U-Box Competitors: 4 of The Best Container Moving Alternatives to U-Box

Be sure to check out the companies’ customer reviews, as well as look them up with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see what their BBB rating is. Don’t wait till your move date to be met with an unhappy surprise! Research and prepare ahead of time. 

Check out our list of the best moving container companies to see how we rate different container moving solutions.

Before your move, use our moving cost calculator to get a free quote on the estimated cost of your move. A moving estimate is extremely helpful as you’re pricing out your move. If you’re preparing for an interstate move, you’ll want to budget more money for moving day as interstate moves are more expensive. (Here are the best interstate moving companies.)

The companies outlined below are legitimate, reputable moving companies; it’s still worth reading customer reviews to check for any bad reviews that may raise red flags for you. 

We’re comparing some of the biggest names in the moving industry, so you’ve likely already heard of them, or come across them in your search for the best moving company. We’re going to compare the following: 

• U-Pack
• PODS
• Zippy Shell
• 1-800-PACK-RAT

But first, let’s talk about U-Haul’s U-Box.

U-Haul U-Box: Customizable Moves From a Budget-Friendly Company You Can Trust

While the basics of what container moving companies provide stay pretty consistent across the moving industry, there are a lot of small differences in the services and terms from company to company. Be aware of these so you go with the company that’ll best help you with your move into your new home on move day.

Here’s how services compare for U-Box, and U-Box competitors including U-Pack, PODS, Zippy Shell, and Pack Rat.

Of course, nothing—not services, not cost, not add ons—matters if a company isn’t available in your area. Not sure if you’ll be able to book your move with U-Box or U-Box competitors? Here’s how availability for U-Box, U-Pack, PODS, Zippy Shell, and Pack Rat stacks up:

One important factor to consider when you’re comparing container companies is the containers themselves.

In this case, we’re comparing container moving and storage unit industry leaders, who almost all follow best practices as far as having sturdy, metal containers that will keep your belongings secure and out of the elements (with the exception of U-Box).

Since these U-Box competitors have containers that are constructed in similar ways, you should look at how many sizes are available and what those sizes are to determine which company is the best fit for your moving needs to help you transition seamlessly into your new home.

For U-Box, U-Pack, PODS, Zippy Shell, and Pack Rat, here’s how the containers themselves compare.

*Officially, Zippy Shell offers two container sizes. But when we tried to find out information about the 10-foot containers, a representative on the phone told us they don’t have them. 

When we pressed her further, she said they’re only available at such a limited number of Zippy Shell locations, it’s easier to just tell customers they don’t have them at all. You’ll have to call your local Zippy Shell to see what your options are, but it sounds like you shouldn’t count on having 10-foot containers available.

When you’re researching moving companies and U-Box competitors, cost is one of the biggest factors you’ll take into consideration. 

We’ve compiled some average costs for U-Box and its alternatives, so you can have a ballpark idea of how much a move with each company might cost you on moving day.

Note that these are just averages. There are many factors that go into pricing a move, like the moving distance, gas prices, the amount of household goods you’re moving, whether you add on extra services, the time of year, and more. 

The only way to know how much a moving company will charge you is to work with them to get a personalized free quote. Before choosing a moving company, we recommend getting your own quote from every company you’re considering. 

We also recommend reading customer reviews of the company name to check for any negative reviews. The worst moving companies with bad movers and bait-and-switch tactics tend to have more negative reviews or bad reviews than positive customer reviews. Being a discerning customer almost ensures a productive and easy move into your new home. Dot your i’s and cross your t’s when it comes to doing your pre-move research!

With that said, here are what we found to be average prices for different types of moves with U-Box, U-Pack, PODS, Zippy Shell, and Pack Rat.

Cost for a Local Move

Cost for a Move < 250 Miles

Every move is unique, and every person or family should pick the moving company with reputable movers that can give them the best service at a price point that works for them. 

That’s why we haven’t picked a winner here from this list of U-Box competitors and container moving companies. These are all companies worth considering, and you should get a moving quote from each of them before choosing a moving company to hire for move day. 

Don’t wait until the last minute. Research to find the moving company, moving container company, moving truck or van lines provider, that best fits your needs. Avoid a bad moving company and moving scams like the plague, because they’ll make a challenging thing – moving – an even greater challenge. Good moving services are worth their weight in gold, and we’re here to help you find them. 

Before booking anything, you should compare as many companies and prices as possible, and not just container movers. moveBuddha can help by giving you instant price quotes for multiple movers—container, DIY, and full service—that you can trust.