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By
Bryan Huynh
Key Takeaways
If you're a coffee aficionado, you know what you like, but you may not be able to try new varieties of coffee very often. Because there are so many blends and brands out there, it can be overwhelming to try and separate high-quality coffees from subpar flavors. Fortunately, we live in a time when coffee clubs exist, meaning you can get a new roast delivered straight to your door.
Two of the most popular coffee clubs are Atlas and Driftaway, so we're comparing them and breaking down how they stack up against each other. Here is everything you need to know about both clubs and how they operate.
When looking at different coffee club subscriptions, it's easy to assume that they're all pretty much the same. Each company stands by its sourcing techniques, working with local farmers around the world to ensure equity and sustainability for all. However, while the concept is the same for multiple companies, the specific details can vary significantly from one to the next.
So, with this comparison, we're going to look at some specific criteria and measure both clubs to see which one comes out on top. That said, we're trying to stay as objective as possible so you can make an informed decision. Let's start by breaking down each club, including how it works and what it's all about.
Atlas is probably the most well-known coffee club out there, and it's consistently ranked as number one by customers. Part of the appeal is that Atlas curates the coffee for you and has a very simple subscription plan. You choose a few preferences and start paying for your first month, so anyone can sign up and "explore the world" with each new cup.
Atlas was founded in 2015 by owners Michael Shewmake and Jon Miller. Part of the purpose of the club is to help coffee drinkers connect with the people, culture, and history of the countries of origin. To that end, each package comes with a postcard from the origin country, giving you some context for why the coffee tastes the way it does.
Setting up your subscription is a quick five-step process. You'll have to select the following criteria (although you can adjust them later on):
Although this coffee club was founded a year before Atlas, it's still not quite as popular. However, Driftaway was founded with the same guiding principles of sustainability and connecting coffee drinkers with coffee bean farmers from the farthest reaches of the globe. This club was founded by Suyog and Anu, two coffee lovers who wanted a way to share their passion with the world.
The setup for this club is a bit different from Atlas and requires a bit more involvement on your end. However, if you already know what kind of coffee you like, you can choose a more streamlined subscription version or just buy coffee directly from the company.
With Driftaway, the main concept is to go through a tasting with a professional via video chat. The idea is that you can ask questions and gain insights into different coffees and why you might like them. From there, you can curate your own subscription and refine your palate as you go.
To that end, each subscription begins with an "explorer box," with five unmarked coffees from around the world. You schedule a tasting session (or do it by yourself). Driftaway provides a tasting card so you can write down your preferences and curate which types of coffee you'll want to try moving forward.
In addition to the "explorer" subscription, you can buy individual bags of coffee or buy it wholesale. Driftaway also sells a chocolate and coffee pairing kit if you're into that kind of thing.
Atlas has a very straightforward pricing plan based on how much coffee you want to receive with your shipment. Driftaway is also simple, although the Explorer box costs more than a regular shipment. So, if you're starting with the box, you'll pay more upfront and then switch to a relatively low-cost subscription.
Atlas' 2023 pricing is as follows:
Atlas often has discounts and sales for new subscribers, so you can usually save money on your first order. For example, you may be able to get a free bag of coffee with your shipment or receive 50 percent off the entire order. The frequency of your payments depends on how often you get your coffee. Again, you can skip a shipment or pause your subscription whenever you like.
Driftaway's 2023 pricing is as follows:
Because you can pick the type of coffee you want, the pricing structure can vary from one blend to the next. So, the prices are for the cheapest varieties, but they can go up if you want more premium beans.
Overall, we like that you have more control over your subscription and that you can buy individual coffees. This way, if you sample something new that you like, you can order more of it and keep drinking it regularly. That's not possible with Atlas, and it's one of the few downsides of that service.
Winner: Atlas is a much more cost-effective option, but it doesn't allow you to buy specific blends.
Atlas Coffee Club is designed to help coffee drinkers discover new blends and varieties without putting too much work into the process. Each subscription box is curated by the company, so you don't get to pick what you get at any given time. While some blends may repeat from time to time, Atlas tries to send unique bags with each shipment.
