The Best Alternatives to U-Haul (Updated for 2026)

When planning a DIY move, U-Haul is often the first — and sometimes only — option people consider. But renting and driving a moving truck isn’t the only way to move yourself.

Moving containers, like those from 1-800-PACK-RAT, are a simpler, more flexible alternative that can save time and money, reduce stress, and eliminate the need to drive a large truck, which is why they’re often a better fit for most moves.

If you don’t want to drive a moving truck, moving containers are the simpler choice. They’re dropped off at your place, picked up when you’re ready, and can store your stuff in between.

We compared the best container companies to U-Haul options. For most real-life moves, containers are more flexible — and often more cost-effective, especially if storage is involved.

Here are the most important things to look for when picking a moving container company:

Availability. Many companies aren’t available nationwide. Make sure you find one with moving services in your origin and destination cities.

Price. Low prices aren’t just good for your pocketbook. They can also indicate whether a company can keep up with demand.

Container sizes. Multiple sizes mean multiple options — and potential savings. Look for a container company that offers multiple sizes or charges only for the space your belongings occupy.

Customer reviews. Few things matter more than what other customers say. Companies like U-Pack that get rave reviews mean that you’re more likely to have a positive moving experience.

Storage options. The best moving container companies let you store your containers either at your home or their company storage warehouses for free.

Container quality. Your options range from steel to plywood. Candidly, they all keep your items pretty secure. But there’s something to be said for seeing your belongings safely tucked away inside a 1-800-PACK-RAT or PODS heavy-duty container.

1-800-PACK-RAT barely missed out on our top spot. It boasts the most robust moving containers in the industry and lets you choose from multiple sizes. Plus, 1-800-PACK-RAT price matches with PODS. You even get free 24/7 surveillance if you use a 1-800-PACK-RAT storage facility. On the downside, it’s available in only 37 states and tends to score below average with customers.

Looking for the best container quality?

Zippy Shell has the lowest moving container prices in the nation. It also has a sizable 15-foot steel container and lets you choose between at-home and facility storage options. Zippy Shell is available in 37 states and is continuously expanding. Even with its limited container sizes, its low prices and high-quality container are significant enough to warrant a fourth-place rank on our list of the best moving container companies. Zippy Shell is tough to beat if you can find a nearby location.

Looking for low prices?

UNITS has several great qualities as a container moving company, including fair prices, quality containers, customizable storage, and 24/7 customer service. It's clear that UNITS is an obvious customer favorite: the company has 4.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot from over 270 reviews. Although the company currently offers service in 34 states, it is diligently working to expand its service area to the entire nation. Additionally, UNITS uses its proprietary “ROBO-UNIT Delivery System” to place your container in even the tightest spaces while always ensuring that it is placed on a level surface.

Looking for the best customer service?

U-Haul is a well-known moving company because it's widely available nationwide and generally offers affordable rates. But there are drawbacks. The customer experience is inconsistent and often unsatisfactory, and your price tag can come out higher than expected if you need additional services, like storage. Plus, U-Haul’s single small container size could be limiting if you have oversized furniture. Also, its containers are made of plywood rather than steel, meaning your belongings aren't as well protected as those in the other container movers we recommend.

Move.org follows a six-step process to identify the nation’s best moving container companies:

1. Compare quotes. We obtained and analyzed nearly 300 quotes from 7 of the nation’s largest moving container companies over 3 years.
2. Mystery shopping. We do a top-to-bottom analysis of each company’s website and even call posing as customers. It helps us get a feel for what real-life customers experience.
3. Analyze reviews. We read dozens of reviews for each company to see what most impresses (and turns off) customers. We also conducted a meta-analysis of more than 16,000 reviews to calculate an industry customer review average.
4. Pay real-life customers for honest feedback. Move.org routinely gives away $500 moving grants in exchange for candid feedback about using moving container companies.
5. Site visits. We invite industry experts and company executives to visit our headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT. We grill them on everything from pricing and customer reviews to insurance coverage and the latest industry trends.
6. Annual review. Every year, we repeat the process to ensure that our list of the best moving container companies stays current. That means our top recommendations and industry prices may change each year.