Comparing FedEx Ground vs UPS Ground

When it comes to ground shipping, two titans stand above the rest: FedEx Ground and UPS Ground. Both shipping solutions have many years of success behind them, so how do you know which service is best for your ecommerce business?

Let’s take a closer look at both, comparing service details, rates, speed, and more.

Table of Contents

• Why use ground shipping

• What is FedEx Ground?

• What is UPS Ground?

• Understanding shipping zones

• Is FedEx Ground cheaper than UPS Ground?

• Is UPS Ground faster than FedEx Ground?

• FedEx Ground vs. UPS Ground

Why use ground shipping?

Ground shipping tends to be slower than other shipping methods, though there are exceptions (especially when shipping to nearby zones).

It also, however, tends to be cheaper; ground shipping rates may be a fraction of expedited or overnight rates that rely on air transport.

Ground shipping is especially ideal for large packages, heavy items, and non-perishable items, particularly if they don’t have to arrive by a specific date.

What is FedEx Ground?

FedEx Ground offers fast, ground-based shipping services throughout all 50 U.S. states and Canada (via FedEx Ground International).

FedEx Ground was originally formed in 1985 as a small-package delivery company named Roadway Package Services (RPS), then acquired by the FDX Corporation in 1998 and rebranded as FedEx Ground in 2000.

RPS reached 100 percent coverage of North America in 1996—the first ground-based shipping service to do so.

As FedEx's flagship ground-based courier service, FedEx Ground offers fast delivery options for millions of customers annually.

When using FedEx Ground shipping, you should know the following:

• No delivery to P.O. Boxes

• Guaranteed delivery in all 50 states

• Up to three delivery attempts will be made

• Tracking is slightly better than UPS Ground

• Offers up to $100 insurance on all packages

• Import taxes can be paid by the sender or receiver

• Residential delivery may require a $4.00 surcharge

• Shipping is available Monday through Friday (no weekend deliveries)

• Offers delivery and pickup options, including scheduled delivery and paid package pickup

• Parcels are limited to 150 lbs (68 kg), with dimensional limits of 108 inches (274 cm) length and 130 inches (330 cm) girth

• Deliveries take one-to-five business days within the contiguous United States and three-to-seven days for Hawaii and Alaska

How does FedEx set their ground rates?

When it comes to shipping with FedEx, the shipping method affects the rates more than any other factor. FedEx Ground is simply more economical than other methods. But shipping prices are also determined by the size and weight of your package.

FedEx Ground shipping rates are determined by either dimensional weight (dim weight) or the actual weight of the package, whichever is greater.

The bigger and heavier your package, the more it will usually cost, which is why it’s important to be intentional in your packaging. Choose a box that’s big enough for your items and packing materials but not so big it increases your package’s dim weight needlessly.

Further reading: Negotiate better shipping rates with FedEx and UPS

What is UPS Ground?

UPS started with a $100 loan in Seattle in 1907 when Claude Ryan and Jim Casey opened the American Messenger Company.

In 1919, the company expanded to Oakland, California, and debuted the United Parcel Service name and signature brown color, and in 1975, UPS became the first package delivery company to serve every address in the continental U.S. There’s a long history of shipping success with UPS.

Like FedEx Ground, UPS Ground offers fast delivery options for millions of customers annually.

When using UPS Ground shipping, you should know the following:

• No import tax handling

• No delivery to P.O. Boxes

• Includes free package tracking

• Guaranteed delivery in all 50 states

• Up to three delivery attempts will be made

• Offers up to $100 insurance on all packages

• Residential delivery may require a $3.70 surcharge

• Does not offer scheduled delivery or package pickup services

• Deliveries take one-to-six business days within the United States

• Shipping is available Monday through Friday (no weekend deliveries)

• Parcels are limited to 150 lbs (68 kg), with dimensional limits of 108 inches (274 cm) length and 165 inches (419 cm) length plus girth combined

• Saturday delivery is available for an additional $4.00 fee; scheduled Saturday pickups are free of charge with enrollment in a commercial delivery service

How does UPS set their ground rates?

When it comes to shipping with UPS, the shipping method affects the rates more than any other factor. UPS Ground is simply more economical than other methods. But shipping prices are also determined by the size and weight of your package.

Just like with FedEx Ground, UPS Ground shipping rates are determined by either dimensional weight (dim weight) or the actual weight of the package, whichever is greater.

The bigger and heavier your package, the more it will usually cost, which is why it’s important to be intentional in your packaging.

Choose a box that’s big enough for your items and packing materials but not so big it increases your package’s dim weight needlessly.

Understanding shipping zones

Shipping zones also play a large role in determining carrier shipping rates. There are eight zones within the contiguous United States; Alaska and Hawaii have their own zones. Zones are otherwise calculated by point of origin and distance to the final destination:

• Zone 1 for destinations within a 50-mile radius

• Zone 2 for destinations within a 51 - 150 mile radius

• Zone 3 for destinations within a 151 - 300 mile radius

• Zone 4 for destinations within a 301 - 600 mile radius

• Zone 5 for destinations within a 601 - 1,000 mile radius

• Zone 6 for destinations within a 1,001 - 1,400 mile radius

• Zone 7 for destinations within a 1,401 - 1,800 mile radius

• Zone 8 for destinations outside a 1,800+ mile radius

Each carrier calculates their shipping rates in part by those zones, as you can see in this 2022 UPS shipping rate guide, in addition to other characteristics like shipping weight and package dimensions.

Is FedEx Ground cheaper than UPS Ground?

In most instances, the shipping rates for FedEx Ground and UPS Ground are comparable, with only slight differences in their pricing.

A tool like Veeqo’s shipping rate comparison can help you determine which is better for your packages.

Is UPS Ground faster than FedEx Ground?

In most instances, the shipping speed for UPS Ground and UPS Ground is comparable, but there may be slight differences depending on the destination.

Shipping a package from the East Coast to Hawaii or Alaska, for instance, may be slightly faster with UPS Ground than with FedEx Ground.

Using a tool like Veeqo’s shipping price comparison can help you prioritize shipping speed when looking at your shipping options.

FedEx Ground vs. UPS Ground: Which is the best ground service for your business?

FedEx Ground and UPS Ground both do a great job of shipping packages economically and relatively inexpensively. Which is the better ground service for you and your packages may depend on your priorities.

UPS Ground may be better if you frequently ship to Hawaii or Alaska. FedEx Ground may be better if you need package pickup, scheduled delivery, or better tracking for higher-value items. 

If you’re using Veeqo, however, you don’t have to choose. Not only does Veeqo negotiate better shipping rates, but by using Veeqo’s tools—including integration for both UPS and FedEx, in addition to shipping calculators and more, you can save a great deal of money.

Finding the best shipping software for your ecommerce business can help you save on shipping by automating rules (whether prioritizing best price, fastest shipment, or something else), printing labels, and more—so you can focus on running your business.

Hot tip: Learn more about how Veeqo can help you create shipping labels and automate shipping processes. Additionally, helpful reading may include The Ultimate Guide to USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate Shipping, How Do You Package Items for Shipping?, 7 Ways to Reduce Your Shipping Costs as an Amazon Seller, and 9 Benefits of Using Veeqo for USPS Shipping.

FedEx Ground and UPS Ground are both great shipping options for your ecommerce business—but USPS may also be a great option depending on what you are shipping and where.

Veeqo can help you find the best rates, regardless of carrier, and trying Veeqo is 100% risk-free, so get started today by creating your free account here.