PODS Competitors & Alternatives
Quick answer: The top PODS competitors are U-Pack, 1-800-PACK-RAT, Zippy Shell, MovingPlace, and U-Haul U-Box, with cross-country container moves running $1,200 - $7,600, according to moveBuddha pricing data. PODS tops our list of the best moving container companies, but U-Pack and U-Box often cost less for long-distance moves. Below, we compare sizes, costs, and services for all five.
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PODS vs. competitors: Size & cost
U-Pack and U-Box post the lowest long-distance floor prices, while MovingPlace offers the most space per shipment. The table below shows container sizes and average costs for all six companies, based on moveBuddha pricing data.
| Company | Container sizes | Local* | Long-distance* |
|---|---|---|---|
| PODS | 8, 12 & 16 ft. | $200 - $800 | $450 - $7,600 |
| U-Pack | 28-ft. trailer & ReloCube | N/A | $900 - $6,600 |
| PACK-RAT | 8, 12 & 16 ft. | $150 - $790 | $910 - $6,900 |
| Zippy Shell | 10 & 15 ft. | $190 - $750 | $500 - $7,000 |
| MovingPlace | 28 & 53-ft. trailers | N/A | $1,100 - $4,700 |
| U-Box | One size (257 cu. ft.) | $150 - $800 | $450 - $7,000 |
*We calculated these local and long-distance cost figures using data from moves of various sizes and distances, gathering quotes from verified moving customers and through secret shopping.
Top PODS alternatives
The best PODS alternatives are U-Pack for budget long-distance moves, 1-800-PACK-RAT for easy loading, Zippy Shell for city moves, MovingPlace for large DIY moves, and U-Box for small moves. We ranked them using more than 1 million verified customer reviews across 25+ data sources, plus firsthand reports from our Better Moves Project.
U-Pack: Better for long-distance
Why choose U-Pack
U-Pack is hard to beat on price and national coverage for long-distance moves. You pay only for the space you use, and U-Pack’s quotes include liability coverage.
PODS is the better choice if you’re moving locally or need more than three days to load and unload.
Here’s a side-by-side look at the two companies:
| U-Pack | PODS | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $$ | $$$ |
| Move types | Long-distance only | Local & long-distance |
| Coverage | 50 states, Puerto Rico & Canada | 46 states incl. D.C. |
| Space | Up to 1,944 cu. ft. per trailer & you pay only for space used | 16 x 8 x 8 ft. max per container |
| Loading time | 3 business days each to load & unload | As long as you need |
| Parking | About 40 ft. for trailer & ramp | Driveway or street |
| Coverage included | Yes | No |
Key considerations
Weigh these factors as you compare PODS vs. U-Pack:
- Availability: PODS handles local and long-distance moves, while U-Pack only handles long-distance moves. U-Pack covers all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada, compared to 46 states, including D.C., for PODS.
- Loading time: PODS customers keep their container as long as they need. U-Pack customers get three business days each to load and unload.
- Coverage: U-Pack’s quotes include standard liability coverage. PODS charges extra for its optional Contents Protection.
U-Pack pros & cons
- Low long-distance rates
- Pay only for space used
- Liability coverage included
- 50 states, Puerto Rico & Canada
- Fewest delays in our survey
- No local moves
- 3 days each to load & unload
- Trailer needs about 40 ft. of parking
rating
5 / 5
1-800-PACK-RAT: Better for easy loading
Why choose 1-800-PACK-RAT
1-800-PACK-RAT matches PODS on container sizes and flexible loading time but adds all-steel construction and barn-style doors. Choose 1-800-PACK-RAT if you want a sturdier container that’s easier to load.
