UPS Ground vs. USPS Ground Advantage: Which is Better?

You’ve perfected your product range and now you are ready to ship to your customers, where do you begin?

With many different shipping solutions to choose from in the U.S. looking into the difference between FedEx, UPS and USPS can feel a bit overwhelming.

But to get started, weighing up the benefits of UPS and USPS, shipping software and shipping rates, is the best first step to find what works for your business.

Looking at UPS Ground and USPS Ground Advantage specifically, both are popular shipping options in the United States, each with their own set of features, benefits, and limitations.

We created a guide to help explain the differences between UPS Ground and USPS Priority and this time round it is all about UPS Ground vs USPS Ground Advantage to help you decide which might work best for your business and how to quickly select the lowest-priced shipping option with the help of 4Seller ERP.

Table of contents:

Why use USPS ground shipping?
How long does it take to ship with UPS Ground?
How far does UPS Ground cover and reach?
How much does UPS Ground cost?
What are the size and weight limits of UPS Ground?
Pros of UPS Ground
Cons of UPS Ground
How long does it take to ship with USPS Ground Advantage?
How far does USPS Ground Advantage cover and reach?
How much does USPS Ground Advantage cost?
What are the size and weight limits of USPS Ground Advantage?
Pros of USPS Ground Advantage
Cons of USPS Ground Advantage
UPS Ground vs USPS Ground Advantage: Which is best for your business?

Why use UPS Ground shipping?
UPS Ground is the standard shipping option and is a slower alternative to express shipping services but is often more reliable.

Packages sent this way are guaranteed to get to their destination in 6 business days depending on the location of pick up and delivery.

Ground shipping is a popular choice for businesses that want to save money on shipping large or multiple loads. It is a cheaper solution than selling and shipping via air or a combination of ground and air, however it is slower and does take longer to get to the customer’s front door.

It may take longer than sending via air, but sticking to the ground alone can cut costs and also be less impacted by adverse weather conditions.

While it depends on what sort of items you are sending, heavier items are often best sent via Ground to be the most cost-effective way of shipping for businesses.

How long does it take to ship with UPS Ground?
Because of the lack of air transport involved, packages sent with UPS Ground do take longer than express services or sending via air. It typically takes 1-6 business days to ship via UPS Ground, depending on the distance between the delivery origin and destination. Users can use the UPS ground tracking tool to stay updated from dispatch to delivery during the transit process.

Deliveries can be sent Monday to Friday but weekends are not readily available. To send on a Saturday will require an extra fee, something to consider for customers who might work during the week and rely on weekend deliveries.

How far does UPS Ground cover and reach?
For both businesses and customers alike, knowing where a package is and when it is going to arrive is especially important.

UPS Ground provides detailed 24/7 tracking information, with updates at various stages of the shipment process. This way, a customer can check themselves before having to get in touch with you, but in the event that they do, you can be confident in knowing where their shipment is at.

UPS Ground prides itself on offering reliable delivery to all 50 states in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Though it is worth being aware that it does not send to P.O. Boxes.

Because of the lack of air transport this option is more limited than other services from UPS which can be covered more in our UPS shipping guide.

How much does UPS Ground cost?
Pricing depends on the weight, dimensions, and distance the package is going. In general, it is usually more expensive for heavier packages traveling longer distances.

For an idea of how much your average delivery might cost, UPS has their own shipping cost estimation calculator to help.

What are the size and weight limits of UPS Ground?
UPS Ground shipments accept packages up to 150 lbs. and up to 165 inches in length and girth combined. This is because anything above these measurements might require freight shipping.

For more information including FAQs - check out UPS’ shipping dimension and weight page.

Pros of UPS Ground

Includes limited liability coverage and offers additional insurance for higher value items at an extra cost
No airplane fuel costs to consider - sent via the Ground only
Offers a range of delivery options, including delivery confirmation and signature required services
Known for robust customer service, with options for phone and online support, as well as in-person assistance at UPS Stores - in case you ever need it

Cons of UPS Ground

No guaranteed delivery date
No delivery to P.O. Boxes
Slower than air shipping
Long distance shippings can end up costing more than other services
Domestic only - this offering makes it impossible to ship internationally with USPS
Additional charges for weekend shipments
No scheduled delivery or package pick up available

How long does it take to ship with USPS Ground Advantage?
Packages sent with USPS Ground Advantage generally arrive within 2-5 business days.

They deliver Monday to Saturday at no extra cost, better for businesses who look for Saturday included at no extra fee (unlike UPS Ground).

There is also limited Sunday delivery in some areas in the U.S.

How far does USPS Ground Advantage cover and reach?
Similar to UPS Ground, USPS Ground Advantage ships to all 50 states, and also ships to U.S. military bases, territories, possessions and Freely Associated States, something that UPS does not currently offer.

Currently, USPS shipping zones are more flexible and varied than UPS Ground. For more information, check out our USPS shipping guide.

How much does USPS Ground Advantage cost?
Pricing is generally more cost-effective for smaller, lighter packages - just like it is with UPS Ground.

The cost of the shipments is based on the weight and distance of the package, but USPS often has lower rates for comparable services.

