PODS vs. U-Pack Review 2024

Our top pick: In this PODS vs. U-Pack review, PODS gets our vote for the best moving container company. It’s got low prices, more moving container sizes, and a wider range of services. PODS can also handle local moves. U-Pack outshines PODS in pricing transparency, customer reviews, availability, and coverage.

The average cost of PODS is $3,810, while U-Pack's average price is $4,500. PODS is below the industry average, while U-Pack is above it. PODS has three steel-framed containers (8, 12, and 16-foot containers), while U-Pack has one metal container called a ReloCube that's 6 ft. x 7 ft. x 8 ft. PODS includes 30 days of storage in its quote, but U-Pack does not. U-Pack allows you to load and unload your container in three days.

While U-Pack has more transparent pricing with its pay-for-what-you-use policy, PODS is more affordable overall. PODS offers all Move.org readers a 10% discount, which is around $400 in savings based on the average moving cost. In comparison, U-Pack offers a $25 discount on your online order (use promo code MOVEORG at checkout).

The chart above illustrates a 2,060-mile move using U-Pack’s ReloCube and PODS’s 8-foot container.

The data we gathered for a cross-country move over 2,000 miles for 1-bedroom homes shows PODS to be $2000 less than U-Pack.

Price transparency

One thing that sets U-Pack apart when it comes to pricing is its pay-for-what-you-use policy. The policy allows you to reserve as much space as you think you’ll need—and you’ll never be charged for extra cubes or empty moving trailer space you don’t use.

If you order three ReloCubes but fill only two, you’ll pay for only two. If you use all three, you’ll pay for three. With PODS, you’ll pay for a full container—even if it’s half-empty. And since PODS’s containers are larger than U-Pack’s, it’s more difficult to mix and match them to fit your exact load size.

While the ReloCube and PODS' 8-foot containers have the same room capacity, the PODS container can handle more than double the weight of the ReloCube. This may not matter much for the average load of household goods. But if you’re packing your motorcycle and woodworking equipment, you may get close to U-Pack’s 2,500-pound limit.

The PODS 8-foot container has a bit more interior space than the ReloCube, which is something to keep in mind if your container will be packed to the gills.

Both U-Pack and PODS have nationwide service, but U-Pack covers all 50 states, while PODS covers 46 states. Both moving companies also offer moving services outside the United States. U-Pack is available in Canada, and you can hire PODS in the UK, Canada, and Australia.

U-Pack has a slight edge over PODS when it comes to customer experience. Both companies have easy-to-navigate websites and impressive customer review scores, but U-Pack's overall 3.5 out of 5 stars beat out PODS' 3.1 out of 5 stars. U-Pack customers have described exceptionally safe deliveries, discussed how surprised they were about the space they got with a ReloCube, and discussed how much they saved with ReloCubes as opposed to hiring professional movers.

In the end, this PODS vs. U-Pack review gives U-Pack the win because it offers instant online quotes. PODS typically requires you to visit with a company rep (although it does provide online quotes if your move is less than 50 miles).

While both moving container companies offer a similar number of services, PODS outshines U-Pack because it services local moves, offers car shipping, and has both at-home and facility storage. PODS is also the only moving container company on our best list that offers car shipping. U-Pack does offer a variety of trailers for larger household moves, while PODS has three moving containers.

Containers vs. trailers

PODS has more moving and storage container sizes than U-Pack: a 12-foot moving POD for local moves as well as 8-foot and 16-foot containers for both local and long-distance moves. This is especially handy for larger moves when you prefer to pack everything in one container rather than sorting and splitting your stuff across two or three cubes.

U-Pack does have multiple sizes of moving trailers (basically, moving trucks), which are useful for large household moves. U-Pack’s moving trailer holds four times the amount its ReloCubes hold.

So, if you’re moving a family of five, U-Pack’s trailers can easily make your move happen. And if you want a smaller container or multiple containers, ReloCube offers a happy medium.

