Blue Apron vs. Sunbasket Comparison and Prices (+9 Features of Each)
In the bustling world we live in, finding time to prepare a nutritious meal can be challenging. Meal delivery services like Blue Apron and Sunbasket aim to solve this problem. They do it by providing healthy and convenient meal options. They deliver them right to your door.
Meal kit delivery services like these are popular since they are easy to work with and also very time-saving. But how do these two popular services compare? Let’s take a closer look at Blue Apron vs. Sunbasket in terms of their offerings, pricing, flexibility, and more.
In the following blogpost, we have discussed in detail the features of Blue Apron and Sunbasket. These meal kit delivery services operate in the United States and bring a number of recipes along with fresh ingredients to the customer.
In the end, we will give you our opinions on which of these two may be the better choice based on first-hand experiences.
Blue Apron vs. Sunbasket Comparison
The table below will show you the various characteristic features that are present in Blue Apron as well as those in Sunbasket. We have also shown you the price ranges of the meals on these delivery platforms, along with the types of recipes on these services. You can decide which meal kit delivery service works in your favor through the information presented below.
| Feature | Blue Apron | Sunbasket |
| Delivery areas | 98% of the United States aside from Alaska & Hawaii | 98% of the United States aside from Alaska & Hawaii |
| Price range | $50 to $180 per week for two | $10.99 to $13.99 per serving |
| Price per plate | $4.99 per plate | $11.49 per plate |
| Difficulty levels | Easy,Intermediate,Expert | Easy,Intermediate,Expert |
| Avg. cooking time | 25 – 35 mins per meal | Up to 50 minutes |
| Avg. calorie count | 500-700 calories per serving | 650 calories per serving |
| Supporting material | Recipe cards,Mobile app,Blog,Nutritional facts | Meal description,Nutritional fact,Recipe cards |
| Recipes supported | Beef,Fish,Lamb,Pork,Poultry,Shellfish, Vegetarian,Carb-conscious | Soy-free,Gluten-free,Protein plus,Vegetarian,Calorie-conscious |
| No. of choices | 12 per week | 17 per week |
| Introductory deal | $110 off on first box with free shipping | $90 off + 1 free gift |
| Avg. shelf life | 3-5 days for meat,1-2 days for seafood | 5 days for meat,3 days for seafood |
Types of Plans: Blue Apron vs. Sunbasket
| Blue Apron | Sunbasket |
| 2-serving Signature 2 or 3 or 4 recipes per week, 2 or 3 or 4 choices per week | Fresh & Ready Meal plan $9.99 – $17.99 per meal + shipping charges,Serves 1, Only needs to be heated |
| 4-serving Signature 2 or 3 or 4 recipes per week,7 choices per week | Quick & Easy plan $12 – $18 per serving + shipping charges,Prepared in 10 minutes,Require only a single plan |
| Vegetarian Plan for 2 3 vegetarian recipes every week | Lean & Clean $12 – $18 per serving + shipping charges,Calorie-conscious meals,Contains lean meat and seafood |
| Meal Prep 8 servings of ready-to-go meals with 2 types of protein per week |
Blue Apron has a number of plans for the customer to choose from. The meal plans include the 2-serving signature and the 4-serving signature. They can easily cater to households of various sizes. Blue Apron also has a vegetarian plan for those who like their greens. Blue Apron offers more than just meal kits, and also has a number of fully-cooked meals.
Sunbasket also features a number of plans. In Sunbasket, along with standard meal kits, there are the usual types of recipes. But, customers can even find low-calorie and low-carb options. These are great for those trying to slim down. In addition to these plans, Sunbasket also offers quick-cooking recipes. In these recipes, the ingredients come prepped and ready to cook.
Winner: Sunbasket wins the Types of Plans segment.
Types of Ingredients: Blue Apron vs. Sunbasket
| Ingredient type | Blue Apron | Sunbasket |
| Produce | Family-run farms | Organic fresh produce,Seasonal ingredients |
| Meat, eggs, fish | Hormone-free,Subtherapeutic antibiotic-free meat and poultry,Sustainable seafood | Antibiotic-free, Hormone-free,Sustainably-sourced seafood |
| Other ingredients | Seasonings,Sauces,Spice Blends | Seasonings,Marinades,Spice rubs,Sauces |
Blue Apron sources its ingredients from local vendors and partners who smartly tie up with this meal kit delivery service. While the produce is not exactly organic all the time, the meat and poultry are USDA certified and hormone-free. The meal kits come with the required seasonings and spices for the customer to use.
