Lob
Lob is an automated direct mail platform that enables you to send personalized physical mail, verify addresses, and track delivery with the same ease as sending digital emails.
PostGrid
PostGrid is a comprehensive direct mail and address verification platform that helps you automate physical mail campaigns and validate global addresses through a developer-friendly API and dashboard.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Lob | PostGrid |
|---|---|---|
| Website | lob.com | postgrid.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 0 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2013 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Toronto, Canada |
Overview
Lob
Lob transforms how you handle physical mail by bringing the speed and automation of digital tools to the offline world. You can automate the entire lifecycle of direct mail—from creation and printing to mailing and tracking—using a single platform. This eliminates manual coordination with print shops and mail houses, allowing you to trigger personalized postcards, letters, and checks directly from your existing CRM or tech stack.
You can also ensure your data is accurate with built-in address verification that cleanses and formats global addresses in real-time. Whether you are a developer looking for robust APIs or a marketer needing a dashboard to launch retention campaigns, Lob helps you scale your physical outreach while maintaining full visibility into delivery status and campaign performance.
PostGrid
PostGrid is a powerful automation platform that helps you bridge the gap between digital workflows and physical mail. You can send letters, postcards, and checks globally without ever touching an envelope or visiting a post office. The platform handles everything from printing to delivery, allowing you to trigger mailings directly from your CRM or via their robust API.
You can also ensure your data is accurate with real-time address verification that checks against official postal databases like USPS and Canada Post. Whether you are a developer looking to integrate mail into an app or a marketer running a high-volume acquisition campaign, PostGrid simplifies the entire logistics chain. It eliminates manual errors and reduces postage costs through automated sorting and address cleansing.
Overview
Lob Features
- Direct Mail API Connect your existing software to automate the sending of personalized letters, postcards, and checks with simple code.
- Address Verification Verify and standardize US and international addresses instantly to reduce return-to-sender mail and save on postage costs.
- Campaign Analytics Track your mail pieces in real-time with per-piece tracking so you know exactly when your customers receive them.
- HTML Templating Create dynamic mail designs using HTML and CSS to personalize every piece of mail for your specific recipients.
- Automated Checks Send secure, compliant checks to vendors or customers automatically without ever touching a printer or an envelope.
- Global Delivery Reach customers in over 190 countries using a distributed print network that ensures fast and reliable local delivery.
PostGrid Features
- Direct Mail API. Integrate physical mail into your existing software applications to trigger letters and postcards automatically based on user actions.
- Address Verification. Validate and standardize global addresses in real-time to ensure your mail reaches the right person and reduce return-to-sender costs.
- Smart HTML Templates. Build personalized mailers using dynamic HTML templates that automatically pull data from your CRM for highly targeted messaging.
- Global Print Delivery. Send mail to over 200 countries through a distributed network of print partners that ensures fast local delivery and lower rates.
- Real-time Tracking. Monitor your mail pieces as they move through the postal system with per-piece tracking and delivery status updates.
- Automated Check Printing. Securely print and mail checks to vendors or customers directly from your accounting software to streamline your accounts payable.
Pricing Comparison
Lob Pricing
- Access to all APIs
- Test environment
- Up to 300 address verifications
- Standard delivery speeds
- Community support access
- Everything in Developer, plus:
- Pay-as-you-go per piece
- Unlimited address verifications
- Access to HTML templates
- Standard tracking and analytics
- Email support
PostGrid Pricing
- Pay-as-you-go per piece pricing
- Access to HTML template builder
- Basic address verification
- Standard email support
- API and Dashboard access
- Everything in Starter, plus:
- Volume-based discounted rates
- Advanced user management
- Priority technical support
- Custom integration assistance
- Dedicated account manager
Pros & Cons
Lob
Pros
- Automates tedious manual printing and mailing tasks
- Excellent API documentation makes integration very straightforward
- Real-time tracking provides digital-level visibility for mail
- Address verification significantly reduces wasted postage costs
Cons
- Monthly platform fees can be high for small teams
- HTML template rendering can sometimes be finicky
- Customer support response times vary on lower tiers
PostGrid
Pros
- Developer-friendly API documentation makes integration simple
- Significant reduction in manual labor for mail operations
- Highly accurate address validation reduces wasted postage
- Global reach allows for easy international expansion
- Responsive customer support helps with technical setup
Cons
- Learning curve for non-technical users in the dashboard
- Pricing can be complex for very low volumes
- Limited native integrations compared to larger CRM platforms