Are you living the dream as a globetrotting independent professional or remote worker? If so, you’ve probably realized that one of the biggest challenges is receiving and managing postal mail. While you’re away, you still get bills, checks, legal documents, and other important things, but have no way to open or view them.
Fortunately, there’s a solution.
A digital mailbox allows you to access postal mail online. Virtual mailbox services can include scanning incoming mail, forwarding mail, forwarding packages, and even sending checks to your bank for deposit. Some digital mailboxes can also serve as a registered agent with a physical address for your business, complete with a lease, which you can use for legal papers for incorporation.
This article helps you sort through the best options for digital mailboxes.
Best virtual mailboxes
Different virtual mailboxes have different features and prices, but here are our top 3 picks.
Anytime Mailbox
Anytime Mailbox is one of the largest digital mailbox services, with 1,595 locations around the world. The service offers virtual mailing addresses in most major U.S. cities and larger cities worldwide.
A mobile app also lets users choose from several functions, including scanning contents, shredding, recycling, forwarding (even internationally), or sending a check to your bank for a deposit. The app is modeled after familiar email programs, so it’s very intuitive for most users. Anytime Mailbox can also receive packages from FedEx, UPS, and DHL.
Pros:
- All plans include unlimited online storage
- Addresses are available internationally (Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa) and in most major U.S. cities
- Modern and convenient mobile app and online user interface
Cons:
- Some areas have minimal addresses available
- Prices vary significantly by location
- Service offerings (like check deposit) are not available in all locations
Price: $4.98+ per month based on address location and tiered packages
Best digital mailbox for Digital nomads and independent professionals who need to manage their personal and professional physical mail from anywhere in the world
PostScan Mail
PostScan Mail is a virtual mailbox service that offers mail scanning, mail and package forwarding, physical mail storage, and local pickup. PostScan Mail has an app for iOS and Android that makes managing postal mail convenient and easy. The service boasts unlimited cloud storage for scanned mail and has physical locations available inside and outside the U.S.
Pros:
- Allows forwarded mail and items to be held and combined
- Allows for multiple users and recipients at one address
- Filters can be set to scan and archive incoming mail automatically
Cons:
- No check deposit services
- Only allows seven days for holding packages
- Watch for fees when exceeding plan limits
Price: $15 to $30 per month
Best digital mailbox for: Traveling independent professionals and digital nomads who don’t receive many checks through the mail or have much mail that requires forwarding
USA2Me
USA2Me provides mail and package forwarding services from physical addresses in the U.S. They offer a web-based Mail Manager that lets you manage incoming mail with options to request to scan contents, discard, or forward. There is just one mailing address in Houston, Texas, but mail and packages can be shipped anywhere for competitive rates.
Pros:
- BBB-accredited business with an A+ rating
- Free junk mail removal
- Shipping costs are included in the monthly fee for Premium and Ultimate accounts
Cons:
- Only one mailing address is available (Houston, Texas)
- No mobile app for Mail Manager (web interface only)
- Setup fee required for all accounts
Price: $10 to $60 per month (there is also a “free” Basic plan that allows you to only pay for what you need)
Best digital mailbox for Businesses outside the U.S. that want a physical address in the U.S.
Other virtual mailboxes worth considering
Incfile
Incfile provides virtual mailbox services with addresses in 24 U.S. states. Incfile’s plan offers unlimited scans at a fixed cost of $29 a month. You’ll also get an email notification whenever new mail is uploaded. Incfile also offers registered agent services to ensure all legal documentation for your business is received and forwarded to you. While they don’t have a smartphone app, you can access your digital mail scans through a web browser.
Pros:
- Unlimited mail volume with scanning of all incoming mail
- Fixed monthly cost
- Virtual business addresses are available in 24 states
Cons:
- No package receiving; letters and large mail only
- Higher-priced entry point than other providers
- No mobile app; only accessible via a web browser
Price: $29 per month regardless of mail volume
Best digital mailbox for Young entrepreneurs who require a business address to incorporate (in their serviced area)
US Global Mail
US Global Mail is among the most well-known virtual mail service providers. They offer one “real” address in six U.S. states (California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Washington) and Washington, D.C. If you live in Concord, Calif., or Houston, Texas, you can choose to pick up mail from the warehouse.
