Best Virtual Mailboxes Reviewed (Sep 2023)

The Best Virtual Mailbox Services Of 2023

1. iPostal1 – Best overall
2. Anytime Mailbox – Best international presence
3. PostScan Mail – Best for cloud storage
4. Planet Express – Best for no monthly fees

What Is The Best Virtual Mailbox?

1. iPostal1 – Best Overall

Best Overall

Monthly fee: Starting at $9.99 Free storage: 30 days Shipping discounts: Yes 2,500+ locations worldwide.

TRY FOR 30 DAYS RISK-FREE ★★★★★ Rated 4.9/5

iPostal1 is my pick for the top virtual mailbox service because it offers 2,500+ addresses, unique and powerful digital mailbox features, consistent plans across all locations, and it's a great value. Users can view and manage their mail and packages with the iPostal1 app or online with plans starting at just $9.99/month. International shipping discounts are also available.

If you’re running a business from home, iPostal1 makes it affordable to get a real street address to upgrade your company image, protect your family’s privacy and register your business. If you travel a lot or are away from home during the day, you can stay connected to your mail and stop worrying about your packages being stolen.

With iPostal1, you also get exclusive features like real-time shipping prices and the option to choose virtual office plans with phone and fax. It's a reliable, secure provider that's been in business since 2007, and I can't recommend iPostal1 enough.

Features

• 2,500+ locations in all 50 states plus Canada, Europe, Asia, and other countries
• Tax-free warehouses in Delaware, Oregon, Montana, Alaska and New Hampshire
• Deep discount international shipping
• Office building and co-working locations also available
• Mail forwarding, including consolidation of letters and packages
• Free storage for 30 days
• Real-time shipping prices
• Open and scan mail content ($1.50 for up to 10 pages)
• Mail pickup + discarding/shredding
• Check deposit by mail available at most locations
• Virtual office plans with phone and fax (from $39.99)

Fees

• Digital mailbox: $9.99/month
• Mail scanning: $1.50 for up to 10 pages
• Mail forwarding: Cost of postage
• Storage: 30 days free, then $1.10 per letter per month

This screenshot offers a bit more info into iPostal1's pricing structure: if you pay annually, you'll get 2 months free, with their Blue and Silver plans being their most popular.

Best For

Business owners, travellers and online shoppers

2. Anytime Mailbox – Best International Presence

Best Int'l Presence

Monthly fee: $5—$10 Free storage: 30 days Shipping discounts: Yes 1,600+ locations worldwide.

TRY FOR 30 DAYS RISK-FREE ★★★★★ Rated 4.5/5

With 1,600+ mailbox locations spread across 40+ countries—plus services like package consolidation to reduce the cost of shipping—Anytime Mailbox is a great mailbox both for business owners and for online shoppers buying from stores all over the world.

Anytime Mailbox offers all of the standard digital mailbox services (mail scans, check deposits, etc.) plus 30 days of free storage on all letters and packages. Like the other mailboxes on this list, they'll also forward postal mail anywhere in the world, particularly helpful for expats or digital nomads who spend most of their time abroad.

Anytime Mailbox's plans range from $5 to $15 per month, which is reasonable given the variety of services they offer. As you can see in the screenshot of their California mailboxes above, prices are different for each mailbox, making it fairly easy to find one that meets your budget.

One of the main reasons I recommend iPostal1 over Anytime Mailbox is because their pricing and service offering is so much more stable and predictable: you know exactly what to expect from every iPostal1 mailbox, and it all comes for just $9.99. If iPostal1 doesn't work for you, though, Anytime Mailbox is undoubtedly a solid, professional mailbox provider that does not disappoint.

