Best Virtual Mailboxes Compared

A virtual mailbox gives online businesses a physical address to receive mail and packages. This is a very straightforward service.

Among the six virtual mailbox brands we reviewed, iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox are our favorite virtual mailbox companies. Although we like iPostal1 or Anytime Mailbox for the majority of people, we did review other virtual mailboxes that have great features that may better fit your specific needs.

The Best Virtual Mailbox for Most

iPostal1 ticks all the right boxes in a virtual mailbox that will work well for most users. Not only is it accommodating when selecting your address, but it also lets you get hyperlocal with your virtual address.

Plans from iPostal1 start at $9.99 per month. Even at the entry level, you get the core virtual mailbox experience—mail and package receiving, scanning options, and forwarding or local pickup depending on the location you choose.

Top Virtual Mailboxes: Golden Eggs

There are a lot of virtual mailbox service providers to consider, and it can be hard to tell which ones are the quality options at first glance. We’ve done the hard work for you, identifying three all-around great picks that get the job done for a wide range of needs.

iPostal1 is the leading virtual mailbox solution for the widest range of users, with 4,000+ locations and transparent pricing. Get started today on iPostal1, no contract required.

Anytime Mailbox excels at convenience, with 2,000+ mailbox locations and plenty of address options in the United States and abroad. Find a location near you and start for as little as $9.99.

PostScan Mail is a great option for individuals or companies needing a service that can handle parcels and packages in addition to traditional paper mail. Sign up today for as little as $10 per month.

But if any of these don’t suit your needs, BusinessAnywhere, US Global Mail, and VirtualPostMail are also great choices. Read more in our reviews below.

When It Makes Sense to Invest In Virtual Mailboxes

As an entrepreneur or business that operates virtually, what do you do for receiving mail? Using your home address isn’t as secure as having a dedicated address for your business.

A virtual mailbox solves the problem. If you don’t need the extra features (and subsequent fees) of a virtual office, this is a simpler solution for having mail and deliveries routed to a convenient location for you.

With a virtual mailbox, your business receives its mail digitally. The service receives your mail at your address, then uploads scans (typically of the exterior by default, with optional content scans depending on the provider/plan). Most providers also let you forward mail and packages to another address or pick them up locally when you need something in hand.

Traveling entrepreneurs and professionals might also find virtual mailboxes to be a good fit. If you operate remotely from different locations or are constantly globe-trotting, you can receive mail and payments from clients in your virtual mailbox no matter where you are.

Virtual mailboxes are generally extremely affordable, even for solopreneurs and small businesses. Services targeting businesses commonly start around $10–$50 per month, and many providers offer discounts for annual billing.

#1 – iPostal1 — Best Virtual Mailbox for Most

iPostal1 has been providing digital mailbox technology since 2007, and the iPostal1 service has grown into one of the most widely available virtual mailbox networks. They know what people need and offer the key mailbox features you want at a reasonable price.

For personal or business use, iPostal1 has you covered.

With 4,000+ locations across the U.S., Canada, and other countries, you can likely get an address that’s more local to your workforce or customer base. The big win here is choice: you can pick the specific address you want, rather than being locked into a tiny handful of options.

If the specific physical address of your virtual mailbox matters, this is a really good option, as other services we looked at had far fewer options to choose from.

iPostal1 has three different plan types:

• Virtual Mailing Address – Starting at $9.99 per month
• Virtual Business Address – Starting at $14.99 per month
• Virtual Office Plans – Starting at $39.99 per month

If you’re a freelancer or company looking solely for virtual mailbox services, choose the entry-level plan to receive a set number of mail items each month (with overages billed per item).

A Virtual Mailing Address from iPostal1 is a great option for students and expats—even individuals or families who just want more privacy and would rather get mail and packages delivered to a secure location instead of having information dropped into an unlocked mailbox that basically anyone can access.

Upgrading to a Virtual Business Address plan includes features individuals might not need but are must-haves for businesses, such as:

• Local pickups (where available)
• Choice of shipping carriers
• New mail email alerts
• Faxes delivered to your virtual mailbox
• Mail content scanning options
• Consolidation of pieces of mail for forwarding

iPostal1 charges small fees for certain add-ons (like content scans, check depositing, extended storage, and other special handling). You can also create and send mail from digital documents.

iPostal1 also offers live call answering with summary reports for every conversation, starting at $99 per month.

