PostScan Mail and In Out Parcel both give you a real US street address, scan your mail to PDF, and forward packages. Both work entirely online — you never have to visit. Where they split is how they charge you and what you’re really paying once the add-on fees stack up.
PostScan Mail runs on monthly subscription plans starting around $10/mo, with per-item scan and forwarding fees on top. In Out Parcel charges no monthly fee at all — the full virtual mailbox toolkit is free to keep, and you pay only $4.25 per package or letter received. Here’s the honest side-by-side so you can pick the one that actually costs less for your situation.
The Quick Comparison
| In Out Parcel | PostScan Mail | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $0 — pay per item | Subscription plans, often ~$10–30/mo |
| What you pay | $4.25 per package or letter received | Monthly plan + per-scan + forwarding fees |
| Quiet months | $0 — credit never expires | Full subscription, whether mail arrives or not |
| Locations | One: Point Roberts, WA | 1,000+ (mostly third-party partner sites) |
| Mail scanning | Yes — scanned to PDF | Yes — per-item fee (~$2/envelope for open-and-scan) |
| Forwarding | Yes — worldwide | Yes — per-item fee + actual postage |
| Shred / dispose | Yes | Yes |
| Check deposit | No | Not available (PostScan’s own support confirms this) |
| In-person pickup | Optional: 24/7 self-serve with 2,000+ automated lockers | Available at select locations |
| Use without visiting | Yes — scan + forward from anywhere | Yes — fully online |
| Track record | Serving the border since 2014 · 4.9★ from 700+ Google reviews | Founded 2012, Trustpilot rating varies by location |
| Best for | Anyone who wants full virtual mailbox features with no monthly fee | Users who need a specific US city address from a large location network |
Where PostScan Mail Shines
PostScan Mail’s genuine strength is geographic breadth. With over 1,000 addresses across the US (and a handful in Canada), you can pick a mailing address in a specific city or state — useful if you need a local-looking address for a particular region, or if a specific ZIP code matters for your use case.
The platform also offers a mobile app with push notifications when new mail arrives, and enterprise-tier plans for businesses with high mail volume and multiple recipients.
For users who need a specific city address — say, a New York or Miami address for business registration — that location network is a genuine edge that a single-location operator can’t match.
The Catch: Subscription + Per-Item Fees Stack Up
PostScan Mail’s entry plan starts around $10/mo, but it’s worth understanding what that includes — and what it doesn’t:
- The Starter plan (
$10/mo) typically includes zero open-and-scan actions. You’re paying to receive mail, but reading it costs extra ($2 per envelope opened and scanned). - Forwarding adds another per-item fee on top of actual postage.
- Storage is free for a limited window (often 14–30 days depending on the plan), then daily fees apply.
- Additional recipients are typically ~$5/mo each.
The realistic working cost for someone who actually uses the mailbox — scanning a few letters, forwarding a package now and then — tends to land closer to $20–40/mo once the add-ons are counted. Multiple independent reviewers note this pattern.
The Location-Quality Variable
PostScan Mail operates roughly 20 company-owned “hub” locations with professional flatbed scanners and trained staff. The other 980+ addresses are third-party partner sites — independent mail centers, UPS Stores, and coworking spaces that use PostScan’s platform.
Reviews consistently flag that scan quality varies by location. Company-operated hubs tend to deliver crisp, flatbed-scanned PDFs. Partner locations can vary — some reviewers report phone-camera scans that arrive blurry or sideways. Before signing up, it’s worth confirming whether your nearest address is a company-operated hub or a partner site.
In Out Parcel operates its own facility — every scan, every package, every interaction happens under one roof at 145 Tyee Dr, Point Roberts, WA. That means consistent quality, but it also means one location.
Where In Out Parcel Shines
In Out Parcel does everything a subscription virtual mailbox does — receive mail and packages, scan letters to PDF, forward packages anywhere in the world, shred what you don’t want — and charges no monthly fee for any of it. You pay $4.25 per package or letter received and $0 in the months nothing arrives. Credit never expires.
That’s not a stripped-down free tier — it’s how the entire service works. A few things set it apart:
- No monthly fee, period. Your address stays active and ready whether you use it this month or not. No subscription ticking in quiet months. See the full breakdown.
- Full service, not lite. Scan letters to PDF, forward packages worldwide via FedEx, UPS, USPS, or international options, hold or shred — all from the online portal.
- Or pick up yourself, 24/7. If you’re near the BC border, grab packages from 2,000+ secure automated lockers any time — no postage, no counter wait, just a 6-digit PIN. The Point Roberts crossing via Tsawwassen 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 — built on over a decade of in-person and virtual mailbox service.
The Cost Difference, Concretely
Example — 5 items in a year (occasional user):
- In Out Parcel: 5 x $4.25 = $21.25 for the year. Nothing else.
- PostScan Mail (~$10/mo plan): $120/year subscription + scan fees for any letters opened (~$2 each) + forwarding fees. Realistic total: $130–160+ depending on usage.
Example — 3 items per month (moderate user):
- In Out Parcel: 36 x $4.25 = $153 for the year.
- PostScan Mail (~$20/mo plan): $240/year subscription + forwarding when needed. Total: $260–300+.
The subscription model only pulls ahead if you’re receiving heavy daily mail volume — enough that the per-item scan fees on a big plan average out cheaper than $4.25 each. For most people using a US address for online shopping, bank statements, or seasonal purchases, pay-per-use costs a fraction of a year-round plan. Full pricing details are on our rates page.
What About Switching?
Already on PostScan Mail? Switching is straightforward:
- Register with In Out Parcel — free, takes a few minutes. You get a real US street address (145 Tyee Dr, PMB your Customer ID, Point Roberts, WA 98281) immediately.
- Update your shipping addresses at retailers, banks, and subscriptions.
- Keep your PostScan 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. (Step-by-step setup guide.)
So Which Should You Choose?
- Choose In Out Parcel if you want a full-featured US virtual mailbox with no monthly fee — scan, forward, or pick up 24/7 near the BC border. Best for occasional, seasonal, or unpredictable mail volume where a subscription costs more than it’s worth.
- Choose PostScan Mail if you need a specific US city address from a large location network and you’re prepared to pay a monthly subscription plus per-item fees for scanning and forwarding.
For comparisons with other subscription providers, see iPostal1 vs In Out Parcel, Earth Class Mail vs In Out Parcel, and Anytime Mailbox 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.