Features

• 1,600+ locations in 40+ countries, including Canada, Europe, Asia, South American, Africa, and the Middle East
• Tax-free warehouses in Delaware, Oregon, Montana, Alaska and New Hampshire
• 30 days of free storage on all letters and packages
• Deep discounts with all major carriers
• Letter + package consolidation
• Local pickup available for a fee ($1-$5 per item)
• Mail scanning ($0.50/page)
• Forward packages for $5
• Check deposits
• Secure shredding ($0.10/page)

Fees

• Monthly Fee: $5-$10/month
• Mail Scanning: $0.50/page
• Mail Forwarding: $5 + the cost of shipping
• Storage: Free for 30 days, then 5 cents/item/day

Best For

Business owners and online shoppers buying from retailers around the world.

3. PostScan Mail – Best For Cloud Storage

Best For Letter Mail

Monthly fee: $10—$30 Free storage: 7 days Shipping discounts: Yes 400+ locations across the US.

TRY FOR 30 DAYS RISK-FREE ★★★★ Rated 4.1/5

PostScan Mail operates a network of 400+ virtual mailboxes across the United States and abroad. Its robust mobile app allows you to place your mail into digital folders and filter while you search, making finding and organizing your postal mail easy.

PostScan Mail allows 30 days of free storage for letters (7 days for packages), and offers unlimited cloud storage, so you can keep years' worth of postal mail on their servers. They eliminate junk mail before it reaches your inbox and have run a respectable mail forwarding service for years.

If you choose not to go with iPostal1 or Anytime Mailbox, PostScan Mail is still a solid option.

Features

• 400+ locations across the US and around the world
• Free storage for 7 days (packages) and 30 days (letters)
• Tax-free warehouses in Delaware, Oregon, Montana and Alaska
• Local pickup
• Letter + package consolidation
• Unlimited cloud storage
• Real U.S. street addresses

Fees

• Monthly fee: $10 – $30/month
• Mail Scanning: 5-20 free scans per month (depending on your plan), then $2 per letter
• Mail Forwarding: $0.85 per item + shipping
• Letter Storage: First 30 days free, then $0.05 per letter/day.
• Free Package Storage: First 7 days free, then $0.10 per pound/day.

Best For

Businesses with low to moderate amounts of incoming letter mail.

4. Planet Express – Best For No Monthly Fees

No Monthly Fees

Monthly fee: None Free storage: 10 days Shipping discounts: Yes Tax-free warehouses in the US.

OPEN FREE ACCOUNT ★★★★★ Rated 4.5/5

Planet Express is a package forwarder designed specifically for online shoppers, and they serve those shoppers extremely well. They have mailboxes in the US (California, Oregon and Florida) and the UK, making them a great choice for anyone living abroad and shopping from those two countries.

Unlike the other mailbox providers on this list, Planet Express only deals with packages, not letter mail, so if you're looking for a new business address where you can accept business mail, Planet Express is not the company for you. With that said, though, one great thing about Planet Express is that they don't charge any monthly fees. This is extremely rare among package forwarders, making them stand out among a crowd of others charging $5-$25 per month.

Planet Express' Shop For Me service allows you to shop in the US even without a credit card: their team will place your orders for you, and you'll pay them back through a variety of payment methods, including PayPal. This is great if you live in a country like India where different payment methods are used to transact online, or if you don't have a credit card that's accepted in the United States.

I’ve personally used Planet Express for more than 3 years and have had nothing but great experiences with them. If you live abroad but are shopping from US retailers, I can recommend them as a reliable package forwarding service.

Features 

• The only FREE package forwarding plan in the USA
• Warehouses in the US and the UK
• Tax-free warehouses in Oregon
• Deep discounts with USPS, DHL, FedEx, UPS, and Planet Express' own shipping service
• Free photos of incoming packages
• Shop For Me purchase assistance
• Package consolidation
• 10-45 days of free package storage, depending on your plan

Fees

• Monthly fee: $0 – $10/month
• Photos:
  • Free photos upon package arrival
  • $2 for 3 photos inside your package
  • $5 for 10 photos inside your package
• Package / Mail Forwarding: $2/package + shipping
• Storage: 10-45 days free, then $0.01 per pound/day 

Best For

Online shoppers seeking a package forwarder with no monthly fees.

