Best Virtual Mailbox
Virtual mailboxes make receiving physical mail more convenient and accessible. Discover which service is best for your needs with this list.
- What Is a Virtual Mailbox?
- 10 Best Virtual Mailbox Services
- iPostal1 - Best for Overall
- Anytime Mailbox - Best for International Use
- PostScanMail - Best for Package Forwarding
- Traveling Mailbox - Best for Third-Party Integrations
- Business Anywhere - Best Flexible Small-Business Mailbox
- Earth Class Mail - Best for Check Deposit Automation
- Bizee - Best for Single and Stable Business Address
- Alliance Virtual Offices - Best Virtual Address with Office Spaces
- US Global Mail - Best for Enterprises
- USA2me - Best for Mail Manager Feature
- iPostal1 - Best for Overall
- How to Choose the Best Virtual Mailbox
- Our Methodology
Whether it's personal or business mail, you need a place to receive them. But using your personal address or a P.O. Box isn't always possible. It's even harder if you have an online business or are always traveling.
That's where a virtual mailbox comes in.
It's a convenient alternative if you need a physical address to receive mail. But more than that, it allows you to access your mail anytime and anywhere.
How do you choose the best service for you?
Check out this list for the 10 best virtual mailbox services and some tips to help you decide.
Virtual Office Service
- Mail Forwarding for Individual or Business
- Receive Your Mail in California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, New York, Texas, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming
- Physical Forward or Digital Scan Delivery Method
What Is a Virtual Mailbox?
A virtual mailbox is a service that allows you to access and manage all your incoming mail online. A service company sorts, scan, and uploads your mail to your account. This way, you can access them from any device at any time.
Although it's called a "virtual mailbox," it still comes with an actual physical address. It's where all your mail and packages are sent to and scanned.
Aside from digitizing your mail, virtual mailbox companies can also offer the following services:
- Open, scan, and upload your letters' contents
- Filter out and shred or recycle junk mail
- Store your packages until you can pick them up
- Deposit incoming checks to your preferred U.S. bank account via mail
- Consolidate and ship your mail to your preferred address
A virtual mailbox is perfect if you frequently handle time-sensitive documents. It helps if you work unusual hours or travel constantly.
It's also ideal if you live abroad or don't have a permanent address. You could give your business a permanent street address at your preferred location.
Virtual Mailbox | P.O. Box | USPS Informed Delivery |
---|---|---|
Online service that receives all your incoming mail at a single physical location | Physical lockable boxes that you can rent at your local post office | Alerts you to incoming mail and packages from the USPS |
Scans and uploads your mail for remote access and management | Can be used to receive your mail instead of your home | Scans the exterior of your letters and packages |
Always accessible via your online account | Everything still must be picked up in person | Doesn't allow you to view what's inside until you receive it |
Can consolidate all mail items before shipping them to your preferred address | Accessible only when the post office is open | Doesn't offer remote access or management of your mail items |
That depends on your specific needs. But if you're looking for the best overall service, iPostal1 is the top choice. They have a great selection of services that fit most budgets. If you're a large company, however, you're better suited with US Global Mail. Alliance Virtual Offices works great if you need a physical location.
10 Best Virtual Mailbox Services
If you're looking for a virtual mailbox you can entrust your mail to, these 10 services can be great choices. They have something for individuals and businesses alike.
Check out what they offer below:
1. iPostal1: Best Overall
iPostal1 offers extensive virtual mailbox services. They have over 2,500 physical locations worldwide. You'll find them on major cities like New York, London, and Singapore.
It's perfect for everyone, including families, students, and ex-pats.
Pros
- Affordable subscription fees
- Friendly and accommodating staff
- Has thousands of addresses in the U.S. and overseas
- Supports major shipping carriers
- All-around mailbox service for individuals and businesses
Cons
- Not ideal if you regularly receive a lot of mail
- Some essential features still cost extra
Features
iPostal1 has the following features:
- Physical street address in the U.S. or overseas
- Dedicated mobile apps (iOS and Android)
- Mail exterior scanning
- Automated email alerts for incoming mail
- Free 30-day storage for physical letters and packages under 1,728 cubic inches
- Letter consolidation and forwarding
- Flexible shipment schedules via your preferred carrier
- Mail discarding
- Commercial invoices for international shipments
- In-person pickups (must be scheduled beforehand)
For additional fees, you can get more features like receiving more mail, check deposits, mail content scanning, mail insurance, etc.
