Head-to-head

PODS vs U-Pack

PODS vs U-Pack on a 1,200-mile two-bedroom cost, loading time, storage, cancellation fees, states served, protection and reviews. Verified Oct 30, 2026.

Updated October 30, 2026

PODS and U-Pack are the two container brands most people quote first, and they could hardly be built more differently. PODS rents you a steel box by the month, lets it sit at either end or in one of 240+ storage centers, and sells contents coverage up to $300,000. U-Pack sells trailer space by the linear foot or ReloCubes by the cube, gives you three business days at each end, charges nothing until pickup and posts a 4.9 Trustpilot score from 1,443 reviews. On HireAHelper's customer-reported averages for a typical two-bedroom apartment moved about 1,200 miles, U-Pack was $2,501.73 and PODS $2,591 (August 2026); PODS serves 44 states plus local moves, U-Pack serves all 50 but only for long-distance. The scorecard below applies the same five criteria to both.

Our scoring says

PODS scores higher (77 vs 76) on our published criteria. Availability at your address and your own priorities decide whether that gap matters — check both.

Top score in this comparison

PODS

Moves that need storage Editorial listing

Three container sizes, 240+ storage centers and month-to-month billing: the most flexible option for moves that need storage in between.

Sample long-distance cost: $2,591
Pricing model: Per container per month + delivery/pickup + long-distance transport
Container sizes: 8 ft (5,200 lb), 12 ft (4,700 lb, local only), 16 ft (4,200 lb)
Loading window: No fixed limit (billed monthly)
Storage included: First month included; at home or at 240+ PODS Storage Centers
Cancellation terms: Free until 4 p.m. local time 3 days before delivery; $150 after

First month of container use included; load at your own pace
Contents protection from $38.95/month for $5,000 up to $300,000, priced on PODS’ own FAQ
Trustpilot 4.1 from 13,761 reviews and BBB A+

Not available in AK, MT, ND, WY (and VT/WV per moveBuddha); 12-ft container is local-only
Free cancellation ends at 4 p.m. three days before delivery; $150 after

Could not verify: No official sample quote; price metric uses HireAHelper's customer-reported average; State count conflicts between sources (44 vs 46); PODS does not publish a list; PODS' own cancellation page did not render; terms taken from HireAHelper and moveBuddha; …

Visit PODS

U-Pack

Best long-distance container value Partner

You pack, they drive: ReloCube containers and trailer space for long-distance moves, priced by what you use.

Sample long-distance cost: $2,501.73
Pricing model: Pay for space used
Container sizes: ReloCube 6'3" x 7' x 8'4" (308 cu ft, 2,500 lb) or 28-ft trailer space
Loading window: 3 business days to load, 3 to unload
Storage included: 30 days (ReloCube, at service center)
Cancellation terms: Free >7 days out; $50 within 7 days; $150 on move date

Pay only for the trailer space or ReloCubes you use; no deposit, nothing charged until pickup
Trustpilot 4.9 from 1,443 reviews; BBB A+ accredited since 2001
Cancel free more than 7 days out; liability terms published in full

Long-distance only — no local moves; 3 business days each to load and unload
Base negligence coverage is 10 cents per pound; fuller coverage costs $75-$175

Could not verify: No official sample quote for a 2-bedroom, 1,000-mile move; price metric uses HireAHelper's customer-reported average; Alaska service not confirmed on U-Pack's FAQ; BBB complaint counts not shown on the profile page reviewed

Check availability

Where they differ

Metric	PODS	U-Pack	Edge
Price (sample long-distance move)	2591	2501.73	U-Pack
Flexibility	9	5	PODS
Service area	44	50	U-Pack
Customer satisfaction	4.53	4.83	U-Pack
Liability & protection	6	6	—
Sample long-distance cost (typical 2-bed apt, ~1,200 mi)	$2,591	$2,501.73	—
Pricing model	Per container per month + delivery/pickup + long-distance transport	Pay for space used	—
Container sizes	8 ft (5,200 lb), 12 ft (4,700 lb, local only), 16 ft (4,200 lb)	ReloCube 6'3" x 7' x 8'4" (308 cu ft, 2,500 lb) or 28-ft trailer space	—
Loading window	No fixed limit (billed monthly)	3 business days to load, 3 to unload	—
Storage included	First month included; at home or at 240+ PODS Storage Centers	30 days (ReloCube, at service center)	—
Cancellation terms	Free until 4 p.m. local time 3 days before delivery; $150 after	Free >7 days out; $50 within 7 days; $150 on move date	—
States served	44 (+DC)	50 (plus Canada and Puerto Rico)	—
Contents protection	Included: $0.60/lb released value; optional Contents Protection $5,000-$300,000 for $38.95-$516.95/month, $100 deductible	Included: 10 cents/lb carrier negligence + catastrophic $3/lb up to $7,500 per ReloCube; optional $1-$3/lb for $75-$175	—
Satisfaction inputs	Trustpilot 4.1/5 (13,761) · HireAHelper 4.5/5 (8,889) · BBB A+	Trustpilot 4.9/5 (1,443) · HireAHelper 4.6/5 (739) · BBB A+ (accredited since 2001)	—

Side-by-side: the numbers behind the ranking

Observed October 30, 2026 from provider pages and the dated sources listed below. Hover or tap a value for the note behind it.

