When your day is packed with meetings, travel, and checking off your to-do list, your calendar doesn’t leave much room for chopping vegetables. On the days when “dinner” usually means takeout in front of your laptop, having the right prepared meals isn’t just convenient, it’s a performance strategy.
In this Factor meal review, we tasted and evaluated their service to see how well they fit into a high-pressure schedule: what it does well, where it might fall short, and how to decide if it deserves a spot in your weekly routine.
Factor
| Fortune score | 4/5 |
at Factor
- Our thoughts: We’re fans of the seasonings, sauces, and butters that complement their meals
- Who it’s for: Busy professionals who want high protein, portion-controlled meals without shopping, cooking, or tracking every ingredient
- What makes it different: Frequent menu expansion and globally inspired recipes help keep the lineup from feeling repetitive
Pros
- Meals are heated up in the microwave in three minutes
- Strong macro options for weight loss and other health goals
- Large, frequently rotating menu
Cons
- More expensive than other prepared meal options
- Limited ingredient customization
- Some meals may be high in sodium
What is Factor?
Factor is a weekly meal delivery service that sends chilled, never-frozen, ready-to-eat meals in insulated boxes to your door. You choose how many single-serve meals you want per week from a large rotating menu, and you can manage everything (skip, pause, swap meals) via the website or app before a weekly cutoff.
Factor meals are designed to be nutritionally balanced and are created by chefs alongside registered dietitians, with options targeting goals like high protein, calorie control, low carb, or GLP‑1–friendly eating. Deliveries typically arrive on set days (often between Saturday and Wednesday depending on ZIP code), and meals generally stay fresh for about seven days in the refrigerator.
Factor Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Price (per meal) | Roughly $10.99 to $13.49 dollars per meal depending on how many you order weekly; larger plans bring the per‑meal cost down. |
| Intro offers | Frequent new‑customer promos such as large discounts on the first several boxes or up to 50% off equivalent credit; specific deals vary. |
| Plan size | You can select 6–18 meals per week at sign‑up. |
| Key features | Fully prepared, heat‑and‑eat meals; fresh, never frozen; rotating weekly menu with 100+ options and add‑ons; app-based management; access to registered dietitians. |
| Supported diets | Options for keto, low carb, calorie-conscious, high protein, vegetarian and vegan, flexitarian, and Mediterranean‑style/gluten‑friendly dishes. |
| Meal types | Single‑serve entrées plus breakfast items, lunches, dinners, and marketplace add‑ons like smoothies, juices, snacks, desserts, and shakes. |
| Freshness & storage | Meals are shipped chilled with ice packs and are meant to be kept refrigerated, usually staying fresh for about 7 days with clearly marked best by dates. |
| Shipping | Ships to most of the contiguous U.S.; shipping is usually an extra flat fee around $10.99 per box, which is added on top of meal pricing. |
| Add‑ons & extras | Optional protein shakes, juices, snacks, desserts, and nutrition-related supplements like protein powders or greens/electrolyte mixes in some areas. |
| Price (per meal) | |
|---|---|
| Details | Roughly $10.99 to $13.49 dollars per meal depending on how many you order weekly; larger plans bring the per‑meal cost down. |
| Intro offers | |
| Details | Frequent new‑customer promos such as large discounts on the first several boxes or up to 50% off equivalent credit; specific deals vary. |
| Plan size | |
| Details | You can select 6–18 meals per week at sign‑up. |
| Key features | |
| Details | Fully prepared, heat‑and‑eat meals; fresh, never frozen; rotating weekly menu with 100+ options and add‑ons; app-based management; access to registered dietitians. |
| Supported diets | |
| Details | Options for keto, low carb, calorie-conscious, high protein, vegetarian and vegan, flexitarian, and Mediterranean‑style/gluten‑friendly dishes. |
| Meal types | |
| Details | Single‑serve entrées plus breakfast items, lunches, dinners, and marketplace add‑ons like smoothies, juices, snacks, desserts, and shakes. |
| Freshness & storage | |
| Details | Meals are shipped chilled with ice packs and are meant to be kept refrigerated, usually staying fresh for about 7 days with clearly marked best by dates. |
| Shipping | |
| Details | Ships to most of the contiguous U.S.; shipping is usually an extra flat fee around $10.99 per box, which is added on top of meal pricing. |
| Add‑ons & extras | |
| Details | Optional protein shakes, juices, snacks, desserts, and nutrition-related supplements like protein powders or greens/electrolyte mixes in some areas. |
Our Experience with Factor
Taylor tested Factor and shared his feedback with us. When signing up the service, he responded to their questions about his health and macro goals. “The questions weren’t as detailed as I would think would be necessary to fully customize a plan, but the brand was able to provide options like high protein, keto, paleo, and more,” he said.
