iPostal1 vs Anytime Mailbox Full Comparison for 2024

You’re on the hunt for the best virtual mailbox service, and your search has brought you to a crossroads between iPostal and Anytime Mailbox. I’ve been using these digital mailbox platforms over a year now, so I created this comparison guide to explain both their similarities and differences.

Hopefully my experience using their features and understanding the nuances that set them apart can help you can make an informed choice. 

iPostal1 vs Anytime Mailbox: A Side-by-Side Comparison 

Virtual mail services like iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox offer a range of advantages, including:

• Improved mail handling security;
• The convenience of accessing your mail remotely from anywhere;
• Streamlined efficiency;
• Reducing the need for physical storage;
• …and customization options;

Read along as I go through different facets of these services and compare them. You can also use the guide below to navigate to a topic that applies most to you.

Note: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which means that at no extra cost to you, I may be compensated if you choose to use one of the services listed. I only recommend what I personally have used, and I appreciate your support!

iPostal1 vs Anytime Mailbox: Which Digital Mailbox Service is More Reliable? 

Let’s begin by diving into the origins of these virtual mailbox services and their areas of expertise. 

iPostal1 Overview

With over 15 years of experience, iPostal1 and its parent company, USZOOM LLC, are among the oldest players in the digital mailbox industry. Since 2007, they’ve been dedicated to developing cutting-edge digital mailboxes and mailroom management software. 

This long-standing commitment has allowed iPostal1 to build a robust back-end platform for mail centers, widely regarded as one of the best in the industry, and establish the largest selection of locations worldwide. 

Today, their services cater primarily to travelers, solo professionals, expats, RVers, boaters, and small businesses that require a reliable physical address to receive and manage their mail effortlessly. You can read our full iPostal1 review here.

Anytime Mailbox Overview

Anytime Mailbox, established in 2013, offers a secure, scalable, and user-friendly platform that seamlessly converts postal mail into digital media for both recipients and mail center operators. 

Think of it as the Uber of mailbox centers, each having its own unique rules, guidelines, and pricing schemes. 

They tailor their virtual mailing address solution for startups, remote workers, small businesses, and fully virtual companies, ensuring privacy and a professional image. 

Similarities between iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox

Given that iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox target the same audience, they share more similarities than differences. First I want to explore their common features so you can better understand the small nuances that distinguish each service, which I’ll delve into later. 

Genuine Physical Addresses

Both iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox offer users real street addresses where physical mail and parcels from any carrier, including FedEx, UPS, DHL, and USPS, are received and handled by dedicated personnel. Below is a Google street view of one of the many physical addresses you can choose from for your virtual mailbox.

It’s worth noting that these addresses are not owned or operated directly by the virtual mailbox companies themselves but rather leased from independent mail centers. This approach provides a wider range of location options but is not as secure as a Primary Hub address that is offered by other companies such as Postscan Mail or VirtualPostMail. 

Easy Setup

The setup process for both iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox is similar. It begins with browsing through the list of available locations and selecting the one that best suits your needs.

Next, you choose a service plan based on the features you require and make the payment using either a credit card or PayPal. 

After selecting the virtual mailbox plan, both platforms require you to complete the straightforward, one-page USPS Form 1583, which authorizes the digital mailbox location to receive mail on your behalf. Additionally, you’ll need to submit two forms of identification.

Convenience | Digital Mail Dashboard

After completing the signup process, both services redirect you to their dashboards, which function as a centralized hub for managing your physical mail digitally from anywhere. 

Here’s a glimpse of my iPostal dashboard, which displays mail as a dashboard that is very similar to what you are familiar with an email inbox.

And here’s what the Anytime Mailbox dashboard looks like in both a desktop and mobile app:

As you can tell, both layouts are very similar and resemble an email inbox for your physical mail. 

Moreover, while on the move, you can receive notifications about new mail through the respective mobile apps for iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox. 

Security & Privacy 

While both iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox claim to employ robust security standards and encryptions to protect customer data, there’s only so much they can do considering they do not own or operate any of the locations they offer.

In every case, you are trusting the 3rd-party mail operator with handling your mail and each of these small businesses has different standards of “security.”

It ultimately falls upon you to conduct thorough due diligence before entrusting this third party with sensitive mail containing critical information like bank details, social security numbers, or any other confidential data that you wouldn’t want to be compromised. 

Mail & Package Handling 

iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox represent staffed locations where your mail or packages are received and stored. Upon your request, they digitize the mail by scanning its content and sending it to you via their respective portals (web and app). You can also schedule a local pickup with both services.

Additionally, both of these digital mailbox services allow you to consolidate your mail items and have them forwarded to any other location worldwide (at an extra cost).

Discard or Shred Mail

Received any items you don’t want to keep or forward? iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox allow for the convenience of secure disposal of physical mail.

Furthermore, these platforms offer a shredding service for an extra fee for mail containing personal identifying information or confidential content. 

Both platforms also promote environmentally conscious practices by giving you the option to recycle mail items you no longer need. 

Unlimited Cloud Storage

Even if you choose to discard or forward the physical mail items, iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox provide the flexibility of maintaining digital copies of those mail pieces within your account as long as you’ve got an active virtual address with their services. 

