Physical Address vs Post Scan Mail for 2024

Item: Physical Address vs Post Scan Mail
Rating: 4.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Thursday, December 5th

2024 Virtual Mailbox Service Reviews

Physical Address

Eight address locations to choose from: NY, CA, NV, TX, FL, ID, GA, DE
Same-day scanning of all received mail
No third-party mail centers used to process your mail
Free check depositing
30-day money-back guarantee
"A+” rated by the BBB
In business since 2013

At first glance, you might skip over Physical Address as a virtual mailbox option. The website is pretty low-tech, and it doesn't have a super-professional look and feel. However, don't let that stop you from signing up: this company has worked with over 80,000 clients in more than 50 countries since getting started in 2013, and 99% of them give Physical Address a 4- or 5-star rating. A not-so-slick exterior for a virtual mailbox service that consistently and affordably gets the job done? Absolutely.

Read Full Review

View Service

Post Scan Mail

Over 400 mailing addresses to choose from
View your dashboard via desktop or mobile app
30-day money-back guarantee
"A+” rated by the BBB
In business since 2012

Post Scan Mail is an excellent virtual mailbox service for small business owners, expats, and long-term travelers. You can select from more than 400 address locations in the US and globally, starting at $15 per month. PSM gives you a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, and their reps will offer support if you come across any issues with their third-party mail center locations. Post Scan Mail has earned thousands of five-star ratings from satisfied customers as a reliable option for virtual mailboxes.

Read Full Review

View Service

Read Full Review

View Service

Read Full Review

View Service

The 10 Best Virtual Mailbox Services

US Global Mail

Physical Address

Docufree

Post Scan Mail

Virtual Post Mail

iPostal1

Anytime Mailbox

Sasquatch Mail

Earth Class Mail

Traveling Mailbox

Which Virtual Mailbox Service is the Best?

When you hear the term "virtual mailbox”, you might think it's referring to your email inbox. The concept is similar, but it relates to your real-world, physical mail and making it 100% digital. Still, many people aren't sure how exactly it all works.

First, you authorize a company to act as your agent (by submitting a notarized copy of USPS Form 1583) and select one of their available addresses. Once you've forwarded your mail or changed your address on file with your credit card company, the DMV, and anywhere else that sends it to you, the virtual mailbox company will scan the outside of everything that comes in your name. You then sign in to your dashboard, indicate what you'd like done with each piece - scan the contents, forward to your location, or shred and discard - and you're done.

Continue reading below

What are the best Virtual Mailbox Services

Virtual Mailbox Service FAQ

What is a virtual mailbox?

A virtual mailbox makes all of your physical mail digital. You choose a location to receive your junk mail, letters, and anything else you might get via USPS, FedEx, UPS, and so on. Everything you get will be scanned on the outside, to give you an idea of what it contains. After you view the scan image, you decide if the piece of mail should be opened and scanned, forwarded to you (wherever you may be), or shredded and discarded. To sign up, you'll typically need to fill out USPS Form 1583 and have it notarized: this authorizes the virtual mailbox company to receive mail in your name.

Why would I need a virtual mailbox?

Virtual mailboxes are frequently used by RVers, travelers, and digital nomads who need a way to get their postal mail without having a fixed permanent address in the US. They're also popular with small business owners who don't want to have their residence showing up as the location of their business. And, even some big corporations use virtual mailboxes as a way of outsourcing the time-consuming task of sorting physical mail: it gives them all of the services of a mailroom without the hassle.

What other services might be available?

Depending on the virtual mailbox provider you choose, your services might include check depositing, remote notarization, junk mail recycling, and package processing. Some virtual mailbox companies include those services as part of your monthly or annual fees, while others charge a la carte as needed.

Can I get an address anywhere I want?

Maybe. Some virtual mailbox providers process all of your mail themselves, so you're limited to the company's locations (often a choice among 3-5 addresses in that many states). Other services use a network of third-party mail centers - like the UPS Store and Mailboxes Etc. - which gives you hundreds, if not thousands, of address choices.

How do I view my mail?

Typically, the envelope scans of your mail pieces are made available on a digital dashboard. You'll access it through your desktop browser, though some services include a smartphone app for easy access on the go. Keep in mind that scanning the contents of your mail may come at an extra cost.

Can I get a package in my virtual mailbox?

Yes, that's typically included in virtual mailbox services. You can pay to have the package forwarded to your current location and/or to have an employee open and inspect the package's contents. Be aware that you'll likely have a limited window to decide what should be done with the package (forward or discard); after as few as five days, you could be charged for storage.

What if I need to have mail forwarded?

No problem! Your virtual mailbox dashboard should let you specify what you want forwarded and where it should go. You'll usually pay a per-item fee plus postage; some companies give you big discounts over retail shipping fees, while others seem to use it as a money-maker and upcharge on the delivery fees. If you think you'll need a lot of forwarding, be sure to read the details on estimated costs.

Are virtual mailboxes expensive?

Not necessarily. Many virtual mailboxes cost $10/month or less. Shop around to see which providers have the services you need, keeping in mind that some features are pay-per-use and can add up quickly.

Continued from above...

There are several other services that can be included with your virtual mailbox plan. These include check depositing (by forwarding them to the bank of your choice), package inspection, mail and package forwarding, and even remote notarization of your USPS form. Be aware that some providers include such features with your monthly or annual plan, while others will charge a la carte for any extra services you use. Those can really add up, so it's smart to have an idea of what your average needs will be and choose a virtual mailbox service that won't wind up costing an arm and a leg.

Wondering why virtual mailboxes are so popular? Think about how many people are traveling without a fixed permanent address, working as digital nomads around the globe, or operating a small business out of their home and don't want prospective customers to know the address of their residence? Virtual mailboxes can be a fantastic solution in those cases. Even large corporations are taking advantage of outsourcing their brick-and-mortar mailrooms and having all inbound mail received and sorted digitally, saving their employees time by having everything routed automatically to the right person.

With more than a dozen well-known options for virtual mailboxes, you might feel overwhelmed deciding which one is right for you. It's worth taking some time to compare them carefully, because it can be costly and time-consuming to set up the service - and to cancel and reroute your mail if you don't wind up liking it. Keep in mind these factors as you evaluate several different virtual mailbox options:

Available Services. Will the virtual mailbox company have each service you anticipate needing? Consider how many recipients you'll want to include (the number of people in your family or traveling party), how many pieces of mail you expect to get each month, and how often you'll need the contents scanned.
Preferred Address Type. Do you need an address in a particular state (for business purposes)? Does it need to be a physical street address or is a box number sufficient? Some virtual mailboxes are only available in a handful of states.
Pricing. How much will the monthly service cost? Can you get a discount by paying annually, once you know you like it? Which services are included with your virtual mailbox plan, and what do the a la carte extras cost?
Reputation. What do clients say about their experience with the virtual mailbox service? Does mail get processed quickly and accurately? Is it easy to reach a support rep if there's a problem? Does the company have lots of positive reviews and/or a good rating from the Better Business Bureau?

Virtual mailboxes can take care of getting your mail to you no matter where you roam, and TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked today's most popular options. We're sure this information will help you choose the right service for your needs, business or personal!