Pricing
iPostal1's virtual mailbox service has 4 sub-plans:[1]
- Green: Starting from $9.99/mo or $99/year; 30 mail items per month
- Blue: Starting from $14.99/mo or $149/year; 60 mail items per month
- Silver: Starting from $24.99/mo or $249/year; 120 mail items per month
- Gold: Starting from $39.99/mo or $399/year; 240 mail items per month
All plans come with the same set of features. But the exact monthly price will depend on your chosen address. Select, Premium, and Prestige addresses cost more. You can opt for annual plans to get 2 months free.
iPostal1 is the best overall option. But if you're looking for a global competitor, check out the next on our list.
2. Anytime Mailbox: Best for International Use
Anytime Mailbox makes it easy for clients to access their mail wherever they are. You'll find them in over 1,800 locations globally.
They offer multiple addresses to customers in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. They even have locations in Central America, Australia, and some parts of Africa.
Pros
- Easy-to-use service
- Straightforward sign-up process
- Multiple locations worldwide
- Affordable monthly fees
- Advanced encryption methods for security
Cons
- Lack of check deposits in major cities like California and New York
- No fixed monthly plans
- Some areas use third-party services to handle your mail
Features
The exact features you get will depend on your chosen address. But these are the most common ones:
- Physical street address (U.S. and abroad)
- Unlimited online storage
- Mail exterior scanning
- Open and scan feature
- Recycling and shredding
- Mail forwarding via your preferred carrier
- International shipments
- Dedicated mobile and desktop apps
- Immediate notifications for incoming mail
They also offer check deposits and in-person pickups. But these aren't available in every area. Make sure you double-check before you choose a location.
Pricing
Anytime Mailbox offers flexible pricing for its plans, starting from $5.99/mo.[2] But the exact total will depend on your chosen address. Busier locations may cost more monthly than remote areas, even if they're in the same state.
Some addresses are also only available with annual plans. Besides the price, the specific services available will vary from area to area. Anytime Mailbox requires a minimum subscription of 1 month.
Anytime Mailbox and iPostal1 have the lowest starting prices on this list. You can get their base plans starting from $4.99 and $9.99, respectively. But the exact total will still depend on the features you choose.
Doing business globally is great and all, but it can get pretty expensive. You can check out PostScanMail if you're worried about shipping fees.
3. PostScanMail: Best for Package Forwarding
PostScanMail understands how frustrating expensive shipping rates can be. So they offer mail and package forwarding services at unbeatable rates. They also accept deliveries and shipments from all major carriers like FedEx, USPS, and UPS.
Pros
- Simple and intuitive user interface
- Competitive shipping rates
- Convenient mail forwarding to any address
- Partners with major shipment companies
- Includes open and scan in their plans (except for the Starter plan)
Cons
- The additional charges can quickly drive up the price
- Difficult to reach them when you have concerns
Features
All plans come with these basic features:
- Your preferred street address in 600 different areas
- Dedicated mobile apps for iOS and Android
- Mail consolidation and forwarding
- Local pickups
- Email notifications for received mail
- Unlimited junk mail recycling
- Tracking and delivery updates for shipments
- Automated inbound mail scanning
- Free 30-day storage for mail
- Free 7-day storage for packages
You can also opt for additional features like oversized package handling and forwarding, mail shredding, or more users for extra fees.
In most cases, yes, you can. But that will depend on your chosen service provider. Some companies, like Traveling Mailbox and Bizee, don't allow in-person pickups to avoid security risks.
Pricing
PostScanMail currently offers 3 plans:[3]
- Starter: Starting from $10/mo ; 1 user and 30 mail items (no Open and Scan)
- Standard: Starting from $20/mo; 2 users and 60 mail items (10 items for Open and Scan)
- Premium: Starting $30/mo; 6 users and 120 mail items (20 items for Open and Scan)
Each user/recipient has their own password and access. You don't have to worry about your letters getting mixed up if you share a mailbox with others.
