What are the differences between UPS and USPS shipping services?
Compare UPS and USPS shipping rates and advantages before you choose which one is better for your shipping needs. With our comprehensive guide, you will be able to analyse the differences between UPS and USPS shipping services based on speed, cost, customer satisfaction and solutions for businesses. Alternatively, check the price of booking the shipping with Eurosender if you want to compare the quotes of even more couriers.
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Which is cheaper: UPS or USPS? Compare the shipping rates
To determine which one is cheaper, UPS or USPS, we need to compare their shipping rates for similar services. Therefore, we have put together a comparison between the shipping costs offered by UPS and USPS for different domestic and international services.
USPS offers flat-rate shipping services for shipping in small, medium or large boxes provided by them. These rates are usually the cheapest ones, especially considering that packaging is already included. On the other hand, UPS is renowned around the world for their overnight shipping of urgent shipments, which means that each one may be better for different types of services.
To make sure you compare not only these two companies but also other options of couriers, get a quote on our platform.
PRICE COMPARISON
USPS vs UPS for domestic shipping in the USA
Compare UPS and USPS shipping rates for sending a 10kg (22lbs) package from NY to LA:
| Shipping service | Price | Delivery time | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Next Day Air Early | US $ 257.54 | 1 working day | By 8:00 |
| UPS Next Day Air | US $ 226.56 | 1 working day | By 10:30 |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | US $ 169.35 | 2 working days | By the end of the day |
| UPS 3 Day Select | US $ 105.60 | 3 working days | By the end of the day |
| UPS Ground | US $ 57.39 | 4 working days | By the end of the day |
| USPS Priority Mail 1-Day | US $ 163.70 | 1 working day | By 15:00 |
| USPS Priority Mail 2-Day | US $ 81.80 | 3 working days | By the end of the day |
| USPS Priority Mail 2-Day Flat-Rate | US $ 21.10 | 3 working days | By the end of the day |
| USPS Retail Ground | US $ 68.30 | 5 working days | By the end of the day |
USPS vs UPS international envelope shipping from the USA to the UK
Check if USPS or UPS is cheaper for shipping documents internationally:
| Shipping service | Price | Delivery time | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Worldwide Express Plus | US $ 149.67 | 2 working days | By 9:00 |
| UPS Worldwide Express | US $ 108.97 | 2 working days | By 10:30 |
| UPS Worldwide Saver | US $ 107.81 | 2 working days | By the end of the day |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited | US $ 97.38 | 2 working days | By the end of the day |
| USPS GXG Envelopes | US $ 106.05 | 1-3 working days | By the end of the day |
| USPS Priority Mail Express International | US $ 73.70 | 3-5 working days | By the end of the day |
| USPS Priority Mail International | US $ 61.15 | 6-10 working days | By the end of the day |
| Eurosender Document Service | € 38.53 | From 24h-72h | By the end of the day |
USPS vs UPS international package shipping from the USA to the UK
Check if USPS or UPS is cheaper for shipping a 10kg (22lbs) package internationally:
| Shipping service | Price | Delivery time | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Worldwide Express Plus | US $ 386.20 | 2 working days | By 9:00 |
| UPS Worldwide Express | US $ 345.50 | 2 working days | By 10:30 |
| UPS Worldwide Saver | US $ 341.56 | 2 working days | By the end of the day |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited | US $ 318.65 | 3 working days | By the end of the day |
| USPS Global Express Guaranteed | US $ 232.80 | 1-3 working days | By the end of the day |
| USPS Priority Mail Express International | US $ 151.95 | 3-5 working days | By the end of the day |
| USPS Priority Mail International | US $ 138 | 6-10 working days | By the end of the day |
| Eurosender Express Delivery | € 188.33 | Up to 72h | By the end of the day |
Can you drop off a USPS package at a UPS store?
On previous years, clients could drop off their USPS packages at UPS stores because USPS drivers regularly made collections from these locations. However, this was treated as a “courtesy” service as the UPS store usually didn’t get paid for it. From the beginning of 2020, this service was officially suspended by USPS. From now on, USPS packages cannot be dropped off at UPS stores or the other way around.
SPEED OF DELIVERY
UPS vs USPS: which one is faster?
