USPS is usually cheaper than UPS for packages under 20 lbs, while UPS Ground costs less for heavier boxes and offers more guaranteed services.
United Parcel Service (UPS) is a private carrier that accepts packages up to 150 lbs and adds residential and fuel surcharges. The United States Postal Service (USPS), which began in 1775 and delivers to nearly 167 million homes, businesses and P.O. boxes, takes packages up to 70 lbs and states that Priority Mail has no fuel, residential, rural or Saturday delivery surcharges. Many online stores use both and pick per order.
Prices below are the carriers' published rates, checked on October 25, 2026. USPS prices are temporary holiday prices that apply from October 4, 2026 until January 17, 2027.
Is UPS or USPS cheaper?
USPS Ground Advantage bought online is cheaper than UPS Ground up to 20 lbs, and UPS Ground is much cheaper above 20 lbs.
| Weight | USPS Ground Advantage, Post Office price | USPS Ground Advantage, commercial (online) price | UPS Ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 lb | $10.45 / $13.65 | $8.08 / $11.22 | $11.99 / $15.03 |
| 5 lbs | $14.35 / $27.45 | $10.41 / $20.24 | $14.19 / $21.72 |
| 10 lbs | $17.10 / $40.85 | $12.91 / $26.39 | $15.91 / $26.29 |
| 20 lbs | $24.20 / $72.15 | $18.11 / $42.14 | $19.20 / $43.33 |
| 50 lbs | $61.10 / $171.25 | $50.22 / $157.97 | $29.53 / $90.26 |
UPS Ground prices above do not include the $6.50 residential surcharge or the weekly fuel surcharge, so for a home delivery under 20 lbs USPS wins clearly. USPS Post Office counter prices are the exception: at 5 and 10 lbs going cross-country, UPS Ground can beat them on base price. Always buy USPS labels online, where USPS says every user gets commercial pricing.
Which is faster, UPS or USPS?
UPS is faster when you need a guaranteed delivery date, and USPS Priority Mail is the faster low-cost option for light packages.
| Speed | USPS | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | Ground Advantage: 2 to 5 days, $13.65 | UPS Ground: guaranteed day-definite, typically 1 to 5 business days, $15.03 |
| Two to three days | Priority Mail: 2 to 3 days, no money-back guarantee, $17.95 | UPS 2nd Day Air: $46.67 |
| Fastest | Priority Mail Express: 1 to 3 days by 6 p.m., money-back guarantee, $65.15 | UPS Next Day Air: $115.30 |
On weekends, UPS offers Saturday delivery and pickup for UPS Ground in select areas, and USPS Priority Mail Express delivers every day of the year with limited exceptions.
What are the main differences between UPS and USPS?
The biggest differences are weight limits, surcharges and who delivers to P.O. boxes.
| Feature | USPS | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum weight | 70 lbs | 150 lbs |
| Maximum size | 130 inches in combined length and girth (Ground Advantage) | 108 inches long, 165 inches in length plus girth |
| Residential surcharge | None on Priority Mail | $6.50 per UPS Ground package |
| Fuel surcharge | None on Priority Mail | Adjusted weekly |
| P.O. boxes | Delivers to P.O. boxes | UPS Ground Saver, a contract service, delivers to P.O. boxes in the 48 contiguous states |
| Included insurance | Up to $100 on Ground Advantage, Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express | Packages valued up to $50,000 accepted ($70,000 for eligible UPS Next Day Air packages) |
UPS Simple Rate vs USPS Flat Rate: which is cheaper?
USPS Flat Rate is cheaper for very heavy items that fit its boxes, while UPS Simple Rate is cheaper for heavy items in larger boxes of your own.
- USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate: any weight up to 70 lbs in a USPS box. Post Office prices are $14.65 (Small), $25.80 (Medium) and $36.10 (Large); commercial prices are $12.95, $22.02 and $32.75.
- UPS Simple Rate: your own box or poly mailer, priced by size, up to 50 lbs and 1,728 cubic inches. UPS Ground Simple Rate costs $12.20 (Extra Small, up to 100 cubic inches), $15.80 (Small), $18.95 (Medium), $24.85 (Large) and $30.95 (Extra Large) between the 48 contiguous states, with no residential, delivery area or fuel surcharges.
UPS Ground Saver vs USPS Ground Advantage: what is the difference?
USPS Ground Advantage is open to everyone, while UPS Ground Saver is a contract-only UPS service for light home deliveries.
UPS Ground Saver delivers to residential addresses and P.O. boxes in the 48 contiguous states and to APO, FPO and DPO addresses, with final delivery by UPS or USPS. It takes packages up to 70 lbs, is not guaranteed and runs about one to two days slower than UPS Ground. See what UPS Ground Saver is for how it works.
Which carrier is best for an online store?
Use USPS for light orders to homes and P.O. boxes, and UPS for heavy, bulky or time-critical orders.
- Choose USPS for orders under 20 lbs, flat price boxes, P.O. boxes and military addresses.
- Choose UPS for boxes over 20 lbs, packages up to 150 lbs, guaranteed delivery dates and high-value shipments.
- Use both and compare each order. FedEx is the third option: see USPS vs UPS vs FedEx for all three carriers side by side, and FedEx vs UPS for the other pair.
For packages over 150 lbs, neither carrier's parcel service applies; request a freight quote and Shipixy replies the same day. More guides are in the UPS blog category.
Frequently asked questions
Does UPS deliver to P.O. boxes?
UPS Ground Saver, a contract-only service, delivers to P.O. boxes in the 48 contiguous states. Without a Ground Saver contract, USPS is the simpler choice for P.O. box addresses.
Does USPS offer free pickup?
Yes. USPS offers free package pickup at your home or office when you schedule it online, with some restrictions.
Can I use UPS and USPS for the same store?
Yes. Most stores compare both on each order and choose by weight, size, destination and deadline.
Is UPS or USPS better for heavy packages?
UPS. It accepts packages up to 150 lbs against 70 lbs for USPS, and at 50 lbs UPS Ground costs $29.53 nearby against $50.22 for USPS Ground Advantage bought online.
Sources
All sources were checked on October 25, 2026. Carriers change prices and services; the official pages below always win.
- USPS Postal Explorer: Notice 123 price list (effective October 4, 2026)
- USPS release: temporary price change for the 2026 holiday shipping season
- USPS: postal facts and profile
- USPS: Ground Advantage
- USPS: Priority Mail
- USPS: Priority Mail Express
- USPS: Click-N-Ship online shipping
- UPS: 2026 Rate and Service Guide, Daily Rates (updated September 7, 2026, PDF)
- UPS: Ground Saver service description (effective February 16, 2026, PDF)
- UPS: Ground Saver features of service (PDF)
Shipixy gives you discounted UPS, FedEx and USPS rates of up to 75%, depending on the service, with no subscription fees. Compare UPS and USPS for your package in the Shipping Calculator, or sign up and ship your first package.