Sunbasket is known for its high quality ingredients. The produce and greens in Sunbasket are completely organic and GMO-free. The meat and poultry are completely antibiotic-free and hormone-free. The seafood in the meal kits comes from very sustainable sources. The seasonings and marinades also contain very healthy ingredients.
Winner: Sunbasket wins the Types of Ingredients segment.
Add-Ons: Blue Apron vs. Sunbasket
| Blue Apron | Sunbasket |
| Dessert,Appetizers,Sides,Extra meals,Wine delivery,Spices, Cookware, Kitchen Tools, Pantry Staples | Grocery items,Breakfast,Lunch,Snacks |
The add-ons in Blue Apron are simply too numerous and come in a wide variety of choices. In this meal kit delivery service, the customer is free to add tasty desserts along with healthy appetizers and sides. Blue Apron also has a great wine delivery service, which is another main reason why this meal kit delivery service is so popular.
Sunbasket also has a lot of add-on options in its list. Sunbasket’s add-on options include breakfast, lunch, and even snacks. They help conquer midnight hunger. In addition to these, Sunbasket also offers a range of grocery items which are perfect for stocking the household pantry.
Winner: Blue Apron wins the Add-ons segment.
Packaging of Meal kit: Blue Apron vs. Sunbasket
| Blue Apron | Sunbasket |
| Plastic cups, trays and lids,Metal cans,Glass bottles,Cardboard box,Molded fiber,Recipe cards,Ice packs,Produce bags | Box,Paper insulation,Bags,Denim insulation,Ice packs,Fiber trays and sleeves,Recipe cards,Egg containers |
| Mostly recyclable | Fully recyclable |
In Blue Apron, the packaging of meal kits is easily recyclable. The plastic cups and other containers are made of BPA-free plastic, while the cardboard is mostly recycled cardboard. Blue Apron also encourages the user to save the recipe cards in the meal kits and use them to recreate the meals at a later point in time.
Sunbasket’s packaging is also good. It’s not only recyclable but also great at preserving ingredient freshness. The meal box comes insulated with denim cotton and paper insulation, which can be recycled at any recycling center. The ice packs in the meal kits contain a non-toxic gel that can be disposed safely in the trash.
Winner: Blue Apron and Sunbasket win the Packaging of Meal kit segment.
Customer Support: Blue Apron vs. Sunbasket
| Feature | Blue Apron | Sunbasket |
| Chat support | – | + |
| Email support | + | + |
| Phone support | + | + |
| Availability | All days of the week | All days of the week |
In Blue Apron, the customer can contact the support executives through mainly two ways. For those who do not want to talk to a person and have a problem which is not too urgent, they can send an email to the Blue Apron customer support email id. Those who have an important matter can contact the phone support.
The best and easiest way to reach the customer support of Sunbasket is through the live chat feature, which is present on all days of the week. There is also email support in this meal kit delivery, which can be used at any time. Furthermore, Sunbasket also has phone support, which operates throughout the year.
Winner: Sunbasket wins the Customer Support segment.
Sample Meals: Blue Apron vs. Sunbasket
| Sample | Blue Apron | Sunbasket |
| Sample 1 | Name: Wonton Noodle Stir-FryPreparation time: 25 minsSpice level: MediumNo. of calories: 560 calories | Name: Black Angus rib-eyes with romesco and artichoke-olive saladPreparation time: 15 minsSpice level: MildDifficulty: Easy |
| Sample 2 | Name: Chipotle Chicken ChiliPreparation time: 45 minsSpice level: MediumNo. of calories: 640 calories | Name: Vietnamese shaking beefPreparation time: 25-35 minsSpice level: MildDifficulty: Easy |
| Sample 3 | Name: Seared Cod & Olive TapenadePreparation time: 40 minsSpice level: MildNo. of calories: 680 calories | Name: Seared pork with blueberry-apricot sauce and sautéed greensPreparation time: 20 minsSpice level: MildDifficulty: Easy |
Blue Apron has a large variety of recipes for the customer to choose from. The recipes here range in difficulty levels to accommodate all types of cooks. For those who are time-poor, Blue Apron also has easy-cooking meals that can be prepared completely in about 15 minutes. The recipes also range in their star ingredients, which include meat, veggies, and even seafood.
