Best Budget Food Delivery Options to Try Now

If you want the cheapest food delivery in 2025, you should look at Dinnerly and EveryPlate. Dinnerly starts at just $2.12 per serving, and EveryPlate often drops to $1.99 per meal with deals. These services give you lots of choices and keep things simple to save money.

Food delivery costs have gone up a lot over the past five years. You now pay for delivery, service fees, and tips on top of your meal. The best food delivery services can still help you save if you pick the right one. Think about how often you order, what you like to eat, and which services work best where you live.

Key Takeaways

• Meal kits like Dinnerly and EveryPlate are the cheapest. They cost as little as $2 for each serving. The recipes are easy to follow. They help you save time and cut down on waste.
• If you order straight from restaurants, you can save up to $10 each time. This is because you skip the big fees from delivery apps.
• Delivery apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, and ChowNow all have special perks. Try different apps to find the best deals. You can also help your favorite restaurants this way.
• Subscriptions and local deals or promo codes can make delivery cheaper. These can also give you special discounts.
• Think about how often you order food. Look at what foods you like and the delivery fees. This will help you choose the best service for your budget and lifestyle.

Cheapest Food Delivery Options

Dinnerly

Dinnerly is a good choice if you want cheap food delivery. Meals start at $2.12 per serving, which is very low for 2025. Dinnerly keeps things easy for customers. You see the shipping and total price before you pay. There are no hidden costs at checkout. The delivery fee is $11.99, but the low meal price helps make up for it.

Here’s a simple table showing Dinnerly and EveryPlate:

Dinnerly makes cooking simple for everyone. Recipes only have five steps and six ingredients. Even beginners can follow the instructions. The menu changes every week, so you get over 100 choices. There are kid-friendly and vegetarian meals too. Dinnerly uses less packaging and gives digital recipe cards. This helps reduce waste.

Tip: Order more meals at once to pay less per serving. This is great for families or people who like to plan meals ahead.

EveryPlate

EveryPlate is also a smart pick for cheap food delivery. Meals start at $2.99 per serving, but deals can drop it to $1.99 for your first box. The delivery fee is $9.99, which is lower than some other meal kits. EveryPlate saves money by using simple recipes and less packaging.

EveryPlate gives you quick and easy meals. Recipes use fewer ingredients, so you spend less time cooking. This service is good for families or anyone who wants to save money. You still get home-cooked food. EveryPlate does not have as many fancy or special meals as some other services. But you still get good value for your money.

• EveryPlate costs less than Blue Apron or HelloFresh.
• You save more when you order bigger boxes.
• The menu is simple, but you still get enough choices.

Direct Restaurant Delivery

Sometimes, the cheapest food delivery comes from your favorite restaurants. Many restaurants now deliver food themselves. They use their own drivers or local delivery companies. When you order direct, you skip the high fees from third-party apps.

Here’s a table showing how direct delivery compares to third-party apps:

When you order direct from restaurants, you help them avoid big commission fees. More of your money goes to the restaurant, not a middleman. You also save on delivery fees, which can add up quickly. Many restaurants pass these savings to you, so you pay less for your meal.

Note: Ordering direct often means fresher food and better service. Restaurants control the quality and timing, so your meal arrives just how you want it.

If you want the cheapest food delivery, check if your favorite restaurants deliver themselves. You could save up to $10 per order compared to using a big app. Lower delivery costs mean you might order more often. This helps you and the restaurants.

Top Food Delivery Services

When you search for food delivery, you see many apps. Some are better because they reach more people or give good deals. Some help restaurants save money too. Here’s a quick look at the biggest apps in 2025:

DoorDash

DoorDash is almost everywhere in the US. It covers most of the country and serves millions each month. You can change your order and track your food as it comes. You can ask for things like “no sauce.” Restaurants like DoorDash because it helps them manage orders and get new customers. Drivers are reliable and bring food fast. If you order a lot, DashPass can save you money. You get free delivery and special deals. There are also more menu choices.

