The UK meal delivery market is booming as more people look for smarter, healthier ways to eat well without the hassle of shopping or cooking from scratch. But convenience is no longer the only priority, as nutrition and ingredient quality have become just as important.

One area seeing a major rise in demand is high-protein eating. Once reserved for athletes and gym enthusiasts, protein is now recognised as essential for maintaining energy, managing weight and supporting long-term health. That shift has inspired a new wave of meal services designed to make balanced, protein-rich eating easier than ever.

Both Frive and Prepped Pots cater to this growing trend, but with very different philosophies. Frive focuses on fresh, whole-food, high-protein meals made from clean ingredients to support overall wellness, while Prepped Pots offers frozen, high-protein meals built for speed, convenience and affordability. Here’s how they compare.

Brand Overviews 

Frive

Founded as Lions Prep in 2016 and rebranded as Frive in 2024, the company has become one of the UK’s leading names in premium meal prep. 

Frive’s mission is to make healthy eating effortless with chef-made, nutritionist-approved meals crafted entirely from whole, natural ingredients. Every dish is free from ultra-processed foods, seed oils and refined sugars, supporting a healthy, balanced lifestyle. 

With 40+ rotating dishes each week, Frive offers a mix of high protein breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks that are all fresh, ready to heat in minutes, and designed to fit into even the busiest routines.

Prepped Pots

Prepped Pots, part of the MuscleFood brand, focus on convenient, high-protein meals for fitness and weight management. Its ready meals are portion-controlled, low in sugar, and designed to help customers achieve their macro goals without the hassle of cooking. 

With over 35 dishes to choose from each week, including meat, fish, vegan and vegetarian options, the brand offers flexibility for a range of diets. Meals arrive chilled or frozen and are ready to heat in under five minutes, combining affordability with practicality for anyone wanting to up their protein on a busy schedule.

Frive vs Prepped Pots: A Detailed Comparison 

Meal Quality & Ingredients 

The quality of ingredients can turn a convenient meal into a genuinely healthy one. With more people reading labels and avoiding unnecessary additives, what goes into your food matters just as much as how quickly it’s ready.

Frive

Frive prides itself on freshness and whole-food nutrition. Meals are high in protein, chef-made and nutritionist-approved, using 100% natural ingredients with no ultra-processed foods, seed oils or refined sugars. Around 30% of ingredients are organic, and all meat and fish are responsibly sourced from UK suppliers. 

Prepped Pots

Prepped Pots meals are designed with convenience and affordability in mind. Each dish is portion-controlled and high in protein as well as low in sugar, salt and saturated fat. However, ingredient transparency is more limited, with no information on ingredient sourcing and some reviews mentioning processed textures and flavours. 

Summary

Frive champions ingredient integrity with high-protein, whole-food meals made from scratch using no UPFs. Prepped Pots focuses on functionality with high-protein fuel at a lower price point rather than premium sourcing. 

If you care as much about the quality of what goes into your meals as the convenience of eating them, Frive has the cleaner, more premium and transparent approach.

Menu Variety & Specialisation 

Choice can make healthy eating feel effortless or repetitive. The best meal services keep things interesting while still supporting specific goals, like muscle gain or managing calories throughout the week.

Frive

With over 40 dishes each week, Frive covers everything from hearty mains to lighter breakfasts and snacks. Its menu rotates regularly and includes high-protein, low-carb, balanced, weight-loss and vegan and vegetarian plans that deliver consistent macros and nutrition. The high-protein options are ideal for those focused on training, muscle growth and recovery, providing steady energy and targeted nutrition to support active lifestyles. 

Meals are designed for variety without confusion, so you can mix and match between meal types or stick to one plan depending on your routine. Every dish is built around real ingredients and global flavours, keeping nutrition exciting and sustainable.

Prepped Pots

Prepped Pots has a smaller offering of around 35 meals each week across meat, fish, vegan and vegetarian options. The range is aimed at fitness enthusiasts who want quick, calorie-controlled portions that fit training or weight management goals. Each meal’s macro breakdown is clearly displayed, making it easy to track and plan.

Summary

Frive offers more choice across meal types and goals, catering to both everyday eaters and gym-goers following structured plans. Prepped Pots stays in the fitness lane, delivering straightforward, protein-packed meals for people who value simplicity. 

Order Now: Bulgogi Beef, Rice & Pickled Mooli Bowl (41g of protein)

Preparation & Delivery

With increasingly busy lifestyles, people want meals that fit around their schedule, not the other way around. The best services make it easy to eat well, no matter how chaotic the week gets, fitting naturally into your routine instead of adding another task to your to-do list.

