USPS vs. UPS vs. FedEx – Which Carrier is Cheaper in 2024?

Editors note: This blog was last updated February 2024.

As an e-commerce business, it’s mission-critical to have the ability to compare shipping rates for major carriers, including USPS, UPS, and FedEx. You may wonder which is cheaper, faster, or which offers the special add-ons you need.  In the post, we’ll take a look at some popular service levels for USPS, UPS, and FedEx, so that you can arm yourself with the “sweet spots” of each carrier and make the best decision for your shipments. 

One way to optimize your shipping operations and get access to the very best rates available from the carriers is to implement a shipping solution like Shippo. 

With Shippo, you can compare rates in real-time, no matter where you’re shipping or the size of the package. You can also easily integrate Shippo with your e-commerce store to make label-printing quick and seamless while providing even faster service to your customers. And, getting started is easy—you’ll be set up in under a few minutes. 

Rates will vary based on dimensions, weight, delivery time, and shipping zones, but the following examples are an overview of what to expect from the major carriers. 

Please note: Most of the following USPS, UPS, and FedEx rates are available through Shippo and are cheaper than what you’d pay at the Post Office or carrier store. Plus, there are no volume or coding requirements with a free Shippo account. Finally, consider signing up for our FedEx Advantage program, which saves users up to 29 percent with FedEx. Applying is free, so see if you qualify today.

USPS vs. UPS vs. FedEx? Which is Cheaper for 5-day Delivery?

Consumers have come to expect that their packages will get delivered in an average of 3-5 days. And, each of the major carriers have a shipping service that delivers within that time frame.

To compare, USPS Priority Mail delivers in 1-3 business days while FedEx Ground Economy can take up to 5 days and UPS Ground Economy will also take up to 5 days.

Which is the Cheaper Flat-rate Option—Fedex vs. USPS?

Since UPS does not offer a flat-rate service, we’ll compare USPS vs. FedEx. You can get USPS boxes for free, and you’ll pay a flat rate to ship a package weighing up to 20 pounds anywhere in the U.S. between 1-3 business days. FedEx One Rate also offers free boxes, and does not require you to weigh or measure shipments under 50 pounds with a time-definite 1-, 2-, or 3-day delivery.

*Note that the FedEx rates below represent the retail rate since Shippo does not yet offer discounts for this service level natively.

Which is Cheaper for Small, Lightweight Packages—USPS vs. UPS vs. FedEx?

Small, lightweight packages tend to be the bread and butter of e-commerce businesses. If you’re looking to ship a package under one pound, you’ll likely want to consider the USPS Ground Advantage™. It caters to packages less than 1 pound (as well as those weighing up to 70 lbs), and has an average delivery of 2-5 business days.

Which is Cheaper for Large, Heavy Packages—USPS vs. UPS vs. FedEx?

FedEx and UPS are typically competitive options for heavier packages. Keep in mind that USPS has a weight limit of 70 pounds for its most popular shipping services.

‍Which is the Best 3-Day Delivery Option—USPS vs. UPS vs. FedEx?

For packages that need to get to their destination faster, consider these timely options. FedEx Express Saver guarantees delivery to businesses by 4:30 p.m. and to residences by 8 p.m. in 3 business days. UPS commits to delivering by the end of the third business day. A competitive option for 3-day delivery is USPS Priority Mail, with deliveries in 1-3 business days.‍‍

Visit our USPS Cubic Pricing page to learn more about how cubic pricing works.‍

Which is Best for Guaranteed Overnight Packages—USPS vs. UPS vs. FedEx?

If you need your package to arrive at its destination overnight, here are the options to consider: USPS Priority Mail Express Delivery by 10:30 a.m., FedEx 2Day A.M., or UPS Next Day Air.

Now, go forth and ship!

Shippo is a multi-carrier API and web app that helps retailers, marketplaces and platforms connect to a global network of carriers. Businesses use Shippo to get real-time rates, print labels, automate international paperwork, track packages and facilitate returns. Shippo provides the tools to help businesses succeed through shipping. Want to get an idea of how much you can save with Shippo? Check out our USPS postage calculator for some real-time examples.