The Best Virtual Address Services Compared (Features, Costs, and Features)

Business plan, capital, passion. Market study, competitor analysis, and a can-do attitude. Any list of “things you need to start a business” typically includes these items. What’s often excluded, yet vital for success, is a virtual address service.

What Is a Virtual Address?

A virtual address is a real street address that you can use to receive postal mail without needing to be physically present at the location. With a virtual address, your postal mail will be delivered uninterrupted, even when you’re traveling or living at a different address. For businesses, it offers many benefits.

Benefits of a Virtual Address

Protect your personal information: When your mail or parcels are delivered to a virtual address, your home address isn’t accessible by anyone via any public or online database.

Enhance your business or professional image: A virtual address in a commercial or business center district can help improve your reputation, especially if you use it for your business.

Scale your business at minimal cost: Enjoy a global presence and broad market reach by obtaining a virtual address in other countries without incurring astronomical rent expenses.

Manage mail securely and remotely: Most virtual address service providers also offer mail handling where they open & scan, forward, or store your postal mail for you.

Now that we’ve illustrated the importance and benefits of a virtual address, you may be wondering how and where you might obtain one. You’re in luck. Many reputable companies offer this service these days. The only thing that you need to do is to find your perfect match.

What to Look for When Choosing a Virtual Address

Location

The best virtual address service gives you plenty of location options. Find a provider that allows you to pick an address locally, in another state, or across an ocean. Remember, you can choose more than one virtual address. Therefore, it’s a good idea to sign up with a provider that offers multiple address options.

Plan Features

Different providers offer different virtual address plans. Some are more suited for business use, while others are perfect for personal purposes. Basic plans provide just the address that you can use to receive mail. However, most providers also offer plans that include mail services, forwarding, or mail storage. Some even come with a phone line, a receptionist service, or access to business how-to’s or case studies.

Price

Pick a virtual address service that offers the best value for your money. Some cost less than $10 per month, while others have what we call vanity pricing. Similar to a personalized licence plate, vanity pricing typically comes with a prestigious address whereby you pay for the specific reputation that the address affords.

Contract Length

When considering pricing, you also need to take into account the various plan length options. For example, if you need a virtual address for a short trip abroad, a monthly plan may be all you need. However, if you plan to use the service as a longer-term mailing address, you should look for a provider that offers annual plans.

Best Virtual Address Services

iPostal1

With over 4,000 locations worldwide, iPostal1 is a popular choice for a virtual address service for businesses and individuals alike. It’s ideal for companies seeking to enhance their credibility by obtaining a virtual address in a prestigious office location.

Primary Features:

Virtual Mailbox: Allows you to access and manage your mail remotely.

Locations: Choose from more than 4,000 in the US and worldwide. They have one of the highest numbers of locations among virtual address providers.

Mail Handling: Enjoy virtual mailbox services for secure remote mail management.

Pricing

iPostal1 virtual address plans start at $9.99 for personal use. Business plans start at $14.99.

PostScan Mail

This virtual address service has a simplified pricing structure, making it easy to choose a location. Best for short-term travelers and small businesses who need efficient remote mail management.

Main Features

Virtual Mailbox: PostScan Mail offers a prototypical virtual mailbox service, complete with open & scan, forwarding, and shredding capabilities. You can also manage multiple accounts on their platform.

User-friendly Platform: Manage your virtual mailbox and virtual address account easily on the PostScan Mail app.

Locations: PostScan Mail offers real US and international addresses that you can use as a business or professional mailing address.

Pricing

PostScan Mail standardized prices are $10 (Starter), $20 (Standard), and $30 (Premium). Additional charges apply for certain services, such as package storage after seven days, forwarding mail, or adding users.

Earth Class Mail

Earth Class Mail by LegalZoom is a virtual address service option for businesses of any size. Their plans are on the pricier side, and they offer services only in the US. However, Earth Class Mail addresses come with premium virtual mailbox features.

Main Features

Business-Friendly: Earth Class Mail is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, offering access to multiple users and a generous monthly mail allowance.

Check Deposit: The service can deposit checks you receive directly to your bank so that you can get paid right away.

Virtual Mailbox: In addition to a virtual address, Earth Class Mail is primarily a virtual mailbox service that enables you to access and manage your postal mail securely from anywhere.

Pricing

Earth Class Mail virtual address services start at $29 per month. This is the cheapest plan, which comes with two recipients. If you have more users, you can choose a $39 monthly plan (with five recipients) or a $79 monthly account (20 recipients).

Traveling Mailbox

Traveling Mailbox is a virtual address service provider with addresses in over 50 locations in the US. Their service is ideal for travelers or expats who wish to have a permanent US address while hopping from country to country or working abroad.

Main Features

Real Street Address: Traveling Mailbox locations provide you with a real street address for receiving your postal mail and packages.

Standard Services: No limits. All Traveling Mailbox locations offer the same virtual mailbox services.

Set Plans: Choose from three plans, each with a distinct set of features tailored to meet your needs.

Plan Management: Easily upgrade or downgrade your plan according to your current needs or budget.

Pricing

Traveling Mailbox virtual address plans cost $15, $25, and $55 monthly.

Virtual Post Mail

Virtual Post Mail offers virtual address services specifically designed for both business and personal use, combined with secure virtual mailbox features. If you wish to pursue a remote business or professional career, a VPN virtual address might work.

Main Features

Residential Address: A secure home address for receiving mail and other virtual mailbox features.

Commercial Lease: For business purposes, pick a plan with a physical commercial location. A lease agreement is availalbe, which is useful for a variety of enterprise transactions.

Virtual Mailbox: Remotely access and manage your postal mail. Features include mail scanning, forwarding, and unlimited cloud storage.

Pricing

VPN virtual mailbox plans start at $20 per month. Residential address plans range from $250 to $400. Commercial addresses are $300 and $500.

Anytime Mailbox

Anytime Mailbox is a virtual address service provider with locations spanning more than 2,500 addresses in the US and worldwide. Ideal for small businesses and digital nomads, Anytime Mailbox offers a wide range of virtual address plans to fit your needs and budget.

Main Features

Real Street Address: An Anytime Mailbox virtual address is a real street address, not a PO Box. It can receive mail and parcels from USPS and private couriers, making it an outstanding option for both personal and business use.

Global Reach: Choose an Anytime Mailbox virtual address in the US or in another country. You can open multiple virtual address accounts.

Quality Customer Service: Anytime Mailbox boasts a high-quality, well-trained, industry-leading customer service team.

Virtual Mailbox: A virtual address with Anytime Mailbox comes with virtual mailbox features, including opening and scanning, forwarding, mail shredding, and storage. Many locations also provide check deposit services.

Pricing

Anytime Mailbox plans start at $9.99 per month. Inclusions and specific prices may vary slightly depending on location.

Closing Thoughts

So which virtual address is for you? The answer ultimately depends on what you need a virtual address for. Do you need a virtual address to manage your business mail while traveling? Do you want a secure location for postal mail and package delivery? Are you looking for a virtual address that can facilitate the expansion of your business globally?

Consider and assess the features and pricing of each provider to make an informed decision. And don’t forget to explore the various additional services (phones, small business resources, etc.) each provider offers. Once you pinpoint the pros and cons of each brand and how they might best serve your business needs, you’ll find the perfect virtual address that suits you.

PS – You don’t necessarily have to choose just one. You could have multiple virtual addresses from different providers as well.