• Change your order and track your food
• Support for restaurants and customers all day
• DashPass gives free delivery and deals

Uber Eats

Uber Eats is popular all over the world. You can use it in many cities. It often has great deals on food delivery. If you join Uber One, you pay each month or year for discounts. You get deals on food and rides. Uber Eats has special offers, like earning SkyMiles or gift cards. You can try Uber One for free at first. These deals help you save money. That makes Uber Eats a top pick for many people.

• Uber One gives discounts on food and rides
• Earn rewards like SkyMiles or gift cards
• Free trial for new users

Grubhub

Grubhub is a big name, especially in cities. You can join Grubhub+ for a monthly fee. You get free delivery from many places and cashback on some orders. Grubhub is known for clear prices and fewer hidden fees. If you live in a busy place, you may pay less for delivery. Grubhub+ is best if you order a lot and want to save money.

Tip: Grubhub is good if you want simple prices and regular deals.

ChowNow

ChowNow is different from other apps. It helps local restaurants set up their own ordering. It does not charge high commission fees. Restaurants can use their own drivers or work with others. When you order with ChowNow, restaurants keep more money. This can mean lower delivery fees and better prices for you. ChowNow also helps restaurants with marketing and support.

• No commission per order for restaurants
• Local places keep more money
• Delivery fees can be lower

If you want the best food delivery, try different apps. See which one gives you the best deals, lowest fees, and supports your favorite places.

Meal Kit Alternatives

Meal kits give you a smart way to enjoy fresh meals at home without the high cost of restaurant delivery. You get pre-portioned ingredients and easy recipes, so you spend less time shopping and planning. Let’s look at three popular meal kit services and see how they stack up for price, menu variety, and diet options.

Blue Apron

Blue Apron keeps things simple and budget-friendly. You pay about $7.99 per serving, plus a $9.99 shipping fee. The menu offers around 19 meals each week. You can pick from meal kits or prepared meals. Blue Apron works well if you want Weight Watchers-approved, vegetarian, or low-carb meals. You also get non-GMO produce and meats without antibiotics or hormones. If you want a meal kit that feels like a step up from basic delivery but still saves you money, Blue Apron is a solid choice.

HelloFresh

HelloFresh gives you the most choices. You can pick from over 30 meals every week. The cost per serving ranges from $7.99 to $9.99, and shipping depends on where you live. HelloFresh lets you swap sides or upgrade proteins, so you get more control over your meals. You can find vegetarian, pescatarian, Mediterranean, and family-friendly options. The ingredients are mostly conventional, but you get hormone-free chicken and pork. If you want lots of variety and easy delivery, HelloFresh stands out.

Home Chef

Home Chef focuses on quality and customization. Meals start at $9.99 per serving, with shipping between $10.99 and $15.99. If you order six meals, the price drops to $12.29 each, or $13.59 for four meals. You get a 30% discount for your first week. Home Chef offers chef-crafted meals, including keto, paleo, low-carb, and plant-based options. The meals feel like restaurant-quality, but you pay less than you would for restaurant delivery. You also skip extra delivery fees and tips. Home Chef helps you save time on meal planning and shopping.

Tip: Meal kits usually cost between $8 and $14 per serving. Restaurant delivery often costs more because of extra fees. For a family of four, meal kits can save you money each week compared to delivery.

Here’s a quick table to compare these meal kits:

Meal kits give you a middle ground between cooking from scratch and ordering delivery. You get fresh food, less waste, and more control over your meals. If you want to save money and still enjoy the convenience of delivery, meal kits are worth a try.

Comparison Table

It helps to see all the food delivery choices together. A comparison table makes it easy to find the best deal. You can look at prices, delivery fees, and menu options. The table also shows if the service works with restaurants. This helps you know where your money goes and how much you save.

Tip: You can save money by ordering straight from restaurants. Many places now deliver food themselves. This means you skip extra delivery fees from big apps. It helps restaurants make more money and gives you fresher food.

Meal kits often have higher delivery fees, but the food costs less per serving. If you use apps to order from restaurants, you pay delivery and service fees. Some restaurants set their own delivery fees, which can be cheaper than app fees. Always check if your favorite place delivers on its own. You might save a lot and help local restaurants too.

