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Monday, December 2nd
iPostal1 serves as an interface between you and various partner locations around the globe that you can use as a physical address for your personal mail or your company. Launched in 2015 as an integration of a long-standing digital mailbox platform with international mail forwarding capabilities, iPostal1 uses retail pack-and-ship stores and executive coworking spaces in office buildings to help you obscure your personal address, protect packages from porch pirates when you're not home, or simply receive and scan your mail while you travel the world.
Choose from domestic and international addresses
As we mentioned, iPostal1 connects you with a network of postal service providers. That goes everywhere from Alabama to Wyoming and from Austria to the UK. Although iPostal1 isn't in quite as many countries as its closest rival on our list, they've got more stateside options than the competition. For example, you'll have 532 choices in California, 325 in Texas, 212 in New York, even locations in the USVI and Puerto Rico if you prefer. Click on a state or country and you'll be able to see the specific cities where iPostal1 can get you set up. There aren't many filters, even when you select a city, beyond options with international forwarding capabilities or ones in office buildings. So, you'll have to click through each one to see the details for what's provided. iPostal1 doesn't disclose the name of the operator for each location, but a quick Google should do the trick (if that's important for you to know).
Multiple tiers of pricing and service
There are three main tiers of service offered by iPostal1's network of providers:
Mailbox types also affect pricing
However, there's another little tweaky part to the pricing at iPostal1 - or rather, with the options among the partner locations you can select. Mailbox locations are designated as "Standard”, "Select”, "Premium”, or "Prestige”, and that too will affect how much you pay. It's a lot to take in!
Lots of services with extra fees
Before you sign up for a mail scanning plan here, we also recommend that you go take a look at the "Optional Services” list. It applies to all packages and tiers of service, and it's also why some iPostal1 clients grumble about feeling nickel-and-dimed here. Mail items above plan maximum? $0.35 each. Scanning the contents of an envelope (and not just the outside, which gets uploaded to your virtual mailbox dashboard)? $2.25 for up to 10 pages, then $0.25/page after. Check deposit by mail? $4.95 plus trackable shipping for scanning up to 5 checks. Extended storage? $1.10/item per month on letters and such, or $1.10 per pound on packages. You get the idea.
Good record with the BBB, despite complaints
The Better Business Bureau has given its accreditation and "A+” rating to iPostal1, despite having almost 150 complaints filed there in the last three years. That high grade means that the BBB hasn't found any issues with the way the company has responded to those client concerns. Plus, there were almost 300 people who came to the BBB to leave a review (separate from complaints), and those average a respectable 4.3 out of 5 stars. Feedback left via Trustpilot and compiled by Google is roughly the same in the pros and cons department.
Can be tricky at the outset
But, reading through more recent comments reveals that more than a few new clients got stuck at the verification and notarization step of setting up their accounts. You might wind up having to use iPostal1's service, which in some cases has had customers going in circles. Others sail right through and create their new virtual mailbox with no issues.
Solid choice for mail scanning
Overall, we'd say that iPostal1 comes in as better than average. You've got more locations to choose from than some comparable mail scanning services, and even though it can be annoying to have to sift through all of the pricing options, it lets you get really granular about what you pay for. It can get spendy fast with iPostal1, and not everyone has a flawless experience. But, on the whole, people seem to be happy with this service and with the partner locations that iPostal1 has selected for its network. This is a good backup plan if you don't find the mail scanning packages you need with a higher-ranked provider on our list.
When you're away for an extended period (such as traveling long-term or working overseas) - or you simply want a digital solution for handling your company's mail - mail scanning services provide a practical alternative. Instead of your mail piling up at home or sitting in a physical mailbox, these services receive your mail at a secure facility where they're opened, scanned, and uploaded for you to view online.
As you explore different mail scanning services, it's essential to know what features matter most. A good service will offer not only secure access to your mail but also options like package forwarding, mail storage, and shredding. For businesses, services that can handle a variety of document types, including legal and financial paperwork, are a huge plus.
Most providers let you decide what to do with each piece of mail - store it, forward it, or have it securely shredded. Some even offer access to their features from a convenient online dashboard.
How much do mail scanning services typically cost? Pricing can be a bit tricky. Some services bundle almost everything into a single monthly fee, while others have tiered plans or charge a la carte for many features like extra scans, check depositing, or package forwarding. It's important to clarify what's included upfront, so you don't end up with unexpected fees. Depending on your volume of mail and the services you need, the total cost can vary significantly, so you'll want to compare the value provided by each mail scanning provider.
There are quite a few options for mail scanning out there today. Confused by which one is right for you? To help you narrow them down, consider these criteria:
To help you get the right mail scanning service for your needs, the world-traveling experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched and ranked some of today's most popular options. Use this information to sort the best from the worst and pick a mail scanning provider that will make your life easier, whether you're trotting the globe in an RV or simply trying to take your corporate mailroom to the all-digital level!
Select any 2 Mail Scanning Services to compare them head to head