HelloFresh vs REWE Lieferservice vs Picnic: Best Grocery Delivery for Expats in Germany
Three names come up again and again when expats in Germany talk about grocery delivery: HelloFresh, REWE Lieferservice, and Picnic. They’re all popular, all legitimate, but they serve very different needs. This comparison tells you exactly which one fits your situation.
What You’re Actually Comparing
Before diving in, it’s worth understanding that these aren’t really three versions of the same thing:
- HelloFresh is a meal kit service, you get pre-portioned ingredients with recipe cards
- REWE Lieferservice is a supermarket delivery, same as shopping in REWE, but from home
- Picnic is a grocery delivery app, like an online supermarket with no delivery fee
The right choice depends on what problem you’re actually trying to solve.
HelloFresh Germany: Full Review
How It Works
You sign up for a weekly subscription and choose from a rotating menu of recipes (usually 25–35 options per week). Select 2–5 meals and your box size (2 or 4 people). HelloFresh delivers pre-measured fresh ingredients with step-by-step recipe cards. You cook, you eat, you don’t waste anything.
Pricing
Prices vary by plan, but roughly:
- 2 people, 3 meals/week: ~€50–€60 per box (€8–€10 per serving)
- 4 people, 3 meals/week: ~€90–€100 per box (~€7.50–€8.50 per serving)
- Delivery is included in the price
- New customers regularly get 40–60% off their first box
What Expats Like About HelloFresh
- No German required: app works in English, recipes are clear
- Removes the daily “what should I cook?” decision
- Introduces you to German dishes naturally (Schnitzel, Spätzle, etc.)
- Zero food waste: exact portions only
- Flexible: pause or cancel anytime, no long-term commitment
Downsides
- More expensive than cooking from scratch with supermarket ingredients
- You still need to cook: not a ready meal service
- Doesn’t replace your full grocery shop (you’ll still need staples, snacks, drinks)
- Packaging is bulky (lots of cooling material)
REWE Lieferservice: Full Review
How It Works
REWE is one of Germany’s largest supermarket chains. Their Lieferservice (delivery service) lets you shop online exactly as if you walked into a REWE store (same products, same prices, same range) and have everything delivered to your door. Choose a 2-hour delivery window that works for you.
Pricing
- Delivery fee: €3.90–€5.90 per order (varies by region and time slot)
- Free delivery on orders above €75 in many areas
- Product prices are the same as in-store
- Accepts REWE Payback loyalty card: you earn points on delivery orders
What Expats Like About REWE Lieferservice
- Full supermarket range: fresh produce, meat, bakery, international foods, household items
- Trusted brand with reliable delivery
- Often has the same weekly offers as in-store
- Good for large shops where carrying bags home isn’t practical
- Substitution options if an item is out of stock
Downsides
- Delivery fee on smaller orders adds up
- Website/app primarily in German
- Minimum order amount (~€40–€50 depending on region)
- Delivery windows can be limited in popular time slots
Picnic: Full Review
How It Works
Picnic is an online-only grocery service with a twist: instead of on-demand delivery, they deliver along fixed routes in your neighbourhood. You pick a delivery slot that fits their schedule for your area (usually next-day), and they deliver, for free. The business model works because route efficiency removes the delivery cost entirely.
Pricing
- Delivery: always free: this is Picnic’s biggest selling point
- Prices comparable to REWE and Edeka
- Minimum order: €35
- Regular special offers and weekly deals in-app
What Expats Like About Picnic
- No delivery fee, ever
- Clean, intuitive app: also available in English
- Good fresh produce quality
- Eco-friendly: electric delivery vehicles, reusable bags
- Easy to set up a recurring “standard order” each week
Downsides
- Not available everywhere: larger cities only (check in-app)
- Delivery times are fixed, not flexible: you work around their schedule
- Smaller product range than a full REWE or Kaufland
- Some specialist or international products not available
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | HelloFresh | REWE Lieferservice | Picnic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery cost | Included | €3.90–€5.90 | Free ✅ |
| Product range | Recipes only | Full supermarket ✅ | Good (~3,000 items) |
| Price per meal | €7–€10 | Same as in-store | Same as in-store ✅ |
| English interface | Yes ✅ | Partial | Yes ✅ |
| Flexibility | Weekly subscription | Order anytime ✅ | Order anytime ✅ |
| Availability | Nationwide ✅ | Most cities ✅ | Major cities only |
| Best for | Meal planning | Full weekly shop | Budget weekly shop |
Who Should Use Which Service?
