PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT: Compare Moving Containers 2024

We reviewed 75+ movers, 2k+ quotes, and 26k reviews. We do mystery shopping, accreditation checks, and regular updates to give you reliable recommendations.

Our pick
pods
PODS
4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6
  • Icon Yes  Light
    Low initial prices
  • Icon Yes  Light
    180+ locations
Strong containers
  • Icon Yes  Light
    Low final prices
  • Icon Yes  Light
    60+ locations
Why you can trust Move.org
movers helped every month
20k
moving grants awarded
24
moving companies evaluated
156
years of expert experience
80+

For over 8 years Move.org experts have examined pricing, credentials, and real customer reviews to give you (human) recommendations you can trust. See how we review.

Kurt Manwaring
Alina Bradford
Oct 08, 2024
Icon Time To Read5 min read

With 20+ years in home services and tech, Alina shares insights from her 15+ moves. She writes for CBSNews, MSN, and more while renovating her country house.

PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT are two of the best moving container companies in the industry. Honestly, these two container companies came very close in our comparison (like, they have ratings one point apart). While 1-800-PACK-RAT scores big in container quality and price-matching its competitors, PODS has low prices, more locations, and better customer reviews.

Winner: PODS. Between its low prices (and generous discounts), availability, and exceptional customer service, PODS squeaks out on top.


Company
Least expensive quote
Median quote
Most expensive quote
# of states
Details
$848
$4,511$13,040 46
$1170
$2887$6572 33
$973
$4349$870837
zippyshell
$1111
$2743$624334
upack
$1151
$3065$787650

Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Pricing data collected by requesting estimates from top moving container companies for four home sizes across six distances.

Overall, 1-800-PACK-RAT is your best bet for a more affordable move. PODS is available in 46 states, while 1-800-PACK-RAT is only available in 33.

Cost: PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT

PODS has lower initial prices than 1-800-PACK-RAT, but 1-800-PACK-RAT often has lower final prices (because of discounts and aggressive price matching). PODS typically has lower prices for small homes and short distances, while 1-800-PACK-RAT is usually more affordable for big houses and long distances.

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK RAT price comparison

Pricing
PODS
1-800-PACK-RAT
Average cost
Icon Last Updated  Light$3,814
Icon Last Updated  Light$3,854
Discounts
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Price matching
Icon Last Updated  LightSometimes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Taxes included in quotes
Icon No  DarkNo
Icon Last Updated  LightSometimes

Data as of May 2024. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change. Average cost was calculated by comparing moving costs for four home sizes across three distances.

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT price comparison by home size

We collected quotes from PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT to compare their prices. To identify each company’s strengths, we requested quotes for six distances and four home sizes.

Both companies offer discounts and price matching (1-800-PACK-RAT is more aggressive). Taxes aren’t part of your quotes, but 1-800-PACK-RAT sometimes gives you a tax estimate upon request. PODS's 10% discount is a game-changer. Its average price is $3,810, but after applying the discount, the final price is about $400 cheaper.

# of Rooms
PODS
1-800-PACK-RAT
1 room$2,559$2,760
2 rooms$3,276$3,389
3 rooms$3,276$3,389
5 rooms$6,145$5,879

Data as of May 2024. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing moving costs for four home sizes across six distances.

PODS has lower rates for most home sizes, while 1-800-PACK-RAT has better prices for the largest home size of the quotes we gathered. PODS’s average cost of $2,559 for one room is about $200 lower than 1-800-PACK-RAT’s fee of $2,760. 1-800-PACK-RAT’s average cost of $5,879 for five rooms is about $266 lower than PODS’s average cost of $6,145.

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT price comparison by distance

Distance
PODS
1-800-PACK-RAT
100 miles$1,367$1,944
450 miles$2,890$3,038
1,050 miles$4,555$4,466
1,750 miles$4,559$4,121
1,850 miles$5,480$5,505
2,050 miles$4,033$4,050

Data as of May 2024. Offers and availability may vary and are subject to change. Average cost calculated by comparing moving costs for four home sizes across six distances.

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT discounts and price matching

PODS has cheaper rates for most distances. 1-800-PACK-RAT is slightly less expensive for moves between 1,050 to 1,750 miles. Here's how the rest shook out:

  • PODS’s average cost of $1,367 for a 100-mile move is approximately $577 cheaper than 1-800-PACK-RAT.
  • 1-800-PACK-RAT’s average cost of $4,559 for moves around 1,750 miles is about $438 less expensive than PODS.
  • PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT offer discounts and price matching that affect your final costs. 1-800-PACK-RAT beats PODS in price matching.

While PODS sometimes offers price matching, it can depend on the customer service rep you talk to. On the other hand, 1-800-PACK-RAT offered PODS price matching virtually every time we spoke to them when we posed as customers.

1-800-PACK-RAT has tons of discounts for everyone from teachers to first responders, PODS offers large discounts primarily for Move.org readers, military, and long-term storage.

More recently, we've noticed PODS's uptick in seasonal promotions. For example, it had a 30% Black Friday discount on end-of-year moves. This adds up to almost $1,000 in savings on an average PODS move.

1-800-PACK-RAT's price-matching is no match, but in the end, PODS has lower prices for most home sizes and distances and competes with its regular and seasonal discounts for customers.

Winner: PODS


Availability: PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT

You will easily find a PODS location. PODS has about three times as many sites as 1-800-PACK-RAT. While 1-800-PACK-RAT has 61 facilities in 31 states, PODS has 184 locations in 46 states.

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT locations

Availability
PODS
1-800-PACK-RAT
# of states46 31
# of locations240 63

Data as of June 2024.

