UPS recently added a new offering to their list of services: UPS Simple Rate, a direct competitor to similar options from USPS and FedEx. Businesses often compare FedEx One Rate vs. USPS Flat Rate to find the lowest shipping costs. We recently compared UPS Simple Rate vs. FedEx One Rate and USPS Flat Rate since we're adding support for UPS Simple Rate to our services.
We realized that many of the businesses typically seeking the best rate between FedEx One Rate vs. USPS Flat Rate are now likely also in need of a UPS Simple Rate vs. FedEx One Rate vs. USPS Flat Rate comparison guide. Since we already did the research, we figured we'd share what we learned.
Each of the services offers different package sizes, and they all price their options differently. Let's go over the packages and pricing of UPS Simple Rate vs. FedEx One Rate vs. USPS Flat Rate to easily compare them.
With UPS Simple Rate, depending on their capacity (in square inches), packages fall into one of five size categories. For example, both an 8×6×2 box and a 6×4×4 box fall into the extra small category because both have a volume between 1 and 100 cubic inches. Each size has its own set of prices depending on shipping speed.
Extra Small (1-100 cubic inches):
Small (101-250 cubic inches):
Medium (251-650 cubic inches):
Large (651-1,050 cubic inches):
Extra Large (1,051-1,728 cubic inches):
The main difference is how the options expand exponentially when comparing UPS Simple Rate vs. FedEx One Rate due to their two extra packaging options and shipping speeds, plus a third factor, zones. Zones are determined by shipping distance, so the price will range depending on how far the shipment travels.
FedEx® Envelope:
FedEx® Pak:
FedEx® Small Box:
FedEx® Medium Box:
FedEx® Large Box:
FedEx® Extra Large Box:
FedEx® Tube:
When you compare UPS Simple Rate and FedEx One Rate vs. USPS Flat Rate, you'll notice USPS pricing seems simpler because they only have one flat rate shipping speed available: Priority Mail. Their price only depends on if it's shipped from a commercial base, Post Office building, or Post Office website.
There are different shipping speed options for UPS Simple Rate and FedEx One Rate vs. USPS Flat Rate. They each have a different number of options and different kinds available.
UPS Simple Rate: UPS provides four options, including UPS® Ground, UPS 3 Day Select®, UPS 2nd Day Air®, and UPS Next Day Air Saver®.
FedEx One Rate: FedEx has five options, letting you choose from FedEx Express Saver®, FedEx 2Day®, FedEx 2Day® A.M., FedEx Standard Overnight®, FedEx Priority Overnight®, and FedEx First Overnight®.
USPS Flat Rate: USPS only ships flat rate packages via Priority Mail, so there aren't any options.
Every business has different needs and priorities. Some features will be more relevant and important to you than others. Here are the top features most businesses are concerned with and a description of who does it best and why.
The best carrier for shipping heavy packages would be USPS. While UPS and FedEx have a maximum weight of 50 lbs., USPS goes the extra mile to provide the option of shipping packages weighing as much as 70 lbs., which is a significant increase. So, if your packages are over the UPS and FedEx limit of 50 lbs., USPS is your only flat-rate option.
UPS would be your best option if you want more space. While you get 1,452 cubic inches with FedEx One Rate and 900 cubic inches USPS Flat Rate, UPS Simple Rate limits max out at 1,728 cubic inches.
On this one, UPS and FedEx are tied for first place. Your packages are automatically insured for up to $100. Also, if your delivery doesn't arrive on the date promised, you'll get a guaranteed refund with UPS Simple Rate and FedEx One Rate. But USPS Flat Rate only offers insurance up to only $50 and has no guarantee.
If the predictability of the shipping price is your main concern, then USPS has the most straightforward and consistent pricing of the three, with the fewest options. While it is a bit more restrictive since you have no real options, it is much easier to know your price every time. FedEx has the least predictability since they factor in shipping distance, as well.
Some carriers have features that others don't. Sometimes these bonuses are the things that make or break a business decision like this. So let's compare UPS Simple Rate vs. FedEx One Rate vs. USPS Flat Rate to see what features help them stand out.
The best feature that's unique to UPS Simple Rate vs. FedEx One Rate and USPS Flat Rate is that, while they do provide packages for you to use like the other two, they also allow you to use your own packaging. The other two carriers require you to use their packages to use their service, which can be a real hassle. It's even more of a hassle if you have to wait for them to arrive despite having perfectly good boxes sitting in your inventory.
UPS Simple Rate lets you use any box you want, including branded packaging. Also, they charge you based on the volume, just like they would if you used one of theirs. That means that when you use UPS, you can get Simple Rate pricing no matter what box you use.
It's also the only one that allows you to personalize your customer experience and maintain consistent branding and expectations with branded packaging. It also has the best price for overnight 8 a.m. delivery if you need it to reach its destination in a rush.
We didn't find any FedEx One Rate services that UPS or USPS couldn't match.
USPS has cheaper prices on packages that are heavy but not big. So, if you need to ship a tiny but heavy item, use USPS and save. They also have the unique Prepaid Forever® Priority Mail Flat Rate® Packaging, so your price won't ever change.
Hopefully, this breakdown of the services of UPS Simple Rate vs. FedEx One Rate vs. USPS Flat Rate helped you to understand what they each offer and which is best for your business under various circumstances. If you have any other questions, please contact us so we can help.
Eniture Technology specializes in helping e-Commerce merchants grow by providing useful information, digital marketing services, off-the-shelf apps that solve common problems, and custom programming services. Please contact us if you need help growing your online business or implementing the concepts presented in this blog post.
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