Frive vs Prep Kitchen: Which UK Meal Delivery Service Is Best For You?
Meal prep delivery is booming in the UK, driven by busy schedules, rising food costs, and the demand for healthier alternatives to supermarket-ready meals. The market is projected to reach £8.7 billion (around $11.1 billion) by 2027, with Frive and Prep Kitchen among the most popular choices.
Both brands put nutrition and high-protein meals at the heart of their offer, but their focus differs.
Prep Kitchen is performance-driven, known for its macro-balanced Weight Loss and Muscle Gain plans.
Frive takes a broader approach, combining performance-focused, high-protein meals with balanced options across breakfasts, snacks, lunches and dinners. This makes it a strong fit for fitness enthusiasts as well as everyday users who want variety without compromising on nutrition.
In this guide, we compare Frive and Prep Kitchen on meal quality, nutrition, variety, pricing, delivery and reviews so you can decide which service best fits your lifestyle.
| Category | Frive | Prep Kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | The only UK meal prep provider using 100% natural ingredients with no ultra-processed foods. Chef-prepared, nutritionist-approved. Many meals contain 40g+ protein, supporting weight loss, muscle gain and balanced eating. | Macro-balanced meals with many 40g+ protein options, designed for weight loss or muscle gain. Recipes lean more functional and performance-first, with some use of UPFs. |
| Variety | 40+ dishes weekly including breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Options for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and halal diets. | Around 20 rotating dishes weekly, mainly focused on mains with some breakfasts/snacks. Limited vegan and vegetarian options. |
| Delivery | Four delivery days (Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu). Meals last up to 7 days in the fridge. Split deliveries keep food fresher and add flexibility. | Twice weekly (Sun & Mon). Some meals arrive freezer-friendly for longer storage. |
| Cooking | Fully cooked, ready in less than 5 minutes in the microwave. All meals can also be oven-heated in under 40 minutes. | Fully cooked, heats in less than 5 minutes in the microwave. |
| Price | Example 6-meal plan: £47.10 (~£7.85 per meal). Student and Blue Light discounts available. Regular new customer offers. | Example 6-meal plan: £49.50 (£8.25 per meal) for the high-protein range. Discounts less frequent. |
| Reputation | 4.5/5 Trustpilot (9k+ reviews), praised for freshness, nutrition and convenience. Endorsed by Olympian Niamh Emerson. | 4.4/5 Trustpilot (3k+ reviews), known for performance-focused meals. Athlete ambassadors include Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hall. |
| Dietary Requirements Supported | Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, halal. | Some vegetarian and vegan options, but range is narrower. |
| Diet Plans Available | High Protein (40g+), Low Carb, Low-Calorie, Balanced. | Weight Loss and Muscle Gain plans, focused on macro tracking and performance. |
| Additional Factors | Customer Rewards Club: earn points every time you order (“the more you eat, the more you save”). Strong eco-focus with recyclable, portion-controlled packaging. | Recyclable packaging. Practical, goal-driven brand but no rewards or loyalty scheme. |
| Tech Compatibility | All meals barcode-scannable and fully compatible with MyFitnessPal for easy calorie and macro tracking. Orders via website or app. | Orders via website. |
| Best For | Fitness enthusiasts, gym-goers, busy professionals, couples, families, eco-conscious customers, and busy parents who want whole-food meals with variety and flexible plans. | Gym-goers, athletes and macro trackers who want straightforward, protein-rich staples and are comfortable with a smaller, more functional menu. |
Brand Overviews
Frive
Launched as Lions Prep in 2016 and rebranded in 2024, Frive is one of the UK’s leading healthy meal prep delivery services. Its chef-crafted, nutritionist-approved meals are built on whole ingredients with no ultra-processed fillers.
Alongside balanced options, Frive offers dedicated plans for weight loss and muscle gain, with many meals containing 40g+ protein. Trusted by Olympian Niamh Emerson, it appeals to athletes, fitness enthusiasts, busy professionals, parents, couples and families looking for convenience without compromise.
Prep Kitchen
Prep Kitchen was founded in 2015 by Mark Morley and William Fishenden as a meal prep delivery service designed to make healthy eating easier.
Like Frive, it has become popular among fitness enthusiasts and gym-goers thanks to its performance-focused meals, many with 40g+ protein. With around 20+ dishes each week and options tailored to weight loss or muscle gain, it is a trusted choice for those pursuing clear nutrition goals.
Frive’s Taiwanese Chilli Chicken, packed full of 58 grams of protein
Detailed Comparison
Meal Quality & Ingredients
Variety helps keep meal delivery sustainable long-term. Services that refresh their menus and cater to different diets reduce the risk of food fatigue and make it easier to stay consistent.
Frive
Frive serves 40+ weekly dishes across breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, all made with 100% natural ingredients and no ultra-processed foods.
