UPS Ground vs FedEx Ground
Which ground service is better for your business?
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | UPS | FedEx | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (1 lb package) | $10-12 | $10-15 | UPS |
| Price (10 lb package) | $14-20 | $15-22 | UPS |
| Price (30 lb package) | $20-30 | $22-32 | UPS |
| Transit Time | 1-5 business days | 1-5 business days | Tie |
| On-Time Reliability | Very consistent | Consistent | UPS |
| Home Delivery | Included in Ground | FedEx Home Delivery (evenings/weekends) | FedEx |
| Daily Pickup (Business Accounts) | Free for account holders | Weekly fee or per-pickup charge | UPS |
| Max Package Weight | 150 lbs | 150 lbs | Tie |
When to Use Each Carrier
UPS
- Businesses needing daily free pickup
- Shippers who prioritize consistent transit times
- B2B ground shipping
- Heavy packages at retail rates
FedEx
- Ecommerce orders to residential addresses
- Evening and weekend home delivery
- Shippers with negotiated FedEx discounts
- Mixed ground and express shipping on one account
Detailed Breakdown
UPS Ground and FedEx Ground are the most directly comparable shipping services in the industry. Both offer 1-5 business day ground delivery across the continental US, both accept packages up to 150 lbs, and both provide detailed tracking. The differences are subtle but can matter. UPS Ground has historically been the benchmark for ground shipping reliability, with slightly better on-time rates in industry analyses. FedEx Ground, which uses independent contractors for delivery, has improved significantly and now offers competitive reliability. On pricing, UPS Ground tends to be $1-3 cheaper per package at retail rates, though FedEx frequently offers aggressive discounts to win business accounts. One notable difference: FedEx Home Delivery (included in FedEx Ground for residential addresses) offers evening delivery and Saturday service, while UPS Ground delivers during standard business hours. For ecommerce sellers shipping to homes, this can be a meaningful advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
UPS Ground is typically $1-3 cheaper per package at retail rates for most weights and distances. However, FedEx often offers more aggressive discounts to business accounts. The best approach is to compare rates on each specific shipment, as pricing varies by origin, destination, weight, and dimensions.
UPS Ground has a slight edge in on-time delivery consistency, which is why many businesses consider it the gold standard for ground shipping. FedEx Ground has improved significantly and both carriers deliver on-time over 90% of the time. For most shippers, the reliability difference is not large enough to be the sole deciding factor.
FedEx Ground delivers to residential addresses on Saturdays through its FedEx Home Delivery service at no extra charge. UPS Ground does not deliver on Saturdays for standard ground shipments. If weekend delivery matters for your customers, FedEx Ground has an advantage.
Both UPS Ground and FedEx Ground deliver in 1-5 business days depending on origin and destination. Nearby zones (same state or neighboring states) typically arrive in 1-2 days, while cross-country shipments take 4-5 days. Transit times are nearly identical between the two carriers for the same route.
Compare Rates From All Carriers
Get instant quotes from USPS, FedEx, and UPS in one place.
Start Shipping Free