What are the differences between Royal Mail and Parcelforce shipping services?
Compare Parcelforce and Royal Mail shipping rates and advantages before you choose which one is better for your shipping needs. With our comprehensive guide, you will be able to analyse the differences between Royal Mail and Parcelforce shipping services based on speed, cost, customer satisfaction and solutions for businesses.
Alternatively, get a quote with Eurosender to compare the prices for shipping with other couriers, and we will match you with the best transporter for your needs.
What are you looking for?
Parcelforce vs Royal Mail shipping rates. Is Parcelforce cheaper than Royal Mail?
In order to thoroughly compare the shipping rates offered by Parcelforce and Royal Mail, we have gathered information about their domestic and international shipping services in the UK and abroad. It is important to note that the final price depends on the size and weight of your parcel, the shipping distance, as well as additional insurance or other features you select at the booking stage.
Find out which option is cheaper, Parcelforce or Royal Mail, by having a look at the cost estimates for their domestic and international shipping services in the tables below.
To make sure you compare not only these two companies but also other options of couriers, get a quote on our platform.
PRICE COMPARISON
Parcelforce vs Royal Mail domestic shipping in the UK
Compare the prices for shipping a 10 kg package domestically in the UK with Parcelforce or Royal Mail:
| Shipping service | Cost | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Parcelforce expressAM | £16.41 | 1 working day by 12.00 |
| Parcelforce express24 | £11.12 | 1 working day |
| Parcelforce express48 | £8.29 | 2 working days |
| Royal Mail Guaranteed | £18.45 | 1 working day by 13.00 |
| Royal Mail Tracked 24 | £14.45 | 1 working day |
| Royal Mail Tracked 48 | £11.45 | 2-3 working days |
| Royal Mail 1st Class | £11.95 | 1 working day |
| Royal Mail 2nd Class | £9.45 | 3 working days |
Parcelforce vs Royal Mail international shipping from the UK to Ireland
Compare the prices for shipping a 2 kg package internationally with Parcelforce or Royal Mail:
| Shipping service | Cost | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Parcelforce globalexpress | £55.50 | 1 working day |
| Parcelforce globalpriority | £22.55 | 3 working days |
| Parcelforce globalvalue | £18.25 | 5 working days |
| Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed | £15.15 | 3-4 working days |
| Royal Mail International Tracked | £14.00 | 3-4 working days |
| Royal Mail International Standard | £12.40 | 3-5 working days |
Parcelforce vs Royal Mail international shipping from the UK to the USA
Compare the prices for shipping a 2 kg package internationally with Parcelforce or Royal Mail:
| Shipping service | Cost | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Parcelforce globalexpress | £70.25 | 1 working day |
| Parcelforce globalpriority | £43.50 | 3 working days |
| Parcelforce globalvalue | £34.40 | 5 working days |
| Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed | £33.70 | 5-7 working days |
| Royal Mail International Tracked | £27.60 | 5-7 working days |
| Royal Mail International Economy | £14.25 | Up to 6 weeks |
Compare the prices with Eurosender!
Differences between Royal Mail and Parcelforce: is Parcelforce the same as Royal Mail?
Parcelforce is a part of the Royal Mail Group and is organised within the UK Parcels, International and Letters division of the group.
One difference between Royal Mail and Parcelforce is the respective parcel weight limits they impose. The limit for Royal Mail is 20 kg, while for Parcelforce, it is 30 kg.
The companies formed a collaboration in which Parcelforce would deliver parcels weighing 20-30 kg on behalf of Royal Mail. In return, Royal Mail took over some of Parcelforce’s services, allowing Parcelforce to focus on their primary goal of time guaranteed, next-day and two-day express deliveries.
At Eurosender, we collaborate with several renowned logistics providers, and our platform instantly compares hundreds of shipping rates. Instead of queuing up at the post office, book a door-to-door delivery quickly and easily with Eurosender.
SPEED OF DELIVERY
Parcelforce vs Royal Mail: Which is faster?
It depends on the desired route and on the shipping service you select. Both Parcelforce and Royal Mail offer fast courier services with similar transit times for domestic shipments. Their express services guarantee next-day delivery, and other standard solutions offer lower prices but longer delivery times.
For international shipping, Parcelforce is usually the fastest alternative, however, this comes at a higher cost.
To determine which one is faster for the service you desire, Parcelforce or Royal Mail, check the comparison in our tables above.
Do Royal Mail take Parcelforce parcels?
Yes, in order to guarantee the best service and customer experience, Royal Mail performs collections and last mile deliveries for Parcelforce in areas of the the UK where Parcelforce does not have operation centres.
PROS AND CONS
Differences between Royal Mail and Parcelforce: Which one is better?
Both companies have their advantages, so before deciding which courier is better, let’s compare Parcelforce and Royal Mail main features:
| Feature | Parcelforce | Royal Mail | Eurosender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express solutions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Service dedicated to envelopes | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free door-to-door delivery | For some services | For some services | ✓ |
| Free signature upon delivery | For some services | For some services | ✓ |
| Discounts for registered users | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Support via live chat | X | X | ✓ |
| Instant online quotes | ✓ | Depends on the route | ✓ |
| Freight solutions | X | X | ✓ |
| Real-time tracking | ✓ | For some services | ✓ |
| Delivery to sanctioned countries | X | X | ✓ |
Parcelforce vs Royal Mail for e-commerce: which courier service is better for your business?
When comparing the solutions from Parcelforce and Royal Mail for e-commerce and businesses, you need to consider your particular shipping needs, volumes and delivery location.
- Parcelforce business customers may benefit from having an account if they send on average as little as two UK parcels per week or one international parcel per week. Parcelforce offers business users dedicated account manager support, a leading-edge shipping dashboard, payment options to suit any requirement, as well as convenient collection and delivery options.
- Royal Mail offers several business solutions suitable for different needs. Some solutions are free of charge, such as Royal Mail Pro Shipping or API Shipping, but others come at a higher cost because they offer additional features and a full control tower. Other significant advantages for online stores are the availability of collection and drop-off points in the UK and the possibility of arranging weekend deliveries (on Saturday and Sunday).
OUR BENEFITS
Not sure which logistics company to choose?
Get access to multi-carrier options and expert assistance from our qualified logistics specialists.
Instant quotes for international shipments
Vast network of couriers, without binding contracts
Have all your shipping details in one single place
Use advanced tools to send multiple packages
FINAL RECAP
Parcelforce vs Royal Mail comparison summary
To determine which courier is better for your e-commerce logistics, Parcelforce or Royal Mail, you should take into consideration what types of services you mostly require. You should also consider whether Parcelforce or Royal Mail would be cheaper and faster for your main operational area.
Both Parcelforce and Royal Mail offer similar services and prices for domestic shipping within the UK, although Parcelforce may ultimately have slightly cheaper rates than Royal Mail. Compared to Royal Mail, Parcelforce is usually the preferred option for express, international shipments, but the cost may be higher. Nevertheless, Royal Mail has enduring popularity in the UK due to its being one of the main postal services and a household name in the nation.
But why choose one single courier company if you have the option of using multiple providers based on the price/quality they offer for each route? At Eurosender, we work with numerous couriers to match you with the best fit for each shipping request. Get a quote online or sign up for additional discounts and benefits.