Same Day Shipping: Is FedEx SameDay or UPS Express® Critical Better?

FedEx Same Day delivery vs. UPS Express Critical®: Which is better for same-day shipping? Discover the best option for same-day delivery.
Same Day Shipping: Is FedEx SameDay or UPS Express® Critical Better?
3 Min Read
August 9, 2019
Jules
3 min read
Aug 9, 2019

Key Points:

  • FedEx SameDay is a cross-country delivery service geared towards ensuring that your customers’ orders arrive at their doorsteps within hours
  • UPS Express Critical® is typically cheaper than FedEx SameDay
  • UPS Express Critical® may work better for budget-minded merchants looking to ship outside the U.S.

Same-day shipping is all the rage nowadays in the world of eCommerce - and online shoppers have certainly taken notice! Recently, customers have come to increasingly expect same-day shipping services from merchants if not outright demand. In fact, a 2017 study revealed that a quarter of online shoppers would go so far as to abandon their cart if same-day shipping wasn’t available.

Fortunately, many options are available to help you deliver time-sensitive packages without any delays, including FedEx SameDay and UPS Express Critical®.

However, before you opt for any of these services, it’s important to better understand them. Here’s a closer look at their details and unique pros and cons to help you decide which one is better for your own eCommerce business!

FedEx SameDay

FedEx SameDay is a cross-country delivery service geared towards ensuring that your customers’ orders arrive at their doorsteps within hours. Available seven days of the week, the service delivers to all 50 states in the U.S. and accepts packages of up to 150 lbs. per shipment.

It should also be noted that for packages that exceed 70 lbs., the courier should receive prior notification. The same rule applies to packages that have sides exceeding 48 inches.

Some of the services offered under this option include:

  • FedEx SameDay Direct – Offers direct delivery of your goods without any additional service-related stops
  • FedEx SameDay Freight - This FedEx SameDay delivery service offers cross-country freight deliveries on the same day
  • FedEx SameDay City Priority – Offers delivery of goods within hours of pickup in urban areas, depending mostly on the distance or location
  • FedEx SameDay City Standard – Offers delivery of goods within four hours of pickup in metropolitan areas
  • FedEx SameDay City Route – Offers customized door-to-door delivery in urban areas
  • FedEx SameDay City Economy – With this service, the package is delivered by 5 pm on the day of pickup in metropolitan areas

Pros of FedEx SameDay

  • A great degree of customization and flexibility
  • Offers a very precise tracking system
  • Deliveries are done even on weekends
  • Pricing is negotiable

Cons of FedEx SameDay

  • Higher shipping costs compared to UPS Express Critical
  • Package pickup service costs an additional charge
  • Fewer offices to ship parcels out from or inquire about shipments
  • Available in the U.S. only

UPS Express Critical®

With this UPS same-day delivery service, your business is offered urgent and same-day delivery shipping services both in North America and overseas, including Europe. With access to different types of aircraft and delivery vehicles, the courier can rapidly deliver a wide variety of parcels of all sizes to their destinations.

The shipping services also come with value-added services, including special equipment and customized shipping handling like unpacking, set up, maneuvering multiple entrances and stairs, and the like.

The services offered through UPS Express Critical® include the following:

  • UPS Express Critical® Air – Next flight-out service that covers North America, Europe, and other metropolitan locations worldwide
  • UPS Express Critical® Surface – This service offers exclusive non-stop, door-to-door ground transportation of packages throughout the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and Europe
  • UPS Express Critical® Charter – Offers air charter management services across all countries
  • UPS Express Critical® Hand Carry – With this service, customers are offered dedicated and exclusive in-transit, end-to-end physical possession of packages till delivery
  • UPS Express Critical® International – This UPS Express Critical service offers global next-flight-out, courier, and charter services. It also has no package weight or size limitations

Pros of UPS Express Critical®

  • Efficient handling of high-priority goods
  • Guaranteed express shipping
  • Affordable pricing for heavy shipments
  • Flexible and customizable shipping options
  • Reliable tracking system
  • 24/7 customer service
  • Services are typically cheaper compared to FedEx SameDay
  • More global in scope compared to FedEx SameDay

Cons of UPS Express Critical®

  • Package pickups cost a fee
  • Weekend deliveries require additional charges

FedEx SameDay vs. UPS Express Critical®: Compare the Shipping Solutions Carefully

Ultimately, FedEx SameDay and UPS Express Critical® offer great solutions for online merchants who need rapid, same-day shipping or even same-day delivery services.

