iPostal1 and In Out Parcel both give you a real US street address, scan your mail to PDF, and forward packages worldwide. The capabilities overlap more than you’d expect. Where they diverge — and where your actual cost changes — is how they charge you.
iPostal1 runs on monthly subscription plans with tiered pricing based on mail volume and location. In Out Parcel charges no monthly fee at all — you get the same full toolkit and pay only when something actually arrives. Here’s the honest breakdown so you can pick the model that fits.
The Quick Comparison
| In Out Parcel | iPostal1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 — pay per item | Subscription (varies by location, often ~$10–30/mo) |
| What you pay | $4.25 per package or letter received | Monthly plan + per-scan and forwarding add-ons |
| Locations | One: Point Roberts, WA | 4,000+ across North America |
| Mail scanning | Yes — scanned to PDF, included | Yes — per-scan fees on top of the plan |
| Forwarding | Yes — worldwide | Yes — forwarding fees apply |
| Shred / dispose unwanted mail | Yes | Yes |
| Use it without ever visiting | Yes — scan + forward from anywhere | Yes — scan + forward from anywhere |
| In-person pickup | Optional: 24/7 self-serve automated lockers | Varies by location — some offer pickup |
| Track record | Serving the border since 2014 · 4.9★ from 700+ Google reviews | Large network, established brand |
| Best for | Anyone who wants a full US mailbox with no monthly fee | Anyone who needs an address pinned to a specific US city |
Where iPostal1 Shines
iPostal1’s real advantage is its network. With 4,000+ locations, you can pick an address in nearly any US city — useful if you need a mailing address in a particular state for business registration, or if geographic flexibility matters more than price. It’s a large, well-known platform, and choosing a location close to where you actually are can speed up forwarding times.
If pinning your virtual mailbox to a specific city is the priority, that network is a genuine edge no single-location provider can match.
Where In Out Parcel Shines
In Out Parcel does everything a subscription virtual mailbox does — receive mail and packages, scan them to PDF, forward them anywhere in the world, or shred what you don’t want — and charges no monthly fee for any of it. The full toolkit is free to keep; you pay $4.25 per package or letter received and $0 in the months nothing arrives. Credit never expires.
That pricing model isn’t a stripped-down “free tier” — it’s how the entire service works. A few things set it apart:
- No monthly fee is the whole point. You don’t pay to keep the address alive. For occasional, seasonal, or unpredictable mail volume, that costs dramatically less than a subscription you pay year-round — even the lowest-tier plan. See the full no-monthly-fee breakdown.
- Full service, not lite. Scan your letters to PDF, forward packages worldwide, hold or shred — all from the online portal, without ever visiting. Same capabilities; different price model.
- Or pick up yourself, 24/7. If you’re near the BC border, grab your packages from 2,000+ secure automated lockers any time of day — no postage, no counter wait, just a 6-digit PIN. The Point Roberts / Tsawwassen crossing is typically shorter than the Peace Arch or Pacific Highway lineups. (How pickup works.)
- Proven at scale. In Out Parcel has been serving the border since 2014 and holds a 4.9★ rating from 700+ Google reviews — one of the highest-rated virtual mailbox operations anywhere.
The Cost Difference, Concretely
With iPostal1, you’re paying a monthly plan plus per-scan and forwarding fees on top. With In Out Parcel, there’s no base fee — just the per-item receiving charge.
Example — 5 items in a year:
- In Out Parcel: 5 × $4.25 = $21.25 for the year.
- A mid-range subscription at ~$15/mo: roughly $180 for the year, whether you received anything or not — plus any scanning or forwarding add-ons.
The subscription model only pulls ahead if you’re receiving a heavy, steady volume every single month. For most Canadians who use a US address for occasional online shopping, seasonal deals, or keeping a bank statement address, pay-per-use costs a fraction of a year-round plan. Full pricing details are on our rates page.
What About Switching?
Already on iPostal1? Switching is straightforward:
- Register with In Out Parcel — free, takes a few minutes. You’ll get a real US street address (145 Tyee Dr, PMB your Customer ID, Point Roberts, WA 98281) immediately.
- Update your shipping addresses at your retailers, banks, and subscriptions to the new address.
- Keep your old mailbox active for a month or two to catch stragglers, then cancel the subscription.
There’s no commitment and no monthly fee ticking while you decide — your In Out Parcel address stays ready whether you use it this month or not.
So Which Should You Choose?
- Choose In Out Parcel if you want a US mailbox with no monthly fee — whether you have everything scanned and forwarded or you pick up 24/7 near the border.
- Choose iPostal1 if you need your address pinned to a specific US city and a large location network matters more than the monthly cost.
For comparisons with other subscription providers, see US Global Mail vs In Out Parcel, PostScan Mail vs In Out Parcel, Anytime Mailbox vs In Out Parcel, and Earth Class Mail vs In Out Parcel.
Same full service, no monthly fee. If you’re paying a subscription just to keep a US address alive, get your free US address — receive, scan, forward, or shred, and pay only when something actually arrives.