Royal Mail vs DPD vs Evri vs Yodel: Full Comparison
Choosing the right UK courier depends on what matters most to you: price, speed, reliability or convenience. This guide puts the four biggest couriers (plus ParcelForce) side by side so you can make an informed decision.
Quick Price Check
Enter your postcodes to see live prices from 20+ couriers.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Royal Mail | DPD | Evri | Yodel | ParcelForce |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest Price (small parcel) | £3.35 | £5.99 | £2.50 | £3.10 | £8.99 |
| Fastest Service | Next day (Special Delivery) | Next day by 12pm | Next day | Next day | Next day by 9am |
| Tracking Quality | Basic (good on tracked services) | Excellent (1-hour window) | Good | Good | Very good |
| Default Insurance | £20 | £100 | £20 | £50 | £100 |
| Max Weight | 20 kg | 30 kg | 15 kg | 20 kg | 30 kg |
| Collection Available | Limited | Yes (free on many services) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Drop-Off Locations | 11,500+ Post Offices | 6,000+ Pickup shops | 7,000+ ParcelShops | 4,000+ points | 2,500+ Post Offices |
| Trustpilot Rating | 3.2 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 | 1.5 / 5 | 1.3 / 5 | 2.8 / 5 |
Prices and ratings as of 2025/26. Trustpilot scores fluctuate — check current ratings before booking.
Best Courier For…
Cheapest: Evri
Evri (formerly Hermes) is consistently the cheapest option for small and medium parcels. If budget is your top priority and you don’t mind slightly slower delivery or the occasional hiccup, Evri is hard to beat. Prices start from £2.50 for drop-off at a ParcelShop.
Fastest & Most Reliable: DPD
DPD is the gold standard for UK delivery. Their one-hour delivery window, real-time driver tracking and consistently high customer ratings make them the go-to for anything time-sensitive or high-value. You pay more, but you get a premium experience.
Most Trusted: Royal Mail
Royal Mail’s biggest advantage is trust. Customers recognise the brand, and with 11,500 Post Offices it has the largest drop-off network in the UK. Special Delivery is guaranteed next-day with £500 insurance included. Ideal when trust matters more than price.
Heavy Items: ParcelForce
For parcels over 20 kg, ParcelForce is often the only option. They handle up to 30 kg as standard (60 kg on select services) and offer next-day, by-9am and Saturday delivery. Prices are higher but so is the weight capacity.
Each Courier’s Biggest Weakness
| Courier | Biggest Weakness |
|---|---|
| Royal Mail | Expensive for next-day; strike disruptions; limited collection options |
| DPD | Most expensive budget option; no ultra-cheap tier |
| Evri | Low customer satisfaction; delivery issues widely reported; 15 kg limit |
| Yodel | Worst Trustpilot rating; inconsistent delivery times; limited drop-off network |
| ParcelForce | Expensive for light parcels; fewer drop-off points |
When to Use Each Courier: Quick Decision Guide
Sending a small, low-value item? → Use Evri. Cheapest option, drop it at a ParcelShop and save.
Sending something valuable or urgent? → Use DPD. Pay the premium for tracking, speed and peace of mind.
Customer expects a trusted brand? → Use Royal Mail. Especially for older demographics who trust the postman.
Parcel is over 15 kg? → Use DPD or ParcelForce. They handle the heaviest weights at reasonable rates.
Budget next-day with tracking? → Use Yodel. Cheaper than DPD, though less reliable. Good for non-critical shipments.
Sending internationally? → Compare all options. DPD and ParcelForce are strong for Europe; Royal Mail is competitive for small packets worldwide.
Drop-Off Network Size
Convenience matters. If you’re dropping off parcels regularly, you want a location close to home or work:
- Royal Mail: 11,500+ Post Offices across the UK
- Evri: 7,000+ ParcelShops (newsagents, convenience stores)
- DPD: 6,000+ Pickup shops (including Sainsbury’s, Matalan)
- InPost Lockers: 5,000+ (available for multiple couriers)
- Yodel: 4,000+ Collect+ stores and lockers
- ParcelForce: 2,500+ Post Offices (fewer than Royal Mail standard)
The Verdict
There is no single “best” courier — it depends entirely on what you’re sending, how fast it needs to arrive, and how much you’re willing to pay. The smartest approach is to compare prices for every shipment. Courier prices change constantly and the cheapest option for a 2 kg parcel might not be the cheapest for a 10 kg one.
That’s exactly what Parcelfire does — one search, every courier, best price guaranteed.
Compare All UK Couriers in One Search
Enter your parcel details and see every price side by side.
Compare Prices Now