The Three Types of Delivery — and What They Really Cost
When families ask us which delivery service is cheapest, they usually mean one of three things. Grocery delivery brings the ingredients to your door so you cook. Meal kits send pre-portioned ingredients with recipes so you cook with less planning. Prepared meals arrive fully cooked and just need heating.
Each category has a different price range. Knowing which one fits your situation is the first step to saving money. A senior who enjoys cooking will waste money on prepared meals. A senior who struggles with standing at the stove will waste money on meal kits they never use.
We compared the top services in all three categories. Here is what we found, broken down so you can pick the cheapest option for your situation.
Quick Price Comparison: All Services at a Glance
Before we get into the details, here is a side-by-side table showing the cost per meal or per delivery for every major service. Use this as your quick reference.
| Service | Type | Cost Per Meal | Delivery Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walmart Grocery | Grocery | $3-$5 | Free w/ Walmart+ | Cheapest groceries overall |
| Amazon Fresh | Grocery | $3-$5 | Free over $100 | SNAP EBT users |
| Kroger Delivery | Grocery | $3-$5 | Free over $35 | Kroger shoppers |
| Instacart | Grocery | $4-$6 + markup | $3.99+ per order | Store variety |
| Shipt | Grocery | $4-$6 + markup | Free w/ membership | Target shoppers |
| EveryPlate | Meal Kit | $4.99-$5.99 | Free | Cheapest meal kit |
| HelloFresh | Meal Kit | $7.99-$9.99 | Free | Recipe variety |
| Mom's Meals | Prepared | $6.99-$8.99 | Free | Medicare/Medicaid covered |
| Silver Cuisine | Prepared | $9.99-$11.99 | Free | Senior-specific menus |
| Factor | Prepared | $10.99-$13.49 | Free | Fresh, not frozen |
| Magic Kitchen | Prepared | $10-$14 | Free over $99 | Frozen meals, flexibility |
1. Cheapest Grocery Delivery: Walmart Grocery
Walmart Grocery Delivery
Walmart Grocery is the cheapest way to get groceries delivered, period. The reason is simple: Walmart charges the same prices online as in-store. No hidden markup. A gallon of milk, a bag of apples, a loaf of bread — all the same price whether you walk into the store or order from your couch.
You can use Walmart Grocery for delivery or free pickup. With a Walmart+ membership at $12.95 per month or $98 per year, delivery is free on orders over $35. Without the membership, delivery costs $7.95 to $9.95 per order. Even without the membership, the total is often cheaper than Instacart or Shipt because there is no price markup.
SNAP EBT: Accepted for both delivery and pickup. You can split payment between EBT and a debit card in the same order. This makes Walmart the best choice for seniors on food assistance.
Pickup is always free: No membership, no minimum, no fee. Order online, drive to the store, and they load your car. If you can drive or have a family member who can, this is the cheapest option of all.
2. Cheapest Grocery Delivery Without a Membership: Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh
Amazon Fresh charges the same prices as Whole Foods in-store — no markup. And here is the key advantage for seniors: if you have SNAP EBT, you get free delivery on orders over $100 with no membership required. No Prime, no monthly fee, nothing. Just your EBT card.
You can try Amazon Fresh for grocery delivery if you already have Amazon Prime ($14.99/month or $139/year). Prime gets you free delivery on orders over $35 plus all the other Prime benefits like streaming and free shipping on Amazon orders.
If you do not have Prime and do not qualify for EBT, the delivery fee is $7.95 to $9.95 per order. At that point, Walmart+ at $12.95/month is a better deal if you order more than once a month.
3. Cheapest Grocery for Kroger Shoppers: Kroger Delivery
Kroger Delivery
If you already shop at Kroger, Kroger delivery is hard to beat. Kroger charges in-store prices — no markup — and accepts SNAP EBT for both pickup and delivery. Kroger Boost is the delivery membership: $59/year (Boost) or $99/year (Boost Plus). Both give free delivery on orders over $35.
Without Boost, delivery costs $7.95 to $9.95 per order. Kroger also offers free pickup at most stores. If you live near a Kroger, this is a strong alternative to Walmart.
4. Instacart and Shipt: More Convenient, More Expensive
Instacart and Shipt are the two biggest third-party delivery services. They shop at local stores for you — including stores that do not offer their own delivery. The trade-off is price.
Both services add a markup of 5 to 15 percent on top of store prices. A $4 gallon of milk at the store might cost $4.50 or $4.75 through Instacart. That markup adds up fast across a full grocery order.
