Choosing the right shipping carrier is crucial for Shopify merchants as it affects profit margins, customer satisfaction, and fulfillment speed. Among the top domestic options, UPS and USPS stand out, each with unique strengths: UPS offers reliable tracking and faster delivery for heavier packages. At the same time, USPS is more cost-effective for lightweight shipments. This article compares both carriers in terms of cost, speed, reliability, service coverage, and Shopify integration, helping you decide which one delivers better for your budget.
In This Article:
- Shipping Cost, Speed & Delivery Times
- Service Coverage & Reliability
- Shopify Integration & Automation
- Comparison Summary
- Conclusion
- FAQ’s
Shipping Cost, Speed & Delivery Times
With UPS:
UPS is known for its time-definite delivery options and reliable transit times. Below is an overview of all the services, costs, and their delivery timelines.
UPS Ground:
- Delivers in 1–5 business days, depending on distance. A cost-effective option with solid tracking and reliability for standard shipments.
- Retail rates range from $13.17 to $68.83 for 1lb based on the distance.
UPS 3 Day Select:
- Delivers in 3 business days, guarantees delivery within 3 days across the U.S. It is faster than Ground, more affordable than Air.
- Retail rates range from $15.21 to $32.14 for 1lb based on the distance.
UPS 2nd Day Air:
- Delivers in 2 business days by the end of the day, includes tracking, and Saturday delivery (to some locations)
- Retail rates range from $24.22 to $74.28 for 1lb based on the distance.
UPS Next Day Air:
- Delivers the next business day by morning, noon, or end-of-day, the fastest domestic option for urgent shipments.
- Retail rates range from $35.40 to $141.36 for 1lb based on the distance.
UPS(Surepost) Ground Saver:
- Delivers in 2–7 business days, final delivery made by USPS (last-mile), available via PluginHive Multi Carrier Shipping Label app.
These services are especially beneficial for merchants shipping heavier products or those who need consistent delivery windows.
With USPS:
USPS offers several domestic shipping services to meet different delivery needs, ranging from economical ground options to expedited express mail. Below is an overview of the key USPS services and their transit timelines
First-Class Mail:
- Delivers in 1–5 business days. Designed for postcards, letters, and lightweight flat or large envelopes (up to 13 oz).
- The retail rate is $11.05 for 1lb of shipment.
Priority Mail:
- Delivers in 2–3 business days. Offers flat-rate envelopes and boxes based on weight and zone. Includes tracking and up to $100 insurance.
- With the price range of $9.35 to $28.80 for 1 lb based on the distance.
Priority Mail Express:
- Delivers in 1–3 days with date-certain delivery and a money-back guarantee. The fastest USPS service for urgent mail and packages.
- With the price range of $31.95 to $75.30 for 1lb, based on the distance.
USPS Ground Advantage:
- Delivers in 2–5 business days. Cost-effective shipping option for less urgent packages. Also used for shipping HAZMAT items that can’t travel by air.
- With the price range of $ 13.17 to $68.83 for 1lb based on the distance.
These services are especially useful for merchants shipping lightweight or time-sensitive products at lower costs, particularly for parcels under 1 lb.
Service Coverage & Reliability
When choosing a shipping carrier, coverage and reliability are critical, especially for fragile, high-value, or time-sensitive orders. Here’s how UPS and USPS compare in terms of service reach and shipment dependability.
UPS
- Known for high tracking accuracy and guaranteed delivery windows, making it ideal for time-sensitive shipments.
- Offers specialized handling for dangerous goods (DG), alcohol, and fragile items, with strong insurance options.
- Excellent for high-value or sensitive shipments due to reliable handling and claims support.
- For remote delivery areas, UPS often completes final delivery through USPS via services like SurePost.
USPS
- Delivers to every U.S. address, including P.O. boxes and military addresses.
- Particularly strong in rural and remote regions where other carriers may add surcharges or have limited access.
- More prone to delays during peak seasons like holidays, with limited guaranteed delivery windows.
- Tracking is available, though not as detailed or in real-time as UPS for certain service levels.
Shopify Integration & Automation
Choosing a carrier that integrates smoothly with Shopify can streamline your shipping workflow and save hours each week. Both UPS and USPS are supported directly within Shopify Shipping, but using the PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app significantly boosts automation and efficiency.