The two companies line up closely on most features:
| PACK-RAT | PODS | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $$$ | $$$ |
| Move types | Local & long-distance | Local & long-distance |
| Coverage | 37 states & D.C. | 46 states incl. D.C. |
| Sizes | 8, 12 & 16 ft. | 8, 12 & 16 ft. |
| Loading time | As long as you need | As long as you need |
| 16-ft. interior | 830 cu. ft. | 16 x 8 x 8 ft. |
| Doors & build | All-steel, barn-style doors | Steel roll-up door |
Key considerations
Keep these differences in mind as you compare PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT:
- Similarities: Both companies offer similar pricing, the same 8-, 12-, and 16-foot container sizes, and flexible loading and unloading time.
- Design: 1-800-PACK-RAT’s barn-style doors swing open, while PODS uses a roll-up door. Barn-style doors make loading easier if you plan to pack the container floor to ceiling.
- Coverage: PODS serves more states than 1-800-PACK-RAT, so confirm both your origin and destination are covered before you book.
1-800-PACK-RAT pros & cons
- All-steel containers
- Easy-load barn-style doors
- Flexible loading time
- 8, 12 & 16-ft. sizes
- Local & long-distance moves
- Prices similar to PODS
- Fewer states than PODS
- Highest damage rate in our survey
rating
4.45 / 5
Zippy Shell: Better for city moves
Why choose Zippy Shell
Zippy Shell uses street-legal, trailer-mounted containers, which makes curbside placement easier in dense cities. PODS offers more container sizes and covers more states, so choose Zippy Shell if parking is your biggest hurdle.
Zippy Shell trades PODS’ size options for easier urban placement:
| Zippy Shell | PODS | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $$ | $$$ |
| Move types | Local & long-distance | Local & long-distance |
| Coverage | 38 states & D.C. | 46 states incl. D.C. |
| Space | 15 ft. (680 cu. ft.) & 10 ft. in some areas | 8, 12 & 16 ft. |
| Loading time | 3 days each to load & unload | As long as you need |
| Parking | Street-legal trailer | Driveway or street |
| Build | Steel shell with airflow cage | Enclosed steel |
Key considerations
Factor these in as you compare Zippy Shell vs. PODS:
- Coverage: Both companies handle local and long-distance moves, but PODS serves more states.
- Loading time: PODS lets you keep your container as long as you need. Zippy Shell gives you up to three days each to load and unload.
- Containers: Zippy Shell’s mesh-cage interior lets air circulate, which helps if you’re storing items prone to mold or mildew.
Zippy Shell pros & cons
- Street-legal containers
- Lower prices than PODS
- Airflow cage helps prevent mold
- 10 & 15-ft. sizes
- Local & long-distance moves
- Fewer states than PODS
- 3 days each to load & unload
- More delays than U-Pack in our survey
rating
4.2 / 5
MovingPlace: Better for large DIY moves
Why choose MovingPlace
MovingPlace ships long-distance moves in full-size 28- and 53-foot freight trailers, which hold far more than a PODS container. Consider MovingPlace if you’ll load and unload yourself but want professionals to handle the driving.
PODS is more convenient for smaller households or moves that need on-site storage.
Space and booking speed are where MovingPlace stands apart:
| MovingPlace | PODS | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $$ | $$$ |
| Move types | Long-distance | Local & long-distance |
| Coverage | Nationwide | 46 states incl. D.C. |
| Space | Up to 4,054 cu. ft. (53-ft. trailer) | 16 x 8 x 8 ft. max per container |
| Parking | Tough for 28 & 53-ft. trailers | Driveway or street |
| Booking | Often available on short notice | Book early in peak season |
Key considerations
Think through these points before choosing MovingPlace over PODS:
- Size: MovingPlace’s 28-foot and 53-foot trailers are a solid fit for big DIY moves that would need two or more PODS containers.
- Access: Full-size trailers can be hard to park in tight urban areas and apartment complexes, which is rarely an issue with PODS.
- Timing: MovingPlace can often supply equipment on short notice when container companies are booked up.