Local moves

One spot where U-Pack falls short is that it doesn’t service local moves. While we’ve been able to get quotes for trips within a single state, U-Pack won’t move you across town. If you need a moving and storage container for a local move, PODS has you covered.

Storage

It's also worth noting that PODS has the best storage options. It offers both at-home or facility storage, while U-Pack only has storage facility access. PODS even has climate-controlled storage facilities for sensitive items like photographs and books.

Car shipping

Finally, PODS offers auto transport services, making it more of a one-stop shop for moving. It partners with an online marketplace (ACERTUS or Mr. Car Shipper), where truck drivers bid on your shipment. Be sure to speak with your PODS rep if you need more information.

Just like you need auto insurance before you hit the road, you’ll want insurance on your moving containers and household belongings before you send them on their way.

Our PODS vs. U-Pack review found that U-Pack offers more comprehensive coverage plans. Plus, U-Pack includes two protection plans with the cost of every move. PODS includes $10,000 worth of content protection in every long-distance move, but its coverage prices aren’t as spelled out as U-Pack’s. PODS’s deductibles sit somewhere in the ballpark of $100, but it’ll depend on the specifics of your move.

Let’s break down both.

Catastrophic Liability: This plan covers the value of everything from your futon to your flip-flops while your container is en route. If there’s a fire, theft, or accident, U-Pack will reimburse you $3.00 per pound per item. For ReloCubes, you’re covered up to $7,500. For moving trailers, the policy pays out up to $60,000.

Carrier Negligence: If your items are damaged as the result of a U-Pack screwup after you’ve packed and loaded your container, U-Pack will reimburse you for each item at $0.10 per pound.

U-Pack also offers supplemental coverage plans at an additional charge:

Container Only Insurance: This covers the moving and storage container itself while it sits on your driveway or street. Thunderstorm? Don’t worry about hail denting your container. Fire? Don’t worry about that either. PODS won’t make you pay for dents, dings, or other damage.

Content Protection Insurance: This policy covers damage to the container and your stuff inside. The only catch is that it doesn’t cover flooding or water damage. Obviously, we prefer insurance policies that cover everything, but we say this is still better than container-only insurance or nothing at all.

PODS and U-Pack both make our list of the best moving container companies. However, PODS is the better of the two. Although U-Pack is available in more states, it does not service local moves. What puts U-Pack ahead is its pay-for-what-you-use policy, which helps you save money by not paying for empty space in your moving and storage container. But in the end, U-Pack is still significantly more expensive than PODS, and its customer service is good, but only slightly better than PODS.

Want an affordable rate for your move?

Don’t think PODS or U-Pack is the right fit for your move? Here are some other top portable moving container companies that are worth looking into:

• 1-800-PACK-RAT: Tons of deals
• SMARTBOX: Straightforward pricing
• U-Haul U-Box: Wide availability

Move.org follows a five-step process to identify the nation’s best moving container companies:

1. Compare quotes. We collected over 100 quotes from seven of the nation’s largest moving container companies to identify pricing trends.
2. Mystery shopping. We do a top-to-bottom analysis of each company’s website and even call posing as customers. It helps us get a feel for what real-life customers experience.
3. Analyze reviews. We read dozens of reviews for each company to see what most impresses (and turns off) customers. We also ran the numbers for more than 7,000 total reviews to calculate an industry customer review average.
4. Site visits. We invite industry experts and company executives to visit our Salt Lake City, UT headquarters. We grill them on everything from pricing and customer reviews to insurance coverage and the latest industry trends.
5. Annual review. Every year, we repeat the process to ensure that our list of the best moving container companies stays current. That means things like our top recommendations and industry prices may change from year to year.

If you’ve got more questions about moving and storage containers, dive into these additional articles for answers.

• Best Moving and Storage Container Companies
• What Is the Average Cost of Moving Containers?
• What Size Moving Container Do You Need?
• Things You Should Know about Moving Containers