Check Deposit 

Both of these platforms offer the convenience of depositing physical checks directly into your account when they arrive at your digital mailbox address. iPostal1 goes a step further by stating that certain virtual mailbox locations include free registered agent service.

However, it’s worth noting that iPostal1 indicates that this check deposit service is available at most locations. Conversely, it’s more challenging to find an Anytime Mailbox location that offers check depositing service. Among the locations I browsed, I found that roughly 10% of them provide this service. 

No HIPAA Compliance

Lastly, it’s crucial to mention that neither iPostal1 nor Anytime Mailbox is HIPAA compliant, nor do they provide the option to sign a BAA. 

For this reason, these digital mailbox services are not ideal for individuals operating in healthcare, since HIPAA compliance is a requirement for anyone handling sensitive medical information. 

iPostal1 vs Anytime Mailbox: Unique Features Comparison 

Now that you’re aware of the features shared by iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox, let’s delve into the key differences that set these digital mailbox services apart.

• iPostal1 Has More Real Street Addresses: iPostal1 boasts a larger network of real physical street addresses, with over 3000+ locations available internationally. In comparison, Anytime Mailbox currently offers 2,263 locations at the time of writing. This represents more than enough to choose from with either company, but iPostal1 obviously has an edge here.
• iPostal1 Shows Real-time Shipping Prices: Another advantage of iPostal1 is that it displays real-time shipping prices when forwarding mail. This feature enables users to compare different carrier options and service levels, allowing them to choose the most budget-friendly option. Anytime Mailbox currently lacks this real-time shipping price comparison functionality. 

Pricing Comparison: iPostal1 vs Anytime Mailbox

Pricing is an area where iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox differ wildly. iPostal1 follows a more standardized approach with multiple pricing tiers, while Anytime Mailbox’s pricing varies widely across different locations. 

iPostal Pricing

iPostal1 offers a range of pricing tiers, starting at $9.99 per month. Here’s a look at the iPostal1 pricing tiers, which are split between “green,” “blue,” “silver,” and “gold.”

These plans don’t include monthly scans, but iPostal1 has clearly listed prices for optional services like shredding.

Additionally, iPostal1 has some prestige mailbox locations that may cost more than others, and the features set may also differ slightly.

Anytime Mailbox’s Pricing

In contrast, Anytime Mailbox doesn’t have standardized pricing plans, which is both a benefit and a disadvantage.

Each Anytime Mailbox location sets its own pricing and decides what features to offer at what price. This means anyone considering Anytime Mailbox must carefully research the features offered at any specific location they’re interested in. 

Some Anytime Mailbox locations may offer unlimited shredding, while others charge for it. This variability extends to other features like forwarding, the number of incoming mail, open and scan services, and the number of recipients allowed. 

For US-based cities, the majority of Anytime Mailbox locations cost between $6.99 per month and $19.99 per month. However, in prestigious locations like New York, the plans can range from $7.99 to $69.99 per month. 

If you’re looking for a non-US location with Anytime Mailbox, you’ll encounter an even wider range of prices, as you’ll need to pay in the local currency. 

For example, in London, I found addresses ranging from €6.49 per month to an annual subscription of €599.99 per year for unlimited incoming mail. Conversely, iPostal1 charges only in USD, regardless of the mailbox location. 

Evaluating these services based on pricing is difficult due to their distinct approaches. You really need to compare the pricing for your desired location while taking into account the costs of any optional features you may require to find the more affordable option. 

Based on my research, iPostal1 generally tends to be cheaper in most cases. It’s worth noting that both services provide a full refund if the account remains unused within 30 days of rental. 

Customer Support: Which is More Helpful, iPostal1 or Anytime Mailbox? 

When it comes to customer support, both iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox excel, so this factor shouldn’t be the sole basis for choosing between the two services. 

Both platforms offer multiple avenues for contact, including a contact form on their websites, email, and phone support. 

Additionally, they both offer a live chat feature that’s responsive and helpful. 

However, it’s worth mentioning that while Anytime Mailbox’s live chat required me to provide my full name and email address before connecting, iPostal1 allowed direct access to the live advisor without requesting any personal details. 

FAQs | iPostal1 vs Anytime Mailbox

Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox. 

For more information, refer to this article, where I discussed the safety of virtual mailboxes against identity theft.

Final Summary: iPostal1 vs Anytime Mailbox

iPostal1 emerges as the preferred virtual mailbox platform for most users due to its extensive network, consistent pricing, and robust mail forwarding service. However, the better option between iPostal1 and Anytime Mailbox ultimately depends on your specific requirements. 

Ask yourself:

• Do you need local pickup?
• Where do you want the address to be?
• What kind of mail do you get?
• What other optional services do you need? 

Once you’ve got these answers, it’s best to compare the offerings for your required address from both services and pick the one that’s best aligned with your needs. 

Josh Summers

Josh Summers is a writer and entrepreneur who has been using a virtual mailbox for both personal and business use while living in Asia for the past 10 years. In addition to using multiple services, he has actually visited a number of virtual address locations to better understand how the industry works and what’s most important to consider.