U-Pack vs. PODS (2026)

If you’re considering a self-service mover, you’ve likely come across U-Pack and PODS as two popular options. If you want an affordable moving container company, we recommend U-Pack. This company offers more competitive pricing and a pay-for-what-you-use policy on its trailers, allowing you to control your moving costs with greater flexibility.

In this guide, we’ll compare the services offered by U-Pack and PODS, as well as each company’s costs, benefits, and drawbacks to help you find the best moving provider.

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Our Take on U-Pack vs. PODS

U-Pack is a great option for those looking to use a self-service mover on a budget. We found U-Pack to offer the most affordable prices out of all the self-service movers we researched. We specifically like the company’s pay-for-what-you-use policy for people who are unsure of how much space their belongings require. This policy allows customers to pay for a large moving trailer per square footage, rather than pay for the entire container itself.

PODS may offer a better choice if you prefer having a flexible schedule and want to choose from a range of moving services. PODS offers more time to load and unload your container than U-Pack, and the company features a partnership with Hire-A-Helper to provide comprehensive moving labor options. For more detail, read our comprehensive PODS review or our U-Pack review.

Homeowner Insights

According to our most recent moving survey of 1,000 customers nationwide, nearly all respondents (90%) who used PODS moved long-distance. Plus, 70% moved from homes that were three bedrooms or larger.

What Services Do U-Pack and PODS Offer?

U-Pack and PODS both offer portable storage containers but each company’s list of additional services varies. Get a quick look at the services offered by U-Pack and PODS below.

PODS offers more moving labor options through its partnership with Hire-A-Helper, including professional packing and unpacking services or loading and unloading. Depending on your location, U-Pack can also provide loading and unloading services through third-party companies.

Unlike PODS, U-Pack also offers moving trailers. Customers can use U-Pack’s pay-for-what-you-use policy with this option, in which you pay per square footage rather than for the entire container. This adds some flexibility when it comes to how much space you use and the price attached to it.

PODS also offers on-site storage, which include climate-controlled units and 24/7 security. You can’t access this feature with U-Pack.

Moving With a Storage Conatiner

Once you choose a moving container company and decide which services you need, you can generally expect the same process for your move—regardless of if you go with U-Pack or PODS.

What Container Options Do U-Pack and PODS Offer?

Both companies offer metal weatherproof moving containers that are sturdy and durable. While PODS offers more moving container sizes, U-Pack offers access to the entire moving trailer of a freight truck with ABF Freights, which is a service not provided by PODS.

U-Pack Container Options

U-Pack offers a ReloCube, the company’s portable storage unit option, or a moving trailer to help you transport your belongings. The ReloCube holds a maximum of 2,500 pounds and is easy to load. U-Pack’s moving trailers feature a loading ramp and use a locking divider wall to secure your belongings once they’re loaded.

Here are the dimensions of U-Pack’s moving options:

• ReloCube container: 5’10” deep x 6’10” wide x 7’9” high
• Moving trailer: 28’ long x 8’ wide x 9’ high

PODS Container Options

PODS offers three container sizes, all of which have a steel frame, are weather-resistant, and feature built-in tie-down rings to help you secure your belongings. Similar to U-Pack’s containers, PODS’ containers sit on the ground and are easy to load and unload. Unlike U-Pack’s containers, PODS’ containers use roll-up doors rather than swing doors. This adds more convenience, as less room is needed to open and close the containers themselves.

Here are the dimensions of PODS’ containers:

• Small container: 8’ deep x 7’ wide x 8’ high
• Medium container: 12’ deep x 8’ wide x 8’ high (only available for local moves under 50 miles)
• Large container: 16’ deep x 8’ wide x 8’ high

What Is the Cost of U-Pack vs. PODS?

U-Pack tends to offer cheaper moving prices than PODS. While PODS tends to cost more, it features on-site storage and more service options than U-Pack. It’s important to note that the following estimates are sample quotes and that your actual costs will vary based on your needs.

U-Pack Cost

To transport a two-bedroom home from Portland, Oregon, to Cincinnati, Ohio, within a month, U-Pack suggested 13 feet worth of space on its moving trailer for $3,843. The ReloCube option for this move would require two ReloCubes and cost $4,730. According to U-Pack, these estimates are all-inclusive and include no hidden fees.

PODS Cost

PODS is a pay-as-you-go service, so you avoid any upfront payments with the company. To give you an idea of PODS pricing, we obtained a quote from PODS for a two-bedroom home moving from Portland, Oregon, to Cincinnati, Ohio, using a 16-foot container for a total of $5,266. Here’s how that total breaks down:

• Delivery cost: $488
• Transportation cost: $4,628
• Container drop-off and pick-up cost: $150.

