UPS vs. Purolator: Shipping Services & Pricing in 2024
UPS and Purolator are two widely utilized shipping carriers. Depending on your needs, either of them can be a good choice.
In this article, we’ll run a thorough comparison between UPS vs. Purolator, exploring their shipping services, pricing, delivery times, and other aspects that can help you make an informed decision about which carrier to pick.
Related Reading: UPS vs USPS
UPS vs. Purolator: An Overview
UPS is a US-based carrier known worldwide for its shipping services, including international shipping, express delivery, and logistics services. They have a big network and great tracking features to make sure your packages arrive on time.
Additionally, UPS operates in over 220 countries and has an extensive fleet of trucks, planes and facilities.
Meanwhile, Purolator is a Canadian carrier that focuses more on serving the Canadian market that provides various domestic and international shipping options.
Purolator is great for shipping within Canada, and they also offer special services like same-day delivery and cater to specific industries like healthcare and retail. Also, Purolator tracking system allows you to follow the packages with text messages.
Purolator has built a strong network within Canada. This means they know their way around the logistics landscape in the country, resulting in efficient delivery services for domestic shipments.
UPS vs. Purolator: Delivery Services
UPS offers a wide range of services, both domestic and international. Here are all the services that UPS provides:
| Shipping Service | Description | Approximate Price Range | Approximate Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | Affordable ground shipping service within the same country | $10-$50 | 1-7 business days |
| UPS Next Day Air | Next-day delivery service within the same country | $30-150 | Next business day |
| UPS 2nd Day Air | Two-day delivery within the same country | $20-$100 | 2 business days |
| UPS 3-Day Select | Three-day delivery within the same country | $15-$80 | 3 business days |
| UPS Worldwide Express | Fast international shipping service | $50-$500 | 1-3 business days |
| UPS Worldwide Saver | International shipping service is a bit more affordable but slower than the service above | $40-$400 | 1-3 business days |
| UPS Standard | Cheap option but with longer delivery times | $15-$80 | Depends on the country |
Delivery times can vary, depending on the service you choose. Keep in mind, though, that if you want your package to arrive faster, you'll have to shell out a bit more money.
Purolator also offers various shipping services, including:
| Shipping Services | Approximate Prices | Delivery Times | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purolator Express | Starts at $15 | Next business day | Fast delivery for time-sensitive shipments within Canada |
| Purolator Ground | Starts at $10 | 1 to 3 business days | Affordable option for non-urgent shipments within Canada |
| Purolator Express US | Starts at $15 | 1 to 3 business days | Fast delivery for time-sensitive shipments to the US |
| Purolator Ground US | Starts at $10 | 2 to 7 business days | Affordable option for non-urgent shipments to the US |
| Purolator Express Intenational | Varies by destination | Varies by destination | Shipping service for sending packages outside of Canada. |
Besides these, Purolator also offers specialized services for industries like healthcare and retail.
UPS and Purolator provide a variety of shipping services to accommodate diverse needs. UPS offers services like UPS Next Day Air and UPS Worldwide Express, ensuring quick and dependable deliveries for both domestic and international shipments.
On the other hand, Purolator provides services such as Purolator Ground and Purolator Express, specifically tailored for shipments within Canada.
Which Is Cheaper: UPS vs. Purolator?
By comparing the rates for each carrier and service, you can choose which shipping option is the most cost-effective for your needs.
The following examples are approximate rates for shipping a 5kg and 30x46x9cm package and the value declared to get the prices presented in the table was the minimum.
UPS vs. Purolator: Domestic Shipping
Here's a table comparing the approximate rates for shipping a 5kg package from Vancouver to Toronto using UPS vs. Purolators' various shipping services.