Storage and included handling varies by location, but you’ll typically get a free storage window for mail and packages, with fees after that. If you’re planning to receive a lot of packages, this is something to check before you commit to a specific address.

For shipping insurance, you can add coverage as needed—additional insurance is available in $100 increments for a small fee.

All plans include iOS and Android apps, making it easy to manage your account and services through your smartphone.

This is the best all-around virtual mailbox on our list. You can get a cheaper service, for sure, but you probably won’t get everything a business needs. iPostal1 offers a strong mix of coverage, features, and predictable pricing—and it’s extremely easy to set up your account.

You don’t have to worry about hidden costs surprising you for a key feature that you need.

Get everything you need and never sweat your mail situation again with iPostal1’s virtual mailboxes.

#2 – Anytime Mailbox — Best for Freelancers

Most people who run their own business can find what they need in a virtual mailbox service with Anytime Mailbox. Freelancers, travelers, entrepreneurs, and expats should all shortlist this affordable option.

This service offers a large network of physical addresses (2,000+), with the majority in the United States and additional locations abroad.

Anytime Mailbox offers 24/7 access to your mail through an online dashboard. You can view scanned mail, manage forwarding settings, request recycling/shredding, and handle common mail actions from your account. Some locations also offer add-on services like check deposit, but availability varies by address.

Anytime Mailbox uses standard web security protections (like SSL/TLS encryption) to help protect your account and dashboard access. As always, you’ll still want to use strong passwords and enable any available security options inside your account.

Many Anytime Mailbox plans offer local pickup services, too, allowing you to pick up mail and packages during business hours (based on the location’s rules).

With Anytime Mailbox, you’ll get a permanent, real street address that looks just like a physical business location. You can also see exactly what your address will look like before renting it, with full street name, mailbox number, city, state, and ZIP code.

One thing to watch for is that not every location offers every add-on service (like check deposit), so you’ll want to confirm what your specific address supports before signing up.

Another is that the subscription price changes depending on the popularity of the location. Large cities generally cost more than the headline $9.99 per month starting rate.

That said, the location-based pricing can work to your advantage if you don’t need a big-city address. Get started with Anytime Mailbox today.

#3 – PostScan Mail — Best for Package Forwarding

While it’s easy enough to get your mail scanned with a virtual mailbox service, some providers either charge hefty fees for receiving and forwarding packages or just flat-out won’t handle them at all. PostScan Mail comes to the rescue in this case, with flexible package handling and forwarding options.

Remote businesses that order supplies can get them shipped via any major carrier to their PostScan Mail virtual mailbox.

Then, choose what you want done with your packages—like consolidation to save on shipping, forwarding, or other handling requests depending on the location.

Your plan may include perks like shipping instructions and local pickup (where supported).

The primary services PostScan Mail offers include:

• Online Mail Management: Review each scanned item through your secure account and decide what you want done with it.
• Mail Scanning: Scans are uploaded to your mailbox account so you can view them online.
• Mail Forwarding: Forward mail and packages using your preferred shipping method and destination.
• Mail Storage: Store mail for a free window, then pay for extended storage if needed (terms vary by plan/location).
• Local Pickup: Pick up mail and packages yourself if you’re near your selected location.

One unique benefit is that international subscribers can shop stores within the United States that normally don’t ship internationally, then use their PostScan Mail mailbox to receive shipments and forward them internationally.

PostScan Mail’s core plans follow a simple structure, with pricing that varies by location:

• Starter — from $10/month for 30 mail items (open-and-scan not included)
• Standard — from $20/month for 60 mail items (includes a limited number of open-and-scan requests)
• Premium — from $30/month for 120 mail items (includes more open-and-scan requests and more recipients)

PostScan Mail offers two months free with annual billing. This is a great value, and it’s definitely something that we recommend if you’re planning to use this service for more than just a few months.

In addition to the base subscription, expect usage-based charges for things like forwarding/handling, extra open-and-scan requests, storage beyond the free window, and other special services.

Just make sure you pick a plan that can accommodate your average needs. There may be a month or two when you have a higher volume of incoming mail that causes you to incur some extra costs. But the extra cost is usually marginal when you look at the big picture.

