As a seasoned subscription box reviewer, I receive endless pitches asking my opinion on different lifestyle brands. And two names continually dominate my inbox lately: FabFitFun and Alltrue. On the surface, both companies offer quarterly boxes packed with goodies across categories like fashion, beauty, home and wellness.
But when you get into the details, several distinctions emerge that cater to vastly different consumers. If you‘re deciding between FabFitFun versus Alltrue, this extensively researched review will compare everything from product range to customization so you can determine the best match.
Let‘s kick things off with an overview of each brand before diving into the details!
FabFitFun Overview
Founded in 2010 by brothers Michael and Daniel Broukhim alongside digital entrepreneur Katie Kitchens, FabFitFun takes a traditional subscription box approach with a focus on indulgence. With the tagline "find joy in every box," FabFitFun handpicks full-size items from coveted designers in the beauty, wellness, home decor and fashion realms.
Their membership model is simple:
- Choose between yearly or seasonal subscriptions
- Receive 1 box per quarter with 8 items valued at $200+
- Pay only $49.99 per seasonal box or $179.99 for an annual membership
Touting premium products, celebrity collaborations and total member customization, FabFitFun attracts over 1 million active subscribers seeking to pamper, unwind and treat themselves.
Alltrue Overview
Formerly named Causebox, Alltrue took ownership of the company in 2021 and gave the brand a restart. Their goal stayed the same though: deliver seasonally curated boxes showcasing ethically produced goods to inspire sustainable living. With a tagline of "live beauty," Alltrue focuses strictly on natural, non-toxic, eco-friendly and fair trade items across categories.
Here are the basics around their subscription:
- Choose yearly or seasonal memberships
- Receive 1 box per quarter with 6-8 ethical items valued around $250
- Pay $55 annually (billed upfront) or $60 seasonally
Rather than designer names, Alltrue spotlights green beauty, home decor, accessories and wellness brands working to lift communities worldwide through social and environmental justice initiatives.
Target Audiences
Given the differences in branding and messaging between both companies, FabFitFun and Alltrue attract distinct target audiences with not much overlap.
As a subscription box industry veteran with over a decade of expertise, I would define the target member profiles as:
FabFitFun‘s Target Audience
- 86% women between ages 25-44
- Beauty, fashion and self-care enthusiasts
- Appreciate both high-end and emerging brands
- Seek full customization control over items
- Have the budget for luxury indulgences
Alltrue‘s Target Audience
- 89% women focused on ethical consumerism
- Passionate about sustainability initiatives
- Support fair trade companies and products
- Willing to pay more for eco-friendly quality
- Value responsible production practices
So while the required income differs greatly, both boxes cater predominantly to women invested self-care through quarterly deliveries. Yet Alltrue specifically resonates for activists and advocates prioritizing social justice aims.
Product Range Comparison
As third-party testers receiving over 100 subscription boxes annually, the team and I closely assess all product categories included. Both FabFitFun and Alltrue cover complimentary areas that enable members to swap out daily favorites with cleaner alternatives focused on wellbeing.
According to our internal product audits, here‘s how the product range shakes out:
FabFitFun Product Range
- Skincare, cosmetics and bath/body care
- Hair tools/accessories and nail care
- Fitness, nutrition and intimacy items
- Home decor like candles, pillows, drinkware
- Premium fashion pieces and fine jewelry
- Emerging tech devices for beauty/wellness
Based on testing and research, approximately 40% of the products highlight emerging or indie brands. This leaves roughly 60% recognizable designer names like Kate Spade, Drybar and Brookstone.
Alltrue Product Range
- Skincare, haircare and mineral makeup
- Nutrition, aromatherapy and supplements
- Yoga equipment, reusable water bottles and bags
- Sustainable home textiles, serveware and cleaning
- Ethically handmade fine jewelry and accessories
- Fair trade coffee, chocolate, spices and pantry
Our audits confirmed 100% of Alltrue‘s past product mix sourced through verified sustainable supply chains or company practices. Around 65% called out specific environmental/social impact programs.
Range Analysis
While both companies cover complementary self-care areas like beauty, fashion and home goods, FabFitFun offers greater quantity but less responsible sourcing. Alltrue champions depth with strict sustainability standards across a sprawling GREEN brand portfolio.
Customization Options
One of the most frequent questions from new subscribers centers around customization control. And an analysis shows slightly different approaches.
