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Want to live a healthy and organically-focused lifestyle without all the fuss? It's time to check out an online health food store. Online retailers offer a quick way to order healthy foods and supplements delivered to your door—and it's especially easy with categories based on dietary restrictions or organic choices. Many offer a wide variety of items like snacks, gourmet foods, vitamins and supplements, beverages, household supplies, and even pet supplies.
We've selected the best choices for supplements, dietary restrictions, pantry essentials, and more. Whether you're looking for a membership with access to value groceries or seeking the cheapest options for healthy food online, there's a store for you.
Keep reading for the best online health food stores to take your lifestyle to the next level.
Best Online Health Food Stores of 2023
- Best Overall: Thrive Market
- Runner-Up, Best Overall: Kalyx
- Best Supplements: Vitacost
- Best for Dietary Restrictions: Direct Eats
- Best for Pantry Essentials: Natural Zing
- Best Superfoods: Sunfood Superfoods
- Best Organic: Farmbox Direct
Best Overall : Thrive Market
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Thrive Market
- Products: Shelf-stable items, meat, poultry, seafood, supplements, cleaning supplies, and beauty products
- Dietary Restriction Filters: Yes
- Shipping: Minimum order requirement for free shipping
Thrive Market is our number one pick for best online health food stores given its huge selection of discounted organic groceries delivered straight to your door, plus the company is dedicated to sustainability and helps families in need.
Thousands of discounted health foods
Membership helps support families in need
Sustainably-driven and responsible sourcing
Some may not like monthly membership model
Lacks fresh produce
Minimum orders to qualify for free shipping
Thrive Market is a top-rated natural and organic store with a charitable twist. To purchase, you need to subscribe to become a member. In return, that money helps to sponsor a low-income family’s membership. Thrive is one of the cheapest online health food stores thanks to its ability to cut out its products' retail markup.
The site makes it easy to click on what you’re looking for, whether it’s organic, dye-free, paleo, raw, or any other wide range of attributes. There’s no need to worry about reading descriptions or labels to make sure you choose the right products.
While most of Thrive's items are shelf-stable, it also sells meat, poultry, and seafood, but you will need to log into the site to see the products and prices. A 30-day free trial is available before paying and committing to a subscription.
Runner-Up, Best Overall : Kalyx
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Kalyx
- Products: Shelf-stable items, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, coffee and tea, supplements, bath and beauty products, housewares, and more
- Dietary Restriction Filters: Yes
- Shipping: Weight-based; can be expensive
Kaylyx hits the mark for best overall runner-up due to its extensive selection of healthy items available both fresh and in bulk, and the company’s commitment to environmental causes.
Diverse selection of home, garden, and sports items
Helpful “knowledge center” resource on website
Customers can order online, via phone, or by mail
Shipping can take 3-10 days after order is processed
Items may ship separately due to multiple fulfillment centers
Shipping is weight-based and adds up quickly
Kalyx calls itself a "natural marketplace," but you’ll also find many certified organic products to choose from. There are options to buy some products in large bulk or case lots. This is great for sharing or stocking up on items that you often use, but you can also buy items in smaller quantities.
Tea drinkers will enjoy an assortment of wellness teas, including black, green, and herbal. Coffee drinkers are also represented, with whole beans, ground beans, k-cups, and flavorful mixes to suit every taste.
Besides food products, you’ll find gardening equipment, housewares, and even sporting equipment. Pro tip: If you happen to want an ant farm, those are sold in the science section.
Best Supplements : Vitacost
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Vitacost
- Products: Shelf-stable items, vitamins, minerals, supplements, homeopathic items, and more
- Dietary Restriction Filters: Yes
- Shipping: Minimum order requirement for free shipping
Vitacost is our top pick for supplements, with a dedicated history of selling an extensive array of vitamins, minerals, supplements, homeopathic items, and shelf-stable food items like snacks and baking mixes.
Offers over 35,000 wellness items
Ships internationally to some countries
Easy to sort items based on diets
Must reach cost minimum for free shipping
Website can feel clunky
Some items may arrive over-packaged
Vitacost may be best known for vitamins and supplements, it also sells a wide variety of organic and natural foods.
The company carries familiar brands that you'd find in many grocery stores like Bob’s Red Mill, Lundberg, Simply Organic, and Amy’s Organic, but you will also find exclusive Vitacost products and many other brands that likely aren’t available at your local grocer.