This is another reason why we recommend annual billing—as the two free months can easily offset one-off usage charges throughout the year.

If you need a virtual mailbox that can handle packages without giving you a headache, get started with PostScan Mail.

#4 – BusinessAnywhere — Best for New Businesses

If you are looking for a flexible virtual mail solution that works great for smaller businesses, we recommend BusinessAnywhere. If you’re tired of confusing usage limits, this is one of the simplest pricing models in the category.

BusinessAnywhere doesn’t charge extra for additional mail or scanning beyond a set cap, which can be a big deal if you receive a lot of mail and don’t want unpredictable monthly bills.

You’re also able to designate multiple recipients, so you can route your personal and business mail to the same virtual mailbox.

Your mail is scanned and uploaded to your online dashboard within a couple business days of receiving it (timing can vary based on volume). That dashboard allows you to request items be forwarded, archived, or shredded.

Speaking of mail forwarding, BusinessAnywhere makes this easy to manage. If you want something forwarded, select an item (or items) from your dashboard and choose your shipping options.

Every virtual mailbox from BusinessAnywhere comes with the same core features and benefits:

• Unlimited mail handling
• Package acceptance
• Unlimited scans
• Junk mail filtering
• Worldwide mail and package forwarding

In terms of pricing, there are three plans to choose from—with extra recipients included as the primary difference at each tier.

• Basic – $20 per month billed annually (up to two recipients included)
• Premium – $30 per month billed annually (up to five recipients included)
• Advanced – $65 per month billed annually (up to 20 recipients included)

The only real drawback here is that the company offers addresses in a smaller set of states compared to giant networks, with more locations being added over time.

Individuals and small businesses that are looking for a modern, straightforward mail solution will not be disappointed.

What’s doubly great for entrepreneurs and small business owners is that BusinessAnywhere can also help you set up a new LLC or serve as your registered agent in many states.

Get a virtual mailbox from BusinessAnywhere today.

#5 – US Global Mail — Best for Enterprise Mail Management

Large companies that receive mail from senders all over the world have vastly different mail management needs than individuals and small businesses. US Global Mail caters to heavier mail operations with paperless mail management services, strong security controls, and team-friendly features.

US Global Mail gives you a permanent United States-based mailing address that you can use, no matter how many times your business switches locations. Having one official address is also helpful when your business expands to multiple locations.

Compared to other virtual mailboxes, US Global Mail offers perks that are useful for teams—like fast processing, free check deposit, and workflow integrations on higher-tier plans. They also advertise shipping savings of up to 80% when you consolidate items.

Security is also a significant focus of this company. Subscribers get bank-grade security features for their accounts, and the service includes two-factor authentication and secure handling controls.

US Global Mail pricing starts around $19.95 per month billed annually and comes with perks like:

• Free check deposit
• Fast scan turnaround (tier-dependent)
• 30 days of free physical mail and package storage (more on higher tiers)
• Bank-grade security features and two-factor authentication
• Shred & recycle options for unwanted mail

Lots of other virtual mailbox companies charge extra for some of these types of services. So while US Global Mail might have a higher monthly rate than alternative options, it can be a better value if you’re planning to use the benefits.

Enterprises can also contact the company to get a custom plan that works for their specific needs.

All plans include a risk-free period to make sure the service is the right fit. If you’re not satisfied, US Global Mail offers a money-back guarantee within the trial window.

Get started with US Global Mail for your heavy-duty virtual mailbox needs.

#6 – VirtualPostMail — Best for Registered Agent Services

A registered agent is required for many corporations and LLCs to receive legal and government documentation. Since it’s such a fundamental part of the business formation process, it can make a lot of sense to secure a registered agent around the same time you secure a virtual mailbox.

Luckily, VirtualPostMail includes registered agent service with mailbox plans in supported states, alongside core mailbox features like forwarding and scanning.

If you want to use VirtualPostMail as your registered agent, make sure your business is registered in a supported state and that your mailbox address is in the same state as your registered agent service.

The major drawback is that VirtualPostMail limits its registered agent service to Delaware, California, Florida, Nevada, and Texas.

VirtualPostMail plans start around $20 per month for lower-volume mail, which can be a solid fit for businesses that mainly need a mailbox for legal and government communications. Higher-tier plans scale up for more mail volume, more recipients, and more scanning.

