Is UPS or USPS Cheaper? 2026 Cost & Speed Comparison

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 recent rate changes, 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 PO 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 changes based on the details. Let’s dive into those details.

How 2025 and 2026 Rate Changes Impact Cost

Both carriers adjust their prices annually, and these changes can shift which service is more affordable. For 2026, UPS plans an average net increase of 5.9% for its Ground, Air, and International services, which took effect in late December 2025. Similarly, USPS has proposed its own rate adjustments for 2026, including an approximate 7.8% increase for its popular USPS Ground Advantage service and a 6.6% increase for Priority Mail.

These increases mean that comparing up to date rates is more important than ever. What was cheapest last year might not be the cheapest today.

Ground Shipping Cost: UPS Ground vs. USPS Ground Advantage

For most non urgent shipments, the choice comes down to the primary ground services from each carrier. USPS Ground Advantage is the flagship ground service from the Postal Service, competing directly with the well known UPS Ground.

Here’s how they compare:

Speed: Both services offer similar delivery windows. UPS Ground typically delivers in 1 to 5 business days, while USPS Ground Advantage arrives in 2 to 5 business days. Some find UPS has a slight edge in speed, especially for local shipments which can sometimes arrive the next day.
Cost for Light Packages: For packages under about two or three pounds, USPS Ground Advantage is almost always the more economical choice. Its pricing structure is built to handle small, light parcels efficiently.
Cost for Heavy Packages: Once a package’s weight increases, UPS Ground becomes much more competitive and is often the cheaper option for items over 10 pounds. For anything over 70 pounds, UPS is your only choice, as this is the USPS weight limit.
Included Features: USPS Ground Advantage includes free package pickup and $100 of insurance at no extra cost. It also includes Saturday delivery as standard, whereas this often costs extra with UPS. UPS Ground, however, is known for its detailed tracking capabilities, which can be a priority for business shipments.

The verdict is clear: USPS Ground Advantage 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.

The Hidden Costs: Surcharges and Fees

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 for Residential, Weekend, and Pickup

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. Saturday delivery is also standard.

UPS, on the other hand, adds a variety of surcharges. These fees can add up quickly, turning a lower base rate from UPS into a higher final bill. Common fees include:

Fuel Surcharge: A percentage added to every shipment that fluctuates with fuel prices.
Residential Surcharge: A significant fee, around $6.50 for ground shipping in 2026, for delivering to a home address, including a business operating out of a home.
Delivery Area Surcharge: An extra fee for delivering to remote or rural locations.
Saturday Delivery: Delivering on a weekend costs extra with UPS, unlike with USPS.
Pickup Fees: Requesting a package pickup from UPS comes with a fee, while USPS offers this service for free.

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, which can add hundreds of dollars during peak season.

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

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 Secret to Lower Rates: Discounted Shipping Software

Regardless of which carrier you choose, you should never pay the full retail price. 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 PO boxes or military bases, and when you want predictable pricing without surprise fees.
Use UPS for: Any package over 10 to 15 pounds, shipments over 70 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 potential surcharges.

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 services, especially for longer distances. However, if your item fits in a USPS Medium or Large Flat Rate box, USPS would be significantly cheaper.

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. 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 Ground Advantage?
Their speeds are very similar, with stated delivery times of 1 to 5 business days for UPS Ground and 2 to 5 for USPS Ground Advantage. In practice, delivery time can depend heavily on the specific route.

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.