The service also offers free check deposit services for all their plans, which is great for nomads who are frequently paid with physical checks. All US Global Mail plans offer unlimited external scans of incoming mail but charge a fee for all internal scans.
Pros:
- Can bundle letters + 80% off shipping costs on forwarded mail
- Free check deposit services for all plans
- Unlimited external scans
Cons:
- Limited addresses in just six states and Washington, D.C.
- Internal mail scans are $3 + $0.50 per page fee for each
- Limited digital mail storage time (90 to 180 days)
Price: $9.95 to $14.95 per month
Best digital mailbox for Independent professionals, digital nomads, or ex-pats who move frequently, get a lot of low-priority mail, need check deposit services, and don’t require a mobile app
Alliance Virtual Office
Geared toward the business sector, Alliance provides virtual addresses in existing office buildings in recognizable locations. They offer mail receipt and forwarding, and their addresses can be used for licensing and entity formation. They also offer virtual office services like live receptionists, virtual phone numbers, and phone systems. Additionally, they offer access to meeting rooms, offices, and co-working spaces in many cities around the world.
Pros:
- Addresses are for real office locations and can accept in-person pickup
- Addresses are available in most U.S. states and international cities
- Addresses can be used for business licensing, entity formation, and other business needs
Cons:
- Mail forwarding is not included with the base plan
- No scanning of incoming mail, solely forwarding and pickup
- Expensive for those who don’t need other virtual office features
Price: Cost varies by location; mail forwarding is additional
Best digital mailbox for Businesses that don’t have a physical office and can benefit from services beyond a virtual mailbox
Traveling Mailbox
Traveling Mailbox has real physical street addresses around the U.S. and can receive both mail and packages from all major carriers (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL). With a mobile app for iOS and Android, you choose what to do with each piece of incoming mail: shred, forward, open and scan, deposit check, etc.
You can also mark letters as junk mail, and they won’t count against scan limits. You can set up email notifications to prompt you when new mail is added.
Pros:
- Rollover unused monthly scans
- User-friendly mobile app
- Mail can be forwarded to any location
Cons:
- No free trial
- Somewhat limited in U.S. physical addresses
- No international addresses
Price: $15 to $55 per month
Best digital mailbox for Digital nomads who receive a lot of junk mail or need frequent content scan
VirtualPostMail
VirtualPostMail is a digital mailbox service that offers a real street address in four states (Florida, California, Nevada, and Delaware). Their virtual mailbox has unlimited storage space for the life of the account, and all scanned mail is searchable within the system. They can also provide registered agent services with some plans, which is helpful for home-based or remote businesses.
Pros:
- Accepts UPS, USPS, and FedEx packages with package forwarding
- Check deposit services (for a fee)
- Unlimited digital mail storage with searchable mail
Cons:
- Limited to one address in four states
- No mobile app
- The lowest plan offers only 25 scans and junk mail isn’t explicitly excluded
Price: $20 to $90 per month
Best digital mailbox for Remote businesses and digital nomads who need a physical street address in the U.S. and don’t require frequent check cashing
Earth Class Mail
Earth Class Mail offers individual and business virtual mailbox options that include mail scanning, shredding, forwarding, and check deposits. Premium and Business plan users can choose from 80+ addresses around the country. They offer on-site storage for mail (30 days free) and packages (10 days free). They also recycle 100% of customer junk mail after shredding.
Pros:
- Top-tier mailbox plan includes addresses in 80+ locations in most U.S. states
- Integrations with Quickbooks, Dropbox, Box, Google, Xero, and Bill.com
- Mobile app for iOS and Android
Cons:
- Only one address option (Beaverton, Oregon) for individual plans
- High over-quota fees
- Many addresses are PO boxes and can’t receive packages
Price: $19 to $79 per month
Best digital mailbox for Individuals and businesses that don’t need to receive packages or want a digital mail solution to replace a PO box
PO Box Zone
PO Box Zone offers virtual mailing addresses in Wyoming and Nevada. Both locations are physical addresses to receive packages from all major carriers. Mail can be scanned and added to your online storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox) and sent to your email.
Junk mail is removed, and all remaining envelopes are scanned and stored until you decide what to do with them. Mail forwarding can be automated at specified intervals.
