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Marley Spoon vs. Blue Apron meal kits

Blue Apron is the easier pick for most people because it needs no subscription. Marley Spoon publishes clearer prices and is a better value for families of 4 to 6 on its biggest plans.

By BestGuide Editorial Team is the BestGuide newsroom. Pages without a named reporter were compiled by staff from the sources listed on the page.Updated October 16, 2026This page was compiled from primary sources: company disclosures and terms, the BBB and regulators. Our ratings method is described on the methodology page.
Runner-upMarley SpoonBestGuide Score: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.
Visit siteRead our Marley Spoon review
Our pickBlue ApronBestGuide Score: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner.
Read our Blue Apron review

Quick verdict

These two have more in common than most rivals: both shipped U.S. orders through FreshRealm until its April 2026 bankruptcy, and both now rely on Misfits Market, with late and incomplete boxes reported during the switch. Blue Apron gets the edge for most people because it no longer requires a subscription, which removes Marley Spoon's biggest problem, an order cutoff up to 6 or 7 days before delivery that charges you in full if you miss it. Marley Spoon is the better value for big households, at $8.99 a serving on its largest plans, and it publishes prices before you sign up.

On this page11 sections
  1. Quick verdict
  2. Side by side
  3. Ratings and complaint records
  4. Price: which is cheaper?
  5. Subscription and cutoff rules
  6. Menu and meal types
  7. Reliability and complaints
  8. Pros and cons
  9. Also consider
  10. FAQ
  11. Sources

Marley Spoon vs. Blue Apron side by side

FeatureMarley SpoonBlue Apron
How you orderWeekly subscription; skip or pause before the cutoffOne-time orders; optional Autoship for 5% off Edge
Published price$11.99 a serving for 3 meals for 2; $8.99 on the largest plans EdgeNot published; shown as you build an order
Shipping$10.99 a box$11.49 per delivery, or free with Blue Apron+ at $9.99 a month
Plan sizes2, 3, 4 or 6 peopleOrder as many servings as you add
Meal formatsMeal kits, prepared meals, Market add-onsMeal kits, about 40 Dish heat-and-eat meals, Assemble and Bake trays
Order cutoff11:59 p.m. local time, 6 or 7 days before deliveryNone for one-time orders Edge
2026 fulfillmentFreshRealm bankruptcy, now Misfits MarketFreshRealm bankruptcy, now Misfits Market
BBB ratingF, not accredited; 127 complaints in 3 yearsD-, not accredited; 51 complaints in 3 years Edge
Trustpilot3.1 out of 5 from 5,179 reviews Edge2.4 out of 5
OwnerMarley Spoon Group SE (Germany)Wonder Group (since November 2023)
DisputesIndividual arbitration required; class actions waivedNot verified

"Edge" marks the better option on that line for most people. Marley Spoon leads on 2, Blue Apron on 3.

Ratings and complaint records

Our score and sub-scores from each company's review, with the facts both reviews list.

FeatureMarley SpoonBlue Apron
BestGuide Score4.2 out of 54.3 out of 5 Edge
Reputation80 / 10085 / 100 Edge
Services90 / 10090 / 100
Transparency90 / 10090 / 100
Customer Satisfaction70 / 10080 / 100 Edge
Scalability85 / 10085 / 100
BBBFD-
Trustpilot3.1 out of 52.4 out of 5
Apple App Store4.7 out of 54.7 out of 5

Price: which is cheaper?

Marley Spoon is easier to price before you commit. It advertises recipes from $8.90 a portion, and its plan page lists $71.94 a week, or $11.99 a serving, for 3 meals for 2 people. The smallest plan is $12.99 a serving, and the largest plans drop to $8.99. Shipping is $10.99 a box, and vouchers apply to food, not shipping. Market items ride in the same box with no extra delivery charge.

Blue Apron prices each item as you add it, so there’s no single per-serving figure, and its site blocked our automated price check. Its membership FAQ, archived in July 2026, listed shipping at $11.49 per delivery, waived for Blue Apron+ members who pay $9.99 a month or $99.99 a year. Autoship takes 5% off.

For a family of four or more ordering most nights, Marley Spoon’s large plans are likely the better value. For a couple buying now and then, build the same week at Blue Apron and compare cart totals, including shipping and tax, before choosing.

Subscription and cutoff rules

This is the main difference. Blue Apron dropped its subscription requirement on August 19, 2025. You pick meals, check out and nothing renews unless you turn on Autoship or Blue Apron+.

Marley Spoon is a weekly subscription that renews until you cancel. Its cutoff is 11:59 p.m. local time, up to 6 or 7 days before delivery depending on your zip code, and it can move by up to 48 hours around holidays with 7 days’ notice. Skip, edit or cancel after that and the box is charged in full. Charges after a missed skip are among the most common complaints in its BBB and Trustpilot reviews.

You can cancel Marley Spoon in your account, by phone at 866-228-4513, by email or by mail, and you should keep the confirmation. Its terms also require individual arbitration for disputes. If you know you’ll forget a deadline a week in advance, Blue Apron’s model is the safer one.