All plans include a money-back guarantee within the trial window.

For businesses in regulated industries, VirtualPostMail also offers options that support additional compliance requirements, depending on the plan you choose.

Get started today on VirtualPostMail with no contract.

Methodology for Choosing the Best Virtual Mailboxes

Choosing the best virtual mailbox depends on a few factors. What works best for one business might not work as well for another.

To help you narrow your options, we’ve put together a list of criteria that we used to form our top list of virtual mailboxes. Our methodology details why each criterion is necessary to consider to find the right solution.

Permanent Address vs. P.O. Box

While some virtual mailbox services give owners a P.O. Box to receive their mail, others offer a real street address (often through a CMRA—commercial mail receiving agency). For businesses, a real street address is usually the better solution. Your virtual mailbox will have a physical address to use for mailings, just like it would if you used a brick-and-mortar location for your business.

While a P.O. Box can come in handy for collecting regular mail pieces, they aren’t good options for receiving packages, as some couriers won’t deliver to them. Additionally, many financial institutions require a physical address for verification when opening business accounts—even if you use a separate mailing address for correspondence.

Available Business Services

Your virtual mailbox doesn’t need just to be a virtual mailbox. Some services target the needs of businesses better than others with features like package collection and forwarding. Business owners can also get mailed checks deposited without ever having to physically handle them—though check deposit availability varies by provider and location.

Some virtual mailbox services dig even deeper to offer features like package consolidation, special handling requests, and registered agent services (where available) to receive legal documents or help with business compliance.

Some of these virtual mailboxes even provide the ability to create a virtual office, as they offer a phone number and a fax number. You may even be able to receive faxes in your digital mailbox.

Account Users

If your business has multiple team members who receive mail, you’ll want a virtual mailbox service that allows for additional users.

A service like PostScan Mail can support multiple recipients and user access so different people can manage mail without everything being routed through a single login.

Just be aware that some plans come standard with a set number of included recipients, like two, five, or ten, depending on your tier. Other services charge extra for each name on the account.

Physical Locations

Services with hundreds to thousands of physical locations make it easier to find a virtual mailbox that fits your business. Although your mailbox is virtual, it’s still beneficial to have an address that matches your operational reality. For instance, if you serve customers mainly in Georgia, having an address in Georgia (and not a neighboring state) can make sense.

Some services have international locations, too, which can be helpful for businesses that serve global customers. And if your service does not offer mail or package forwarding, it’s necessary to find a physical location that’s as close as possible for convenient pickups.

Storage Length and Space

How long does a virtual mailbox store your physical mail before charging storage fees? How many pieces will it hold at a time? These variables differ with virtual mailbox services. Some include a shorter free storage window, while others offer longer storage on higher-tier plans.

While smaller businesses and entrepreneurs can often save money by opting for shorter storage windows, larger teams may need longer physical storage and faster scan turnaround to avoid bottlenecks.

Storage length and space can be evaluated in conjunction with physical locations. For example, if you don’t have a nearby location that’s convenient for frequent pickups, you’ll likely want a service that can accommodate longer storage times.

Security

Lots of mail contains sensitive information. Whether it’s business details or sensitive personal information, you want to make sure that your virtual mailbox is doing everything it can to protect you.

All of the virtual mailboxes reviewed in this guide take security seriously, but it’s ultimately on you to do due diligence before you entrust a third party with mail that might contain bank details, Social Security numbers, or anything else you wouldn’t want falling into the wrong hands.

Look for a service with features like encryption, two-factor authentication for dashboard access, and strong operational controls.

Beyond digital security, consider how mail is physically handled when it’s received, scanned, and stored. If you’re security-conscious, prioritize providers that offer shredding and recycling after scanning.

Forwarding Services

Forwarding services are crucial if you’re not located near your virtual address. They’re also important if you’re traveling often or planning to use your virtual mailbox as a U.S. mailing address while living abroad.

The best virtual mailboxes will forward parcels and packages to you anywhere in the world (subject to shipping carriers and destination rules). Others may have more limitations depending on the location.

If you don’t need your mail forwarded, that’s ok too. Just make sure your mailbox provider gives you the ability to request shredding or recycling. Otherwise, you could accumulate additional costs for storage beyond the free window.