Frive

Frive meals arrive fresh, fully cooked and ready to heat in less than five minutes in the microwave. You can also cook meals in the oven. 

There’s no prep, no chopping, and no washing up, and meals last up to seven days in the fridge or can be frozen for longer storage. Delivery runs four days a week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday), with split drops available to keep food fresher for longer.

Prepped Pots

Prepped Pots meals arrive chilled or frozen, designed for quick heating in the microwave in under five minutes. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to several months, offering flexibility for those who prefer to stock up, but are not suitable for oven cooking. 

Orders are delivered from Monday to Saturday, with meals kept frozen during transit. 

Summary

Both services deliver on speed and convenience, so it all boils down to freshness versus freezer flexibility. Frive provides fresh meals throughout the week for those who like variety and real-food texture. Prepped Pots’ frozen format works better for long-term storage and anyone who prefers to bulk order and heat meals as needed.

Read our guide to find out how long prepped meals actually last in the fridge.

Pricing & Value 

Price always matters, but what people really want is value, with meals that feel worth what they cost in both quality and convenience to justify every bite.

Frive

Frive keeps its pricing simple and flexible, with plans that scale depending on how many meals you’d like each week. The 6-meal plan comes in at £47.94 (£7.99 per meal), with generous introductory offers, 40% off in your first week and 20% off for the next two. 

Students and Blue Light cardholders can also benefit from additional savings. Each meal is freshly prepared by chefs using whole-food ingredients, supporting a range of goals from high-protein to weight-loss and balanced eating, all without compromising on quality or flavour. 

Prepped Pots

Prepped Pots is one of the more affordable meal options in the UK. Prices start from £3.59 per meal, with savings on larger boxes of 15 to 20 meals, and delivery costs £5.99. While it’s cheaper overall, the lower price reflects its frozen format and potentially lower-quality ingredients. Still, it’s a practical choice for anyone watching their budget while boosting their protein intake. 

Summary

Here we have a classic “you get what you pay for” situation. Frive offers a higher-end experience with whole-food meals made using up to 30% organic ingredients. At the same time, Prepped Pots wins on affordability but sacrifices transparency and may include processed ingredients.

Read our guide “How Much Does Meal Prep Delivery Really Save You?” to find out more.

Order Now: Chicken Pho with Rice Noodles, Fresh Herbs & Peppers (45g of protein)

Customer Satisfaction

Customer feedback says a lot about how a service performs beyond what’s promised, with real experiences often revealing what works and what falls short.

Frive

Frive has built an excellent reputation, scoring 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot from more than 9,000 reviews. Customers frequently praise the freshness, flavour and quality of the meals, often describing them as “restaurant-standard.” The brand’s clean-ingredient focus and nutrition credentials have also been recognised by Cosmopolitan and Glamour, with public endorsements from Rita Ora, Simon Pegg and Olympian Niamh Emerson.

Prepped Pots

Prepped Pots has a more mixed reputation, holding a 3.3 out of 5 Trustpilot rating from around 2,000 reviews. Customers generally appreciate the convenience, clear nutritional labelling and value for money. However, opinions vary when it comes to taste and texture.

Summary

Consistently praised for flavour, quality and reliability, Frive comes out ahead in customer satisfaction. Prepped Pots earns points for convenience and affordability, but its mixed feedback on taste and texture suggests it’s more of a functional choice than a foodie one. 

Tech compatibility 

In a world where most people manage their lives from their phones, a good digital setup can make or break the meal delivery experience. The best services make it simple to order, track nutrition, and stay on top of your goals with minimal effort.

Frive

Frive integrates technology directly into its meal experience. Every dish includes a barcode that links to MyFitnessPal, allowing customers to log calories, protein and macros instantly without manual entry. Orders can be managed through the Frive app or website, where users can adjust plans, track deliveries and pause subscriptions in just a few taps. 

Prepped Pots 

Prepped Pots offers the basic standards you’d expect from a meal delivery service. Orders can be placed and managed through the MuscleFood website or app, where customers can build their boxes, check nutrition details and manage subscriptions. While the platform provides information on macros and ingredients, there’s no integration with fitness tools.

Summary

Both services make ordering straightforward, but Frive’s digital edge gives it the advantage. Built-in barcode scanning and app-based management make tracking and adjusting plans effortless, while Prepped Pots keeps things practical but basic. For anyone serious about convenience and nutrition tracking, Frive’s tech setup adds meaningful value.

Additional Factors

From sustainability and flexibility to loyalty perks and dietary options, sometimes it’s the smaller details that decide which meal service fits best into your routine.