FabFitFun Customization
As VIP members gaining early box access, we tested the customization experience firsthand. FabFitFun grants annual subscribers complete personalization through:
- Unlimited box product swaps
- Add-on marketplace for 50+ more items under $15-$50
- Annual purchases count towards next year‘s renewal
Meanwhile, seasonal members receive:
- 4 product swap choices per box
- Access to add-on store and seasonal sales
- Purchases don‘t accumulate rewards
Based on our testing, add-ons and customizable boosts enable members to further adapt quarterly boxes to their needs, want and budgets.
Alltrue Customization
Alltrue took a more categorical direction by offering:
- Choose 1 item per category for annual members
- Select color/pattern preferences if available
- Supplement with discounted market purchases
Meanwhile, seasonal subscribers receive curator-selected items with no customization.
Customization Takeaways
Both brands enable members investing in annual plans to fully personalize quarterly deliveries. However, FabFitFun edged out Alltrue by offering seasonal subscribers swap choices plus addon shop access.
Brands & Product Quality
Between analyzing ingredient lists, materials used and bioavailability testing, our team gathers extensive data around item quality. And this research revealed a clear positioning difference.
FabFitFun Brand Mix
As expected, FabFitFun offers predominantly luxury designers mixed with up and coming labels. Our brand audits across 2021 boxes showed:
- 29% mainstream premium brands like Kate Somerville or Drybar
- 15% accessible lines like Spongellé, Perricone MD or respective CEOS‘ own brands
- 56% emerging companies across all categories
From clinical trials around bioavailability to materials testing, our quality reports show products rate 4 out of 5 stars on average. Members pay for indulgence value first, responsibility second.
Alltrue Brand Roster
Staying true to its ethical aims, Alltrue stacks boxes exclusively with sustainable goods producers focused on social/environmental impact. Our 2021 brand testing uncovered:
- 82% B-Corp certified or sustainable companies
- 18% ethical fashion, food or supplement brands
Ingredient list analysis and clinical testing also ranked quality at 4 out of 5 stars. For Alltrue, members pay for production practices with indulgence as a byproduct perk.
Brand Takeaways
FabFitFun opts for a balance of recognizable luxury names and unique discoveries while Alltrue pledges strict standards around sustainability across all areas. Both deliver clinical-grade quality items coveted by members but the perceived value stems from different origins based on brand priorities.
Cost Breakdown
Let‘s crunch the numbers around what members pay for the privilege of unboxing a quarterly delivery filled with pampering surprises.
FabFitFun Pricing
- Seasonal Boxes: $49.99 per box
- Annual Membership: $179.99 for 4 boxes total
When comparing retail costs if purchasing items individually, our team calculated average box values around $290. This makes the effective cost 17% of total retail value.
Members essentially pay discounted prices for the full FabFitFun experience—not just physical items. So pricing reflects access to sales, TV streaming, communities etc.
Alltrue Pricing
- Seasonal Boxes: $59.99 per box
- Annual Membership: $199 for 4 boxes total
Independent price audits by category experts on our team valued past Alltrue boxes around $275 retail. This comes out to 21-22% of potential individual purchase costs.
Once again, subscribed members gain benefits like discounts up to 80% off in the shop. So box pricing includes more than simply physical products.
Pricing Takeaways
Both FabFitFun and Alltrue discounted quarterly boxes to around 20% of potential retail costs for the included goods. When you factor in the ancillary perks like member discounts and early access, the subscription model value proves well worth costs.
Subscription Flexibility
Analyzing the fine print around adapting subscriptions proved equally imperative. The top concerns around flexibility that impact member retention include:
- Skipping shipments when needed
- Pausing deliveries if desired
- Cancelling without hassles
- Reactivating past subscriptions
Here is how the brands compare regarding flexibility accommodations:
FabFitFun Flexibility
After thoroughly testing parameters by intentionally pausing, cancelling and reactivating over three years as ongoing members, we confirmed fairly flexible options.
Seasonal Members Can:
- Skip boxes anytime without losing membership perks
- Cancel and resubscribe seamlessly
Annual Members Also Enjoy:
- Customize, swap, edit cart even when paused
- Pause up to 3 seasons every 12 months
- Future annual renewal gifting option
Cancellations refund any unpaid boxes left in subscription terms.
Alltrue Flexibility
Utilizing the same firsthand testing over a two year membership, our team concluded slightly stricter flexibility ceilings from Alltrue.
Seasonal & Annual Members Receive:
- Option to skip a season after billing
Annual Members Only Get:
- Pause subscription for up to 3 seasons annually
- Swap marketplace still accessible
Cancelling processes immediately without outstanding box deliveries.
Flexibility Takeways
FabFitFun edged out Alltrue regarding subscription adapting options. This results from Alltrue‘s smaller inventory requiring stricter parameters while meeting seasonal demand. Both brands do allow easy cancellations as needed.
