At a Glance
- Daily Harvest has shifted to smoothies and oatmeal bowls, remaining gluten-free and plant-based.
- Sunbasket delivers quick, tasty meals but offers limited vegan choices and a higher price point.
- A side-by-side look shows each service’s cost, delivery reach, and menu variety.
- Why it matters: The comparison helps you pick the kit that fits your diet, budget, and prep time.
Daily Harvest has reinvented itself as a smoothie-centric brand while keeping its plant-based, gluten-free promise. The service now offers mostly frozen smoothies and oatmeal bowls for breakfast, with a detox box that bundles several smoothies. Only 15 harvest bowls and pastas remain. Meals are low-calorie, high-protein, and require just a microwave or stovetop heat. Smoothies need a blender or food processor. Daily Harvest’s menu is à-la-carte, available online with full price listings. A $50 minimum order and $10 shipping fee apply.
- Menu – Mostly smoothies and oatmeal bowls; 15 bowls/pastas left.
- Texture – Often mushy; some flavors dull.
- Prep – No cooking needed; smoothies need a blender.
- Cost – $9-$11 per single serving.
- Delivery – Available in the lower 48 states.
Sunbasket stands out for its quick-prep meals and a broad selection of premade and kit options, but it falls short for vegans. The company ships to most U.S. zip codes except Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, North Dakota, and parts of New Mexico. Orders start at $10 per serving and can reach $30 for premium “Chef’s Table” meals. A $45 minimum is required, and delivery is once a week. Sunbasket’s meals are ready in about 30 minutes, with some standout bowls and salads.
- Menu – 2-4 servings per meal; 3-5 meals per week.
- Prep – Half-hour or less for most dishes.
- Cost – $10-$30 per serving; free first delivery.
- Delivery – Most U.S. zip codes, except a few states.
- Vegan options – Limited; use the vegan filter for dinners.
Other meal-kit brands tested include Purple Carrot, Green Chef, Thistle, Hungryroot, Mosaic, Splendid Spoon, Sakara Life, NutriFit, Fresh!, and Eat Clean. Each offers a mix of ready-to-eat, heat-n-eat, and kit-style meals with varying plant-based options, price ranges, and delivery policies.
| Brand | Plant-Based Focus | Minimum Order | Typical Cost per Serving | Delivery Frequency | Key Strength | Key Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Harvest | 100% vegan, gluten-free | $50 | $9-$11 | Weekly | A-la-carte selection, smoothie focus | Mushy texture, limited menu |
| Sunbasket | Mixed; vegan filter | $45 | $10-$30 | Weekly | Quick prep, variety of kits | Few vegan options, higher cost |
| Purple Carrot | 100% vegan, no dairy | $30 | $11-$13 | Weekly | Seasonal menu, adventurous recipes | Time-consuming prep |
| Green Chef | 100% vegan, no dairy | $30 | $12 | Weekly | Family-size plans | Long prep times |
| Thistle | 100% vegan, optional meat | $30 | $9.50-$14 | Weekly | Fresh produce, gluten-free | Limited availability |
| Hungryroot | 100% vegan | $30 | $8-$13 | Weekly | AI-curated menu | Limited flavors |
| Mosaic | 100% vegan/vegetarian | $6-$18 | $6-$10 | Weekly | Ready in 5 min | High calorie, repetitive |
| Splendid Spoon | 100% vegan, gluten-free | $10-$13 | $10-$13 | Weekly | Detox program | Mostly liquid |
| Sakara Life | 100% vegan, gluten-free | $141-$465 | $141-$465 | Weekly | Raw, uncooked meals | Expensive, niche |
| NutriFit | 100% vegan, gluten-free | $19 | $10-$45 | Weekly | Chef-curated, customizable | Interface issues |
| Fresh! | 100% vegan, gluten-free | $8 | $11-$14 | Weekly | Pre-prepared, quick | Limited vegan variety |
| Eat Clean | 100% vegan | $9-$13 | $9-$13 | Weekly | TV-dinner style | One-note flavors |
The comparison shows that Daily Harvest excels for solo eaters who want a quick, smoothie-based breakfast. Sunbasket offers more diverse meals and a slightly higher price but provides quicker prep for those who want a mix of kit and premade options. Brands like Purple Carrot and Green Chef appeal to families and those seeking a more extensive plant-based menu, while Thistle and Hungryroot cater to those who prefer fresh, seasonal ingredients. Mosaic and Splendid Spoon focus on rapid, ready-to-eat meals, and Sakara Life targets a niche market with raw, uncooked options.
Key Takeaways
- Daily Harvest is best for smoothie lovers who need a gluten-free, plant-based option and are okay with a limited menu.
- Sunbasket offers the widest variety of meals and a lower minimum, but its vegan options are sparse and prices can climb.
- Other brands vary widely: Purple Carrot and Green Chef suit families, Thistle and Hungryroot cater to fresh-food enthusiasts, while Mosaic and Splendid Spoon focus on speed.
Choosing the right meal kit depends on whether you prioritize prep time, plant-based variety, cost, or a specific dietary focus. Each service has its strengths and trade-offs, so consider what matters most to you before placing an order.