Plans include high-protein (40g+) meals, as well as options for weight loss, balanced eating, and those with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb preferences. Seasonal updates add variety while supporting a wide range of health and fitness goals.
Prep Kitchen
Prep Kitchen runs a smaller menu of around 20+ dishes weekly, mostly centred on mains, with optional breakfasts and snacks like protein oats or pancakes.
A good number of meals contain 40g+ protein, appealing to gym-goers and those working toward structured plans like muscle gain or fat loss. The menu rotates regularly, but the focus remains on functional, performance-driven staples.
Summary
Frive is best for those who want protein-rich meals while also having the flexibility to choose balanced or goal-specific plans across a wide menu. Prep Kitchen suits users who prefer a smaller, performance-focused selection built around consistent, high-protein staples.
Preparation & Delivery
Convenience is one of the biggest reasons people turn to meal prep services, and delivery schedules often decide whether customers stick with it long term.
Frive
Frive delivers four times a week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday), giving customers more flexibility and fresher meals throughout the week. Meals arrive chilled in recyclable packaging, last up to seven days in the fridge, and are fully cooked, ready in less than five minutes in the microwave or under 40 minutes in the oven.
Prep Kitchen
Prep Kitchen delivers twice a week, on Sundays and Mondays. Some meals arrive fresh, while others are freezer-friendly for longer storage.
Meals are fully cooked and heat in under five minutes, offering flexibility for those who want to stock up.
Summary
Frive is best for customers who want freshness spread across the week with less reliance on frozen storage. Prep Kitchen is a good fit for those comfortable with weekly drops and the option of freezer-friendly meals.
For tips on cutting down time in the kitchen, read our guide “Save 7 hours a week by rethinking food habits”.
Pricing & Value
Cost is always a crucial factor in determining whether meal prep delivery is sustainable on a week-to-week basis. Both Frive and Prep Kitchen fall into the mid-to-premium range, but the way they deliver value is slightly different.
Frive
A 6-meal plan with Frive costs £47.10, working out at around £7.85 per meal. The price reflects premium, whole-food ingredients, chef-prepared recipes and the flexibility to choose from high-protein, weight-loss or balanced plans. Regular introductory discounts make Frive more affordable for new customers.
Prep Kitchen
A comparable 6-meal plan with Prep Kitchen costs £47.76, or about £7.96 per meal. Meals are designed with a performance focus, but the menu is narrower and geared more toward repetitive, macro-driven staples than variety.
Summary
On a 6-meal comparison, Frive comes out slightly cheaper while offering broader choice, fresher delivery options and premium whole-food ingredients. Prep Kitchen is still competitive, but discounts are less frequent, making Frive the stronger long-term fit for most users.
If cost is a key factor for you, take a look at our guide “How much does meal prep delivery really save you?”
Frive’s Grilled Rib-Eye Steak, packed full with 43.58 grams of protein
Customer Satisfaction & Social Proof
Customer feedback is one of the clearest ways to see how well a meal delivery service holds up in real life. Reviews and endorsements help show whether meals deliver on freshness, taste and convenience.
Frive
Frive holds a 4.5/5 Trustpilot score from more than 9,000 reviews, with customers often praising the freshness, balanced nutrition and convenience. It has been featured in lifestyle outlets like Cosmopolitan and Glamour, and is endorsed by public figures such as Rita Ora, Simon Pegg and Olympian Niamh Emerson.
Prep Kitchen
Prep Kitchen scores 4.4/5 on Trustpilot from over 3,000 reviews. The brand has partnered with ambassadors including Anthony Joshua, Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Eddie Hall, helping to build visibility. Customer reviews frequently mention its ease and usefulness for keeping on track with healthy eating.
Summary
Both brands enjoy consistently positive ratings, though they appeal slightly differently. Frive tends to resonate with customers who prioritise whole-food quality and variety, while Prep Kitchen attracts those who appreciate straightforward, performance-friendly meals.
Tech Compatibility
Technology can make tracking and managing meal plans much easier. Here’s how Frive and Prep Kitchen compare:
Frive
All meals are barcode-scannable and fully compatible with MyFitnessPal, making calorie and macro tracking seamless. Customers can place and manage orders through both the website and app.
Prep Kitchen
Orders are managed through the website.
Summary
Frive suits users who want quick, tech-enabled tracking via MyFitnessPal alongside flexible ordering through an app or website. Prep Kitchen provides a simpler, website-only ordering system without direct nutrition app integration.
Additional Factors
The finer details, such as sustainability, tech compatibility, and dietary flexibility, can help you decide which service feels like the best fit.
Frive
Frive offers flexible subscriptions that can be paused, skipped or cancelled anytime. It has a strong sustainability focus, using recyclable packaging and portion-controlled meals designed to cut food waste.
Customers benefit from one of the widest dietary ranges, with vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and halal options all available. All meals are 100% natural with no ultra-processed foods, prepared to high food safety standards using trusted UK suppliers such as Red Tractor assured meat.
