How Much Do PODS Alternatives Cost? 2025 Savings Guide

Like the idea of PODS, but not the cost? This article dives into the options available in the market, breaking down their costs and discussing the features that set them apart from their main competitor, helping you to find the right solution for your moving needs.

Our guide will cover the following:

• How much PODS alternatives cost
• What affects the cost of PODS alternatives
• What’s involved in using PODS alternatives
• How to know if PODS alternatives are the best choice for you
• How to find and hire PODS alternatives

To take a more cost-effective route to your house move, exploring competitors in the market can be a great way to go. Let’s break it down.

How Much Do PODS Alternatives Cost?

For our cost comparison, we’ll be looking at different DIY vehicle hire and storage unit suppliers to compare and contrast their prices to give you a well-rounded idea of the kind of costs you’ll encounter when looking to hire moving services.

Service Provider	Average Container/Vehicle Hire Price
PODS	$6,100+
U-Pack	$3,000+
1-800-PACK-RAT	$3,000+
zippyshell	$2,900+
U-Haul	$3,500+
SMARTBOX	$3,100+
U-Box	$3,700+ (to include vehicle hire and box)

The range of prices from other suppliers comes in at between $2,900 at the lowest, to $6,100+ at the highest end of the spectrum. While alternatives to the market leaders can be cheaper, they may have more localized restrictions in terms of the locations they serve, and may have fewer containers available for hire which can lead to less availability during busy periods.

What Affects the Cost of PODS Alternatives?

As with all storage and moving solutions, the main indicator of cost increase is the size you choose. Larger containers hold higher prices, and vice versa, so it’s always important to choose a size that’s relative to your needs to ensure you’re not overpaying for your service.

Similarly, the duration of the storage unit is important to consider and calculate correctly. If you choose too short a time, you may be rushed to pack or unpack, and could be hit with late fees – however, if you choose something that’s too long, you’ll end up paying extra for time that you didn’t necessarily need.

The distance between container locations can also impact your costs. When moving from one spot to another, try to find a location that’s in the middle of both to get the most cost-effective option.

What Are Some PODS Alternatives?

There are plenty of companies available if you don’t fancy opting for PODS – but when considering moving and storage options, it’s important to research each company’s offerings, pricing and availability in your specific location. This will help you choose the option that best fits your moving and storage needs.

Let’s take a look at a few of the competitors in more detail:

U-Haul and U-Box

U-Haul offers U-Box containers for both moving and storage. These portable containers can be delivered to your location for loading and transportation.

1-800-PACK-RAT

1-800-PACK-RAT provides portable storage containers that can be used for moving and storage. They offer options for both local and long-distance moves.

SMARTBOX

SMARTBOX offers portable storage containers for moving and storage purposes. They provide delivery and pickup services for their containers.

Zippy Shell

Zippy Shell provides portable storage and moving solutions with their unique containers. They offer both local and long-distance moving services.

U-Store-It

U-Store-It offers traditional self-storage units at various locations across the US. They provide a range of unit sizes for different storage needs.

Extra Space Storage

Extra Space Storage is a well-known self-storage company with numerous locations nationwide. They offer a variety of unit sizes and amenities.

CubeSmart

CubeSmart is a self-storage provider with facilities in multiple states. They offer different types of storage units and options.

Life Storage

Life Storage offers traditional self-storage units with options for climate-controlled storage and vehicle storage. They have facilities in various locations.

Public Storage

Public Storage is a chain of self-storage facilities with a wide network of locations. They offer various storage unit sizes and options.

Are PODS Alternatives Worth It?

Choosing a company that isn’t as mainstream as PODS can have its benefits – you’ll usually encounter lower prices and there’s a better chance of availability if they are lesser-known and without as many customers as the industry behemoths.

However, there are some drawbacks to be aware of – with a smaller company, there may be fewer containers/vehicles for moving, making supply and demand an issue. You might not be covered as well with insurance, or there may be no insurance if you’re unlucky and choose a less reputable trader, so it’s worthwhile doing some background checks before you make your final choice.

The destination for your container may also be a cause for concern with smaller companies, as they might not travel the distance you need, especially if this is cross-country or to another country entirely.

Smaller companies, or ones just starting out, however, may help you benefit from introductory offers or deals which can help to make your move cheaper. The whole choice is a balance between these pros and cons, and will understandably differ from company to company.

Which PODS Alternative is the Best Choice for Me?

Let’s take a look at some of the main alternatives to PODS and their respective pros and cons.

Best for Short Journeys	Best for Long Journeys	Climate-Controlled Storage	Business and Personal Use
U-Haul	1-800-PACK-RAT	Life Storage	U-Store-It
SMARTBOX	Zippy Shell	CubeSmart	Extra Space/Public Space Storage

U-Store-It, CubeSmart and Public Storage are the cheapest options, while SMARTBOX, U-Haul and Extra Space Storage are on the more expensive end of the scale.

If you have a small journey to make, a U-Haul would be sufficient, while 1-800-PACK-RAT and Zippy Shell are better performers when it comes to long journeys. If you need your storage to be climate-controlled, then Life Storage and CubeSmart are the best options, and if you need a mix of business and personal storage, you can opt for U-Store-It to give you the service you need.

Finding the Right Storage Solution For You

Whichever company you choose, you’ll want to make sure you’ve done a thorough background check on the business to ensure they’re a good fit for you and your moving or storage needs.

It’s a good idea to check in with neighbors, colleagues, friends and family to see who they have used in the past and if they’d recommend them. If they tell you not to go with someone, it’s best to take their advice, as it’ll likely help you avoid a rogue trader or a bad experience.

Take a look at online reviews to get a better picture of a company. While a website can be all singing and dancing, online reviews from actual customers can paint a more detailed picture of their actual work ethic.

If you need specific services such as climate-controlled storage, or if you need multiple access points to your belongings during the hire, make sure you tell the company these needs before signing with them as they may incur extra fees.

Final Checklist

Choosing a company that’s not one of the main leaders in the moving and storage industry can be daunting, but it can herald good cost savings and can give you a great experience if properly researched. Take a look at our final checklist to make sure you’ve ticked every box before signing on the dotted line.

• Research your company, look at online reviews and speak to friends and family about services if they’ve used the company before
• Consider the volume of your items and if you can downsize at all before hiring to save money
• Choose an appropriately sized container for your items
• Discuss any add-on services and understand their cost implications
• Organise the delivery date
• Get packing!

Frequently Asked Questions