Sunbasket also has a wide range of recipes for the customer. The recipes in Sunbasket are mostly easy to prepare and can be fully cooked in five to six steps. The meals here offer many tasty and healthy ingredients. They have the right mix of nutrients and taste. They bring a good balance to the customer.
Winner: Sunbasket wins the Sample Meals segment.
Pricing and Plans
| Blue Apron | Sunbasket |
| Offers two plans – the Signature plan for 2 or 4 people and the Vegetarian plan for 2 people. Prices start at $9.99 per serving. | Offers several plans including the Classic menu, Family menu, and Fresh & Ready meals. Prices start at $8.99 per serving. |
When comparing the prices and plans of Blue Apron and Sunbasket, it’s clear that both services offer competitive options. They suit different needs. Blue Apron’s pricing starts at $9.99 per serving. They offer two main plans: the Signature plan, for 2 or 4 people, and the Vegetarian plan, for 2 people. This simple pricing structure makes it easy to choose a plan. You can pick one based on your household size and diet.
Winner: Blue Apro wins the Pricing and Plans
Dietary Preferences and Restrictions
| Blue Apron | Sunbasket |
| Offers some vegetarian options but may have limited choices for other dietary restrictions. | It offers more options for diets. It covers vegan, paleo, and gluten-free ones. |
Blue Apron and Sunbasket offer different levels of variety. They vary in how they accommodate dietary preferences and restrictions. Blue Apron does offer some vegetarian options. This can appeal to those who want to cut down on meat or follow a vegetarian diet. However, their choices for other dietary restrictions may be more limited.
On the other hand, Sunbasket shines in this area by offering a wide range of options to cater to various dietary needs. Sunbasket provides a plethora of choices to suit your needs. It doesn’t matter if you’re vegan, paleo, gluten-free, or have other dietary restrictions. This variety and flexibility can help people with specific diets. It ensures they can enjoy tasty, healthy meals without compromise.
Winner: Sunbasket wins the Dietary Preferences and Restrictions
App rating: Blue Apron vs. Sunbasket
| Platform | Blue Apron | Sunbasket |
| Google Play Store | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| Apple App Store | 4.7 | 4.7 |
| TWP Rating | 4/5 | 4.5/5 |
Final Verdict: The winner is Sunbasket with its high levels of customer satisfaction, along with easy to cook recipes.
Blue Apron gained wide popularity as a meal kit delivery service since it offers much more than just meal kits. In addition to standard meal kits, which any cook can prepare, Blue Apron also offers add-ons for customers to choose from. Blue Apron is also famous for its wine delivery service.
Sunbasket is one of the few organic meal kits that are present in the market today. Sunbasket’s meal kits are great. They contain the freshest and organic ingredients. They are entirely GMO-free. Sunbasket also gives customers the option to add more delicious goodies to their weekly meal boxes.
Between the two meal kit delivery services, Sunbasket steals the show. The competition between the two options was close. This was due to their superb quality. But, the options in Sunbasket are slightly better due to the organic ingredients used here. In this battle, Sunbasket emerges as the winner.
Methodology
We spoke to testers and real users to bring you the best reviews of each meal delivery service. We also reviewed the info on their websites and did research on social media. We checked the user reviews on social media sites. We have also used the reviews presented by current users of these services on their respective Google and Apple apps.
We are currently conducting our own internal review, and we will update this page with videos and pictures of our experiences. If they differ a lot from our external reviewers, we will update this post. You will get both views and can decide who is better for you based on the above information.
We used these criteria to assess the meal delivery services. They are the simplicity of the recipes, the variety of meals, inclusiveness of diets and cuisines, and even the supporting material.
We have also considered the sustainability and recyclability of the packaging. Lastly, we have also considered the delivery services and customer service of these platforms.
Frequently asked questions: “Blue Apron vs. Sunbasket”
Are Blue Apron meals already cooked?
Yes, the Blue Apron Heat and Eat meals are already cooked. Since they are fully prepared, the customer only needs to heat them in the microwave or a stovetop for a bit before consumption. Blue Apron also offers meal kits which need to be cooked from scratch.
Is Blue Apron good for weight loss?
No, Blue Apron is not good for weight loss. This is because this meal kit delivery service does not specifically have meal plans designed for weight loss. However, there are low-carb and low-calorie options in Blue Apron that may aid in weight loss.
Is Sunbasket processed food?
No, Sunbasket is not processed food. The food in Sunbasket meal kits is completely fresh and organic and therefore safe to consume on a long-term basis.