Winner: PODS


Customer Experience: PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT

PODS customers generally leave better reviews than 1-800-PACK-RAT customers. 1-800-PACK-RAT has an average of 2.4 out of 5 stars, while PODS has 3.1 out of 5 stars. Customers routinely give PODS much higher reviews than 1-800-PACK-RAT’s customers. They especially love PODS's customer service.

While both companies typically get praise for their professionalism, we recently found in our 1-800-PACK-RAT review that the company's customer service rating fell twice as far as the average container company over the last few years.

Winner: PODS


Containers: PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT

PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT have the two best containers on the market, but 1-800-PACK-RAT takes our top spot. Though both companies have three container sizes, the PODS container is made with steel frames while 1-800-PACK-RAT’s containers are entirely made of steel. That extra layer ensures even more protection for your stuff. (More security equals more peace of mind.)

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT container comparison

Container info
PODS
1-800-PACK-RAT
# of container sizes33
Container materialSteel framesAll steel
Small container dimensions8 x 7 x 8 ft.8.5 x 7.2. x 7.8 ft.
Medium container dimensions12 x 8 x 8 ft.12 x 7.8 x 7.5 ft.
Large container dimensions16 x 8 x 8 ft.16 x 7.8 x 7.5 ft.

Data as of June 2024.

It's also worth noting that while PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT have similar-sized containers that fit the same number of rooms, 1-800-PACK-RAT's containers hold heavier loads.

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT container capacity

Container capacity
PODS
1-800-PACK-RAT
Small container (1–2 rooms)5,200 lbs.4,000 lbs.
Medium container (2–3 rooms)4,700 lbs.6,000 lbs.
Large container (3–4 rooms)4,200 lbs.6,000 lbs.

Data as of June 2024.

Winner: 1-800-PACK-RAT


Services: PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT

PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT offer comparable services. Both companies have three container sizes, provide portable storage, and service local and long-distance moves. PODS has more locations (184 vs. 61), but 1-800-PACK-RAT has better containers (all steel vs. steel frames).

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT services comparison

Container info
PODS
1-800-PACK-RAT
# of locations
Icon Last Updated  Light240
Icon Last Updated  Light63
# of container sizes
3
3
Container material
Icon Last Updated  LightSteel frames
Icon Last Updated  LightAll steel
Local and long-distance moves
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Portable storage
Icon Yes  DarkYes
Icon Yes  DarkYes

Data as of March 2022.

Winner: Tie

Badge Definition
What is portable storage?

Moving containers double as storage units (hence the term “portable storage”). Your storage options include keeping the shipping containers at your home or a moving container company’s storage facility.

PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT coverage options

PODS has more coverage options than 1-800-PACK-RAT. While each moving container company has identical prices for similar coverage amounts, PODS offers up to $300,000, and 1-800-PACK-RAT caps out at $75,000.

PODS data as of March 2022.1 Pricing for US Contents Protection only and subject to change. 1-800-PACK-RAT data as of March 2022.2 Pricing may vary by location and are subject to change. Individuals should review their rental contract—including addendums—for a complete description of the policy’s terms, conditions, and exclusions.

Winner: PODS


PODS vs. 1-800-PACK-RAT coverage prices by declared value

Declared value
PODS
1-800-PACK-RAT
$5,000 $34.95$34.95
$25,000$79.95$79.95
$50,000$119.95$119.95
$100,000 $179.95Not offered

PODS data as of June 2024.1 Pricing for US Contents Protection only and subject to change. 1-800-PACK-RAT data as of June 2024.2 Pricing may vary by location and are subject to change. Individuals should review their rental contract — including addendums — for a complete description of the policy’s terms, conditions, and exclusions.

Our Pick: PODS is better than 1-800-PACK-RAT

PODS wins because of its pricing, customer reviews, and availability. 1-800-PACK-RAT consistently offers customers price-matching and has unbeatable container quality. It is a very close match, but in the end PODS is our top-rated company.

Want low prices and service customers love?

PODS s PACK RAT FAQ

Yes, moving container companies offer portable storage. In addition to providing local and long-distance moves, these companies also allow customers to use the containers as portable storage units.

Yes, there are moving services that offer hourly moving help. The best moving labor companies are HireAHelper, Dolly, and TaskRabbit.

Yes, a moving truck is generally cheaper than a portable storage container. However, a storage container becomes more affordable than a truck over longer distances because you don’t have to pay for fuel, food, and lodging.

Yes, PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT have more than one container size. Each company has three sizes. The smallest container size often fits one room of belongings, while the largest can fit up to four rooms.

PODS has a lower initial moving cost than 1-800-PACK-RAT ($3,810 vs. $3,850 for an average move) and offers a 10% discount for Move.org readers. 1-800-PACK-RAT also offers discounts, and it price matches, which can result in lower final prices.

Related articles

PODS and 1-800-PACK-RAT have a lot to offer—but they aren’t the only container companies out there. Learn more about the competition:

Sources

1. 1-800-PACK-RAT, “Contents Protection Plans,” September 2022. Accessed May 2024.

2. PODS. “Contents Protection Option.” Accessed May 2024.

Kurt Manwaring
Written by
Kurt Manwaring brings nearly a decade’s worth of research experience as a business consultant to the Move.org team. He specializes in taking complicated issues (like moving) and presenting them in a way that everyone can understand. His writing has been featured in hundreds of publications, including USA Today, Martha Stewart Living, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Heavy, Slate, and Yahoo! Lifestyle. He brings a BS in sociology and an MPA (masters of public administration) to the Move team. He would love to hear about your moving experiences and questions at kurt@move.org.