Provider	PODS Score 77	U-Pack Score 76
Sample long-distance cost (typical 2-bed apt, ~1,200 mi)	$2,591	$2,501.73
Pricing model	Per container per month + delivery/pickup + long-distance transport	Pay for space used
Container sizes	8 ft (5,200 lb), 12 ft (4,700 lb, local only), 16 ft (4,200 lb)	ReloCube 6'3" x 7' x 8'4" (308 cu ft, 2,500 lb) or 28-ft trailer space
Loading window	No fixed limit (billed monthly)	3 business days to load, 3 to unload
Storage included	First month included; at home or at 240+ PODS Storage Centers	30 days (ReloCube, at service center)
Cancellation terms	Free until 4 p.m. local time 3 days before delivery; $150 after	Free >7 days out; $50 within 7 days; $150 on move date
States served	44 (+DC)	50 (plus Canada and Puerto Rico)
Contents protection	Included: $0.60/lb released value; optional Contents Protection $5,000-$300,000 for $38.95-$516.95/month, $100 deductible	Included: 10 cents/lb carrier negligence + catastrophic $3/lb up to $7,500 per ReloCube; optional $1-$3/lb for $75-$175
Satisfaction inputs	Trustpilot 4.1/5 (13,761) · HireAHelper 4.5/5 (8,889) · BBB A+	Trustpilot 4.9/5 (1,443) · HireAHelper 4.6/5 (739) · BBB A+ (accredited since 2001)
Rubric scores (flexibility / protection, 0-10)	9 / 6	5 / 6

Where PODS is stronger

Time and storage. There is no loading deadline, the first month is included, and you can keep the container at home or send it to a storage center you can visit by appointment. Three sizes (8, 12 and 16 feet) and local moves mean one vendor can handle a staged move. PODS also publishes its Contents Protection prices ($38.95 a month for $5,000 up to $516.95 for $300,000, $100 deductible) on its own FAQ.

Where U-Pack is stronger

Commitment and reputation. No deposit, nothing charged until your shipment ships, cancellation free more than seven days out, and liability terms published in full, including catastrophic coverage of $3 per pound up to $7,500 per ReloCube. Transit runs four to six business days with tracking. Its blended satisfaction (4.83) is the highest in our set against PODS' 4.53, and PODS has 1,802 BBB complaints in three years.

Watch-outs on both

PODS: the $150 fee once you pass the 4 p.m., three-days-before cutoff; the 12-foot container is local-only; the 16-foot box carries the lowest weight limit (4,200 lb); no reliable online quote without a sales call. U-Pack: three business days to load and three to unload; no local moves; no access to stored cubes; base negligence coverage of only 10 cents per pound unless you pay $75-$175 for more.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, PODS or U-Pack?

For a typical two-bedroom apartment moved about 1,200 miles, HireAHelper's customer-reported averages were $2,501.73 for U-Pack and $2,591 for PODS (August 2026). This Old House's average of five quotes for a two-bedroom 500-800 mile move was $2,361 for U-Pack and $2,721 for PODS (June 2026). Your route can flip that; quote both.

Which one lets me take longer to load?

PODS. Its containers rent month to month with no loading deadline. U-Pack allows three business days to load and three to unload, with longer windows available by arrangement.

Which has better protection included?

Neither includes much. PODS includes $0.60 per pound; U-Pack includes 10 cents per pound for negligence plus catastrophic coverage up to $7,500 per ReloCube. PODS sells far higher optional limits (up to $300,000); U-Pack's upgrades top out at $7,500 per cube.

Can I use either for a local move?

PODS yes; U-Pack no. U-Pack handles long-distance moves only, with a 100- to 150-mile minimum depending on the source.

