Sean Donnelly is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. His content draws on more than three years of experience in the moving industry. He started as a laborer and was quickly promoted to moving crew leader. Sean also served as a move coordinator, where he conducted in-home and virtual estimates for customers. During his time in the industry, Sean assisted more than 500 clients with their relocation needs. Thanks to his years of hand-on experience, he understands all aspects of moving — from proper preparation to the quote process to effective packing techniques. Sean studied English literature and creative writing at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is still located in the greater Springfield area. When he isn’t writing, Sean is a cohead coach of the boxing team at his alma mater.
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Moving-and-storage containers are a great option for clients who want to move on their own timeline and pack their belongings without assuming responsibility for their goods in transit. We’ve compared PODS and U-Pack — two of the best moving container providers — to help determine which is better suited to your DIY move.
While PODS and U-Pack both feature nationwide availability and multiple container size options, each provider is uniquely suited for different move types. PODS offers three container size options for local moves, while U-Pack provides more cost-effective options for larger long-distance moves.
Neither provider requires a deposit to book, and both have transparent cancellation policies, ensuring scheduling flexibility for most moves.
We evaluate every featured DIY and full-service moving company against our proprietary grading criteria that accounts for service offerings, coverage area, quote process and more.
PODS and U-Pack offer service ranges that cater to different moving needs. PODS provides more container options than U-Pack — three compared to one — and both local and long-distance moving capabilities.
U-Pack, on the other hand, offers a 28-foot trailer option for larger homes that has more space than its container. While its strict three-day loading and unloading windows offer less leeway for clients packing and loading their own belongings, its “pay-for-what-you-use” pricing structure keeps rates down for larger moves.
We gave PODS and U-Pack scores out of 5 using our in-house grading scale. See their ratings and other key metrics below.
Both PODS and U-Pack offer multiple container sizes and storage options. In addition, both companies provide access to additional moving services, such as loading labor, to help you pack your container more efficiently.
All PODS rentals include professional pickup and delivery and one month of storage at either your residence or a PODS storage facility. This one-month rental includes loading, unloading and transportation to your new home, with flexible delivery dates at each location. PODS offers three portable moving-and-storage container sizes:
Beyond the rental and transportation of weather-resistant PODS containers, this provider offers easy access to local third-party moving labor and packing supplies.
U-Pack provides one small moving container option, called a ReloCube, and a moving trailer option for larger homes. Both come with a three-day window for loading and unloading. This gives most clients ample time to pack and unpack their belongings, but it might deter those who’d prefer a longer time frame.
The container sizes and corresponding home sizes are as follows:
U-Pack offers long-term storage for goods packed into ReloCubes but not for those in its trailers. For trailer moves, you may have to inquire about storage-in-transit options if you require additional time between moving out of your old home and into your new one.
This provider does not offer service for local moves.
Both providers offer nearly instant pricing through cost estimators online. With PODS, you’ll pay significantly more with each additional unit you rent. While the same applies to ReloCubes rented through U-Pack, its trailer option only charges you per linear foot of use. This allows you to pay only for the space you need.
Your PODS costs will depend on the size and number of units you rent. You can get a free quote online for on-site storage or a move using a PODS container by filling out some work order parameters. This includes your contact information, origin and destination ZIP codes, and container needs.
If you’re moving, you’ll have to indicate your move date and pickup and drop-off addresses. Note that all PODS containers come with a month-long rental, so you’ll have plenty of time to load and unload all goods, whether you hire professional moving labor or not. All pickup and delivery fees are disclosed upfront.
We got a quote from PODS for a three-bedroom move between Philadelphia and Boston. We estimated our move would require one 16-foot and one 8-foot container, totaling $3,243.
We would have to pay $1,165 upon our containers’ arrival, with the remainder due upon delivery at our destination. No deposit is required to book, and all reservations can be canceled for no fee with at least three business days’ notice.