UPS
UPS is integrated with Shopify Shipping, giving merchants access to Shopify’s UPS rates. You can generate labels and schedule pickups directly from the Shopify dashboard.
The PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app comes to help with the following:
- It displays real-time UPS rates at checkout based on order details and destination.
- It allows you to generate UPS shipping labels, fulfill orders, and after that, the tracking information is automatically updated in the tracking tab of the app.
USPS
USPS is integrated with Shopify Shipping, giving merchants access to Shopify’s discounted USPS rates without needing a separate USPS account. You can generate shipping labels, fulfill orders, and schedule pickups directly from the Shopify dashboard.
For more advanced automation, using your own USPS account, with PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app adds the following features:
- Real-time USPS rates for all USPS shipping services
- You can generate USPS shipping labels using the PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app. As soon as the labels are generated, you can mark the orders as fulfilled, and the tracking information is updated in the order details along with a tracking number.
Comparison Summary
| Category | UPS | USPS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Generally priced higher, but it is designed to deliver a premium shipping experience. | Most cost-effective for lightweight parcels; flat-rate options also help with predictable budgeting. |
| Shipping Speed & Delivery Times | Multiple express options (Next Day Air, 2nd Day Air, 3 Day Select) and reliable Ground service. Best for consistent, time-definite delivery. | Offers economical options (Ground Advantage, First-Class) and fast services (Priority Mail) for lighter and less time-constrained shipments. |
| Best For | Heavier packages, time-sensitive, or high-value items. | Lightweight parcels under 1 lb, budget-conscious shipping. |
| Delivery Coverage & Reliability | Excellent coverage and guaranteed delivery windows in urban zones, and extends to rural addresses through USPS partnership “SurePost”. | Delivers to every U.S. address, including P.O. Boxes; strong rural coverage, but more seasonal delays and fewer guarantees. |
| Handling Special Shipments | Supports DG, alcohol, and fragile shipments with insurance and special handling. | Not suitable for hazardous or alcohol shipments as it has limited special handling. |
| Feature Integration | Labels and pickups can be handled directly via Shopify shipping; advanced features like bulk label generation, tracking, and return labels via PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label. | Labels can be generated via Shopify shipping advanced features, like bulk label generation and tracking via PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label. |
| Return Handling | Preferred for high-ticket items; provides trackable return labels and a strong claims process. Returns can be facilitated via PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label. | Easy and affordable for smaller returns; may lack full tracking or guarantees. |
Conclusion
USPS remains the most cost-effective solution for lightweight shipments, ideal for budget-conscious merchants prioritizing affordability over speed. Meanwhile, UPS excels in reliability, faster delivery guarantees, and handling heavier or high-value packages, making it the superior choice for businesses focused on premium service and scalability. A strategic hybrid approach, supported by tools like PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label, should be adopted by Shopify sellers to optimize costs while meeting diverse customer expectations.
FAQ’s
- Which is cheaper for Shopify shipping: UPS or USPS?
USPS is cheaper for lightweight packages with First-Class Mail and Ground Advantage, while UPS becomes cost-competitive for heavier items.
- What are the typical UPS shipping costs for Shopify stores?
UPS shipping costs vary by service level, with Ground starting at 13$ for a 1lb shipment, whereas 2nd Day Air at 24$, and Next Day Air at 35$.
- How do USPS shipping costs compare for small Shopify orders?
USPS offers the most affordable rates for lightweight packages: First-Class Mail starts at 11$ for a 1lb shipment, while Priority Mail begins at 9$. Flat Rate options provide predictable USPS shipping costs for small, heavy items.
- Can I track USPS orders in my Shopify store?
Yes, all USPS orders can be tracked in real time using the PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app
- How long does USPS take to deliver Shopify orders?
USPS delivery times depend on the service you choose, fastest being the Priority Mail Express and the slowest being USPS Ground Advantage.
- Do I need a UPS account to ship with UPS on Shopify?
No, you don’t need your own UPS account to access UPS services on Shopify. However, having your own UPS account allows access to negotiated rates, custom billing, and advanced features using PH MultiCarrier Shipping Label app.