Sources and verification

Official container size guide: 8' x 7' x 8', 12' x 8' x 8', 16' x 8' x 8'; 12-ft local-only (under 50 miles); one month of storage included in every move; storage-center option (posted May 19, 2026) — pods.com (observed 2026-10-30)
PODS FAQ: weight limits 5,200/4,700/4,200 lb; interior dimensions; Contents Protection $38.95/month for $5,000 up to $516.95/month for $300,000; coverage only added before initial delivery; unlimited storage-center access by appointment with 24-48 hours' notice — pods.com (observed 2026-10-30)
PODS contents-protection page: coverage $5,000 to $300,000; $100 deductible; depreciated-value payout; Container Only Option excludes contents — pods.com (observed 2026-10-30)
Trustpilot TrustScore 4.1/5 from 13,761 reviews; claimed Sep 2015; 3,825 reviews in last 12 months — trustpilot.com (observed 2026-10-30)
BBB Atlanta profile: A+, 27 years in business; headquarters link to Clearwater — bbb.org (observed 2026-10-30)
BBB Clearwater HQ profile: accredited seal; 1,802 total complaints in last 3 years; 376 closed in last 12 months; 13535 Feather Sound Drive — prod.bbb.org (observed 2026-10-30)
moveBuddha: BBB A+ accredited; Trustpilot 4.1/5 from 13,700+; 44 states + DC, not AK/MT/ND/VT/WV/WY; $0.60/lb included, Contents Protection Option $100 deductible, some markets include $10,000; cancellation free until 4 p.m. 3 days before delivery then $150; AZ-WA 16-ft 2BR $3,252; MN-WA 3BR $2,836; 240+ storage centers; rating 4.8 (updated Oct 23, 2026) — movebuddha.com (observed 2026-10-30)
moveBuddha: 2-3 BR over 250 mi $3,100-$4,960; first 30 days included; unlimited loading time; military up to 10% off (updated Oct 14, 2026) — movebuddha.com (observed 2026-10-30)
HireAHelper: customer-reported averages (large 1-bed / typical 2-bed apt ~1,200 mi $2,591; 3-bed apt / 2-bed house $2,722); 4.5/5 from 8,889 reviews; fee list; first 30 days included; local moves offered (Aug 14, 2026) — hireahelper.com (observed 2026-10-30)
HireAHelper PODS cancellation explainer: cancel by 4 p.m. local time 3 days before first delivery for no fee; $150 late fee; phone or live chat only; card processed ~7 days before delivery; storage not prorated (Jul 15, 2026) — hireahelper.com (observed 2026-10-30)
ConsumerAffairs: 4.5 from 5,876 reviews; $4,213 for one 16-ft container Dallas-Denver (Mar 4, 2026); up to 1 month to load (updated Sep 22, 2026) — consumeraffairs.com (observed 2026-10-30)
Move.org: 46 states, not AK/MT/ND/WY, DC and HI served; Move.org rating 4.6/5; 'confusing prices'; 30% promo on local delivery/redelivery/first month (modified Oct 27, 2026) — move.org (observed 2026-10-30)
This Old House: 2BR 500-800 mi average $2,721; 44 states; no fee to cancel/reschedule at least three days before delivery; no deposit; TOH rating 4.4/5 (updated Jun 18, 2026) — thisoldhouse.com (observed 2026-10-30)
NerdWallet roundup: PODS 4.0/5; no reliable online quote without a salesperson; container can stay as long as you want; day-certain delivery; BBB 'average' with high complaint count (Jul 16, 2025) — nerdwallet.com (observed 2026-10-30)
Trailer priced by linear feet used with 5-foot minimum; ReloCube rates depend on number of containers; 3 business days to load and 3 to unload; 4-6 business day transit; 'No deposits. No hidden fees.' — upack.com (observed 2026-10-30)
FAQ: up to 3 business days to load/unload; every ReloCube includes 30 days of storage if added at reservation; trailers storable up to 120 days; no cancellation fee >7 days out, $50 within 7 days, $150 on move date; no deposit, charged once shipped; 240+ service centers across U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico; Hawaii/Puerto Rico offshore fees; U-Pack Guaranteed delivery option — upack.com (observed 2026-10-30)
Liability Statement: catastrophic coverage $3.00/lb up to $60,000 per trailer and $7,500 per ReloCube; carrier negligence 10 cents/lb; optional $75/$125/$175 tiers; claims within nine months — upack.com (observed 2026-10-30)
ReloCube 6'3" x 7' x 8'4", 308 cu ft, up to 2,500 lbs; example $6,418 Seattle-Nashville 3BR July 2026 incl. standard liability coverage; 30 days storage free then from $150/Cube/month (article dated Jun 5, 2026) — upack.com (observed 2026-10-30)
BBB A+, accredited since 2/13/2001, Fort Smith AR, 29 years in business — bbb.org (observed 2026-10-30)
Trustpilot TrustScore 4.9/5 from 1,443 reviews; claimed profile since Sep 2015 — trustpilot.com (observed 2026-10-30)
HireAHelper: 28' x 8' x 9' trailer ~1,944 cu ft; customer-reported averages (large 1-bed / typical 2-bed apt ~1,200 mi $2,501.73; 3-bed apt / 2-bed house $2,628.85); 4.6/5 from 739 reviews; service-center-only storage with no access; fee list; no local moves (Aug 14, 2026) — hireahelper.com (observed 2026-10-30)