Virtual mailboxes: Top options and prices
A virtual mailbox is a service that allows you to receive mail and packages at a physical address, usually a retail store or a mail-receiving agency. The mail and packages are scanned and made available to you online so you can view and manage them remotely.
This can be useful for digital nomads, vanlifers, or remote workers in general who are frequently on the go or do not have a permanent residence. Some virtual mailbox providers offer additional services, such as mail and package forwarding, mail holding and consolidation, and international shipping.
The best virtual mailboxes, according to experts
According to U.S.News
The best budget virtual mailbox is PhysicalAdress.com
Cons
The least-expensive plan includes 30 envelope scans and 10 content scans per month, with additional scans costing $0.20 each
Physical addresses are available in five U.S. cities and are provided with suite numbers only
Pros
Full-featured plans start at just $7.98 per month
It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans
It forwards mail to dozens of countries, all 50 U.S. states, and most U.S. territories
It provides up to 90 days of storage for non-parcel mail
Price: Starts at $7.98 a month
The best for small businesses is BusinessAnywhere
Cons
The service is available in only six U.S. states
It does not offer telephone support, only email and chat
Cancellations become effective at the end of the current term, and the service does not offer free trials.
Pros
A monthly fee covers all mail services worldwide, including mail and package forwarding
Scanned mail is uploaded to your dashboard within as few as two days of receipt
You can also link multiple addresses to a single account to consolidate mail deliveries
Price: Starts at $20/ per month
The best for digital nomads is iPostal1
Cons
Refunds are available within the first 30 days of service only if no mail has been received or the account has not been used
Prices and features vary by location, classified as Standard, Select, Premium, or Prestige
Some users have reported poor support from the company after purchase
Pros
You can choose from over 2,750 address locations in the U.S. and overseas
The service also offers virtual office services in addition to virtual mailing and business addresses
It lets you forward mail automatically or on demand and provides real-time shipping rates to help you choose the most affordable option
Price: From $9.99/month
2. According to Upwork, the best virtual mailboxes are
Cons
The service offers only one mailing address located in Houston, Texas.
There is no mobile app available for Mail Manager, which can only be accessed through a web interface
A setup fee is required for all accounts.
Pros
The company is a BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating
It offers free junk mail removal
Includes shipping costs in the monthly fee for Premium and Ultimate accounts
Price: $10 to $60 per month
Cons
The service offers limited mailing addresses in just 23 states and Washington, D.C.
Internal mail scans cost $3 plus $0.50 per page. Additionally, digital mail storage is limited to 180 days
Pros
The service allows bundling letters with up to 80% off shipping costs on forwarded mail, including packages
It offers free check deposit services for all plans and unlimited external scans
Price: $9.95 to $29.95 per month
Cons
There is no free trial available for this service, and it offers somewhat limited U.S. physical addresses
Premium addresses are available for an additional $4.95 per month, but the service does not offer international addresses.
Pros
You can roll over unused monthly scans with this service
It features a user-friendly mobile app and allows mail to be forwarded to any location
Users have the option to sign up annually and receive two months free
Price: $15 to $55 per month
5+ virtual mailbox options
Earth Class Mail: This company offers virtual mailbox services in the United States and several other countries.
Price: For just an address, the cost is $39 per month
Mailbox Forwarding: This website is a little more old school, though it claims to provide virtual mailbox services in the United States, with options for mail and package forwarding, mail scanning, and mail holding
Price: Starts at $14.95 / month
Anytime Mailbox: This company has over 1800 virtual mailbox locations in the US
Price: Starting at $5.99+ per month
PostScan Mail: This service allows users to manage their mail digitally, view scans of incoming mail, and choose whether to have items forwarded, stored, or picked up.
Price: $10 to $30 per month
Incfile: Provides virtual mailbox services with addresses in 47 U.S. states
Price: $29 per month, regardless of mail volume
Pros & Cons of Virtual Mailboxes
Pros:
Convenience: With a virtual mailbox, you can access your mail and packages from anywhere with an internet connection. This can be especially useful for people who are frequently on the go or who do not have a permanent residence.
Security: A virtual mailbox provider can securely hold your mail and packages until you are ready to receive them, which can be useful if you are concerned about mail theft or vandalism.
Professional image: A virtual mailbox can give the impression that you have a professional office, even if you do not have a physical location.
Cons:
Cost: Virtual mailbox services can be more expensive than traditional mailboxes, especially if you need additional services such as mail forwarding or package consolidation.
Limited services: Some virtual mailbox providers do not offer services beyond mail and package receiving, such as shipping or printing.
Delivery issues: In some cases, mail and packages may not be delivered to the virtual mailbox provider, or there may be delays in scanning and uploading the items to your online account.
Hard to get verified on Google My Business: Without being able to do a walkthrough of an office space, you may have a hard time getting verified on Google My Business, limiting your options for listing your business on Maps and getting found in local searches.
A virtual mailbox may help you get your mail, though you may need to use a virtual business address (which often come with digital mail services) to get verified on GMB or fill out certain forms.
Still, it may not be necessary for everyone, especially if you have a stable home base, don’t need your mail regularly, or already do most of your business virtually.