Virtual Mailboxes I Don’t Recommend

In my research into digital mailboxes, I discovered a handful of mailboxes that I don’t recommend for a variety of different reasons: 

1. US Global Mail: US Global Mail has a sleek website, but it also has a tendency to nickel-and-dime its customers, charging them small fees in every way it can. If you’d rather not pay a monthly fee or get hit with unexpected charges around every turn, go with Planet Express instead.  
2. Earth Class Mail: Earth Class Mail only has mailboxes within the US, significantly restricting its usefulness. For a better digital mailbox with just as strong US coverage as Earth Class Mail, go with iPostal1.
3. Traveling Mailbox: Like US Global Mail and Earth Class Mail, Traveling Mailbox has a tendency to charge its customers fees for everything, making the service much more expensive than users expect. For more accurate, honest pricing, go with iPostal1 or Anytime Mailbox.
4. USA2Me: USA2Me’s main draw is its free plan, though just setting up an account with them costs $23—and there are additional fees after that. For a better free mailbox with zero setup fees, go with Planet Express.

My Pick For The Best Virtual Mailbox: iPostal1

After researching and testing more than a dozen companies over 12+ months, iPostal1 is my top choice for the best virtual mailbox service due to its 2,500+ locations and excellent overall value. With a well-developed app and features like check deposits, secure mail shredding and junk mail filtering, iPostal1 is a valuable tool for business owners looking to scale their operations quickly.

With thousands of 5-star reviews and great customer support, I can't recommend iPostal1 highly enough.

Our Methodology: How We Chose The Best Virtual Mailboxes

We assessed each virtual mailbox provider on the following four criteria:

#1 Features & Functionality

All of the mailbox providers on this list offer more than just the basics. Some of the more advanced features you can get in a virtual mailbox include mail forwarding, mail shredding, check deposits, package consolidation, free mail and package storage, registered agent services, and more. 

Before choosing a virtual mailbox, look through the specific features each of them offer to ensure you’re getting exactly what you need. You aren’t comparing apples to apples here, so keep that in mind as you make your decision.

Some of the data points we looked at include:

• How much do they charge for each feature, and how does that compare with their competitors?
• Do they charge a reasonable fee (or no fee) for additional services?
• How easy is it to search and filter through your mail? 
• Is it possible to export your data? What export formats are available?
• Do they offer multiple user accounts with varying levels of permissions and access? 
• Do they make signing and submitting USPS Form 1583 easy?

#2 Physical Locations

The more physical mailbox locations a company has, the easier it will be to find one that works for you. Even though you won’t be physically visiting your mailbox (unless it offers local pickups), having one that fits your specific business needs can save you a lot of headaches.

For example, if most of your customers are in Arizona, it’s probably a good idea to have your address in Arizona, too. Similarly, if you’re in the financial services business, it makes more sense to have an address in Manhattan than one in Boise.

Most businesses will want a physical address, not a P.O. box, since larger packages can’t be delivered to P.O. boxes, and banks generally require a physical address to work with them. And if you plan to expand your operations internationally, it’s a good idea to choose a virtual mailbox service with international addresses to make future growth simpler. 

Some of the data points we looked at include:

• How many physical locations does each mailbox offer? 
• How well distributed are those locations?
• Do they offer a substantial number of international mailboxes?
• Do they offer physical addresses, or just P.O. boxes?

#3 Storage & Shipping

If you choose to store your mail and packages at a virtual mailbox facility, you’ll want to know that it’s well-maintained and secure. You’ll also want to know how much you’ll need to pay for that storage, and how long you can keep it there before shipping it out.

We paid special attention to the scanning practices of each mailbox provider, their domestic and international shipping policies, and how long it actually took them to process a piece of mail. 

Some of the data points we looked at include:

• How long will each mailbox store your mail and packages for free?
• How much does package storage cost beyond the initial free period? 
• Do they scan mail and packages automatically? How long does scanning take?
• How many shipping options do they offer when forwarding packages? Do they offer shipping discounts?

