Is UPS or USPS Cheaper? 2025 Price & Rate Comparison

• 11 min read

Deciding between shipping carriers can feel like a puzzle. You have a package, you need it sent, and you want the best price. The big question always comes up: is UPS or USPS cheaper? The short answer is, it depends entirely on what you’re sending.

There’s no single champion for every package. USPS often wins for lightweight and small items, while UPS typically offers better rates for heavier, larger boxes. This guide breaks down every key factor, from weight and distance to hidden fees, so you can figure out the cheapest option for your specific shipment.

The Quick Answer: When is UPS or USPS Cheaper?

If you’re in a hurry, here are the general rules of thumb.

  • USPS is usually cheaper for: Lightweight packages (under 2 pounds), small boxes, media mail, and shipping to P.O. boxes and residential addresses.
  • UPS is often cheaper for: Heavier packages (over 10 pounds), large boxes, and time sensitive express shipments where guaranteed delivery is critical.

While these are good starting points, the real answer to “is UPS or USPS cheaper” changes based on the details of your shipment. Let’s dive into those details.

How Package Weight Determines the Winner

The single biggest factor in your shipping cost is weight. The tipping point where one carrier becomes more affordable than the other is a crucial piece of information for any shipper.

Lightweight vs. Heavy Packages

For packages under two pounds, USPS is almost always the most cost effective choice. Their infrastructure is built to handle small parcels and letters efficiently, and competitors like UPS have even acknowledged they can’t compete on price for these very light shipments.

Once a package weight climbs over two pounds, USPS rates can increase sharply. UPS becomes much more competitive, particularly in the 5 to 10 pound range. For packages weighing 30 pounds or more, UPS Ground is frequently the cheaper option compared to USPS services. If you’re comparing truly heavy boxes, see our 50 lb UPS vs USPS rate comparison. USPS has a strict weight limit of 70 pounds for its standard services; for anything heavier, UPS is your only option.

A Real World Example: The 5 Pound Package

A five pound package sits right in the middle, where the answer to “is UPS or USPS cheaper” can swing based on distance.

  • For a short trip, USPS Priority Mail might cost around $10.60.
  • For a coast to coast journey, that same package could cost about $20.40 with USPS Priority Mail. A UPS Ground shipment for the same long distance route might have a base rate of around $16.40.

In this long distance scenario, UPS appears cheaper on the surface. However, this doesn’t account for potential UPS surcharges for fuel or residential delivery, which could easily close that price gap. The smartest move is always to compare real time rates using a tool like the Online Shipping Calculator to see the final price for your specific route.

Many shippers find themselves choosing between UPS Ground and USPS Priority Mail. While Priority Mail is typically a bit faster (1 to 3 days) than UPS Ground (1 to 5 days), they are often cross shopped on price.

Here’s how their costs compare for a shipment from New York to Los Angeles:

  • 2 lb package: USPS Priority Mail is cheaper at about $18.95, versus $23.39 for UPS Ground.
  • 10 lb package: UPS Ground takes the lead, costing around $36.91 compared to $54.70 for USPS Priority Mail.
  • 30 lb package: The savings with UPS grow, costing about $98.07, while USPS Priority Mail comes in at $129.55.

The pattern is clear: USPS is the budget choice for lighter weights, but as packages get heavier, UPS Ground becomes the more economical service.

The Flat Rate Showdown

Both carriers offer flat rate shipping, which simplifies pricing by charging one fixed price based on the box size, regardless of weight or distance.

USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate

This is the classic flat rate option. You must use USPS‑branded boxes, which are free at any Post Office; see the complete list of USPS Flat Rate boxes and prices. If your item fits, it ships for a set price up to 70 pounds. A Large Flat Rate Box, for example, costs around $22.80. This is an amazing deal for sending dense, heavy items across the country.

UPS Simple Rate

UPS offers a similar program that lets you use your own packaging, as long as it fits within their five size categories. This provides more flexibility than the fixed USPS box sizes. However, UPS Simple Rate is generally more expensive than the USPS equivalent. A heavy item that costs $19.15 to ship in a USPS Medium Flat Rate Box could cost $27.55 with UPS Simple Rate.

The Verdict: For the lowest possible flat rate cost, especially for heavy items, USPS is the winner. For more flexibility in your box choice, UPS Simple Rate is a solid alternative, though you’ll pay a bit more.

How Distance and Route Affect Your Price

The farther your package travels, the more it costs. Both carriers use a zone based system to calculate rates for ground services; here’s how to calculate shipping costs step by step.

  • Local and Short Distance: For shipments traveling within a state or to a neighboring one, UPS Ground can often be cheaper, especially for medium weight packages. One analysis showed a 25 lb package shipped locally cost about $16.69 with UPS Ground versus $23.00 with USPS.
  • Coast to Coast and Long Distance: For long haul shipments, the tables can turn. That same 25 lb package sent coast to coast could cost around $219 with UPS Ground, while USPS might only charge about $95 for its ground service. USPS often has an advantage on very long routes due to its nationwide network.

The key takeaway is that you can’t assume one carrier is always cheaper for ground shipping. The answer to is UPS or USPS cheaper for a ground package depends heavily on the specific route.

Need it Fast? Express and International Costs

When speed or global reach is a priority, the cost difference can be dramatic.