It is worth noting that packages greater than 15.999 oz are charged by the pound up to 70 lbs (rounded up).

Some additional features include free package pickup available from your home or office, and $100 insurance is included (for both outbound and return shipments), with the option to purchase up to $5,000 in additional coverage against loss or damage.

For a clearer idea of what it might cost your business, USPS Ground Advantage pricing breaks down everything from parcels to letters and envelopes.

What are the size and weight limits of USPS Ground Advantage?
Again, similarly to UPS Ground you will pay for your package based on how much it weighs and which zone it is going to.

Packages are limited to a maximum of 70 lbs. and 130 inches in length and girth combined. You will also need to use your own packaging and measure it to make sure it meets the size standards.

For an idea of what it might cost your business, check out their Business Postage Price Calculator.

Pros of USPS Ground Advantage

Flexible delivery options including hold for pickup at local post offices and delivery to P.O. Boxes.
Customer service support in the case of any confusion or support - via phone, online support, in-person assistance at post offices.
If merchandise includes any hazardous items that cannot go by air (HAZMAT), this option makes it possible.
USPS Ground Advantage Return is a convenient option for customers who need to send items back.
If you ship a large volume of small, heavy items, you can get cubic prices based on the package size and distance it is going instead of its weight.

Cons of USPS Ground Advantage

No guaranteed delivery date
Less tracking available compared to UPS Ground
Size and weight restrictions make it trickier for bigger packages
USPS has been known to be delayed during holidays
Urgent packages not ideal, but is a good solution for slower shipments

UPS Ground vs USPS Ground Advantage: Which is best for your business?
UPS Ground and USPS Ground Advantage are the two cheapest shipping services that UPS and USPS offer, respectively. When stacking up the two carriers’ services, the two most important factors to consider are cost and delivery speed. While the cost to ship depends on factors such as how big your box is, how much it weighs, and how far it needs to travel, UPS Ground is typically the cheaper alternative in most cases. However, in our experience, the prices are fairly comparable, and if you use online shipping software to purchase discounted postage, UPS and USPS will often lower the prices of their ground services to compete with each other.

UPS Ground has a slightly faster delivery speed. In terms of speed, UPS boasts slightly faster delivery times, as you can see from the featured timeframes we’ve laid out below.

UPS Ground: 1-5 business days
USPS Ground Advantage: 2-5 business days

That said, these advertised delivery timeframes are estimates and not guarantees. We’ve found that UPS Ground shipments will often arrive earlier than the standard delivery timeframes (depending on how far your shipment needs to travel). If your shipment is local or just another state over, it’s not uncommon for UPS Ground shipments to arrive as soon as the day after you ship them! USPS Ground Advantage, on the other hand, isn’t as quick…although the estimated delivery timeframe of 2-5 business days is still accurate and much quicker than the Postal Service’s old ground service, Retail/Parcel Select Ground.

In summary, UPS Ground wins out over USPS Ground Advantage…but not by much. Since they are both priced comparably and are the cheapest services that each carrier offers, the reason we prefer UPS Ground is due to its speed.

Unlock the Lowest Shipping Cost with One Click via 4Seller!

Facing the dilemma of choosing between UPS Ground and USPS Ground Advantage, are you hesitant and finding it hard to weigh up the options? Don't worry, 4Seller, this powerful logistics management assistant, is the tailor-made solution for you.

With its exceptional integration capabilities, 4Seller can effortlessly consolidate order information from various e-commerce platforms, enabling one-stop management. More importantly, it boasts a unique one-click function to filter the lowest-priced logistics channels. By automatically inputting basic information such as the order item's dimensions, weight, and shipping address, 4Seller swiftly analyzes and compares quotes from UPS Ground, USPS Ground Advantage, and other logistics service providers, accurately recommending the most cost-effective logistics solution for you.

This feature not only vastly simplifies the complex process of selecting logistics options but also frees you from tedious manual calculations and comparisons, saving you precious time and energy. From now on, whether it's the extensive coverage and stable delivery times of UPS Ground, or the economical pricing and convenient services of USPS Ground Advantage, 4Seller can intelligently filter for you, ensuring that every order is delivered efficiently at the optimal cost.

Choosing 4Seller means selecting a logistics management partner that is efficient, intelligent, and worry-free. Let 4Seller be the smart brain behind your logistics decisions, helping you stand out in the fiercely competitive market and achieve sustained business growth. Take action immediately and experience the convenience and efficiency brought by 4Seller!

In Conclusion
When faced with the choice between UPS Ground and USPS Ground Advantage, shippers often grapple with weighing their respective strengths. UPS Ground shines with its extensive network and dependable delivery times, making it perfect for time-sensitive or high-value shipments. Conversely, USPS Ground Advantage offers cost savings and decent service, appealing to budget-conscious shippers.

To simplify this decision-making process, 4Seller introduces its revolutionary new feature: one-click lowest-price logistics channel screening. This powerful tool integrates seamlessly with your order details, swiftly analyzing and comparing quotes from UPS Ground, USPS Ground Advantage, and other providers to ensure you always get the most cost-effective option.

Choose 4Seller and enjoy a stress-free shipping experience. Let its intelligent comparison technology handle the complexities of logistics, so you can focus on growing your business.

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