Royal Mail vs UPS Comparison: which one is the best?
Check the shipping rates and services comparison before you decide whether to ship with Royal Mail or UPS. In this guide, we compiled the differences and advantages of UPS and Royal Mail shipping services. 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.
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UPS vs Royal Mail shipping rates comparison – Which one is cheaper?
To determine whether UPS is more expensive than the Royal Mail or the other way around, we need to compare their delivery prices for similar services. Check our tables below to compare UPS and Royal Mail shipping rates for domestic and international shipments. However, please bear in mind that these are just price estimations. The final price may be higher if you choose to purchase additional services such as time-definite delivery or collection performed at home.
To make sure you compare not only these two companies but also other options of couriers, get a quote on our platform.
PRICE COMPARISON
Royal Mail vs UPS domestic shipping in the UK
Compare UPS and Royal Mail shipping rates for sending 10 kg packages within the UK
| Service | Delivery time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Mail 1st Class | 1 working day | £22.90 |
| Royal Mail 2nd Class | 3 working days | £21.25 |
| Royal Mail Tracked 48 | 2-3 working days | £16.80 |
| UPS Express Plus | 1 working day by 9:00 | £42.27 |
| UPS Express | 1 working day by 12:00 | £13.79 |
| UPS Standard | 1-2 working days | £6.59 |
Royal Mail vs UPS international shipping from the UK to Germany
Compare UPS and Royal Mail shipping rates for sending a 20 kg package
| Service | Delivery time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Mail via Parcelforce Worldwide global express | 1 working day | £157.56 |
| Royal Mail via Parcelforce Worldwide global priority | 3 working days | £91.92 |
| Royal Mail via Parcelforce Worldwide global value | 3-5 working days | £71.04 |
| UPS Standard | 3 working days | £19.79 |
Royal Mail vs UPS international shipping from the UK to the USA
Compare UPS and Royal Mail shipping rates for sending a 2 kg package internationally
| Service | Delivery time | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed | 5-7 working days | £33.21 |
| Royal Mail via Parcelforce Worldwide global express | 1 working day | £67.55 |
| Royal Mail via Parcelforce Worldwide global value | 5-9 working days | £35.35 |
| UPS Express Plus | 1 working day by 8:30 | £54.04 |
| UPS Express | 1 working day by 10:30 | £30.79 |
| UPS Express Saver | 1 working day | £25.79 |
| UPS Expedited | 4 working days | £21.79 |
Note: UPS and Royal Mail domestic and international shipping services presented above may not be available for all locations. For most routes outside the United Kingdom, the Royal Mail offers deliveries through Parcelforce. The prices presented above are the result of online research conducted in January 2021.
UPS vs Royal Mail – Which one is better for freight?
Both the Royal Mail and UPS offer freight shipping solutions, which can be better suited for different situations:
Royal Mail freight services may be the first option for companies that are based in the UK. They provide full import/export support, warehousing, and fulfilment solutions, adapted and scalable to your business needs. However, for companies that do not have their operations based in the UK and have recurrent needs for worldwide shipping, UPS is usually the preferred courier due to their more consolidated global presence.
To get a quote for shipping freight, the shippers must contact UPS and Royal Mail directly as they do not offer instant quotes for such services online. Alternatively, if you want to save some time and find out the price for shipping pallets right away, get a quote in our booking tool, and the cost will be calculated instantly!
SPEED OF DELIVERY
UPS vs Royal Mail – Which courier is faster?
For domestic shipping within the UK, both the Royal Mail and UPS offer shipping solutions with a similar speed of delivery. Their express services provide guaranteed delivery on the next day, and other standard solutions offer lower prices, but longer delivery times.
However, for international shipping, UPS may have an edge over its competitor since they have a more comprehensive worldwide network. UPS offers next-day shipping solutions with deliveries within a specific timeframe and at more affordable prices than those from the Royal Mail.
To determine which one is faster, compare UPS and the Royal Mail delivery prices for particular routes on our tables above.
UPS vs Royal Mail tracking solutions and reliability
Analysing which courier is more reliable between UPS or the Royal Mail is a challenging task since reliability can be related to several aspects of the service. One of the options is to compare UPS and the Royal Mail tracking systems and solutions for confirmation of delivery:
- Every shipment organised through UPS is assigned a tracking number and is fully traceable through their system. While booking the service, the shipper can choose between three delivery confirmation options. The shipping services with signature upon delivery or signature from an adult may be subjected to additional charges.
- Royal Mail international tracking system is not included in every service. You can only track an item if you’ve bought a service that includes a tracking or reference number. The same goes for signature upon delivery – only certain services can include this feature, and it may come at an additional cost.
PROS AND CONS
Advantages of UPS vs Royal Mail – Which one is better?
Compare the differences between UPS and the Royal Mail to help you decide which one is the best fit for your shipping needs:
| Feature | UPS | Royal Mail | Eurosender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express solutions | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time tracking | ✓ | For some services | ✓ |
| Free door-to-door delivery | For some services | For some services | ✓ |
| Service dedicated to envelopes | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free signature upon delivery | ✓ | For some services | ✓ |
| Warehousing services | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instant online quotes | Depends on the route | Depends on the route | ✓ |
| Delivery to sanctioned countries | X | X | ✓ |
UPS and Royal Mail for e-commerce – Which company is better for your business?
When comparing UPS and Royal Mail services for e-commerce, you need to consider your specific shipping needs, volume, and route. Here are some of the solutions both couriers offer:
- UPS offers different additional services for business customers such as Saturday deliveries, return solutions, as well as an API for integration and digital managing tool called UPS Marketplace. These tools allow e-commerce and business owners to automatise their ordering, labelling, and tracking processes.
- The Royal Mail offers several business solutions, suitable for different needs. Some solutions are free to use, such as the Royal Mail Pro Shipping or the API Shipping, but others come at an extra cost because they offer additional features and full control to the user. Other significant advantages for online stores is the availability of collection and drop-off stores in the UK and the possibility of arranging weekend deliveries (on Saturday and Sunday).
OUR BENEFITS
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FINAL RECAP
UPS and Royal Mail comparison summary
To determine which courier is the best fit for your business, UPS or the Royal Mail, you should take into consideration what types of services you mostly require.
UPS is mostly preferred by international companies that take advantage of their renowned real-time tracking system, expedited worldwide deliveries, and global brand recognition in the logistics industry. On the other hand, UK-based businesses who regularly send not only packages but also envelopes and small items, usually prefer to collaborate with the Royal Mail. Their wide availability of stores and the diverse variety of shipping services in the UK are two of the main reasons for the Royal Mail’s popularity in their home 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, including UPS, and we make sure to match you with the best fit for each shipping request. Get a quote online or sign up for additional discounts and benefits.
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