Speaking of mixing up mail, it can be great to deliver your mail to a software you already use. That's where integrations come in handy. Let's talk about Traveling Mailbox next.
4. Traveling Mailbox: Best for Third-Party Integrations
Traveling Mailbox maximizes today's advanced technologies. They integrate with popular third-party apps like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive.
That means you can send your digitized mail to these services without issues. It's perfect if you want to make room for incoming scans. You won't be needing to delete your previous mail.
Pros
- Same-day scanning (quick scan is also available for immediate viewing)
- ScanPak service for your existing mail
- Easy to set up and use
- Integrates with popular third-party apps
- Unused scans roll over to the next month (except for the Basic plan)
Cons
- Limited address selection (U.S. only)
- Other addresses are "premium" and cost extra
- No in-person pickups allowed
Features
Each plan comes with the following standard features:
- Physical street address in the U.S. (no overseas sites)
- Unlimited cloud storage for digitized mail
- Mail scanning
- Free mail shredding
- Mail forwarding ($2/shipment + postage)
- Free 30-day storage for all physical mail
- Third-party integrations
- Dedicated mobile and desktop apps
- Virtual office features (send letters from your account and faxing service)
They also make check deposits for $4.95/check + postage. They don't allow in-person pickups to prevent security risks. But you can request same-day deliveries if you have time-sensitive documents.
Aside from these, Traveling Mailbox has a unique service called "ScanPak." It allows you to fill a prepaid envelope with all the valuable documents you don't want to lose. They then scan each item and upload the digital copies to your account.
Pricing
Traveling Mailbox has 3 plans:[4]
- Basic: Starts from $15/mo or $150/year; up to 3 recipients; 40 envelopes and 35 page scans (junk mail not counted)
- Extended: Starts from $25/mo or $250/year; up to 5 recipients; 100 envelopes and 80 page scans (junk mail not counted); unused scans roll over to the next month
- Small Business: Starts from $55/mo or $550/year; up to 10 recipients; 200 envelopes and 180 page scans (junk mail not counted); unused scans roll over to the next month
These rates are for their default address in Sanford, NC. All their other addresses are considered "premium" and will cost more monthly.
You can get 2 free months if you subscribe to their annual plans. They also allow you to change your monthly plan at any time with no penalties.
These past few options work great for digital nomads and travelers. But if you're a small business, there's an option more suited for you. Read on.
5. Business Anywhere: Best Flexible Small-Business Mailbox
Business Anywhere offers a simple and flexible virtual mailbox service. It also comes at a reasonable price.
You get unlimited scans and storage for a fixed monthly fee. They even allow you to open multiple mailing addresses with one account.
Keep in mind that they only serve 4 states which are Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Florida.
Pros
- Affordable pricing for unlimited features (scan, storage, junk mail recycling, etc.)
- Simple and easy-to-use service
- Can link multiple addresses to one account
- Has other business services (company formation, registered agent, online notary, etc.)
Cons
- Only available in 4 states
- Lack of other services like check deposits
- Annual billing only
- Takes 3 days to scan and upload your mail after arrival
Features
When you subscribe to their plans, you get the following features:
- Physical mailing addresses in Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, and Florida.
- Unlimited mail receiving and scanning
- Unlimited online storage for digital copies
- Mail and package forwarding to any address worldwide
- Junk mail management
- Dedicated mobile and web apps
Unfortunately, Business Anywhere doesn't offer other mailbox services like check deposits, letter mailing, and faxing. But you can ask them to shred your mail if needed.
Pricing
Business Anywhere has 3 virtual mailbox plans:[5]
- Package One: Costs $20/mo; up to 2 mail recipients
- Package Two: Costs $30/mo; up to 5 mail recipients
- Package Three: Costs $65/mo; up to 20 mail recipients
All plans are billed annually instead of monthly. So make sure you're ready to commit to an entire year before subscribing.
