Are you trying to decide between EveryPlate and Pepper Leaf for your meal kit subscription? As someone who’s tried both, I’ll take you through my experience and let you know which one came out on top. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of pricing, health ratings, convenience, customer support, packaging, recipe options, website ease of use, delivery options, and overall value for money.
Pricing and Value for Money
EveryPlate is a no-frills, budget-friendly meal kit service. Their prices range from $4.44 to $11.67 per serving, depending on the size of the box. For a 4-person, 3-meal kit, you’ll pay $89.99. On the other hand, Pepper Leaf offers premium, locally sourced ingredients at a higher price point. Prices range from $10.50 to $17.48 per serving, and a 4-person, 3-meal kit costs $134.90.
Winner: EveryPlate for its unbeatable value for money.
Health Ratings and Recipe Options
EveryPlate offers 22 meal choices, including kid-friendly, speedy, and veggie options. While they focus on family-friendly meals, their health ratings are not the best. Pepper Leaf has 16 meal choices, with some vegetarian options. They prioritise premium quality ingredients and local suppliers, making their meals healthier overall.
Winner: Pepper Leaf for healthier meal options and premium ingredients (despite slightly fewer meal choices)
Convenience and Ease of Use
Both EveryPlate and Pepper Leaf forgo paper bags for their ingredients, opting for sustainable packaging. While this means a bit more time spent sorting ingredients, it’s a small trade-off for eco-friendliness. Both websites are user-friendly and easy to navigate.
Winner: Tie since both providers offer similar levels of convenience and ease of use.
Customer Support
I had to reach out to EveryPlate customer support a few times regarding missing or damaged ingredients, but they were always helpful and responsive. While I didn’t have any issues with Pepper Leaf, I called their customer support to test their responsiveness, and they were friendly, helpful, and even had a sense of humour.
Winner: Tie as both companies provide excellent customer support.
Delivery Options
EveryPlate delivers to Melbourne four days a week (Sunday to Wednesday) with a flat $9.99 shipping fee. Pepper Leaf also delivers to Melbourne four days a week (Friday to Monday) but offers free shipping. Both services have similar delivery schedules in other locations as well.
Winner: Pepper Leaf for their free shipping advantage.
Packaging
EveryPlate and Pepper Leaf use recyclable cooler bags with ice packs for chilled items. EveryPlate’s packaging, however, occasionally results in damaged produce due to shifting during transit. Pepper Leaf packages their ingredients more carefully, preventing damage.
Winner: Pepper Leaf for better packaging quality.
| Comparison Point | EveryPlate | Pepper Leaf | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Range | $4.44-$8.00 | $10.50-$17.46 | EveryPlate |
| 3 Meals for 4 People | $89.99 | $134.90 | EveryPlate |
| Menu Range | 22 Meals | 16 meals | EveryPlate |
| Menu Type Variety | 4/10 - Few Options - Most Basic | 5/10 - Few options but great quality | Pepper Leaf |
| Delivery Days | 4 Per Week | 4 Per Week | Tied |
| Packaging Info | Loose in Box | Loose in Box | Tied |
| Quality of Ingredients | 5/10 - Low quality at times. | 9/10 - Local produce and much fresher than other meal kits | Pepper Leaf |
| Customer Service | 6/10 | 9/10 | Pepper Leaf |
| Convenience | 6/10 - Easy ordering, easy to follow instructions, some pantry items required. | 8/10 - I don't love the loosely packed items when compared to paper bags for each meal, but boxes are packed well to avoid damage. | Pepper Leaf |
| Overall Winner... | Pepper Leaf |
In conclusion, if you’re looking for the most affordable meal kit option, EveryPlate is the clear winner. However, if you’re willing to spend a bit more for premium ingredients, healthier options, and better packaging, Pepper Leaf takes the crown. Both meal kit services have their merits, and your final decision will ultimately come down to your personal priorities and budget.
For me, I found that Pepper Leaf’s focus on quality ingredients, support for local suppliers, and free shipping were worth the additional cost. I also appreciated their commitment to sustainability and the fact that their meals are generally healthier. On the other hand, EveryPlate offers an unbeatable value for money, which could be the deciding factor for many households, especially those on a tight budget.
So, which one should you choose? If your main concern is your wallet, EveryPlate is the way to go. But if you’re willing to invest a little extra for a more premium experience, then Pepper Leaf is the winner.
Remember, it’s all about what matters most to you, and you can always give both a try to see which one best fits your needs and preferences.