Reliability and complaints

The two share a recent history. FreshRealm packed and shipped U.S. orders for both until it filed for Chapter 11 on April 27, 2026. Misfits Market took over for both, and on August 21, 2026 Marley Spoon said it was negotiating to make Misfits its permanent U.S. fulfillment partner. Customers of both reported late or canceled boxes, missing ingredients and slow support during the move.

The BBB rates Marley Spoon F with 127 complaints in three years, and Blue Apron D- with 51. Trustpilot is kinder to Marley Spoon, at 3.1 out of 5 from 5,179 reviews, than to Blue Apron at 2.4. Marley Spoon replies to most negative Trustpilot reviews and backs ingredients for 4 days, asking you to report problems within 7 days; it usually issues credits, with refunds at its discretion.

Marley Spoon’s parent reported a 24% revenue drop in the first half of 2026. With either service, avoid prepaying for large bundles or gift cards, check boxes on arrival and ask for refunds to your card if you plan to stop ordering.

Pros and cons

Marley Spoon

Pros

  • Large weekly menu with Martha Stewart-branded recipes, prepared meals and Market add-ons
  • Advertised recipes from $8.90 per portion
  • Skip or pause any week before the cutoff
  • Replies to most negative Trustpilot reviews

Cons

  • F rating from BBB with 127 complaints in three years
  • Cutoff can be 6 or 7 days before delivery, and late changes are charged in full
  • U.S. fulfillment disrupted by FreshRealm's April 2026 bankruptcy
  • Problems are usually settled with credits rather than refunds

Blue Apron

Pros

  • No subscription required, so you can order one week at a time
  • Wide menu with meal kits, heat-and-eat meals and one-pan bakes
  • Optional 5% off with Autoship
  • Well-rated app

Cons

  • 2026 fulfillment change led to late, canceled and incomplete orders
  • D- BBB rating and a 2.4 Trustpilot score
  • Shipping fees and current per-serving prices aren't easy to confirm before you build an order
  • Customer service is hard to reach, per recent reviews

Also consider

  • Green Chef 4.4 Couples and families who cook and want organic produce or a keto, gluten-free or plant-based menu without planning meals.
  • HelloFresh 4.2 Couples and families who enjoy cooking and want a big weekly menu without planning meals or shopping.
  • Sunbasket 4.2 People on a paleo, diabetes-friendly or other specific diet who want both cook-it kits and heat-and-eat meals and will track the weekly cutoff.

See every pick in our meal kits guide

Frequently asked questions

Is Marley Spoon better than Blue Apron?

For most people, Blue Apron is easier because it doesn't require a subscription. Marley Spoon is the better value for families on its biggest plans, at $8.99 a serving.

Do Marley Spoon and Blue Apron use the same fulfillment company?

Yes. Both used FreshRealm until its April 2026 bankruptcy, and both now rely on Misfits Market for U.S. orders.

Does Marley Spoon require a subscription?

Yes. It's a weekly subscription you can skip or pause before a cutoff that can be 6 or 7 days before delivery. Blue Apron has sold one-time orders since August 2025.

How much does Marley Spoon cost compared with Blue Apron?

Marley Spoon lists $11.99 a serving for 3 meals for 2, plus $10.99 shipping. Blue Apron doesn't publish a per-serving price; it listed shipping at $11.49 in July 2026.

What are their BBB ratings?

Marley Spoon is rated F and Blue Apron D-. Neither is BBB accredited.

Who owns Marley Spoon and Blue Apron?

Marley Spoon Group SE in Germany owns Marley Spoon. Wonder Group, founded by Marc Lore, has owned Blue Apron since November 2023.

Which has heat-and-eat meals?

Both sell some. Blue Apron offers about 40 Dish by Blue Apron meals that heat in about five minutes, and Marley Spoon sells prepared meals alongside its kits.

Sources (13)

Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards

  1. Marley Spoon: Select a plan (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  2. Marley Spoon: Menu and pricing (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  3. Marley Spoon: U.S. terms and conditions (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  4. BBB: Marley Spoon Inc. business profile (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  5. Trustpilot: Martha Stewart and Marley Spoon reviews (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  6. Fortune: Blue Apron is sold for $103 million (September 29, 2023) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  7. Blue Apron: Blue Apron+ membership FAQ (archived July 3, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  8. MarketScreener (Dow Jones): FreshRealm files for bankruptcy after recalls, Walmart loss (accessed October 12, 2026)
  9. Blue Apron Blog: Meet the new Blue Apron (accessed October 12, 2026)
  10. Food On Demand: Blue Apron ditches subscriptions (August 19, 2025) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  11. BBB: Blue Apron, Inc. business profile (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  12. Trustpilot: Blue Apron reviews (accessed Oct 12, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
  13. Marley Spoon Group SE: Ad hoc announcement on Misfits Market as U.S. fulfillment agent (August 21, 2026) (accessed October 12, 2026)
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