When you compare, think about how often you order food. Also, think about which places you like and how much you want to spend on delivery. Some apps work with many restaurants, while others focus on local spots. If you want to help small restaurants, ChowNow and direct delivery are good choices. If you want the lowest delivery fees, pick restaurants that deliver themselves.

Choosing a Service

Picking the right delivery service can help you save money and get meals you love. You want to think about how often you order, where to find the best discounts, and which menus fit your needs. Let’s break it down so you can make the smartest choice.

Order Frequency

How often do you order delivery? If you order a lot, you should look for ways to cut costs. Many people care most about price, with 65% saying cost is their top concern. Ordering in bulk can lower your per-meal price, which is great for families or busy weeks. Meal kits let you plan ahead and skip impulse grocery buys. Flexible subscriptions let you pause or skip weeks, so you only pay for delivery when you need it. You also waste less food because meals come pre-portioned.

• Bulk orders mean lower prices per meal.
• Subscriptions let you control how often you get delivery.
• Pre-portioned meals help you stick to your budget.

Local Deals

You can find big discounts by checking local deals. Groupon is a great place to start. It lists tons of delivery discounts, dining credits, and special offers from restaurants near you. You can filter by cuisine or location and even stack promo codes for extra savings. Always check for local discounts before you order. You might find a new favorite spot or save more at a place you already love.

Subscriptions

Delivery subscriptions can help you save if you order often. Services like DashPass, Uber One, or Grubhub+ offer free or discounted delivery for a monthly fee. You also get access to exclusive discounts and special deals. Subscriptions let you skip extra fees and sometimes give you early access to new menu items. If you order delivery a few times a week, a subscription can pay for itself quickly.

Tip: Try a free trial before you commit. You can test if the subscription matches your delivery habits.

Menu Preferences

Your food choices matter, too. Some delivery services let you customize meals for special diets, but these options can cost more. You might pay extra for gluten-free, vegan, or keto meals. Delivery fees and service charges also add up, especially if you pick premium menu items. Always check if your favorite meals come with extra costs.

• Custom menus can raise the total price.
• Delivery and service fees change based on your order.
• Special diets may mean higher prices.

Here’s a quick look at what matters most to people when picking a delivery service:

Want to save even more? Try these tips:

1. Compare prices and delivery fees across apps.
2. Pick restaurants with free delivery.
3. Use coupons and discounts in the app or online.
4. Refer friends to earn delivery credits.
5. Sign up for memberships to get free or cheaper delivery.
6. Order straight from restaurants to skip app fees.

You can find the best delivery deals by matching your order habits, checking for discounts, and picking menus that fit your needs. Saving money on delivery is all about knowing where to look and how to order smart.

You have lots of ways to save on delivery. The best food delivery for your budget might be a meal kit like Dinnerly or EveryPlate, or direct restaurant delivery. Always compare prices and look for deals. Many services offer big discounts for new users. Here are some popular first-time offers:

Want to save even more on delivery?

• Pick a delivery service that fits your schedule and diet.
• Try subscriptions if you order delivery often.
• Watch for free trials or first-time delivery discounts.
• Choose meal kits that match your household size to avoid waste.

Start comparing your options today. You can enjoy great meals and keep more money in your pocket!

FAQ

What is the cheapest food delivery option right now?

Meal kits like Dinnerly or EveryPlate are very cheap. Ordering straight from restaurants can also save you money. These choices often have lower delivery fees. You pay fewer extra charges than with big delivery apps.

How do food delivery services set their delivery fees?

Delivery fees depend on distance, time, and how busy it is. Some apps charge more when lots of people order. Restaurants may have lower fees if you order from them. Always look at the total cost before you pay.

Can I get discounts on food delivery apps?

Yes! Many apps give discounts to new users or have weekly deals. You can find promo codes online for extra savings. Some services lower delivery costs if you join a subscription or order from partner places.

Is it better to use a restaurant delivery service or a delivery app?

Ordering from restaurants can be cheaper and give you fresher food. Delivery apps have more choices, but you might pay more fees. Restaurant delivery often means lower costs and better food.