EveryPlate or Dinnerly for college students?

If you are a college student trying to keep food costs under control, EveryPlate is usually the better choice when you want a simple meal kit with more menu variety and a current student offer. Dinnerly can be a better fit if you care most about keeping the regular meal price low and prefer very simple recipes. Your kitchen setup, delivery cost, meal plan, and student discount can change the final choice.

Both services are designed to make home cooking easier without the higher price of many premium meal kits. But college students have different needs from families. A small kitchen, limited storage, tight budget, changing class schedule, and school breaks can all matter.

EveryPlate vs. Dinnerly for College Students

Here is the practical comparison:

Factor	EveryPlate	Dinnerly
Best for	Students wanting value and variety	Students focused on simple, affordable meals
Regular starting price	$5.99 per serving	$5.99 per serving
Current student offer	Student promotion available	StudentBeans offer available
Meal style	Simple cook-at-home meals	Simple cook-at-home meals
Weekly choices	About 35 recipes	100+ recipes listed on current site
Recipe access	Recipe cards and digital information	Digital recipes that can be viewed or printed
Plans	Includes options for one and other household sizes	2-person and 4-person plans
Cooking	Many meals can be prepared in about 30 minutes	Designed for quick, simple cooking
Shipping	$10.99 per box	$10.99 per box
Flexibility	Skip, pause, or cancel	Skip or cancel before the cutoff
Best student advantage	Dedicated student promotion	StudentBeans promotion

Prices and promotions can change, so check the final checkout price before ordering. EveryPlate currently lists regular plans starting at $5.99 per serving and a $10.99 shipping fee. Dinnerly’s current help information also lists a $10.99 shipping fee, with plan prices depending on the number of meals and servings.

Why EveryPlate May Be Better for College Students

EveryPlate has a strong advantage for students because it currently has a dedicated student offer. Its student page advertises discounted introductory pricing, although the exact amount depends on the plan and promotion. The offer also notes that shipping is charged separately and that the subscription renews automatically unless you pause or stop deliveries.

It has a student-focused discount

For a student on a tight food budget, an introductory discount can make a meaningful difference.

The important part is not to look only at the advertised meal price. Check the full box total, including shipping, before placing the order.

The menu gives you plenty of choices

EveryPlate currently says it offers about 35 weekly recipes across categories such as Meat & Veggie, Quick & Easy, Vegetarian, Family Faves, and Nutrish & Delish.

That can help if you get tired of eating the same basic meals.

For example, a student might choose two quick dinners for busy class nights and one vegetarian meal for another night. You do not have to use the meal kit for every meal of the week.

The recipes are built around simple cooking

EveryPlate says many of its meals can be prepared in about 30 minutes or less.

That is useful for students who have access to a shared apartment kitchen but do not want to spend a long time planning dinner.

Why Dinnerly May Be Better for Some Students

Dinnerly takes an even more stripped-down approach to affordable meal kits.

Its current site advertises more than 100 recipes each week, while its plans allow customers to choose 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 meals per week on either the 2-person or 4-person plan.

It focuses on simple meals

Dinnerly is a good option if you do not need fancy recipes or a premium cooking experience.

Its recipes are meant to be easy and practical. That can work well for a student who mainly wants to get dinner on the table without spending a lot of time planning.

It has a student offer too

Dinnerly currently has a Student Beans promotion page where students can verify their student status to access a special offer.

That means students should not assume EveryPlate automatically wins on price. Compare the actual offers available to you before signing up.

You can choose meals around your schedule

Dinnerly allows students to select different numbers of meals per week. That flexibility can help if your schedule changes often.

For example, you may want three meal-kit dinners during a normal week but skip a delivery when you are going home for a school break.

Which One Is Cheaper for College Students?

At regular pricing, neither service is dramatically cheaper based only on the advertised per-serving price. EveryPlate currently starts at $5.99 per serving, while Dinnerly’s current information also shows meals starting around $5.99 per serving.

The real cost depends on more than the headline number.

Look at:

• Price per serving
• Number of servings
• Number of meals
• Shipping
• Premium meal charges
• Add-ons
• Student discounts
• Introductory promotions
• How much food you actually use

For a student, the final box total is more useful than the advertised price per meal.

A $5.99 meal does not really cost you $5.99 if you are also paying a delivery fee for a small box.

What About a One-Person College Student?

This is one of the most important differences to consider.

EveryPlate currently promotes meal kits specifically for one person. Its one-person page says the service sends two servings per recipe, allowing the second serving to become another meal.

That setup can be useful for a student living alone.

Imagine you order three recipes. Instead of thinking of them as only three dinners, you could potentially use the extra servings as next-day lunches. That can make the box more practical when you have a refrigerator and a reliable place to store leftovers.

Dinnerly’s current standard plans are listed as 2-person and 4-person plans.

So if you live alone, check how each service’s current plan structure works before ordering.

Which Is Better for a Dorm Room?