#4 Security

Security is very important when handling both personal and business mail, but given that there’s both a digital and a physical component to virtual mailboxes, running a secure operation takes a significant effort. 

On the physical side, human error and misconduct are the primary security risks, so we looked at internal policies and security track records over time. On the digital side, encryption and safe data handling are essential, which is why all providers above have excellent data practices.   

Some of the data points we looked at include:

• How secure are their warehouses? Do they outsource the operations to third parties or do it all in-house? 
• How secure are their servers? Are they following encryption and data transfer best practices?
• Do they only work with approved Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies (CMRAs)?
• Have they trained their staff to receive and handle sensitive mail? 

Benefits Of Virtual Mailboxes

There are a few major benefits of using a digital mailbox:

• Convenience: You have control over all your mail right at your fingertips. You’ll see new mail arrive, be able to forward it to other locations, and even have checks deposited. If the digital mailbox you choose also provides virtual office services, you may be able to get a dedicated phone number answered by a real receptionist, too.
• Freedom To Travel: Have your postal mail or packages forwarded to you anywhere in the world, freeing you up to travel whenever and wherever you want.
• Privacy: There are many reasons why you may not want to give out your home address, especially if you're registering a business and your physical address will be publicly accessible. Using a virtual address is a great way to maintain your privacy while still reaping all of the benefits a physical address entails.
• Security: All of the mailboxes I recommend above go to great lengths to ensure that your documents (legal, business, and personal) are handled very securely. Communications with end users are encrypted with bank-level SSL encryption, and your account is protected by a password and 2-factor authentication (2FA) if you choose. It's also worth pointing out that every mailbox provider in the United States has to follow strict USPS guidelines, and there are harsh consequences if they fail to keep users’ information safe. 
• Registered Agent Services: Premium mailbox providers like iPostal1 also offer registered agent services, which can offer tremendous value if you’re considering a digital mailbox for your business. A registered agent can take care of sensitive documents and legal filings on your behalf, giving you much more flexibility.

Virtual Mailboxes FAQs

What is a virtual mailbox?

A digital mailbox gives you a physical mailing address where you can accept letters, documents, and packages while you're away from home. You can also use your virtual mailbox to create an online archive of your documents and important papers or even as an official business address when opening an LLC.

When your mailbox provider receives a piece of your mail, they'll scan the envelope or take a photo of the package and email it to you.

Getting started with a virtual mailbox service is simple:

1. Open an account with one of the virtual PO boxes mentioned in this post (I recommend iPostal1 or Anytime Mailbox). I've included details about all of their features, including which of them I personally use and why.
2. The service you select will assign you a unique virtual mailing address, which you can have letters and packages sent to.
3. Start receiving email notifications every time a piece of mail arrives.

Standard Virtual Mailbox Services

These are the services that nearly all mailbox providers offer:

• Open and scan/photograph your letters and packages for you to view online
• Forward letters and packages to you domestically or internationally
• Receive credit cards and bank statements
• Receive legal statements and personal & business bills
• Instant notification when you receive a piece of mail
• Shred and destroy unwanted mail
• Filter out junk mail like flyers

Advanced Virtual Mailbox Services

These services are only offered by some mailbox service providers:

• Long-term package storage
• Unlimited digital storage
• Repack and consolidate multiple packages to save on shipping costs
• Real street address (not a PO box)
• Personal shopping service
• Deposit checks for you and your business
• Sign for letters and packages upon delivery

Are virtual mailbox services safe?

Yes, virtual PO boxes are safe because they're accessed exclusively online and are not available to the public. All of the digital mailboxes I recommend above operate from secure data centers and comply with the latest security protocols, including 128-bit SSL encryption and full disk encryption for all customer data.

All digital mailboxes in the US must comply with strict USPS guidelines and face stiff penalties if they fail to keep users’ information safe. Virtual PO boxes are not permitted to release their users' addresses to anyone unless they are specifically instructed to do so.

What is the cheapest virtual mailbox?

