ShipGopher
UPS vs FedEx: which is cheaper for your package?
Short answer: in the prices we checked, UPS was cheaper than FedEx every time, for ground, 2-day and next day. Sometimes only by a little: $39.09 vs $40.57 for a 20 lb box. Prices change with the box and the route, so check yours below.
UPS vs FedEx prices, four example boxes
The cheapest ground service from each, for the same box and route.
| Box and route | UPS | FedEx |
|---|---|---|
|
2 lb box, 10×8×4 in Phoenix → Chicago |
$11.29 UPS Ground Saver |
$20.80 FedEx Ground Economy |
|
10 lb box, 16×12×10 in Los Angeles → New York |
$24.12 UPS Ground Saver |
$34.21 FedEx Ground Economy |
|
20 lb box, 18×18×12 in Dallas → Seattle |
$39.09 UPS Ground |
$40.57 FedEx Home Delivery |
|
50 lb box, 24×18×18 in Los Angeles → Denver |
$43.71 UPS Ground |
$50.69 FedEx Home Delivery |
ShipGopher quotes from October 25, 2026, to a home address, including the $1 + 5% service fee. Cheapest in bold. Your price depends on the box, the route and the day you ship; the calculator above shows yours.
Faster delivery: 2-day and next day
The cheapest service from each that the carrier expects to deliver in that time.
| Speed, box and route | UPS | FedEx |
|---|---|---|
|
2-day, 2 lb box Phoenix → Chicago |
$17.32 UPS 2nd Day Air |
$37.00 FedEx 2Day |
|
2-day, 10 lb box Los Angeles → New York |
$60.76 UPS 2nd Day Air |
$78.02 FedEx 2Day |
|
Next day, 2 lb box Phoenix → Chicago |
$52.10 UPS Next Day Air Saver |
$60.39 FedEx Standard Overnight |
|
Next day, 10 lb box Los Angeles → New York |
$100.94 UPS Next Day Air Saver |
$110.28 FedEx Standard Overnight |
Same quotes as above (October 25, 2026). Delivery days are the carrier's business-day estimate.
When UPS is the better choice
- Small and medium boxes. The 2 lb box was $11.29 by UPS Ground Saver vs $20.80 by FedEx Ground Economy, and the 10 lb box $24.12 by UPS Ground Saver vs $34.21 by FedEx Ground Economy.
- 2-day delivery. UPS 2nd Day Air vs FedEx 2Day: $17.32 vs $37.00 for the 2 lb box, $60.76 vs $78.02 for the 10 lb box.
- Next day. UPS Next Day Air Saver vs FedEx Standard Overnight: $52.10 vs $60.39 and $100.94 vs $110.28.
When FedEx is the better choice
- When it's cheaper for your box and route. For big boxes the gap was small ($40.57 vs $39.09 for the 20 lb box), and prices move by route. The calculator above shows today's prices for yours.
- When a FedEx drop-off is closer. FedEx Office and other FedEx drop-off locations take prepaid packages, and FedEx says drop-off is free.
- When the recipient asked for FedEx. Both carriers take the same sizes and weights, so either works for the box.
Light package? Check USPS too: for the 2 lb box, USPS Ground Advantage was $10.33, less than both. See UPS vs USPS.
UPS and FedEx side by side
| UPS | FedEx | |
|---|---|---|
| Heaviest package | 150 lb | 150 lb |
| Biggest box | 108 in long, 165 in length plus girth | 108 in long, 165 in length plus girth |
| Priced by size | Any box: L × W × H ÷ 139, when that's more than the weight | Any box: L × W × H ÷ 139, when that's more than the weight |
| Cheapest services | Ground Saver and Ground | Ground Economy and Home Delivery |
| No printer? | Print the label and tape it on | Print the label and tape it on |
| Drop-off | The UPS Store or a UPS Access Point | FedEx Office or any FedEx drop-off location |
Sources: UPS size and weight guide, FedEx dimensional weight, FedEx size and weight limits (EasyPost), checked October 25, 2026.
Questions
Is UPS or FedEx cheaper?
In our examples UPS was cheaper every time: $24.12 by UPS Ground Saver vs $34.21 by FedEx Ground Economy for a 10 lb box, and $39.09 by UPS Ground vs $40.57 by FedEx Home Delivery for a 20 lb box. Prices change with the box and the route, so check yours with the calculator on this page.
Is UPS or FedEx faster?
About the same. Their cheapest services were estimated at 5 to 6 days (UPS Ground Saver) and 5 days (FedEx Ground Economy) in our examples, and both have 2-day and next-day services. The calculator shows each service's estimate for your box.
Do UPS and FedEx take the same size boxes?
Yes: up to 150 lb, 108 inches long and 165 inches in length plus girth, and both price large, light boxes by size (length × width × height ÷ 139).
Do I need a printer?
Yes, for both. UPS and FedEx labels need to be printed and taped to the box. No printer? USPS labels come with a QR code a participating Post Office prints for you (how it works).
Do I need a UPS or FedEx account?
No, and no ShipGopher account either. Your email gets the label, receipt, tracking number and cancel link.
Is the calculator's price the one I'll pay?
It's ShipGopher's price right now for those ZIP codes and that box, including the $1 + 5% service fee. When you buy, the price is checked again with the full addresses before you pay, and if it changed you see both prices first.
More: UPS vs USPS · USPS vs FedEx · Compare all three carriers · USPS vs UPS vs FedEx prices