Frive also runs a customer rewards club and provides barcode-scannable meals fully compatible with MyFitnessPal for easy tracking.
Prep Kitchen
Prep Kitchen also allows users to pause, skip or cancel their plan online.
Packaging is recyclable, and meals arrive sealed for storage in the fridge or freezer. Its plans focus on high-protein and performance-driven staples, with some vegetarian and vegan options available, though the dietary range is narrower compared to Frive.
Meals meet UK food safety standards, and the brand is positioned more toward functional, fitness-first eating.
Summary
Both services provide flexible subscriptions, recyclable packaging and meet strict UK food safety standards. Frive goes further with broader dietary inclusivity, a rewards club, and MyFitnessPal integration, making it better for households with diverse needs. Prep Kitchen offers a more streamlined, fitness-first service that suits those who want straightforward, macro-focused meal prep without extra frills.
For those interested in sustainability, read our guide that discusses how best to reduce food waste.
Who is Frive best suited for vs Prep Kitchen?
Frive and Prep Kitchen are both popular meal delivery services, but their menus and service models cater to different needs. Both make healthy eating easier, yet each suits slightly different lifestyles and priorities.
Frive suits:
- - Fitness enthusiasts and gym-goers who want high-protein meals, with dishes containing 40g+ protein to support training and recovery.
- - Busy professionals, parents, or couples who want chef-prepared meals ready in minutes without the stress of cooking.
- - Health-conscious eaters looking for meals made with 100% natural ingredients and no ultra-processed foods.
- - Customers aiming for weight loss, muscle gain or balanced eating, supported by tailored plans and nutritionist-approved recipes.
- - Variety-seekers who enjoy rotating options across breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, refreshed multiple times per week.
- - Eco-conscious customers who value recyclable packaging, portion control, and initiatives like reducing food waste.
- - Those who track nutrition through apps like MyFitnessPal, with every meal barcode-scannable for easy logging.
- - Anyone who appreciates rewards programmes, earning savings the more they order.
Prep Kitchen suits:
- - Fitness-focused users who track macros or calories for goals like fat loss or muscle gain.
- - Athletes and gym-goers who want straightforward, protein-rich meals, many with 40g+ protein.
- - Customers who prefer structured plans with clear macro targets and a smaller, repeatable menu.
- - Those who want a range of breakfasts, lunches and dinners but are comfortable with a tighter weekly selection.
- - Customers are happy with weekly deliveries and storing meals in the fridge or freezer for later use.
Try Frive today and take advantage of introductory discounts on chef-prepared meals that make healthy eating effortless, delicious and tailored to your lifestyle.
FAQs
Which is healthier, Frive or Prep Kitchen?
Frive is the only UK provider using 100% natural ingredients with no ultra-processed foods, ideal for clean eaters.
Does Frive or Prep Kitchen offer more variety?
Frive provides 40+ weekly dishes across breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks, including options for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free and halal diets. Prep Kitchen offers around 20 rotating meals weekly, mainly mains with some breakfasts and snacks, but a narrower range of vegan and vegetarian choices. If variety matters, Frive comes out ahead.
How do Frive and Prep Kitchen compare on delivery?
Frive offers four delivery days per week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday), with meals lasting up to 7 days in the fridge. This split schedule keeps meals fresher for longer and gives customers greater flexibility. Prep Kitchen delivers twice weekly (Sunday and Monday), with some meals arriving freezer-friendly for longer storage.
Are meals from Frive and Prep Kitchen easy to prepare?
Yes, both brands provide fully cooked meals that heat in under 5 minutes in the microwave. Frive also offers oven-heating in under 40 minutes, while Prep Kitchen meals are primarily microwave-ready. Both are designed for convenience, but Frive’s multiple reheating options provide added flexibility.
Which is cheaper, Frive or Prep Kitchen?
A 6-meal plan with Frive costs £47.10, around £7.85 per meal. Prep Kitchen’s 6-meal high-protein plan costs £47.76, or about £7.96 per meal. Frive is slightly cheaper per meal and runs new-customer discounts more regularly, making it more cost-effective long term.
What do reviews say about Frive vs Prep Kitchen?
Frive scores 4.5/5 on Trustpilot from 9,000+ reviews, praised for freshness, flavour and convenience. Prep Kitchen holds a 4.4/5 rating from over 3,000 reviews, with endorsements from athlete ambassadors like Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hall. Frive is rated higher overall, while Prep Kitchen is popular with performance-focused users.
Who should choose Frive and who should choose Prep Kitchen?
Frive suits fitness enthusiasts, busy parents and health-conscious users who want high-protein, whole-food meals alongside variety and dietary flexibility. Prep Kitchen suits gym-goers and macro trackers who prefer structured, performance-driven menus with fewer options. If you want clean ingredients and variety, Frive is the stronger all-rounder.