Delivery went very smoothly—the box came promptly and was packed properly. According to Taylor, there was ample ice in the box, ensuring his meals stayed cold. He didn’t even have to worry about them sitting on his porch for an hour or two before he returned home.

Overall, he found preparation of the meals very easy. “The meal had very detailed instructions to heat up the food. I felt like the time was not accurate for the microwave option and leaned more towards cooking times for frozen meals. However, their directions state to keep them refrigerated so the cook time was a bit of overkill and made my meals too hot. Other than that, they did a great job of providing extra details, like to place the meat on the outer portion of the wheel in the microwave, so that it gets more heat,” he said.
What We Liked
Taste and seasoning
Taylor thought the meals he tried were very flavorful, especially considering they were prepared meals. “They were all well-seasoned, and the meals weren’t soupy as I’ve experienced with some other meal delivery options,” he said. “Some of the meals also had a sauce or butter added, which was great for extra flavor. While I enjoy a meat, carb, and veggie meal option, sometimes you need a little extra seasoning or sauce to make it really tasty–and Factor did a great job of that.”
Meal variety
In general, our team appreciated the variety Factor offers with their meal options. They have a rotating menu and there’s plenty of protein variety, which was a big priority for our tester.
“Sometimes with meal delivery, you can feel like you’re eating the same thing over and over again, but I didn’t feel that way at all with Factor,” Taylor said. “There were a good variety of flavor profiles and the meals matched my desired macros and health goals.”
Ease of preparation
Our second tester, Luke, liked Factor for the ease of preparation. As a busy professional, he spends most of his days in meetings or coding on his computer, leaving little time for cooking. But the quick and seamless prep process made Factor incredibly appealing.
“Not only is this easy to prepare but you don’t need any additional dishes,” he said, giving the prep a 5 out of 5 score. “During busy days, my dishes can definitely pile up, so any way I can minimize that issue is a bonus.”
What We Would Change
Ordering process and site visibility
Taylor rated his ordering experience as a 4 out of 5. “I don’t like that I can’t select my meals before putting in my payment and locking in. You can see the menu on the first page, but I would’ve preferred to see the individual pricing before making a commitment,” he said. “Sometimes with meal delivery they will lock you in a price but then up-charge you for meals like steak and I think it be more helpful and transparent to see that pricing before paying. Overall, it is easy to cancel, skip, and navigate their website.

Portion size
The portion size was on the small side for Luke, who rated it a 3 out of 5. “As a larger guy, these meals were on the smaller side in terms of portion size,” he said. “I felt like I could easily eat two in one sitting. That said, adding a protein shake or an extra carb to the meal can help bridge that gap.”
Ingredient quality
Overall, Taylor thought the meals tasted pretty good. In terms of ingredient quality, Taylor thought it lacked a bit in this category. “The meat seemed to be better cuts and of quality, however, the vegetables were your typical frozen variety. This didn’t impact the taste for me, necessarily, but I could tell they were not garden fresh,” he said.