Instacart: Delivery starts at $3.99 per order. Instacart covers 80,000+ stores, so it is the best option if you want to shop at a specific local store that does not deliver. Instacart+ costs $9.99/month or $99/year and gives free delivery on orders over $35 — but the price markup still applies.
Shipt: Delivery is free with a Shipt membership ($10.99/month or $99/year) on orders over $35. Shipt is best for Target shoppers and some regional grocery chains. The same 5 to 15 percent markup applies.
When Instacart or Shipt Makes Sense
Use Instacart or Shipt when you need delivery from a store that does not have its own delivery program. If your local store offers Walmart, Amazon Fresh, or Kroger delivery directly, those will almost always be cheaper. Instacart and Shipt are for convenience and store choice — not for the lowest price.
5. Cheapest Meal Kit: EveryPlate
EveryPlate
EveryPlate is the cheapest meal kit on the market. At $4.99 to $5.99 per serving, it costs about half of what HelloFresh charges. The recipes are simple — usually 30 minutes or less — and the ingredients come pre-portioned so nothing goes to waste.
The trade-off is simplicity. EveryPlate uses fewer ingredients per recipe than premium meal kits, and the recipe variety is smaller. But if your goal is the lowest cost per meal that you cook yourself, this is it.
If you want more recipe variety, compare HelloFresh vs EveryPlate for seniors to see if the higher price is worth it for you.
6. HelloFresh: More Variety, Higher Price
HelloFresh
HelloFresh costs more than EveryPlate but offers more recipe choices each week and slightly fancier ingredients. At $7.99 to $9.99 per serving, it sits in the middle of the meal kit range.
You can try Hellofresh if recipe variety matters more than rock-bottom pricing. HelloFresh also has a premium line called Green Chef for organic options, though it costs even more.
If you are deciding between the two biggest meal kits, read our HelloFresh vs Factor comparison to see which fits your cooking style and budget.
7. Cheapest Prepared Meals: Mom's Meals
Mom's Meals
Mom's Meals is the cheapest prepared meal delivery for seniors — and it may be free if you qualify for government assistance. The meals are designed for seniors, with options for diabetes-friendly, heart-healthy, and low-sodium diets. They arrive frozen and just need microwaving.
Some Medicare Advantage plans and Medicaid waivers cover Moms Meals completely. Contact your health plan or your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-677-1116 to ask if you qualify for free meals.
If you pay out of pocket, meals start at $6.99 each. That is about 30 percent cheaper than Factor or Magic Kitchen, and the senior-specific menu is a real advantage.
8. Silver Cuisine: Senior-Focused Prepared Meals
Silver Cuisine
Silver Cuisine (by BistroMD) is built specifically for seniors. The meals are portion-controlled, nutritionist-designed, and come in senior-friendly categories like diabetic-friendly, heart-healthy, and low-sodium. At $9.99 to $11.99 per meal, it costs more than Mom's Meals but offers more menu variety.
You can order Silver Cuisine without a subscription — buy individual meals as needed. No weekly commitment. This is a good option if you want prepared meals on hand for busy days but do not want every meal delivered.
9. Factor and Magic Kitchen: Premium Prepared Meals
Factor
Factor delivers fresh (not frozen) chef-prepared meals. The quality is high, but at $10.99 to $13.49 per meal, it is the most expensive option on this list. You can try Factor if you want fresh meals that never need freezing and prioritize ingredient quality over price.
Magic Kitchen
Magic Kitchen sells frozen meals a la carte — no subscription required. Magic Kitchen offers meal bundles and individual dishes, so you can order exactly what you want. Prices range from $10 to $14 per meal depending on the bundle. Delivery is free on orders over $99.
The advantage here is flexibility. No weekly delivery, no minimum order size after the first order. Good for seniors who want backup meals in the freezer without committing to a weekly plan.
How to Pick the Cheapest Option for Your Situation
The cheapest service depends on your cooking ability, your budget, and whether you qualify for any assistance programs. Here is a simple way to decide:
| Your Situation | Cheapest Option | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| You cook and want lowest grocery prices | Walmart Grocery + Walmart+ | $3-$5 per meal |
| You cook and shop at Kroger | Kroger Delivery + Boost | $3-$5 per meal |
| You have SNAP EBT | Amazon Fresh (free over $100) or Walmart | $3-$5 per meal |
| You cook but want recipes included | EveryPlate | $4.99-$5.99 per serving |
| You do not cook much | Mom's Meals | $6.99-$8.99 per meal |
| You may qualify for meal assistance | Call 1-800-677-1116 (AAA) | Possibly free |
| You want premium fresh meals | Factor | $10.99-$13.49 per meal |
| You want flexibility, no commitment | Magic Kitchen (a la carte) | $10-$14 per meal |
Hidden Costs to Watch For
The advertised per-meal price is not always the final price. Here are four costs to check before you sign up:
- Grocery markup: Instacart and Shipt add 5 to 15 percent to store prices. Walmart, Amazon Fresh, and Kroger do not.