The cheapest mailbox provider is iPostal1, whose plans start at just $9.99/month with no hidden fees. It's possible to get a $5/month mailbox from Anytime Mailbox, but you will face some additional fees, so if cost is your primary concern, I recommend iPostal1.

On the other hand, if you're planning to only receive packages (not letter mail), you should give Planet Express a try. It's the only parcel forwarding service in the US with a free plan, making it an excellent choice for the budget-conscious shopper.

Which virtual mailbox is best?

The best overall virtual mailbox is iPostal1, both for its low pricing and its excellent customer service. I’ve tested out more than a dozen different mailbox providers, and if you’re looking to get your purchases forwarded to you quickly and reliably, I recommend iPostal1.

But don't take my word for it: as you can see here, iPostal1 has received excellent ratings from more than 5,000 reviews on Trustpilot, Sitejabber, and Google.

Does USPS offer a virtual mailbox?

Yes, USPS does offer a virtual PO box service. However, USPS PO boxes cannot receive shipments from any other shipping carrier, which is why it may be a good business move to get a separate virtual mailing address as well.

What's the best free virtual mailbox?

The best (and only) free virtual mailbox service you'll find in the United States is Planet Express. With no monthly fees, you only pay Planet Express for the mail you receive and ship, making it a very budget-conscious offering.

Keep in mind, though, that Planet Express is actually a package forwarder, not a virtual mailing address, which means they only accept packages, not letter mail. Here's a photo of one of Planet Express' warehouses to show you what it looks like inside there.

Which virtual mailbox services offer a free trial (first month free)?

No digital mailboxes currently offer a free trial (first month free), but Planet Express' free plan takes things even one step further since it doesn't charge any monthly fees at all.

What's the best virtual mailbox for small business?

The top virtual mailbox for small business is iPostal1 since it offers real street addresses, protecting the privacy of both your family and your business. Given that iPostal1 costs as little as $9.99 per month yet still comes with so many valuable features, a virtual address can be a very affordable tool to make your life easier and help your business grow.

You can read more about iPostal1 in my full iPostal1 review.

What's the best virtual mailbox service in Canada?

The best virtual mailbox service for Canadians is iPostal1, given that it has a low monthly fees $9.99/month) and quickly ships items (including Amazon.com purchases) across the Canadian border with no hassle and minimal shipping fees.

What kind of mail forwarding service do virtual mailboxes offer?

Most digital mailboxes offer mail and package forwarding of all kinds: if you can get an item shipped to them, they're able to forward it on to you. The companies listed above have all negotiated special discounts with the big shipping companies, too, so you can ship your items for far less than the retail price.

Mail forwarding services are convenient both for businesses and for frequent travellers since you won't need to update your virtual mailing address so frequently. If you're looking for a secure mail forwarding service, any of the companies listed above are a great choice.

What's the best virtual mailbox for expats?

The best virtual mailbox service for expats depends on where you are in the world: expats based in Europe will have different priorities than those based in Asia, and the same goes for other places around the world. If you're just looking for a solid all-around digital mailbox, though, I recommend iPostal1.

How much does a virtual PO Box cost?

Some virtual PO boxes, like Planet Express, don't charge monthly fees, while others, like iPostal1, Anytime Mailbox, and PostScan Mail, charge fees ranging from $5 – $30/month.

Is A Virtual Mailbox Better Than A PO Box?

Yes, virtual mailbox services are better than PO boxes in some crucial ways, perhaps the most important of which is that PO box users can only check their mail during business hours (and not on federal holidays). Virtual mailing address users are also able to change the location of their mailbox much easier than PO box users can, giving them extra flexibility in case their mailbox needs suddenly change.

Which countries have virtual mailboxes?

You can find a virtual mailbox in nearly every country in the world. Using our virtual mailbox locator tool at the top of this page, you'll find mailboxes in all of these countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, all over the Caribbean, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, South Korea, Malaysia, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

As you can see, this list represents every corner of the globe: North America, South and Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania.