PODS vs 1-800-PACK-RAT vs U-Pack: A Three-Way Showdown

Overall opinion: In this article, we’ll be taking a look at three major players in the container moving landscape. All of them are high-quality, trustworthy companies with good customer reviews, but if we had to pick just one, we’d go with U-Pack.

U-Pack reviews are consistently great. In addition, the company’s great national coverage, convenient container options, and transparent pricing made it our top pick as the best moving container company. While you should get a quote from all three of these companies when planning a move to a new home, our favorite is U-Pack.

Portable storage container companies at a glance

Container moving companies are popular for a reason. They take the affordability of a DIY move — where you rent a truck or trailer and do the whole thing yourself — and remove the scariest part: Having to haul a trailer or drive a giant moving truck rental.

It’s the perfect “middle ground” moving experience between DIY and full-service professional movers — and it’s no wonder people are confused about which provider to go with. Dozens of these companies have popped up since portable storage containers became a thing in the late ‘90s.

Regardless of the company you use, most follow a similar business model. You order the number of containers you need for your move. The company will drop off the containers at home, after which you’ll generally have a set number of business days to load everything up. Once you’ve packed your containers, the company will pick them up and transport them to your destination.

Some of these companies also offer short and long-term storage options, such as climate-controlled storage facilities where you can keep your container until you’re ready to move into your new place. This way, you don’t have to unload everything into a storage unit as part of your move!

Because of this, moving containers are sometimes used as residential storage containers, as some companies allow you to rent your containers indefinitely for onsite storage. Storage services vary depending on the company.

In this showdown, we’ll take a closer look at PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, and U-Pack — three extremely established and well-known companies in the container moving landscape. Any of these three would be a solid choice for your move, but if you’re looking for the perfect match for your moving needs, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll compare their moving service offerings, availability, containers, prices, and more, so you should be equipped with way more information to help you choose the right moving company for you.

Let’s meet our competitors, in alphabetical order.

PODS vs 1-800-PACK-RAT vs U-Pack: What we love and what we don’t

Each of these companies has its own set of pros and cons, so let’s dive right in. These are some of the biggest factors we think you should consider when choosing between these moving container companies.

ABF U-Pack: Long distance moves at the best prices

What we love:U-Pack (not to be confused with U-Haul) is the container moving branch of shipping company ABF, which means there’s a lot of experience behind your move. The company offers great prices for long-distance moves. While U-Pack ReloCubes are only available in one container size, you can order as many as you need for your move. A 27-foot moving trailer is also available. To help you get the most bang for your buck, you only pay for the space you actually use.What we don’t:U-Pack doesn’t do any local moves. If your move is over 100 miles, you’re in luck — otherwise, U-Pack services won’t be an option for you.

U-Pack Pros

U-Pack Cons

Usually less expensive than a full-service move Super transparent pricing with a no-hidden-fees guarantee Instant online quotes Pay for the space you use policy can lower your costs Some of the fastest delivery times we’ve seen, with an online tracker so you can follow your stuff Add-on services available to customize your move Pay-for-the-space-you-use policy for large containers You pack, someone else drives Some of the best national coverage, which is great for people who live in rural areas

Not as flexible as some other companies; canceling within a week of your scheduled move could result in steep fees No local moves Larger trailers can be difficult to park and pack because of their size No onsite storage Only up to three business days for packing and unpacking your containers

PODS: The container moving and storage industry pioneer

What we love:PODS has the most experience out of any company in this industry. PODS practically created container moving when it incorporated in 1998, and has since helped millions of families successfully move. Moving is stressful, and knowing you have PODS’ decades of experience can be a great peace of mind. They also have multiple container size options, including 8-foot, 12-foot, and 16-foot containers.

What we don’t: BecausePODS is so popular, its containers tend to sell out. In fact, during peak moving times like spring and summer, PODS containers can be sold out up to six months in advance. Not everyone is able to plan a move with that much lead time, so if you’re moving without a ton of notice, PODS may not even be available for you.

PODS Pros

PODS Cons

Usually less expensive than a full-service move Flexibility to cancel or change your plans up to the day before your move with full refunds available Minimum rental time is 30 days, so you can take as much time as you need to pack and unpack Onsite or facility storage available Multiple container sizes You pack, someone else drives Good nationwide coverage, and some international coverage Local and long-distance moves Online shipment tracking Military discounts Various insurance options available

The website is missing some important information Pricing can be higher than the competition You can’t get a quote or book online for most moves, which means you’ll probably spend some time on the phone Often sold out months in advance 12-foot containers are only available for local moves

For more information, read ourcomprehensive PODS review and our full breakdown ofPODS pricing.

1-800-PACK-RAT: Container moves for the seriously budget-minded

What we love:Pack Rat puts a real focus on having some of the most competitive pricing in the industry. Not only are its quotes generally very competitive, but the company allows haggling when getting a quote over the phone, which means you might be able to lock in a price even lower than your initial quote. Three different sizes of containers (8, 12, and 16 feet) give added flexibility for your packing needs.

What we don’t:Pack Rat only operates in 29 states, which means almost half the country doesn’t have a location nearby. Pack Rat storage locations can also be a little limited. That doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t use a Pack Rat rental for your move, but you’ll likely have to pay more for container delivery and pick up if the driver has to travel a long way from a Pack Rat location.

1-800-PACK-RAT Pros

1-800-PACK-RAT Cons

Available for both local and long-distance moves Usually less expensive than a full-service move Flexible policies allow cancellation or changes up to 48 hours before your scheduled move with full refunds No tight deadlines — pack and unpack at your own pace 30 days storage included in base price Multiple container sizes available Barn-style container doors make packing easier Free lock provided for long-distance moves You pack, someone else drives $10k contents protection insurance included with long-distance moves, with the option to buy more

Website is just OK — some important information is missing You can’t get a quote or book online Monthly storage fee can’t be prorated U.S. service areas aren’t great, and international moves aren’t offered at all Long-distance moves sometimes come with unexpected fuel surcharges, meaning customers got a surprise bigger bill at the end of their move No pickups or deliveries on Sundays

Learn more in our comprehensive review of Pack Rat.