Aside from virtual mailboxes, they also have company formation, registered agents, and online notary services. The last one is handy because you need a notarized USPS Form 1583 before you can start using their services.
You must complete and submit a notarized copy of USPS Form 1583 before you can use a virtual mailbox. This authorizes Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies (CMRAs), like virtual mailbox services, to receive, open, and forward any mail on your behalf.
Let's say you need the virtual mailbox mainly for payment purposes. Earth Class Mail can help with that.
6. Earth Class Mail: Best for Check Deposit Automation
Earth Class Mail is another great option for individuals and businesses. They offer several plans that cater to different needs. But what's unique about them is their automated check deposit feature.
This automatically forwards incoming checks to your preferred bank. It helps you avoid long lines and bounced checks. They usually scan and upload incoming mail within 24 hours of receipt.
They're an excellent choice if you have a hectic schedule. You could also be handling time-sensitive documents.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Great for multitasking or busy schedules
- Quick access to your mail within 24 hours
- Unlimited shredding and recycling
- Automated check deposits for your convenience
Cons
- Unclear pricing (can have surprise charges)
- Charges per mail item forwarded to you
- Only 1 address available for the first 2 plans (Beaverton, OR)
Features
Here's what you get when you subscribe:
- Physical street address in the U.S. (Beaverton, OR, is the default)
- Dedicated web and mobile apps
- Mail receiving and scanning
- Mail forwarding via your preferred carrier
- Free 30-day storage for letters
- Free 10-day storage for packages
- Unlimited mail shredding and recycling
- Automated check deposits ($39 per 5 items, then $2/item after that)
- Third-party integrations (Google Drive, QuickBooks, Xero, etc.)
You can also get more features like additional recipients, content scanning, and more addresses when you pay extra.
Pricing
They have 4 standard plans:[6]
- Personal Mailbox: Costs $19/mo; 1 recipient only; only Beaverton, Oregon, address is available
- Shared Mailbox: Costs $29/mo; up to 5 recipients; only Beaverton, Oregon, address is available
- Premium Mailbox: Costs $79/mo; up to 20 recipients; can choose from their 80+ addresses
- Business Address: Costs $39/mo; 1 recipient only; can choose from their 80+ addresses
The first 3 plans include receiving and scanning up to 50 mail items. Mail receiving costs $1 per item, and scanning is $4 per item for the Business Address plan. But you get free 30-day storage for all mail and 10 days for packages with all plans.
They also have business mailroom plans, which give you higher limits. You can read more about their pricing here.
What if you don't really need extra features. You may only be looking for a permanent address to use. Bizee can provide just that.
7. Bizee: Best for Single and Stable Business Address
Bizee's (formerly Incfile) virtual mailbox service is available in every US state except for Oregon, giving you more flexibility to run your business in any location.
They're best known for their various business services. Aside from virtual mailboxes, you can get business formation and registered agents.
Pros
- No limits to the number of letters they scan
- Forwards everything to your address after scanning
- Fixed monthly price, regardless of location
- Uploads all scans within 1 business day
- Offers other business services for your convenience
Cons
- No other features beyond what's included
- Doesn't receive packages or store mail
- No in-person pickups
Features
With their virtual mailbox service, you get the following features:
- Single stable business address
- Unlimited mail scanning
- Mobile and web apps
- Mail forwarding via USPS
- Real-time notifications via email
Bizee doesn't offer additional services like content scanning, faxing, or check deposits. They also don't receive packages — just letters and documents.
Keep in mind that Bizee forwards all your mail to the address listed in your file. They don't store them after scanning. Make sure your listed address is correct to avoid delivery problems.
Pricing
Bizee charges a fixed fee of $29/mo for their virtual mailbox service. This applies to all their locations and features.[7]
Next, let's talk about other benefits you can get other than digitized mail. Alliance Virtual Offices works great if you need physical spaces for business meetings.
8. Alliance Virtual Offices: Best Virtual Address with Office Spaces
Alliance Virtual Offices is a business-oriented service like Bizee. They have over 1,000 locations worldwide. What's unique about them is that you can access physical office spaces when you need to.