Who It’s For & Who It’s Not For
| Factor is a good fit for… | Factor is not a good fit for… |
|---|---|
| -Busy professionals who want healthy-ish meals without grocery shopping or cooking. | -People on a tight food budget who need to keep per‑meal costs as low as possible. |
| -Folks focused on high protein, calorie‑conscious, keto/low‑carb, or macro‑driven eating with minimal effort. | -Families or households wanting to share larger, family‑style portions from one pan or dish. |
| -People who dislike cooking, hate doing dishes, or don’t have easy access to a full kitchen. | -Home cooks who enjoy planning, cooking, and experimenting with recipes. |
| -Those who often order takeout and want a nutritionally upgraded alternative. | -Anyone with multiple complex dietary restrictions (e.g., several allergies, very strict gluten‑free or medical diets) needing lots of substitutions. |
| -Gym‑goers or athletes who want grab‑and‑heat meals that help hit protein and calorie targets. | -People who are very sensitive to sodium or prefer extremely simple, minimally seasoned food. |
| -Folks okay with paying more per meal in exchange for time saved and reduced decision fatigue. | -Anyone who needs highly customizable portions, flavors, or ingredients for each meal. |
| -Busy professionals who want healthy-ish meals without grocery shopping or cooking. | |
|---|---|
| Factor is not a good fit for… | -People on a tight food budget who need to keep per‑meal costs as low as possible. |
| -Folks focused on high protein, calorie‑conscious, keto/low‑carb, or macro‑driven eating with minimal effort. | |
| Factor is not a good fit for… | -Families or households wanting to share larger, family‑style portions from one pan or dish. |
| -People who dislike cooking, hate doing dishes, or don’t have easy access to a full kitchen. | |
| Factor is not a good fit for… | -Home cooks who enjoy planning, cooking, and experimenting with recipes. |
| -Those who often order takeout and want a nutritionally upgraded alternative. | |
| Factor is not a good fit for… | -Anyone with multiple complex dietary restrictions (e.g., several allergies, very strict gluten‑free or medical diets) needing lots of substitutions. |
| -Gym‑goers or athletes who want grab‑and‑heat meals that help hit protein and calorie targets. | |
| Factor is not a good fit for… | -People who are very sensitive to sodium or prefer extremely simple, minimally seasoned food. |
| -Folks okay with paying more per meal in exchange for time saved and reduced decision fatigue. | |
| Factor is not a good fit for… | -Anyone who needs highly customizable portions, flavors, or ingredients for each meal. |
Comparing to Other Meal Delivery Services
| Category | Factor | HelloFresh | Home Chef |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal types | Fully prepared, single‑serve, heat‑and‑eat meals. | Meal kits with pre‑portioned ingredients and recipes; some quick‑prep options. | Meal kits plus some oven‑ready and fast‑prep options. |
| Typical price per serving | Roughly $10.99–13.49 depending on number of meals per week. | About $9.99–12.49 per serving. | Standard meals generally start around $9.99 per serving; some premium items cost more, and certain promos or smaller portions can go lower. |
| Shipping | Usually a flat fee around low‑teens per box (varies by offer and location). | Flat shipping fee around $10.99 per box in many areas. | Common flat shipping about $10.99 per box; may differ by plan or location. |
| Subscription options | 6–18 single‑serve meals per week; flexible weekly skip/pause and menu swaps. | 2–6 meals per week for 2–6 people (4–36 servings); multiple plan preferences. | 2–6 meals per week for 2, 4, or 6 people (up to 36 servings), with adjustable recipes and add‑ons. |
| Key features | Ready in minutes; no cooking; high‑protein and special‑diet focus; chef‑ and dietitian‑designed menus. | Broad recipe variety, family‑friendly menus, seasonal ingredients, and step‑by‑step recipes to build cooking skills. | Strong customization options, mix of comfort and health‑minded recipes, oven‑ready and 15‑minute meals. |
| Supported diets / tags | High‑protein, calorie‑smart, keto/low‑carb, vegetarian, vegan, some gluten‑friendly options. | Meat & veggies, veggie, family friendly, fit & wholesome, quick & easy, pescatarian; some higher‑protein options. | Options for calorie‑conscious, carb‑conscious, higher‑protein, and some keto‑ or plant‑forward dishes, with extensive protein swaps. |