Express Service Cost Comparison

For overnight delivery, USPS is often substantially cheaper. Sending a 2 pound package overnight from New York to Los Angeles with USPS Priority Mail Express costs about $65. The same shipment with UPS Next Day Air would be around $146. While UPS is more expensive, its express services come with time certain delivery guarantees and more detailed tracking, which can be worth the premium for critical shipments.

International Shipping Price Comparison

For sending packages overseas, USPS is typically the more affordable choice, especially for small items. You can start with our guide to cheapest international shipping.

  • A 2 lb package to the United Kingdom costs roughly $49 via USPS Priority Mail International, compared to a staggering $185 with the cheapest UPS option.
  • A 10 lb package to London shows an even bigger gap: about $117 with USPS versus $785 with UPS.

The major exception is for heavy shipments to neighboring countries. For example, a 50 lb package shipped to Canada could cost $133 with UPS Standard, while USPS might charge $238.

The Hidden Costs: Surcharges and Size Limits

The price you are quoted isn’t always the price you pay, especially with private carriers. Understanding these extra costs is key to finding out if UPS or USPS is cheaper in reality.

Surcharges and Fees

This is one of the biggest differences between the two. USPS pricing is straightforward. The price you see includes residential and rural delivery, and there are no fuel surcharges on domestic shipments.

UPS, on the other hand, adds a variety of surcharges. These can include:

  • Fuel Surcharge: A percentage added to every shipment.
  • Residential Surcharge: A fee of around $4 to $5 for delivering to a home address.
  • Delivery Area Surcharge: An extra fee for delivering to remote or rural locations.

These fees can add up quickly, turning a lower base rate from UPS into a higher final bill than what USPS charges.

Package Size and Weight Limits

Both carriers have rules about how big and heavy your packages can be.

  • Weight: USPS has a firm limit of 70 lbs. UPS can handle packages up to 150 lbs.
  • Size: Both carriers use dimensional weight pricing, which means a large but lightweight box might be billed at a higher “weight” based on its size. This prevents shippers from sending huge, feather light boxes for the price of their actual weight.
  • Oversize Fees: UPS accepts larger packages than USPS, but it charges additional handling and oversize fees for them.

If your item is over 70 pounds or very large, UPS is not only cheaper, it’s your only option.

The Secret to Lower Rates: Discounted Shipping Software

Regardless of which carrier you choose, you should never pay the full retail price you’d find at a physical counter. The easiest way to save money is by using online shipping software to buy your postage (see our walkthrough on unlocking shipping discounts).

Platforms like Shippo, Pirate Ship, or ShipStation have agreements with both UPS and USPS to offer commercial rates to their users. These discounts can be massive, with some platforms advertising savings of up to 91% off retail prices. Even if you only ship occasionally, you can access the same low rates that high volume businesses get. For a quick comparison of these discounted rates without signing up for anything, a free tool like an online shipping calculator is the perfect place to start.

Final Verdict: Which Carrier Should You Choose?

So, is UPS or USPS cheaper? The answer is a hybrid approach. Smart shippers and small businesses use both. They leverage the strengths of each carrier to get the best price for every single package.

  • Use USPS for: Any package under 2 pounds, shipments going to P.O. boxes or military bases, and when you want predictable pricing without surprise fees.
  • Use UPS for: Any package over 10 to 15 pounds, very large boxes, and time sensitive express deliveries that require a money back guarantee.
  • For everything in between: Compare, compare, compare. For packages in the 2 to 10 pound range, the cheapest option will depend on the destination, package dimensions, and whether it fits in a flat rate box.

Don’t guess which carrier is cheaper. Use a free shipping rate comparison tool to see the exact costs side by side and choose the best option every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. For a 10 lb box, is UPS or USPS cheaper?
For a 10 pound box, UPS Ground is often cheaper than USPS Priority Mail, especially for longer distances. For example, a 10 lb package from NY to LA cost about $37 with UPS Ground versus $55 with USPS Priority Mail. However, if your item fits in a USPS Medium Flat Rate box, USPS would be significantly cheaper at around $17.10.

2. What is the cheapest way to ship a heavy package (over 20 lbs)?
UPS Ground is almost always the cheapest option for shipping heavy packages over 20 pounds (see our breakdown of the cheapest way to ship a 20 lb box). USPS rates become very high for heavier weights, and they cannot accept packages over 70 pounds at all.

3. Is UPS or USPS cheaper for international shipping?
USPS is generally much cheaper for shipping lightweight packages internationally. For example, a 2 lb package to the U.K. can be over three times more expensive with UPS. UPS can be more competitive for very heavy shipments to Canada or Mexico.

4. How can I get the biggest discount on shipping?
The best way to get discounts is to purchase your labels online through a shipping software platform instead of paying retail rates at the carrier’s counter. These platforms provide access to commercial pricing, which can save you 40% or more on both UPS and USPS shipments.

5. Which is faster, UPS Ground or USPS Priority Mail?
USPS Priority Mail is typically faster, with an estimated delivery time of 1 to 3 business days. UPS Ground takes between 1 and 5 business days, depending on the distance.

6. Do USPS Flat Rate boxes actually save money?
Yes, USPS Flat Rate boxes can save you a lot of money, particularly when you are shipping small, heavy items over a long distance. Since the price is the same regardless of weight (up to 70 lbs) or destination, it often beats weight based pricing for dense goods.