This depends heavily on your dorm’s kitchen.

Meal kits are generally not a good match for a dorm room that only has a microwave. Most meal-kit recipes require some combination of a pan, stovetop, oven, knife, cutting board, refrigerator, and food-preparation space.

If your college housing gives you access to a shared kitchen, either service can make more sense.

A hypothetical student with a shared apartment kitchen might use EveryPlate for three dinners each week and prepare inexpensive breakfast and lunch foods separately. That approach avoids paying for a meal kit seven days a week.

EveryPlate or Dinnerly: Which Has Better Flexibility?

Both can work well for a college schedule because you do not necessarily have to receive the same number of meals every week.

EveryPlate says customers can change delivery dates, skip a week, pause, or cancel through their account.

Dinnerly also allows customers to skip or change orders before the applicable cutoff. Its current terms say the cutoff can depend on the delivery ZIP code and may be several days before delivery.

This matters during:

• Spring break
• Winter break
• Summer vacation
• Exam weeks
• Weekend trips
• Moving between apartments

A student should check the cutoff date before assuming a delivery can be stopped at the last minute.

What College Students Should Check Before Ordering

1. Your kitchen

First ask whether you actually have the equipment needed to cook the meals.

A shared apartment kitchen is very different from a dorm room with only a microwave.

2. Your refrigerator space

Meal-kit ingredients need cold storage. A small dorm refrigerator may not have enough room for a full box.

3. Your class schedule

If you regularly get home late, choose meals that fit your available cooking time.

4. Your total weekly food budget

Do not compare meal-kit prices with restaurant prices alone. Include groceries, snacks, breakfast, lunch, and delivery fees in your weekly budget.

5. Your school address

Make sure meal-kit delivery is available where you live and that someone can safely receive the box.

6. Your subscription cutoff

College schedules change quickly. Know when you must skip or cancel a delivery so you do not get charged for a box you do not need.

A Simple Choice for Different Types of Students

Choose EveryPlate if:

• You qualify for its current student promotion.
• You want a simple cooking experience.
• You want several weekly recipe categories.
• You live alone and like the idea of using a second serving as another meal.
• You want a budget meal kit with straightforward recipes.

Choose Dinnerly if:

• You prefer a very simple meal-kit style.
• You want to compare a large weekly recipe selection.
• You qualify for its Student Beans offer.
• You want different weekly meal quantities.
• You care more about basic value than a premium cooking experience.

Two College Student Scenarios

Student living in an apartment

Suppose you are a college student sharing an apartment with two roommates. You have a refrigerator, stove, oven, and basic cookware.

In this situation, either service can work. You might choose EveryPlate if its student promotion gives you the lower final cost, or Dinnerly if its current plan and promotion better match the number of meals you want.

Student living in a dorm

Now imagine you live in a dorm with only a mini-fridge and microwave.

In this case, neither service should automatically be your first choice. Even a cheap meal kit may not be useful if you cannot safely and practically prepare the recipes.

The kitchen setup should come before the price comparison.

Are Meal Kits Worth It for College Students?

They can be, but only when the math and living situation make sense.

Meal kits can reduce the work of deciding what to cook and buying ingredients for individual recipes. They can also help students who want to cook at home but do not enjoy planning meals.

However, they are not automatically cheaper than every grocery-shopping strategy. Delivery fees, unused ingredients, extra meals, and add-ons can increase the real cost.

A good student budget should compare the total weekly box cost with what you normally spend on groceries and takeout.

What I Would Pick

For most college students with access to a real kitchen, EveryPlate gets the slight edge because of its student-focused promotion, simple meals, and one-person meal-kit options.

But Dinnerly is close. Its current student promotion, flexible plan sizes, and large recipe selection make it worth checking before you decide.

The smartest move is to compare the final checkout price for the same number of meals. Do not choose based only on a “$X per serving” advertisement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EveryPlate or Dinnerly better for college students?

EveryPlate is the better overall fit for many students, especially those who qualify for its current student promotion and want simple meals with flexible options. Dinnerly can be a better choice when its current student offer or plan price gives you a lower total.

Does EveryPlate have a college student discount?

Yes. EveryPlate currently has a dedicated student promotion that requires student eligibility and has different pricing depending on the plan and offer. Shipping and subscription conditions still apply, so check the current terms before ordering.

Can college students use Dinnerly?

Yes. Dinnerly has a student promotion through Student Beans, and its plans are available in 2-person and 4-person formats. Students should check delivery availability, kitchen space, plan size, and the final cost before signing up.

Final Takeaway

If you are choosing EveryPlate or Dinnerly for college students, start with your kitchen and budget, not the advertised price.

For many students, EveryPlate is the easier pick because of its student-focused offer and simple meal options. Dinnerly is a strong alternative, especially if its current student promotion or plan structure saves you more.

Expert tip: Before starting a subscription, put the exact meals you want in each service’s cart and compare the final weekly total, including shipping. That number tells you far more than the headline price per serving.