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, #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.
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.