FedEx SameDay is probably the better option for those shipping domestically in the U.S. who want to keep close tabs on their parcels while UPS Express Critical® may work better for budget-minded merchants looking to ship outside the U.S.

Fortunately, Easyship partners with both FedEx and UPS to offer your company a wide array of shipping solutions.

Sign up for a free account today to start same-day shipping to customers worldwide!

{{ ship-for-less-with-any-courier-guaranteed }}

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Key Points:

  • FedEx SameDay is a cross-country delivery service geared towards ensuring that your customers’ orders arrive at their doorsteps within hours
  • UPS Express Critical® is typically cheaper than FedEx SameDay
  • UPS Express Critical® may work better for budget-minded merchants looking to ship outside the U.S.
Get Your Ship Together.

By submitting the form, you agree to receive marketing emails from Easyship.

Save up to 91% on Shipping. Try for free.

Effortlessly compare 550+ courier services with one global account. Instant discounts. Start in minutes.

Shipping Internationally? Unsure What Tariffs or Duties Apply?
Try our FREE Tax & Duty Calculator

Trying to stay up to date on the latest cross-border shipping and import requirements? Get an instant estimate of all applicable taxes and duties for every country across 220+ global destinations or sign up and take advantage of our in-built HS Code lookup tool.

Calculate Tax & Duties Instantly (Free Tool)
Ready to Stop Overpaying for Shipping?
Try our FREE Shipping Rate Calculator

Looking for the cheapest way to ship a package? Get an instant shipping quote and compare rates from 550+ courier services across the United States, Canada, UK, Australia, and more. Simply add your package size and delivery location, and you'll find the best deal in seconds.

Calculate Rates Instantly (Free Tool)
Planning Your Campaign?

Get in touch with us now and our shipping consultants can give you a detailed quote and additional info to help with your campaign.

Get in touch
The Cheapest Shipping from USPS, UPS & FedEx

Find the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.

GET RATE QUOTES FREE
The Cheapest Shipping from USPS, UPS & FedEx

Find the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.

GET RATE QUOTES FREE
Get in touch with our fulfillment experts!

We believe simple pricing is the best pricing. Get a quote with a simplified pricing structure and no hidden fees.

Contact us
Need help fulfilling your crowdfunding campaign?

We provide the necessary tools needed to keep you on budget for shipping and to safely deliver your product to backers around the world.

Learn more
Try our duty & tax calculator!

Need to estimate your shipping duties & taxes? Our calculator can give you an idea of what to expect.

TRY IT NOW
Save up to 91% on Shipping. Try for free.

Compare 550+ courier services with one global account. Start in minutes.

GET STARTED FOR FREE
Get a Free Quote for Your Campaign

Receive a personal cost estimate for your crowdfunding campaign from our trusted global fulfillment partners. Easyship is a certified Indiegogo partner.

GET FREE QUOTE
Looking for great rates from a top courier?

Save up to 74% on UPS shipping rates by shipping with Easyship. You can run a quote and generate your first shipments in literally minutes!

SHIP WITH UPS TODAY
The cheapest way to ship for eCommerce

Get instant access with volume-discounted shipping rates. Save up to 89% off on USPS, UPS, FedEx, and more. Easyship is free for 50 shipments each month.

SIGN UP FREE TO SAVE
Find your perfect fulfillment partner with expert help

Let Easyship connect you to the largest shipping and fulfillment network on Earth. You’ll find trusted partners for all things logistics. Guidance is free from our global shipping experts.

ASK AN EXPERT
Don’t miss our money and time-saving features!

Explore the powerful features that 100K+ merchants use to ship smarter, not harder. Shipping automation, live rates at checkout, live duty and tax – all free to try with Easyship.