Your cost to move with U-Pack depends on the number of ReloCubes you rent or the total linear footage of trailer space you use. All U-Pack rentals include transportation via its shipping partner ABF and three-day loading and unloading windows.
We got a quote for a long-distance move between Philadelphia and Boston for a three-bedroom home. We estimated this relocation would require 23 linear feet of trailer space. Our total cost would be approximately $1,405.
If we needed the entire trailer (28 linear feet), our price would increase to $1,685. No deposit is required to book with this provider. If you need moving labor, U-Pack provides a link to HireAHelper, which allows you to hire loading and unloading assistance. Service rates will depend on the average hourly rates in your area.
Compare estimates for the same three-bedroom, Philadelphia-to-Boston move in the table below.
Both providers have widespread availability and more than 200 locations each. We encourage you to look into the overall reputation and customer reviews for the branches closest to you.
PODS offers local and long-distance service in 44 states. It has no presence in Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia or Wyoming.
This container and trailer rental company features more than 240 locations across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. It also offers international moving options to Puerto Rico and Canada.
Both U-Pack and PODS have good reputations in the DIY moving space. Given each provider’s many locations, we encourage you to read reviews for the PODS and U-Pack locations closest to you.
While PODS’ headquarters page has a low score of 1.2 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), many of its individual locations are highly rated. Negative reviews mention damaged goods and delivery dates outside of promised windows.
However, many locations have primarily positive reviews. Its Ludlow, Massachusetts, location has 4.1 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews with more than 100 individual testimonials. Positive reviews mention transparent pricing, upfront customer service staff and helpful drivers who make delivery and pickup easy.
This DIY mover currently has no customer rating on BBB, but features an Enfield, Connecticut, branch with 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews. Many positive reviews are left by repeat customers for long-distance and cross-country moves. Reviews for U-Pack’s highly rated Brooklyn branch compliment its service quality and pricing transparency.
When you move, you’ll want to protect your goods. Items can shift in transit, especially if you load your PODS or U-Pack trailer yourself. Purchasing additional coverage for your shipment will enable reimbursement in case of loss or damage.
PODS offers coverage options for both the containers and the contents within them. Since it charges monthly rental fees for its containers, all coverage plans also bill monthly. You can purchase anything from $5,000 to $300,000 in added coverage, with monthly premiums ranging from $34.95 to $469.95. PODS outlines its coverage options and policies in a brochure on its website.
U-Pack offers 10 cents per pound per item in basic coverage. Beyond this, it has liability coverage for all moves for the following prices:
While PODS and U-Pack are both well known in the moving industry, their different container size options and pricing models mean one may be a better pick than the other depending on your needs.
U-Pack is the go-to option for long-distance moves of larger homes. Its pay-for-what-you-use pricing structure for its trailer rentals ensures more precise costs for larger moves. Its availability in every U.S. state and international moving options are also a plus.
With PODS, you could see steep cost increases with each additional mobile storage unit rental, so it’s better suited to those with smaller homes who only need one container. However, its 30 days of storage with every rental beat U-Pack’s three-day loading window. If you’re looking to book on-site storage or a local moving service, PODS is a better choice.
Our moving recommendations are all backed by our detailed rating methodology. To fairly assess both interstate and local movers, we have tailored two sets of review standards for long-distance and intrastate movers.
Both sets of review standards assess factors including reputation and customer satisfaction, availability and range, services offered, pricing and quote practices and customer service. We rate each moving company out of 100 possible points. We then divide the final score by 20 to obtain the 5-star rating we feature in our reviews.
BBB and Google Reviews ratings are accurate as of April 2024.
Editorial note: The name “Homefront” refers to the alliance between USA TODAY and Home Solutions that publishes review, comparison, and informational articles designed to help USA TODAY readers make smarter purchasing and investment decisions about their home. Under the alliance, Homefront provides and publishes research and articles about home service and home improvement topics.
Homefront has an affiliate disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Homefront editorial staff alone (see About Homefront). Homefront adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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