By comparison, Driftaway gives you the option to buy coffee directly or set up a monthly (or bi-weekly) subscription. Although some blends may get discontinued, you can buy as much as you like once you've sampled them. The ability to buy five-pound bags of coffee is nice, so you can have more on hand and not run out as often.
One feature we like about Atlas is that you can choose to receive coffee based on a particular brew type. For example, if you tend to use an Aeropress, you can get blends that work best with that setup. Or, if you have a coffee pod machine, you can only get pods and not mess around with beans or coffee grounds.
Driftaway has a specialty option for cold brew coffee, but that's it. Otherwise, you can only receive ground or whole bean roasts.
Winner: Driftaway is better because you can curate your own subscription plan. However, Atlas is better for customizing your coffee based on brew type.
Both coffee clubs try to work with different growers and farmers around the world, so the blends and roasts change throughout the year. However, Atlas only tells you the country of origin, while Driftaway provides information on specific coffee blends. For example, you may be able to choose a medium roast from a small farm in Peru, or a dark roast grown on a Nicaraguan volcano.
With Driftaway, the company rotates through different batches of coffee, typically every four weeks. That said, you can set up a subscription service for that particular coffee so it can still get delivered as a new batch comes in. Also, you can buy the coffee in bulk so you have more on hand after it goes away.
Overall, we like that Driftaway is more transparent with its coffee varieties. This way, you know exactly what you're getting and where it's coming from, rather than trusting the company to source from the best farms. Driftaway also offers unique classifications for its coffees, such as "women-owned farms" or "smallholder farms." So, if you want to support small operations or women-owned businesses, you can make your selections based on these categories too.
Winner: Driftaway Coffee tells you about each blend in detail and is upfront about when they're available. Such information is not present on Atlas' website, only details about the country of origin.
Both companies are highly rated for their customer service, as you can expect prompt replies and helpful service reps. With Atlas Coffee, you can submit a help ticket or call their toll-free number at 1.888.420.5004. They do not have a live chat function, but they're pretty good about responding to emails within 24 hours.
Driftaway Coffee also has an email and phone number for their Brooklyn office (347-762-8576). They don't list any hours, although the office is most likely on Eastern Time, so you have to plan accordingly.
One way that Driftaway Coffee surpasses Atlas is that it has a help center. Here, you can browse articles about specific topics, such as how to cancel your account, how to track your orders or the types of coffee the company offers. Plus, the help center has a live chat function, so you can reach someone immediately without having to talk over the phone.
Winner: Both companies are highly rated, but Driftaway has more options for assistance.
Both coffee clubs have pages that feature reviews from established publications like USA Today, The Boston Globe, Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country, and many more. However, Driftaway Coffee has far more "official" reviews on its site, and it includes customer reviews as well. Since customers are the ones who can be open and honest about their experience, it's helpful to read these insights so you know what to expect.
Both options are rated around 4.5 stars (out of five), depending on where you're looking. However, we like that Driftaway provides so many more reviews, as that helps provide a clearer picture of the company and how well its customers like its products.
Winner: Driftaway has more reviews, so it edges out Atlas by a slight margin.
If you want a curated subscription box that allows you to sample coffees from different parts of the world, Atlas is probably the simplest and most affordable option. This club works well for coffee drinkers who want to expand their palates without doing a lot of work.
By comparison, Driftaway Coffee Club is better for those who already have a good idea of what they like and want more control over their subscription. Although the blends change every four weeks, Driftaway makes it easy to continue receiving your preferred blends, and you can find out more information about each coffee and where it was grown.
Overall, we like Driftaway Coffee better than Atlas because of its additional features and benefits.
Bryan Huynh
Product Tester & Writer
Bryan Huynh is a determined Product Tester & Writer. Being a coffee addict, it is only right that he mainly tests and reviews different coffee from around the world and coffee subscription services.
Bryan Huynh is a determined Product Tester & Writer. Being a coffee addict, it is only right that he mainly tests and reviews different coffee from around the world and coffee subscription services.
Edited by:
Bryan Huynh
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Product Tester & Writer
