This is an update to the original Thrive Market review I posted 3 years ago, they’ve expanded their offerings significantly so, I thought it was time for an update!
Note, this is NOT a sponsored review, but I am an affiliate for Thrive Market, which means I will make a small amount of money if you sign up for a membership.
What is Thrive Market?
Thrive Market is an online retailer with over 6,000 wholesome products from organic, non-GMO, non-toxic, and sustainable brands. It’s like if Amazon and Costco had a baby, you get wholesale prices on your favorite natural living products while shopping in your underwear. While they started with shelf-stable products only, they now also ship a huge variety of frozen foods including but not limited to meat/seafood and paleo frozen meals. (More on their new frozen food offerings below.)
I joined as a member of Thrive Market when I was pregnant with KJ in 2018 (see my first order here.) During my pregnancy, I used it occasionally to order items I would typically go to Whole Foods for at a cheaper price, about quarterly. But, then, when I became a Mom, that’s when Thrive Market became ingrained in our daily lives and has been ever since.
Thrive Market Coupon
If you want to give Thrive Market a try, HH readers can get a free gift of up to $22 value for free!
Thrive Market Cost
.At the time of writing this, the membership costs $59.95 for a year ($5/month) or $9.95/month. They have a 30 day, no questions ask, membership refund. If you don’t like it, you can jump ship, which I think is a huge bonus!
If you sign up for the annual membership, you can get a free gift!
Get used to freebies like this, because they often offer free gifts for certain purchase levels and deals of the day! Once you sign up for the savings, just keep escalating from there!
New At Thrive Market
In the last year, Thrive Market has added a huge variety of frozen foods. They used to just have meat and paleo frozen foods. Now, they have everything from pizza to fruits and vegetables. I LOVE this because it means I could theoretically do ALL my shopping at Thrive Market, instead of just supplementing my normal grocery shopping. In my opinion, that’s a huge value added to the cost of the membership! And with them constantly adding new products, Thrive Market store brand, and other offerings you’ll only continue to get more bang for your buck when you sign up for a membership.
After Using Thrive Market for Over Three Years, Here is What I Think:
Membership subscriptions are becoming something in and of themselves to keep a close tab on these days, right? My current membership subscriptions include Costco, ButcherBox, and SmoothieBox, but also, Netflix, Hulu, and a million other things. So is it worth yet another subscription fee?
I think that what I really value about Thrive Market is the convenience to find cleaner alternatives for food, beauty, baby, kids, household (basically anything), at a reasonable price, and the ease of use. Whenever I’m running low on something, I just add them to my Thrive Market cart from the app on my phone. When I’ve reached $49 (for free shipping) I place an order. EASY!
Who Is Thrive Market For?
-
Deal Shoppers
If you want a good deal, without coupon clipping or going to a million stores then Thrive Market is for you. Look, I’ll be honest. I’ve never been a huge fan of Whole Foods.
(WHHHHAAAATTTTT?!?! No, it’s true.) While I like some items from there, and I love their hot bar, I hate their prices. Healthy food should not cost what they are charging, sure their prices have come down slightly since Amazon bought them, but they are still way too high (much higher than Thrive Market on everything I’ve checked.) Now I don’t have to go there and overpay, just because I want a specific brand or product. Woot woot! (I do still occasionally go there to buy nitrate-free lunch meat from the deli and grab lunch at the hot bar, but that’s about it.)
-
Busy Moms/Dads/People
Thrive Market is convenient at its best. Shop in your PJs and pick up the items on your doorstep.
-
Special Diets/Allergies/Preferences
You can actually shop by diet on Thrive Market! This was helpful to m when I was on a super strict diet while breastfeeding KJ (due to some tummy issues on his part.) And now that I’m dairy-free again thanks to baby #2, it’s helpful again!
Pros of Thrive Market:
-
Ordering Online
Did I mention shopping in your PJs? I thought so.
-
Order History
The order history thing has saved me more than a few times from forgetting items I needed. I just take a quick scroll and see what I’ve ordered before and if I need it again I add it to the cart. (Can’t do that when you are shopping at the regular grocery store.)
-
Autoship Options
I don’t personally use this option, but it’s there if you want it! I could see it being great for diapers!
-
The Thrive Market App
I LOVE the Thrive Market App, it’s easy to use, quick, and user-friendly. As I said, it makes it easy to add things to my cart right when I see I’m running out of it so I don’t forget. I use the app for 90% of my purchases.
-
Freebies/Coupons
As I mentioned earlier, Thrive Market is constantly offering freebies and coupons, and even in-store sales on already discounted items!
-
Savings
It gives you a lifetime savings total on your account, pretty cool, right? In the last three years, I’ve saved $1300 dollars, that’s insane! Definitely made back the cost of my membership and then some!
