USPS vs UPS vs FedEx: The Cheapest Way to Ship Depends on Your Package
No carrier is always cheapest. The lowest price for a shipping label depends on the package's weight and dimensions, how far it travels, the service and delivery speed you choose, any surcharges, and whether the package is eligible for a service. This guide explains what drives the price and how small businesses can compare options for each shipment.
Comparing rates is free. Postage and optional services are paid separately.
What Decides Your Shipping Rate
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Weight | Actual package weight, including packing material. |
| Dimensions | Larger boxes may be priced by dimensional weight instead of actual weight. |
| Distance / zone | Rates usually rise with the distance between origin and destination. |
| Service level | Ground, priority and express services are priced differently. |
| Delivery target | Faster or time-definite delivery options generally cost more where offered. |
| Surcharges | Residential, remote-area, oversize or other carrier surcharges can apply. |
| Eligibility | Some services only accept certain sizes, weights or addresses. |
How to Compare Rates for a Small Business
- Enter the origin and destination ZIP codes or full addresses.
- Weigh the packed box and measure length, width and height accurately.
- Compare the available USPS, UPS and FedEx services for that exact package.
- Weigh price against the delivery estimate your customer expects.
- Understand that wrong weight or dimensions can lead to carrier adjustments after purchase.
- Pick a label format that fits your printer (for example 4×6 thermal or letter-size paper).
- Pay for the label you choose, print it, and track the package on supported services.
Dimensional Weight and Adjustments
Carriers can price a light but bulky box by its size rather than its weight. If the weight or dimensions you enter don't match what the carrier measures, the carrier may assess an adjustment, which may be billed after purchase. Measuring carefully and using the smallest suitable box are the simplest ways to avoid surprises.
What a Static Page Can't Tell You
Rates, surcharges and service availability change and depend on your exact shipment, so this page does not list prices. The only reliable way to know which option is cheapest for a package is to quote that package. On MyShipPilot, comparing rates is free; postage and optional services are paid when you buy a label.
Reviewed October 16, 2026. USPS, UPS and FedEx are trademarks of their owners. MyShipPilot is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by them. Available services vary by shipment; tracking is available on supported services.