Bakers will like the selection of flours, including many interesting gluten-free alternatives. And anyone who likes baked goods more than they like baking will appreciate the baking mixes that make whipping up desserts that much easier.
Besides food and supplements, Vitacost also offers cleaning and pet care products, shampoos, makeup, and other personal care items.
Best for Dietary Restrictions : Direct Eats
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Direct Eats
- Products: Shelf-stable items, baby and children’s products, health and beauty items, and pet care products
- Dietary Restriction Filters: Yes
- Shipping: Minimum order requirement for free shipping
Direct Eats is our pick for the best online health food stores for customers with dietary restrictions. Plagued by food allergies and a lack of safe food options, the Direct Eats founders created a company dedicated to providing safe and delicious groceries for others with restricted diets.
Offers gluten-free and other ingredient-specific products
Website focuses on allergen facts and ingredient information
Useful website navigation for product shopping
Only includes shelf-stable foods
Minimum purchase needed to qualify for free shipping
Some items sell out frequently
Choosing organic products on Direct Eats is as easy as clicking a button. You can easily omit nuts, dairy, or other ingredients from your search. In addition, you can narrow your choices by paleo, fair trade, or low-carb.
Most of the items online are sold in multipacks, but the quantities are reasonable. Many products come in three- or four-packs rather than full cases, so you won’t be stuck with an excess of items you don’t want.
Besides food, there are also baby and children’s products, health and beauty items, and pet care products. There are no membership fees, no minimum orders, and shipping is free anywhere in the continental U.S., so it’s easy to compare prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Best for Pantry Essentials : Natural Zing
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Natural Zing
- Products: Shelf-stable items, supplements, and superfoods
- Dietary Restriction Filters: No
- Shipping: Minimum order requirement for free shipping
Natural Zing is the best for pantry essentials, selling hundreds of healthy shelf-stable items, such as powders, dried fruits and nuts, and other gourmet and nutritious goodies.
Rewards program offers discounts and promotions
Some items are available in bulk
Company supports sustainability initiatives
Some products may have color/size variations depending on the harvest
Speciality items may not appeal to mass consumers
Expensive minimum to qualify for free shipping
Look no further than Natural Zing for a large selection of pantry essentials. From premium almond flour and raw olives to nut butters and herbs, you’ll find just about everything you need to maintain a raw and healthy lifestyle.
There are plenty of fanciful offerings for those who want to stock their kitchen with versatile dinner ingredients, such as broccoli sprouting seeds, black turtle beans, brown rice protein, dried fruits, spices, and condiments.
While this site doesn’t focus exclusively on organic foods, the products are all labeled accordingly, so you’ll know if it’s organic, wild-harvested, or sustainably grown before you buy.
Best Superfoods : Sunfood Superfoods
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Sun Food Superfoods
- Products: Shelf-stable items, superfoods, supplements, bath and body products, and home products
- Dietary Restriction Filters: No
- Shipping: Minimum order requirement for free shipping
Sunfood Superfoods is an online health store dedicated to creating dozens of nutrient-dense superfoods for optimal health and well-being, including supplement powders, capsules, and raw foods.
Products are tested through an independent third party
Ethically-grown and fair-traded items
Detailed, informative product descriptions
Certain items are expensive
Some customers complain of slow customer service
Pouch packaging can be hard to re-seal
Sunfood Superfoods focuses on superfoods, from açaí to spirulina and everything in between: You’ll find powders, whole raw nuts, dried fruits, and bee pollen.
To easily add superfoods to your diet, there are smoothie mixes and supplements. All products are labeled, so you’ll know if they’re organic, raw, or include other health-conscious attributes.
Lest you think that superfoods are all odd berries and strange greens, you might want to check out the snack section. While the company’s focus is on food products, there is also a small selection of health and beauty items available.
Best Organic : Farmbox Direct
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Farmbox Direct
- Products: Organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs
- Dietary Restriction Filters: No
- Shipping: Free
Farmbox Direct is our choice for the best produce because of the company's commitment to sourcing and shipping fresh, organic produce.
Boxes are seasonal each week
Variety of box sizes and types
Includes a juicing and diabetes-friendly box
Some customers complain of too much packaging
Boxes are pricey
Customers report canceling can be difficult
One thing missing from most online grocers is fresh produce, since it's a lot easier to stock and ship shelf-stable products. That means you need to shop elsewhere for your fruits and vegetables.
