structured program.” BistroMD gives the clearest meal-plan cadence. 04 “I need frozen flexibility.” Clean Eatz Kitchen has no subscription to manage.

The comparison

Four boxes, four different jobs.

Prices are plan-specific where stated

For a split-and-store routine

Trifecta

Best when: You are happy to portion on delivery day

Portion reality: Splitting can work if the current portion suits you and you will store the second half safely.
Protein: Recipe-dependent; check the current menu label before ordering.
Price evidence: Published start: $112 per delivery + $12.99 contiguous-US shipping
At that starting rate, a 7-meal example is $17.86 whole or $8.93 split. Starting-rate example only — confirm checkout.

Source checked 2026-09-24: Trifecta pricing · plan details

Check Trifecta menu →

For one tray, no leftovers

Factor

Best when: You want a ready-to-eat single serving

Portion reality: Single-serve format removes the split-and-store step.
Protein: Protein Plus varies by recipe; use the current meal labels and filter.
Price evidence: Price depends on ZIP code and box size
The public plan page does not support one reliable, nationwide delivered quote. Confirm your local checkout total.

Source checked 2026-09-24: Factor plans

Check Factor plans →

For a structured plan

BistroMD

Best when: You prefer a program with a clear meal cadence

Portion reality: Plan-sized portions; flexible ordering is available if the standard cadence is too much.
Protein: Menu nutrition varies by recipe; check the dishes you select.
Price evidence: $16.99/meal on the standard 5-day lunch-and-dinner plan delivered
The standard 7-day lunch-and-dinner plan works out to $14.99/meal delivered. Flexible-plan pricing and introductory offers differ.

Source checked 2026-09-24: BistroMD pricing FAQ · plan details

See BistroMD plans →

For frozen flexibility

Clean Eatz Kitchen

Best when: You want no subscription and menu choice

Portion reality: Selection and region affect what is available; choose portions from the current menu.
Protein: Recipe-dependent; compare the labels on the meals you choose.
Price evidence: No subscription; meal-plan shipping is included
Menus and prices vary by region and selection. Do not treat the lowest advertised item price as the average box price.

Source checked 2026-09-24: Clean Eatz meal plans

Build a Clean Eatz box →

Price is not a universal ranking: box size, ZIP code, shipping, menu choice, and promotions change the total. We show the math only where a provider publishes enough detail to support it.

If you split a meal

Make the second half safe, not aspirational.

Splitting only saves money if the second portion survives the handoff from delivery to tomorrow. This is practical leftover guidance, not a promise about an unopened package's shelf life.

See the USDA leftover guidance →

Split promptly.Move the uneaten portion to a shallow, covered container after opening.
Chill promptly.Refrigerate within two hours, or within one hour when air temperature is above 90°F (32°C).
Use in 3–4 days.Freeze it sooner if needed; reheat leftovers to 165°F (74°C) with a food thermometer.

How we judged — the methodology

We checked each provider's own pricing or plan page on September 24, 2026. Prices are shown with the plan size, shipping, ZIP-code caveat, or selection caveat that makes them meaningful; we do not call a promotional starting rate a permanent week-three price. Nutrition is recipe-dependent unless a current program-wide figure is published. Portion notes describe workflow, not a dietary prescription. Reader-supported links may earn us a commission; verdicts are never for sale.

Detailed small-appetite review→ Cheapest option, with the caveats→ Highest-protein menu, mapped→ Single-person portions, solved→ Factor vs Trifecta, head-to-head→