You can hold business meetings and other important events. It can make you appear more professional to potential clients.
Other services they offer include live receptionists, virtual phone numbers, and coworking spaces.
Pros
- An all-in-one solution for your business needs
- Affordable pricing for its features
- Unlimited mail receiving and processing
- Allows frequent in-person pickups
- Gives you access to physical meeting spaces
Cons
- No other mailbox services like check deposits, interior scanning, or mail shredding
Features
You get the following features with both plans:
- Your choice of recognized mailing addresses (the U.S. and overseas)
- In-person pickups during business hours
- Unlimited mail receiving and scanning
- Mail forwarding via your preferred shipping company (costs extra)
- Online notary services
You can also get add-ons like multiple addresses.
Pricing
Alliance Virtual Offices currently has two plans, Virtual Office Platinum and Platinum Plus. Both offer the same services except for one difference: the Platinum Plus plan includes 16-hour access to their meeting rooms/private offices.
Like Anytime Mailbox, they offer flexible pricing depending on your chosen address. But you can get a virtual address for as low as $48/mo. They also charge a one-time setup fee, normally $200.[8]
What if you're a really large business working with plenty of mail. Can these pricing plans take a toll on your budget? The next option won't.
9. US Global Mail: Best for Enterprises
US Global Mail is best suited for larger businesses. It's a convenient and affordable option for them.
They scan your mail within 4-6 hours of receipt. You can also get discounted shipping rates and same-day shipping.
In addition, you can get longer storage periods for letters and packages. This gives you more than enough time to arrange shipments to your preferred address.
Pros
- Up to 80% discount on shipping rates
- Risk-free guarantee if you want to try them out first
- Free check deposits
- Same-day deliveries
- Quick scanning time, especially in their Houston address
Cons
- Costs can pile up if you exceed your plan limits
- Unclear pricing (surprise charges sometimes happen)
- Limited selection of addresses
Features
Here's what's included in all plans:
- U.S. street address (Houston, TX, is the default)
- Unlimited exterior scans
- Pre-sorting for junk mail
- Free storage for digital and physical mail (plan limits apply)
- Free package storage (plan limits apply)
- Free check deposits
- Discounted shipping rates (up to 80%)
- Same-day shipping (must request before the cut-off)
- Immediate mail scanning (around 2-6 hours, depending on your plan and address)
The exact services will vary per location. US Global Mail also offers mail interior scanning, in-person pickups, and extra storage time for additional costs.
Yes, you can if your service provider allows it. For example, PostScanMail and US Global Mail allow you to add multiple users/recipients to one account. So all mail addressed to them is sent to the same address. Some services let you add multiple mailing addresses in one account.
Pricing
They currently offer 3 plans:[9]
- Basic: $14.99/mo or $9.95/mo (with annual billing); only 1 user per account
- Plus: $19.99/mo or $14.95/mo (with annual billing); up to 10 users per account
- Business: $34.99/mo or $29.95/mo (with annual billing); unlimited users per account; unlimited company names per account
They offer discounted rates with annual billing. But you can still cancel your plan within 30 days if they're not the right fit.
Same-day deliveries are available for every plan if you request them before the cut-off time (11am CST for Basic and 1pm CST for Plus). The Business plan doesn't have a cut-off.
Now, organizing mail can get hectic. The next option will do well to avoid that stress.
10.USA2me: Best for Mail Manager Feature
USA2me makes organizing your mail easier with their convenient mail manager feature. You can view your inbox, request shipments, order internal scans, and more from one centralized location.
What's more, they offer a plan with no monthly fee. You just have to pay for the services you use. This is ideal if you just need a simple service or have a limited budget.
Pros
- Has a plan with no monthly fees
- Ships to anywhere in the world
- Convenient mail management
- Affordable pricing
- Easy to use and set up
Cons
- Can't choose your address (only 1 address for everyone)
- Extra costs can pile up
- No mobile app (website is also not mobile-friendly)
Features
Besides their mail manager feature, here's what's included in each plan:
- Physical street address in the U.S.