| Case Study: 5 kg package from Vancouver to Toronto | |||
| Carrier | Shipping Service | Shipping Rates | Shipping Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS | UPS Standard | $55.32 | 6 business days |
| UPS Expedited | $77.34 | 3 business days at the end of the day | |
| UPS Express Saver | $81.77 | 2 business days by 4:30 PM | |
| UPS Express | $98.77 | 2 business days by 12 PM | |
| UPS Express Saver | $115.10 | Next day by the end of the day | |
| UPS Express Early | $117.77 | 2 business days by 10:30 AM | |
| UPS Express Plus | $151.10 | Next Day by 12 PM | |
| Purolator | Purolator Ground | $91.09 | 5 business days |
| Purolator Ground Evening | $110.97 | 5 business days | |
| Purolator Ground 10:30 AM | $106.91 | 5 business days | |
| Purolator Ground 9 AM | $129.23 | 5 business days | |
| Purolator Express 9 PM | $129.93 | 2 business days | |
| Purolator Express 12 PM | $148.76 | 2 business days | |
| Purolator Express 10:30 AM | $159.61 | 2 business days | |
| Purolator Express Evening | $170.79 | 2 business days | |
| Purolator Express 9 AM | $196.81 | 2 business days | |
As we can see in the comparison table, for domestic shipping within Canada, surprisingly, UPS offers slightly lower rates than Purolator for a 5kg package from Vancouver to Toronto
UPS vs. Purolator: Shipping to the US
Here's a table comparing UPS vs. Purolator rates for shipping a 5 kg package from Canada to the USA:
| Case Study: 5 kg package from Canada to the US | |||
| Carrier | Shipping Sevice | Shipping Rates | Delivery Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS | UPS Standard | $43.88 | 7 business days by the end of the day |
| UPS 3-Day Select | $116.77 | 4 business days | |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited | $131.89 | 3 business days | |
| UPS Worldwide Saver | $192.24 | 2 business days by the end of the day | |
| UPS Worldwide Express | $202.29 | 2 business days by 12 PM | |
| UPS Express Early | $280.70 | 2 business days by 8:30 AM | |
| Purolator | Purolator Ground US | $75.30 | 5 business days |
| Purolator Express US Guaranteed | $317.63 | Next business day by the end of the day | |
| Purolator Express US 10:30 AM | $334.58 | Next business day by 10:30 AM | |
| Purolator Express U.S. 9 AM Guaranteed | $465.05 | Next business day | |
Based on the provided prices and delivery times, UPS Standard ($43.88) is cheaper compared to Purolator Ground US ($75.30). Although UPS Standard offers a delivery time of 7 business days and Purolator Ground US takes just 5 business days, UPS is still worth it.
UPS vs. Purolator: International Shipping
Here's a comparison table of shipping services between UPS and Purolator for sending a 5kg package from Canada to the UK.
| Case Study: 5 kg package from Canada to the UK | |||
| Carrier | Shipping Service | Shipping Rates | Shipping Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS | UPS Worldwide Expedited | $237.88 | 6 business days |
| UPS Express Saver | $253.83 | 3 business days by the end of the day | |
| UPS Worldwide Express | $267.01 | 3 business days by 12 PM | |
| UPS Worldwide Express Plus | $347.69 | 3 business days by 9 AM | |
| Purolator | Purolator Express International Guaranteed | $426.05 | 2 business days |
| Purolator Expr4ess International 12 PM Guaranteed | $448.24 | 2 Business days | |
Based on the table above, for international shipping, UPS tends to have more competitive rates compared to Purolator.
Taking into account the analysis made above, it appears that UPS generally offers cheaper shipping options compared to Purolator for the specific services mentioned.
However, pricing can vary, depending on factors such as package weight, dimensions, and any additional services required.
Which Is Faster: UPS vs. Purolator?
When it comes to speed, UPS is usually faster than Purolator.
UPS has different fast shipping options like UPS 3-Day Select, UPS Worldwide Expedited, UPS Worldwide Saver, UPS Worldwide Express, and UPS Express Early, with delivery times ranging from 2 to 4 business days.
On the other hand, Purolator's services like Purolator Ground US take a bit longer, usually around 5 business days or more.
So if you need your package to arrive quickly, UPS is the best choice.
Which Is Better: UPS vs. Purolator?
UPS has a big global network and offers lots of shipping options for both domestic and international shipments. They're known for being fast and reliable, and they have great tracking systems.
Purolator is a well-known carrier in Canada, and they're good for domestic shipping within the country. It may be a suitable choice for individuals or businesses with a primary focus on domestic shipments within Canada.
Based on the data exposed above, we can say that UPS is the better option for shipping, domestically and internationally.
UPS vs. Purolator: Understanding the Key Differences
Here are some of te key differences between these couriers:
- UPS has a larger global network than Purolator, making it a top choice for international shipping.
- Purolator is more focused on domestic shipping within Canada and is often preferred for local deliveries.
- UPS provides a wider range of services, including logistics and freight solutions.
- Prices depend on factors like shipment type, destination, and delivery speed. Generally, Purolator tends to be more affordable for shipments within Canada, while UPS might offer better rates for international deliveries.
Final Thoughts
UPS is great for global shipping, while Purolator is more focused on Canada. Both have competitive prices, but when deciding between the two, consider your shipment’s destination, the size and weight of your package, how fast you need it, and your budget. That way, you can choose the carrier that suits you best.
Which carrier do you prefer—UPS vs. Purolator? We'd like to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.
