Tempo vs. Factor: Which Balanced Meal Delivery Service Became My Household Staple?

My toxic trait? I really hate meal prep. 🙅🏽‍♂️

I know, I know—it’s the easiest way to eat healthy throughout the week and hold yourself accountable. But taking time out of my relaxing Sunday to plan for the week ahead, shop for ingredients, and put everything together is a sacrifice I’m rarely willing to make.

That’s why meal delivery services are a total godsend, especially the ones that include a wide selection of options that cook up FAST. They take so much of the guesswork out of eating healthy without sinking hours of work into a week’s worth of meals. But are they all created equally?

I’m comparing two options that specialize in quick and healthy eats, Tempo and Factor, to see which one works best for me and my health-conscious family. Here’s what I discovered:

If you like to balance delicious eats with modern convenience… Tempo

Starting at just under $11 per meal, both Tempo and Factor offer fresh and easy meals that take less than 15 minutes to go from my fridge to the table. Factor meals can vary in preparation time depending on the preferred cooking method, taking anywhere from 4-11+ minutes. But Tempo takes it to the next level: ALL of their meals are ready in just 4 minutes, so they’re truly the best option for a busy person like me.

Personally, I really appreciated that Tempo’s options are not only fast and balanced, but delicious. I’ve added the Four Bean Chili with Cornbread Pudding and the Blackened Cajun Chicken Thighs over Cauliflower Grits to my order multiple times now, and I still can’t believe these gourmet-quality meals are so easy for me to make. They also offer 20 meal options weekly, allowing me to easily switch up my meals whenever I want!

Whenever I host a friend late at night after an evening of drinks, I love seeing the look on their face when I reveal that the delicious meal I just prepared for them only took me 4 minutes and the click of a button. 😉

If you’re sticking to a consistent calorie goal… Tempo

I was able to find calorie conscious meal options on Tempo and Factor, but I couldn’t find a single meal on Tempo that was over 600. I’m on a wellness journey right now, so having a wide selection of tasty meals available that fit within my calorie goal is pretty important to me.

Tempo meals also include at least 30g of protein per serving, and are packed with lots of colorful veggies and whole grains. I love that they leave me feeling satisfied while helping me stay accountable.

And speaking of satisfaction, every Tempo meal I’ve tried has been incredibly tasty—Factor has been somewhat hit or miss in the taste department.

If you want breakfast options and other add-ons… it's a tie

With Factor, you can choose from a selection of breakfast options, juices, desserts, and other small snack add-ons, which you might find valuable if you’re looking to streamline all of your daily meals. Tempo also offers a similar service, allowing you to choose up to four add-ons that include breakfast, snacks, and smoothies.

If you love to plan ahead… Tempo

Tempo offers a glimpse at their menu five weeks in advance, which I really appreciate. I love to know what’s coming, and I can plan for the weeks ahead without a lot of effort. Factor, on the other hand, offers just a glimpse at the current week’s menu, and two weeks ahead.

For me, sticking to my goals sometimes requires a little excitement and anticipation, and I feel really energized staring at all the delicious foods coming my way. 🍴🤤

Tempo also takes my preferences into account before suggesting meals they think I’ll like. They get it right just about every time, but if for some reason I’m not feeling one of the options they’ve selected for my next shipment, I can edit or change my menu a week ahead.

And the winner is… Tempo

Tempo is officially my secret weapon, and I don’t think I can ever go back to meal prepping the old fashioned way. Between the wide variety of meal options ready in just 4 minutes, calorie-friendly selection, and planning options, we are SET.

If you’re tired of wasting your life chopping veggies, you need to give Tempo a try!