FedEx Ground vs. UPS® Ground

FedEx Ground vs. UPS® Ground… the clash of the titans when it comes to ground-based courier shipping solutions!

Both shipping solutions have been around for years and have legions of ardent fans in the U.S. thanks to their economical and reliable shipping services - but which one is best for your eCommerce business?

Let’s compare the FedEx and UPS ground-based shipping options closer, taking a look at their service details, rates, speed, and more!

What is FedEx Ground?

FedEx Ground offers rapid, ground-based shipping services all throughout the U.S.

Originally established in 1985 as a leading small-package delivery company named Roadway Package System, it was then acquired by the FDX Corporation in 1998 and later rebranded as FedEx Ground in 2000.

Today, it serves as FedEx’s flagship ground-based shipping solution, offering fast delivery options for millions of customers throughout the United States.

FedEx Ground Service Details

Before choosing FedEx Ground, it's important to understand the shipping solution’s specific details. Here’s a quick look at just that!

• Delivery times take one-to-five business days within the contiguous U.S. and three-to-seven days for Hawaii and Alaska
• Available Monday through Friday
• No weekend deliveries
• Available in all 50 U.S. states
• The weight of parcels is limited to 150 pounds (68 kg) while the length is limited to 108 inches (274 cm) and 130 inches (330 cm) for girth
• Offers guaranteed delivery
• Does not deliver to P.O. Boxes
• Offers better tracking compared to UPS Ground
• Offers up to $100 insurance
• Offers scheduled delivery
• Offers paid package pickup
• Makes up to three delivery attempts
• Offers paid pick-up of packages
• Import taxes are payable by the sender or receiver

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What is UPS® Ground?

UPS® Ground is another reliable ground shipping service option available.

One of the most economical shipping solutions offered by the courier also offers delivery throughout the U.S. within a few days.

UPS® Ground Service Details

Much like FedEx Ground, UPS® Ground has its own unique service details to understand before using the shipping service.

• Delivers within one to six days within the U.S.
• Weight limit of 150 pounds (68 kg)
• Available in all 50 states of the United States
• Available Monday through Friday
• No weekend deliveries
• Offers guaranteed delivery
• Does not deliver to P.O. Boxes
• Offers up to $100 in insurance
• Makes up to three delivery attempts
• No pickup services are available
• No scheduled delivery
• No import tax handling

Is FedEx Ground Cheaper Than UPS® Ground?

When comparing FedEx Ground vs. UPS® Ground rates, the rate charged usually depends on the weight and size of the package as well as its destination. Easyship’s courier comparison tool reveals that both shipping solutions are comparable in terms of pricing.

In order to find out what works best for your business in terms of prices, you should always compare rates. For example, if you intend to send out a shipment that weighs 10 lbs. across state borders, try using the Easyship shipping rates calculator to see what works best for your company!

Is UPS® Ground or FedEx Ground Faster?

Using the Easyship courier comparison tool again, both UPS® Ground and FedEx Ground are comparable in terms of delivery speed.

However, destination plays a particularly important role in determining how fast a package is delivered. Shipping a parcel from one specific location in the U.S. to another may be faster using one service compared to the other depending on the exact destination it's going to.

For example, shipping a package from New York City to Alaska would be faster using UPS® Ground compared to FedEx Ground.

A look at the UPS® Ground map of estimated shipping times reveals that areas outside of the contiguous U.S. like Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico are typically reachable from New York City in five days or less.

The FedEx Ground estimated shipping times map, while broadly similar to UPS® Ground's, reveals that areas outside of the contiguous United States endure longer transit days when shipping parcels to them from a place like New York City.

Online merchants who ship regularly to places like Hawaii and Alaska from the contiguous U.S., particularly from the East Coast, should keep this in mind if debating FedEx Ground vs. UPS® Ground delivery times.

FedEx Ground vs. UPS® Ground: Choose the Shipping Solution That Works for You

The FedEx Ground vs. UPS® Ground debate will continue for a long time, but knowing the differences is crucial to choosing which is best for your online business!

Both FedEx Ground and UPS® Ground are fairly comparable in terms of pricing and delivery speed. FedEx Ground’s main advantage over UPS® Ground is its superior package tracking, making it preferable for companies that ship out more expensive products to customers. In addition, FedEx Ground also paid pickup services and scheduled delivery options.

However, UPS® Ground may work better for delivering time-sensitive packages to certain locations in the U.S., particularly if your company frequently ships from the contiguous U.S. to either Alaska or Hawaii.

Easyship partners with both UPS and FedEx, offering online business owners multiple shipping options at discounted rates.

Sign up today to personally see if FedEx Ground or UPS Ground® works better for your own business!

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