Pros:
- Receive packages from all carriers (FedEx, USPS, UPS, and DHL)
- Mobile app for iOS and Android
- Integration with Dropbox and Google for digital storage
Cons:
- Addresses in Nevada and Wyoming only
- Annual billing only
- No control over what’s considered junk mail
Price: $99 to $250 per year
Best digital mailbox for Frequent travelers and small businesses that want a simple mail forwarding solution and need a mobile app
Switch
Switch virtual mail services are geared toward sending mail rather than receiving it. Like a virtual mailroom, Switch lets you import business contacts, send physical mail, manage mailing lists, track mail, and keep track of mailing budgets. The service offers unlimited user access, so you can share with teams working in an office or remotely. A service like a Switch will save you many trips to the post office.
Pros:
- Unlimited users
- Manages mailing lists and tracks mail sent
- Online notary available
Cons:
- No inbound mail or virtual address
- Doesn’t offer 24/7 support
- Must be a sender in the U.S.
Price: $1.52 for black-and-white letters and goes up based on mail counts and desired shipping method
Best digital mailbox for Businesses or independent professionals who primarily want to send rather than receive business mail
Sasquatch Mail
Sasquatch Mail is a mail forwarding provider with virtual addresses in Florida, Delaware, California, Idaho, Illinois, and Wyoming. They offer mail scanning, forwarding, and virtual office services. Packages can be forwarded to any location with no postage deposit. They also provide free shredding and recycling.
Pros:
- Offer virtual office services, including a lease, for incorporating
- Unlimited recipients for your address
- The low-cost entry point is suitable for those who need fewer scans
Cons:
- Addresses in just six states
- No international addresses
- A la carte pricing structure could quickly become expensive
Price: Starts at $9.99 for address + $2 per scan + $2 and postage for forwarding
Best digital mailbox for Businesses, ex-pats, and nomads who need a low-volume forwarding solution and don’t need a robust digital mailbox
Northwest Registered Agent
If you’re looking to start a limited liability company (LLC), Northwest Registered Agent aims to be the cheapest option. They offer a physical address and everything you need to legally register a company with same-day filing and free legal forms. As the name implies, they can also act as your registered agent and keep you in compliance with regulations in any U.S. state, including Puerto Rico. They also offer virtual office services for $29 a month.
Pros:
- Establish a legal business entity in any U.S. state and Puerto Rico
- Corporate guide services can help with annual required filings
- Costs less than hiring a lawyer
Cons:
- Virtual office only in Wyoming, Florida, Delaware, Texas, Washington, and Montana
- Geared toward new businesses that need to be established
- Charges for some tasks that a new business owner could do for free or low-cost
Price: Starts at around $100, but prices vary by state, type of entity, and state filing costs
Best digital mailbox for Startups and small business owners who’d benefit from virtual office services
PhysicalAddresses.com
Physical Address offers a digital mailbox service at a very competitive price. Physical Address customers have access to a mobile app for smartphones, clear screenshots of scanned mail, and a familiar user interface for their digital mailbox that mimics commonly used emails like Google and Yahoo Mail. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee for all their packages.
Pros:
- Low-cost entry point
- Support seven days a week
- Free in-person pickup and 90 days of storage
Cons:
- Locations are limited to Florida, Idaho, New York, Nevada, Georgia, Texas, and California
- Limited addresses—just one in each state—but you can select a suite number
- No UPS, FedEx package delivery
Price: Between $7.98 and $26.98 a month with minor price increases based on location
Best digital mailbox for: Those who don’t want their mail outsourced to third-party mail centers or forwarded to another location
iPostal1
iPostal1 offers physical addresses in every U.S. state and major cities around the world. iPostal1’s virtual address options include prestigious locations (like New York’s Wall Street or 5th Avenue) that can add a little cachet for virtual business at a low cost. They also offer virtual office services like phone and fax forwarding if needed.
Pros:
- BBB A+ accreditation rating
- More prestigious addresses than many other services
- The website includes real-time shipping prices in the U.S., allowing users to choose budget-friendly shipping options
Cons:
- Somewhat confusing user interface
- Watch out for fees for additional services or overages
- Global footprint, but with some limitations for major international cities
Price: Tiers start at $9.99 for a digital mailbox or address and go up to $39.99 for a virtual office
Best digital mailbox for Midsize businesses looking to expand geographically and small companies that can benefit from phone forwarding
Features to consider when choosing a digital mailbox
Virtual mailbox services are quite similar, but there are features and benefits to look for to suit your specific needs.