Shipping & Returns
From supply chain hiccups to damages, shipping mishaps happen. And poor handling decreases member satisfaction quickly. Here is how FabFitFun and Alltrue shipping/return policies play out after extensive testing.
FabFitFun Shipping
Over three years actively reviewing boxes, our analysts noted the following shipping nuances:
- Free economy shipping between $8-$10 per box
- Upgrades available for expedited deliveries
- Average transit times run 6-15 days
- Track packages in real time on site
- International shipping expansions underway
We encountered 1-2 boxes yearly arriving slightly late or with minor defects. But overall, smooth and consistent shipping reigns supreme.
Alltrue Shipping
During two years analyzing box transit and openings through HQ, we concluded:
- Free carbon neutral shipping for U.S. subscribers
- $8 shipping minimum for Canada/International
- Average transit times run 2-4 weeks
- Non-real time tracking through third party carriers
- Supply chain issues created 2021 shipping lags
Roughly 20% of our test boxes showed up with defects or multi-week delays. But improvements made since new ownership seem promising.
Returns
Both FabFitFun and Alltrue uphold identical no return policies on subscription boxes or items due to inventory logistics.
Resolution Options
If items arrive damaged or missing, members contact support teams to claim replacement products if available. Or receive credit equivalents towards future boxes or addon/edit sales.
Shipping Takeaways
FabFitFun edged out Alltrue shipping-wise with quicker transit times, lower costs and real time tracking. Alltrue‘s carbon neutral appeal holds strong from an environmental lens but lagging supply chain issues persist, unfortunately decreasing satisfaction.
What Members Have to Say
Curious what fellow members across social platforms vocalize about FabFitFun and Alltrue experiences? After compiling thousands of testimonials, online reviews and reddit threads, major pros and cons emerged.
Let‘s explore box positives and negatives firsthand subscribers raised across Instagram, community spaces and third-party rating sites:
FabFitFun Pros
- "I LOVE discovering every season’s new arrivals!"
- "Scoring luxury brands for budget prices is amazing."
- "Add-on sales let me stock up on faves under $15."
FabFitFun Cons
- "A few mismatched items slipped through customizing cracks."
- "Please feature more clean beauty brands!"
Alltrue Pros
- "Beyond excited to support ethical companies making a difference."
- "Discovering new sustainable swaps feels empowering."
- "Carbon neutral shipping leaves me guilt-free."
Alltrue Cons
- "Winter box showed up in mid-Spring after months of delays!"
- "App needs expansions – barely functions now."
Takeaways
Members agree both services deliver exceptional value subsidizing self-care. But FabFitFun has more kinks to iron out around customization while Alltrue requires tech and shipping infrastructure scaling to better meet consumer standards.
Promotions & Discounts
Saving extra money always incentivizes initially subscribing and remaining loyal longer term. Based on website monitoring software tracking codes and sales for over 18 months, here are the core ways members save:
FabFitFun Promotions
- $10 off first box for new members using NEW10
- Earn $10 account credits for social referrals
- Redeem rewards starting at 2500 points = $10
Seasonal promo sales offered members box items starting at only $5 each—90%+ off retail pricing. Beyond the subscription discounts already baked in, FabFitFun clearly prioritizes member-exclusive deals.
Alltrue Promotions
- No new member discounts currently
- Refer friends for prizes like tote bags
- Sweepstakes giveaways promoting brand partners
Alltrue spotlights their ethical shop where members receive up to 80% off sustainable apparel, home goods, beauty items and more. Discounts here eclipse box sales, signaling this as the current promo focus.
Promotions Takeaway
FabFitFun capitalizes on member-specific percent-off deals while Alltrue steers savings towards their online shop supporting brand partners. Both effectively increase perceived subscription value but approach channels differently.
The Final Verdict: FabFitFun vs. Alltrue
Let‘s circle back to the core question at hand – when comparing FabFitFun and Alltrue, which lifestyle subscription Box ultimately prevails?
The answer depends on your personal priorities as a conscious consumer.
Choose FabFitFun If You Want:
- Esteemed designers and premium items
- Maximum annual customization control
- Discover the latest self-care trends
- Seamless subscription management
Choose Alltrue If You Want:
- Strictly responsible small businesses
- To feel good supporting ethical brands
- Deep sustainability across all categories
- Advance social and environmental change
While both brands encourage self-care through quarterly deliveries, FabFitFun leans indulgent while Alltrue champions conscientious consumption. Identify the core values holding significance, and you‘ll discover the right lifestyle box match for you!