For overnight domestic deliveries, UPS is faster than USPS, providing shipping solutions with same-day pick-up and guaranteed delivery by 8h on the next day. The quickest transport service offered by USPS is the Priority Mail 1-Day, with which the parcel gets delivered by 15h. When comparing UPS and USPS Ground Services, their shipping speed is close, but UPS still makes it on average one day faster.
However, for international deliveries, UPS offers much faster shipping solutions with deliveries in up to 2 working days, while USPS most economical services have the delivery time of 6 – 10 business days. Their more comprehensive international network is probably the main reason why UPS is able to provide faster shipping solutions for routes outside the USA.
Check our comparison tables above to determine which one is faster comparing each specific service offered by UPS and USPS.
UPS vs USPS: which is cheaper for overnight shipments?
USPS is cheaper than UPS for overnight shipments if you do not need it to be delivered by the morning. If you require your parcel to be delivered at the beginning of the next day, UPS may be a bit more expensive, but it pays off since they offer guaranteed delivery within that timeframe. Therefore, when choosing which one is better for overnight shipping, UPS or USPS, you need to compare not only the shipping rates but also the delivery times.
UPS vs USPS: which is cheaper for international shipping?
For smaller packages, USPS offer cheaper solutions for international shipping than UPS, but delivery times are considerably longer. If urgency is not an issue, then USPS may be a better option for you.
On the other hand, UPS is usually cheaper than USPS for shipping large packages internationally. Thus, we advise you to get the quote with both couriers and other logistics providers before you decide which one is better for your needs. If you want to see how much it would cost to book your shipping service with Eurosender, simply select the origin and destination countries on our booking tool.
PROS AND CONS
Advantages of UPS and USPS. Which courier is better?
Both companies have their advantages and disadvantages, so when it comes to deciding which courier is better, let’s compare some of UPS and USPS main features:
| Feature | UPS | USPS | Eurosender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express solutions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time tracking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free door-to-door delivery | For some services | ✓ | ✓ |
| Service dedicated to envelopes | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| Discounts for registered users | X | X | ✓ |
| Free address change | X | X | ✓ |
| Instant online quotes | Depends on the route | Depends on the route | ✓ |
| Freight solutions for individuals | ✓ | X | ✓ |
UPS vs USPS – Which is better for small businesses?
To determine which courier is better for your small business, UPS or USPS, you should also evaluate their customer satisfaction ratings and solutions for online stores.
- In 2020, UPS had the highest score in consumer satisfaction among all US-based logistics companies, according to ACSI. In addition to this, they also offer complete support and integration for online businesses to streamline the ordering, labelling, and tracking processes.
- USPS scored 72 points on consumer satisfaction, being the lowest-rated among the main American shipping companies. To attract small and online businesses, USPS offers low rates for shipping small and light packages along with the enormous availability of shops across the USA for increased convenience.
OUR BENEFITS
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UPS vs USPS reliability. Which one is safer?
Comparing UPS and USPS in terms of reliability is not an easy task since they are two of the main carriers in the United States. UPS is one of the pioneers in real-time tracking, offering highly predictable shipping services with 97% rate of on-time deliveries. USPS also provides tracking for every package shipped, but it is a less reliable system since they have different rules for scanning the parcels. Many times, the parcel is not scanned by the driver who performs the collection, only when it arrives at the depots, which can lead to confusion.
FINAL RECAP
UPS vs USPS Comparison Summary: which one is better after all?
Comparing UPS and USPS to decide which one is better for your business may be time-consuming. Still, it is worthy as the companies you choose to collaborate have a direct effect on your reputation as a business. When analysing the differences between UPS and USPS shipping services, make sure to check which one is cheaper, faster and has better overall performance on your main operation area.
UPS is usually the preferred option for urgent shipments, same-day collections, and for transporting large packages. Their global reach is appealing to shippers who regularly have the need of sending goods overseas and for small businesses who plan to take their operations to a worldwide level. On the other hand, USPS is the most used courier for domestic transport, especially when sending envelopes or small packages. Their Flat-Rate deals are usually the cheapest option amongst all American logistics providers, which is one of the biggest reasons for their popularity amongst small and online businesses.
But why choose one single courier company if you have the option of using multiple providers based on the price/quality they offer for each route? At Eurosender, we work with numerous couriers to match you with the best fit for each shipping request. Get a quote online or sign up for additional discounts and benefits.
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