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How to Get Factor Meals Cheaper: A Complete Guide to Saving Money

4 min read

According to a June 2025 review by Bon Appétit, Factor meals typically cost between $12.49 and $14.99 per meal, depending on the meal plan. While this is a convenient option, many customers seek to understand how to get Factor meals cheaper without sacrificing quality or convenience.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals the best methods to reduce the cost of your Factor subscription, including leveraging welcome offers, taking advantage of referral and community discounts, and optimizing your meal plan for maximum value.

Key Points

  • New Customer Deals: Get steep discounts on your first box, often 50% or more, plus free shipping and savings on subsequent orders.

  • Community 'Hero' Discounts: Utilize special offers for military, first responders, healthcare workers, and teachers by verifying your status with ID.me.

  • Refer-a-Friend: Earn account credits by referring new customers, who also receive a welcome discount.

  • Check Your Account: Always look for exclusive, in-account promotions for existing subscribers to find loyalty rewards and special offers.

  • Increase Meal Count: Order a larger weekly meal plan to lower the cost per meal and maximize your savings.

  • Use Cash Back Apps: Combine Factor's offers with cash back services like Rakuten for added savings, especially on your initial purchase.

In This Article

Your Guide to Making Factor Meals More Affordable

Eating healthy, chef-prepared meals can be a convenient and delicious way to fuel your body, but the cost can add up. For many, finding a way to get Factor meals cheaper is a top priority. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ to significantly lower your weekly bill, from leveraging promotional offers to optimizing your subscription.

Maximize First-Time Subscriber Discounts

One of the biggest opportunities for saving money on Factor meals comes from their generous new customer promotions. These offers often provide the largest savings and are essential for any new subscriber looking to try the service at a lower cost.

  • Up to 50% Off First Box: Many promotions offer a deep discount on your initial order, sometimes as high as 50% off the first box. These welcome offers often come with free shipping on the first delivery as well.
  • Extended Discounts: Beyond the initial box, new customer deals frequently include additional percentage-based savings on subsequent boxes. For instance, some promotions include 20% off your next four boxes. This provides sustained savings as you settle into the service.
  • Free Add-ons: Some welcome deals for new customers, especially those associated with specific groups like students, also include free add-on items for a set period.

Take Advantage of Community and Hero Discounts

Factor has a robust program for honoring military members, first responders, healthcare workers, and teachers. These verified individuals can access exclusive and substantial discounts, often facilitated through platforms like ID.me.

  • Military Discount: Verified military members and veterans can receive significant savings, such as 55% off their first box and 15% off subsequent boxes for a year.
  • First Responders and Healthcare: First responders, doctors, and nurses are also eligible for the Hero Discount, receiving offers similar to those for military members.
  • Teacher Discounts: Some promotions also extend to teachers, offering savings like 50% off the first box and discounts on future orders.

How to Get Ongoing Savings

While new customer discounts are great, loyal customers can also find ways to get Factor meals cheaper over time.

  • Referral Program: Factor has a refer-a-friend program that rewards both the referrer and the new customer. By sharing a referral link, you can earn credit towards your next box (e.g., $40 credit for the referrer) when a friend signs up using your link.
  • In-Account Promotions: Existing subscribers should regularly check their account settings for any personalized promo codes or loyalty offers. Factor sometimes provides special deals to reward long-term customers.
  • Freebies and Loyalty Rewards: Factor offers 'Freebies' for loyal customers, which are free meals earned upon reaching certain milestones with your subscription.
  • Cash Back Services: Websites like Rakuten offer cash back on your Factor purchases, especially for first orders. Combining these offers with other promotions can maximize your savings.

Optimize Your Meal Plan

Your subscription settings and choices can also have a major impact on your overall cost.

  • Order Larger Plans: The cost per meal decreases significantly as you increase the number of meals you order per week. If you plan to use Factor for most of your meals, opting for a larger plan (e.g., 12 or 18 meals) can be the most cost-effective approach.
  • Manage Your Subscription: Factor offers flexible subscription management. You can pause or skip weeks when you're traveling or won't be using the service. This prevents you from paying for meals you won't eat.

Factor vs. Alternative Meal Services

To ensure you are getting the best value, it's helpful to understand how Factor compares to other meal services.

Feature Factor HelloFresh Blue Apron
Meal Type Fully prepared, heat-and-eat Meal kit with ingredients and recipes Meal kit with ingredients and recipes
Convenience High (ready in 2 mins) Medium (requires cooking) Medium (requires cooking)
Target Audience Singles, busy professionals Families, home cooks Families, home cooks
Relative Cost Premium (higher per meal) Budget-friendly (lower per serving) Budget-friendly (lower per serving)
Specialty Diets Strong (Keto, Calorie Smart, etc.) Moderate variety Moderate variety

For those who prioritize convenience and specific dietary plans, Factor often stands out, but it comes at a higher base cost. If you are willing to cook, services like HelloFresh or Blue Apron can be cheaper per serving.

Conclusion

While Factor provides undeniable convenience and quality, mastering how to get Factor meals cheaper requires a proactive strategy. By combining initial new customer offers, leveraging hero and referral programs, and optimizing your weekly meal plan, you can significantly reduce the expense. Stay vigilant for limited-time promotions and don't hesitate to pause your subscription during busy weeks. With these strategies, you can enjoy delicious, pre-made meals without breaking the bank. Visit the official Factor website for the latest promotions: Factor.

Frequently Asked Questions

New Factor customers can receive significant discounts, often up to 50% off their first box, by signing up through a welcome promotion on the company's website or via a deal aggregator like Groupon.

Yes, Factor provides a 'Hero Discount' for military members, veterans, first responders, and healthcare workers. This often includes offers like 55% off the first box and ongoing discounts, verified through ID.me.

Existing customers can find exclusive promo codes and loyalty rewards by checking their account settings. Participating in the referral program also provides credits for referring new customers.

With the referral program, you can share a unique link with a friend. When they place their first order using your link, they receive a discount, and you receive a credit towards your next box.

Yes, the cost per meal is lower when you order a larger plan (e.g., 12 or 18 meals per week) compared to a smaller plan (e.g., 4 meals).

Yes, Factor's subscription is flexible. You can pause or skip a week's delivery at any time, which helps you avoid paying for meals when you don't need them.

While not always available directly, Factor has offered student discounts through platforms like Student Beans in the past. General new customer offers are often a great alternative for students.

References

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Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.