Even if you’re planning to pick up mail or packages in person, it’s still nice to have the forwarding option for those situations where you can’t. See if your provider offers any included handling or if forwarding is billed based on usage.

Expanding Your Knowledge: Best Virtual Mailboxes

What’s the best virtual mailbox in the US?

iPostal1 is one of the best virtual mailbox options in the U.S. thanks to its large network (4,000+ locations) and flexible mail management. You can view mail online, request scans, consolidate mail before forwarding, and use add-on services like check deposit where available.

PostScanMail and Anytime Mailbox are two alternative options to consider for any business or individual seeking a high-quality virtual mailbox in the U.S.

Are virtual mailboxes reliable?

Virtual mailboxes can be reliable and secure if you’re using a trustworthy provider. That’s why it’s important to carefully evaluate any service that will be handling your mail.

If you’re planning to receive mail while you’re traveling or just want to keep your home address private for business purposes, a virtual mailbox is a reliable option. Depending on the service, your mail can be sorted, scanned, shredded, forwarded, and viewed online. You can also pick up mail in person at a local pickup location when available.

Can I use a virtual mailbox as my permanent address?

A virtual mailbox provides a real street address that you can often use as a mailing address for business correspondence and many filings. However, it’s not the same as a physical operating address, and some banks, leasing/utility providers, and verification workflows may require a true physical address tied to where you live or operate. A virtual mailbox also can’t be used to establish residency in a state or country.

Can I get packages sent to a virtual mailbox?

Yes, you can get packages sent to a virtual mailbox. Just make sure you choose a plan and location that accommodates package acceptance. PostScanMail is our top recommendation for receiving and forwarding packages.

PostScanMail can hold your packages until you’re available for local pickup (where supported). Alternatively, they can forward your packages to your location—including internationally—depending on the shipping destination and carrier rules.

How much does a virtual mailbox cost?

Most virtual mailboxes cost an average of $10 to $50 per month. Pricing and plans vary by provider, and there are usually paid add-ons for premium services charged in addition to your monthly subscription fee. For example, things like package storage, extended mail storage, forwarding/handling, or check deposit may incur extra fees depending on the provider and location.

Does USPS offer virtual mailboxes?

No, USPS does not offer virtual mailboxes. You can get a PO Box from the United States Postal Service, but that doesn’t provide the same features and services as a virtual mailbox.

With a PO Box from USPS, you might be eligible for Informed Delivery. This is a free way for residential and business customers to preview grayscale images of the exterior of letter-sized mail (and see package tracking updates), but it’s not a full mail scanning service and doesn’t display the contents of your mail.

Are virtual mailboxes worth it?

A virtual mailbox is worth it if you’re traveling often and want digital access to your mail from anywhere. It’s also worth it for startups and business owners who want to protect their home addresses and keep business mail separate.

Virtual mailboxes are also worth it for expats and digital nomads. It’s a secure and reliable way to manage mail, even if you’re between addresses and constantly on the road.

What’s the difference between a virtual mailbox and a virtual office?

The biggest difference between a virtual mailbox and a virtual office is that a virtual mailbox focuses on receiving and managing mail, while a virtual office may include in-person business-center services like meeting rooms, coworking access, or receptionist/phone services.

Both can come with a street address, but virtual offices are typically geared more toward business operations, whereas virtual mailboxes can accommodate personal and commercial use cases.

What’s the difference between a virtual mailbox and a virtual address?

Virtual mailboxes include a virtual address, but not every virtual address includes virtual mail services. A virtual address is a real street address you can use as a mailing address, whereas a virtual mailbox is a service that receives letters and packages for you and adds management features like scanning, forwarding, shredding, and more.

Summary

iPostal1 is our pick for the best virtual mailbox provider for most people and businesses. You get all the essentials at a fair price, plus perks like shipping carrier selection and the ability to choose a very specific address.

Still, other options on this list might be a better fit for you, depending on your needs. Anytime Mailbox is a strong pick for freelancers who want lots of address choices, while US Global Mail is built for teams that need faster operations and integrations. Each option is a solid choice, and most offer a risk-free trial window so you can make sure the service matches your workflow.

Our methodology can further help you distinguish between necessary features and those that are nice to have or not needed for your situation.