MovingPlace pros & cons
- Most space per shipment
- Short-notice availability
- Fuel included in quotes
- Lower prices than PODS
- Pros handle the driving
- Long-distance moves only
- Big trailers need lots of parking
- No on-site storage
rating
4.0 / 5
U-Box: Better for small moves
Why choose U-Haul U-Box
U-Box containers are smaller and often cheaper than PODS, which makes them a strong fit for studio and one-bedroom moves. PODS offers larger containers that cost less per cubic foot for bigger homes.
U-Box wins on price and reach, while PODS wins on container size:
| U-Box | PODS | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $ | $$$ |
| Move types | Local, long-distance & international | Local & long-distance |
| Coverage | 50 states & Canada | 46 states incl. D.C. |
| Space | One size (257 cu. ft.) | 8, 12 & 16 ft. |
| Loading time | As long as you need | As long as you need |
| Pickup & delivery | Delivered or load at a U-Haul facility | Delivered to your home |
| Build | Plywood & vinyl cover or steel frame | Enclosed steel |
Key considerations
Use these points to decide between PODS vs. U-Box:
- Cost: U-Box consistently comes in below PODS, especially for small local, interstate, or international moves.
- Loading time: Like PODS, U-Box lets you keep your container while you load and unload.
- Pickup and delivery: U-Box offers door-to-door delivery, or you can load at a U-Haul facility to save on delivery fees.
U-Box pros & cons
- Lowest container prices
- 50 states & Canada
- Load-at-facility option
- International shipping
- Keep your box as long as needed
- One small size only
- Most units are plywood
- Large homes need several boxes
See how U-Box compares to PODS and U-Pack.
PODS: The industry pioneer
Why choose PODS
Pete Warhurst founded PODS in 1998, and the company has since completed more than 7 million moves. PODS offers three container sizes, local and long-distance service, and storage at your home or a PODS facility.
That flexibility is why we recommend getting a quote from PODS alongside its competitors. Read our full PODS review for pricing details.
PODS pros & cons
- Keep containers as long as needed
- Storage at home or a facility
- 8, 12 & 16-ft. sizes
- 7 million+ moves completed
- Local & long-distance moves
- Higher prices than most rivals
- Contents Protection costs extra
- No service in some states
rating
4.8 / 5
PODS vs. competitor costs
PODS usually costs more than U-Box and U-Pack for long-distance moves, but it stays competitive on local moves. moveBuddha refreshes its pricing data monthly with 1,000+ live price points from container companies across the U.S., and we used that dataset to build the cost comparisons below.
These are averages. Our moving cost calculator weighs your distance, home size, and move date together, so your estimate reflects your actual move instead of a national average.
Local move costs
Here’s what each company typically charges for a local move, by home size. U-Pack doesn’t handle local moves.
| 1 BR | 2 - 3 BR | 4 - 5 BR |
|---|---|---|
| PODS | ||
| $200 - $400 | $300 - $650 | $300 - $800 |
| U-Box | ||
| $150 - $600 | $300 - $700 | $300 - $800 |
| Zippy Shell | ||
| $190 - $240 | $300 - $630 | $350 - $750 |
| 1-800-PACK-RAT | ||
| $150 - $500 | $200 - $630 | $340 - $790 |
For a closer look at three of these companies, see our PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT vs. U-Pack comparison.
