Meal Delivery Comparison
Factor vs Purple Carrot: Full Comparison
Fresh, never-frozen ready-to-eat meals with keto and high-protein options vs Plant-based meal kits with creative vegan and vegetarian recipes
Quick Answer
Factor offers prepared meals starting at ~$11/meal, best for health-conscious individuals wanting fresh, ready-to-eat meals. Purple Carrot offers meal kit starting at ~$10/meal, best for plant-based eaters wanting creative vegan and vegetarian recipes.
When comparing Factor and Purple Carrot, the key difference comes down to their approach: Factor is a prepared meals service starting at ~$11/meal, while Purple Carrot is a meal kit service starting at ~$10/meal.
Factor is best for health-conscious individuals wanting fresh, ready-to-eat meals. Purple Carrot is best for plant-based eaters wanting creative vegan and vegetarian recipes.
In this detailed comparison, we break down pricing, meal variety, dietary options, preparation requirements, and overall value so you can choose the right service for your needs.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Factor | Purple Carrot |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Prepared Meals | Meal Kit |
| Starting Price | ~$11/meal | ~$10/meal |
| Min. Meals/Week | 4 | 2 |
| Prep Time | 2 min (heat only) | 25-40 min |
| Best For | Health-conscious individuals wanting fresh, ready-to-eat meals | Plant-based eaters wanting creative vegan and vegetarian recipes |
| Dietary Options | Vegetarian, Keto, Calorie-Smart, High-Protein | Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free |
| Shipping | Free shipping | Free shipping |
| Meal Variety | 35+ meals weekly | 16+ plant-based recipes weekly |
Key Differences
The biggest difference between Factor and Purple Carrot is their service model. Factor delivers prepared meals at ~$11/meal per serving, requiring 2 min (heat only) of preparation. Purple Carrot delivers meal kit at ~$10/meal per serving, requiring 25-40 min of preparation.
If you enjoy cooking and want to develop culinary skills, the meal kit format from Purple Carrot may be the better choice. If your priority is time savings and convenience, the Factor prepared meal option is hard to beat.
Dietary options also differ: Factor offers Vegetarian, Keto, Calorie-Smart, High-Protein, while Purple Carrot offers Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free.
Factor Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fresh, never-frozen meals
- Dietitian-designed menus
- Keto & high-protein options
- Heat-and-eat in 2 min
Cons
- More expensive than budget meal kits
- Minimum 4 meals per week
Purple Carrot Pros & Cons
Pros
- 100% plant-based
- Creative vegan recipes
- Global flavor profiles
- High-protein options
Cons
- Requires active cooking time
- Minimum 2 meals per week
Price Comparison
On price, Purple Carrot is more affordable at ~$10/meal per meal, compared to ~$11/meal for Factor. Both services offer free shipping and flexible weekly ordering with no long-term commitment.
Keep in mind that prices vary based on the number of meals per week you select. Ordering more meals per week typically reduces the per-meal price for both services.
Which Should You Choose?
Factor is ideal for health-conscious individuals wanting fresh, ready-to-eat meals. The service offers fresh, never-frozen meals, dietitian-designed menus, keto & high-protein options, heat-and-eat in 2 min, making it a strong choice if these features align with your priorities.
Purple Carrot is ideal for plant-based eaters wanting creative vegan and vegetarian recipes. The service offers 100% plant-based, creative vegan recipes, global flavor profiles, high-protein options, making it the better choice if these features matter more to you.
Both services allow you to pause or skip weeks, and you can cancel at any time without penalty.

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