Number of addresses
“Location. Location. Location.” Although things are changing in the virtual world, there are still benefits to having your business address in a prestigious location.
Some digital mailbox providers offer multiple addresses to choose from, including “vanity” addresses like 5th Avenue or Wall Street in New York City. Vanity addresses typically cost a bit more, but they may pay off down the road.
Other virtual mailbox providers have just one or two in a given state, so your address will be the same as the rest of their client base—with a different suite number.
Mobile app for smartphones
A mobile app typically allows users to receive notifications, forward mail, shred mail, or do full-page scanning directly on their phones, which is convenient for those who regularly sort through email on their devices.
If you do most of your business on your phone while on the road, you’ll want to look for a digital mailbox service that offers an app. While you may be able to log in to the website on your phone, the user experience may not be as smooth.
Check deposit
Some digital mail providers provide check deposit services. What that means is they will take any checks and send them directly to your bank for deposit, typically within one or two business days. You have to pay the postage, but some services will allow you to consolidate multiple checks.
Account security
Perhaps the most significant barrier to opting for a virtual mailbox service is the security concerns. Tax forms, credit cards, personal notes, incoming checks, and other correspondence are not things we want to share with anyone off the street.
As a result, many digital mailbox services take the time to explain their security protocols for both their digital mailbox interfaces and physical locations. When researching, look for high numbers for digital encryption (the higher, the better) and 24/7 monitoring of all mail handling areas.
Mail storage
Digital mailbox companies will hold on to your physical mail for a set amount of time and at a fixed cost. Many services offer no charge for 30 days, and some allow you up to three months to let your mail collect. Packages are usually held at no cost for less time—which makes sense because they take up more space.
When considering your plan, be aware of the amount of time you’ll have to get your mail sent somewhere else. Set reminders for yourself to get the mail forwarded in a timely fashion, or the virtual mailbox provider will charge you a fee.
Integrations
Some digital mailbox providers offer unlimited free data storage, but others limit the amount of data they hold for you based on time or file size. With a digital mailbox integration, you can take responsibility for and store your data on a chosen server.
If you or your business receives a lot of important physical mail that you need to retain, integration with a storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or accounting software like Quickbooks is beneficial. Especially with large quantities of mail, it’s one less thing to worry about in keeping files available and secure.
Overage fees
Read the fine print. In particular, when choosing a service with a low-cost entry point, you should also understand the fees associated with services outside the package agreement.
Most mailbox services have additional fees beyond the basic mailbox. The good thing about this structure is that you only pay for what you need. However, high overage fees for receiving individual mail will make getting junk mail annoying and costly. Check the fine print to see if junk mail is included against your mail scan counts.
Start with a good idea of how much mail you receive in a month when choosing from a tiered service plan to avoid overage fees. You’ll also want to be diligent in timing the shipping and forwarding of your mail to prevent storage overage fees. Look for providers who allow you to bundle mail together rather than send items individually.
Price
Digital mailboxes are not a particularly spendy service, but prices vary significantly based on volume and services. As mentioned, consider overage fees in your calculations.
Generally speaking, digital mailbox services cost between $10 and $30 a month, depending on the volume of mail received. Add-ons like vanity addresses, virtual office services (phone, lease agreement, etc.), and registered agent services will also add costs.
There are even services that can give you a real physical workspace in an office building where you can meet with clients. However, those services can be pricey.
A lower-cost plan will do the trick for most people. However, there are options if you want to expand your business into a new state, change your state of residence to help reduce tax burdens, are considering incorporating, or need a physical address for e-commerce.
Who would benefit from using a digital mailbox?
Any traveling professional who finds themselves frequently away from home for work—and who doesn’t have someone looking after their mail—can benefit from a digital mailbox service. These include independent professionals, digital nomads, and remote workers who choose to travel. Traveling nurses and contract workers may also benefit from this service.
Additionally, small business owners without a physical location may benefit from having an address that their remote teams can access. They may also use that physical address in their business documentation.
Note that the USPS offers Informed Delivery, which provides an email with digital scanning of incoming mail (not the contents, just the envelope) for those who opt-in. They don’t offer mail forwarding (unless you set up a temporary forward), nor do they open mail for you. But at the very least, you can see what mail is coming at no cost to you.