Costs for moves under 250 miles
Here’s what each company typically charges for a move under 250 miles, by home size:
| 1 BR | 2 - 3 BR | 4 - 5 BR |
|---|---|---|
| PODS | ||
| $450 - $800 | $750 - $1,900 | $900 - $2,100 |
| U-Box | ||
| $450 - $1,000 | $700 - $2,000 | $800 - $3,000 |
| U-Pack | ||
| $900 - $1,300 | $1,100 - $1,700 | $1,200 - $1,900 |
| Zippy Shell | ||
| $500 - $920 | $730 - $1,600 | $1,100 - $3,100 |
| 1-800-PACK-RAT | ||
| $465 - $910 | $660 - $1,900 | $1,000 - $3,400 |
Cross-country move costs
Here’s what each company typically charges for a cross-country move, by home size:
| 1 BR | 2 - 3 BR | 4 - 5 BR |
|---|---|---|
| PODS | ||
| $2,000 - $4,000 | $3,000 - $4,900 | $5,500 - $7,600 |
| U-Box | ||
| $1,200 - $3,500 | $2,500 - $4,500 | $4,000 - $7,000 |
| U-Pack | ||
| $1,500 - $2,500 | $2,400 - $3,900 | $3,500 - $6,600 |
| Zippy Shell | ||
| $1,800 - $3,900 | $2,800 - $4,500 | $5,200 - $7,000 |
| 1-800-PACK-RAT | ||
| $1,200 - $3,800 | $2,400 - $4,600 | $5,100 - $6,900 |
Cost matters, but services, coverage area, availability, and reputation should factor into your choice too. PODS currently advertises storage discounts of up to 25% on longer rentals and a 10% military discount, so check its promotions page before you book.
Pro tip: Get quotes from at least two or three container companies before you book, since rates for the same move can vary by $1,000 or more. Our moving cost calculator runs on 1,000+ live price points refreshed every month, so you have a real benchmark to measure each quote against.
On a cross-country move, U-Haul U-Box and U-Pack can cost up to $2,000 less than PODS for a comparable home size.
Customer ratings for PODS competitors
Through the Better Moves Project, moveBuddha has surveyed hundreds of container customers about their moves. Here’s how PODS competitors stack up:
- Costs and budgeting: Final costs for PODS competitors generally run $2,500 - $4,500, with PODS at the higher end, especially for long-distance moves or extended storage. Across all companies, 45% - 55% of customers reported unexpected fees, most often from storage extensions, rescheduling, or third-party labor.
- Delivery timelines: 20% - 40% of customers reported delivery delays. U-Pack customers saw the fewest delays, while Zippy Shell, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and PODS customers reported more scheduling issues, especially in urban areas.
- Damage and loss: 5% - 20% of customers reported damaged or missing items, with U-Pack lowest and 1-800-PACK-RAT highest. About 10% of PODS customers reported damage, usually from loading and unloading rather than the container itself.
- Repeat customers: 90% of U-Pack customers would use the company again, followed by 85% for PODS and 60% - 65% for Zippy Shell and 1-800-PACK-RAT, often because of communication problems or delays.
How moving containers work
A moving container is a portable storage unit that a company delivers to your home, you load on your schedule, and the company ships to your new home or a storage facility. Moving containers cost about 30% less than full-service movers on average because you handle the packing and loading yourself.
- Delivery: PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and Zippy Shell drop a container in your driveway or on the street. U-Box also lets you load at a U-Haul facility, and U-Pack can drop a full freight trailer.
- Loading: PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and U-Box let you keep the container while you pack. U-Pack and Zippy Shell give you about three days each to load and unload.
- Transit and storage: The company picks up the container and ships it to your new home or holds it in storage until you’re ready. U-Pack averages 4 - 6 business days in transit.
Which PODS alternative is best for you?
The right PODS alternative depends on your distance, home size, and parking: U-Pack for budget cross-country moves, U-Box for small moves, and Zippy Shell for tight city streets. If a container isn’t the right fit, renting a truck from a company like Penske or hiring one of the best moving companies may work better.
If you decide on full-service movers, the moveBuddha Mover Marketplace collects up to five no-obligation quotes from one request and lets you book directly. Booking a moveBuddha Certified mover adds $1,000 in coverage plus dispute mediation if something goes wrong. Before you book any mover, look up its USDOT number in the FMCSA’s Protect Your Move search tool.
Our research & review process
- We’re not a broker. We never sell or share your information.
- We mystery shop movers to get firsthand data.
- We interview moving customers through the Better Moves Project.
- We review movers’ licensing, insurance, and service history through moveBuddha Certified.
- We score each mover across a 72-point rating system covering reputation, licensing, pricing transparency, and customer service.
- We compare quotes and track market trends to provide accurate pricing guidance.