| Prep time | About 2–5 minutes to heat; no chopping or cooking | Around 20–45 minutes per recipe, depending on dish. | Roughly 15–45 minutes depending on whether you choose meal kits, express, or oven‑ready recipes. |
| Best for | Convenience‑first eaters, busy professionals, or those on specific macro/diet plans who want zero cooking. | People who enjoy cooking and want to simplify planning and shopping while keeping per‑serving cost mid‑range. | Home cooks who value customization and a mix of classic comfort food and lighter options at competitive prices. |
| Meal types | |
|---|---|
| Factor | Fully prepared, single‑serve, heat‑and‑eat meals. |
| HelloFresh | Meal kits with pre‑portioned ingredients and recipes; some quick‑prep options. |
| Home Chef | Meal kits plus some oven‑ready and fast‑prep options. |
| Typical price per serving | |
| Factor | Roughly $10.99–13.49 depending on number of meals per week. |
| HelloFresh | About $9.99–12.49 per serving. |
| Home Chef | Standard meals generally start around $9.99 per serving; some premium items cost more, and certain promos or smaller portions can go lower. |
| Shipping | |
| Factor | Usually a flat fee around low‑teens per box (varies by offer and location). |
| HelloFresh | Flat shipping fee around $10.99 per box in many areas. |
| Home Chef | Common flat shipping about $10.99 per box; may differ by plan or location. |
| Subscription options | |
| Factor | 6–18 single‑serve meals per week; flexible weekly skip/pause and menu swaps. |
| HelloFresh | 2–6 meals per week for 2–6 people (4–36 servings); multiple plan preferences. |
| Home Chef | 2–6 meals per week for 2, 4, or 6 people (up to 36 servings), with adjustable recipes and add‑ons. |
| Key features | |
| Factor | Ready in minutes; no cooking; high‑protein and special‑diet focus; chef‑ and dietitian‑designed menus. |
| HelloFresh | Broad recipe variety, family‑friendly menus, seasonal ingredients, and step‑by‑step recipes to build cooking skills. |
| Home Chef | Strong customization options, mix of comfort and health‑minded recipes, oven‑ready and 15‑minute meals. |
| Supported diets / tags | |
| Factor | High‑protein, calorie‑smart, keto/low‑carb, vegetarian, vegan, some gluten‑friendly options. |
| HelloFresh | Meat & veggies, veggie, family friendly, fit & wholesome, quick & easy, pescatarian; some higher‑protein options. |
| Home Chef | Options for calorie‑conscious, carb‑conscious, higher‑protein, and some keto‑ or plant‑forward dishes, with extensive protein swaps. |
| Prep time | |
| Factor | About 2–5 minutes to heat; no chopping or cooking |
| HelloFresh | Around 20–45 minutes per recipe, depending on dish. |
| Home Chef | Roughly 15–45 minutes depending on whether you choose meal kits, express, or oven‑ready recipes. |
| Best for | |
| Factor | Convenience‑first eaters, busy professionals, or those on specific macro/diet plans who want zero cooking. |
| HelloFresh | People who enjoy cooking and want to simplify planning and shopping while keeping per‑serving cost mid‑range. |
| Home Chef | Home cooks who value customization and a mix of classic comfort food and lighter options at competitive prices. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the downside to Factor meals?
Some potential downsides to Factor meals are that the per-meal costs are higher than cooking at home (though this cost is often worth it for very busy folks!), and the meals are not easily customized, which makes them less ideal for families, larger appetites, or households with multiple dietary needs.
Is a Factor subscription worth it?
After testing out Factor, we think a subscription is worth it, especially for folks who value convenience and consistent nutrition more than the absolute lowest food cost, such as busy professionals, folks who dine solo, or athletes trying to hit protein and calorie targets without cooking.
Is Factor really good for you?
Factor meals are generally nutritionally solid for a ready‑to‑eat option, emphasizing whole foods, lean proteins, vegetables, and decent fiber, especially in their “Calorie Smart,” high‑protein, and low‑carb options. However, nutrition varies by dish: some meals are higher in sodium, added fats, or calories, so be sure to choose options that match your health goals, and talk with your doctor before starting a new way of eating.