-
Thrive Market Brand Items
Thrive Market brand items are available for so many products now, driving the price down of everyday staples even further!
-
Organic/Clean Eating
Lot’s of organic options, but what I like even more than that is the clean ingredients. Minimal preservatives and unnecessary ingredients in their items. That’s what I’m looking for when I shop at the store!
-
Sort by Preference/Diet
As discussed earlier you can shop by diet, but you can also shop by:
- Category
- Health and Ingredients
- Environmental and Social
- Certification and Awards
- Star Ratings
-
Thrive Gives
Your paid Thrive Market membership provides a free one for a low-income family, student, teacher, veteran, or first responder. As a community, we can all thrive together. You can apply for a Thrive Give membership here.
-
Great Packaging
They take huge care in their packaging to make sure everything arrives to you in mint condition.
Cons of Thrive Market
-
Inconsistent Availability
The only time I experience this was in March of 2020 when the big C hit and availability was out everywhere. For a while, it was hard to get certain items because they were out of stock, but it’s been improving. Now it’s only every once in a while when something is out of stock.
-
Heat Warnings
In the summer, I’ve gotten “too hot to ship” warnings a few times on chocolate products. (This may be different since they now ship cold items.)
-
Products in Multiples
Sometimes you have to buy items in packages of two or more. I’m guessing this is how they offer wholesale pricing (by bundling in larger packages) but, if you don’t want that much it might be inconvenient.
My Latest Thrive Market Order
If you want to give Thrive Market a try, HH readers can get a free gift of up to $22 value for free!
I know it’s not the prettiest picture, but I didn’t intend to share it here when I took it! I was only going to share it on Instagram!
- Farmer’s Market Organic Pumpkin ($2.29 x 8)
- Thrive Market Organic Apple Sauce – Single Serve ($2.79 x 4) <– KJ eats this on his pasta
- Annie’s Bunny Snack Mix ($3.99)
- Biena Honey Roasted Chickpea Snacks ($3.79)
- Thrive Market Ketchup ($1.99 x 2)
- Garden of Life Organic Kids+ Probiotic, Berry Cherry ($18.19)
- Thrive Market Coconut Aminos ($5.79)
- Coconut Secret Coconut Aminos Hoisin Sauce ($6.29)
- Napa Valley Cold Pressed Sesame Oil ($5.29)
- Thrive Market Raw Brazil Nuts ($7.99) <– ordered these for someone else
- Thrive Market Organic Roasted & Salted Mixed Nuts ($8.99)
- Kicking Horse Organic Dark Decaf Whole Bean Coffee (Swiss Water Process) ($11.99 x2)
- Karma Nuts Wrapped Cashews, Cinnamon ($7.99 x 2)
- Banza Rotina Chickpea Pasta ($3.49 x 2)
- Banza Chickpea Pasta, Penne ($3.49)
- Banza Chickpea Pasta Cavatappi ($3.49)
- Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil ($9.99) –> I used to buy this at Costco, but now they only sell in a plastic jug which I try to avoid for oils because of chemical and BPA exposure.
- Happy Family Super Bellies Bananas, Spinach, and Blueberries (1 10-pack $11.99)
- Hello Kids Natural Flouride Toothpaste, Wild Strawberry ($3.79)
- Thrive Market Medjool Dates ($8.99)
Total Bill: $181.46
Savings: $66.41
Usually, my orders are between 50-100 bucks, but I stocked up on some stuff (like the pumpkin) and probably won’t order again for a couple of months now!
Dietitian’s Thoughts
I have to interject here as “Dietitian Kelli”, that not everything sold at Thrive Market is healthy. Yes, most of it is healthier, cleaner options, but it’s not necessarily healthy food. For example, I wouldn’t call the Annie’s Snack Mix a “healthy food” but it is cleaner than the alternatives of Gardettos. Probably doesn’t offer much nutritional value, but it’s an option that tastes good with fewer preservatives and chemicals.
You definitely still have to do your due digellence reading product labels and ingredient list, but I would recommend that no matter where you shop!
With that, I’m out of here for the day! Don’t forget: If you want to give Thrive Market a try, HH readers can get a free gift of up to $22 value for free!
Those of you that already use Thrive Market, if you read this far, I think it would be fun to hear what you order the most from Thrive Market!
Don’t forget to pin this post for later and follow @hungryhobby on Pinterest for more healthy recipes, quick workouts, and nutrition tips!
Great review, I’ve seen other bloggers post about Thrive Market, but have not had how it works explained. I totally agree WF hot bar is life! But, their prices are insane…It’s not a practical place to shop.
100% I agree! My face when people tell me they shop there “all the time” you can only imagine lol I’m glad this post was helpful!