Frive

• - Flexible weekly plans with the option to pause, skip or cancel anytime.
• - Four delivery days each week (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday) for fresher food.
• - Meals last up to 7 days in the fridge and can be frozen for up to 28 days.
• - Eco-friendly, recyclable packaging designed for portion control and minimal waste.
• - Inclusive options for all major diets, including halal, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian.
• - Customer Rewards Club lets you earn points on every order to save on future boxes.
• - MyFitnessPal barcode integration supports easy macro tracking and fitness goals.
• - Uses responsibly sourced British produce, with around 30% of ingredients already organic. 

Prepped Pots 

• - Flexible subscription that can be paused, skipped or cancelled at any time.
• - Nationwide delivery six days a week (Monday–Saturday).
• - Meals cook directly from frozen or chilled in under five minutes for maximum convenience.
• - Clear macro and calorie information on every label to support fitness tracking.
• - Student and Blue Light discounts available (up to 10% off).
• - Recyclable packaging with ice packs and insulated boxes to maintain temperature.
• - Some reviews mention processed textures, limited ingredient transparency and smaller portion sizes.
• - Meals cannot be oven-cooked and may lack the freshness of premium alternatives.

Order Now: Grilled Rib-Eye Steak (47g of protein) 

Frive vs Prepped Pots: Choose Your Fuel

Choosing between Frive and Prepped Pots comes down to what matters most to you. 

If you care about the origin, production, and long-term health benefits of your food, Frive is the better choice with its fresh, whole-food approach. If your main goal is hitting protein targets on a budget and getting meals on the table fast, Prepped Pots gets the job done.

Frive is a better fit if you are:

• - Someone who cares about ingredient quality and wants 100% natural, high-protein, UPF-free meals.
• - Focused on long-term wellness, balanced nutrition and fitness-friendly macros.
• - Training regularly or aiming for muscle growth and recovery, with high-protein meals that support active lifestyles.
• - Looking for fresh, never-frozen meals that taste home-cooked and are ready in minutes.
• - Following a specific diet such as halal, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan or vegetarian.
• - Wanting a flexible plan with transparent pricing and a strong sustainability focus.
• - The type who enjoys data-driven health tracking through MyFitnessPal.
• - Happy to pay a little more for premium ingredients and consistent results.

Prepped Pots is a better fit if you are:

• - Focused on convenience and cost, with an emphasis on high-protein, portion-controlled meals.
• - Looking for freezer-friendly meals you can heat in under five minutes.
• - On a tight budget but still want reasonably balanced nutrition.
• - A student, gym-goer or anyone aiming to stay on track with calorie goals.
• - Someone who values simplicity and doesn’t mind a more functional, less premium taste.

Start a Frive plan today and enjoy chef-prepared, UPF-free meals made to fit your goals and your schedule.

FAQs

What is the main difference between Frive and Prepped Pots?

Frive delivers fresh, high-protein meals made from 100% natural ingredients and no ultra-processed foods.

Prepped Pots offers frozen, high-protein meals focused on affordability and convenience.

Frive is premium and freshness-led, while Prepped Pots is budget-friendly and fitness-focused.

Which is healthier, Frive or Prepped Pots?

Frive uses whole, clean ingredients with no seed oils or additives, making it the healthier choice for long-term wellness.

Prepped Pots meals are protein-rich and balanced but may include processed ingredients and frozen textures.

Is Frive more expensive than Prepped Pots?

Yes, Frive meals cost £7.99 each, reflecting premium ingredients and freshness.

Prepped Pots start from £3.59 per meal, but the lower price reflects frozen meals and simpler sourcing.

Which is better for fitness goals?

Both are high in protein, but Frive is better for macro tracking and muscle recovery, thanks to MyFitnessPal barcode integration.

Prepped Pots offers affordable protein for busy gym-goers who prioritise speed over variety or ingredient quality.

Does Frive cater to more dietary needs?

Yes. Frive supports halal, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian diets.

Prepped Pots caters mainly to vegan and vegetarian diets and is not suitable for halal or gluten-free customers.

Where does Frive deliver?

Frive delivers nationwide, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, Cardiff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and more.

Enter your postcode at checkout to confirm availability. Meals arrive in insulated, recyclable packaging to keep them fresh.

How does Frive compare to other UK meal delivery brands?

Frive is compared with leading UK brands such as Allplants, COOK, Simmer Eats, Prep Kitchen, Calo, Field Doctor and Gousto.

Each comparison covers price, nutrition, freshness and convenience, helping you choose the best service for your lifestyle.