EXPLORE ALL FEATURES
Start saving on shipping in seconds

Create your free Easyship account to streamline shipping and save with discounted rates. No hidden fees. No minimums. Just savings.

CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNT
Create Your Shipping Policy Free

Use our guided walk-through to build the perfect shipping policy for your eCommerce business.

CREATE YOUR POLICY FREE
Looking to intergrate your Shopify store?

With 550+ pre-negotiated shipping services available with discounts of up to 91%, you can save time & money today when you integrate your Shopify store with Easyship

REGISTER FOR FREE
Use Easyship Free Every Month

Easyship is free to use for 50 shipments every month. You’ll save big on our discounted shipping rates up to 91% off, and save time with smart automation. Signup is fast and free.

CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNT
Don’t miss the key steps to fulfillment success

Follow the easy path to fulfillment success. Easyship’s free fulfillment checklist provides a proven step-by-step so you can ship at scale without the guesswork.

VIEW THE CHECKLIST
Ship for less with any courier, guaranteed

Save up to 89% off all shipping rates. Easyship offers the guaranteed cheapest volume-discounted rates on the market from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ global couriers.

SIGN UP TO SAVE
Don’t miss all our money and time-saving features!

Explore the innovative features that 100K+ merchants use to ship smarter, not harder. Shipping automation, live rates at checkout, live duty and tax – all free to try with Easyship.

EXPLORE FEATURES
Want the cheapest rates?

Register for an Easyship account today and you will gain access to the cheapest rates, instantly.

REGISTER FOR FREE
Watch out for international duty and tax!

What exactly does it cost to ship cross-border? Use the free duty and tax calculator from Easyship to view accurate import costs for any shipment to anywhere.

USE FREE
Protect Your Crowdfunding Budget from Cost Creep

Prices are rising, deliveries are slowing. Get up to speed on the state of crowdfunding shipping with expert Easyship analysis and keep your campaign on budget.

LEARN MORE
Discover the Cheapest Shipping from USPS, UPS & FedEx

Find the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 550+ courier services at a glance.

GET A FREE QUOTE
Discover Your Cheapest Way to Ship

Find the guaranteed cheapest shipping in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discounted rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ global couriers at a glance.

COMPARE RATES FREE
Compare the best rates in seconds

Get an instant estimate of the cheapest shipping rates with our free calculator tool.

GET FREE RATE QUOTES
Save money on every shipment

Save up to 91% off shipping with Easyship’s discount courier rates. Create your free account to save instantly on 550+ courier services, including USPS.

CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNT
Ready to ship internationally?

Get help from our global shipping experts on warehousing, global shipping and to connect with our network of trusted 3PLs.

GET FREE SHIPPING TIPS
How’s Your Covid Shipping Policy?

Use our free shipping policy generator to formulate your safest, most customer-friendly shipping policy in seconds.

GET YOUR SHIPPING POLICY
Try Pre-generated Return Labels For Free

Register for an Easyship account today and get 30-days access to a Premier plan with access to Pre-generated Return Labels.

Generate Return Labels Today
Discover the Cheapest Shipping from USPS, UPS® & FedEx

Find the guaranteed cheapest rates for any courier in seconds with Easyship’s free shipping rate calculator. Compare discount rates from USPS, UPS, FedEx, and 250+ couriers at a glance.

GET RATE QUOTES FREE
Get Up to Speed On Covid Shipping

Explore our Covid shipping resources to make sure your shipment arrives on time and in good condition.

LEARN MORE
Free Shipping for the Holidays 101

Learn how the leading brands offer free shipping, calculate costs, and ship on a budget for the holidays in our free shipping guidebook.

LEARN MORE
Your Perfect Shipping Policy, Ready in Minutes

Use Easyship’s free shipping policy generator to formulate your perfect holiday shipping policy for returns, tracking, and more. Just follow the prompts and you’re done!

GET YOUR SHIPPING POLICY
Scale Your Growth Internationally With Pro Tips

Learn how to ship internationally without missing a step. Our case studies show you proven tactics for shipping worldwide from Easyship users who did it right.

READ CASE STUDIES
No items found.
Share on:

Related Articles

No items found.