PODS competitor FAQs
Which moving container company is cheapest for a long-distance move?
The cheapest moving container companies for a long-distance move are usually U-Haul U-Box and U-Pack. A cross-country one-bedroom move runs $1,200 - $3,500 with U-Box and $1,500 - $2,500 with U-Pack, compared to $2,000 - $4,000 with PODS. See our list of the cheapest moving containers and compare at least three quotes before you book.
Are moving containers cheaper than full-service movers?
Yes, moving containers are cheaper than full-service movers, costing about 30% less on average. You pack and load the container yourself, and the company handles the driving. If you’d rather hire out the labor, start with our list of the best moving companies.
How much weight can a moving container hold?
A moving container can hold 2,000 - 6,000 pounds, depending on the company and size. PODS containers hold 4,200 - 5,200 pounds, 1-800-PACK-RAT holds up to 6,000 pounds, U-Pack’s ReloCube holds up to 2,500 pounds, and U-Box holds up to 2,000 pounds. Check the limit in our moving container sizes guide before you pack heavy items like books or gym equipment.
Does PODS include insurance?
No, PODS doesn’t include insurance in its quotes, while U-Pack quotes include standard liability coverage. About 10% of PODS customers in our reader survey reported damaged items, mostly from loading and unloading. Add PODS’ optional Contents Protection or a separate moving insurance policy before you load.
Do moving container companies require a deposit?
Moving container companies like PODS and U-Pack don’t require a separate deposit, but they charge at different times. PODS charges for long-distance transport seven days before transit, while U-Pack doesn’t charge until your shipment is in transit. If cash flow timing matters, U-Pack’s pay-later structure is the most flexible.
How long does it take to ship a moving container?
Shipping a moving container takes 4 - 14 business days, depending on the company and distance. U-Pack averages 4 - 6 business days, while 1-800-PACK-RAT can take up to 10 business days for moves under 1,500 miles. PODS and U-Box list estimated transit times on each quote, so get that estimate in writing if your dates are firm.
How far in advance should I book a moving container?
Book a moving container at least a month in advance, and earlier for a summer move. According to moveBuddha data, about 41% of annual moves happen between May and August, so container availability tightens fast in peak moving season. Use our moving cost calculator to compare dates and prices before you reserve.
How we chose the best moving companies
The moveBuddha team has spent nearly 10 years evaluating moving companies using a rigorous review system to identify the best moving companies. Our thorough methodology evaluates each moving company's services, cost, customer service, and reputation:
Moving services (35%):
We verify operating authority, insurance, and service scope against FMCSA/SAFER and state databases. We confirm availability via standardized mystery-shopping calls (packing tiers, storage type, specialty handling, delivery windows, valuation), and then review contracts alongside complaint and claims patterns over time.
Customer feedback (28%):
We run structured post-move surveys through our Better Moves Project with verifiable documentation. We emphasize on-time performance, care of goods, and estimates’ accuracy, and we investigate outliers before they influence scores.
Online reviews (7%):
We aggregate ratings across multiple third-party sites to reduce platform bias, analyze overall trends and company response behavior, and discount obvious spam/fake signals such as sudden bursts, duplicate language, and low-history profiles.
State availability (12%):
We confirm USDOT numbers, broker vs. carrier status, and any required state permits, then score a state-by-state service matrix that accounts for coverage gaps, seasonal limits, and lane strength. We award additional credit for documented cross-border or specialty lanes.
Additional services (12%):
We verify whether add-ons are performed in-house or subcontracted, look for crew training/certifications for high-value or oversized items, count only documented offerings (tariffs, photos, written service descriptions) confirmed via mystery shopping, and reward robust pre-move planning (virtual surveys, itemized crating).
Quotes/Payment options (6%):
We test standardized move profiles to assess estimate type (binding, not-to-exceed, non-binding), line-item transparency, and disclosed surcharges, require clear written policies for deposits, refunds, and cancellations, and award points for secure, flexible payment methods and customer portals.
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