Use HelloFresh if:
- You don’t want to plan meals or figure out German recipes
- You cook 3–4 evenings a week and want fresh, varied food
- Food waste frustrates you (HelloFresh sends exact portions)
- You’re new to Germany and want to explore German cuisine without guesswork
Use REWE Lieferservice if:
- You want everything in one shop: groceries, household, baby products, etc.
- You already shop at REWE and want the same trusted brands
- You do a large weekly shop (above €75 to get free delivery)
- You need flexibility: order whenever you want, no subscription
Use Picnic if:
- You want to save money and hate paying delivery fees
- You can plan your shop a day in advance
- You live in a major German city (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, etc.)
- You want a clean English-friendly app experience
Can You Use More Than One?
Absolutely, and many expats do. A popular combination:
- Picnic for the main weekly shop (no delivery fee)
- HelloFresh for 2–3 recipe evenings per week
- Flink or Gorillas for emergency top-ups
This covers everything without paying unnecessary delivery fees or locking yourself into one service.
Final Verdict
There’s no single “best” option, it depends on your lifestyle. But if we had to pick one for a new expat arriving in Germany:
Start with Picnic (free delivery, English app, easy setup). Add HelloFresh once you’re settled and want to make weeknight cooking easier. Use REWE Lieferservice when you need a shop or a specific brand you can’t find elsewhere.
What About Marley Spoon?
If you enjoy HelloFresh but want more variety and higher-quality ingredients, Marley Spoon is the natural next step. It’s a premium meal kit service also available nationwide in Germany, with more ambitious chef-inspired recipes, larger portions, and a fully English app experience.
The trade-off: it’s slightly pricier per serving than HelloFresh. But for expats who cook as a hobby (or who want to genuinely explore European cuisine beyond everyday dishes) Marley Spoon delivers a noticeably better cooking experience.
Try Marley Spoon Germany
New customers get a discount on their first delivery boxes. Get premium ingredients and chef-designed recipes delivered to your door with a fully English-friendly app.
Claim Marley Spoon Discount →Frequently Asked Questions
Which grocery delivery option is best for a busy expat in Germany?
If you want complete convenience and pre-portioned ingredients to cook specific meals, HelloFresh is the best option because it eliminates meal planning and grocery shopping entirely. If you want to do your standard weekly grocery shopping from home, REWE Lieferservice offers a massive selection, while Picnic is the most affordable choice with free delivery on a low minimum order.
Do delivery services in Germany bring groceries up to high-floor apartments?
Yes. Drivers from Picnic, Knuspr, and REWE Lieferservice are generally required to deliver crates directly to your apartment door, even if you live in a fourth-floor Altbau without an elevator. However, it is customary and polite to offer a small cash tip (around €2–5) to the driver for the heavy lifting.
Can I return my empty Pfand bottles when getting groceries delivered?
Yes, Picnic and REWE Lieferservice will collect your empty plastic bottles and beverage crates when they deliver your new order. The driver scans or counts the returned Pfand, and the refund value is automatically credited to your customer account for your next purchase.
How far in advance do I need to book a delivery slot in major German cities?
Delivery slots can fill up quickly, especially in dense cities like Berlin or Munich. For Picnic and REWE Lieferservice, booking your slot 2–3 days in advance is highly recommended to secure your preferred day and time. HelloFresh delivers on a fixed weekly schedule that you manage in the app.
Disclaimer: Expatzentrum is an informational portal designed to help expats navigate life in Germany. While we make every effort to keep our guides accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with current German regulations, the information on this website does not constitute official legal, tax, or financial advice. We are not certified tax advisors (Steuerberater) or legal practitioners. Always consult a qualified professional or the relevant German authorities (such as the Finanzamt or Deutsche Rentenversicherung) before making major financial or legal decisions.