If your local grocer isn’t fulfilling your needs, Farmbox Direct can step in and ship fresh organic fruits and vegetables right to your door.
Farmbox Direct offers farm-fresh, local fruits and vegetables right to your door in three different box sizes. Green, orange, and red juicing boxes are also available, and customers can order herbs individually.
Once you choose your basic box, you can customize it to include the produce of your choice. Shipping is free, but a $5.98 fee is added to each box for handling and packaging. You can also add items to your box, so you get exactly what you need and in the quantities required for your favorite recipes.
Final Verdict
Thrive Market is our best overall pick for online health food stores thanks to its wide variety and availability of products, user-friendly website, and membership discounts on healthy groceries. The company allows users to do a significant amount of their shopping all in one place, including options like meat, poultry, and seafood in addition to shelf-stable products.
As a bonus, Thrive Market's membership program benefits low-income families, students, teachers, veterans, and more by waiving its membership fees. When you join Thrive Market, your membership sponsors other people with their own access to discounted health foods.
Compare the Best Online Health Food Stores
Company | Products | Dietary Restriction Filters | Shipping |
Thrive Market
Best Overall |
Shelf-stable items, meat, poultry, seafood, supplements, cleaning supplies, and beauty products | Yes | Minimum order requirement for free shipping |
Kalyx
Runner-Up, Best Overall |
Shelf-stable items, fruits and vegetables, dairy products, coffee and tea, supplements, bath and beauty products, housewares, and more | Yes | Weight-based; can be expensive |
Vitacost
Best Supplements |
Shelf-stable items, vitamins, minerals, supplements, homeopathic items, and more | Yes | Minimum order requirement for free shipping |
Direct Eats
Best for Dietary Restrictions |
Shelf-stable items, baby and children’s products, health and beauty items, and pet care products | Yes | Minimum order requirement for free shipping |
Natural Zing
Best for Pantry Essentials |
Shelf-stable items, supplements, and superfoods | No | Minimum order requirement for free shipping |
Sunfood Superfoods
Best Superfoods |
Shelf-stable items, superfoods, supplements, bath and body products, and home products | No | Minimum order requirement for free shipping |
Farmbox Direct
Best Organic |
Organic fruits, vegetables, and herbs | No | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do Online Health Food Stores Sell?
Online health food stores sell healthy food items, supplements, pet supplies, and environmentally friendly personal care items and cleaning products.
Is It Safe to Buy Food Online?
Buying food online is generally safe. If you order fresh produce or meat, be sure to inspect your items thoroughly, and always wash and rinse fruits and vegetables before eating. If any items appear to have spoiled during shipping, document their condition by sending a photo to customer service as soon as possible.
Many vitamins and supplements are not evaluated by the FDA, but some online health food stores may also claim to test supplement products using a third-party site to ensure potency and efficacy.
Can I Buy All of My Groceries From an Online Health Food Store?
Depending on your household needs, you can buy a majority of your groceries from an online health store, but you may need to buy from multiple vendors depending on your needs.
Some online health food stores do not sell fresh produce or perishables, only shelf-stable pantry items, snacks, and home and pet supplies. However, most sell and stock a wide variety of grocery categories and specialities, providing consumers with plenty of options for health-related food and grocery items.
Do Online Health Foods Stores Charge Sales Tax?
While most online health food stores do not charge sales tax, some do depending on the state you live in and the state in which the company is located. If sales tax is added, it will appear in your cart before checkout.
Do Online Health Food Stores Have a Return Policy?
Check each store’s return policy before purchasing, as the policies may vary by store. For example, Sunfood requests anyone with concerns about products to call customer service before attempting to make a return.
Methodology
We enlisted a panel of researchers to review and assess some of the best online health food stores. We strove to include a diverse offering of stores that specialize in various health and nutrition items, including organic grocery items, vitamins and supplements, fresh produce, pantry goods, and household cleaning and pet supplies.
Our panel took into account company offerings and specialities, product pricing, shipping costs, and customer reviews from various sites. Researchers ordered and reviewed the online purchasing experience from each online store to understand the consumer process, while evaluating products and customer experience to determine some of the best online health food stores available.
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