Note: This quote includes $10,000 in contents protection, nine days of transit time, and a month of storage, but it doesn’t include taxes.

Where Do U-Pack and PODS Operate?

U-Pack offers its services in all 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico. However, the company has some limitations when it comes to local moves, as it has a 150-mile minimum for its services.

PODS offers its services in 46 U.S. states and Washington D.C., and it doesn’t feature a minimum mileage for moves.

Comparing U-Pack vs. PODS Customer Reviews

On average, both companies have received positive reviews on a variety of third-party customer reviews sites, including the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We gathered some reviews to help you get an idea of customer experiences with each company below.

U-Pack Customer Reviews

U-Pack features an A+ rating on the BBB and has an accreditation from the organization. Here are some examples of U-Pack customer reviews:

“First time using U-Pack and it was an amazing experience. Recommending to all our friends for their future moves! They made it so easy and were very communicative throughout the process. Didn’t run into any issues with our move from Colorado to Alabama.” —Jenny R. via the BBB, July 2025

“Do not use U-Pack. A lot of my items got delivered damaged. I spent a week submitting a detailed photo claim. They took zero responsibility and denied my claim. They are horrible—beware.” — Lauri R. via the BBB, May 2026

PODS Customer Reviews

PODS has an A+ rating on the BBB and holds accreditation with the organization. Here’s what a few customers have had to say about PODS:

“On time every pickup and delivery. Super great drivers who will accommodate you. Very easy to book and schedule. No issues at all. The driver of our three trips was amazingly professional and knew exactly what he was doing.” — Michelle B. via the BBB, July 2026

“Scheduled my belongings to be delivered July 4. One pod showed up [and] the driver said the other would be along shortly. It never showed up. So we called and were told our stuff wouldn’t come for another 10 days. However, we originally booked it for the same day. It was their mistake. We were given the runaround by the customer service reps each time we called. We have basically been told we will receive our property when PODS feels like it.” —Jennifer T. via the BBB, July 2026

Choosing Between U-Pack vs. PODS

U-Pack and PODS are both solid moving container companies, but if you’re looking to go with the more affordable option, we suggest U-Pack. Not only does the company provide more affordable pricing than PODS, but its pay-for-what-you-use policy on its moving trailers offers additional flexibility to your overall cost. As long as you meet U-Pack’s minimum mileage requirement, you can expect a cheaper move with the company.

On the other hand, if you’re making a local move or you prefer a more convenient moving schedule, consider PODS. This moving company gives you 30 days to load and unload your belongings, which is considerably more time than the three days offered by U-Pack. The company also provides on-site storage facilities with climate-controlled units and 24/7 security, adding another layer of convenience if you need to store your belongings for longer than originally planned.

Other Moving Companies To Consider

While U-Pack and PODS are two top-rated moving companies, other moving and storage companies on the market offer similar services. You may also consider a cost-effective full-service moving company if you want to take some of the hassle out of moving. Keep reading for two more moving recommendations.

1-800-PACK-RAT

1-800-PACK-RAT is a self-service moving container company that offers similar services to U-Pack and PODS. We found 1-800-PACK-RAT to be the ‘Best Overall Self-Service Mover’ thanks to its competitive rates, reputable customer service, and useful online resources. PACK-RAT features a user-friendly customer portal and helpful online guides that assist customers in obtaining complete control over their move.

The company’s moving containers are high-quality and weatherproof and provide easy-to-load access. The company also provides the option to purchase moving and packing supplies for self-movers. Additionally, 1-800-PACK-RAT features a partnership with Hire-A-Helper. This partnership allows customers to easily gain access to reliable third-party companies to provide moving assistance, such as packing and unpacking services.

International Van Lines

International Van Lines is a full-service moving company that offers packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and unpacking services. This company also offers specialty moving services for unique items like pianos or antiques and assists with auto shipping if you need to relocate a vehicle. International Van Lines is a great choice for people who prefer to have the company handle as many parts of their move as possible.

When we requested a quote from International Van Lines to move a two-bedroom home from Portland, Oregon, to Cincinnati, Ohio, the company gave us a quote of $2,015–$3,445. This quote includes loading services and transportation.

FAQs About U-Pack and PODS

Our Rating Methodology

We back up our moving company ratings and recommendations with a detailed rating methodology to objectively score each company. We conduct research by reading through the company websites, analyzing customer reviews, conducting consumer surveys, requesting quotes, and speaking with customer representatives. We then score each moving company against our review standards for services, contents coverage, scheduling, trailer and container options, additional benefits, and reputation to arrive at a final score out of 100.