PODS vs Pack Rat vs U-Pack: all the services offered

While PODS, Pack Rat, and U-Pack all follow the same basic moving and storage company business model, there are some differences in their services that you’ll want to consider. Here’s an overview of how their services compare.

	PODS	Pack Rat	U-Pack
Moving	✔	✔	✔
Storage at a Facility	✔	✔	✔
Storage on Your Property	✔	✔	No
Storage Between Destinations During a Move	✔	✔	✔
Delivery and Pickup of Containers	✔	✔	✔
You Pack the Containers	✔	✔	✔
Professionals Pack the Containers	Available as an add-on with contractors	Available as an add-on service	Available as an add-on service
Limited Time to Pack Containers			✔ (Up to three business days)
Shipment of Containers to New Address	✔	✔	✔
Insurance Included	No	✔ for long-distance moves only	✔
Insurance Available to Purchase	✔	✔	✔
Free Cancelation or Modification	✔ (Up to the day before your move)	✔ (Up to 48 hours before your move)	No

One of the most notable differences is that PODS and Pack Rat both offer onsite storage, while U-Pack only offers storage at its facilities. PODS and Pack Rat also have more flexible cancelation policies and allow unlimited time for packing and unpacking.

However, U-Pack is the only company out of these three to include insurance on every booking. U-Pack is also the only company to offer its unique pricing plan, where you only pay for the space that you actually use.

PODS vs 1-800-PACK-RAT vs U-Pack: Are you in their service area?

If the starting and ending zip codes for your move aren’t in a service area for a specific moving company, that company is off the table for you. You’ll have to head to each company’s website to check specific zip codes, but here are the general places you can work with PODS, Pack Rat, and U-Pack.

	PODS	Pack Rat	U-Pack
Available in the U.S.?	In 44 states	In 29 states	All 50 states and Puerto Rico
Available in Canada?	Yes	No	Yes
Available internationally?	Yes, in Australia	No	No

In this category, U-Pack is the clear winner (unless you’re Australian). Pack Rat only operates in just over half of the United States and has no international presence. PODS operates in most states and Canada, as well as Australia. U-Pack operates in all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico and Canada.

PODS vs 1-800-PACK-RAT vs U-Pack: Who has the best containers?

In this case, all three of our competitors have very similar offerings. They all offer multiple container sizes, and they’re all made of sturdy, weather-resistant steel frames. For the winner in this category, it all comes down to convenience. Here’s how they stack up.

	PODS	Pack Rat	U-Pack
How many container sizes available?	3	3	2
What are the container sizes?	8-foot 12-foot 16-foot	8-foot 12-foot 16-foot	7-foot Relocube 27-foot trailer (only pay for the space you use)
Storage available for all container sizes?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Cubic footage available?	402-835 cf	404-830 cf	308-1,944 cf
Container material?	Metal	Metal	Metal

Once again, the winner is U-Pack. Its ReloCubes are great for small moves, and if you have a larger home, the 27-foot trailer ensures you’ll have enough room for everything. Most importantly, you won’t overestimate or overpay, since you only pay for the space you use.

PODS vs 1-800-PACK-RAT vs U-Pack: How much does a container move cost?

We know that prices are a major consideration for most people when they choose a moving company. But before we get into the average cost for these three companies, just a reminder that these are just that: averages.

Tons of factors affect the cost of a move. Your starting and ending zip codes, the time of year, weather, fuel prices, your move date, and the size of your home are just some of the factors that will be taken into consideration. Every move is different, so make sure to get a personalized quote from each company you’re considering.

With that said, here’s how PODS, Pack Rat, and U-Pack compare when it comes to average prices for different kinds of moves.

Cost for a Local Move

	PODS	Pack Rat	U-Pack
1 bedroom	$200 – $400	$150 – $500	Not Available for Local Moves
2-3 bedrooms	$300 – $650	$200 – $630	Not Available for Local Moves
4-5 bedrooms	$300 – $800	$340 – $790	Not Available for Local Moves

Cost for a Move < 250 Miles

	PODS	Pack Rat	U-Pack
1 bedroom	$450 – $800	$465 – $910	$900 – $1,300
2-3 bedrooms	$750 – $1,900	$660 – $1,900	$1,100 – $1,700
4-5 bedrooms	$900 – $2,100	$1,000 – $3,400	$1,200 – $1,900

Cost for a Cross-Country Move

	PODS	Pack Rat	U-Pack
1 bedroom	$2,000 – $4,000	$1,200 – $3,800	$1,500 – $2,500
2-3 bedrooms	$3,000 – $4,900	$2,400 – $4,600	$2,400 – $3,900
4-5 bedrooms	$5,500 – $7,600	$5,100 – $6,900	$3,500 – $6,600

Once again, U-Pack wins. As long as you’re doing a long-distance move, U-Pack tends to have the best prices out of these three. But remember, that may not be the case for your particular move. Get customized quotes before you make any decisions based on price.

PODS vs 1-800-PACK-RAT vs U-Pack: Which container moving company is right for you?

Ultimately, only you can decide which company best fits your needs, preferred moving process, and budget. We may like U-Pack best out of these three options, but all three are great choices and we recommend getting free quotes from all of them before you book anything.

In fact, before you choose a moving company, you should compare moving quotes and offerings from as many companies as possible. By fully understanding your available options between container companies, full-service movers, and DIY companies, you can make the best choice for your family’s move.