- Receives an unlimited number of mail items
- Free mail consolidation
- Junk mail discarding
- Free storage (limited period only)
- Mail repacking and forwarding
They also offer other features (e.g., interior content scans, shipping insurance, fax reception, etc.) for additional fees.
Pricing
USA2me currently offers 4 plans to their customers:[10]
- Basic: No monthly fee
- Standard: $10/mo
- Premium: $35/mo
- Ultimate: $60/mo
Aside from the monthly fee, you also have to pay a one-time setup fee. This costs $23 for the Basic plan and $15 for the rest. Premium and Ultimate plans also include 1 free shipment per month (worth $30 and $60, respectively).
Now that you know about our top 10, let's talk about how to actually decide and take a pick.
How to Choose the Best Virtual Mailbox
If you're having a hard time choosing the best virtual mailbox service for you, here are some tips that can help you decide:
Consider your needs
Not all companies offer the same features. Some only provide basic receiving and scanning. Others offer services like content scanning, faxing, or junk mail shredding. Understand your specific needs so you can choose a virtual mailbox that can meet them.
Ask questions
Before you commit to a monthly or annual plan, you should have a deeper understanding of your preferred service. Asking questions can help you better evaluate if they're the right fit.
Some of the questions you can ask yourself are:
- Where are they located? Do they have an address near you? What about international sites?
- What's included in your plan? Do they offer extra functions as add-ons? How much will they cost you (on top of your monthly plan)?
- How secure are their services? Can they guarantee that any sensitive information won't be leaked? How do they try to prevent these incidents?
- Can you pick up your mail in person? What shipping companies do they use?
Check your budget
Setting a budget can help narrow down your choices. It can also help you choose a company whose services you can maximize. This is important because some features (e.g., mail content scanning, check deposits, receiving large packages, etc.) cost extra.
Research your choices
Each company has its unique selling point. Different companies also cater to different types of customers.
Research your choices before you commit to a plan. This ensures you get the best value for your money. Check online reviews or ask for recommendations from people you trust.
Our Methodology
Whether you're an individual or a business, you should have a reliable service provider that can give you what you need. But you shouldn't have to pay ridiculous prices for it.
That's why we considered these factors when deciding which virtual mailbox services to include on this list:
- Pricing
- Reliability
- Security
- Selection of addresses
- Range of services
All these companies generally offer reliable services and are budget-friendly. They have advanced security measures. That way, your private information don't fall into the wrong hands.
Most of them have multiple locations worldwide. The broad range of services they offer can suit any need.
Yes, they are. Virtual mailboxes have fewer security risks since they often handle your mail themselves. This minimizes the risks of loss, damages, and theft. They also secure your digitized copies using advanced security measures. That way, only you and other authorized persons can access them.
Bottom Line
A virtual mailbox makes receiving your mail convenient. You could be a frequent traveler, a digital nomad, or an online business. The permanent mailing address lets you access your mail at any time and place.
Virtual Office Service
- Mail Forwarding for Individual or Business
- Receive Your Mail in California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, New York, Texas, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming
- Physical Forward or Digital Scan Delivery Method
It's important to choose a service you can trust. Your mail can contain sensitive information after all. A reliable provider can help you avoid issues.
References
- ^ iPostal1. Virtual Mailing Address Plans and Pricing, Retrieved 2/7/23
- ^ Anytime Mailbox. Locations and Pricing, Retrieved 2/7/23
- ^ PostScan Mail. Pricing, Retrieved 2/7/23
- ^ Traveling Mailbox. Pricing, Retrieved 2/7/23
- ^ BusinessAnywhere. Virtual Mailbox Package, Retrieved 2/7/23
- ^ Earth Class Mail. Pricing, Retrieved 2/7/23
- ^ Bizee. Virtual Address and Mail Scanning Service from Bizee, Retrieved 12/13/23
- ^ Alliance Virtual Offices. What does the setup fee cover?, Retrieved 2/7/23
- ^ US Global Mail. Pricing, Retrieved 2/7/23
- ^ USA2me. Membership Plans, Retrieved 2/7/23
Write to Alyssa Supetran at feedback@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.
|
|
| ||||||
|
|
|