- Delivery fees: Some services charge per order on top of the membership. Check the minimum order for free delivery.
- Service fees: Instacart charges a 5 percent service fee on every order. That is on top of the markup and delivery fee.
- Tips: Tipping is optional but expected for grocery delivery. Budget $3 to $5 per order for the shopper.
Programs That Can Make Delivery Free
Before you pay for anything, check these programs. They can cut your cost to zero or close to it:
SNAP EBT Delivery Programs
SNAP benefits (food stamps) work with Walmart Grocery, Amazon Fresh, and Kroger delivery. Amazon Fresh gives free delivery on orders over $100 for EBT users — no membership needed. Walmart and Kroger accept EBT for pickup with no fee.
Medicare and Medicaid Meal Benefits
Some Medicare Advantage plans cover prepared meals after a hospital stay or for chronic condition management. Medicaid waivers in many states cover home-delivered meals for eligible seniors. Contact your health plan or call your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-677-1116 to ask about meal coverage.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels delivers free or low-cost prepared meals to homebound seniors. It is not grocery delivery — the meals arrive ready to eat — but for seniors who cannot shop or cook, it is the most affordable option. Find your local program at mealsonwheelsamerica.org or call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest grocery delivery service for seniors?
Walmart Grocery is the cheapest grocery delivery service for seniors. With a Walmart+ membership ($12.95 per month or $98 per year), delivery is free on orders over $35 and you pay the same in-store prices with no markup. Without a membership, delivery costs $7.95 to $9.95 per order — still cheaper than services that mark up grocery prices.
What is the cheapest meal delivery service for seniors?
EveryPlate is the cheapest meal kit at about $5 per serving. For prepared meals, Mom's Meals starts around $7 per meal and is covered by some Medicare and Medicaid plans. Silver Cuisine charges about $9 to $11 per meal. If you qualify for government assistance, Mom's Meals may be free through your health plan.
Can seniors get free grocery delivery?
Yes. SNAP EBT users get free delivery on Amazon Fresh orders over $100 with no membership required. Some Area Agencies on Aging offer free grocery shopping and delivery for homebound seniors. Walmart pickup is always free — no membership, no minimum order. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-677-1116 to ask about free delivery programs in your area.
Is grocery delivery cheaper than meal delivery?
Yes, grocery delivery is much cheaper per meal. Groceries from Walmart or Kroger cost about $3 to $5 per meal for a single person. Meal kits like HelloFresh cost $8 to $12 per serving, and prepared meals from Factor or Magic Kitchen cost $10 to $15 per meal. But meal delivery saves time and cooking effort, so the right choice depends on your needs and budget.
Which delivery service has no markup on groceries?
Walmart Grocery and Amazon Fresh both charge the same prices online as in-store — no hidden markup. Instacart and Shipt add a markup of 5 to 15 percent on top of store prices. Kroger also charges in-store prices for delivery. If paying the lowest price per item matters most, stick with Walmart or Amazon Fresh.
Your Action Plan: Find the Cheapest Delivery in 10 Minutes
Here is a simple checklist to find your cheapest option right now:
- Step 1: Do you have SNAP EBT? If yes, use Amazon Fresh (free delivery over $100, no membership) or Walmart Grocery (EBT accepted, free pickup).
- Step 2: Do you cook? If yes, compare Walmart Grocery ($3-$5 per meal) vs EveryPlate ($5 per serving with recipes included).
- Step 3: Do you need prepared meals? Start with Mom's Meals ($7 per meal) and check if your health plan covers it for free.
- Step 4: Call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 to ask about free meal and grocery delivery programs in your area.
- Step 5: Avoid Instacart and Shipt unless you need delivery from a store that has no delivery program of its own. The price markup adds up.
- Step 6: Use free Walmart or Kroger pickup if you can drive or have a family member who can. It is always free with no markup.
Start with the cheapest option that fits your situation. You can always upgrade to a more convenient service later — but most seniors find the budget options work just fine.